Ad-hoc network for a system using a fluid to transfer thermal energy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid transfer systems for thermal energy regulation in buildings are inefficient due to thermostats operating without knowledge of the fluid's heating or cooling capacity, making it difficult to diagnose malfunctions and optimize system performance.
Innovation Solution
A retrofit system with an ad-hoc network that includes sensors and a circuit capable of modifying control signals based on temperature and flow data, allowing for more informed decisions on valve operation and diagnostics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If thermostats are used to regulate flow based only on room temperature, then the system is simple to operate, but the thermal energy transfer efficiency deteriorates because the thermostat is unaware of the fluid's heating or cooling capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having the thermostat communicate with a building management system that receives data from fluid temperature sensors. The system feeds back information about the fluid's actual temperature and thermal capacity to the thermostat, enabling it to make informed flow regulation decisions rather than operating blindly based solely on room temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The building management system acts as an intermediary between the thermostat and the fluid system. It receives temperature data from sensors in the fluid, processes this information, and provides guidance signals to the thermostat, allowing the thermostat to regulate flow based on both room conditions and fluid capacity without direct coupling to the fluid sensors.
2Device complexity
If traditional fluid transfer systems are used without additional sensors, then the device complexity is low, but the diagnostic capability deteriorates making malfunctions difficult to diagnose
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service diagnostics by automatically collecting temperature data from fluid sensors, comparing it against expected parameters, and generating diagnostic information. The building management system monitors fluid temperatures and can automatically detect anomalies, reducing the need for manual intervention and expert diagnosis while maintaining relatively simple hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The building management system serves as an intermediary that collects, processes, and analyzes data from various sensors. It mediates between the simple sensor inputs and the complex diagnostic requirements, providing centralized monitoring and diagnosis capabilities without requiring complex instrumentation at each terminal point.
3Device complexity
If thermostats operate without knowledge of fluid thermal capacity, then the control system is simple, but the system performance optimization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system receives feedback from fluid temperature sensors through the building management system. This feedback loop provides the thermostat with information about the fluid's thermal capacity and actual temperature, enabling optimized flow control decisions that improve system performance while maintaining reasonable control complexity through automated processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical control systems with electronic sensing and digital communication. Temperature sensors and digital communication between the building management system and thermostat substitute for complex mechanical feedback mechanisms, achieving performance optimization through electronic means rather than mechanical complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides an ad-hoc network in a system using a fluid to transfer thermal energy, the ad-hoc network comprising a plurality of nodes, each node associated with at least a sensor configured to measure a temperature of the fluid or a unit configured to signal a valve to open or close, each of the nodes configured to communicate with one or more of the plurality of nodes; communicate information received or gathered concerning an operation of the system to at least one other node; and wherein at least one of the nodes is configured to transfer all the information gathered by the plurality of nodes to a location outside of the ad-hoc network.