Adaptive Backup Power Control Algorithm for Fossil Fuel Heating Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fossil fuel powered furnaces do not optimize electrical power usage during backup power conditions, leading to rapid depletion of backup power systems, and existing control schemes do not effectively manage heat supply and energy consumption during power outages or peak demand periods.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive control algorithm that monitors weather data, equipment operation, and power availability to switch between comfort, power conservation, and protection modes, optimizing heat supply and reducing electrical power consumption by adjusting cyclical operation and temperature differentials, and providing user override options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If normal furnace control schemes are used during backup power operation, then thermal comfort is maintained, but electrical energy is quickly depleted
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts furnace operation parameters based on real-time conditions including outdoor temperature, indoor temperature setpoint, and backup power status. The system transitions between different operational modes (normal, backup power, extreme cold) to optimize the balance between thermal comfort and energy consumption, preventing rapid depletion of backup power while maintaining acceptable heating performance
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as cycle duration, on-time percentage, and temperature differentials based on the operational mode. During backup power mode, the system modifies these parameters to reduce electrical energy consumption while still providing necessary heating, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining thermal comfort and conserving limited electrical energy
2Power
If the furnace operates in high heat mode during backup power operation, then heat supplied to conditioned space is optimized, but the number of on and off cycles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic heating cycles with extended on-times and reduced off-times during backup power operation. By operating in high heat mode with fewer, longer cycles rather than frequent short cycles, the system reduces the number of on/off transitions while maintaining effective heat supply to the conditioned space, thus resolving the contradiction between heat supply efficiency and cycle frequency
3Use of energy by moving object
If adaptive cyclical control is implemented, then electrical power usage is optimized, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors outdoor temperature, indoor temperature setpoint, backup power status, and operational mode to dynamically adjust heating parameters. This feedback mechanism enables optimized electrical power usage during backup operation while managing complexity through a structured decision-making framework that selects from predefined operational modes based on current conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling fossil fuel fired heating systems according to an improved adaptive cyclical control method when operating on backup (auxiliary DC) electrical power. Battery life is prolonged when used in conjunction with such improved method. Operating characteristics of the heating equipment and home or building being heated are monitored and stored in electronic memory during normal periods of operation when grid power is available. These characteristics are used to create control algorithms that are in turn specific to the system, as defined by the heating equipment and conditioned space. When the grid power is lost the control algorithms select the optimal heating mode, determine optimal cycle duration, and estimate the time to exhaustion of the remaining backup power.Operation is divided into sequential modes. When a prolonged low voltage period is detected, the backup power control initiates a short-term preliminary energy conservation mode. As the outage persists, the control transitions to intermediate and long-term energy conservation modes until the backup power is exhausted or grid power is restored.