Air Conditioning Compressor Control for Independent Humidity Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HVAC systems face efficiency challenges in humid environments due to excess moisture, which can lead to reduced system performance and user discomfort. Additionally, split HVAC systems often struggle with effective moisture removal without proper communication and coordination between indoor and outdoor units.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves an outdoor air conditioning system with a controller that can adjust the compressor's capacity based on sensor data from the refrigerant line. This controller can increase the compressor's speed and modify the sensible-to-latent heat ratio without feedback from indoor components, allowing for improved humidity reduction in the indoor space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the indoor blower speed is reduced to allow evaporator temperature to decrease for moisture condensation, then humidity control is improved, but system productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the HVAC system into independent indoor and outdoor units, each capable of autonomous humidity control. The outdoor unit can operate dehumidification cycles independently without requiring indoor unit communication, allowing the indoor blower to maintain higher speeds for productivity while the outdoor unit handles moisture removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The outdoor unit is equipped with sensors and control logic to autonomously detect and remove excess moisture from the system without relying on indoor unit feedback. This self-service capability allows the outdoor unit to independently manage dehumidification, freeing the indoor unit to focus on cooling efficiency.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the evaporator temperature is decreased to condense moisture from the air, then humidity control is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the dehumidification function from the indoor unit and relocates it to the outdoor unit. This allows the indoor evaporator to operate at higher temperatures for energy efficiency while the outdoor unit independently performs moisture condensation, reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The outdoor unit acts as an intermediary that handles moisture removal from the refrigerant line and indoor air without requiring the indoor evaporator to operate at low temperatures. This mediator approach separates the cooling and dehumidification functions, optimizing energy usage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the outdoor unit operates independently without indoor unit communication, then system adaptability is improved, but measurement precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The outdoor unit is equipped with its own humidity and temperature sensors, allowing it to independently measure and respond to moisture conditions without relying on indoor unit data. This self-service sensing capability maintains measurement precision while enabling autonomous operation and improved system adaptability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances the overall efficiency of HVAC systems by effectively removing moisture from indoor air, even in humid environments, without the need for communication with indoor units. It improves user comfort and reduces energy consumption by optimizing the dehumidification cycle.
Implementation Method 1
excess moisture is traditionally removed by reducing the indoor blower speed or capacity (CFM) to allow the evaporator temperature to decrease sufficiently, thus permitting moisture from the air to condense on the surface of the colder heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
The evaporator can be configured to conduct a heat exchange between the refrigerant and a quantity of indoor air
Implementation Method 3
The compressor can be configured to move the refrigerant through the refrigerant line, the refrigerant having a first temperature at the outlet of the compressor
Implementation Method 4
water has a high latent heat, the efficiency of the air-conditioning system in humid environments is decreased
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are air conditioning systems including a refrigerant line configured to transport a refrigerant; a compressor in fluid communication with the suction line; and a controller in communication with a sensor configured to measure a characteristic of the refrigerant line. The compressor can be configured to move the refrigerant through the refrigerant line, and the refrigerant can have a first temperature at the outlet of the compressor. The controller can be configured to receive sensor data from the sensor indicating a current value associated with the characteristic of the refrigerant line; determine, based at least partially on the sensor data, that the characteristic of the refrigerant line is above a predetermined threshold; and output instructions for the compressor to perform one or more corrective actions.