Procedure for regulating an air flow in an air conditioning sytem and air conditioning system therefor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air conditioning plants face challenges in regulating air flow to compensate for design and installation errors, leading to inefficient performance, prolonged start-up times, and unwanted ground draughts, which can result in customer dissatisfaction and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a network of air conditioning units, diffuser elements, and flow interrupting elements to dynamically regulate air flow by varying pressure and flow rates, using sensors to adjust the operation of shutters and partialising means to optimize air distribution and minimize ground draughts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the plant is correctly dimensioned with ventilators operating at optimal pressure, then energy efficiency is maintained, but start-up times are prolonged and temperature homogeneity is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the ventilators to operate at different pressure levels depending on the operational phase. During start-up, ventilators operate at elevated pressure to rapidly homogenize temperature, then transition to optimal pressure for energy-efficient normal operation. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between energy efficiency and start-up time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through a two-phase operational cycle: a start-up phase with elevated pressure for rapid temperature homogenization, followed by a normal operation phase with optimal pressure for energy efficiency. This periodic switching allows the system to achieve both fast start-up and energy efficiency at different times.
2Loss of time
If higher pressure is applied during start-up to increase flow rate and reduce homogenization time, then start-up time is reduced, but ground draughts are generated that cause user discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the air distribution system into multiple independently controllable zones or outlets. During start-up, higher pressure is applied selectively to specific zones rather than uniformly across all outlets, enabling rapid temperature homogenization in critical areas while preventing ground draughts in occupied zones through localized pressure management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by applying different pressure levels to different parts of the air distribution system based on local requirements. Elevated pressure is applied to zones requiring rapid heating, while occupied zones maintain lower pressure to avoid ground draughts, thus achieving fast start-up without user discomfort.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If design modifications are made to prevent ground draughts during normal operation, then user comfort is improved, but inductive effect is reduced and start-up efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by adjusting the air flow characteristics and pressure levels dynamically between start-up and normal operation phases. During start-up, the system optimizes for inductive effect with higher pressure and flow rates, then transitions to normal operation with adjusted parameters that prevent ground draughts while maintaining adequate heating performance.
Data Source
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AI summary
A procedure for regulating an air flow in an air conditioning plant, with an air conditioning unit (2) suitable for generating a flow of air, a plurality of diffuser elements (4) for diffusing the conditioned air into the ambient, a transport channel (13) for transferring the air to be diffused, a flow interrupting element (20) mobile between a first operating condition in which it enables passage of fluid towards the diffuser elements (4) and a second operating condition in which it substantially intercepts the air, the flow interrupting element (20) being interposed between a first portion of the plant directly in fluid connection with the at least an air conditioning unit (2) and a second portion of the plant and intercepting the air flow coming from the at least a treatment unit (2) and directed towards the second portion of the plant, a pressure sensor (22) for detecting an operating pressure internally of the plant, the procedure comprising the following steps of activating the conditioning unit (2) such as to generate an air flow, detecting, with the pressure sensor (22), the pressure generated internally of the plant, moving the flow interrupting element (20) into an operating position comprised between the first and the second operating condition as a function of the pressure detection performed by the sensor (22) for regulating the air flow internally of the plant.