Air distribution method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ventilation systems face inefficiencies in air transport, leading to excessive energy consumption and noise pollution due to fixed air distribution methods that do not account for varying ventilation needs or pressure conditions in buildings.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing room ventilation demand sensors and pressure sensors to modulate air flow through controllable control valves, determining the minimum required pressure for air distribution based on demand and aeraulic parameters, and adjusting valve openings to achieve optimal airflow while minimizing pressure drops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed air distribution is used to ensure ventilation in all rooms, then air quality is maintained, but energy is wasted by constantly ventilating uninhabited rooms
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts air distribution based on real-time occupancy detection. Sensors in each room detect presence/absence of occupants and send signals to a control unit that modulates damper positions and fan speeds accordingly, transforming the static fixed distribution system into a dynamic adaptive system that responds to changing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements room-specific air distribution control where each room's ventilation needs are addressed independently. Dampers in individual room ducts are adjusted based on local occupancy conditions, allowing personalized ventilation control for each space rather than uniform system-wide control.
2Productivity
If high depression is maintained on extraction to ensure adequate ventilation, then air flow is sufficient, but noise problems and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts extraction fan depression levels based on real-time air quality measurements and occupancy patterns. The control unit modulates fan speed and damper positions to maintain adequate air flow only when needed, reducing depression levels during low-occupancy periods to minimize noise and energy consumption while preserving ventilation effectiveness.
3Reliability
If air is transported at higher pressure to ensure distribution to all rooms, then ventilation coverage is complete, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically optimizes air transport pressure by continuously adjusting damper positions and fan speeds based on real-time occupancy and air quality data. Pressure is increased only in rooms requiring ventilation while maintaining lower pressure in unoccupied areas, transforming the static high-pressure distribution into a dynamic selective pressure system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies differentiated pressure levels to different zones and rooms based on their specific ventilation requirements. Local damper adjustments create zone-specific pressure control, allowing high pressure only where occupants are present while maintaining low pressure in unoccupied areas.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for distributing supply ventilation air to or from rooms in a dwelling through a distribution network comprising distribution ducts. The method uses one or more room ventilation demand sensors located in at least one room and a pressure sensor installed to measure the pressure in a common supply duct when the method is applied to supply air, or installed to measure the pressure in a common exhaust duct when the method is applied to exhaust air. The method uses controllable regulating valves to modulate the distributed air. According to the invention, the air is transported at a minimum pressure in the common duct, determined from the room ventilation demand sensors and the aerodynamic parameters of the distribution network.