Air quality sensor and data acquisition apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air monitoring systems for building ventilation face challenges in efficiently and economically sampling and controlling air quality across multiple regions, leading to delayed data updates and increased maintenance costs due to reliance on active vacuum devices and variable purge times.
Innovation Solution
An air sampling system utilizing a Venturi vacuum device to draw air samples from multiple rooms without direct electrical power, continuously supplying updated samples to a central controller, which selectively directs samples to sensors, minimizing purge times and energy consumption by leveraging existing HVAC system pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If active vacuum devices are used to draw air samples from multiple regions, then air sampling capability is improved, but device complexity and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces active vacuum devices with a passive Venturi vacuum device that uses fluid dynamics (pressure differential created by flowing fluid) to draw air samples. This substitution eliminates motors, sensors, and control electronics while maintaining sampling capability, directly resolving the contradiction between productivity and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic principles by using the Venturi effect - a pressure differential created by fluid flow through a constricted section of pipe - to generate vacuum pressure for sample collection. This pneumatic mechanism provides reliable air sampling without mechanical moving parts, reducing complexity while preserving sampling functionality
2Productivity
If air samples from all regions are purged through the sensor supply line, then sample updating is improved, but loss of time increases due to extended purge durations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides air sample processing into two separate pathways: a sensor supply line for samples requiring analysis and a sample purge line for samples being discarded or replaced. This segmentation allows simultaneous purging of non-selected samples while maintaining current samples in the sensor line, enabling continuous sample updating without requiring complete system purging and eliminating time loss
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous air sample flow from all regions through the air sample unit, with the controller selectively directing samples to either the sensor supply line or purge line. This continuous flow ensures that sample updating occurs without interruption or downtime, eliminating purge time loss while maintaining productive sample acquisition
3Device complexity
If a single sensor measures air quality for multiple regions sequentially, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to sampling delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent continuously draws and prepares air samples from all regions simultaneously through the air sample unit, storing them ready for analysis. When a region requires measurement, its pre-prepared sample is immediately available for directed analysis, eliminating sampling delays and ensuring measurement precision while maintaining single-sensor simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic sample switching where the controller selectively directs different regional samples to the sensor supply line based on real-time monitoring needs. This dynamic allocation allows the single sensor to efficiently measure multiple regions in sequence without losing precision, as each region's sample is freshly prepared and immediately available when needed
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
The system provides efficient, real-time air quality monitoring across multiple rooms with reduced operational costs and maintenance, maintaining low cycle times and responsive control of air quality parameters, while utilizing existing HVAC system energy efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
An air sampling system utilizing a Venturi vacuum device to draw air samples from multiple rooms without direct electrical power
Data Source
AI summary
An air sampling system is configured to detect an air quality metric for a plurality of regions. The sampling system comprises an air sample unit and an air sensor in fluid communication with a sensor supply line and configured to measure the air quality metric. A controller is configured to control the air sample unit to selectively direct a selected sample of a plurality of air samples to the sensor supply line. The controller is further configured to control the air sample unit to direct the remaining air samples to a sample purge line bypassing the sensor supply line. The controller is further configured to change the selected sample over time among the plurality of air samples such that the air quality metric is identified for the plurality of regions.