System and method for controlling temperature and water content of an airstream
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing climate control systems are inefficient and costly, as they often require separate steps for controlling temperature and humidity, and are unable to adjust both parameters simultaneously, especially in environments with rapidly changing ambient conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses a contact device for transferring thermal energy and water vapor between a medium and an air stream, with integrated control devices and sensors, allowing simultaneous adjustment of temperature and humidity through a processing circuitry that determines desired changes based on measured parameters and a defined relationship between temperature and humidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If separate steps are used to control humidity and temperature (cooling air to condense water, then re-heating), then humidity control is achieved, but energy consumption increases and temperature control efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines humidity control and temperature control into a single integrated process using a contact device. The medium simultaneously transfers both thermal energy and water vapor to/from the air stream, eliminating the need for separate cooling-condensing-reheating steps. This merging of functions directly reduces energy consumption while maintaining effective climate control.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact device is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it controls humidity through water vapor transfer and temperature through thermal energy transfer. The circulating medium serves as a universal carrier that can adjust both parameters in one pass through the contact device, making the system more efficient compared to specialized separate devices.
2Reliability
If known systems control humidity and temperature in two separate steps, then humidity can be controlled by cooling and condensation, but temperature control becomes inefficient requiring re-heating
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges humidity control and temperature control into a single simultaneous process. The contact device allows the medium to transfer both water vapor (controlling humidity) and thermal energy (controlling temperature) in one operation, eliminating the inefficient re-heating step required in traditional separate-step systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If prior art systems cannot increase humidity effectively, then dehumidification is possible, but the system becomes limited in bidirectional humidity control
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts its operation based on ambient conditions and desired setpoints. The contact device can operate in different modes: increasing humidity when the air stream needs moisture, decreasing humidity when condensation is needed, and similarly for temperature control. This dynamic capability provides full bidirectional control adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact device is designed with universal functionality to handle all four combinations of humidity and temperature control: humidifying with heating, humidifying with cooling, dehumidifying with heating, and dehumidifying with cooling. This makes the system highly adaptable to various climate control requirements.
4Adaptability or versatility
If climate control systems are designed to handle rapidly changing ambient conditions, then stable indoor environment is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The contact device serves as a universal climate control component that can handle all types of climate adjustments in a single unit. By consolidating multiple control functions into one device with a circulating medium system, the patent reduces overall system complexity compared to using multiple separate devices to achieve the same 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
The system efficiently and cost-effectively adjusts both temperature and humidity simultaneously, using feedback loops and sensors to achieve predetermined setpoints, improving energy efficiency and reliability in climate control.
Implementation Method 1
a contact device for transferring thermal energy and water vapor between a medium and an air stream flowing through the contact device
Implementation Method 2
thermal energy and water vapor is transferred between the medium and the air stream
Implementation Method 3
a contact device for transferring thermal energy and water vapor between a medium and an air stream
Implementation Method 4
controlling humidity generally takes place by cooling the air so that water is condensed
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a computer implemented method for controlling temperature and humidity of an air stream, the method comprising receiving parameters indicative of a temperature and water content of an airstream in a downstream section and of a temperature and water content of a medium in the system, and further determining in processing circuitry a desired temperature change and desired water content change of the first medium as a first function f1 based on the received parameters and also based on a second function that defines a relationship between the air temperature and the air water content as co-dependent variables; and also generating a first and second control signal configured to apply the desired temperature change and the desired water content change to the first medium. The invention also relates to a corresponding system.