An air conditioning system for dehumidifying and cooling air
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air conditioning systems for supermarkets lack fine control over humidity and temperature levels, which can negatively affect refrigeration systems and fresh produce, and existing solutions do not allow independent control of airflow across and bypassing the cooling coil for optimal adjustments.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning system with a housing containing a cooling coil, humidity or dew point sensor, outside air damper, return air damper, bypass air damper, and a controller that independently controls these components to manage airflow paths and dehumidification, allowing for precise control of humidity and temperature levels by routing air through or around the cooling coil based on sensor data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single cooling coil is used for both cooling and dehumidification, then the system structure is simplified, but the ability to independently control temperature and humidity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The airflow path is segmented into two independent controllable paths: one path directs air through the cooling coil for dehumidification, while the other path bypasses the coil for temperature control. This segmentation allows independent control of humidity and temperature using a single cooling coil, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and control versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic damper control to adjust the proportion of air flowing through the cooling coil versus bypassing it. By dynamically modulating the damper position based on humidity and temperature sensor feedback, the system achieves independent control of both parameters while maintaining a simple single-coil structure.
2Reliability
If airflow through the cooling coil is increased for better dehumidification, then humidity control improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operational parameter of airflow distribution by dynamically adjusting damper positions. Instead of always maximizing airflow through the cooling coil, the system optimizes the airflow split between the coil path and bypass path based on actual humidity and temperature conditions, achieving effective dehumidification while minimizing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Humidity and temperature sensors provide continuous feedback to the control system, which adjusts the damper position and compressor capacity in real-time. This feedback mechanism ensures that airflow through the cooling coil is optimized for dehumidification only when necessary, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining reliable humidity control.
3Use of energy by moving object
If compressor capacity is reduced to lower energy consumption, then energy efficiency improves, but dehumidification capability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the airflow into coil and bypass paths with independent damper control, the system can maintain adequate compressor capacity for dehumidification even when overall system energy consumption is reduced. The damper ensures sufficient airflow through the cooling coil to maintain dehumidification capability while the bypass path allows overall energy efficiency improvement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically coordinates damper position with compressor capacity modulation. When dehumidification is needed, the damper opens to direct more airflow through the coil and the compressor capacity increases accordingly. When humidity is acceptable, the damper closes and compressor capacity reduces, maintaining dehumidification capability while improving energy efficiency.
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 system achieves fine control over humidity and temperature, optimizing dehumidification and cooling efficiency while maintaining building pressurization and reducing energy consumption by dynamically adjusting airflow and compressor capacity based on real-time humidity and temperature measurements.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling coil which is preferably a single DX cooling coil located in the chamber
Implementation Method 2
a sensor located in said interior space for measuring a humidity, being RH% level or a dew point sensor measuring dew point temperature
Implementation Method 3
an outside air damper, a return air damper, a bypass air damper
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
An air conditioning system is provided for dehumidifying and cooling air, and circulating the air through an interior space defined by a structure. The system comprises a housing that defines a first airflow path therein between an outside air inlet over a cooling coil and an outlet for delivering outside air from said outside air inlet over said coil to the outlet, a second airflow path between a return air inlet over the cooling coil and to the outlet for delivering return air over the cooling coil, and a third airflow path between the return air inlet and the outlet for delivering return air through the housing without passing over the cooling coil. The system includes outside air, return air, and bypass air dampers that are sequentially moveable between an open position and a closed position for directing air through or preventing air from entering the first, second, and third airflow paths, respectively. A controller is configured to independently control the opening and closing of each damper in response to data received from the sensor.