Apparatus and method for providing selective fan or vent cooling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional air conditioning systems are costly and inefficient, while whole house fans require manual operation and can introduce pollutants, and are ineffective when outside temperatures are higher than inside temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A whole house cooling system with a plenum box, damper, and actuator that automatically controls the HVAC system and whole house fan to draw cool air from outside, purging heat from the structure without the need for manual window control, reducing energy costs and maintaining indoor air quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional air conditioning systems are used to cool structures, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different cooling modes (HVAC air conditioning and whole house fan) based on real-time temperature conditions. The controller automatically selects the most energy-efficient cooling method by monitoring outside and inside temperatures, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining cooling effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses free cooling from outside air when ambient temperatures are lower than inside temperatures, eliminating the need for energy-intensive mechanical refrigeration. The whole house fan naturally draws cool outside air through the structure without requiring additional energy input for cooling.
2Use of energy by moving object
If whole house fans are used to cool structures, then energy consumption is reduced, but the system requires manual operation and can introduce pollutants
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically monitors temperature conditions and activates the whole house fan when outside temperatures are favorable for cooling, eliminating the need for manual operation. The controller self-manages the cooling process by detecting temperature differentials and initiating fan operation autonomously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates temperature sensors and a controller that continuously monitor inside and outside temperatures. Based on this feedback, the controller automatically determines when to activate the whole house fan, ensuring optimal cooling operation without manual intervention and preventing fan operation when it would introduce pollutants or heat.
3Use of energy by moving object
If whole house fans are used to cool structures, then energy consumption is reduced, but cooling capability is limited by ambient outside air temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts its cooling strategy based on ambient temperature conditions. When outside temperatures are lower than inside temperatures, the whole house fan is activated for energy-efficient cooling. When outside temperatures exceed inside temperatures, the system automatically switches to traditional HVAC air conditioning to maintain cooling capability, thus overcoming the temperature limitation of whole house fans.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines two different cooling methods (whole house fan and HVAC air conditioning) into a single multi-functional cooling system. This allows the system to effectively cool the structure under various temperature conditions by selecting the appropriate cooling method, thereby overcoming the limitations of using either system alone.
4Temperature
If large capacity whole house fans are installed in the attic, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but noise and vibrations penetrate the occupied space
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the cooling function between two separate components: the whole house fan located in the attic for effective air movement and the HVAC system for temperature control. This segmentation allows the large capacity fan to operate in the attic space where noise and vibrations are less problematic, while still achieving effective cooling without penetrating noise into occupied spaces.
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 effectively cools structures by using outside cool air, reducing energy consumption, and maintaining indoor air quality without the need for costly HVAC systems, while being easily installed without structural modifications.
Implementation Method 1
Whole house fans consist of one or more exhaust fans, typically placed in the attic or an upper floor, and function by creating a negative pressure inside of the structure to draw cooler air in from the outside.
Implementation Method 2
The cooler outside air is forced up through the ceiling into the attic where the air is exhausted out through a vent.
Implementation Method 3
Traditional whole house fans are installed on the attic floor such that they directly contact the ceiling of the structure. As such, the large capacity whole house fans, necessary to create sufficient negative pressure to draw the cooler air inside in the structure, can create undesirable noise and vibrations that penetrate the occupied space of the building. Advantageously, these systems require less energy than air conditioning systems and can reduce the need for air conditioning and therefore reduce structure energy consumption while still providing a comfortable space. However, such whole house fans require open windows to serve as intake air vents. Thus, the user is required to manually control the air flow. The opened windows, however, can allow in dust, pollen and other pollutants from the exterior incoming air. Additionally, the cooling capabilities of whole house fans are limited by the ambient outside air. Whole house fans are incapable of lowering the temperature and humidity of the air drawn into the building. Accordingly, whole house fans are not effective at cooling the space when the outside ambient air temperature is higher than the internal air temperature. Thus, a user operating the whole house fan under unsuitable conditions may actually heat the space when they intended to use the fan to cool the space.
Implementation Method 4
a circuit board or controller of the example embodiment can shut down the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit and then the actuator can move the damper from the closed position to the open position
Implementation Method 5
the whole house fan(s) can energize, pulling air from open windows of the structure through the plenum and blowing the air through interstitial regions (e.g., the attic), thereby purging the heat out of the structure
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for providing selective fan or vent cooling are disclosed. An example embodiment includes: a return plenum box having a return box opening, a fan opening, and a return duct opening; a fan coupled to the fan opening; a controller coupled to the plenum box; and an adjustable damper coupled to a hinge point of the return plenum box, the damper being adjustable between a closed position, which blocks the fan opening and an open position that blocks the return duct opening.