Automatically balancing register for HVAC systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional HVAC systems face challenges in achieving uniform comfort levels across a building due to manually adjustable air register vents, leading to energy wastage and inadequate temperature control, especially in multi-zone setups, which are costly and difficult to retrofit or expand.
Innovation Solution
A system of intelligent controlled registers that communicate peer-to-peer, automatically detecting and integrating new components, adjusting airflow based on temperature and light data, and redistributing air without operating the heating or cooling unit to maintain desired temperatures across zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manually adjustable air register vents are used, then installation is simple and cost-effective, but uniform comfort levels across building zones cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
Each air register vent is equipped with an intelligent controller that autonomously adjusts airflow based on local temperature sensor data and peer-to-peer communication with other registers. The system self-organizes into a distributed network without requiring central control wiring, enabling automatic comfort optimization while maintaining simple installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The HVAC control system is segmented into independent intelligent controllers at each air register vent. Each controller operates autonomously but coordinates with neighbors through wireless peer-to-peer communication, dividing the building into controllable zones without requiring centralized infrastructure.
2Reliability
If manually adjusted registers are used to achieve desired temperature in all regions, then temperature comfort is improved, but energy is wasted due to excessive register closure constricting air flow
Solution Approach 1:
Each intelligent controller continuously monitors local temperature and exchanges data with peer controllers to assess overall system airflow conditions. The controller dynamically adjusts the register opening to maintain comfort while preventing excessive closure that would constrict airflow and increase blower energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the airflow parameter by adjusting register opening degree based on real-time temperature feedback and system-wide coordination, optimizing the balance between comfort maintenance and energy efficiency.
3Reliability
If high air pressure in ducts is allowed to occur, then conditioned air distribution is maintained, but duct leaks are exacerbated causing energy waste
Solution Approach 1:
The distributed intelligent controllers monitor temperature and airflow patterns to detect pressure imbalances. When high duct pressure is detected, the system coordinates to adjust register openings to reduce pressure buildup, thereby minimizing energy loss through duct leaks while maintaining adequate air distribution.
4Adaptability or versatility
If centralized control system with wiring is installed, then multi-zone temperature control is achieved, but system complexity and retrofit difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wiring-based centralized control system with a wireless peer-to-peer communication network. Each air register vent's intelligent controller communicates directly with neighbors using wireless signals, eliminating the need for complex wiring infrastructure while achieving multi-zone control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically self-organizes into a distributed control network when components are installed. Each intelligent controller autonomously discovers and connects to peer controllers, forming a functional multi-zone system without requiring complex installation wiring or configuration.
5Adaptability or versatility
If separate HVAC systems are installed for each zone, then temperature personalization is achieved, but system cost and energy waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent HVAC control functions into a single coordinated distributed system. Multiple air register vents with intelligent controllers work together as one unified system, allowing temperature personalization in different zones while sharing the load of a single heating/cooling plant, thereby reducing energy waste.
Data Source
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AI summary
Distributed nodes, such as intelligent register controllers, of a heating, ventilating and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system wirelessly communicate with each other on a peer-to-peer basis, forming a network, and collectively control the HVAC system, without a central controller. The intelligent register controllers collectively control the amount of conditioned air introduced into each region. Each node may base its operation at least in part on information about one or more (ideally all) of the other nodes. Each intelligent register controller automatically determines how much conditioned air to allow into its region, or how much return air to allow to be withdrawn from its region, based on information collected by the register controller, such as: current temperature of the region; desired temperature of the region; calculated amount of conditioned air required to change the region's temperature to the desired temperature; temperature of conditioned air begin supplied by a duct to the register; current time, day of week, vacation or other schedule data; temperatures of other regions and their respective desired temperatures; calculated amounts of air required to be supplied or withdrawn by the other controlled registers to change their respective regions' temperatures to their desired temperatures; or combinations thereof. Each register controller automatically determines when and to what extent to operate its respective controllable damper.