Building automation system with an energy optimization builder and generic data model designer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current HVAC system control algorithms require iterative rebuilding and deployment, making the development and testing process inefficient, as changes often necessitate a full rebuild, which is time-consuming and resource-intensive.

Innovation Solution

The Algorithms As A Service (A3S) platform enables efficient and robust development of building management algorithms by using metadata packages, a context, and a kernel, allowing for runtime injection and avoiding redeployment, with features like a sequencer for data collection and storage, customizable dashboards, and disaster recovery mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If iterative rebuilding and deployment of control algorithms is performed, then the system can be updated and improved, but the development and testing process becomes inefficient and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealgorithm update capabilityVSAvoiddevelopment and testing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control algorithm is divided into modular components that can be independently developed, tested, and deployed. This segmentation allows specific algorithm portions to be updated without requiring complete system rebuilds, thereby reducing development time while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Algorithm components are pre-compiled and prepared in advance as deployable modules. This preliminary action enables rapid deployment of updated algorithms without requiring full system reconstruction, thus reducing the time lost in iterative development cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If full rebuild of the algorithm is performed for every change, then system consistency is maintained, but the process becomes resource-intensive and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem consistencyVSAvoidalgorithm development efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The algorithm system is segmented into independent, versioned modules that can be updated selectively. This maintains system consistency through controlled module integration while avoiding the need for complete rebuilds, thereby improving development efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Algorithm modules are copied and deployed as independent executable units. This copying mechanism allows multiple versions to coexist and be tested independently, maintaining system consistency while enabling efficient iterative development without full rebuilds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If iterative testing and deployment is performed, then algorithm improvements can be made, but the process requires repeated builds which is inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealgorithm improvement capabilityVSAvoidbuild process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The build process is segmented into modular compilation steps for each algorithm component. This reduces build process complexity by allowing selective rebuilding of only modified modules, while maintaining the capability for iterative testing and deployment of improvements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Algorithm modules are pre-compiled and packaged as deployable units before testing. This preliminary compilation action simplifies the iterative testing process by eliminating repeated full builds, thereby reducing build process complexity while enabling continuous improvement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3623946B1Building automation system with an energy optimization builder and generic data model designer
Publication Date: 2023.10.04 JOHNSON CONTROLS TYCO IP HLDG LLP
  • EP3623946B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3623946B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3623946B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for executing computations in parallel for a building management system of a building includes receiving a computing job request to determine values for one or more particular properties, receiving a property model indicating dependencies between a plurality of properties, the plurality of properties including the one or more particular properties, wherein the plurality of properties include building data for the building, and generating one or more computing threads based on the property model, wherein each computing thread includes a sequence of computations for determining values for the plurality of properties. The method further includes executing the computing threads in parallel to determine the values for the particular properties.