Building automation system with hybrid disaster recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing HVAC system control algorithms require iterative rebuilds and deployments, leading to inefficiencies in algorithm development and testing.

Innovation Solution

A method for parallel computation and hybrid cluster optimization in building management systems, utilizing a processing circuit to generate and execute computing threads based on property models, and a dynamic cloud-based control framework for managing failures and optimizing resource allocation across on-premises and off-premises nodes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If iterative rebuild and deployment of control algorithms is performed, then algorithm development and testing can be done, but efficiency is reduced due to repeated rebuilds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealgorithm development efficiencyVSAvoidtime for iterative rebuilds
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the control algorithm deployment process into separate development environment and runtime environment. The runtime engine executes algorithms without requiring full rebuilds, allowing incremental changes and faster iteration. This separation enables the development team to work on algorithm improvements while the runtime system continues operating with existing algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The runtime engine performs preliminary compilation and validation of control algorithms before deployment to the building management system. By pre-processing algorithms in the development environment and validating them against the runtime schema, the system eliminates the need for repeated full rebuilds during iterative development, significantly reducing deployment time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If control algorithms are rebuilt iteratively, then changes can be made and tested, but the process becomes inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealgorithm modification capabilityVSAvoiddeployment efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic algorithm loading where the runtime engine can load, unload, and update control algorithms without stopping the building management system. This dynamic approach allows developers to modify algorithms and immediately test changes in a controlled manner, maintaining adaptability while improving deployment efficiency through selective updates rather than full rebuilds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If a robust method for developing algorithms is implemented, then reliability of the system is improved, but complexity of the development process increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem robustnessVSAvoiddevelopment process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The runtime engine acts as an intermediary between the development environment and the building management system. It provides a standardized interface for algorithm execution, validation, and deployment, ensuring that algorithms meet reliability requirements without requiring complex manual verification processes. The runtime schema validation serves as an automated intermediary check that ensures algorithm correctness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3593246B1Building automation system with hybrid disaster recovery
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 JOHNSON CONTROLS TYCO IP HLDG LLP
  • EP3593246B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3593246B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3593246B1 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.