Building management system with particulate sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building management systems lack efficient methods for real-time particulate sensing and control of air quality within building spaces, leading to suboptimal operation of HVAC equipment and inadequate indoor air quality management.
Innovation Solution
An integrated sampling system for air handling units that includes piping, sensors, and a processing circuit to collect and analyze air stream samples, estimating air quality indicators and controlling HVAC equipment based on these measurements, allowing for targeted air stream analysis and improved indoor air quality management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple separate sensors are used to measure different air quality parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate sensors (particulate matter sensor, CO2 sensor, temperature sensor, humidity sensor) into a single integrated sampling system that collects air samples through a common piping network and switching manifold, enabling simultaneous measurement of multiple air quality parameters while reducing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated sampling system serves multiple functions: it collects air samples for particulate matter measurement, CO2 measurement, temperature measurement, and humidity measurement through a single unified platform, allowing the system to perform diverse air quality assessments without requiring separate independent sensing systems
2Measurement precision
If continuous air sampling from multiple locations is performed, then air quality monitoring accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switching manifold periodically directs air samples from different locations (outdoor air, return air, supply air) to the sensors in sequence rather than continuously sampling from all locations simultaneously, reducing energy consumption while maintaining comprehensive air quality monitoring accuracy through time-multiplexed measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-processes air samples by directing them through the switching manifold which selectively routes samples based on predetermined scheduling, allowing the sensors to measure multiple air streams over time without requiring continuous high-energy operation of all sampling pathways simultaneously
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for particulate sensing of a building. Some embodiments relate to an air handling unit of an HVAC system of a building. The air handling unit includes a zone sensor configured to sample a first zone and measure a first particle disturbance of the first zone, an integrated sampling system includes one or more integrated sensors configured to measure a second particle disturbance of an outdoor air stream and a third particle disturbance of an indoor air stream. The air handling unit further includes an air handling unit controller configured to control operation of the air handling unit, responsive to comparing the second particle disturbance with at least one of the first particle disturbance or and the third particle disturbance.