Building Sensor-Actuator Pairing for Faster Fault Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of commissioning and testing actuators and sensors in buildings is time-consuming and prone to errors due to the complexity of identifying and addressing faults, leading to increased costs and delays.
Innovation Solution
A semi-automated commissioning and testing method is implemented using a communication network among sensors and actuators, where signals are analyzed for similarity and operating modes, with a moving maximum and minimum filter to pair sensors and actuators, and a graphical user interface for user interaction to identify and alert potential faults.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual commissioning and testing of actuators and sensors is performed, then personnel can directly identify and record device information, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone due to the complexity of searching and recording device addresses and locations
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service commissioning by allowing actuators and sensors to automatically identify and pair with each other through wireless communication. Devices transmit their identification information autonomously, eliminating the need for manual searching and recording of device addresses and locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical processes (physical searching, writing down information) with automated electronic identification and wireless communication systems. The commissioning process transitions from human-operated mechanical recording to automated digital identification and data exchange.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of actuators and sensors in a building increases, then the building system becomes more comprehensive and functional, but the commissioning and testing process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Each actuator and sensor automatically performs identification and pairing operations without requiring personnel to manually search through the growing number of devices. The system handles the complexity of multiple devices through autonomous self-identification and automated data exchange.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where devices transmit their status and identification information to a central commissioning system, which automatically processes and records the data. This feedback loop enables the system to handle increased device counts without proportionally increasing commissioning complexity.
3Loss of information
If manual recording of device addresses and locations is performed, then personnel can create commissioning documentation, but mistakes and omissions occur during the recording process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual writing and recording processes with automated electronic data capture and storage. Device identification information is automatically transmitted and recorded in digital form, eliminating transcription errors and omissions associated with manual recording.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates accurate digital copies of device identification information directly from the devices themselves through wireless communication. This automated copying process eliminates the need for manual transcription and ensures complete and accurate recording of all device data.
Data Source
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AI summary
Fault detection in buildings. A method of detecting faults in a structure (1) having a data network and at least one first actuator (3a - 3h, 4a - 4e) connecting to the data network, and having first and second sensors (5a - 5h), each sensor (5a - 5h) connecting to the data network, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining via the data network from the at least one first actuator (3a - 3h, 4a - 4e) one or more signals indicative of a test operating mode and from each of the of first and second sensors (5a - 5h) one or more signals indicative of a time series of test readings; producing a test operating mode from the one or more signals indicative of a test operating mode and a first time series of test values from the one or more signals obtained from the first sensor (5a - 5h).