Building Weather Profile Correction for Indoor Floor Altitude
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for estimating a receiver's altitude within a building are inaccurate due to pressure discrepancies caused by the stack effect and HVAC systems, leading to potential errors in identifying the correct floor, which can be critical in emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
Determining building weather profile parameters, including A, B, and HNPL, to correct the estimated altitude by accounting for indoor and outdoor pressure and temperature differences, using equations such as ΔP=A×ΔT×(Htrue−HNPL)+B and Hcorrected=K×Hestimated-A×ΔT×HNPL+B, where ΔP is the pressure deviation, A and B represent the stack effect and HVAC performance, and HNPL is the neutral pressure layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pressure measured at receiver position inside building is used to estimate altitude, then altitude estimation can be performed, but the estimate deviates from actual altitude due to indoor pressure discrepancies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary correction mechanism by comparing indoor pressure measurements with outdoor pressure predictions (based on altitude and weather data) to calculate pressure discrepancies. This intermediary comparison allows the system to identify and correct for building-specific pressure effects without requiring direct access to true altitude, thereby resolving the contradiction between being able to perform altitude estimation and maintaining its accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from using raw pressure measurements directly to using corrected pressure values that account for building-specific discrepancies. By introducing correction factors derived from the difference between measured indoor pressure and predicted outdoor pressure at the same altitude, the system transforms unreliable pressure readings into reliable altitude estimates.
2Ease of operation
If standard pressure-based altitude estimation is used, then the process is simple, but the estimate may send emergency responders to the wrong floor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating or pre-measuring building-specific pressure discrepancy characteristics during periods when the building is occupied or accessible. These pre-determined correction parameters are stored and automatically applied during emergency situations, maintaining simplicity in the actual emergency response while ensuring reliability through advance preparation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the system continuously compares measured pressure with predicted pressure based on altitude and weather conditions. This feedback loop allows the system to dynamically adjust altitude estimates and identify when corrections are needed, maintaining both simplicity and reliability by automatically detecting and correcting errors without complex manual intervention.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach provides a more accurate estimation of the receiver's altitude by accounting for seasonal changes in HVAC performance and air leakage, ensuring precise floor identification even in multi-floor buildings.
Implementation Method 1
An initial estimate of a receiver's altitude inside a building is determined using a pressure sensor
Implementation Method 2
Such pressure discrepancies are due to the stack effect and building pressurization from heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems
Implementation Method 3
building pressurization from heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems
Data Source
AI summary
Determining building weather profile parameters, and correcting an estimated altitude of a receiver using the building weather profile parameters. Systems and methods for estimating an altitude of a receiver using building weather profile parameters may identify one or more weather profile parameters for a building, determine an initial estimate of a receiver's altitude at a floor inside the building, and use the initial estimate and the identified weather profile parameters to determine a corrected estimate of the receiver's altitude at the floor.