Method for determining the individual chamber air volume flows in central ventilation systems and for pneumatically matching of ventilation systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing residential ventilation systems face challenges in achieving optimal pneumatic balancing due to discrepancies between planned and actual pressure losses, leading to inadequate ventilation, mold growth, noise pollution, and reduced comfort, which are not effectively addressed by current methods that require costly and time-consuming measurements.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing an integrated air volume flow meter and differential pressure sensors to determine and adjust individual pneumatic resistances in ventilation systems by measuring differential pressure and air volume flow through duct branches, allowing for on-site correction of throttle settings without additional equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If central ventilation systems are used to supply air to multiple rooms, then air supply to multiple rooms is achieved, but individual control of air volume flow to each room is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIndividual control capabilityVSAvoidSystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A pneumatic intermediary system is introduced between the central ventilation system and individual rooms. This includes pneumatic actuators coupled to dampers in each room's air supply line, controlled by a central control unit via pneumatic signals. This intermediary layer enables individual room control while maintaining the simplicity of a central system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The central ventilation system is segmented into individual controllable zones corresponding to different rooms. Each room has its own air supply line with a damper and pneumatic actuator, allowing independent control of air volume flow to each segment while remaining part of the overall central system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If existing ventilation systems are retrofitted for individual control, then individual room control is achieved, but installation cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIndividual control capabilityVSAvoidInstallation cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The pneumatic control components (actuators, dampers, control unit) are designed to be universally applicable to existing ventilation system architectures. The system can be retrofitted to various room configurations and ventilation layouts without requiring complete system replacement, reducing installation costs while achieving individual control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent provides predetermined formulas and calculation methods for determining optimal air volume flows and control parameters during the planning phase. This preliminary calculation work simplifies the subsequent installation and commissioning processes, reducing on-site adjustment time and costs when retrofitting existing systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If air volume flow is increased to compensate for heat loss in large rooms, then heating requirement is met, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveHeating requirement satisfactionVSAvoidEnergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts air volume flow to each room based on real-time temperature measurements and calculated heating requirements. Rather than supplying maximum flow to all rooms continuously, the system optimizes flow rates according to actual thermal conditions, ensuring heating requirements are met while minimizing energy consumption through adaptive control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Temperature sensors in each room provide feedback to the control unit, which uses this information along with predetermined formulas to calculate the optimal air volume flow needed. This closed-loop feedback system ensures that air supply is precisely matched to actual heating requirements, preventing energy waste from oversupply while maintaining thermal comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Enables efficient pneumatic balancing of ventilation systems by ensuring each room receives the required air volume flow, preventing inadequate ventilation and associated issues, while being cost-effective and avoiding the need for costly additional measurements.

Implementation Method 1

the control unit (13) is configured to determine individual air volume flows to the individual rooms (1.1, 1.2, 1.3) on the basis of predetermined formulas and/or methods and actual measured values for the individual rooms (1.1, 1.2, 1.3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat loss calculation:

Implementation Method 2

the actuator (12.1, 12.2, 12.3) is configured to set the air volume flow of the air supply lines (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) to the determined individual air volume flows

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic actuation:

Data Source

PatentEP3534079B1Method for determining the individual chamber air volume flows in central ventilation systems and for pneumatically matching of ventilation systems
Publication Date: 2022.11.09 VAILLANT GMBH(DE)
  • EP3534079B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for determining the individual room air volume flows and for the pneumatic balancing of central ventilation systems with distributors branching off from manifold connections (17, 18) for individual room ventilation in buildings with rooms with air inlets and air outlets (22, 24, 26, 32, 34, 36). According to the invention, individual air inlets or outlets (22, 24, 26, 32, 34, 36) are closed, and the blower (7, 8) is regulated so that the same pressure conditions are established in the manifold connection (17, 18). The total volume flow is measured, and the difference corresponds to the previous volume flow through the now closed inlet or outlet. Balancing is carried out by comparison with setpoint values ​​and by changing the throttle values ​​of the throttles (21, 23, 25, 31, 33, 35).