Control method and climate control system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current air conditioning systems in data centers consume high energy due to individual optimization of each air conditioning unit, leading to suboptimal operation of other units in the system.

Innovation Solution

A higher-level control algorithm optimizes the overall energy consumption by controlling the thermal influence between air conditioning units through the air conditioning medium, allowing individual units to operate outside their optimal energy consumption points for the benefit of the system as a whole.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If each air conditioning device is controlled individually towards its own optimal operating point, then the individual energy consumption of each device is minimized, but the total energy consumption of the air conditioning system increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindividual energy consumption of air conditioning devicesVSAvoidtotal energy consumption of air conditioning system

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control of multiple air conditioning devices into a unified system-level control approach. Instead of each device operating independently, the control algorithm coordinates all devices to work together as an integrated system, optimizing the total energy consumption rather than individual device consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic control where the operating points of air conditioning devices are continuously adjusted based on system-wide conditions. The control algorithm dynamically reallocates operating points among devices to maintain overall system efficiency, allowing individual devices to deviate from their static optimal points when beneficial for the total system performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of energy

If a higher-level control algorithm optimizes the overall system energy consumption, then the total energy requirement is reduced, but the individual air conditioning devices must operate outside their optimal energy consumption points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetotal energy requirement of air conditioning systemVSAvoidindividual energy consumption of air conditioning devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial optimization at the individual device level by allowing some devices to operate suboptimally. The control algorithm deliberately lets certain devices consume more or less energy than their individual optimum in order to enable other devices to operate more efficiently, achieving a better overall system performance through controlled suboptimality at the component level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If air conditioning devices are operated at individually optimized operating points, then each device achieves maximum efficiency, but the thermal influence between devices causes suboptimal operation of other units in the system

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of individual air conditioning devicesVSAvoidoptimal operation of air conditioning circuit

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control algorithm continuously monitors the thermal influence and operating conditions of all air conditioning devices. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts the operating points of individual devices to compensate for thermal interactions, ensuring that the cumulative effect of all devices maintains optimal system-wide performance.

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

This approach significantly reduces the total energy requirement of the air conditioning system by minimizing energy consumption across all units, even if individual units operate at non-optimal settings, thereby enhancing energy efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The thermal influence between the first air conditioning device and the second air conditioning device by means of the air conditioning medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal energy transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2483605B1Control method and climate control system

Publication Date: 2017.01.25 CORRECT POWER INST

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AI summary

The invention relates to a control method for a climate control system and a climate control system comprising at least one first climate control device (11) and at least one second climate control device (21), wherein between the first climate control device and the second climate control device, a thermal effect is produced by means of climate control medium (5) and a total energy requirement is minimized by means of a control algorithm, the total energy requirement being calculated as the sum of an energy requirement of the first climate control device and an energy requirement of the second climate control device, in that first adjustment variables of the first climate control device and second adjustment variables of the section climate control device are controlled.