Enclosure cooling using early compressor turn-off with extended fan operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioning systems consume excessive energy due to the high power usage of compressors, while fan-only cooling after a cycle can be less effective if insufficient condensation forms on the evaporator coil or when indoor humidity is high, leading to inefficient energy savings.
Innovation Solution
A method that initiates a first phase with both compressor and fan, followed by a second phase where only the fan operates, adjusting the duration based on temperature measurements and humidity levels, ensuring sufficient condensation has formed and humidity is below a threshold to optimize energy savings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the compressor is operated continuously to maintain cooling, then the cooling effectiveness is improved, but the energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling operation is segmented into two distinct phases: a first phase with both compressor and fan operating to establish initial cooling and condensation, and a second phase with only the fan operating to maintain cooling through evaporative effects. This segmentation allows the high-energy compressor to operate only when necessary while the low-energy fan handles maintenance cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The first phase with full compressor and fan operation performs preliminary cooling action to establish sufficient condensation on the evaporator coil and cool the air. This preliminary action creates the conditions necessary for the second phase to be effective, allowing the compressor to be turned off early while maintaining cooling through the fan-only evaporative phase.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the fan operates alone after compressor shutdown to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but cooling effectiveness decreases if insufficient condensation has formed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling action during the first phase by operating the compressor to establish sufficient condensation on the evaporator coil before transitioning to fan-only operation. This ensures that when the compressor shuts off, the evaporator coil has already accumulated enough condensation to enable effective evaporative cooling during the second phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller monitors temperature and humidity conditions to determine when to transition from the first phase to the second phase. This feedback mechanism ensures that the transition occurs at the optimal moment when sufficient condensation has formed, maximizing the effectiveness of fan-only operation while maintaining energy savings.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the fan operates alone after compressor shutdown, then energy consumption is reduced, but cooling effectiveness decreases when indoor humidity is high
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors indoor humidity levels and uses this feedback to determine whether to initiate fan-only operation. When humidity exceeds a predetermined threshold, the system maintains compressor operation or adjusts the phase transition timing, ensuring that fan-only operation is only implemented when humidity conditions are favorable for effective evaporative cooling.
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 reduces overall cooling costs by leveraging fan-only cooling effectively, maintaining comfort while minimizing energy consumption by optimizing the duration and conditions for fan operation.
Implementation Method 1
additional cooling can be provided by continuing to operate the fan without the compressor
Implementation Method 2
a compressor compresses a refrigerant gas, which condenses in a condenser coil
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are described for controlling fan-only cooling. A first phase of a first cooling cycle may be initiated in an enclosure using an air conditioning system having a compressor and a fan that passes air over an evaporator coil. The first phase may include activation of the compressor and activation of the fan. A relative humidity may be measured within the enclosure during the first phase of the first cooling cycle. Subsequent to the first phase and in response to the relative humidity being determined to be below a threshold relative humidity, a second phase of the first cooling cycle may be initiated during which the fan is activated but the compressor is not activated.