Humidification apparatus and method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Furnace-mounted air humidifiers struggle to maintain optimal indoor humidity levels, leading to health issues and damage from extreme humidity, as they react slowly to outdoor temperature changes and often require manual adjustments that are impractical for widespread use.
Innovation Solution
A humidity control system that monitors indoor and outdoor conditions, uses weather forecast data to anticipate temperature changes, and adjusts humidity levels proactively, incorporating thermal performance data and sensors to maintain optimal humidity within set limits, thereby preventing over-humidification and condensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional electro-mechanical humidistat is used to control humidifier operation, then the system is simple and reliable, but it reacts slowly to outdoor temperature changes and cannot anticipate humidity needs
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by obtaining weather forecast data and calculating forward-projected humidity levels before outdoor temperature changes actually occur. The processor uses thermal performance data and forecasted temperature changes to determine what humidity levels will be needed in the future, allowing the humidifier to be adjusted proactively rather than reactively.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring indoor humidity levels with humidity sensors and comparing actual levels against forward-projected target levels. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically adjust humidifier operation to maintain optimal humidity, eliminating the need for manual adjustments while responding faster than traditional electro-mechanical humidistats.
2Ease of operation
If manual humidifier adjustments are required to maintain optimal humidity, then humidity control can be optimized, but this requires frequent user intervention that is impractical for widespread use
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically obtaining weather forecast data, calculating forward-projected humidity levels, monitoring actual humidity with sensors, and adjusting humidifier operation without any user intervention. The processor continuously executes the humidity control algorithm, making the system fully autonomous while maintaining optimized humidity control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical electro-mechanical humidistat with an electronic control system that uses a processor to execute algorithms based on weather forecast data and thermal performance calculations. This substitution enables more sophisticated control logic including forward-projection of humidity levels and automated adjustment without manual intervention.
3Ease of operation
If high humidity is maintained for comfort, then occupant comfort improves, but condensation forms on cold surfaces like windows causing damage and mold
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by calculating forward-projected humidity levels that account for upcoming outdoor temperature changes. When cold temperatures are forecast, the system proactively lowers the target humidity level before the temperature drop occurs, preventing condensation on cold surfaces while maintaining comfort during warmer periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic humidity control by continuously adjusting the target humidity level based on forecasted outdoor temperature changes and current indoor conditions. The processor dynamically modifies the humidity setpoint rather than maintaining a fixed level, allowing the system to optimize comfort during warm periods while preventing condensation during cold periods.
Data Source
AI summary
An humidification apparatus establishes geometric properties for humidity loss from a structure relative to inside and outside temperatures and historic performance of that building structure. The humidification apparatus also stores data establishing acceptable relative humidity ranges for the internal and external ambient temperature conditions to which the building structure is exposed. The humidification apparatus obtains weather forecast data for the geographic location of the building. A user inputs a desired level of relative humidity. The humidification apparatus controller then adjusts humidity inside the building according to that input and according to the permissible humidity range for the building in the prevailing external temperature conditions and the weather forecast data.