Greenhouse Envelope Inflation Control via Pressure Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current greenhouse thermal insulation systems face inefficiencies due to non-uniform inflation of double-walled envelopes, leading to energy losses and increased energy consumption, with existing methods failing to maintain consistent pressure and tension, resulting in suboptimal thermal performance and vulnerability to wind-induced degradation.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system with electric motor air injection devices and pressure sensors for each envelope or set of connected envelopes, allowing for autonomous pressure regulation within specified ranges, ensuring uniform inflation and reducing energy consumption by eliminating the need for a network of rigid pneumatic connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a common timer controls all inflation devices for multiple envelopes, then the operation is simplified and device complexity is reduced, but the inflation uniformity across envelopes deteriorates due to varying leakage rates and fastening quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single centralized inflation control system into multiple independent local control units, each managing one or more envelopes autonomously. This segmentation allows each envelope to be inflated according to its specific needs while maintaining overall system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local pressure sensing and control for each envelope or group of envelopes, allowing the inflation pressure and timing to be optimized locally for each envelope's specific conditions (leakage rate, fastening quality, size) rather than applying a uniform global control approach.
2Ease of manufacture
If envelope fastening is not perfectly hermetic on the periphery, then the installation ease and device complexity are improved, but energy loss increases due to air leakage requiring regular re-inflation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pressure sensors that continuously monitor the internal pressure of each envelope and provide feedback to the local control unit. When pressure drops below the threshold due to leakage, the system automatically re-inflates the envelope, maintaining optimal thermal insulation without requiring perfect hermetic sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflation system is designed to be self-regulating, automatically detecting pressure losses and replenishing air to envelopes as needed. This eliminates the need for manual intervention or perfectly hermetic seals, allowing the system to compensate for normal leakage automatically.
3Device complexity
If multiple envelopes are pneumatically connected in series to reduce the number of inflation devices, then device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of uniform inflation deteriorates due to pressure distribution variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent groups envelopes into small pneumatic sets (typically 1-3 envelopes per device) rather than connecting all envelopes in a single series chain. This segmentation limits pressure distribution variations within each group while maintaining a reduced number of inflation devices compared to having one device per envelope.
Solution Approach 2:
Each local inflation device is equipped with a pressure sensor that monitors the actual pressure in its connected envelopes and adjusts inflation accordingly. This local monitoring compensates for pressure distribution variations that occur in pneumatic series connections, ensuring uniform inflation within each group.
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 enhances thermal insulation by 20% compared to prior art, achieves uniform envelope inflation, reduces energy consumption, and simplifies installation while maintaining structural integrity against wind, thereby improving overall energy efficiency and reducing assembly costs.
Implementation Method 1
This layer of air provided by the envelope inflated with air makes it possible to reduce the coefficient of heat loss at the level of said cover
Implementation Method 2
each said air injection device air cooperating with a pressure sensor, in particular of the pressure switch type, measuring the pressure difference between the interior and the exterior of the said or one of the said envelopes
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
This invention relates to a method of thermally insulating a greenhouse, preferably of multi-arch (10) type, comprising a plurality of bays (1), each bay being covered by at least one envelope (50) consisting of an inflatable double wall comprising two superposed films (51, 52) fixed all the way around their perimeter to the bay framework, in which method said envelopes are inflated by a plurality of air injecting devices (3) powered by electric motor, the method being characterized in that at least one said air injecting device (3) is used per envelope (50) or per group of envelopes (53) connected pneumatically in series and covering a single bay, each said air injecting device (3) working in combination with a pressure sensor (4) measuring the pressure difference between the inside and outside of said envelope or envelopes of each bay, in such a way that said sensor (4) stops or starts said air injecting device (3) supplying air to the envelope or group of envelopes when the pressure inside the envelope or group of envelopes of each bay is outside of a predetermined range of values.