HVAC Actuator Control Modules for Asynchronous Data Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HVAC control systems impose temporal dependencies on components, requiring significant processing power and communication bandwidth for synchronized data communication, which limits flexibility and efficiency in control applications.
Innovation Solution
An actuator for HVAC systems with a network interface, bus interface, and data store, where a model definition in XML is loaded and executed by a Java processor, allowing asynchronous data transfer between controller modules instantiated as separate threads, eliminating the need for synchronization mechanisms and enabling loose coupling of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If synchronized data communication is implemented to meet real-time requirements, then data transmission reliability is improved, but processing power and communication bandwidth requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments data communication into priority-based channels, separating time-critical data from non-time-critical data. This allows the system to apply synchronization only where necessary while reducing overall processing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic synchronization where components can operate asynchronously by default and only synchronize when absolutely necessary. This dynamic approach reduces processing power consumption while maintaining reliability for critical operations.
2Manufacturing precision
If synchronized data communication is implemented, then real-time control accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases due to synchronization mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into independent functional modules that can operate autonomously. Each module maintains its own state and only communicates when necessary, reducing the complexity of inter-module synchronization while preserving control accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer that handles synchronization requirements, allowing individual components to remain simple while the intermediary manages the complexity of coordinated operation between them.
3Speed
If temporal dependencies are imposed on control components, then real-time performance is improved, but system flexibility and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts synchronization requirements based on actual operational needs rather than imposing fixed temporal constraints. This allows the system to maintain real-time performance when necessary while remaining flexible and adaptable to changing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows temporal parameters to be changed dynamically based on system state and requirements. Components can switch between synchronous and asynchronous operation modes, enabling the system to adapt to different operational scenarios while maintaining real-time performance when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator for an HVAC system having a stored model definition defining an HVAC control application, and an element library including a variety of stored model elements and controller modules (D, E) having instructions for controlling a processor of the actuator. The controller modules (D, E) include model elements and are configured to control the sequential order of their execution. The controller modules (D, E) are further configured to propagate any external data input (S66′, S68′) to their model elements prior to executing their first model element, and to propagate any data output (S63, S65, S67, S69) to external components after executing their last model element. The controller modules (D, E) are instantiated in different threads of execution, so that data is interchanged asynchronously between instantiated controller modules (D, E) and neither temporal dependencies nor change of value links are imposed on components of the HVAC control application.