HVAC Backup Sensor Feedback for Continuous Airflow Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
HVAC systems face performance issues when feedback from sensors becomes unavailable, leading to ineffective operation and potential suspension of the system, as they rely on specific sensor data to condition air flow and maintain optimal operating parameters.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a control system that allows the HVAC system to switch to alternative feedback from secondary sensors when primary sensor feedback is unavailable, enabling continued operation and maintaining performance by adjusting operating parameters based on available data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the HVAC system relies on primary sensor feedback to condition air flow, then the system can maintain optimal operating parameters, but the system performance is affected when the primary sensor feedback becomes unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a secondary sensor as an intermediary feedback source that mediates between the primary sensor failure and the control system. When the primary sensor becomes unavailable, the secondary sensor provides alternative feedback about system conditions, allowing the controller to maintain operation and condition air flow without complete system suspension
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for primary sensor failure by having secondary sensors already in place and configured to provide backup feedback. This beforehand cushioning ensures that when the primary sensor fails, the system can immediately switch to alternative feedback sources without interruption to air flow conditioning operations
2Reliability
If the HVAC system suspends operation when primary sensor feedback is unavailable, then system safety is maintained, but system productivity is reduced due to complete shutdown
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary sensor acts as an intermediary that provides alternative feedback about system conditions when the primary sensor fails. This allows the controller to continue operating and conditioning air flow based on the secondary sensor data, rather than suspending operation entirely, thus maintaining productivity while still ensuring safe operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the feedback parameter source from the primary sensor to the secondary sensor when the primary becomes unavailable. This parameter change allows the control system to continue functioning with alternative data, maintaining both safety and productivity by adapting to the changed conditions rather than shutting down
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a controller. The controller is configured to control the HVAC system to condition an air flow based on first feedback from a first sensor of the HVAC system, receive second feedback from a second sensor of the HVAC system, and control the HVAC system to condition the air flow based on the second feedback instead of the first feedback when the first feedback from the first sensor being no longer available. The first feedback is indicative of a first operating parameter of the HVAC system, and the second feedback is indicative of a second operating parameter of a refrigerant flowing through the HVAC system.