HVAC Blower Airflow Control Without Bypass Ducts or Dampers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional HVAC systems require a bypass duct and damper to manage airflow, increasing initial costs and installation time, while also consuming more resources than necessary for meeting cooling or heating demands.
Innovation Solution
The HVAC system incorporates a zoning mode selection in its control system, allowing the blower to operate across a broader range of airflow rates without a bypass duct, by reducing the airflow rate below the typical minimum, thereby efficiently addressing demands through the control system's ability to adjust airflow based on user inputs and sensor data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a bypass duct and bypass damper are installed to manage airflow, then airflow control capability is improved, but initial cost and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the bypass duct and bypass damper from the HVAC system entirely. The control system achieves airflow management by operating the blower across a broader range of airflow rates, including reduced airflow rates below the typical minimum, eliminating the need for the bypass components while maintaining effective climate control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the blower by enabling it to operate at reduced airflow rates below the typical minimum airflow rate. This parameter change allows the system to meet low cooling or heating demands without requiring a bypass duct, as the control system can adjust airflow based on user inputs and sensor data within a broader range.
2Ease of operation
If a bypass duct and bypass damper are installed to manage airflow, then airflow control capability is improved, but installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the bypass duct and bypass damper from the HVAC system entirely. The control system achieves airflow management by operating the blower across a broader range of airflow rates, including reduced airflow rates below the typical minimum, eliminating the need for the bypass components while maintaining effective climate control.
3Reliability
If the blower operates at typical minimum airflow rate, then system reliability is maintained, but resource consumption increases when demands are low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the blower operation dynamic by enabling it to adjust its airflow rate based on actual cooling or heating demands. The control system can operate the blower at reduced airflow rates below the typical minimum when demands are low, and at higher rates when demands are high, optimizing resource consumption while maintaining system reliability through the broader operational range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the blower by enabling it to operate at reduced airflow rates below the typical minimum airflow rate. This parameter change allows the system to meet low cooling or heating demands without requiring a bypass duct, as the control system can adjust airflow based on user inputs and sensor data within a broader range.
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 solution enables more efficient operation by reducing airflow when demands are low, eliminating the need for a bypass duct and damper, thus lowering costs and installation time, while maintaining effective climate control.
Implementation Method 1
a blower that flows air over an indoor heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
the heat exchanger providing heating or cooling to the climate-controlled space or structure is described adjectivally as being 'indoors'
Implementation Method 3
a fluid transitioning from gas to liquid releases heat, while a fluid transitioning from liquid to gas absorbs heat
Implementation Method 4
Those in the HVAC industry describe this cycle of absorbing and releasing heat as 'pumping'
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for a HVAC system for a structure and including a blower that flows air over an indoor heat exchanger. The control system may include a first input device, a first sensor, and a processor in electronic communication with the first input device, the first sensor, and the blower of the HVAC system. The first input device may be operable to accept a zoning mode selection. The first sensor may be sensor operable to measure a first temperature at a first location within the structure. The processor may be programmed to determine a cooling or heating demand on the HVAC system based on an input temperature and the first measured temperature. The processor may be further programmed to adjust an air flow rate produced by the blower based on the demand on the HVAC system and the zoning mode selection.