HVAC Blower Control for Temperature Gradient Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional HVAC systems with a single thermostat often fail to accurately represent air temperatures in remote rooms or zones, leading to significant temperature gradients and inefficient operation, causing user discomfort and increased energy usage.
Innovation Solution
A method is developed to create a model of temperature differences between the thermostat and various rooms or zones by measuring temperatures over time, determining HVAC operating states, and using these models to optimize blower operation to reduce temperature gradients across the building.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single thermostat is used to control HVAC system, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The building is divided into multiple temperature zones with different thermal characteristics. The system segments the temperature control by creating separate thermal models for each zone (e.g., rooms with exterior walls vs. interior rooms) and uses zone-specific temperature measurements to guide HVAC operation, thereby improving overall temperature uniformity without requiring multiple thermostats.
Solution Approach 2:
A computational thermal model acts as an intermediary between the single thermostat measurement and the distributed temperature control. The model predicts temperatures in remote zones based on the thermostat location measurement and HVAC operating state, enabling informed control decisions that account for temperature gradients throughout the building.
2Ease of manufacture
If thermostat is placed in hallway location, then ease of installation is improved, but temperature measurement representativeness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system accounts for the specific thermal characteristics of the hallway location where the thermostat is installed. By creating a thermal model that recognizes the hallway as having different thermal properties than exterior rooms, the system compensates for the unrepresentative measurement. The model uses the hallway temperature reading in conjunction with zone-specific thermal characteristics to predict actual room temperatures.
3Reliability
If HVAC system operates continuously to maintain setpoint at thermostat, then temperature control reliability at thermostat is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal model predicts future temperature trends in various zones based on current HVAC operating state and environmental conditions. This preliminary prediction allows the system to anticipate when temperature gradients will develop and adjust HVAC operation proactively, preventing energy waste while maintaining comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the thermal model predictions to dynamically adjust HVAC operation. Instead of continuous operation based solely on thermostat setpoint, the feedback mechanism evaluates predicted temperature distributions and modulates HVAC cycling to maintain acceptable temperatures throughout the building while minimizing energy consumption.
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 ensures a more uniform temperature distribution within the building, reducing energy inefficiencies and user discomfort by strategically operating the HVAC system based on comprehensive temperature modeling.
Implementation Method 1
One or more blowers or fans may be provided for causing the heated or cooled air to circulate within the building
Implementation Method 2
For example, a refrigerant based heat pump may be provided for heating or cooling the air
Implementation Method 3
Alternatively, or in addition thereto, electrically resistant heat strips and/or gas burners may be provided for heating the air
Implementation Method 4
electrically resistant heat strips and/or gas burners may be provided for heating the air
Data Source
AI summary
A system is provided for reducing temperature gradients within a building. For example, temperature gradients between the air temperature measured at a thermostat controlling an HVAC system and the air temperature in one or more rooms of the building can be reduced. A model of the building is created by measuring the temperature gradient between the thermostat and one or more rooms of the building. This model is used to determine the operation of the HVAC system so as to reduce one or more of such temperature gradients.