HVAC Control System Using Stored Data for Sensor Failure Resilience
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Solution Overview
Problem
HVAC systems often fail to operate effectively when sensor data or control device data is unavailable due to communication interruptions or sensor/control device decoupling, leading to unconditioned spaces.
Innovation Solution
The HVAC system employs a control system that determines alternative values for temperature and target temperature using stored data and temperature differences, allowing it to continue operating by substituting unavailable data and maintaining space conditioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the HVAC system operates based on sensor data from the space, then the space conditioning effectiveness is improved, but the system reliability deteriorates when sensor data is unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs preliminary actions by storing historical sensor data and temperature difference values before data unavailability occurs. When sensor data becomes unavailable, these pre-stored values are retrieved and used to calculate alternative space temperature values, enabling continuous system operation without interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary calculation method that uses the temperature difference between return air and space (previously measured and stored) as a mediator to estimate the current space temperature when direct sensing is unavailable. This intermediary approach allows the system to bridge the information gap caused by sensor failure or communication loss.
2Productivity
If the HVAC system uses alternative operating mode with stored data, then the continuous operation is improved, but the temperature control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors the availability of sensor data and dynamically switches between primary operating mode (using actual sensor readings) and alternative operating mode (using stored data and calculations). This feedback mechanism ensures that the system maintains continuous operation while being aware of the reduced precision in alternative mode, allowing for potential user notification or adjustment.
3Reliability
If the control system switches to alternative operating mode, then the system robustness is improved, but the operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into distinct operational modes (primary and alternative) with clear transition criteria. The primary mode handles normal operation with full sensor data, while the alternative mode activates only when specific conditions (data unavailability) are detected. This segmentation allows the system to maintain robustness through mode switching while keeping the control logic relatively simple and manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a conditioning system configured to condition a return air flow directed through the HVAC system and a control system configured to determine a difference value between an operating parameter value of the return air flow and a sensed operating parameter value of a space serviced by the HVAC system, retrieve a stored target operating parameter value of the space, and operate the HVAC system based on the difference value, the stored target operating parameter value, or both.