HVAC Control Parameter Tuning Through Thermal-Electrical Simulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current HVAC systems face inefficiencies in energy consumption and reliability due to suboptimal regulation parameters, often adjusted by non-experts using habit rather than controlled processes, leading to energy losses and potential equipment damage.

Innovation Solution

A method involving steady-state and dynamic simulations of HVAC systems using mathematical models to determine optimal regulation parameters, allowing for the programming of controllers without requiring expertise in automatic control, and implementing advanced control techniques like Predictive Functional Control (PFC).

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If regulation parameters are adjusted by users based on habit rather than expert knowledge, then the ease of operation is improved, but the energy efficiency and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of parameter adjustmentVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-diagnosis and self-optimization by automatically determining regulation parameters through simulation and analysis of system behavior, eliminating the need for user expertise while achieving optimal energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual expert adjustment with automated computational methods including mathematical modeling, simulation, and algorithmic parameter determination to objectively optimize regulation parameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of energy

If advanced control algorithms like predictive control are implemented, then the energy optimization is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy optimizationVSAvoidcomplexity of control implementation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary simulation and analysis to determine optimal regulation parameters before actual operation, storing these parameters for direct implementation without requiring complex real-time computational resources

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary software tool that bridges the gap between advanced control theory and practical implementation, handling the complexity of simulations and calculations while providing simple interfaces and automated parameter deployment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If regulation parameters are set by habit rather than controlled processes, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to regulation difficulties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of parameter settingVSAvoidsystem reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms through simulation that analyze system responses to parameter changes, identifying optimal settings that prevent regulation difficulties such as overruns, pumping phenomena, and instabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary simulation and analysis to determine reliable parameter settings before deployment, preventing regulation problems rather than reacting to them during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2609473B1Method for determining parameters for controlling an HVAC system
Publication Date: 2016.02.24 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IND SAS
  • EP2609473B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2609473B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2609473B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for determining parameters for controlling an HVAC system comprising heating elements (20) to be controlled by control loops (26), said method comprising the steps of: simulating, in a permanent mode, the thermal and electrical behavior of the modeled HVAC system, calculating the power consumption of the modeled HVAC system for various values of physical quantities and various values of set points to be applied at the inputs (30) of the control loops; determining values of the set points for which the power consumption of the modeled HVAC system is the lowest; simulating, in a dynamic mode, the thermal and electrical behavior of the modeled HVAC system, calculating the values of the output physical quantities of the heating elements; calculating the values of the parameters of the control loops from the values of the output physical quantities of the heating elements and for each of the control loops.