HVAC system design and operational tool for building infection control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HVAC systems consume energy and wear out equipment quickly, leading to increased failure rates and costs. There is a need for a predictive system that can efficiently control temperature by utilizing exterior air conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method for operating a temperature control system that involves monitoring interior and exterior temperatures, defining time ranges, associating operating parameters with these ranges, and controlling the ventilation subsystem based on monitored operational data and predicted temperatures to optimize energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical cooling systems are operated continuously to maintain interior temperature, then temperature control reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases and equipment wear accelerates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling of the building interior during nighttime hours when exterior temperatures are lower, storing cooling capacity in the building's thermal mass (walls, floors, furniture). This pre-cooling action reduces or eliminates the need for mechanical cooling during daytime occupied hours, thereby reducing energy consumption and equipment wear while maintaining temperature control reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The building structure itself serves as a thermal energy storage medium, using its thermal mass to absorb and release heat. The thermal mass naturally absorbs excess heat during the day and releases stored cooling at night, enabling the building to self-regulate temperature without continuous mechanical intervention, thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliability
2Reliability
If mechanical cooling systems are operated continuously to maintain interior temperature, then temperature control reliability is improved, but equipment service life deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling of the building interior during nighttime hours when exterior temperatures are lower, storing cooling capacity in the building's thermal mass (walls, floors, furniture). This pre-cooling action reduces or eliminates the need for mechanical cooling during daytime occupied hours, thereby reducing energy consumption and equipment wear while maintaining temperature control reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical cooling system operates periodically rather than continuously, with intensive cooling during nighttime off-peak hours and reduced or no operation during daytime hours. This periodic operation pattern reduces cumulative equipment wear and extends service life while maintaining temperature control reliability through the stored thermal energy in building mass
3Use of energy by moving object
If exterior air is utilized for cooling (economizer operation), then energy consumption is reduced, but interior temperature control precision deteriorates when exterior conditions are unfavorable
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors interior temperature, exterior temperature, and building thermal mass conditions to dynamically adjust economizer damper positions and mechanical cooling operation. This feedback control ensures that exterior air is utilized when beneficial for energy savings while automatically switching to mechanical cooling when exterior conditions would compromise temperature control precision, thus resolving the trade-off between energy consumption and control precision
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 allows for efficient temperature control, reducing energy consumption and equipment wear, while maintaining comfortable indoor conditions by leveraging predictive data and exterior air conditions.
Implementation Method 1
mechanical systems for heating and cooling air that is delivered into the interior of the structure
Implementation Method 2
electronically controlled exterior air dampers, which are capable (when used in conjunction with the blower of the HVAC system) of circulating 'fresh' exterior air into the structure
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a temperature control system having a cooling system and ventilation system to vent outside air within a structure is disclosed. The method includes monitoring an interior temperature of the structure, monitoring an exterior temperature of ambient air outside of the structure, defining a first time range and a second time range, associating one or more operating parameters of the temperature control system with the first time range, associating one or more operating parameters of the temperature control system with the second time range, monitoring operational time and operational load of the cooling system for the first time range, predicting a space temperature and an outdoor air temperature for a subsequent time period, and controlling the ventilation subsystem during the second time range based upon the monitored operational time and operational load of the cooling subsystem for the first time range, the monitored interior and exterior temperatures, the predicted space temperature, the predicted outdoor air temperature, and the one or more operating parameters of the cooling subsystem associated with the second time range.