HVAC Sensor Grouping Matrix for Faster Data Center Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current HVAC monitoring and control systems are cumbersome in configuring and displaying sensor assignments, limiting the ability to quickly modify set points and change sensor groupings, which hampers efficient identification of cooling resource utilization and allocation in data centers.
Innovation Solution
A computer-based system with a processor and touchscreen display that generates an association matrix screen, allowing users to easily assign or disassociate sensors with specific groups, providing a graphical interface for managing sensor groupings and analyzing temperature data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional HVAC monitoring systems are used to configure sensor assignments, then sensor grouping and modification can be performed, but the configuration process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the traditional linear or hierarchical sensor configuration interface into a two-dimensional matrix display where sensors are arranged in rows and HVAC groups are arranged in columns. Each cell in the matrix represents the assignment relationship between a specific sensor and a specific group. This dimensional transformation allows users to visually perceive and modify multiple sensor-group relationships simultaneously, dramatically reducing the time and complexity of configuration tasks.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sensors are limited to single group assignment, then system complexity is reduced, but the ability to flexibly allocate cooling resources is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a many-to-many assignment model where sensors can be assigned to multiple HVAC groups simultaneously, and each HVAC group can contain multiple sensors. The matrix interface enables users to efficiently manage these multiple assignments by simply checking or unchecking cells. This multi-functionality approach allows a single sensor to participate in multiple cooling zones or groups, providing flexible resource allocation without significantly increasing system complexity due to the intuitive interface design.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a processor based system for using temperature information being reported by a plurality of sensors present within a predetermined environment and controlling how various ones of the sensors are grouped together into a plurality of groups for monitoring purposes. The system includes a software subsystem that generates an association matrix screen on a display system associated with a computer system being used by a user with receives the temperature information. The association matrix screen enables a user to associate or disassociate specific sensors with selected groups of sensors using selection commands, as well as to provide temperature related information concerning all of the sensors being monitored by the system. Each of the sensors is not limited to being assigned to only a single group of sensors but may instead be assigned to two or more different groups of sensors for purposes of monitoring and/or control.