In Situ HVAC Test Scheduling With Parallel State-Machine Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Testing complex systems like HVAC systems is challenging due to the need to test components in situ, which requires establishing and coordinating multiple operating conditions across multiple tests, leading to complex and time-consuming procedures.

Innovation Solution

A testing system that dynamically coordinates component tests to account for system conditions, using a scheduling algorithm to minimize total run time by executing tests in parallel and managing operating conditions through finite-state machines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If component tests are executed sequentially to ensure proper coordination of operating conditions, then the reliability of system integration testing is improved, but the total testing time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem integration testing reliabilityVSAvoidtotal testing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic scheduling of component tests using a scheduling algorithm that continuously monitors system state and adjusts test execution order and parallelization in real-time. The system dynamically determines which tests can run in parallel based on current operating conditions, resolving dependencies as they are met, thereby reducing total testing time while maintaining reliability through adaptive coordination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary analysis of test dependencies and operating condition requirements before execution begins. By pre-processing test plans to identify potential parallel execution opportunities and pre-establishing operating conditions where possible, the system reduces wait time during actual test execution while ensuring proper coordination is maintained.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If multiple operating conditions are established for different component tests, then the measurement precision of component behavior in situ is improved, but the device complexity for coordinating and validating conditions increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent behavior measurement precisionVSAvoidcondition coordination complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal operating condition management system that handles multiple types of conditions (environmental, operational, contextual) through a single coordinated framework. This multi-functional system manages diverse condition types using unified data structures and validation rules, reducing the apparent complexity while maintaining precise measurement capabilities across all component tests.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary condition coordination layer that sits between the test execution engine and the actual operating conditions. This mediator translates high-level test requirements into specific condition settings, validates condition compatibility across parallel tests, and manages condition lifecycles, thereby simplifying the complexity of coordinating multiple operating conditions while preserving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If tests are run on a currently operating system with limited ability to establish arbitrary operating conditions, then the adaptability of the testing system to real-world scenarios is improved, but the productivity of comprehensive testing decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting system adaptability to real-world scenariosVSAvoidcomprehensive testing productivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The scheduling algorithm dynamically adapts to the current operating state of the system, identifying which tests can be executed given existing conditions and which conditions need to be established. By continuously monitoring system state and adjusting the test execution plan in real-time, the system maintains high adaptability to real-world operating constraints while maximizing testing productivity through intelligent parallelization of compatible tests.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12264832B2Systems for and methods of automatically scheduling and executing in situ tests on electrical and mechanical systems

Publication Date: 2025.04.01 NEXTPOWER LLC

AI summary

A testing platform tests an electrical and mechanical system such as an HVAC unit according to an algorithm that reduces the total testing time of the components of the system, while ensuring the safety of the system during system-wide testing. The platform uses constraints that are checked both before and during the testing to ensure that HVAC operating conditions are acceptable for starting and maintaining component tests. Preferably, the platform uses finite-state machines for each device to organize the component tests, allowing for monitoring of constraints and starting, pausing, and stopping component tests. Preferably, total test execution time is reduced by running component tests in parallel, running component tests based on loads of the components, or combinations of both.