HVAC Valve Control Using Dynamic Energy-Per-Flow Gradient
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HVAC systems require storing fixed threshold temperatures or differential temperatures to control valve openings, which can lead to inefficient energy exchange due to the lack of dynamic adjustment to the type and design parameters of thermal energy exchangers.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining the energy-per-flow gradient to dynamically control the valve opening, eliminating the need for stored threshold values by calculating the slope of the energy-per-flow curve for specific thermal energy exchangers, allowing for efficient energy exchange without predefined settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If fixed threshold temperatures or differential temperatures are stored and used for control, then the control system is simple to implement, but the energy exchange efficiency deteriorates due to inability to dynamically adapt to different thermal energy exchanger types and design parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static fixed threshold values to dynamic adaptive thresholds. The control system continuously adjusts the threshold based on real-time measurements of actual differential temperature and energy exchange rate, allowing the valve control to adapt to different thermal energy exchanger types and operating conditions, thereby resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and energy efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms by measuring the actual differential temperature across the thermal energy exchanger and the energy exchange rate, then using this feedback to dynamically adjust the threshold values. This closed-loop control ensures optimal energy exchange efficiency while maintaining reasonable system complexity through automated adaptation
2Ease of operation
If manual or actuator-based valve control is used, then the system is easy to operate, but the flow rate cannot be dynamically optimized for energy exchange efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the valve control system to automatically adjust flow rates based on real-time energy exchange measurements. The system self-regulates the valve position to optimize energy exchange efficiency without requiring manual intervention, combining ease of operation with dynamic optimization of energy transfer rates
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from fixed threshold values to dynamically adjusted thresholds based on actual energy exchange rate measurements. This allows the system to automatically optimize flow rates for maximum energy exchange efficiency while maintaining simple actuator-based valve control
3Speed
If high flow rates are used through thermal energy exchangers, then the fluid transport speed increases, but the energy exchange efficiency decreases due to rushed fluid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by continuously adjusting the valve opening based on real-time energy exchange rate measurements. This dynamic control allows the system to optimize fluid flow speed for each operating condition, preventing excessively high flow rates that would reduce energy exchange efficiency while maintaining adequate transport speed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by measuring the actual energy exchange rate and using this information to adjust the flow rate control. This closed-loop control ensures that fluid flow speed is optimized to maximize energy exchange efficiency, automatically reducing flow speed when energy exchange efficiency deteriorates
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 enables efficient energy exchange by dynamically adjusting valve openings based on the energy-per-flow gradient, optimizing energy transfer in HVAC systems without the need for pre-defined threshold values, thus improving system efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
regulate the flow of a fluid through a thermal energy exchanger of the HVAC system and to thereby adjust the amount of energy exchanged by the thermal energy exchanger
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
For controlling the opening of a valve (10) in an HVAC system (100) to regulate the flow f of a fluid through a thermal energy exchanger (2) of the HVAC system (100) and adjust the amount of energy E exchanged by the thermal energy exchanger (2), an energy-per-flow gradient (A) is determined, and the opening of the valve (10) is controlled depending on the energy-per-flow gradient (A). The energy-per-flow gradient (A) is determined by measuring at consecutive points in time the flow f 1, f 2 through the valve (10), by determining the amounts of energy E 1, E 2 exchanged by the thermal energy exchanger (2) at these points in time, and by calculating the energy-per-flow gradient (B) from the flow f 1, f 2 and exchanged energy E 1, E 2. The energy-per-flow gradient (A) can be determined dynamically and is used as a basis for setting a slope threshold for the thermal energy exchanger (2) so that there is no need to store fixed threshold values.