HVAC Valve Control Using Setpoint Transformation for Power Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HVAC systems face inefficiencies in regulating fluid flow through thermal energy exchangers, leading to suboptimal power transfer characteristics due to reliance on predefined temperature thresholds and lack of adaptability to changing conditions.
Innovation Solution
A control system that records data points, determines a fitting curve, and applies a transformation to setpoints to adjust valve opening, allowing for dynamic regulation of fluid flow and power transfer, even when measurement sensors are unavailable or defective, by using a learning phase to establish a transformation that maintains target power transfer characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If predefined temperature thresholds are used for valve control, then the control system is simple to implement, but the system lacks adaptability to changing conditions and building characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a learning phase before normal operation to collect data points and determine the fitting curve and transformation characteristics. This preliminary action allows the system to adapt to specific building and plant characteristics without requiring complex real-time adjustments during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors actual power transfer characteristics and compares them with target characteristics, using this feedback to adjust the transformation parameters and improve control accuracy over time, enabling adaptation to changing conditions.
2Reliability
If measurement sensors are required for continuous monitoring, then control precision can be maintained, but the system becomes vulnerable to sensor failures and requires more components
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses readily available operational data from the HVAC system itself (flow rates, temperatures, power consumption) to determine the fitting curve and transformation characteristics, eliminating the need for additional measurement sensors and reducing system complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of relying on continuous sensor measurements, the system creates a mathematical model (fitting curve) that copies the relationship between valve opening and power transfer characteristics, allowing it to predict optimal valve positions without requiring continuous sensor input.
3Productivity
If flow rate is increased through thermal energy exchangers, then energy delivery capacity is improved, but the efficiency of thermal energy exchangers is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the valve opening based on the determined transformation that accounts for the non-linear relationship between flow rate and efficiency. This allows the system to operate at optimal points that balance energy delivery capacity with thermal exchanger efficiency, rather than using fixed high flow rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the control parameter from simple temperature-based thresholds to a transformation-based valve opening control that directly targets power transfer characteristics, enabling precise control of flow rates to maintain optimal efficiency across varying operating conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
For controlling opening (B2) of a valve in an HVAC system to regulate the fluid flow through a thermal energy exchanger and adjust power transfer of the thermal energy exchanger, a control system sets (S6) a control signal for the valve to different setpoints and records (S1) a plurality of data points. Each data point includes for a certain setpoint operating data values related to the power transfer effectuated by the thermal energy exchanger with the control signal set to the certain setpoint. The control system determines (S2) a fitting curve for the data points and determines (S3) a transformation which transforms the fitting curve into a transformed curve having a given target shape. The control system controls (B2) the opening of the valve by transforming (S5) the setpoint to a transformed setpoint, using the transformation, and setting (S6) the control signal for the valve to the transformed setpoint.