HVAC Zone Capacity Control for Priority-Based Comfort Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HVAC systems struggle to provide uniform comfort across all zones, especially when the total requested capacity exceeds the maximum or falls short of the minimum capacity of the system.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a control system that determines requested zone capacity values based on zone priority levels, temperature setpoints, and ambient temperatures, and then adjusts these values to create target capacity values that account for the system's minimum and maximum capacities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the HVAC system provides relief capacity to zones, then the minimum capacity of the overall system increases, but this results in excess capacity that may be detrimental to the comfort of one or more zones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different zones to have different capacity allocations based on their specific requirements. The controller determines requested capacity values for each zone individually, considering zone-specific constraints such as duct sizes and comfort parameters, rather than applying a uniform capacity distribution across all zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts capacity distribution based on real-time conditions. The controller continuously monitors zone conditions and system capacity availability, then dynamically reallocates capacity among zones using a proportional controller that responds to changing demands and system constraints.
2Quantity of substance
If two or more zones request capacity higher than the maximum capacity of the HVAC system, then the system must distribute limited capacity, but this results in an imbalance between system capacity and zone requests
Solution Approach 1:
When total zone requests exceed system maximum capacity, the patent implements partial action by allocating capacity proportionally to each zone based on their requested amounts rather than attempting to fully satisfy all requests. The proportional controller distributes the available capacity in proportion to each zone's demand, ensuring fair allocation while recognizing system limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where the controller continuously monitors the difference between requested capacity and available system capacity, then adjusts the capacity distribution accordingly. The proportional controller uses this feedback to dynamically reallocate capacity among zones based on current system constraints and zone priorities.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the requested demand is lower than the minimum capacity of the system, then the HVAC system may cycle on and off to meet demand on average, but this results in inability to provide uniform comfort across the full capacity range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the capacity control into zone-specific allocations rather than treating the system as a single unit. By dividing the total capacity into zone-specific portions based on individual zone requests and constraints, the system can provide continuous modulation to each zone independently, avoiding the on/off cycling problem while maintaining energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static on/off cycling to dynamic continuous modulation. The proportional controller enables continuous adjustment of capacity distribution among zones based on real-time conditions, providing uniform comfort across the full capacity range while maintaining energy efficiency through optimized operational states.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for controlling an HVAC system. The method includes receiving zone priority levels and zone temperature setpoints, where at least one of the zones haves a higher priority level than others of the zones, receiving an indication of zone ambient temperature values, determining requested zone capacity values to maintain the zone ambient temperature values within a threshold deviation of respective ones of the zone temperature setpoints, determining target zone capacity values from the requested zone capacity values and zone size values, and from the zone priority levels where the target zone capacity values may be responsive to a total of the requested zone capacity values that is less than a minimum capacity or greater than a maximum capacity of the HVAC system, and causing the HVAC system to provide the conditioned air to the zones according to respective ones of the target zone capacity values.