Hydronic building systems control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current building energy management systems face challenges such as high energy consumption, poor indoor environmental quality, and vulnerability to terrorist attacks due to inefficient forced air HVAC systems, while hydronic systems are hindered by high costs, complex controls, and retrofit difficulties, lacking effective commercial controls for optimal energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The Hydronic Building Systems Control (HBSC) is a low-cost, software-based control system that integrates traditional and renewable hydronic components for heating, cooling, and hot water, using commodity hardware and BACnet protocol, providing interoperability and advanced algorithms for optimal energy efficiency and comfort, decoupling heating and cooling from ventilation air flows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If forced air HVAC systems are used, then heating and cooling can be provided, but energy consumption increases and indoor environmental quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces forced air mechanical systems with hydronic (water-based) heating and cooling systems. This substitution eliminates the need for air ducts, fans, and complex mechanical ventilation components, thereby reducing energy consumption while providing stable thermal comfort through radiant heating and cooling panels embedded in building structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes hydraulic principles by implementing water-based hydronic systems for heat transfer. Heating and cooling are achieved by circulating temperature-controlled water through panels embedded in floors, walls, and ceilings, providing efficient thermal energy transfer without requiring mechanical air movement systems.
2Loss of energy
If hydronic systems are implemented, then energy efficiency improves, but system cost and control complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-regulating hydronic control systems that automatically adjust water flow temperatures and rates based on ambient conditions and thermal mass characteristics. The system uses sensors and control algorithms to autonomously optimize energy efficiency without requiring complex manual intervention or sophisticated user interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts operational parameters such as water flow temperature, flow rate, and timing based on environmental conditions, thermal mass state, and energy optimization goals. This parameter optimization enables the system to achieve high energy efficiency while maintaining manageable control complexity through adaptive rather than static control strategies.
3Loss of energy
If hydronic systems are installed in existing buildings, then energy efficiency improves, but retrofit difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the hydronic system into modular, independently installable components such as separate heating panels, cooling panels, and control units. This segmentation allows retrofits to be performed in stages or in specific zones without requiring complete system replacement, thereby reducing retrofit complexity and enabling phased implementation in existing buildings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs hydronic panels with multi-functionality, capable of providing both heating and cooling through reversible operation or dual-sided functionality. This universality simplifies retrofit applications by eliminating the need for separate heating and cooling infrastructure, reducing installation complexity while maintaining energy efficiency benefits.
4Power
If Ground Source Heat Pumps are used, then peak demand charges are reduced, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements pre-cooling and pre-heating strategies using Ground Source Heat Pumps during off-peak hours when electrical demand and rates are lower. The system stores thermal energy in building thermal mass during low-demand periods and releases it during peak demand periods, thereby reducing peak demand charges while utilizing the heat pump during more economically favorable conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous operation of Ground Source Heat Pumps at optimized, moderate capacities rather than intermittent high-capacity operation. This continuous moderate operation extends equipment life, improves system efficiency, and reduces peak demand charges by avoiding high-power draw periods, thereby offsetting the initial system cost through operational savings.
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
HBSC reduces energy consumption, improves indoor comfort and safety, and increases market adoption of hydronic systems by providing reliable, cost-effective, and efficient temperature and humidity control, overcoming barriers to hydronic technology adoption and enhancing energy efficiency in commercial and residential buildings.
Implementation Method 1
a thermally-conductive structure, such as a building floor, wall, or ceiling
Implementation Method 2
hydronic coil-to-air heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
means for sensing at least the air temperature in the air space, a relative humidity of the air space
Data Source
AI summary
Controlling heating and cooling in a conditioned space utilizes a fluid circulating in a thermally conductive structure in fluid connection with a hydronic-to-air heat exchanger and a ground heat exchanger. Air is moved past the hydronic-to-air heat exchanger, the air having fresh air supply and stale air exhaust. Sensors located throughout the conditioned space send data to a controller. User input to the controller sets the desired set point temperature and humidity. Based upon the set point temperature and humidity and sensor data, the controller sends signals to various devices to manipulate the flow of the fluid and the air in order to achieve the desired set point temperature and humidity in the conditioned space. The temperature of the fluid is kept less than the dew point at the hydronic-to-air heat exchanger and the temperature of the fluid is kept greater than the dew point at the thermally conductive structure.