Masterless AHU Peer-to-Peer Control to Reduce Single-Point Failures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional HVAC systems relying on master air handler units (AHUs) face challenges such as single-point failures and inefficiencies when adding new units, as they require integration with a master AHU for communication and control, leading to potential disruptions and uneven load distribution.

Innovation Solution

A masterless building device system where AHUs communicate and control environmental conditions independently through a network, sharing data to generate calculated values and control actuators, allowing for peer-to-peer control without a dedicated master controller, thus enhancing redundancy and flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a master AHU is used to control multiple AHUs, then system control and communication are simplified, but the system becomes vulnerable to single-point failures and requires complex integration when adding new units

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol architectureVSAvoidsystem reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the centralized master AHU control architecture into multiple independent peer AHUs. Each AHU operates autonomously with its own control logic, eliminating the single master controller and distributing control functions across all units. This segmentation removes the single-point failure vulnerability while maintaining coordinated control through peer-to-peer communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having a master AHU control subordinate slave AHUs in a hierarchical structure, the patent inverts the relationship by enabling all AHUs to operate as equals with identical control capabilities. Each AHU can independently make control decisions based on shared environmental data, reversing the traditional master-slave dynamic to improve reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a master AHU architecture is used, then centralized control is achieved, but adding new AHUs requires integration with the master AHU causing disruptions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem scalabilityVSAvoidintegration process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables new AHUs to join the network autonomously without requiring manual integration with a master AHU. Each AHU independently discovers the network, establishes communication with peers, and begins participating in environmental control immediately. This self-service capability eliminates integration disruptions and simplifies system expansion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-configures all AHUs with identical control logic and communication protocols during manufacturing, eliminating the need for custom integration work when adding new units. Each AHU arrives pre-programmed to immediately participate in peer-to-peer control, allowing plug-and-play scalability without system disruptions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If multiple AHUs control a single supply duct, then load distribution can be optimized, but master AHU failure causes all AHUs to fail

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload distribution efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements redundancy by enabling each AHU to independently perform control functions that would otherwise depend on the master AHU. If one AHU fails, the remaining AHUs continue operating with full control capability, cushioning against failures and ensuring continuous operation without single-point vulnerabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the control architecture parameter from centralized master-slave to distributed peer-to-peer. This fundamental parameter change allows any AHU to assume control responsibilities dynamically, optimizing load distribution across the supply duct while maintaining control continuity even when individual units fail.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10619880B2Masterless air handler unit (AHU) controller system

Publication Date: 2020.04.14 TYCO FIRE & SECURITY GMBH

AI summary

A masterless building device system for controlling an environmental condition of a building, includes a first building device and a second building device. The first building device includes a first processing circuit configured to determine, via a first sensor of the first building device, a first environmental condition value of the environmental condition. The first processing circuit is configured to broadcast the first environmental condition value to a second building device via a network. The first processing circuit is configured to receive, via the network, a second environmental condition value broadcast by the second building device, generate a calculated environmental condition value based on the first environmental condition value and the second environmental condition value, and control the environmental condition based on the calculated environmental condition value.