Micro environmental control system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing personal environmental control systems (PECS) are complex, intrusive, and high in power usage, often requiring connections to building air supplies and failing to prioritize energy savings and comfort, while being noisy and unsightly.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained micro environmental control system (μX) using a micro vapor compression system (μVCS) with a phase-change-material thermal storage module, operated in cooling and heating modes to adjust personal microenvironment temperatures, eliminating the need for building connections and reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If personal environmental control systems are designed to provide localized temperature control, then occupant comfort is improved, but system complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated device: the vapor compression system provides both cooling (via evaporator) and heating (via condenser), the thermal storage module stores both cold and heat, and the controller manages all operations. This merging reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate cooling and heating systems while maintaining occupant comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to perform multiple functions: cooling during the day using stored thermal energy, heating during the day using the condenser, and thermal storage charging during nighttime. The same hardware components serve multiple purposes throughout different time periods, reducing the need for additional specialized equipment.
2Temperature
If existing PECS connect to building air supply to deliver conditioned air, then cooling effect is improved, but installation intrusiveness and aesthetic appearance worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the air conditioning function from the building's centralized HVAC infrastructure and implements it as a standalone portable unit. The device contains its own vapor compression system, thermal storage, and air handling components, eliminating the need for duct connections, ceiling installations, or underfloor plenum access required by traditional systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal storage module acts as an intermediary between the vapor compression system and the occupied space. It stores thermal energy during nighttime and releases it during daytime, mediating the temperature control function without requiring direct connection to building air supplies or infrastructure modifications.
3Ease of operation
If PECS operate continuously to maintain comfortable temperature, then occupant comfort is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by charging the thermal storage module with cold or heat during nighttime hours when electricity rates are lower and ambient temperatures are more favorable. This pre-charging allows the system to operate the energy-intensive vapor compression cycle only when needed, rather than running continuously, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining comfort during occupancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller implements periodic operation of the vapor compression system based on occupancy detection and time-of-day considerations. The system charges thermal storage during nighttime periods and discharges it during daytime occupancy periods, creating a periodic rather than continuous operation pattern that significantly reduces energy consumption while maintaining comfort during occupied hours.
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
The μX system efficiently provides 50-100 W of cooling or heating to the personal microenvironment, reducing overall building HVAC energy consumption and enhancing occupant comfort without the need for ducting or unsightly installations, while being quiet and energy-efficient.
Implementation Method 1
a phase change material surrounding the evaporator
Implementation Method 2
the μVCS is operated to freeze the phase change material during a first predetermined time period
Implementation Method 3
the μX uses a micro vapor compression system (μVCS)
Implementation Method 4
one or more small fans move warm room air over the phase-change-material to deliver cooled air to a user
Data Source
AI summary
A micro environmental control system that can remove or add 30W from or to the near range personal microenvironment of a user. For cooling, the μX uses a micro vapor compression system during the un-occupied period to freeze a phase-change-material in a thermal storage module. A fan then moves air over the phase-change-material to deliver cooled air. Heating is delivered by a small electric heater integrated into a condensing unit. The resulting system is inexpensive to build and uses a limited amount of energy.