A method for controlling a ventilation system for the ventilation of an enclosure and a ventilation system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Controlling a ventilation system comprising multiple units to achieve optimal air flow and efficiency is challenging, especially when units operate asymmetrically due to differences in efficiency, wind loading, or changes in room configuration, leading to reduced overall efficiency and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that determine operational conditions of ventilation units by measuring air flow and pressure differential, generating operation control data, and synchronizing unit operations to compensate for asymmetrical conditions, thereby optimizing total system performance and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple ventilation units operate independently in the same enclosure, then each unit can function autonomously, but the overall ventilation efficiency decreases and energy consumption increases due to asymmetrical operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions of multiple ventilation units into a coordinated system where units exchange operational data and synchronize their operation. The control unit integrates information from multiple sensors (air flow, pressure differential, temperature, humidity) to manage all ventilation units as a unified system, ensuring optimal overall ventilation efficiency and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where each ventilation unit's operational conditions (air flow, pressure differential) are measured and transmitted to the control unit. The control unit processes this feedback data and adjusts the operation of individual units in real-time to maintain asymmetrical compensation, thereby optimizing total ventilation performance and reducing energy waste.
2Ease of operation
If ventilation units operate without coordination, then system complexity is reduced, but it becomes difficult to control overall ventilation when units have different efficiencies or wind loading conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a central control unit as an intermediary that mediates between multiple ventilation units. This control unit receives data from sensors on each unit, processes the information, and sends coordinated control signals back to the units. This intermediary structure simplifies the control logic for individual units while enabling sophisticated coordinated operation to handle asymmetrical conditions.
3Productivity
If ventilation units are controlled based on local conditions only, then individual unit operation is simplified, but the total ventilation level is influenced adversely by external factors like wind on specific walls
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from pressure differential sensors and air flow measurements across all ventilation units to detect the effects of external wind loading. When wind affects one wall, the control unit receives feedback showing altered operational conditions and compensates by adjusting other units to maintain the desired total ventilation level, effectively counteracting the harmful wind loading effects.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling a ventilation system for the ventilation of an enclosure (5). The ventilation system comprises two or more ventilation units (1), which each selectively and repeatedly can be controlled to establish an air flow to and/or from the enclosure (5). The method comprises the steps of: ° determining information regarding operational conditions of one or more of the two or more ventilation units (1) by measuring the air flow through or the pressure differential across said ventilation units (1), ° generating operation control data for one or more of the ventilation units (1) from information regarding operational conditions determined for at least one other of the ventilation units (1), and ° controlling the operation of one or more of the two or more ventilation units (1) by applying the generated operation control data. The invention further relates to a ventilation system for ventilating an enclosure (5).