Outdoor Air Conditioner Control for Load-Based Supply Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioning systems waste energy as the outdoor unit heats air while indoor units cool it, due to mismatched temperatures and humidity levels, leading to inefficient operation.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning system with a control circuit that adjusts the supply air temperature from the outdoor unit based on detected air conditioning loads in indoor spaces, minimizing energy expenditure by optimizing the heating and cooling processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the outdoor air conditioning unit heats dehumidified air to the base temperature, then the air is ready for supply to rooms, but energy is wasted when indoor units subsequently cool the same air
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit receives temperature information from indoor units and outdoor temperature information, then adjusts the outdoor unit's heating operation accordingly. This feedback mechanism prevents the outdoor unit from heating air when indoor units will subsequently cool it, eliminating the energy waste cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the control functions of outdoor and indoor units through a centralized control circuit that coordinates their operations. By combining temperature regulation and humidity control functions under unified control, the system optimizes overall energy efficiency rather than allowing independent operation that leads to conflicting actions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the outdoor unit provides air at base temperature to meet room temperature requirements, then individual room temperature needs are addressed, but additional heating or cooling is required in rooms with air conditioning loads
Solution Approach 1:
The outdoor unit performs preliminary temperature adjustment on supply air based on predicted or communicated room temperature needs. By pre-cooling or pre-heating air according to indoor unit requirements before distribution, the system reduces the additional energy needed at individual room level.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the outdoor unit's supply air temperature based on real-time feedback from indoor units and outdoor conditions. This dynamic coordination allows the system to optimize the balance between centralized pre-conditioning and decentralized room-specific adjustment, minimizing total energy consumption.
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 system reduces energy consumption by ensuring the outdoor unit only heats air as necessary, aligning supply air temperatures with desired indoor conditions, thereby minimizing redundant heating and cooling efforts.
Implementation Method 1
This is generally done by cooling the outdoor air down to the dew point (55° F.) in the OACU, at which point moisture will condense out of the air.
Implementation Method 2
air conditioning systems that remove humidity from the air also typically have a heater such that the dehumidified air can be reheated at the OACU before it is provided to the individual rooms
Implementation Method 3
The outdoor air conditioning unit provides supply air at a base temperature, while the individual IACUs refine the temperature of the air in the individual rooms to achieve a desired air temperature.
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioning system is provided, including: an outdoor air conditioner, configured to cool outdoor air at an outdoor temperature into dehumidified air at a dehumidified temperature, to heat the dehumidified air into supply air at a supply air temperature, and to provide the supply air to a plurality of rooms; a plurality of indoor air conditioners provided inside the plurality of rooms, respectively, each indoor air conditioner being configured to draw in input air at an input temperature, to heat or cool the input air into output air at an output temperature, and to provide the output air to a corresponding room; a control circuit configured to determine whether an air conditioning load exists in a set number of the plurality of rooms, and to adjust operation of the outdoor air conditioner to set the supply air temperature based on whether the air conditioning load is determined to exist.