Microzone HVAC system with precision air device and precision air aggregator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current HVAC systems fail to accommodate individual comfort preferences in office environments, leading to inefficiencies and occupant discomfort, as they typically deliver conditioned air without considering the specific needs of each cubicle occupant, resulting in unoptimized air delivery and productivity losses.
Innovation Solution
A microzone HVAC system with precision air devices that include a controller, air sensor, and actuator, allowing for personalized air delivery by verifying occupant presence, determining target air velocity, and adjusting airflow based on user comfort parameters, integrated with a precision air aggregator to optimize air distribution across zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional VAV boxes deliver conditioned air to office spaces, then the HVAC system can maintain basic environmental control, but individual occupant comfort preferences cannot be accommodated and air delivery is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the office space into multiple microzones, each served by a precision air device with independent control. This allows each occupant to have personalized temperature and airflow control, accommodating individual comfort preferences while maintaining overall system efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The precision air devices deliver conditioned air locally to specific microzones based on detected occupancy and comfort preferences. This local quality approach ensures that air is delivered only where needed, optimizing energy efficiency while providing personalized comfort control to each occupant.
2Loss of energy
If conditioned air is delivered to all areas, then the HVAC system operates continuously, but energy is wasted in unoccupied areas and areas with low occupancy
Solution Approach 1:
The precision air devices incorporate occupancy sensors that continuously detect the presence of occupants. This feedback mechanism allows the system to dynamically adjust air delivery based on real-time occupancy conditions, reducing energy waste in unoccupied areas while maintaining comfort in occupied spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts airflow rates and delivery patterns based on changing occupancy conditions. When occupants are present, air is delivered at optimized rates; when spaces are unoccupied, air delivery is reduced or stopped, maximizing energy efficiency while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control.
3Temperature
If air velocity is increased to improve cooling effect, then occupant comfort may be enhanced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The precision air devices adjust air velocity parameters dynamically based on detected occupancy and comfort preferences. The system optimizes the balance between perceived temperature improvement and energy consumption by delivering higher velocities only when and where occupants are present and require additional cooling, rather than maintaining high velocities continuously.
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
This solution enables efficient local cooling while maintaining acceptable airflow speeds, allowing for increased building setpoint temperatures and reduced total airflow, enhancing occupant comfort and achieving net energy savings by delivering conditioned air only where needed.
Implementation Method 1
The air mover may include a centrifugal impeller and a variable speed motor operatively coupled to the centrifugal impeller
Implementation Method 2
a nozzle damper operatively associated with the outlet nozzle... adjust the position of the nozzle damper to regulate airflow from the outlet nozzle
Implementation Method 3
The air sensor can include a temperature sensor and/or a relative humidity sensor
Implementation Method 4
The air sensor can include a temperature sensor and/or a relative humidity sensor
Implementation Method 5
a vane structure disposed between the air intake and the air mover and having a series of vanes extending downwardly therefrom dimensioned to engage an inner surface of the housing and configured to direct air from the air mover to the outlet nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, apparatus and methods for providing personalized comfort to occupants of a conditioned space. A precision air device having a standalone controllable fan with directional nozzles is provided. The precision air device includes environmental and occupancy sensors, and communicates with a user device and with other precision air devices in the space. Application software installed on an occupant's user device enables the occupant to specify whether it is too cold or too warm within his or her personal space, or microzone. The collective demand of all microzones within a VAV macrozone is determined by a precision air aggregator to adjust a controllable VAV damper for that macrozone.