Rooftop HVAC Coordination Control for Multi-Zone Airflow and Humidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-Roof Top Units (RTUs) used in light commercial buildings with open spaces are inefficient in ventilation, capacity, and humidity control due to their constant air volume configuration.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive control device that receives multiple temperature and airflow values from zone sensors to calculate operational values for fans, compressors, heaters, and dampers, and transmits sequencing commands to regulate the power state of zone environmental units, optimizing their operation based on specific zone conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If constant air volume configuration is used in RTUs, then system simplicity is maintained, but ventilation efficiency and humidity control deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements variable air volume control by dynamically adjusting fan speeds based on zone temperature requirements. The control system calculates the number of operating fans and their speed settings based on real-time temperature data from multiple zones, replacing the static constant air volume configuration with a dynamic system that adapts to changing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (fan speed, number of operating fans) based on zone temperature requirements. The control algorithm adjusts these parameters dynamically to match the cooling or heating demands of different zones, thereby improving ventilation efficiency without requiring complete system redesign.
2Ease of operation
If constant air volume configuration is used in RTUs, then equipment operation is simplified, but capacity control and humidity regulation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors temperature in each zone and uses this feedback to adjust fan operation. The algorithm calculates the required number of operating fans and their speed settings based on real-time temperature measurements, creating a closed-loop control system that automatically maintains capacity control without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-calculates the optimal number of fans to operate and their speed settings based on current zone temperatures before actual operation begins. This preliminary calculation ensures that the system is already optimized for the current conditions when cooling or heating is required, improving response time and control accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described that may be implemented in an adaptive control device to regulate multiple zone environmental units based upon multiple temperature values and multiple airflow values, where each temperature value and each airflow value is related to the temperature and the airflow in a specific zone. In an implementation, the input interface of the adaptive control device is configured to receive multiple temperature values and multiple air flow values from multiple zone sensors. The adaptive control device may calculate multiple operational values based on the multiple temperature values and the multiple air flow values. An operational value indicates a power state (e.g. power on/power off) for a zone environmental unit's fan, compressor, heater, exhaust fan, and damper. The adaptive control device's output interface is operable to transmit multiple sequencing commands to the plurality of zone environmental units.