Self perturbing extremum-seeking control system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing extremum-seeking control systems for HVAC systems require external dither signals and are not adaptable to dynamic plant responses, leading to inefficiencies in optimizing performance variables.
Innovation Solution
A self-perturbing extremum-seeking controller that uses a processing circuit to determine gradients of performance variables with respect to time and control inputs, adjusting control inputs based on the sign of these gradients without external perturbations, and applies an adjustable gain parameter to optimize performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If external dither signals are used in extremum-seeking control systems, then the system can determine gradients for optimization, but the system complexity increases and adaptability to dynamic plant responses deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the plant's own dynamic response to generate perturbation signals instead of requiring external dither signals. The controller exploits the natural dynamics of the plant to create the necessary excitations for gradient estimation, making the system self-sufficient and highly adaptable to dynamic conditions without adding external signal generation components
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static dither signal injection to dynamic exploitation of plant response. By using the plant's inherent dynamic behavior to generate perturbations, the system achieves better adaptability to changing plant conditions while maintaining gradient determination capability through dynamic gradient estimation techniques
2Ease of operation
If traditional extremum-seeking control updates equipment configurations before determining gradients, then the control process follows a systematic approach, but the convergence rate and operational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs gradient determination using dynamic plant responses before making equipment configuration updates. By pre-calculating the gradient information from the plant's natural dynamic behavior, the controller ensures that configuration changes are based on accurate, up-to-date gradient data, improving convergence speed while maintaining systematic control
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback by monitoring the plant's dynamic response in real-time and using this information to update gradient estimates before each configuration change. This feedback mechanism ensures that the control process adapts to current plant conditions, improving both convergence rate and operational efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A self-perturbing extremum-seeking controller for a plant that includes at least a static portion includes a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to obtain a value of a performance variable characterizing a performance of the plant. The processing circuit is configured to determine a sign of a gradient of the performance variable with respect to an input to the static portion of the plant. The processing circuit is configured to adjust a control input for the plant using the sign of the gradient, and provide the control input to the plant to affect the performance variable.