Daylight Harvesting Control for Skylight-Linked Lighting Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for daylight harvesting through skylights are inefficient due to lack of information on lighting circuits, schedule inefficiencies, sensor inefficiencies, improper set-point definitions, and lack of operational switchover between feeders, leading to reduced daylight utilization and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A lighting control system that identifies skylight-linked lighting circuits, determines interception points for switching between daylight and electric consumption, and optimizes operations based on site configuration, instrumentation, and ambient data to derive an optimum logic for skylight operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional methods are used for daylight harvesting, then skylights are installed to allow daylight entry, but the system cannot detect skylight presence or determine optimal usage levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through sensors that continuously monitor daylight levels and provide data to the control system. This enables the system to detect skylight presence and measure daylight intensity, automatically adjusting lighting operations based on real-time conditions rather than relying on pre-programmed schedules.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system automatically identifies skylight-linked circuits and determines optimal operation parameters without requiring manual configuration. The system self-configures by analyzing sensor data patterns, automatically detecting which lighting circuits are associated with skylights and calculating optimal interception points for daylight utilization.
2Productivity
If conventional scheduling is used for skylight operation, then fixed schedules are implemented, but this causes schedule inefficiency and operation in inefficient time ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static, pre-programmed schedules to dynamic, real-time control based on actual daylight conditions. The system continuously monitors sensor data and adjusts lighting operations dynamically, determining optimal interception points that vary throughout the day based on actual daylight availability rather than following fixed time-based schedules.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (lighting levels, circuit activation) based on measured daylight conditions. By continuously adjusting these parameters according to real-time sensor readings, the system optimizes daylight utilization efficiency and avoids operation during inefficient time ranges when natural light is insufficient.
3Reliability
If conventional sensor operation is used, then sensors operate with high or low cut-off issues, but this causes sensor inefficiency and improper set-point definitions
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically determines optimal sensor set-points and cut-off thresholds without requiring manual configuration. By analyzing historical sensor data and daylight patterns, the system self-configures appropriate sensitivity levels and operational thresholds, eliminating the need for complex manual sensor setup while ensuring reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual sensor configuration and adjustment with automated electronic control. Instead of requiring physical adjustment of sensor sensitivity and manual setting of cut-off points, the system uses electronic algorithms to automatically optimize sensor operation based on measured conditions, improving both reliability and ease of operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional lighting control is used, then separate feeders operate independently, but this causes lack of operational switchover between available feeders
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges control of multiple lighting feeders under a single unified daylight harvesting controller. This integrated approach enables automatic switchover between feeders based on real-time daylight conditions and circuit requirements, allowing the system to coordinate multiple feeders as a unified resource rather than managing them separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed to universally manage multiple lighting feeders and circuit configurations. It can identify and control different types of lighting circuits (skylight-linked, standard, emergency) and automatically determine optimal feeder assignment and switchover strategies, providing multi-functional capability that adapts to various building configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting control system for optimizing operation of skylights of distributed sites to facilitate daylight harvesting comprises a processor and a memory communicatively coupled to the processor. The memory stores processor instructions, which causes the processor to identify skylight-linked lighting circuits from a plurality of lighting circuits by analyzing site configuration data, site instrumentation data, and ambient data, and determine interception points configured for each identified skylight-linked lighting circuit to switch from daylight utilization to electric consumption and to switch from electric consumption to daylight utilization. The processor is further caused to derive an optimum logic for the operation of skylight linked lighting circuits based on the interception points and current operating schedule of the skylight linked lighting circuits and optimize the operation of the skylights based on the optimum logic.