Supplemental Appliance Control for Peak Heating and Cooling Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating and cooling systems face inefficiencies due to over-design to meet peak demands, leading to energy wastage and high costs, and they struggle to maintain consistent temperatures, especially when single large systems are used, which can preclude the use of alternative energy sources like solar heating.
Innovation Solution
A control system that includes a primary appliance and supplemental appliances, where a controller monitors operation levels and times, activating additional appliances when needed to provide supplemental capacity, allowing for efficient use of resources and flexible deployment of appliances based on demand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single large heating or cooling appliance is used to meet peak demand loads, then the system can handle maximum loads, but the system becomes more expensive and experiences inefficient start-up and shut-down times with temperature swings
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides a single large heating or cooling appliance into multiple smaller supplemental appliances that can operate independently. Each supplemental appliance is controlled by its own thermostat and can be activated based on local temperature conditions, allowing the system to meet peak loads without requiring one large appliance to cycle on and off repeatedly.
2Ease of manufacture
If the design limits of the heating or cooling system are reduced, then the system cost decreases, but the system cannot meet peak demand loads
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines multiple supplemental appliances with smaller individual capacities into a coordinated network that collectively provides sufficient capacity for peak loads. Each appliance is sized for economical manufacture, but when multiple units operate simultaneously under centralized control, they deliver the total heating or cooling power needed during peak demand periods.
3Power
If a single large system is used for heating or cooling, then the system can provide sufficient capacity, but it precludes the use of alternative energy sources like solar water heating
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a universal platform where multiple supplemental appliances can serve different energy sources. Each appliance can be configured to work with various energy inputs including solar water heating, grid electricity, or other alternative sources, allowing the system to adapt to and integrate diverse energy sources rather than being locked into a single large appliance design.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for controlling one or more appliances includes a control system where one appliance is in a condition such as having operated at full capacity for a predetermined period of time, and activation signal is sent to a secondary appliance. Appliances may be linked together to control each other, so that when a second appliance is operating at full capacity a third appliance is activated and so on.