System and method for integrated control of supply fan

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air ventilation systems in warm and humid climates face challenges in effectively regulating outside air supply, leading to reduced ventilation times and increased pollutant retention due to manual humidity limit settings and sensor placement issues, which can compromise temperature and humidity readings.

Innovation Solution

A system with integrated control components for supply fan units, including a motorized damper and a controller with memory and sensors, that collects and processes air characteristics data to optimize fresh air inflow based on pre-defined parameters and prediction tables, allowing for autonomous operation without relying on AHU inputs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If manual humidity limit settings are used to prevent condensation in ducting, then condensation is avoided, but ventilation time is significantly reduced leading to increased pollutant retention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecondensation in ductingVSAvoidventilation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring actual humidity levels and adjusting the humidity limit dynamically. The controller receives real-time humidity data from sensors and modifies the operational parameters to prevent condensation while maximizing ventilation time, replacing static manual limits with adaptive feedback-based control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from fixed manual humidity limits to dynamic, adaptive limits that change based on real-time environmental conditions. The system continuously adjusts ventilation parameters in response to varying humidity levels, allowing optimal ventilation time while preventing condensation under different operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If temperature sensors are placed to monitor inside air temperature, then ventilation control is improved, but outside conditions can influence and alter the readings compromising accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature reading accuracyVSAvoidoutside temperature influence

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the sensing function by placing separate temperature sensors in both the inside and outside environments. This allows the controller to independently measure and compare indoor and outdoor temperatures, making ventilation decisions based on the temperature differential while protecting the indoor sensor from external temperature influences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The controller acts as an intermediary that processes temperature readings from both indoor and outdoor sensors. It calculates the temperature differential and uses this intermediate value to make ventilation decisions, effectively isolating the measurement system from direct exposure to extreme outside conditions while still capturing the necessary environmental data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If wired humidity sensors are used inside the home, then real-time monitoring is achieved, but installation complexity and wiring requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehumidity level monitoringVSAvoidwiring between controller and sensors

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the mechanical wiring-based sensor connection with wireless communication technology. Humidity sensors communicate with the controller via wireless signals, eliminating the need for physical wiring while maintaining real-time monitoring capabilities. This substitution reduces installation complexity and allows flexible sensor placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Device complexity

If wireless humidity sensors are used outside the home, then installation complexity is reduced, but communication robustness and reliability decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation and maintenanceVSAvoidcommunication robustness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple sensing functions into a single integrated unit that combines both indoor and outdoor humidity sensing capabilities. This consolidation reduces the total number of wireless sensors required, minimizes communication interfaces, and improves overall system reliability by reducing potential points of failure while maintaining wireless installation simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11466879B2System and method for integrated control of supply fan

Publication Date: 2022.10.11 BROAN NUTONE LLC

AI summary

The present disclosure describes a supply fan assembly including a controller, a memory operably coupled with the controller. The supply fan assembly further includes at least one environment sensor operably coupled with the controller and a fan supplying fresh air from an exterior environment into a structure according to instructions from the controller. Additionally, the operational data is generated by the at least one of the environment sensor and the controller, and the controller instructs the fan in response to the operational data generated during a pre-defined time period.