System and method for integrated control of supply fan
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air ventilation systems in warm and humid climates face challenges in efficiently controlling outside air distribution, 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 environmental 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
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
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
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors actual humidity levels and AHU operational status, using this feedback to dynamically adjust ventilation timing. This allows the system to optimize ventilation schedules based on real-time conditions rather than relying on conservative manual presets, thereby increasing ventilation time while preventing condensation through active control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary monitoring and prediction of humidity conditions to schedule ventilation in advance. By predicting when condensation risks will occur based on forecasted conditions and AHU schedules, the system can maximize ventilation time during safe periods while preventing condensation before it occurs.
2Measurement precision
If temperature sensors are placed to monitor environmental conditions, then temperature control is improved, but outside conditions can influence and alter sensor readings reducing accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the AHU's own operational data and internal temperature measurements as an intermediary to infer outside conditions. Rather than placing sensors directly exposed to outside temperatures, the system monitors the AHU's operation patterns and internal environmental changes to indirectly determine when outside air conditions are favorable for ventilation, eliminating the need for externally exposed temperature sensors.
3Ease of operation
If wired humidity sensors are used inside the home to control ventilation, then ventilation control is improved, but installation complexity and wiring requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the humidity sensing function from separate wired sensors and integrates it into the existing AHU control infrastructure. By utilizing the AHU's built-in sensors and control system, the patent eliminates the need for additional wired humidity sensors while maintaining the ability to control ventilation based on humidity conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system makes the AHU's control system multi-functional by enabling it to perform both its primary HVAC function and ventilation scheduling based on humidity conditions. The AHU's existing sensors and controller are used for multiple purposes: temperature control, humidity monitoring, and ventilation timing decisions, eliminating the need for dedicated wired humidity sensing infrastructure.
4Ease of manufacture
If wireless humidity sensors with batteries are used, then installation complexity is reduced, but maintenance costs increase and communication robustness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the AHU's existing power and communication infrastructure to support humidity sensing and control functions. By leveraging the AHU's built-in capabilities, the system eliminates the need for separate battery-powered wireless sensors, thereby avoiding maintenance issues and communication reliability problems while keeping installation simple.
Data Source
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.