System and method for operating a packaged terminal air conditioner unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Packaged terminal air conditioner units often face challenges in providing sufficient make-up air while minimizing auxiliary fan noise and energy usage, as the existing auxiliary fans may not meet flow rate requirements or operate inefficiently.
Innovation Solution
A packaged terminal air conditioner unit with a vent aperture and both an indoor and auxiliary fan, where a controller determines a target make-up air flow rate and operates the fans to provide primary and auxiliary flows, ensuring the sum of these flows meets the target rate, thereby optimizing air supply and reducing fan noise and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the auxiliary fan operates at higher flow rates to meet make-up air requirements, then the make-up air flow rate is improved, but the auxiliary fan noise and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the make-up air flow generation into two separate functions: the indoor fan provides primary make-up air flow, and the auxiliary fan provides supplemental make-up air flow. This segmentation allows the auxiliary fan to operate at lower, quieter flow rates while the indoor fan handles the bulk of the make-up air requirement, thus resolving the contradiction between meeting flow rate requirements and minimizing noise.
2Productivity
If the auxiliary fan operates at higher flow rates to meet make-up air requirements, then the make-up air flow rate is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the energy burden by having the indoor fan (which is already operating for cooling purposes) provide the primary make-up air flow, thereby reducing the energy consumption requirement for the auxiliary fan while still meeting overall make-up air flow rate requirements.
3Productivity
If the auxiliary fan is designed to provide sufficient make-up air flow, then the make-up air flow rate requirement is met, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the indoor fan serve dual functions: providing conditioned air circulation and providing primary make-up air flow. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate dedicated make-up air fan, thereby meeting make-up air flow rate requirements without increasing device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively provides the necessary make-up air while minimizing noise and energy usage, ensuring compliance with regulations and maintaining guest comfort by coordinating the operation of indoor and auxiliary fans.
Implementation Method 1
An indoor fan is positioned within the indoor portion and being configured for urging a flow of primary make-up air from the outdoor portion through the vent aperture to the indoor portion
Implementation Method 2
An auxiliary fan is positioned proximate the vent aperture and is configured for urging a flow of auxiliary make-up air from the outdoor portion through the vent aperture to the indoor portion
Data Source
AI summary
A packaged terminal air conditioner unit (PTAC) and methods for operating the same are provided. The PTAC includes a vent aperture defined in a bulkhead of the PTAC through which make-up air may flow. An indoor fan urges a flow of primary make-up air at a primary flow rate and an auxiliary fan urges a flow of auxiliary make-up air at an auxiliary flow rate. A controller determines a target make-up air flow rate, e.g., based on a user setting which is determined from building code calculations factoring in expected room occupancy, room size, and other factors. The controller then operates the auxiliary fan to urge the flow of auxiliary make-up air at the auxiliary flow rate which is substantially equivalent to the target make-up air flow rate minus the primary flow rate.