Telecom Shelter Cooling Control for Extended DC Backup Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioning systems in outdoor telecom shelters rely on AC power, limiting their operation to 20 minutes to 1 hour during AC power failures, which is insufficient for extended events like hurricanes, and require large battery storage for DC to AC inversion, making it impractical.
Innovation Solution
A direct air cooling system powered by DC, comprising blowers and a damper arrangement, controlled by a microprocessor that manages temperature and alarm inputs to alternate between using AC and DC power for cooling, ensuring sustained operation of telecom equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If conventional air conditioning system is used in outdoor telecom shelter, then cooling function is provided during normal operation, but operation duration is limited to 20 minutes to 1 hour during AC power failure
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into two independent subsystems: a conventional AC-powered air conditioning system and a DC-powered blower system. This segmentation allows each subsystem to operate independently based on power availability, with the DC blower system providing backup cooling capability during AC power failures without requiring the entire system to be redesigned.
Solution Approach 2:
A controller acts as an intermediary between the AC and DC power systems, managing the transition and coordination between the two cooling subsystems. The controller monitors power status and automatically switches between AC-powered A/C operation and DC-powered blower operation, ensuring continuous cooling coverage during power transitions and failures.
2Duration of action of moving object
If DC to AC inverter is used to extend operation time, then cooling can be maintained during power failure, but battery storage capability must be very large
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of converting DC to AC to run the conventional A/C system during power failures, the system inverts the approach by using DC-powered blowers to directly cool the equipment. This eliminates the need for DC-to-AC inversion and large battery storage, as the DC blowers can operate efficiently from the existing DC power supply at lower power consumption levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses simpler, lower-cost DC-powered blower units instead of complex DC-to-AC inverter systems. These blowers consume less power and can be sustained by existing DC power supplies without requiring oversized battery storage, providing a more economical solution for extended operation.
3Reliability
If conventional air conditioning system is used, then cooling is provided during normal operation, but system complexity increases with dual power supply requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The DC-powered blower system serves multiple functions: it provides backup cooling during AC power failures, operates as a supplemental cooling system during high-temperature conditions, and can function independently or in conjunction with the AC-powered A/C system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated backup systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the existing DC power supply infrastructure already present in telecom shelters to power the backup cooling blowers, eliminating the need for separate power generation systems. The DC blowers self-regulate based on temperature sensor feedback and controller logic, reducing the need for complex manual intervention systems.
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 system provides extended operation of telecom equipment during power failures, reducing energy costs and enhancing cooling redundancy, capable of operating for 4-8 hours without AC power, and can handle alarms like hydrogen and fire situations by controlling airflow.
Implementation Method 1
one or more blowers configured to be mounted to the outdoor shelter to draw exterior air into the outdoor shelter
Implementation Method 2
a damper arrangement configured to be mounted at an air exhaust region of the outdoor shelter
Data Source
AI summary
A system configured to provide cooling of electronic equipment in a shelter in combination with an air conditioning (A/C) system. The system includes one or more blowers for drawing air into the shelter, a damper arrangement for controlling air exhaust. The system further includes a DC powered controller coupled to the one or more blowers, the damper arrangement, and the A/C system. The controller is configured to receive at least a first analog input signal associated with a shelter-interior temperature, a second analog input signal associated with a shelter-exterior temperature, and a plurality of alarm input signals and to generate the one or more first control signals to control blower rotational speed, the second control signal to open/close the damper arrangement, and a third control signal to inhibit/activate the A/C system based on at least the first analog input signal, or the second analog input signal, or a plurality of alarm input signals, or a combination of these.