Thermographic Image Analytics for Directed Cooling Device Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current HVAC systems rely on single sensors, leading to suboptimal comfort for individuals as they cannot precisely target cooling needs, resulting in inefficient energy use and manual adjustments required for personal fans and zoned air ducts.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing thermographic image analytics to identify and prioritize cooling targets within a space, enabling directed cooling by low-power devices such as bladeless fans, which receive commands specifying airflow direction, speed, and cone angle via Power over Ethernet connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single thermostat is used for HVAC control, then the system complexity is reduced, but the comfort optimization for individual occupants deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cooling control into multiple independent cooling devices (personal fans, zoned air ducts) that can be individually controlled for different locations within the building, allowing each occupant to have customized cooling without requiring a completely complex centralized system
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables occupants to manually adjust their own cooling devices (fan speed, duct direction) based on their personal comfort needs, eliminating the need for complex automated control systems while still achieving individualized comfort optimization
2Area of stationary object
If conventional HVAC cooling is applied to entire rooms or buildings, then the coverage area is maximized, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies cooling only to specific zones or individual occupants who require it, rather than uniformly cooling entire rooms or buildings. This localized approach maintains adequate coverage for affected areas while dramatically reducing energy consumption by avoiding unnecessary cooling of unoccupied or already-cooled spaces
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides cooling only to the extent necessary for occupied zones detected by sensors, using partial action rather than full-room cooling. This prevents excessive energy consumption while still achieving adequate coverage for areas where occupants are present
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
This approach allows for precise, energy-efficient directed cooling of specific targets while excluding areas that do not require cooling, enhancing occupant comfort with minimal power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a thermographic image sensor array configured for generating a thermographic image of the area
Implementation Method 2
one or more controllable cooling devices configured for cooling at least a identified cooling target by moving air from the environment
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method comprises a controller receiving a thermographic image of an area to be cooled by one or more cooling devices; the controller identifying at least a first cooling target within the area to be cooled based on executing image analytics on the thermographic image, the first cooling target identified based on prioritizing hot zones on one or more identified objects in the thermographic image, and identifying among the prioritized hot zones the first cooling target as covering a first hot zone on a first identified object; and the controller generating and sending a cooling command to the one or more cooling devices for directed cooling of at least the first cooling target.