Tunnel Ventilation Fan Control via Airflow Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ventilation systems in tunnel structures face challenges in efficiently supplying fresh air while minimizing energy consumption, particularly in dynamic construction environments where changes and defects in the ventilation line can occur, leading to inefficiencies and unnoticed increased energy use.

Innovation Solution

A ventilation system with a flexible duct line and measuring devices to regulate fan operation based on real-time air flow measurements, using a closed control loop and calculation to ensure constant volume flow and detect deviations, allowing for adaptive operation and monitoring to maintain efficient energy use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a fixed control signal is used to operate the fan, then a substantially constant airflow is delivered through the ventilation duct, but the system cannot adapt to changes in the ventilation line such as defects or construction progress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstant airflowVSAvoidadaptability to changes in ventilation line
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs a measuring device that continuously monitors airflow and feeds this information back to the control unit. The control unit compares the measured airflow with the target airflow and dynamically adjusts the fan's operating parameters accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to maintain stable airflow while automatically adapting to changes in the ventilation line, such as defects or construction progress, without requiring manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If ventilation systems are operated continuously with high airflow to ensure sufficient fresh air supply, then safety is improved, but energy consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefresh air supply safetyVSAvoidfan energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the fan's operating parameters based on real-time measurements of airflow and conditions in the ventilation line. Rather than operating at constant high capacity, the fan speed and airflow are continuously optimized to match the actual ventilation requirements. This dynamic operation ensures sufficient fresh air supply for safety while minimizing energy consumption by avoiding unnecessary high-speed operation when full capacity is not needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit modifies operational parameters of the fan, such as speed and power consumption, based on measured airflow conditions and target requirements. By changing these parameters dynamically rather than maintaining fixed high settings, the system ensures reliable fresh air supply while reducing energy consumption during periods when maximum ventilation capacity is not required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the ventilation duct is made flexible to adapt to changing construction site conditions, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision of airflow decreases due to potential deformations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveduct flexibilityVSAvoidairflow measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The measuring device continuously monitors airflow and provides feedback to the control unit, which compensates for variations caused by duct flexibility. By comparing measured values with target values and dynamically adjusting fan operation, the system maintains measurement precision despite the flexible duct's potential deformations, ensuring accurate airflow control throughout construction activities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3339569B1Method and device for ventilation of a tunnel structure
Publication Date: 2019.08.14 KORFMANN LUFTTECHN
  • EP3339569B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3339569B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3339569B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and a device for ventilating a tunnel structure. A ventilation system (10) comprises a fan (14), a ventilation duct (20) connected to the fan (14), and a measuring device (24) connected to the ventilation duct (20) for an airflow supplied through the ventilation duct (20). An expected operating value (E) of the fan (14) is calculated taking into account at least parameters of the fan (14) and the ventilation duct (20). The operation of the fan (14) is controlled as a function of a measured value from the measuring device (24), and an actual operating value (W) of the fan (14) is determined. The actual operating value (W) is compared with the expected operating value (E), and any deviation is indicated.