Virtual Building Management Commissioning for Remote Site Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current building management systems (BMS) face challenges in efficient commissioning processes, requiring on-site labor and being inaccessible when the building site is not physically available, which hinders remote and secure commissioning capabilities.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a virtual commissioning method using a virtual server connected to a building management system controller and a remote commissioning system, allowing for the transfer of control and data exchange securely via virtual private network connections, enabling real-time data transfer and configuration of building equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If on-site commissioning is performed using traditional BMS methods, then commissioning can be conducted with direct access to building equipment, but on-site labor requirements increase and commissioning cannot be performed when the building site is inaccessible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the building management system and building equipment in a simulated environment. This virtual replica allows commissioning engineers to perform all commissioning activities remotely without needing physical access to the actual building equipment, thereby enabling commissioning when the building site is inaccessible and reducing on-site labor requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtual commissioning server as an intermediary between the commissioning engineer's workstation and the actual building management system. This intermediary enables secure data exchange and control transfer through virtual private network connections, allowing remote commissioning while maintaining system security and integrity
2Productivity
If traditional commissioning methods are used requiring physical presence at the building site, then direct control of equipment is possible, but commissioning efficiency decreases and on-site labor is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary configuration and setup of the virtual building management system before actual commissioning begins. Product installation data, equipment configurations, and control logic are pre-loaded into the virtual environment, allowing commissioning engineers to start work immediately upon connection without time-consuming on-site setup procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual commissioning server provides multiple functions including data exchange, control transfer, system configuration, and commissioning workflow management through a single unified platform. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate tools and systems that would otherwise be required for different commissioning tasks
3Ease of operation
If control is transferred to a virtual building management system on a virtual server, then remote commissioning is enabled and on-site labor is reduced, but system control architecture becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements bidirectional communication between the virtual building management system and the actual BMS, with automatic feedback mechanisms that monitor system state, validate control commands, and confirm successful operations. This feedback loop simplifies the control transfer process by providing automated verification and reducing the need for complex manual coordination procedures
Data Source
AI summary
A system for virtual commissioning of a building management system includes one or more memory devices configured to store instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: receive, at a virtual server, product installation data from a building management system controller installed at a building site via a first connection, the product installation data corresponding to a product installation at the building site; receive, commissioning data from the remote commissioning system via a second connection; configure one or more products installed at the building site to be controlled by the virtual building management system on the virtual server; and selectively transfer control of the one or more products installed at the building site from the virtual building management system hosted at on the virtual server to the building management system controller installed at the building site.