Weather-predictive apparatus and system thereof for controlling a climatization plant

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control devices for building climatization plants are inefficient in optimizing operating dynamics, leading to delays in activation and deactivation, resulting in wasted electricity and fuel, increased air pollution, and discomfort due to temperature spikes.

Innovation Solution

A dynamic weather-predictive system that uses short-term weather forecasts to continuously update and recalibrate the activation and deactivation times of climatization plants, minimizing operational time and eliminating the need for hysteresis levels, thereby reducing energy consumption and maintaining comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If conventional control devices are used to activate/deactivate climatization plants, then the building temperature can be maintained within acceptable ranges, but the activation and deactivation are delayed leading to wasted energy and increased operational time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidactivation/deactivation delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring weather forecasts and pre-calculating the optimal activation and deactivation times of the climatization plant before the actual need arises. This allows the system to anticipate temperature changes and adjust the plant operation in advance, eliminating delays and energy waste associated with reactive control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism by continuously comparing actual temperature measurements with forecasted weather data and historical patterns. This feedback loop enables real-time optimization of the climatization plant's operation, adjusting activation and deactivation times dynamically to minimize energy consumption while maintaining comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If conventional control devices operate climatization plants based on historical data and current temperature, then basic temperature regulation is achieved, but the operating dynamics are not optimized causing hunting phenomena and energy waste

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperating efficiencyVSAvoidtemperature stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system transforms the static, historical-based control into a dynamic system that continuously adapts to changing weather conditions. By integrating real-time weather forecasts and continuously updating the thermal profile, the system optimizes operating dynamics and eliminates the hunting phenomenon while maintaining reliable temperature control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system ensures continuous optimization of the climatization plant operation by continuously monitoring weather forecasts and recalculating the thermal profile. This continuous action eliminates gaps in control and prevents temperature instability, maintaining both high productivity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the climatization plant operates with delays and hunting phenomena, then basic temperature control is maintained, but air pollution increases due to wasted fuel and electricity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair pollutionVSAvoidelectricity and fuel consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts the potentially harmful effect of weather variability into a benefit by using weather forecasts to anticipate temperature changes. This allows the climatization plant to operate more efficiently, reducing wasted energy and associated air pollution, while still maintaining comfortable indoor conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Loss of energy

If weather forecast data is continuously monitored and the thermal profile is dynamically updated, then energy optimization is achieved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system achieves energy optimization without excessive complexity by implementing a universal control architecture that handles multiple functions: weather forecast monitoring, thermal profile calculation, and plant control. This multi-functional approach consolidates operations and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11036196B2Weather-predictive apparatus and system thereof for controlling a climatization plant

Publication Date: 2021.06.15 LODI

AI summary

It is disclosed a weather-predictive apparatus for controlling a climatization plant, comprising a weather-climate data sensor associated with a building, a processing unit and a signal transceiver. The signal transceiver is configured to transmit a current measured value of the weather-climate data associated with the building to a weather forecast device and it is configured to receive from the weather forecast device a plurality of weather forecast data associated with the building in a forecast time interval. The processing unit is configured to: calculate a change in a nominal activation instant of the climatization plant of the building, calculate a modified activation instant; check whether the current instant is equal to the modified activation instant. In case wherein the current instant is equal to the modified activation instant, the processing unit is configured to generate a command signal having a value representative of the activation of the climatization plant.