Individual building space differential pressure measurement for ventilation and air quality control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current building air pressure measurement systems, particularly in large structures, are inefficient and costly due to the need for tubed pressure sensors that require manual calibration and are not scalable, leading to issues with over- or under-pressurization which can affect air quality and safety.
Innovation Solution
A wireless, self-calibrating differential pressure measurement system that measures air pressure relative to outside pressure in real-time, allowing for dynamic adjustments and providing scalable and cost-effective solutions for large buildings by using a transmitting unit and receiving units with absolute pressure sensors and CO2 monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If tubed pressure sensors are used to measure differential pressure, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and maintenance cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical tubed pressure sensors with electronic pressure sensors that transmit data wirelessly. This substitution eliminates the need for physical tubing connections while maintaining measurement precision, thereby reducing device complexity and maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multiple wireless pressure sensors distributed throughout the building to replicate the measurement function of a single complex tubed sensor system. Each sensor independently measures and transmits pressure data, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability.
2Measurement precision
If manual calibration is performed annually, then measurement precision is maintained, but loss of time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless pressure sensors are designed with self-calibration capabilities, automatically adjusting their measurements without requiring manual intervention. This self-service feature maintains measurement precision while eliminating the time and productivity losses associated with annual manual calibration procedures.
3Device complexity
If fixed air flow ventilation is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to changing weather conditions worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation system transitions from fixed air flow to dynamic control based on real-time pressure sensor data. The system automatically adjusts ventilation rates in response to changing weather conditions and building pressure differentials, maintaining simplicity while significantly improving adaptability to environmental changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring pressure differentials with wireless sensors and using this information to adjust ventilation operations. This closed-loop approach enables the system to adapt to weather pressure changes while maintaining manageable complexity through automated control logic.
4Reliability
If real-time pressure monitoring is implemented, then air quality control is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless pressure sensors serve multiple functions: measuring differential pressure, monitoring air flow patterns, detecting door/window status, and providing data for both ventilation control and air quality assessment. This multi-functionality improves air quality management reliability while avoiding the complexity and cost of separate specialized 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
This system ensures healthy air quality by maintaining known pressures within a building, dynamically adjusting to changing weather conditions, and providing real-time data on air movement and quality, reducing maintenance costs and improving occupant safety.
Implementation Method 1
the receiving unit(s) 104 and the transmitting unit 102 each include an absolute pressure sensor configured to measure air pressure
Implementation Method 2
The system derives a differential pressure between two absolute pressures
Data Source
AI summary
An automated communicating system continuously derives differential pressure relative to a reference and provides a user display of this value. The system may include, among other elements, a remote transmitter, multiple receiving devices, a visual display, pre and post processing algorithms, a user interface to input a pressure set point, and a one or more air quality sensors. A differential pressure is derived from two absolute pressure readings, resulting in a determination of space over- or under-pressurization relative to a set point. Post-processing algorithms and filters are applied to the final output data stream prior to visual display of the space over- or under-pressure conditions. Calibration may be based on a zeroization method to determine an offset value used by the pressure algorithm to address differences between absolute pressure sensors production offsets, drift, and altitude differences between the physical placement of the two absolute sensors. A visual display depicts air quality through display of airborne molecule levels and space pressurization to provide ventilation and an air flow at-a-glance gauge.