Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
  • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
  • F24F11/30—Control or safety arrangements for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
  • F24F11/46—Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
  • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
  • F24F11/30—Control or safety arrangements for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
  • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
  • F24F11/50—Control or safety arrangements characterised by user interfaces or communication
  • F24F11/54—Control or safety arrangements characterised by user interfaces or communication using one central controller connected to several sub-controllers
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
  • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
  • F24F11/50—Control or safety arrangements characterised by user interfaces or communication
  • F24F11/56—Remote control
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
  • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
  • F24F11/62—Control or safety arrangements characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
  • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
  • F24F11/62—Control or safety arrangements characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
  • F24F11/63—Electronic processing
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
  • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
  • F24F11/70—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
  • F24F3/00—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
  • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
  • F24F11/62—Control or safety arrangements characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
  • F24F11/63—Electronic processing
  • F24F11/64—Electronic processing using pre-stored data
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
  • F24F3/00—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems
  • F24F2003/003—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems with primary air treatment in the central station and subsequent secondary air treatment in air treatment units located in or near the rooms
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
  • F24F2110/00—Control inputs relating to air properties
  • F24F2110/10—Temperature
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
  • F24F2110/00—Control inputs relating to air properties
  • F24F2110/10—Temperature
  • F24F2110/12—Temperature of the outside air
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
  • F24F2110/00—Control inputs relating to air properties
  • F24F2110/50—Air quality properties
  • F24F2110/65—Concentration of specific substances or contaminants
  • F24F2110/70—Carbon dioxide
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
  • F24F2110/00—Control inputs relating to air properties
  • F24F2110/50—Air quality properties
  • F24F2110/65—Concentration of specific substances or contaminants
  • F24F2110/72—Carbon monoxide
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
  • F24F2120/00—Control inputs relating to users or occupants
  • F24F2120/10—Occupancy
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
  • F24F2140/00—Control inputs relating to system states
  • F24F2140/60—Energy consumption
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
  • H04W4/70—Services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC]

Definitions

• HVAC heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
• the Internet is evolving from a human-oriented connection network in which human beings generate and consume information to the Internet of things (IoT) in which information is transmitted/received and processed between distributed elements such as things.
• IoT Internet of things
• IoE Internet of everything
• the Internet of everything (IoE) technology may be an example of combining the IoT with big data processing through connectivity to a cloud server and the like.
• M2M machine to machine
• MTC machine type communication
• An intelligent Internet technology (IT) service of creating new values for human livings by collecting and analyzing data generated from interconnected things may be provided in an IoT environment.
• the IoT may find application in a wide range of fields including a smart home, a smart building, a smart city, a smart car or a connected car, a smart grid, health care, a smart appliance, and state-of-the art medical services, through convergence between existing IT technologies and various industries.
• HVAC heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
• the central HVAC system refers to a system in which an air handing unit (AHU) distributes cooled/heated air through air ducts connected across the inner space of a building
• the individual HVAC system refers to a system in which an outdoor unit introduces a coolant indoors and cools/heats indoor air.
• the central and individual HVAC systems each have their own shortcomings. That is, the central HVAC system may suffer from indoor heat load imbalance and energy leakage because it is impossible to control temperature separately in a perimeter zone and a core zone.
• the individual HVAC system cannot introduce outdoor air. Therefore, it is impossible to satisfy indoor air quality (IAQ) recommendations, for example, a carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) level and a carbon oxide (CO) level which are allowed indoors.
• IAQ indoor air quality
• a hybrid HVAC system is under active research in order to simultaneously the central and individual HVAC systems.
• the hybrid HVAC system consumes far more energy than either of the central and individual HVAC systems alone because both the systems operate at the same time.
• electricity charges become high since a progressive rate is applied to each of a basic charge and a power consumption charge.
• an aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus and method for adaptively applying a central heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system and an individual HVAC system.
• HVAC heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
• Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus and method for adaptively applying a central HVAC system and an individual HVAC system according to a case detected based on comfort of a perimeter zone and/or a core zone.
• Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus and method for predicting energy consumptions of a central HVAC system and an individual HVAC system and applying a HVAC system having the smaller energy consumption between the central HVAC system and the individual HVAC system.
• Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus and method for adaptively applying a central HVAC system and an individual HVAC system in consideration of whether a currently operating HVAC system satisfies a predetermined constraint.
• a method for adaptively applying a central HVAC system and an individual HVAC system includes analyzing comfort levels of a core zone and a perimeter zone in a building by comparing temperatures of the core zone and the perimeter zone with a set temperature, comparing a difference between the temperatures of the core zone and the perimeter zone with an environmental parameter, if only one of the core zone and the perimeter zone is comfortable as a result of the analysis, and changing a currently operating HVAC system based on a result of the comparison.
• a method for adaptively applying a central HVAC system and an individual HVAC system includes predicting energy consumptions of the central HVAC system and the individual HVAC system, selecting a HVAC system having the smaller predicted energy consumption between the central HVAC system and the individual HVAC system, and determining whether a currently operating HVAC system satisfies a predetermined constraint, and determining whether to operate the selected HVAC system based on a result of the determination.
• an apparatus for adaptively applying a central HVAC system and an individual HVAC system includes a controller configured to analyze comfort levels of a core zone and a perimeter zone in a building by comparing temperatures of the core zone and the perimeter zone with a set temperature, compare a difference between the temperatures of the core zone and the perimeter zone with an environmental parameter, and change, if only one of the core zone and the perimeter zone is comfortable as a result of the analysis, and a currently operating HVAC system based on a result of the comparison, and a transceiver configured to transmit and receive signals related to the controller.
• an apparatus for adaptively applying a central HVAC system and an individual HVAC system includes a controller configured to predict energy consumptions of the central HVAC system and the individual HVAC system, select a HVAC system having the smaller predicted energy consumption between the central HVAC system and the individual HVAC system, determine whether a currently operating HVAC system satisfies a predetermined constraint, and determine whether to operate the selected HVAC system based on a result of the determination, and a transceiver configured to transmit and receive signals related to the controller.
• FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for adaptively applying a central heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system and an individual HVAC system by a control unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
• HVAC central heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
• FIG. 2 is a detailed flowchart illustrating a method for adaptively applying a central HVAC system and an individual HVAC system by a control unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
• FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating an operation for adaptively applying a central HVAC system and an individual HVAC system according to temperature changes of a perimeter zone and a core zone by a control unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
• FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for adaptively applying a central HVAC system and an individual HVAC system by a control unit according to another embodiment of the present disclosure
• FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating an operation for adaptively applying a central HVAC system and an individual HVAC system according to energy consumptions of the central HVAC system and the individual HVAC system and predetermined constraints during predetermined intervals by a control unit according to another embodiment of the present disclosure
• FIGS. 6a and 6b illustrate examples of setting a temperature difference reference in consideration of an energy consumption, a gradient related to a temperature change in a core zone and/or a perimeter zone and an operation level of a HVAC system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure
• FIG. 7 illustrates an example of setting a temperature difference reference in consideration of mutual influences between a core zone and a perimeter zone according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
• FIGS. 8a and 8b illustrate an example of setting a temperature difference reference in consideration of a predicted mean vote (PMV) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
• FIG. 9a and 9b illustrate an example of setting a temperature difference reference in consideration of an indoor air quality (IAQ) index according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
• FIG. 10 illustrates an example of setting a temperature difference reference in consideration of a set time schedule according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
• FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an interior structure of a control unit for adaptively applying a central HVAC system and an individual HVAC system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
• FIGS. 12a, 12b, and 12c illustrate comparisons between a hybrid HVAC scheme and an adaptive HVAC scheme of the related art in terms of simulated results of seasonal power consumptions and electricity charges according to various embodiments of the present disclosure
• FIGS. 13a, 13b, and 13c illustrate comparisons between the hybrid HVAC system and an adaptive HVAC system of the related art in terms of simulated results of seasonal power consumptions and electricity charges according to various embodiments of the present disclosure
• FIGS. 14a and 14b are graphs illustrating temperature changes in a perimeter zone and a core zone for one day in a central HVAC system and an adaptive HVAC system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
• a method for adaptively applying a central heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system and an individual HVAC system according to the difference between temperatures of a perimeter zone and a core zone according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below in detail. That is, a method for determining whether to operate or stop each of the central HVAC system and the individual HVAC system in consideration of a temperature measured in a perimeter zone of a building, a temperature measured in a core zone of the building, a predetermined set temperature, and environmental parameters will be described in detail.
• HVAC central heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
• Devices related to a HVAC system described in embodiments of the present disclosure may include, for example, an absorption chiller, a scroll chiller, a screw chiller, a centrifugal chiller, a cooling tower, a roof top unit, an air handing unit (AHU), a fan coil unit, a variable air volume (VAV) box, a boiler like a burner, an air cooled/water cooled outdoor unit, and any other individual air conditioner including an indoor unit and an outdoor unit.
• AHU air handing unit
• VAV variable air volume box
• FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for adaptively applying a central HVAC system and an individual HVAC system by a control unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
• a control unit determines environmental parameters which are considered to select a HVAC system, for example, ⁇ , ⁇ , and ⁇ in operation 102.
• ⁇ represents a compensation temperature that a core zone acquires through operation of an individual HVAC system installed in a perimeter zone
• ⁇ and ⁇ represent references for a temperature difference between the core zone and the perimeter zone.
• ⁇ is a temperature difference reference which is considered, when a temperature of the core zone is higher than that of the perimeter zone during operation of a cooling system
• a temperature difference reference which is considered, when the temperature of the perimeter zone is higher than that of the core zone during operation of a heating system.
• ⁇ is a temperature difference reference which is considered, when the temperature of the perimeter zone is higher than that of the core zone during operation of the cooling system, and a temperature difference reference which is considered, when the temperature of the core zone is higher than that of the perimeter zone during operation of the heating system.
• control unit analyzes comfort levels of the core zone and the perimeter zone by comparing temperatures measured in the core zone and the perimeter zone with a predetermined set temperature.
• the control unit determines whether only the perimeter zone or the core zone is comfortable based on a result of the analysis. That is, in the case where the cooling system is operating in a building, if a temperature T Core of the core zone is higher than a set temperature T SP and a temperature T Peri of the perimeter zone is lower than the set temperature T SP (T Core >T SP && T Peri ⁇ T SP ), or in the case where the heating system is operating in the building, if the temperature T Core of the core zone is lower than the set temperature T SP and the temperature T Peri of the perimeter zone is higher than the set temperature T SP (T Core ⁇ T SP && T Peri >T SP ), the control unit determines that only the perimeter zone is comfortable.
• the control unit determines that only the core zone is comfortable.
• control unit determines that only the perimeter zone or the core zone is comfortable in operation 106, the control unit proceeds to operation 108. On the other hand, if the control unit determines that both or none of the perimeter zone and the core zone are comfortable in operation 106, the control unit proceeds to operation 104.
• the control unit determines whether the difference between the temperatures of the perimeter zone and the core zone is equal to or larger than the environmental parameter ⁇ or ⁇ . If determining that only the perimeter zone is comfortable in operation 106, the control unit compares the temperature difference between the perimeter zone and the core zone with the environmental parameter ⁇ . If determining that only the core zone is comfortable in operation 106, the control unit compares the temperature difference between the perimeter zone and the core zone with the environmental parameter ⁇ .
• the control unit 110 changes a currently operating HVAC system in operation 110. On the contrary, if the temperature difference between the perimeter zone and the core zone is less than the environmental parameter ⁇ or ⁇ in operation 108, the control unit 110 repeats operation 108, maintaining the currently operating HVAC system. While it has been described that the individual HVAC system or the central HVAC system is currently operating in FIG. 1, by way of example, if both of the individual and central HVAC systems are currently off, the control unit maintains the current state, that is, the off state.
• FIG. 2 is a detailed flowchart illustrating a method for adaptively applying a central HVAC system and an individual HVAC system by a control unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
• a control unit determines environmental parameters which are considered to select a HVAC system, for example, ⁇ , ⁇ and ⁇ in operation 202.
• ⁇ represents a compensation temperature that a core zone acquires through operation of an individual HVAC system installed in a perimeter zone
• ⁇ and ⁇ represent references for a temperature difference between the core zone and the perimeter zone.
• ⁇ is a temperature difference reference which is considered, when a temperature of the core zone is higher than that of the perimeter zone during operation of a cooling system
• a temperature difference reference which is considered, when the temperature of the perimeter zone is higher than that of the core zone during operation of a heating system.
• ⁇ is a temperature difference reference which is considered, when the temperature of the perimeter zone is higher than that of the core zone during operation of the cooling system, and a temperature difference reference which is considered, when the temperature of the core zone is higher than that of the perimeter zone during operation of the heating system.
• control unit detects a related case by analyzing comfort levels of the core zone and the perimeter zone.
• the comfort levels of the core zone and the perimeter zone may be analyzed by comparing temperatures measured in the core zone and the perimeter zone with a predetermined set temperature.
• the related case may be case I in which none of the core zone and the perimeter zone are comfortable, case II in which the core zone is not comfortable but the perimeter zone is comfortable, case III in which the core zone is comfortable but the perimeter zone is not comfortable, or case IV in which both of the core zone and the perimeter zone are comfortable.
• case I in which none of the core zone and the perimeter zone are comfortable
• case II in which the core zone is not comfortable but the perimeter zone is comfortable
• case III in which the core zone is comfortable but the perimeter zone is not comfortable
• case IV in which both of the core zone and the perimeter zone are comfortable.
• Case I in which none of the core zone and the perimeter zone are comfortable corresponds to the case where the temperature T Core of the core zone is higher than the set temperature T SP and the temperature T Peri of the perimeter zone is higher than the set temperature T SP (T Core >T SP && T Peri >T SP ) during operation of the cooling system, or the temperature T Core of the core zone is lower than the set temperature T SP and the temperature T Peri of the perimeter zone is lower than the set temperature T SP (T Core ⁇ T SP && T Peri ⁇ T SP ) during operation of the heating system.
• Case II in which the core zone is not comfortable but the perimeter zone is comfortable corresponds to the case where the temperature T Core of the core zone is higher than the set temperature T SP and the temperature T Peri of the perimeter zone is lower than the set temperature T SP (T Core >T SP && T Peri ⁇ T SP ) during operation of the cooling system, or the temperature T Core of the core zone is lower than the set temperature T SP and the temperature T Peri of the perimeter zone is higher than the set temperature T SP (T Core ⁇ T SP && T Peri >T SP ) during operation of the heating system.
• Case III in which the core zone is comfortable but the perimeter zone is not comfortable corresponds to the case where the temperature T Core of the core zone is lower than the set temperature T SP and the temperature T Peri of the perimeter zone is higher than the set temperature T SP (T Core ⁇ T SP && T Peri >T SP ) during operation of the cooling system, or the temperature T Core of the core zone is higher than the set temperature T SP and the temperature T Peri of the perimeter zone is lower than the set temperature T SP (T Core >T SP && T Peri ⁇ T SP ) during operation of the heating system.
• Case IV in which both of the core zone and the perimeter zone are comfortable corresponds to the case where the temperature T Core of the core zone is lower than the set temperature T SP and the temperature T Peri of the perimeter zone is lower than the set temperature T SP (T Core ⁇ T SP && T Peri ⁇ T SP ) during operation of the cooling system, or the temperature T Core of the core zone is higher than the set temperature T SP and the temperature T Peri of the perimeter zone is higher than the set temperature T SP (T Core >T SP && T Peri >T SP ) during operation of the heating system.
• control unit selects the central HVAC system and operates devices related to the central HVAC system, for overall cooling or heating, in operation 208.
• the control unit determines whether the difference between the set temperature and the temperature of the core zone,
• the difference between the set temperature and the temperature of the core zone is (T SP -T Core ) during operation of the heating system, and (T Core -T SP ) during operation of the cooling system.
• ⁇ is a compensation temperature that the core zone acquires through operation of the individual HVAC system installed in the perimeter zone, and set by default to 0.75°C obtained by simulation-based statistical analysis. Also, ⁇ may be updated through continuous monitoring and data collection.
• the control unit If the absolute value of the difference between the set temperature and the temperature of the core zone is equal to or less than ⁇ in operation 210, the control unit operates the individual HVAC system in operation 212. On the contrary, if the absolute value of the difference between the set temperature and the temperature of the core zone is larger than ⁇ in operation 210, the control unit selects the central HVAC system and operates devices related to the HVAC system in operation 208.
• control unit maintains a currently operating HVAC system in operation 214.
• the control unit determines whether the absolute value of the difference between the temperature of the perimeter zone and the temperature of the core zone,
• ⁇ is a limit for the difference between the temperatures of the perimeter zone and the core zone. Considering that a general HVAC system operates with fluctuations at 1°C, ⁇ is set to 1°C by default. Also, ⁇ may be updated through continuous monitoring and data collection.
• the control unit selects the central HVAC system and operates devices related to the central HVAC system in operation 218.
• the control unit maintains the currently operating HVAC system in operation 214.
• control unit maintains the currently operating HVAC system in operation 220.
• control unit determines whether the absolute value of the difference between the temperature of the perimeter zone and the temperature of the core zone,
• ⁇ is a limit for the difference between the temperatures of the perimeter zone and the core zone, and set to 1°C by default. Also, ⁇ may be updated through continuous monitoring and data collection.
• the control unit selects the individual HVAC system and operates devices related to the individual HVAC system in operation 224. On the contrary, if the absolute value of the difference between the temperature of the perimeter zone and the temperature of the core zone,
• the control unit stops the currently operating HVAC system because the temperatures of the perimeter zone and the core zone satisfy the preset temperature, in operation 226.
• the control unit maintains the current state, that is, the off state.
• FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating an operation for adaptively applying a central HVAC system and an individual HVAC system according to temperature changes in a perimeter zone and a core zone by a control unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
• a control unit operates the central HVAC system (302). It is also assumed in FIG. 3 that the control unit is operating the cooling system through the central HVAC system.
• the control unit While the control unit is operating the central HVAC system (302), the control unit determines whether the difference between the set temperature T SP and the temperature T Core (1) of the core zone,
• the control unit While the control unit is operating the individual HVAC system (308), the control unit determines whether the difference between the temperature of the perimeter zone and the temperature of the core zone is equal to or larger than ⁇ (310). If the difference between the temperature of the perimeter zone and the temperature of the core zone is equal to or larger than ⁇ , the control unit operates the central HVAC system (312).
• the control unit turns off the currently operating HVAC system, that is, the central HVAC system (318).
• the control unit maintains the current state, that is, the off state (316).
• FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for adaptively applying a central HVAC system and an individual HVAC system by a control unit according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
• a control unit determines environmental parameters which are considered to select a HVAC system, for example, ⁇ , ⁇ , and ⁇ in operation 402.
• ⁇ represents a compensation temperature that a core zone acquires through operation of an individual HVAC system installed in a perimeter zone
• ⁇ and ⁇ represent references for a temperature difference between the core zone and the perimeter zone.
• ⁇ is a temperature difference reference which is considered, when a temperature of the core zone is higher than that of the perimeter zone during operation of a cooling system
• a temperature difference reference which is considered, when the temperature of the perimeter zone is higher than that of the core zone during operation of a heating system.
• ⁇ is a temperature difference reference which is considered, when the temperature of the perimeter zone is higher than that of the core zone during operation of the cooling system, and a temperature difference reference which is considered, when the temperature of the core zone is higher than that of the perimeter zone during operation of the heating system.
• the control unit collects environmental data.
• the environmental data includes an outdoor temperature, an average outdoor temperature, a radiant temperature, a set temperature, a core zone temperature, a perimeter zone temperature, a carbon oxide (CO) level, and a carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) level.
• control unit predicts a relative energy consumption ⁇ E between the individual HVAC system and the central HVAC system.
• the relative energy consumption ⁇ E may be calculated using a predicted value of energy consumption of the central HVAC system and a predicted value of energy consumption of the individual HVAC system by Math Figure 1.
• Y 1 represents the predicted value of the energy consumption of the central HVAC system
• Y 2 represents the predicted value of the energy consumption of the individual HVAC system
• ⁇ represents the mean squared deviation of errors of the predicted values Y 1 and Y 2 .
• the predicted values Y 1 and Y 2 are modeled based on the environmental data collected in operation 404, expressed as Math Figure 2.
• X 1 represents the central HVAC system
• X 2 represents the individual HVAC system
• T Outdoor represents an outdoor temperature
• T Radiant represents a radiant temperature
• T SP represents a set temperature
• T In represents an indoor temperature
• time represents the current time
• E Previous represents energy at a previous time.
• control unit selects a HVAC system having the smaller energy consumption between the central HVAC system and the individual HVAC system in consideration of the predicted value of the energy consumption of the central HVAC system and the predicted value of the energy consumption of the individual HVAC system.
• the control unit determines whether the currently operating system satisfies predetermined constraints.
• a CO 2 level, a CO level, a temperature difference between the core zone and the perimeter zone, reception or non-reception of a request for a response signal, a predicted mean vote (PMV) difference between the core zone and the perimeter zone, an energy consumption difference between the core zone and the perimeter zone, and the amount of indoor heat may be considered as criteria for the predetermined constraints.
• the request for a response signal may include, for example, a notification of power supply overload.
• a CO 2 level range may be determined to be less than or equal to x ppm regulated in a standard or an ambient CO 2 level + 700ppm.
• a range of temperature differences between the core zone and the perimeter zone may be determined to be equal to or lower than n°C regulated in a standard.
• the above criteria and ranges for the predetermined constraints are purely exemplary. Thus other criteria may be considered and related ranges may vary under circumstances.
• control unit If the currently operating HVAC system satisfies the predetermined constraints in operation 410, the control unit operates the HVAC system selected in operation 408 in operation 412. The control unit operates all devices related to the selected HVAC system.
• control unit operates the other unselected HVAC system in operation 414.
• the control unit operates all devices related to the unselected HVAC system.
• FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating an operation for adaptively applying a central HVAC system and an individual HVAC system according to energy consumptions of the central HVAC system and the individual HVAC system and predetermined constraints during predetermined intervals by a control unit according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
• a predicted energy consumption value of the individual HVAC system is lower than a predicted energy consumption value of the central HVAC system during a first interval 502.
• the control unit selects the individual HVAC system having the smaller energy consumption for the first interval 502.
• the control unit determines whether a currently operating HVAC system satisfies predetermined constraints. It is assumed that the currently operating HVAC system satisfies the predetermined constraints. Therefore, the control unit operates the selected individual HVAC system, confirming that the currently operating HVAC system satisfies the predetermined constraints.
• the control unit selects the central HVAC system having the smaller energy consumption for the second interval 504.
• the control unit determines whether the currently operating individual HVAC system satisfies the predetermined constraints. It is assumed that the currently operating individual HVAC system satisfies the predetermined constraints. Therefore, the control unit operates the selected central HVAC system, confirming that the currently operating individual HVAC system satisfies the predetermined constraints.
• the predicted energy consumption value of the individual HVAC system is lower than the predicted energy consumption value of the central HVAC system during a third interval 506.
• the control unit selects the individual HVAC system having the smaller energy consumption for the third interval 506.
• the control unit determines whether the currently operating central HVAC system satisfies the predetermined constraints. It is assumed herein that the CO 2 level of the currently operating central HVAC system exceeds a predetermined reference. Therefore, the control unit operates the central HVAC system other than the selected individual HVAC system, confirming that the currently operating central HVAC system does not satisfy the predetermined constraints.
• the control unit selects the central HVAC system having the smaller energy consumption for the fourth interval 508.
• the control unit determines whether the currently operating central HVAC system satisfies the predetermined constraints. It is assumed herein that the currently operating central HVAC system suffers from a temperature imbalance between the core zone and the perimeter zone. Therefore, the control unit operates the individual HVAC system other than the selected central HVAC system, confirming that the currently operating central HVAC system does not satisfy the predetermined constraints.
• the control unit selects the central HVAC system having the smaller energy consumption for the fifth interval 510.
• the control unit determines whether the currently operating individual HVAC system satisfies the predetermined constraints. It is assumed herein that with the currently operating individual HVAC system, temperature balance is achieved between the core zone and the perimeter zone. Therefore, the control unit operates the selected central HVAC system, confirming that the currently operating individual HVAC system satisfies the predetermined constraints.
• control unit Upon receipt of a request for a response signal, for example, a notification of power supply overload during a seventh interval 514, the control unit increases a thermal balance reference between the core zone and the perimeter zone and operates the central HVAC system having a relatively small energy consumption.
• FIGS. 6a and 6b illustrate examples of setting a temperature difference reference in consideration of a gradient related to a temperature change in a core zone and/or a perimeter zone and a switching cycle of a HVAC system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
• a parameter representing a reference for a temperature difference between the core zone and the perimeter zone is adjusted based on multiple factors and considered to switch a HVAC system.
• the multiple factors affect each other and may include, for example, an energy consumption, a gradient related to a temperature change in the core zone and/or the perimeter zone, an operation level of a HVAC system, and a switching cycle of an operating HVAC system.
• FIG. 6a an example of adjusting ⁇ based on a gradient related to a temperature change in the core zone and/or the perimeter zone is illustrated. That is, if a gradient related to a temperature change in the core zone and/or the perimeter zone is larger than a reference gradient, the control unit may adjust ⁇ to ⁇ '.
• control unit may adjust the switching cycle between the HAVC systems to be shorter than a reference cycle by adjusting ⁇ to ⁇ ’.
• the gradient related to the temperature change of the core zone and/or the perimeter zone becomes larger than the reference gradient and the switching cycle of an operating HVAC system becomes shorter than the reference cycle, thereby affecting energy consumption.
• the gradient related to the temperature change of the core zone and/or the perimeter zone becomes smaller than the reference gradient and the switching cycle of an operating HVAC system becomes longer than the reference cycle, thereby also affecting energy consumption.
• ⁇ or ⁇ is adjusted in consideration of the switching cycle between the HVAC systems
• the core zone and the perimeter zone fast reach thermal balance.
• the switching cycle between the HVAC systems is set to be shorter than a time period by which to determine to operate a HVAC system, the cooling system or the heating system is continuously running even though it satisfies the set temperature.
• the switching cycle between the HVAC systems is set to be shorter than the reference cycle, thermal imbalance between the core zone and the perimeter zone increases, thereby decreasing efficiency.
• FIG. 7 illustrates an example of adjusting a temperature difference reference in consideration of mutual influences between the core zone and the perimeter zone according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
• ⁇ or ⁇ may be adjusted in consideration of mutual influences between the core zone and the perimeter zone, caused by operation of one HVAC system, that is, the individual HVAC system or the central HVAC system. That is, ⁇ or ⁇ may be controlled in consideration of a compensation temperature ⁇ T that the core zone acquires through operation of the individual HVAC system installed in the perimeter zone.
• the compensation temperature ⁇ T may be acquired through a simulation-based statistical analysis and updated through continuous monitoring and data collection.
• the mutual influences between the core zone and the perimeter zone include both an influence that the perimeter zone has on the core zone and an influence that the core zone has on the perimeter zone.
• FIGS. 8a to 8b illustrate an example of adjusting a temperature difference reference in consideration of a comfort index according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
• ⁇ may be adjusted in consideration of the difference between comfort levels of the core zone and the perimeter zone, based on an indoor comfort index, for example, temperature or a PMV.
• FIG. 8a a graph of temperature changes of the core zone and the perimeter zone is illustrated.
• FIG. 8b a graph temperature changes of the core zone and the perimeter zone is illustrated, when ⁇ is adjusted so that the temperature of the core zone or the perimeter zone may be equal to or less than a reference comfort index.
• temperature imbalance may be mitigated by adjusting ⁇ to ⁇ '.
• adjustment of ⁇ to ⁇ ' leads to an increase in energy consumption and thus ⁇ is adjusted in further consideration of energy consumption.
• FIGS. 9a to 9b illustrate an example of adjusting a temperature difference reference to satisfy indoor air quality (IAQ) recommendations according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
• ⁇ or ? may be adjusted to satisfy IAQ recommendations.
• IAQ is determined by, for example, CO 2 and CO levels or the amount of fine dust.
• FIG. 9a is based on the assumption of a situation where if the difference between temperatures of the core zone and the perimeter zone is equal to or larger than ⁇ (908) during operation of the individual HVAC system (902), the control unit operates the central HVAC system (904), and if the difference between temperatures of the core zone and the perimeter zone is equal to or larger than ⁇ (910) during operation of the central HVAC system (904), the control unit operates the individual HVAC system (906).
• the control unit may adjust a ⁇ value 910 to a ⁇ ' value 912 in FIG. 9b, for use in determining whether to operate the individual HVAC system. That is, the control unit may advance an operation time of the individual HVAC system by adjusting ⁇ to ⁇ ' smaller than ⁇ .
• control unit may adjust a ⁇ value 908 to a ⁇ ' value 914, for use in determining whether to operate the central HVAC system. That is, the control unit may delay an operation time of the central HVAC system by adjusting ⁇ to ⁇ ' larger than ⁇ .
• control unit may shorten an operation duration of the central HVAC system and lengthen an operation duration of the individual HVAC system by adjusting ⁇ to ⁇ ' smaller than ⁇ and adjusting ⁇ to ⁇ ' larger than ⁇ . Since the control unit selects and operates only one of the individual and central HVAC systems, temperature imbalance may be overcome and energy consumption may also be reduced relative to operating both of the HVAC systems at the same time.
• FIG. 10 illustrates an example of adjusting a temperature difference reference in consideration of a set time schedule according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
• ⁇ or ⁇ may be adjusted according to a user-set time or mode switching.
• the control unit may adjust a ⁇ value 1002 to a ⁇ ' value 1004, for use in determining whether to operate the central HVAC system. That is, the control unit may adjust ⁇ to ⁇ ' larger than ⁇ .
• ⁇ or ⁇ may be adjusted according to a schedule set according to various related situations.
• FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an interior structure of a control unit for adaptively applying a central HVAC system and an individual HVAC system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
• a control unit 1100 may be incorporated into the central or individual HVAC system or may be configured separately from the central and individual HVAC systems.
• the control unit 1100 includes a transceiver 1102 and a controller 1104.
• the controller 1104 provides overall control to the control unit 1100. Particularly, the controller 1104 controls an overall operation related to a configuration for adaptively applying the central HVAC system and the individual HVAC system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
• the overall operation related to the configuration for adaptively applying the central HVAC system and the individual HVAC system has been described before with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, and thus its detailed description will not be given herein.
• the transceiver 1102 transmits and receives various messages under the control of the controller 1104. Particularly, the transceiver 1102 performs an operation such as collection of environmental parameters. Various messages transmitted from and received at the transceiver 1102 have been described before with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, and thus their detailed description will not be given herein.
• FIGS. 12a, 12b, and 12c illustrate comparisons between a hybrid HVAC scheme and an adaptive HVAC scheme of the related art in terms of simulated results of seasonal power consumptions and electricity charges according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 12a a table listing predicted seasonal power consumptions and electricity charges in the adaptive HVAC scheme is illustrated, compared to the hybrid HVAC scheme of the related art. It is noted from FIG. 12a that power consumptions are decreased and thus electricity charges are decreased in the adaptive HVAC scheme according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, compared to the hybrid HVAC scheme of the related art. Further, an annual power consumption is reduced by about 39.8% and an annual power charge is reduced by about 29.9% in the adaptive HVAC scheme according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 12b a bar graph for predicted seasonal power consumptions in the adaptive HVAC scheme is illustrated, compared to the hybrid HVAC scheme of the related art.
• FIG. 12c a bar graph for predicted seasonal electricity charges in the adaptive HVAC scheme is illustrated, compared to the hybrid HVAC scheme of the related art.
• FIGS. 13a, 13b, and 13c illustrate simulated seasonal power consumptions and electricity charges in an adaptive HVAC scheme according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, compared to the hybrid HVAC scheme of the related art.
• FIG. 13a a table listing predicted seasonal power consumptions and electricity charges in the adaptive HVAC scheme is illustrated, compared to the hybrid HVAC scheme of the related art. It is noted from FIG. 13a that power consumptions are decreased, thus decreasing electricity charges in the adaptive HVAC scheme according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, compared to the hybrid HVAC scheme of the related art. Further, an annual power consumption is reduced by about 45.9% and an annual power charge is reduced by about 49.1% in the adaptive HVAC scheme according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 13b a bar graph for predicted seasonal power consumptions in the adaptive HVAC scheme is illustrated, compared to the hybrid HVAC scheme of the related art.
• FIG. 13c a bar graph for predicted seasonal electricity charges in the adaptive HVAC scheme is illustrated, compared to the hybrid HVAC scheme of the related art.
• FIGS. 14a and 14b are graphs illustrating daily temperature changes of the core zone and the perimeter zone in a central HVAC system and an adaptive HVAC system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 14a a graph of daily temperature changes of the core zone and the perimeter zone in the central HVAC system is illustrated.
• FIG. 14b a graph of daily temperature changes of the core zone and the perimeter zone in the adaptive HVAC system is illustrated.
• FIGS. 14a and 14b it is noted from FIGS. 14a and 14b that the adaptive HVAC system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is more efficient than the central HVAC system, in terms of thermal balance between the core zone and the perimeter zone.
• the present disclosure can reduce power use or power consumption and thus electricity charges, compared to the hybrid HVAC system of the related art. Further, since the core zone and the perimeter zone are controlled individually, the present disclosure can readily maintain thermal balance between the core zone and the perimeter zone. The present disclosure enables ventilation by introducing outdoor air, thereby maintaining IAQ.
• the method and apparatus for adaptively applying a central HVAC system and an individual HVAC system may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.
• the software may be stored, for example, irrespective of erasable or rewritable, in a volatile or non-volatile storage device such as a storage device like read-only memory (ROM), a memory such as random access memory (RAM), a memory chip, or an integrated circuit (IC), or an optically or magnetically writable and machine-readable (for example, computer-readable) storage medium such as compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or magnetic tape.
• ROM read-only memory
• RAM random access memory
• IC integrated circuit
• CD compact disc
• DVD digital versatile disc
• the method for adaptively applying a central HVAC system and an individual HVAC system may be implemented by a computer or a portable terminal including a controller and a memory.
• the memory is an example of a machine-readable storage medium suitable for storing a program or programs including instructions that implement embodiments of the present disclosure.
• the present disclosure includes a program including code for implementing the apparatus or method as disclosed in the claims and a machine-readable storage medium that stores the program. Also, this program may be electronically transferred through a medium such as a communication signal transmitted by wired or wireless connection and the present disclosure includes its equivalents appropriately.
• the apparatus for adaptively applying a central HVAC system and an individual HVAC system may receive a program from a wiredly or wirelessly connected program providing device and store the program.
• the program providing device may include a program having instructions for implementing the method for adaptively applying a central HVAC system and an individual HVAC system, a memory for storing information needed for the method, a communication unit for conducting wired or wireless communication, and a controller for transmitting the program upon request of the program providing device or automatically.

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• 2015
  • 2015-04-01 KR KR1020150046295A patent/KR20160118046A/ko active IP Right Grant
• 2016
  • 2016-04-01 EP EP16773499.5A patent/EP3278033A4/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2016-04-01 CN CN201680020643.XA patent/CN107438742A/zh active Pending
  • 2016-04-01 WO PCT/KR2016/003416 patent/WO2016159718A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2016-04-01 US US15/088,826 patent/US20160290673A1/en not_active Abandoned

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