Fully articulated and comprehensive air and fluid distribution, metering, and control method and apparatus for primary movers, heat exchangers, and terminal flow devices
First Claim
1. An apparatus for flow-pressure control and monitoring of constant or variable volume air-fluid distribution systems, terminal devices, and prime movers comprising a primary mover (1) with variable speed control (7), including metering of voltage and amperage;
- a means for measuring mover speed of rotation (RPM);
connecting ductwork or distribution system (the system) 5;
a cross-sectional housing with independent total, static, and velocity multi-point pressure sensors (2, 13, 14, 15) or simplified sensing probes consisting of total impact and static probes, where Vp may be derived from the deduction TP−
SP=Vp, and wherein a Mover Total Pressure (20) may be applied by including a total impact sensor (13) at its inlet or intake;
a terminal control device (3), as with a damper or valve housing fitted with total impact, static, and velocity sensors (4, 13, 14, 15) and fitted with motor control actuation;
a heat exchanger housing (8), its air side fitted with dry and wet bulb air temperature sensors and fluid side fitted with fluid temperature sensors in and out of the heat exchanger along with a fluid control valve (3) on its return side piping;
an open port for an external input, zone sensor/thermostat, or other controlled source as may be set arbitrarily;
a signal processor (micro controller) (9) with an input from all temperature and pressure sensors (2, 4, 13, 14, 15) and output to motor control (7) and damper actuation (3);
an output to a panel display monitor (6) with a Cartesian graph indicating performance curve coordinates of the mover (11), the distribution system (5), and the terminal device (3);
also including BHP data as factored from current readings;
heat flow data from any heat exchange terminal (8).
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Abstract
The described method and apparatus pertains namely to the HVAC (Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning) industry, though its many functions extend into any and all forms of air-fluid movement, metering, distribution, and containment. Essentially, the scope of operation of the method and apparatus encompasses all forms of scientific and engineering measurement dealing with fluid dynamics, fluid statics, fluid mechanics, thermal dynamics, and mechanical engineering as they pertain to precise, articulated control of air-fluid distribution and delivery. The described method and apparatus offers complete, comprehensive, and correct utilization of air-fluid movers and terminal devices under unique sensor logic control, from initial lab testing stages through to equipment cataloguing, selection, design and construction of any and all air-fluid distribution systems in entirety, whereas previously there was no such cohesive, total and terminal method of control for these systems or their components.
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Citations
306 Claims
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1. An apparatus for flow-pressure control and monitoring of constant or variable volume air-fluid distribution systems, terminal devices, and prime movers comprising
a primary mover (1) with variable speed control (7), including metering of voltage and amperage; -
a means for measuring mover speed of rotation (RPM);
connecting ductwork or distribution system (the system) 5;
a cross-sectional housing with independent total, static, and velocity multi-point pressure sensors (2, 13, 14, 15) or simplified sensing probes consisting of total impact and static probes, where Vp may be derived from the deduction TP−
SP=Vp, and wherein a Mover Total Pressure (20) may be applied by including a total impact sensor (13) at its inlet or intake;
a terminal control device (3), as with a damper or valve housing fitted with total impact, static, and velocity sensors (4, 13, 14, 15) and fitted with motor control actuation;
a heat exchanger housing (8), its air side fitted with dry and wet bulb air temperature sensors and fluid side fitted with fluid temperature sensors in and out of the heat exchanger along with a fluid control valve (3) on its return side piping;
an open port for an external input, zone sensor/thermostat, or other controlled source as may be set arbitrarily;
a signal processor (micro controller) (9) with an input from all temperature and pressure sensors (2, 4, 13, 14, 15) and output to motor control (7) and damper actuation (3);
an output to a panel display monitor (6) with a Cartesian graph indicating performance curve coordinates of the mover (11), the distribution system (5), and the terminal device (3);
also including BHP data as factored from current readings;
heat flow data from any heat exchange terminal (8). - View Dependent Claims (162, 163, 299)
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272. A method for flow-pressure control and monitoring of constant or variable volume air-fluid distribution systems, terminal devices, and prime movers where steps of the method include
establishing mover x/y values through any speed of rotation and degree of wide open mover flow curve ( FIG. 6, 6 a);-
establishing terminal device x/y values through any degree of closure and Total Pressure constant ( FIG. 11 );
coordinating flow-pressure data through plotted curves of primary mover (11), system (5), and terminal device (3) performance characteristics;
processing output signals from flow-pressure monitor stations (2, 4);
interpolating these signals through the processor (9), where sensed x/y (volume/pressure) values are coordinated to depict the actual operating point (10) of the mover-system (11, 5) to that assigned on the Cartesian graph (6);
displaying the intended operating point (10) as juxtaposed next to where sensors (2, 4) indicate actual values exist so that an output to a panel display (6) may be observed for comparison. - View Dependent Claims (126, 187, 188, 195, 196, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 206, 219, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 296, 298)
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292. A method for determining heat transfer in heat exchangers, steps comprising
metering the primary mover (1) and system (5) total air volume (2) at given pressures; -
metering same airflow dry and wet bulb temperatures in and out of heat exchanger;
metering heat exchanger (8) total fluid volume for standard water (GPM) or other corrected fluid volume with terminal device (3) at return piping of heat exchanger (8);
correcting for densities, specific heat, and specific gravity;
calculating the total heat exchanged from the fluid side of the heat exchanger;
calculating the final total, latent, and sensible heat exchanged from the air side of heat exchanger;
and displaying the data on the user interface for observation (6).
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293. A method for determining heat transfer and heat exchange effectiveness in energy recovery units, steps comprising
metering the supply air-fluid volume (2) at given pressures; -
metering same supply with airflow dry and wet bulb temperatures;
metering the exhaust or return air-fluid volume (2) at given pressures;
metering same exhaust or return with airflow dry and wet bulb temperatures;
correcting for densities, specific heat, and specific gravity;
calculating the total mass flow rate of both air-fluid streams across heat exchange medium;
calculating the final total, latent, and sensible heat exchanged;
calculating percentage of heat exchange effectiveness expressed as a ratio;
and displaying test data results on the user interface (6).
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294. A method for controlling axial mover-system performance wherein
a terminal device control damper (3) is throttled against axial mover discharge flow, adjusting damper control to specific damper positioning or valve constants (11); -
applying specific mover constants (11);
and increasing BHP (Brake Horse Power) and system pressure at specific operating points (10). - View Dependent Claims (297)
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295. A method for controlling axial mover-system performance wherein
through motor control actuation, axial mover fan blade pitch angle (11) is increased or decreased, attaining specified mover constants (11) and flow-pressure rates (2) at a given blade angle, BHP, and specific operating point (10).
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300. A method for controlling Outdoor Air and Return Air content in air distribution systems wherein Total Air quantity is first determined at the main flow-pressure sensing station (2), and
Outdoor Air content of Total Air is monitored at its terminal device (4); -
Return Air content of Total Air is monitored at its terminal device (4);
the Outdoor Air damper is modulated to increase or decrease OA content accordingly to the design value set;
the Return Air damper is modulated to increase or decrease RA content accordingly to the design value set;
a calculating step is performed wherein OA/RA values are deducted from Total Air (2);
Mover Total Pressure losses (20) are compared against Unit Total External losses (21) to surmount any internal or System Effect losses;
applying mover power (7) as needed to maintain the operating conditions (10) and the total system constant (5);
and applying mover power (7) as needed to maintain the operating conditions (10) and the sub-system constant (5) of the OA or RA terminal. - View Dependent Claims (301)
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302. A method for determining percentages of OA/RA content of Total Air by multi-point temperature sensing wherein
dry and wet bulb temperatures of OA/RA air streams are measured independently prior to entering the mixing box; -
dry and wet bulb MA (Mixed Air) temperature is measured inside the mixing box through a multi-point traverse where air is not stratified;
a calculating step is performed to determine enthalpy of each air stream;
a calculating step is performed to determine percentages of OA/RA content of Mixed Air, where any of the unknowns;
OA, RA, or MA data are solved for;
and the unknown percentage thus solved is applied to the Total Air figure as data obtained from the main flow-pressure monitor station (2), as an OA or RA percentage of the Total Air. - View Dependent Claims (303, 304)
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305. A method for engaging building Smoke Mode Operation with air distribution systems wherein the Outdoor Air primary air damper is opened to 100% and the Return Air secondary air damper is closed to 0% for smoke mode purge operation, thus injecting 100% Outdoor Air primary air into a vessel or building envelope;
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applying appropriate ACH (Air Changes per Hour) required to dilute total air of smoke content within a given period of time;
applying mover power (7) as needed to maintain the operating conditions (10) as varied or fixed;
and maintaining necessary system total constancy (5). - View Dependent Claims (306)
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Specification