Environmental control system and method for storage buildings
First Claim
1. A method of controlling an internal environment of a storage facility, the method comprising:
- providing at least one fan for inducing air movement within the storage facility;
continuously operating the at least one fan at less than full speed;
flowing air directly through the at least one fan, through an air plenum and into the storage facility;
sensing at least one internal environmental parameter; and
varying speed of the at least one fan according to the at least one sensed internal environmental parameter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for controlling the environment of storage facilities, including produce and livestock storage facilities, and the like. Movement of air within the facility is accomplished by air-handling units or fans. The speed of each fan is controlled by a variable-speed drive, allowing the fans to run at speeds below full capacity. Environmental parameters, such as temperature or humidity, are monitored to determine the existing state of the environment which is then compared to a desired state. The speed of the fans or air-handling units is adjusted to alter the existing environmental state, bringing it in alignment with the desired state. The fans or air-handling units are operated continuously, typically at reduced capacity. Other various facets are included with the system and method, including the control of the admittance of external air into the storage facility.
70 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of controlling an internal environment of a storage facility, the method comprising:
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providing at least one fan for inducing air movement within the storage facility;
continuously operating the at least one fan at less than full speed;
flowing air directly through the at least one fan, through an air plenum and into the storage facility;
sensing at least one internal environmental parameter; and
varying speed of the at least one fan according to the at least one sensed internal environmental parameter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of controlling an internal environment of a storage facility, the method comprising:
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providing at least one fan for inducing air movement within the storage facility;
selecting a maximum fan speed and a minimum fan speed;
continuously operating the at least one fan between the selected maximum and minimum fan speeds, wherein the maximum power level is a reduced power level;
flowing air directly through the at least one fan, through an air plenum and into the storage facility;
selecting a first internal environmental parameter which is to be maintained within the storage facility;
monitoring an instantaneous value of the first internal environmental parameter;
varying speed of the at least one fan in response to the monitored instantaneous value of the first internal environmental parameter; and
controlling admittance of external air into the storage facility according to the monitored instantaneous value of the first internal environmental parameter.
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19. A method of controlling an internal environment of a storage facility, the method comprising:
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providing at least one fan for inducing air movement within the storage facility;
selecting a maximum fan speed and a minimum fan speed;
continuously operating the at least one fan between the selected maximum and minimum fan speeds, wherein the maximum power level is a reduced power level;
flowing air directly through the at least one fan, through an air plenum and into the storage facility;
selecting a first internal environmental parameter which is to be maintained within the storage facility;
monitoring an instantaneous value of the first internal environmental parameter;
varying speed of the at least one fan in response to the monitored instantaneous value of the first internal environmental parameter; and
controlling admittance of external air into the storage facility according to the monitored instantaneous value of the first internal environmental parameter;
providing at least one auxiliary fan for inducing air movement within the storage facility;
selecting a second internal environmental parameter which is to be maintained within the storage facility;
selecting a first external environmental parameter and setting a value of the first external environmental parameter as an overriding setpoint;
monitoring an instantaneous value of the second internal environmental parameter;
monitoring an instantaneous value of the first external environmental parameter;
varying speed of the at least one auxiliary fan in accordance with the monitored instantaneous value of the second internal environmental parameter when the monitored instantaneous value of the first external environmental parameter is less than the overriding setpoint; and
varying the speed of the at least one auxiliary fan in accordance with the monitored instantaneous value of the first external environmental parameter when the monitored instantaneous value of the first external environmental parameter is greater than the overriding setpoint.
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Specification