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 through the at least one fan, through an air plenum and into the storage facility;
sensing at least one environmental parameter within the air plenum; and
varying speed of the at least one fan.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for controlling the environment of storage facilities, including produce and livestock storage facilities, and the like, is described. 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.
-
Citations
29 Claims
-
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 through the at least one fan, through an air plenum and into the storage facility;
sensing at least one environmental parameter within the air plenum; and
varying speed of the at least one fan. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A method of controlling an internal environment of a storage bin containing a mass of produce, the method comprising:
-
flowing air through at least one fan, through at least one air plenum, through at least a portion of the mass of produce and into the storage bin so as to induce continuous air movement within the storage bin;
providing at least a second fan for inducing introduction of external air into the storage bin;
flowing air through the at least a second fan and out of the storage bin;
sensing at least one environmental parameter within the storage bin; and
varying speed of the at least a second fan. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. A system for controlling an internal environment of a storage facility having an air plenum, the system comprising:
-
at least one fan adapted to induce air movement through the air plenum and within the storage facility through continuous operation;
at least a second fan adapted to induce introduction of external air to the storage facility;
a variable-speed drive coupled to the at least a second fan, wherein the variable-speed drive provides a drive signal to the at least a second fan for controlling speed of the at least a second fan;
at least one sensor adapted to determine at least one internal environmental parameter;
at least one electrical control unit coupled to the at least one sensor and to the variable-speed drive, wherein the at least one electrical control unit receives a parameter signal indicative of the at least one internal environmental parameter from the at least one sensor and provides a command signal to the variable-speed drive based upon the parameter signal for varying an operational speed of the at least a second fan; and
a ventilation inlet wherein air external to the storage facility is admitted into the internal environment. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
-
-
29. A method of controlling an internal environment of a storage bin, the method comprising:
-
providing at least one fan for inducing continuous air movement within the storage bin;
providing at least a second fan for inducing introduction of external air into the storage bin;
flowing air through the at least a second fan and out of the storage bin;
sensing at least one environmental parameter within the storage bin; and
sensing at least one parameter of an environment external to the storage bin and varying the speed of the at least a second fan according to the at least one sensed environmental parameter external to the storage bin.
-
Specification