Efficiency optimized air flow apparatus and method

• US 8,348,624 B2
• Filed: 02/12/2010
• Issued: 01/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Universal Blower Pac, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Universal Blower Pac, Inc.
• Inventors: Frey, Andrew Carl, Placek, Andrew Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): Kramer, Devon
• Assistant Examiner(s): GATZEMEYER, RYAN JON
• Application Number:
  US12/704,949
• Publication Number:
  US 20110200453A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,061 Days
• Field of Search: 417/44.2, 417/44.3, 417/44.11, 417/53, 417/14, 417/19, 417/22, 417/32, 210/96.1, 210/143, 210/614, 210/739
• US Class Current: 417/19
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/22 O2
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/38 Gas flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 3/006 Regulation methods for biological treatment
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 3/20 using diffusers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/10 Biological treatment of water, waste water, or sewage

Abstract

A method for controlling the motor of an air handling system to provide a desired output of flowing air therefrom while minimizing the power used by the motor, including operationally connecting a switched reluctance electric motor to a blower, operationally connecting an electronic controller to the switched reluctance electric motor, operationally connecting at least one sensor to the electronic controller, measuring at least one environmental parameter with the at least one sensor, inputting the desired air flow into the electronic controller, calculating the minimum motor speed necessary to provide the desired air flow, and sending a control signal from the electronic controller to the motor to control the motor to the minimum motor speed necessary to provide the desired air flow.

Claims

1. An efficiency-optimized air handling system, comprising:

a blower having an inlet and an outlet;

a switched reluctance electric motor operationally connected to the blower;

an electronic controller operationally connected to the switched reluctance electric motor; and

a sensor array operationally connected to the electronic controller;

wherein the sensor array includes sensors for measuring one or more parameters from the set including blower outlet air flow, dissolved oxygen, blower outlet air pressure, blower outlet air temperature, blower inlet air pressure, blower inlet air relative humidity, blower inlet air temperature, blower speed, motor voltage, and motor amperage;

wherein the electronic controller uses data from the sensor array to calculate an optimal motor speed for providing a desired air flow with minimized power consumption;

wherein the electronic controller calculates the desired air flow according to the equation

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor array includes a dissolved oxygen probe;

wherein the dissolved oxygen probe is positioned in a water treatment basin; and

wherein the blower is operationally connected to the water treatment basin for providing the desired air flow thereinto.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the motor is configured to provide a constant air flow.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the motor is configured to provide a variable air flow.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein P₁ and T₁ are measured by the sensor array.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the electronic controller calculates ω

_std according to the equation

7. An efficiency-optimized air handling system, comprising:

a blower having an inlet and an outlet;

a switched reluctance electric motor operationally connected to the blower;

an electronic controller operationally connected to the switched reluctance electric motor; and

a sensor array operationally connected to the electronic controller;

wherein the sensor array includes sensors for measuring one or more parameters from the set including blower outlet air flow, dissolved oxygen, blower outlet air pressure, blower outlet air temperature, atmospheric air pressure, ambient air relative humidity, blower inlet air temperature, blower speed, motor voltage, and motor amperage;

wherein the electronic controller uses data from the sensor array to calculate an optimal motor speed for providing a desired air flow with minimized power consumption;

wherein the electronic controller calculates the desired air flow according to the equation

8. The system of claim 7 wherein P_atm and T₁ are measured by the sensor array.

9. A system for controlling a switched reluctance electric motor of an air handling system, comprising:

a switched reluctance electric motor;

a blower having an inlet, an outlet and which is operationally connected to the switched reluctance electric motor;

an electronic controller operationally connected to the switched reluctance electric motor; and

a plurality of sensors connected in electric communication with the electronic controller;

wherein the plurality of sensors includes at least one from the set including blower outlet air flow sensors, dissolved oxygen sensors, blower outlet air pressure sensors, blower outlet air temperature sensors, blower inlet air pressure sensors, ambient air relative humidity sensors, blower inlet air temperature sensors, blower speed sensors, motor voltage sensors, and motor amperage sensors;

wherein the electronic controller uses information from the plurality of sensors to control the motor speed to provide a desired air flow and to minimize power drawn by the motor;

wherein the plurality of sensors includes a dissolved oxygen sensor;

wherein the dissolved oxygen sensor is positioned in a water treatment basin; and

wherein the blower is operationally connected to the water treatment basin for providing the desired air flow thereinto;

wherein the electronic controller calculates the desired air flow according to the equation

10. The system of claim 9,

wherein the electronic controller calculates ω

₁ according to the equation

11. A method for controlling a switched reluctance electric motor of an air handling system to provide a desired output of flowing air therefrom while minimizing power usage by the motor, comprising:

a) operationally connecting a switched reluctance electric motor to a blower, wherein the blower has an inlet and an outlet;

b) operationally connecting an electronic controller to the switched reluctance electric motor;

c) operationally connecting at least one sensor to the electronic controller;

d) measuring at least one environmental parameter with the at least one sensor;

e) inputting a desired air flow into the electronic controller;

f) calculating a minimum motor speed necessary to provide the desired air flow; and

g) sending a control signal from the electronic controller to the motor to control the motor to the minimum motor speed necessary to provide the desired air flow;

wherein the at least one sensor includes a blower outlet air flow sensor and further comprising h) adjusting the motor speed in response to the blower outlet air flow;

wherein the electronic controller calculates the desired air flow according to the equation

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the electronic controller calculates ω

₁ according to the equation