AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM AND AIR CONDITIONING CONTROL METHOD
An air conditioning system includes a main pipe, a first area pipe, a second area pipe, and a controller. The main pipe includes a storage tank, a water supply pipe, and a water return pipe connected in series. The main pipe is further connected with a variable-frequency pump in series. The first area pipe is further connected with a first electric valve and a first calorimeter in series. The first calorimeter detects and transmits first dynamic thermal information. The second area pipe is further connected with a second electric valve and a second calorimeter in series. The second calorimeter detects and transmits second dynamic thermal information. The controller receives the first dynamic thermal information and the second dynamic thermal information and correspondingly controls the variable-frequency pump to dynamically operate, or correspondingly controls the first electric valve and the second electric valve to dynamically adjust the flow rate.
This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to Patent Application No. 201710196743.4 filed in China, P.R.C. on Mar. 29, 2017, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND Technical FieldThe instant disclosure relates to an air conditioning system and air conditioning control method. The field of application of air conditioning includes cold air conditioning, warm air conditioning, and dehumidification conditioning.
Related ArtAlong with vigorous developments of economics and technologies, many huge buildings (e.g., office buildings, residential buildings, department stores, or hypermarkets) are equipped with air conditioning system to adjust indoor temperature and provide comfortable environments for people.
Taking an air conditioning system as an example, cold water is produced by a chiller unit and distributed to air handling units at different floors or areas by pumps and pipes. Then, the indoor temperature can be adjusted via heat exchange. In order to reach a demanded flow rate, the chiller unit and pumps of the present air conditioning systems operates under a fixed power. However, there may be different demands of load according to different uses and usages (e.g., time of use, the number of air handling units, or the heights of floors). As a result, the air conditioning system wastes energy pointlessly.
SUMMARYTo address the above issue, an air conditioning system according to an embodiment is provided. The air conditioning system comprises a main pipe, a first area pipe, a second area pipe, and a controller. The main pipe comprises a storage tank, a water supply pipe, and a water return pipe connected with one another in series to form a loop. The storage tank comprises a water fluid with an operating temperature. The main pipe is further connected with a variable-frequency pump in series. The variable-frequency pump dynamically drives the water fluid to cyclically flow in the main pipe. The first area pipe is connected with the main pipe in parallel. The first area pipe comprises a first water supply branch pipe, at least one heat-exchange box, and a first water return branch pipe connected with one another in series to form a loop. The first area pipe is further connected with a first electric valve and a first calorimeter in series. The first electric valve controls a flow rate of the water fluid flowing through the first area pipe. The first calorimeter detects and transmits a first dynamic thermal information. The first dynamic thermal information is a temperature information, a heat-exchange amount, or a combination of the temperature information and the heat-exchange amount of the water fluid in the first area pipe. The second area pipe is connected with the main pipe in parallel. The second area pipe comprises a second water supply branch pipe, at least one heat exchanger, and a second water return branch pipe connected with one another in series to form a loop. The second area pipe is further connected with a second electric valve and a second calorimeter in series. The second electric valve controls a flow rate of the water fluid flowing through the second area pipe. The second calorimeter detects and transmits a second dynamic thermal information. The second dynamic thermal information is a temperature information, a heat-exchange amount, or a combination of the temperature information and the heat-exchange amount of the water fluid in the second area pipe. The controller is electrically connected with the first calorimeter, the second calorimeter, the variable-frequency pump, the first electric valve, and the second electric valve. The controller receives the first dynamic thermal information and the second dynamic thermal information and correspondingly controls the variable-frequency pump to dynamically operate, correspondingly controls the first electric valve and the second electric valve to dynamically adjust the flow rate, or correspondingly controls the variable-frequency pump to dynamically operate and the first electric valve and the second electric valve to dynamically adjust the flow rate.
According to an embodiment, an air conditioning control method is provided. The air conditioning control method comprises: receiving a first dynamic thermal information and a second dynamic thermal information by a controller, wherein the first dynamic thermal information is a heat-exchange amount of a water fluid in a first area pipe, and the second dynamic thermal information is a heat-exchange amount of a water fluid in a second area pipe; calculating a total water supply amount according to the first dynamic thermal information and the second dynamic thermal information; and controlling an operation of a variable-frequency pump to supply a main pipe with the total water supply amount, wherein the variable-frequency pump is connected with the main pipe in series, and the main pipe is connected with the first area pipe and the second area pipe in parallel.
According to an embodiment, an air conditioning control method is provided. The air conditioning control method comprises: receiving a first dynamic thermal information and a second dynamic thermal information by a controller, wherein the first dynamic thermal information is a heat-exchange amount of a water fluid in a first area pipe, and the second dynamic thermal information is a heat-exchange amount of a water fluid in a second area pipe; calculating a first water supply amount and a second water supply amount according to the first dynamic thermal information and the second dynamic thermal information; controlling an operation of a first electric valve to supply the first area pipe with the first water supply amount, wherein the first electric valve is connected with the first area pipe in series; and controlling an operation of a second electric valve to supply the second area pipe with the second water supply amount, wherein the second electric valve is connected with the second area pipe in series.
Concisely, according to embodiments of the air conditioning system and the air conditioning control method of the instant disclosure, real demands of flow rate of each area pipe can be determined immediately by continuously detecting dynamic thermal information (e.g., temperature information or heat-exchange amount) of water fluid in each area pipe, such that the variable-frequency pump can be controlled to dynamically operate, the first electric valve and the second electric valve can be controlled to dynamically adjust flow rate, or the variable-frequency pump, the first electric valve, and the second electric valve can be synchronously controlled to dynamically operate. As a result, energy consumption can be lowered and power can be saved.
In addition, the water supply pipe 12 and the water return pipe 13 of the main pipe 10 may extend to each of the floors. The main pipe 10 is further connected with a variable-frequency pump 14 in series to dynamically drive the water fluid F to cyclically flow in the main pipe 10. For example, the variable-frequency pump 14 can operate under different operating frequencies (e.g., the variable-frequency pump 14 can operate under operating frequencies between 30 Hz and 60 Hz) and dynamically controls and drives flow rate of the water fluid F in the main pipe 10. For example, the flow rate of the main pipe 10 while the variable-frequency pump 14 operates under 60 Hz is greater than that of the main pipe 10 while the variable-frequency pump 14 operates under 30 Hz.
As shown in
In an embodiment, the first area pipe 20 is further connected with a first electric valve 24 and a first calorimeter 25 in series. As shown in
In an embodiment, the first calorimeter 25 may comprise at least one thermometer, a flowmeter, or a combination of the thermometer and the flowmeter. As shown in
As shown in
In some embodiments, the second area pipe 30 is further connected with a second electric valve 34 and a second calorimeter 35 in series. As shown in
In an embodiment, the second calorimeter 35 may comprise at least one thermometer, a flowmeter, or a combination of the thermometer and the flowmeter. As shown in
The controller 40 may be a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a central process unit, a field programmable gate array, or a logic circuit. The controller 40 is electrically connected with the first calorimeter 25, the second calorimeter 35, the variable-frequency pump 14, the first electric valve 24, and the second electric valve 34.
In a case of a two-story building, a demanded flow rate is 200 LPM while the two heat-exchange boxes 22 of the first area pipe 20 at first floor are turned on, and a demanded flow rate is 300 LPM while the three heat exchangers 32 of the second area pipe 30 at second floor are turned on. In the meantime, the variable-frequency pump 14 operates under an operating frequency (e.g., 50 Hz) such that the total flow rate of the water fluid F (cold water) outputted by the water supply pipe 12 is 500 LPM to satisfy the demand of the flow rates of the first area pipe 20 and the second area pipe 30.
As shown in
In another case, as shown in
Concisely, according to embodiments of the instant disclosure, the amplitudes of the openings of the first electric valve 24 and the second electric valve 34 and the operating frequency of the variable-frequency pump 14 can be adjusted immediately according to dynamic variations of the first dynamic thermal information D1 and the second dynamic thermal information D2, so that the consumed power of the variable-frequency pump 14 and the lift of pump can be effectively lowered. Further, flow rate in an unused area can be lowered, and consumption of bending pipes, valve components, and joint heads can be also lowered. The result of power saving can be reached. In addition, along with the lowering of the consumed power of the variable-frequency pump 14, the loading amount of the water chiller unit 2 can also be lowered so as to reduce the consumption rate.
In some embodiments, the controller 40 can comprise multiple control units (e.g., a first control unit, a second control unit, and a general control unit). The first control unit may be connected with the first electric valve 24 to control the amplitude of the opening of the first electric valve 24 according to the variation of the first dynamic thermal information D1. The second control unit may be connected with the second electric valve 34 to control the amplitude of the opening of the second electric valve 34 according to the variation of the second dynamic thermal information D2. The general control unit may be connected with the variable-frequency pump 14 to control the operating frequency of the variable-frequency pump 14 according to the variation(s) of the first dynamic thermal information D1 and/or the second dynamic thermal information D2.
In an embodiment, as shown in
In an embodiment, as shown in
In an embodiment, the first area pipe 20 and the second area pipe 30 may be respectively disposed on different areas with different distances from the variable-frequency pump 14. In a case, as shown in
In an embodiment, as shown in
While the instant disclosure has been described by way of example and in terms of the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the instant disclosure needs not be limited to the disclosed embodiments. For anyone skilled in the art, various modifications and improvements within the spirit of the instant disclosure are covered under the scope of the instant disclosure. The covered scope of the instant disclosure is based on the appended claims.
Claims
1. An air conditioning system, comprising:
- a main pipe comprising a storage tank, a water supply pipe, and a water return pipe connected with one another in series to form a loop, the storage tank comprising a water fluid with an operating temperature, the main pipe further being connected with a variable-frequency pump in series, the variable-frequency pump dynamically driving the water fluid to cyclically flow in the main pipe;
- a first area pipe connected with the main pipe in parallel, the first area pipe comprising a first water supply branch pipe, at least one heat-exchange box, and a first water return branch pipe connected with one another in series to form a loop, the first area pipe further being connected with a first electric valve and a first calorimeter in series, the first electric valve controlling a flow rate of the water fluid flowing through the first area pipe, the first calorimeter detecting and transmitting a first dynamic thermal information, wherein the first dynamic thermal information is a temperature information, a heat-exchange amount, or a combination of the temperature information and the heat-exchange amount of the water fluid in the first area pipe;
- a second area pipe connected with the main pipe in parallel, the second area pipe comprising a second water supply branch pipe, at least one heat exchanger, and a second water return branch pipe connected with one another in series to form a loop, the second area pipe further being connected with a second electric valve and a second calorimeter in series, the second electric valve controlling a flow rate of the water fluid flowing through the second area pipe, the second calorimeter detecting and transmitting a second dynamic thermal information, wherein the second dynamic thermal information is a temperature information, a heat-exchange amount, or a combination of the temperature information and the heat-exchange amount of the water fluid in the second area pipe; and
- a controller electrically connected with the first calorimeter, the second calorimeter, the variable-frequency pump, the first electric valve, and the second electric valve, the controller receiving the first dynamic thermal information and the second dynamic thermal information and correspondingly controlling the variable-frequency pump to dynamically operate, correspondingly controlling the first electric valve and the second electric valve to dynamically adjust the flow rate, or correspondingly controlling the variable-frequency pump to dynamically operate and the first electric valve and the second electric valve to dynamically adjust the flow rate.
2. The air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the storage tank is a chilled water tank of a water chiller unit, and the heat-exchange box and the heat exchanger are chilled air bellows.
3. The air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the storage tank is a heated water tank of a water heater unit, and the heat-exchange box and the heat exchanger are heated air bellows.
4. The air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the first area pipe and the second area pipe are respectively disposed on different floors with different heights or disposed on different areas with different distances from the variable-frequency pump.
5. The air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the first calorimeter and the second calorimeter are respectively comprise at least one thermometer, a flowmeter, or a combination of the thermometer and the flowmeter.
6. The air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the first electric valve is connected between the water supply pipe and the first water supply branch pipe, the first calorimeter comprises a water supply thermometer, a water return thermometer, and a flowmeter, the water supply thermometer and the flowmeter are disposed on the first water supply branch pipe, and the water return thermometer is disposed on the first water return branch pipe.
7. The air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the at least one heat-exchange box of the first area pipe comprises a plurality of the heat-exchange boxes, and the heat-exchange boxes are connected in series or in parallel.
8. The air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the main pipe further comprises a general calorimeter, the general calorimeter detects and transmits a total dynamic thermal information, the total dynamic thermal information is a temperature information, a heat-exchange amount, or a combination of the temperature information and the heat-exchange amount of the water fluid in the main pipe, the total dynamic thermal information relates to the first dynamic thermal information and the second dynamic thermal information, and the controller controls the variable-frequency pump according to the total dynamic thermal information to dynamically operate.
9. The air conditioning system of claim 8, wherein the general calorimeter comprises a general water supply thermometer, a general water return thermometer, and a general flowmeter, the general water supply thermometer and the general flowmeter are disposed on the water supply pipe, and the general water return thermometer is disposed on the water return pipe.
10. An air conditioning control method, comprising:
- receiving a first dynamic thermal information and a second dynamic thermal information by a controller, wherein the first dynamic thermal information is a heat-exchange amount of a water fluid in a first area pipe, and the second dynamic thermal information is a heat-exchange amount of a water fluid in a second area pipe;
- calculating a total water supply amount according to the first dynamic thermal information and the second dynamic thermal information; and
- controlling an operation of a variable-frequency pump to supply a main pipe with the total water supply amount, wherein the variable-frequency pump is connected with the main pipe in series, and the main pipe is connected with the first area pipe and the second area pipe in parallel.
11. The air conditioning control method of claim 10, further comprising:
- calculating a first water supply amount and a second water supply amount according to the first dynamic thermal information and the second dynamic thermal information;
- controlling an operation of a first electric valve to supply the first area pipe with the first water supply amount, wherein the first electric valve is connected with the first area pipe in series; and
- controlling an operation of a second electric valve to supply the second area pipe with the second water supply amount, wherein the second electric valve is connected with the second area pipe in series.
12. The air conditioning control method of claim 10, wherein the main pipe comprises a storage tank, the storage tank comprises a water fluid with an operating temperature, and the variable-frequency pump supplies the main pipe with the total water supply amount by the storage tank.
13. The air conditioning control method of claim 12, wherein the storage tank is a chilled water tank of a water chiller unit.
14. The air conditioning control method of claim 12, wherein the storage tank is a heated water tank of a water heater unit.
15. The air conditioning control method of claim 12, wherein the first dynamic thermal information is provided by a first calorimeter, the first calorimeter is connected with the first area pipe in series, the second dynamic thermal information is provided by a second calorimeter, and the second calorimeter is connected with the second area pipe in series.
16. An air conditioning control method, comprising:
- receiving a first dynamic thermal information and a second dynamic thermal information by a controller, wherein the first dynamic thermal information is a heat-exchange amount of a water fluid in a first area pipe, and the second dynamic thermal information is a heat-exchange amount of a water fluid in a second area pipe;
- calculating a first water supply amount and a second water supply amount according to the first dynamic thermal information and the second dynamic thermal information;
- controlling an operation of a first electric valve to supply the first area pipe with the first water supply amount, wherein the first electric valve is connected with the first area pipe in series; and
- controlling an operation of a second electric valve to supply the second area pipe with the second water supply amount, wherein the second electric valve is connected with the second area pipe in series.
17. The air conditioning control method of claim 16, wherein the first area pipe and the second area pipe are connected with a variable-frequency pump, the variable-frequency pump supplies the first area pipe with the first water supply amount and supplies the second area pipe with the second water supply amount by a storage tank.
18. The air conditioning control method of claim 17, wherein the storage tank is a chilled water tank of a water chiller unit.
19. The air conditioning control method of claim 17, wherein the storage tank is a heated water tank of a water heater unit.
20. The air conditioning control method of claim 17, wherein the first dynamic thermal information is provided by a first calorimeter, the first calorimeter is connected with the first area pipe in series, the second dynamic thermal information is provided by a second calorimeter, and the second calorimeter is connected with the second area pipe in series.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 11, 2018
Publication Date: Oct 4, 2018
Applicant: DYNAMIC TECHNOLOGY LIMITED COMPANY (MAHE)
Inventors: CHIA-CHUAN CHEN (New Taipei City), WEI-JHE HONG (New Taipei City)
Application Number: 15/868,852