GB2308679A

GB2308679A - Environment control system

Info

Publication number: GB2308679A
Application number: GB9526493A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Hamblin; Harry Thomas Swinbourne
Original assignee: Honeywell Control Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Honeywell Control Systems Ltd
Priority date: 1995-12-23
Filing date: 1995-12-23
Publication date: 1997-07-02
Anticipated expiration: 2015-12-23
Also published as: GB9526493D0; GB2308679B

Description

CONTROL APPARATUS AND METHOD The present invention relates to apparatus for the control of comfort characteristics (e.g. temperature and humidity) of a space in a building, and to a method for such controL As the operation of a heating and ventilating system for a building expends substantial energy, there are continuous efforts to ensure that such systems operate as efficiently as possible, e.g. by attempting to ensure that the achieved temperature anWor humidity fits as closely as possible to those values required to provide appropriate comfort to the occupants.

In trying to achieve these objectives, increasingly complex control routines and procedures are used in the systems, and increasingly more input data of many types and forms are used.

The present invention provides apparatus for the control of comfort characteristics in a defined space within a building, the apparatus comprising means for stimulating generation of physiological action in occupants of the space for compensating for any difference between the instantaneous characteristic(s) value and the desired comfort value for that characteristic.

In this way, the present invention differs from the conventional systems in that it employs a wholly distinctive principal whereby the human (or animal) body's physiological temperature control mechanisms can be used to provide some compensation for disparity between the comfort characteristic value at a given time and the value required for comfort. Thus, the system can be driven to operate at a comfort characteristic value (e.g. temperature) below that required for normal comfort of occupants, thereby saving fuel and providing more efficient operation of the system. Another advantage is that the consequential physiological activity of the human body can provide a person with increased feelings of well-being and enhanced mental activity.

The compensation provided by the physiological activity may be part or all of that required to accommodate the disparity between the instantaneous value and the required comfort value.

Preferably, the stimulation means comprises means to adjust the setpoint of the system to a value different (e.g. by a constant amount) from the desired comfort value.

The stimulation means may comprise means to vary, with time, a setpoint value of one or more environmental characteristics, for example varying in an incrementally-changing manner, advantageously in a sinusoidal manner.

Additionally or alternatively, the variation means may effect amplitude and/or frequency modulation of the set-point value(s).

The present invention is applicable to a temperature (whether heating and/or cooling) and/or humidity control system for a building (or part thereof), whether domestic, commercial or industrial. Clearly, the present invention is applicable to animals as well as humans, and therefore can be used for e.g.

agricultural and zoological buildings.

Apparatus of the present invention may have means to switch operation of the stimulation means from any one to another of a plurality of modes in accordance with information from any one of a plurality of sensing means andor data stores; additionally or alternatively, there may be means to monitor said information to determine which of the modes is optimal in the circumstances, andZor means to analyse said information to predict whether a change of mode is appropriate.

Apparatus of the present invention may comprise means to operate the stimulation means in accordance with output signals from at least one sensing means to sense one or more of the following: the space temperature; the space humidity; a temperature external to the space; a humidity external to the space; the radiated space temperature; the space air quality; the number of occupants; the type andlor level of noise in the space; odour(s) in the space..

Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus may comprise means to run the stimulation means in accordance with criteria comprising any one or more of the following: occupant local instructions; objects/furniture in the space; requirements for sound(s); requirements for scent(s); requirements for vibration(s); actual and/or target fuel consumption; workday time-table; seasons; calendar.

The present invention also provides a method for the control of comfort characteristics in a defined space within a building, the method comprising stimulating generation of physiological action in occupants of the space for compensating for any difference between the instantaneous characteristic(s) value and the desired comfort value for that characteristic.

In order that the invention may more readily be understood, a description is now given, by way of example only, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a block schematic diagram of a control system embodying the present invention; and Figures 2 to 7 are diagrams of various modes of operation of a control system of Figure 1.

There is shown in Figure 1 a block schematic diagram for a heating, ventilating and air-conditioning control system (generally designated as 1) for the operation of the heating, cooling and air-conditioning requirements of a large office building.

The control system 1 has an interface unit 2 to receive a variety of inputs including data (CCD) on comfort characteristics (e.g. the temperature, humidity and air quality values in and throughout the separate regions of the building) and data (SPD) on sensed parameters (e.g. temperature and humidity external to the building, radiated temperature incident on the building, air quality in regions of the building, the number of occupants in regions of the building, noise levels/types in regions of the building, odours in the building).

Interface unit 2 has a A/D converter 3 to digitise a CCD or SPD signal when selected by processor unit 4 for input to unit 4, which can also select information from a number of stores including a store 5 containing historical information of energy consumption (for comparison between contemporary and previous consumption level having taken into account differing internal and exterior weather conditions, sensors etc.), a store 6 containing historical information on temperatures and humidity values inside and outside the building, a store 7 containing historical information on the set-point values used in the building, and a store 8 containing historical information on timing data and also data on workday time-tables, on seasons and on calendars.

From all these inputs and data, the processor unit 4 operates, in a conventional manner, to work out (for each of the comfort characteristics e.g.

temperature, humidity and air quality) a suitable routine and set-point in the form of a set-point (SP) signal for the system to ensure efficiently that the appropriate comfort conditions for the building are achieved.

The inventive distinction of system 1 is that it also has a physiological control unit (PCU) 9 to receive all the inputs and data available to processor unit 4 together with the results of the processing operations of unit 4 (i.e. the SP signal), so that PCU 9 then produces a modified set-point (MSP) signal which unit 4 uses to provide control instructions (CI) to boilers 10, chillers 11, pumps 12 and other ancilliary equipment used in the heating and ventilating control system 1.

The MSP produced, by PCU 9 is of a form whereby it tends to stimulate generation of physiological activity in human occupants of the building, such that this activity can compensate for, whether partially or wholly, any disparity between the instantaneous temperature/humidity and the acquired comfort level such that human occupants do not feel some or all the disparity in comfort.

PCU 9 has a number of possible modes of operation which alone or in combination can stimulate physiological activity in humans. In one mode of the PCU 9, it operates such that MSP1 is at a specified fixed level (e.g. in the range 0.25 to 1.75 C, typically 1.25 C) below SP, see Figure 2. In this way, a human body may be stimulated to compensate for, and hence does not "feel", the disparity from the required comfort level, and indeed in doing so the person can have feelings of well-being and be in an increased state of mental agility. Moreover, as system 1 is being run at a level of operation below that needed for the required comfort values, it will be more efficient than, and have lower running costs than a conventional system.

In another mode, PCU 9 operates such that MSP2 reduces in a straightline between two values (e.g. the upper limit being in the range 0.25 to 0.75 C, typically 0.50 C, below the SP and the lower limit in the range 1.25 to 1.75 C, typically 1.50 C, below SP), see Figure 3. When MSP2 reaches or is close to the lower limit, then it can start increasing again (at the same gradiant or another) towards and to the upper limit, or it can "jump to the upper limit and start the same routine again, or it can revert to any other mode.

In yet another mode, PCU 9 operates such that the MSP3 varies sinusoidally with a centre line at a specified fixed level (e.g. in the range 0.25 to 1.75 C, typically 1.25 C) below SP, with a maximum amplitude equal or less than the difference between MSP and SP (e.g. in the range of 1000/o to 50% of the difference, typically 75%), see Figure 4. In a variant, the MSP4 is such that the amplitude changes, this mode being referred to as amplitude modulation control (see Figure 5) and is particularly suited to periods of unstable external changes, e.g. intermittent showers.

In a further mode, PCU 9 operates to produce MSP5 which corresponds to a sinusoidally-varying set-point with a specified frequency variation (e.g. in the range 1 cycle per minute to 1 cycle per hour), this mode being referred to as frequency modulation control (see Figure 6) and is particularly suited to periods of stable load, e.g. no wind, creating stable outside air conditions.

In yet a further mode, PCU 9 operates with MSP6 being a combination of amplitude modulation and frequency modulation (see Figure 7), particularly suited to e.g. a sudden influx of large numbers of people and/or rapidly changing external conditions.

In a yet further mode, PCU 9 operates such that, at any given time, the MSP is not constant throughout the building, but instead varies according to location within the building. Thus, the MSP for any given location will vary, with time, in accordance with any of the above modes as appropriate.

Of course, if the system is operating in a cooling function, the MSP values for the modes would be above SP rather than below it.

PCU 9 is able to determine whichever of the modes is most appropriate at any given time and to switch between the modes accordingly. This continuous monitoring, and switching where appropriate, can be done based on any or all of the inputs and data used in determining the set-point values and can use the predictive calculations and techniques used in conventional control systems for controlling the operation of the ancillary equipment.

Certain sequences of the above modes can be particularly good at stimulation of physiological activity in humans.

The present invention is also applicable to enclosed spaces other than in buildings requiring comfort control.

For simplicity of explanation and understanding, the above description of the invention shows PCU 9 as being an individual component distinct from processor unit 4. In many practical implementations of the invention, PCU 9 will be integral with unit 4 and often a functional element within the operation of unit 4, optionally with the determination of the MSP being an intrinsic part of deriving the output CI, or even deriving the output CI without going through the steps of calculating the convention SP and then adjusting it by the MSP but instead deriving directly the MSP.

Processor unit 4 and/or PCU 9 can operate such that appropriate modes of temperature/humidity levels are selected in order to ensure that predetermined energy consumption targets (whether for a day or longer time period) are achieved, appropriate information being provided by store 5 or an additional store.

Thus the system may operate so as to ensure a predetermined amount of fuel is not exceeded, or is exceeded by a known amount, by varying the physiological response. Thus if there are indications that the predetermined fuel target could be exceeded at present operation if continued for the next time period (e.g. a week), the physiological control can be biased towards using less fuel.

Odours can be released into the building to enhance a feeling of comfort and well-being, likewise appropriate sounds e.g. white noise.

In one implementation of the invention, there is provided software and/or hardware to upgrade a conventional control system to incorporate the functions of the physiological control unit described herein.

Claims

1. Apparatus for the control of comfort characteristics in a defined space within a building, the apparatus comprising means for stimulating generation of physiological action in occupants of the space for compensating for any difference between the instantaneous characteristic(s) value and the desired comfort value for that characteristic.

Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the stimulation means comprises means to adjust a or the set-point, used in the apparatus to produce control instructions, to a value different from that for the desired comfort value of that characteristic.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the stimulation means comprises means to adjust a or the set-point(s), used in the apparatus to produce control instructions, to a value with a constant difference from that of the desired comfort value of that characteristic.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding Claim, wherein the stimulation means comprises means to vary, with time, a set-point value used in the apparatus for one or more comfort characteristics.

5. Apparatus according any preceding Claim, wherein the stimulation means comprises means to vary, with time, the set-point value(s) in a continuous incrementally-changing manner.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding Claim, wherein the stimulation means comprises means to vary, with time, the set-point value(s) in a sinusoidal manner.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding Claim, wherein the stimulation means comprises means to effect amplitude modulation of a or the set-point value(s) used in the apparatus to produce control instructions.

8. Apparatus according to any preceding Claim, wherein the stimulation means comprises means to effect frequency modulation of a or the set-point value(s) used in the apparatus to produce control instructions.

9. Apparatus according to any preceding Claim, comprising means to switch operation of the stimulation means from any one to another of a plurality of modes in accordance with information from any one of a plurality of sensing means and/or data stores.

10. Apparatus according to Claim 9, comprising means to monitor said information to determine which of the modes is optimal in the circumstances.

11. Apparatus according to Claim 9 or 10, comprising means to analyse said information to predict whether a change of mode is appropriate.

11 Apparatus according to any preceding Claim, wherein the comfort characteristics for control comprise temperature and/or humidity.

13. Apparatus according to any preceding Claim, comprising means to operate the stimulation means in accordance with output signals from at least one sensing means to sense one or more predetermined parameter

14. Apparatus according to Claim 13 wherein the predetermined parameters comprise any one or more of the following: the space temperature; the space humidity; a temperature external to the space; a humidity external to the space; the radiated space temperature; the space air quality; the number of occupants; the type and/or level of noise in the space; odour(s) in the space.

15. Apparatus according to any preceding Claim, comprising means to run the stimulation means in accordance with criteria comprising any one or more of the following: occupant local instructions; objects/furniture in the space; requirements for sound(s); requirements for scent(s); requirements for vibration(s); actual and/or target fuel consumption; workday time-table; seasons; calendar.

16. Apparatus for the control of environmental characteristics in a defined space within a building, the apparatus being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as illustrated in any one or more of the Figures in the accompanying drawings.

17. Method for the control of comfort characteristics in a defined space within a building, the method comprising stimulating generation of physiological action in occupants of the space for compensating for any difference between the instantaneous characteristic(s) value and the desired comfort value for that characteristic.

18. Method according to Claim 17, comprising adjusting a or the setpoint(s) used in the apparatus to produce control instructions, to a value different from that for the desired comfort value of that characteristic.

19. Method according to Claim 17 or 18, comprising adjusting the setpoint(s), used in the apparatus to produce control instructions, to a value with a constant difference from that for the desired comfort value of that characteristic.

20. Method according to any of Claims 17 to 19, wherein the stimulation stage comprises varying, with time, a set-point value used in the apparatus for one or more comfort characteristics.

21. Method according to any of Claims 17 to 20 wherein the stimulation stage comprises varying, with time, the set-point value(s) in a continuous incrementally-changing manner.

22. Method according to any of Claims 17 to 21 wherein the stimulation stage comprises varying, with time, the set-point value(s) in a sinusoidal manner.

23. Method according to any of Claims 17 to 22 wherein the stimulation stage comprises effecting amplitude modulation of the set-point value(s).

24. Method according to any of Claims 17 to 23 wherein the stimulation stage comprises effecting frequency modulation of the set-point value(s).

25. Method according to any of Claims 17 to 24, comprising switching operation of the stimulation stage from any one to another of a plurality of modes in accordance with information from any one of a plurality of sensing means and/or data stores.

26. Method according to Claim 25, comprising monitoring said information to determine which of the modes is optimal in the present circumstances.

27. Method according to Claim 24 or 26, comprising analysing said information to predict whether a change of mode is appropriate.

28. Method according to any of Claims 17 to 27 wherein the characteristics for control comprise temperature and/or humidity.

29. Method according to any of Claims 17 to 28, comprising operating the stimulation means in accordance with output signals from at least one sensing means to sense one or more predetermined parameters.

30. Method according to Claim 29 wherein the predetermined parameters comprise any one or more of the following: the space temperature; the space humidity; a temperature external to the space; a humidity external to the space; the radiated space temperature; the space air quality; the number of occupants; the type and/or level of noise in the space; odour(s) in the space.

31. Method according to any of Claims 17 to 30, comprising running the stimulation means in accordance with criteria comprising any one or more of the following: occupant local instructions; objects/furniture in the space; requirements for sound(s); requirements for scent(s); requirements for vibration(s); actual and/or target fuel consumption; workday time-table; seasons; calendar.

3 Method for the control of environmental characteristics in a defined space within a building, the method being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as illustrated in any one or more of the Figures in the accompanying drawings.