US 2006/0218944 A1 · Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system and method using feedback linearization

Abstract

A new feedback linearization approach to advanced control of single-unit and multi-unit HVAC systems is described. In accordance with the approach of the invention, this new nonlinear control includes a model-based feedback linearization part to compensate for the nonlinearity in the system dynamics. Therefore, the evaporating temperature and superheat values can be controlled by linear PI control designs to achieve desired system performance and reliability. The main advantages of the new nonlinear control approach include (1) better performance even with large model errors, (2) being able to adapt to indoor unit turn on/off operation, (3) much smaller PI control gains compared to that of current feedback PI controls, (4) much easier design procedures since there is no need for tuning the PI control gains over wide range operation.

Claims52

Dependent claims

A heat transfer system, comprising:

a first heat exchanger;
a second heat exchanger in thermal communication with a space;
and
a processor for estimating an amount of heat transferred between the second heat exchanger and the space and altering a control parameter of the heat transfer system based on the estimated amount of heat transferred to control the heat transfer system;
wherein
the processor comprises a non-linear observer for estimating a plurality of state variables which define a state of the second heat exchanger, the non-linear observer estimating the state variables based on a non-linear model which describes dynamic behavior of the second heat exchanger, the non-linear observer using the estimates of the state variables to compute an estimate of the amount of heat transferred between the second heat exchanger and the space.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

11/444,619Filed 1 Jun 2006

Priority

23 Jan 2003

Published

5 Oct 2006

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification14 codes

G05B 11/42
With provision for obtaining particular characteristics, e.g. proportional, integral, differential: for obtaining a characteristic which is both…
F24F 11/30
Control or safety arrangements: for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
F24F 11/62
Control or safety arrangements: characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or…
G05B 17/02
Systems involving the use of models or simulators of said systems: electric

Family

Application60/442,465Us provisional application · filed 23 Jan 2003

Application10/701,799Continuation · filed 5 Nov 2003

Application11/444,619Continuation · filed 1 Jun 2006

US 2004/0144112 A1Published application

US 7,076,962 B2Related patent

US 7,331,191 B2Related patent

US 2006/0218944 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system and method using feedback linearization

Life of this patent

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system and method using feedback linearization

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims52