Method and apparatus for optimizing hvac systems in buildings

Abstract

A computer based method and apparatus for simulating and optimizing design of an HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning system) in a building. Conventional software tools for this purpose use the well known Navier-Stokes partial differential equations used to describe motion of fluid substances by means of computational fluid dynamics using a finite element method to solve the equations and optimize design of building air ducts for carrying warm and cool air through a building. Instead here the HVAC system is initially simulated using an electrical circuit design tool such as SPICE, where room volumes correspond to electrical capacitances, heat sources correspond to electrical resistances, and air flows to electrical currents in a complex R-C electrical circuit. The goal is to improve energy efficiency in terms of the amount of energy used to heat and cool air, and also the amount of energy used to circulate the air through the air ducts.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.