Chilled beam pump module, system, and method

A multiple-zone chilled beam air conditioning system for cooling a multiple-zone space, the multiple-zone chilled beam air conditioning system comprising:

• a chilled-water distribution system comprising at least one chilled water circulation pump, at least one chiller, and a chilled water loop, wherein the chilled water circulation pump circulates chilled water through the at least one chiller and through the chilled water loop;
• multiple zones, each zone comprising:
• at least one chilled beam;
• a conduit for passing water therethrough and through the at least one chilled beam, and for recirculating the water therein for controlling temperature of the at least one chilled beam, wherein the conduit comprises a supply portion for supplying the water to the at least one chilled beam and a return portion for returning water from the at least one chilled beam, wherein the return portion is connected to the supply portion for recirculating the water in the conduit and in the at least one chilled beam for controlling the temperature of the at least one chilled beam;
• a zone pump mounted in the conduit for passing the water through the conduit and through the at least one chilled beam, and for recirculating the water in the conduit and in the at least one chilled beam for controlling the temperature of the at least one chilled beam, wherein the zone pump is mounted in the supply portion of the conduit or in the return portion of the conduit;
• a chilled-water inlet for passing water from the chilled water loop to the conduit;
• a chilled-water outlet for passing water from the conduit to the chilled water loop;
• a chilled water control valve for passing chilled water between the chilled water loop and the conduit;
• a water temperature sensor;
• a digital controller specifically configured to control at least the chilled water control valve based upon input from the water temperature sensor to control temperature of the water delivered to the at least one chilled beam;
• a zone temperature sensor to control temperature of the zone wherein the digital controller is further specifically configured to control at least the chilled water control valve in the zone based upon input from the zone temperature sensor;
• and
• a zone humidistat wherein the digital controller is further specifically configured to control at least the chilled water control valve serving the zone based upon input from the zone humidistat to control the temperature of the at least one chilled beam to keep the temperature of the at least one chilled beam above a present dew point temperature within the zone.
• wherein:
• the chilled water control valve is located in the chilled-water inlet or in the chilled-water outlet;
• the chilled-water inlet is connected to the supply portion of the conduit and the chilled-water outlet is connected to the return portion of the conduit;
• and
• each zone has only one zone pump.

A method of controlling at least one chilled beam in a zone of a multi-zone air conditioning system to reduce energy consumption, increase capacity, or both, wherein the at least one chilled beam is cooled with chilled water, the method comprising at least the acts of:

• operating a zone pump serving the zone that both recirculates water through the at least one chilled beam and circulates chilled water from a chilled-water distribution system into the at least one chilled beam;
• measuring space temperature within the zone;
• measuring humidity or dew point within the zone;
• measuring temperature of water entering the at least one chilled beam;
• and
• automatically modulating at least one chilled-water control valve including regulating how much water passing through the zone pump is recirculated through the at least one chilled beam and how much of the water passing through the zone pump is circulated from the chilled water distribution system, wherein the act of automatically modulating the at least one chilled-water control valve comprises maintaining the temperature of the water entering the at least one chilled beam at least a predetermined temperature differential above the dew point within the zone.