Method of adaptive control of a bypass damper in a zoned HVAC system

摘要

A zoned HVAC system comprises an HVAC unit including a climate control system and an air mover. In addition, the system comprises a supply air duct in fluid communication with the outlet of the HVAC unit. Further, the system comprises a return air duct in fluid communication with the inlet of the HVAC unit. Still further, the system comprises a plurality of zones positioned between the supply air duct and the return air duct. Moreover, the system comprises a bypass duct extending between the supply air duct and the return air duct. The bypass duct includes an active bypass damper having an open position, a closed position, and a plurality of partially opened positions. The system also comprises a control device configured to control the position of the bypass duct.

主权项

1. A method for controlling a bypass damper in a zoned HVAC system, the method comprising:
(a) flowing conditioned air from an HVAC unit to a plurality of zones and a bypass duct including the bypass damper, wherein the bypass damper has an open position, a closed position, and a plurality of partially open positions; (b) flowing a portion of the conditioned air through the bypass duct and the bypass damper, the conditioned air flowing through the bypass damper having an actual flow rate; (c) determining the actual flow rate of the conditioned air flowing through the bypass damper in response to measuring the pressure differential across the bypass damper; (d) calculating a recirculation ratio equal to the ratio of the actual flow rate of the conditioned air flowing through the bypass damper to a nominal flow rate of conditioned air generated by the HVAC unit; (e) comparing the calculated recirculation ratio to a maximum recirculation percentage; and (f) at least one of (1) adjusting the position of the bypass damper in response to determining that the calculated recirculation ratio exceeds the maximum recirculation percentage and (2) maintaining the position of the bypass damper in response to determining that the calculated recirculation ratio does not exceed the maximum recirculation percentage.