US20120102988A1

US20120102988A1 - Method for controlling adsorption air conditioning equipment

Info

Publication number: US20120102988A1
Application number: US12/968,644
Authority: US
Inventors: Zong-Ji Chen; Zhan-Yi Lin; Ting-Kuan Li; Yu-Ming Sun; Chi-Bin Wu
Original assignee: Chung Hsin Electric and Machinery Manufacturing Corp
Current assignee: Chung Hsin Electric and Machinery Manufacturing Corp
Priority date: 2010-11-03
Filing date: 2010-12-15
Publication date: 2012-05-03
Also published as: TW201219727A

Abstract

The present invention discloses a method for controlling an adsorption air conditioning equipment. To execute consecutive programs, the adsorption air conditioning equipment performs the steps of: selecting one of a plurality of operation programs according to an execution sequence such that the selected operation program acts as an executable operation program; enabling at least two adsorption beds to operate in response to an executed operation program; switching to the next operation program in the execution sequence according to the operation time of the executed operation program such that the next operation program acts as the next executable operation program; controlling the switching of a plurality of valves according to the executed operation program; enabling the adsorption beds to operate in response to the executed operation program; and switching and executing the operation programs repeatedly until all the operation programs in the execution sequence are completely executed.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to adsorption refrigeration technology, and more particularly, to a method for controlling an adsorption air conditioning equipment.
2. Description of the Prior Art
With the global economy developing and evolving, energy issues and environmental issues are ones of the focuses of the international community's attention. Among these issues, adsorption refrigeration technology is not only a form of thermal energy-driven green refrigeration technology but is also regarded as crucial and effective in striking a balance between energy and environmental protection.
Adsorption refrigeration technology works when, due to the adsorption effect of an adsorbent upon a refrigerant, a liquid refrigerant evaporates to effectuate refrigeration. Adsorption refrigeration usually takes place in two stages. In the first stage, sensible heat and adsorption heat of an adsorbent is removed therefrom by a medium, such as water or air, to finalize the adsorption effect of the adsorbent upon a liquid refrigerant and turn the liquid refrigerant into a vapor refrigerant by evaporation, using an evaporator, so as to effectuate refrigeration. The second stage involves: supplying, upon completion of the adsorption effect, thermal energy (such as solar energy, industrial waste heat, or vehicle waste heat), in the form of desorption heat, to the adsorbent, so as to bring about desorption and finalize regeneration of the adsorbent; and releasing, in a condenser, energy from the vapor refrigerant desorbed out of the adsorbent, so as to restore the liquid state of the refrigerant.
In practice, adsorption refrigeration technology can be applied to an air conditioning system. Adsorption air conditioning features the replacement of a compressor and related devices by adsorption beds, condensers, and evaporators to thereby dispense with noise which might otherwise be produced by the compressor in operation. Also, secondary energy, such as solar energy or waste heat, can be an energy source for adsorption air conditioning. Accordingly, adsorption air conditioning is advantageously effective in saving energy, protecting the environment, and cutting operation costs.
However, to enable adsorption and desorption to occur smoothly during the process of adsorption air conditioning, a water circulation pipeline for using in adsorption air conditioning requires the installation of valves therein for system control. For example, upon completion of desorption, it is necessary for the valves to be switched in a manner that not only is hot water conveyed to a position (of the latest completion of adsorption) of an adsorption bed, but a trace of the hot water is removed from the adsorption bed and returned to a hot water source. Likewise, upon completion of adsorption, it is necessary for the valves to be switched in a manner that not only is cold water conveyed to a position (of the latest completion of desorption) of the adsorption bed, but a trace of the cold water is removed from the adsorption bed and returned to a cold water source. Similarly, the valves are switched to enable system control so as for the adsorption beds to operate in conjunction with evaporators, condensers, or evaporating/condensing apparatuses.
Accordingly, it is imperative to control the operation mode and operation time of adsorption air conditioning equipment efficiently and optimize the performance of adsorption air conditioning equipment, so as to meet user needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for controlling an adsorption air conditioning equipment to enable the automatic switching of executable operation programs according to an execution sequence and by means of flow control, timing control, and valve-switching control, so as to improve the performance of the adsorption air conditioning equipment.
The present invention relates to a method for controlling an adsorption air conditioning equipment, wherein the time parameters of the switching of operation programs are calculated in advance for using in the timing control of actual operation, so as to improve the performance of an adsorption air conditioning equipment.
The present invention relates to a method for controlling an adsorption air conditioning equipment. The method for controlling an adsorption air conditioning equipment is for using with an adsorption air conditioning equipment. The adsorption air conditioning equipment comprises at least two adsorption beds, at least two condensers/evaporators, and a plurality of valves. The valves control the flow direction of a waterway connected between the adsorption beds and the condensers/evaporators.
In order to achieve the above and other objectives, the present invention provides a method for controlling an adsorption air conditioning equipment, comprising the steps of: selecting one of a plurality of operation programs according to an execution sequence such that the selected operation program acts as an executable operation program, wherein the operation programs are executed according to the operation times, respectively; executing the selected operation program and enabling the adsorption beds and condensers/evaporators to operate in response to the executed operation program; switching to the next operation program in the execution sequence according to the operation time of the executed operation program such that the next operation program acts as the next executable operation program; and controlling the switching of the plurality of valves according to the next executed operation program.
In order to achieve the above and other objectives, the present invention provides a method for controlling an adsorption air conditioning equipment, comprising the steps of: (1) selecting the first operation program in an execution sequence from a plurality of operation programs according to the execution sequence; (2) executing the operation program thus selected, so as for the adsorption beds to operate according to the operation program being executed; (3) switching to the next operation program in the execution sequence as the next executable operation program according to the operation time of the executed operation program; (4) executing the operation program thus switched to, step (4) comprising the sub-steps of: controlling the switching of the valves according to the executed operation program; and enabling the adsorption beds to operate according to the executed operation program; and (5) going back to step (3) to execute step (3) through step (5) unless and until all the operation programs in the execution sequence are executed.
Implementation of the present invention at least involves inventive steps as follows:
1. Switching executable operation programs automatically according to an execution sequence and by means of flow control, timing control, and valve-switching control, so as to improve the performance of the adsorption air conditioning equipment.
2. Calculating the time parameters of the switching of operation programs in advance for using in the timing control of actual operation, so as to improve the performance of t adsorption air conditioning equipment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A detailed description of further features and advantages of the present invention is given below so that a person skilled in the art can understand and implement the technical contents of the present invention and readily comprehend the objectives and advantages thereof by referring to the disclosure of the present specification and the appended claims in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a concise schematic view of an adsorption air conditioning equipment according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method for controlling an adsorption air conditioning equipment according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of step S140 in an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the method for controlling an adsorption air conditioning equipment according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the method for controlling an adsorption air conditioning equipment according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of the method for controlling an adsorption air conditioning equipment according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of the method for controlling an adsorption air conditioning equipment according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of the method for controlling an adsorption air conditioning equipment according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a concise schematic view of the adsorption air conditioning equipment according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a concise schematic view of connection between a valve set and an adsorption bed set in an embodiment;

FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B are schematic views of the implementation state of the valve set in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a concise schematic view of connection between the valve set and the adsorption bed set in another embodiment;

FIG. 13A through FIG. 13D are schematic views of the implementation state of the valve set in FIG. 12; and

FIG. 14 is a concise schematic view of the adsorption air conditioning equipment according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a concise schematic view of an adsorption air conditioning equipment according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method for controlling an adsorption air conditioning equipment according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the method for controlling an adsorption air conditioning equipment is applicable to an adsorption air conditioning equipment 10. The adsorption air conditioning equipment 10 comprises: at least two adsorption beds (shown in the drawings and generally known as an adsorption bed set 11) and a plurality of valves (shown in the drawings and generally known a valve set 12). The valves control the flow direction of a waterway connected between the adsorption beds (the adsorption bed set 11).
The adsorption air conditioning equipment 10 further comprises: a power module 13, a switch component 14, a control system 15, and a plurality of relays (shown in the drawings and generally known as a relay set 16). The power module 13 supplies power to various constituent elements of the adsorption air conditioning equipment 10, such as the switch component 14, the control system 15, and the relay set 16. The switch component 14 starts or stops the operation of the adsorption air conditioning equipment 10. In the other words, the switch component 14 is used to start or stop the operation of the control system 15. Besides, a plurality of operation programs and the operation times corresponding to the operation programs are stored in the control system 15.
The control system 15 is configured to execute a program logic corresponding to the method of the present invention, store program logic of the operation programs of the adsorption air conditioning equipment 10, and drive the relay set 16 to enable the switching of the valve set 12. In this regard, one of the relays corresponds in position to one of the valves and actuates the switching of the corresponding valve.
Hence, the method for controlling an adsorption air conditioning equipment according to the present invention is implemented by a software program or firmware program. The control system 15 executes the software program or firmware program and thereby enables the adsorption air conditioning equipment 10 to execute every step of the method for controlling an adsorption air conditioning equipment according to the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 2, to execute consecutive programs, the adsorption air conditioning equipment 10 performs the steps of: selecting one of a plurality of operation programs according to an execution sequence such that the selected operation program acts as an executable operation program, wherein the operation programs are executed according to the operation times, respectively (S120); enabling at least two adsorption beds to operate in response to an executed operation program (S130); switching to the next operation program in the execution sequence according to the operation time of the executed operation program such that the next operation program acts as the next executable operation program(S140); and, controlling the switching of a plurality of valves according to the next executed operation program (S150).
In step S150, the control system 15 drives relays according to the executed operation program and thereby actuates the switching of the corresponding valves, such that the flow direction of the waterway connected between the adsorption beds corresponds to the executed operation program, and thus conforms to the operation of the adsorption bed set 11.
After step S150, it is feasible to return to step S130 and then execute step S130 through step S150 sequentially and repeatedly, until all the operation programs in the execution sequence are completely executed.
Hence, the adsorption air conditioning equipment 10 can automatically control the timing of commencement and termination of operation programs in the execution sequence and execute, automatically and in sequence, all the operation programs in the execution sequence so as to improve the performance of the adsorption air conditioning equipment 10.
FIG. 3 is a flow chart of step S140 in an embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 3, in step S140, while the operation of the adsorption beds is underway, the control system 15 performs a time count (S142) to confirm the time which has been spent on executing an operation program and determine whether the time thus spent has reached the control system-memorized maximum limit of the operation time of the operation program being executed (S144). If the control system 15 determines that the time spent on executing the operation program has reached the control system-memorized maximum limit of the operation time of the operation program being executed, the control system 15 will switch to the next operation program in the execution sequence (S146) before proceeding to step 150.
FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the method for controlling an adsorption air conditioning equipment according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 4, it is also feasible to execute an initialization program as soon as the adsorption air conditioning equipment 10 starts. The initialization program entails switching the valves to a preset position (S110). The preset position corresponds to the first operation program in the execution sequence.
FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the method for controlling an adsorption air conditioning equipment according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 5, prior to step 120, the operation programs are tested by means of an optimizing module so as to calculate the operation times of the operation programs, respectively (S210) and store the calculated operation times in the control system 15 (S220). In other words, according to the present invention, the adsorption air conditioning equipment 10 calculates the time parameters of the switching of operation programs in advance for use in the timing control of actual operation, so as to improve the performance of the adsorption air conditioning equipment 10.
FIG. 6 is a flow chart of the method for controlling an adsorption air conditioning equipment according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flow chart of the method for controlling an adsorption air conditioning equipment according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a flow chart of the method for controlling an adsorption air conditioning equipment according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 6, in an embodiment, for an adsorption air conditioning equipment to execute consecutive programs, it is feasible for the adsorption air conditioning equipment to take the steps of: selecting the first operation program in an execution sequence from a plurality of operation programs according to the execution sequence (S320); executing the operation program thus selected, so as for the at least two adsorption beds to operate according to the operation program being executed (S330); switching to the next operation program in the execution sequence as the next executable operation program according to the operation time of the executed operation program (S340); and executing the operation program thus switched to (S350).
Step S350 comprises the sub-steps of: controlling the switching of the valves according to the executed operation program (S352) such that the flow direction of the waterway connected between the adsorption beds corresponds to the executed operation program; and enabling the adsorption beds to operate according to the executed operation program (S354). If, upon completion of step S354, it is determined that an ensuing operation program is to be executed, the process flow will go back to step S340. The process flow will repeat unless and until all the operation programs in the execution sequence are executed.
Referring to FIG. 7, once the adsorption air conditioning equipment starts, the process flow will start selecting an execution mode (S102), that is, determining whether to execute a single program or execute consecutive programs.
The operation times of the operation programs required for the execution of consecutive programs are calculated one by one in the course of the execution of the single program. The execution of the single program involves step S210 and step S220.
In step S210, the control system 15 performs the sub-steps of: receiving an input signal of the selected operation program (S212); responding to the input signal so as to control the switching of the valves (S214), such that the flow direction of the waterway connected between the adsorption beds corresponds to the selected operation program; and testing the selected operation program with an optimizing module so as to calculate the operation time of the operation program (S216).
Step S216 is followed by step S220. Step S220 involves storing the calculated operation time in the control system 15.
Step S220 is followed by step S230. Step S230 involves determining whether to execute another operation program (S230). In response to an affirmative determination, the process flow goes back to step S212.
Referring to FIG. 8, it is feasible for the control system 15 to store all the calculated operation time (S220) only after all the operation programs have been executed.
The operation programs are classified, according to the contents of execution, as at least the following: a plurality of scenario programs and a plurality of mass recovery programs. The scenario programs comprise a first scenario program, a second scenario program, a third scenario program, and a fourth scenario program.
In an embodiment exemplified by two adsorption beds, the two adsorption beds are defined as a left adsorption bed and a right adsorption bed.
To select the first scenario program (that is, to execute the first scenario program), the waterway connected between the left adsorption bed and the right adsorption bed is controlled by the valves, so as to introduce hot water into the left adsorption bed, introduce cooled water into the right adsorption bed (that is, step S150, step S110, or step S352), enable the left adsorption bed to undergo desorption, and enable the right adsorption bed to undergo adsorption (that is, step S130, step S330, or step S354).
To select the second scenario program (that is, to execute the second scenario program), the waterway connected between the left adsorption bed and the right adsorption bed is controlled by the valves, so as to introduce the cooled water into the left adsorption bed, introduce the hot water into the right adsorption bed (that is, step S150, step S110, or step S352), enable the left adsorption bed to undergo adsorption, and enable the right adsorption bed to undergo desorption (that is, step S130, step S330, or step S354).
To select the third scenario program (that is, to execute the third scenario program), the waterway connected between the left adsorption bed and the right adsorption bed is controlled by the valves, so as to enable the hot water to bypass all the adsorption beds, introduce the cooled water into the left adsorption bed and then into the right adsorption bed (that is, step S150, step S110, or step S352), and eventually enable the left adsorption bed and the right adsorption bed to undergo heat recovery (that is, step S130, step S330, or step S354).
To select the fourth scenario program (that is, to execute the fourth scenario program), the waterway connected between the left adsorption bed and the right adsorption bed is controlled by the valves, so as to enable the hot water to bypass all the adsorption beds, introduce the cooled water into the right adsorption bed and then into the left adsorption bed (that is, step S150, step S110, or step S352), and eventually enable the left adsorption bed and the right adsorption bed to undergo heat recovery (that is, step S130, step S330, or step S354).
FIG. 9 is a concise schematic view of the adsorption air conditioning equipment according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 9, the adsorption air conditioning equipment 10 further comprises a butterfly valve 17 communicating with two chambers SP1, SP2 in which the left adsorption bed 11 a and the right adsorption bed 11 b are disposed, respectively, such that the adsorption air conditioning equipment 10 can execute the mass recovery programs. The mass recovery programs comprise a first mass recovery program and a second mass recovery program.
For one of the first, second, third, and fourth scenario programs to be executed, the butterfly valve 17 is switched off so as to isolate the left adsorption bed 11 a and the right adsorption bed 11 b.
To select the first mass recovery program (that is, to execute the first mass recovery program), the waterway connected between the left adsorption bed 11 a and the right adsorption bed 11 b is controlled by the valves (shown in the drawing and generally known as the valve set 12), so as to introduce the hot water into the left adsorption bed 11 a and introduce the cooled water into the right adsorption bed 11 b, and then the butterfly valve 17 is switched on (that is, step S150, step S110, or step S352) to enable the left adsorption bed 11 a to undergo desorption and enable the right adsorption bed 11 b to undergo adsorption (that is, step S130, step S330, or step S354).
To select the second mass recovery program (that is, to execute the second mass recovery program), the waterway connected between the left adsorption bed 11 a and the right adsorption bed 11 b is controlled by the valves (shown in the drawing and generally known as the valve set 12), so as to introduce the cooled water into the left adsorption bed 11 a and introduce the hot water into the right adsorption bed 11 b, and then the butterfly valve 17 is switched on (that is, step S150, step S110, or step S352) to enable the left adsorption bed 11 a to undergo adsorption and enable the right adsorption bed 11 b to undergo desorption (that is, step S130, step S330, or step S354).
As regards execution of consecutive programs, the first scenario program, the first mass recovery program, the third scenario program, the second scenario program, the second mass recovery program, and the fourth scenario program are executed in sequence. Nonetheless, the disclosure of the present invention should not be limited to the aforesaid sequence and the aforesaid numbers/types of operation programs, as all the parameters are subject to changes as needed.
Furthermore, the operation time of the first scenario program and the second scenario program depends on the decrease in the temperature of the ice water as a result of the introduction of the cooled water. In this regard, the operation time of the first scenario program and the second scenario program is set to the time taken to stop the decrease in the temperature of the ice water after the introduction of the cooled water.
The operation time of the third scenario program and the fourth scenario program is set to the time taken to drive the water of the chamber SP1 or SP2 into the waterway of the chamber SP2 or SP1 when the chambers SP1, SP2 of two said adsorption beds 11 a, 11 b are pre-cooled or pre-heated. The operation time of the third scenario program and the fourth scenario program is calculated according to the volume of the waterway pipeline and motor.
The operation time of the first mass recovery program and the second mass recovery program is determined according to the time taken to switch on the butterfly valve 17. The operation time of the first mass recovery program and the second mass recovery program is one-sixth to one-tenth of the operation time of the first scenario program and the second scenario program.
FIG. 10 is a concise schematic view of connection between a valve set and an adsorption bed set in an embodiment. FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B are schematic views of the implementation state of the valve set in FIG. 10.
Referring to FIG. 10, the valve set of an adsorption air conditioning equipment has at least two valves.
The embodiment illustrated with FIG. 10 is exemplified by two valves 12 a, 12 b which connect with a waterway of the left adsorption bed 11 a and the right adsorption bed 11 b. Each of the valves 12 a and 12 b has four joints, namely a first joint, a second joint, a third joint, and a fourth joint.
The first joint, the second joint, the third joint, and the fourth joint of the valve 12 a connect with a hot water feed hole, an inlet of the left adsorption bed 11 a, a cold water feed hole, and an inlet of the right adsorption bed 11 b, respectively. The first joint, the second joint, the third joint, and the fourth joint of the valve 12 b connect with a hot water recycling aperture, an outlet of the right adsorption bed 11 b, a cold water recycling aperture, and an outlet of the left adsorption bed 11 a, respectively.
Referring to FIG. 11A, communication between the first joint and the second joint of the valve 12 a, communication between the third joint and the fourth joint of the valve 12 a, communication between the first joint and the fourth joint of the valve 12 b, and communication between the second joint and the third joint of the valve 12 b collectively enable introduction of hot water into the left adsorption bed 11 a and introduction of cooled water into the right adsorption bed 11 b.
Referring to FIG. 11B, the valves 12 a, 12 b are switched in such a manner that communication between the first joint and the fourth joint of the valve 12 a, communication between the second joint and the third joint of the valve 12 a, communication between the first joint and the second joint of the valve 12 b, and communication between the third joint and the fourth joint of the valve 12 b collectively enable introduction of hot water into the right adsorption bed 11 b and introduction of the cooled water into the left adsorption bed 11 a.
FIG. 12 is a concise schematic view of connection between the valve set and the adsorption bed set in another embodiment. FIG. 13A through FIG. 13D are schematic views of the implementation state of the valve set in FIG. 12.
In an embodiment exemplified by the waterway connected between the left adsorption bed 11 a and the right adsorption bed 11 b and comprised of six said valves SV1, SV2, SV3, SV4, SV5, SV6. Each of the six valves SV1, SV2, SV3, SV4, SV5, SV6 has three joints, namely a first joint, a second joint, and a third joint.
Referring to FIG. 12, the first joint, the second joint, and the third joint of the valve SV1 connect with the cold water recycling aperture, the outlet of the right adsorption bed 11 b, and the outlet of the left adsorption bed 11 a, respectively. The first joint, the second joint, and the third joint of the valve SV2 connect with the cold water feed hole, the inlet of the left adsorption bed 11 a, and the inlet of the right adsorption bed 11 b, respectively. The first joint, the second joint, and the third joint of the valve SV3 connect with the third joint of the valve SV4, the inlet of the right adsorption bed 11 b, and the inlet of the left adsorption bed 11 a, respectively. The first joint and the second joint of the valve SV4 connect with the hot water feed hole and the third joint of the valve SV5, respectively. The first joint and the second joint of the valve SV5 connect with the hot water recycling aperture and the first joint of the valve SV6, respectively. A pipeline in communication with the first joint of the valve SV3 and the third joint of the valve SV4 communicates with a pipeline in communication with the second joint of the valve SV5 and the first joint of the valve SV6. The second joint and the third joint of the valve SV6 connect with the outlet of the left adsorption bed 11 a and the outlet of the right adsorption bed 11 b, respectively.
Referring to FIG. 13A, to execute the first scenario program, the valve set is switched to enable communication between the first joint and the second joint of the valve SV1, communication between the first joint and the third joint of the valve SV2, communication between the first joint and the third joint of the valve SV3, communication between the first joint and the third joint the valve SV4, communication between the first joint and the second joint of the valve SV5, and communication between the first joint and the second joint of the valve SV6.
Referring to FIG. 13B, to execute the second scenario program, the valve set is switched to enable communication between the first joint and the third joint of the valve SV1, communication between the first joint and the second joint of the valve SV2, communication between the first joint and the second joint of the valve SV3, communication between the first joint and the third joint of the valve SV4, communication between the first joint and the second joint of the valve SV5, and communication between the first joint and the third joint of the valve SV6.
Referring to FIG. 13C, to execute the third scenario program, the valve set is switched to enable communication between the first joint and the second joint of the valve SV1, communication between the first joint and the second joint of the valve SV2, communication between the first joint and the second joint of the valve SV3, communication between the first joint and the second joint of the valve SV4, communication between the first joint and the third joint of the valve SV5, and communication between the first joint and the second joint of the valve SV6.
Referring to FIG. 13D, to execute the fourth scenario program, the valve set is switched to enable communication between the first joint and the third joint of the valve SV1, communication between the first joint and the third joint of the valve SV2, communication between the first joint and the third joint of the valve SV3, communication between the first joint and the second joint of the valve SV4, communication between the first joint and the third joint of the valve SV5, and communication between the first joint and the third joint of the valve SV6.
FIG. 14 is a concise schematic view of the adsorption air conditioning equipment according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 14, the adsorption air conditioning equipment 10 further comprises a plurality of condensers/evaporators (shown in the drawing and generally known as a condenser/evaporator set 18). Each of the condensers/evaporators corresponds to at least one of the adsorption beds which operate in the same manner in the course of execution of the operation programs. Each of the condensers/evaporators supports the operation of a corresponding one of the adsorption beds in the course of execution of the operation programs. In other words, each of the condensers/evaporators undergoes condensation or evaporation according to the contents of the operation of the adsorption beds.
For example, after one of the adsorption beds has been switched to the desorption mode, condensation takes place in the corresponding condensers/evaporators to thereby turn a vapor refrigerant into a liquid refrigerant by condensation. Once one of the adsorption beds begins to undergo adsorption, evaporation will take place in the corresponding condensers/evaporators to thereby turn the liquid refrigerant into the vapor refrigerant by evaporation, so as to effectuate refrigeration.
In conclusion, the switching of executable operation programs takes place automatically according to an execution sequence and by means of flow control, timing control, and valve-switching control, so as to improve the performance of the adsorption air conditioning equipment. The time parameters of the switching of operation programs are calculated in advance for use in the timing control of actual operation, so as to improve the performance of the adsorption air conditioning equipment.
The foregoing embodiments are provided to illustrate and disclose the technical features of the present invention so as to enable persons skilled in the art to understand the disclosure of the present invention and implement the present invention accordingly, and are not intended to be restrictive of the scope of the present invention. Hence, all equivalent modifications and variations made to the foregoing embodiments without departing from the spirit embodied in the disclosure of the present invention should still fall within the scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for controlling an adsorption air conditioning equipment, the adsorption air conditioning equipment comprising at least two adsorption beds and a plurality of valves, the valves controlling a flow direction of a waterway connected between the at least two adsorption beds, the method comprising the steps of:

(1) selecting one of a plurality of operation programs according to an execution sequence such that the selected operation program acts as an executable operation program, wherein the operation programs are executed according to the operation times, respectively;

(2) executing the selected operation program and enabling the at least two adsorption beds to operate in response to the executed operation program;

(3) switching to the next operation program in the execution sequence according to the operation time of the executed operation program such that the next operation program acts as the next executable operation program; and

(4) controlling the switching of the plurality of valves according to the next executed operation program.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

executing an initialization program as soon as the adsorption air conditioning equipment starts, the initialization program comprising switching the valves to a preset position.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the preset position corresponds to the first operation program in the execution sequence.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

testing the operation programs by means of an optimizing module so as to calculate the operation times of the operation programs, respectively.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein step (3) comprises the sub-step of:

switching to the next operation program in the execution sequence so as for the next operation program to act as the next executable operation program upon determination that a time spent on executing the operation program corresponding to the at least two adsorption beds has reached a control system-memorized maximum limit of the operation time of the operation program being executed.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein step (4) comprises the sub-step of:

driving a plurality of relays to enable the switching of the valves according to the executed operation program.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the operation programs comprise a plurality of scenario programs, wherein the at least two adsorption beds comprise a left adsorption bed and a right adsorption bed, the scenario programs comprising a first scenario program, a second scenario program, a third scenario program, and a fourth scenario program.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein, to execute the first scenario program, the waterway connected between the left adsorption bed and the right adsorption bed is controlled by the valves so as to introduce hot water into the left adsorption bed, introduce cooled water into the right adsorption bed, enable the left adsorption bed to undergo desorption, and enable the right adsorption bed to undergo adsorption.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein, to execute the second scenario program, the waterway connected between the left adsorption bed and the right adsorption bed is controlled by the valves so as to introduce cooled water into the left adsorption bed, introduce hot water into the right adsorption bed, enable the left adsorption bed to undergo adsorption, and enable the right adsorption bed to undergo desorption.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein, to execute the third scenario program, the waterway connected between the left adsorption bed and the right adsorption bed is controlled by the valves so as to enable hot water to bypass all the adsorption beds, introduce cooled water into the left adsorption bed and then into the right adsorption bed, and enable the left adsorption bed and the right adsorption bed to undergo heat recovery.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein, to execute the fourth scenario program, the waterway connected between the left adsorption bed and the right adsorption bed is controlled by the valves so as to enable hot water to bypass all the adsorption beds, introduce cooled water into the right adsorption bed and then into the left adsorption bed, and enable the left adsorption bed and the right adsorption bed to undergo heat recovery.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the operation programs further comprise a plurality of mass recovery programs.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the mass recovery programs comprise a first mass recovery program and a second mass recovery program.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the adsorption air conditioning equipment further comprises a butterfly valve communicating with two chambers in which the left adsorption bed and the right adsorption bed are disposed, respectively, such that the adsorption air conditioning equipment executes the first mass recovery programs by using the valves to control the waterway connected between the left adsorption bed and the right adsorption bed, so as to introduce hot water into the left adsorption bed, introduce cooled water into the right adsorption bed, and switching on the butterfly valve to enable the left adsorption bed to undergo desorption and enable the right adsorption bed to undergo adsorption, and the adsorption air conditioning equipment executes the second mass recovery programs by using the valves to control the waterway connected between the left adsorption bed and the right adsorption bed, so as to introduce the cooled water into the left adsorption bed, introduce the hot water into the right adsorption bed, and switching on the butterfly valve to enable the left adsorption bed to undergo adsorption and enable the right adsorption bed to undergo desorption.

15. A method for controlling an adsorption air conditioning equipment, the adsorption air conditioning equipment comprising at least two adsorption beds and a plurality of valves, the valves controlling a flow direction of a waterway connected between the at least two adsorption beds, the method comprising the steps of:

(1) selecting the first operation program in an execution sequence from a plurality of operation programs according to the execution sequence;

(2) executing the operation program thus selected, so as for the at least two adsorption beds to operate according to the operation program being executed;

(3) switching to the next operation program in the execution sequence as the next executable operation program according to the operation time of the executed operation program;

(4) executing the operation program thus switched to, step (4) comprising the sub-steps of:

controlling the switching of the valves according to the executed operation program; and

enabling the at least two adsorption beds to operate according to the executed operation program; and

(5) going back to step (3) to execute step (3) through step (5) unless and until all the operation programs in the execution sequence are executed.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of:

executing, prior to step (1), an initialization program, the initialization program comprising:

switching the valves to a preset position.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the preset position corresponds to the first operation program in the execution sequence.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of:

testing, prior to step (1), the operation programs by means of an optimizing module so as to calculate the operation times of the operation programs, respectively.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein step (3) comprises the sub-steps of:

confirming whether the next operation program exists according to the execution sequence;

switching, upon an affirmative confirmation, to the next program according to the operation time corresponding to the operation program and continue to execute step (4); and

stopping, upon a negative confirmation, executing the method.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein, in step (4), the sub-step of controlling the switching of the valves according to executed said operation program comprises:

driving a plurality of relays according to the executed operation program so as to enable the switching of the valves.