THIRUVULLA UTTUR US009945571B2

(12) United States Patent ( 10 ) Patent No.: US 9 ,945,571 B2

Omura et al. (45 ) Date of Patent: Apr. 17 , 2018
( 54 ) ROOM PRESSURE CONTROL SYSTEM AND (56 ) References Cited
ROOM PRESSURE CONTROL METHOD
U . S . PATENT DOCUMENTS
(71) Applicant: AZBIL CORPORATION , Chiyoda -ku 5 ,920 ,488 A * 7/1999 Arnold ................ GO5D 7 /0635
( JP ) 454 /239
(72 ) Inventors: Rintaro Omura , Chiyoda-ku (JP ); 7 ,465,225 B2* 12 /2008 Ohmura .................. F24F 3/ 161
454/ 187
Yasuhito Omagari, Chiyoda -ku (JP ) 2011/0300790 A1* 12 /2011 Bauer ................. F24F 11/0076
454 /239
(73) Assignee : AZBIL CORPORATION , Chiyoda-ku 2012/0270488 A1* 10/2012 Fujimura ........... F24F 11454/0001
??( *?) Notice:
????
??? ( JP )
Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
(Continued )
/56

patent is extended or adjusted under 35 FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

U .S .C . 154 (b ) by 228 days. 2006 - 153325 6 / 2006
JP 2012 -237527 12 /2012
(21) Appl. No.: 15 /054,237
Primary Examiner — Kidest Bahta
( 22 ) Filed : Feb . 26 , 2016 (74 ) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Oblon , McClelland ,
Maier & Neustadt, L .L .P .
(65) Prior Publication Data
US 2016/0252265 A1 Sep. 1, 2016 (57) ABSTRACT
A room pressure control system includes an air supply valve ,
(30 ) Foreign Application Priority Data an exhaust valve , and controller circuits . One of the con
troller circuits includes a room pressure correction control
Feb . 27 , 2015 ( JP ) .............. ......... ......... 2015 - 037750 circuit that controls the valve operating as a room pressure
control valve , between the air supply valve and the exhaust
(51) Int. Cl. valve, so that the room pressure coincides with a set room
GO6F 19 /00 ( 2011 .01) pressure value; and processing circuitry that determines
F24F 11/ 00 (2018.01) whether the room pressure easily fluctuates , determines
B08B 15 /02 ( 2006 .01) whether the room pressure is stable , and sets parameters . In
F24F 11/04 (2006 .01) particular, the processing circuitry sets a dead zone param
(52 ) U .S . CI. eter with which responsiveness of room pressure control is
CPC .......... F24F 11/ 0001 ( 2013.01); B08B 15 / 02 valued when it is determined that the room pressure easily
(2013 .01) ; F24F 11 /0079 ( 2013 .01); F24F fluctuates and otherwise sets a dead zone parameter with
11/04 ( 2013 .01); F24F 2011/ 0042 ( 2013.01) ; which reduction in the number of operations of the room
YO2B 30 /746 (2013.01) pressure control valve is valued above the responsiveness of
(58 ) Field of Classification Search the room pressure control.
CPC combination set(s) only .
See application file for complete search history. 11 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets

106 TIF 108 105

MAVA GÈX EXV

163.the169 704 102

L/ 100

110
D
 US 9,945,571 B2
Page 2

(56) References Cited

U . S . PATENT DOCUMENTS
2012/0289139 A1* 11/ 2012 Fujimura .............. F24F 11/ 04
454/61
2015/0362205 Al * 12/2015 Hung .............. F25B 49/02
454 / 238
* cited by examiner
U.S. Paten
atent Apr. 17 , 2018 Sheet 1 of 4 US 9 , 945 ,571 B2

1100
105

1
.
FIG
108
HI
CTEOL2I
102
-
1

1 210 INDI
FB

GEX
$
169
104
*
/103

106
A MAVA
atent Apr. 17 , 2018 Sheet 2 of 4 US 9,945,571 B2

FIG . 2
CONTROLLER UNIT
EXHAUST
AIR VOLUME
CONTROLLER

FIG . 3
106

CONTROLLER UNIT
SUPPLY 7 - 201
AIR VOLUME
CONTROLLER

107
FIG . 4
CONTROLLER UNIT
EXHAUST ROOM PRESSURE DEAD ZONE
AIR VOLUME STABILITY PARAMETER
CONTROLLER DETERMINER STORAGE
ROOM PRESSURE CORRECTED
EASE -OF OUTPUT
FLUCTUATION CALCULATOR
DETERMINER
DEAD ZONE
PARAMETER
SETTER
ColeHong 7:207
SUM
CALCULATOR
-207
atent Apr. 17 , 2018 Sheet 3 of 4 US 9,945,571 B2

START
FIG.5
FIG . 5

S100
DOES ROOM NO
PRESSURE EASILY
FLUCTUATE ?
YES $ 101 S102
SET DEAD ZONE PARAMETERS SET DEAD ZONE PARAMETERS
WHEN ROOM PRESSURE IN NORMAL TIMES
EASILY FLUCTUATES

IS ROOM
wS103
PRESSURE YES
STABLE ?

? ? ? ? Lain
NO
OUTPUT CORRECTED
CONTROL OUTPUT VALUE

CALCULATE SUM OF CONTROL

S104

OUTPUT VALUE AND CORRECTED

CONTROL OUTPUT VALUE
PUT OUTPUT ON HOLD
S106

w $ 107
IS ROOM NO
PRESSURE CONTROL
TERMINATED ?
TYES
CEND
U . S . Patent Apr. 17, 2018 Sheet 4 of 4 US 9 ,945 ,571 B2

PCROENSTUORLE
ROFEOSTARMT INSWTHAITCEH
PRFELAUOCSTILMREYS TIME

6
.
FIG - -

PRES URE
]
Pa
(
VALUE
RMEAOSUREMD
5
.
4
+
dPF
-

017
.
3
+ W
POFRHCOELNSDTOIRUMGLE

PROESUMRE
SETVALUE
0
+
HPRFLAUEOCSTDAULRMEYS
INWSTHAITCEH
 US 9,945 ,571 B2
ROOM PRESSURE CONTROL SYSTEM AND lems in that responsiveness of the control to fluctuation in
ROOM PRESSURE CONTROL METHOD the room pressure is reduced and the controllability of the
room pressure is degraded .
CROSS -REFERENCE TO RELATED
APPLICATIONS 5 SUMMARY
The present application claimspriority to Japanese Appli- In one embodiment, there is provided a room pressure
cation No . 2015 -037750 , filed Feb . 27 , 2015 , the entire control system , comprising: ( 1 ) an air supply valve config
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference . ured to adjust a volume of supply air to be blown into a
10 target room ; (2 ) a general exhaust valve configured to adjust
BACKGROUND a volume of exhaust air to be blown out from the target
room ; ( 3 ) an air volume control circuit configured to deter
Field mine the supply air volume and the exhaust air volume and
The present disclosure relates to a room pressure control , control the air supply valve and the general exhaust valve so
system that keeps the pressure of a room constant through 13 that a difference between the supply air volume adjusted by
control of a supply air volume into the room and an exhaust the the
air supply valve and the exhaust air volume adjusted by
general exhaust valve coincides with a set offset air
air volume from the room . volume value; and ( 4 ) processing circuitry configured to ( a )
Description of the Related Art control a valve operating as a room pressure control valve ,
For example , in clean rooms in factories and laboratories, 20
control is performed in which a room pressure ( a differential? 20 the valve being one of the air supply valve and the general
exhaust valve , so that a room pressure , which is a difference
pressure between rooms) is set for a room and the room between a pressure in the target room and a pressure in
pressure is kept constant to generate the air flow in an certain reference room , coincides with a set room pressure
arbitrary direction for prevention of cross -contamination value ; (b ) determine whether the room pressure easily
between rooms and assurance of safety by containment of 25 fluctuates; ( c ) determine whether the room pressure is stable ;
hazardous substances . and (d ) set parameters used to determine stability of the
Since it is necessary to frequently operate a room pressure room pressure .
control valve in order to keep the room pressure constant, The processing circuitry is further configured to set a first
there are problems in that the number of operations of the dead zone parameter with which responsiveness of room
room pressure control valve is increased and the lifetime of 30 pressure control is valued above a reduction in a number of
the room pressure control valve is reduced . operations of the room pressure control valve when the
Accordingly, in related art, provision of a control hold processing circuitry determines that the room pressure easily
function while the room pressure is stable , in addition to a fluctuates , and set a second dead zone parameter with which
the reduction in the number of operations of the room
room pressure control function , to the room pressure control 35 pressure
valve reduces the number of operations of the room pressure the room control valve is valued above the responsiveness of
pressure control when the processing circuitry
control valve and increases the lifetime of the room pressure
determines that the room pressure does not easily fluctuate .
control valve while the room pressure is kept constant (refer Moreover
to Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. maintain a, the processing circuitry is further configured to
change in air volume for controlling the room
2006 - 153325 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application 4040 pressure when the processing circuitry determines that the
Publication No . 2012 -237527). In the technologies disclosed room pressure is stable.
in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
2006 - 153325 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Publication No. 2012 - 237527 , dead zones are set around a
set room pressure value and the operation of the room 45 FIG . 1 illustrates an exemplary configuration of a room
pressure control valve is stopped if a measured room pres- pressure control system according to an embodiment of the
sure value is within the dead zones. present disclosure ;
The steady short -period variation in the room pressure is FIG . 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary
naturally led to the original room pressure and the width of configuration of a local exhaust controller unit according to
the variation is within a certain range in most cases . Accord - 50 the embodiment of the present disclosure ;
ingly, a dead zone width around the set room pressure value FIG . 3 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary
and a deviation time are set as dead zone parameters . If the configuration of an air supply controller unit according to
measured room pressure value is within the range of the the embodiment of the present disclosure ;
dead zone width or if the measured room pressure value has FIG . 4 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary
returned into the range of the dead zone width before the 55 toconfiguration of a general exhaust controller unit according
the embodiment of the present disclosure ;
deviation time elapses even when the measured room pres
sure value has been out of the range of the dead zone width , FIG . 5 is flowchart illustrating an exemplary room pres
sure control operation according to the embodiment of the
the operation of the room pressure control valve is put on present
hold to increase the lifetime of the room pressure control 60 FIG . disclosure ; and
6 illustrates an example of the room pressure control
valve . operation according to the embodiment of the present dis
Although the number of operations of the room pressure closure .
control valve is reduced and the lifetime of the room
pressure control valve is increased with the technologies DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Pub - 65
lication No. 2006 - 153325 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Accordingly, it is an object of the present disclosure to
Application Publication No . 2012 -237527 , there are prob - provide a room pressure control system and a room pressure
 US 9 ,945 ,571 B2
controlmethod capable of achieving both the increase in the tions is established . The conditions includes ( 1) while the
lifetime of the room pressure control valve and the respon supply air volume or the exhaust air volume is being
siveness of the control by improving the responsiveness of changed , (2 ) before a first predetermined time elapses after
the control to the fluctuation in the room pressure while the room pressure control is started , and (3 ) a deviation in
keeping the increase in the lifetime of the room pressure 5 which the absolute value of the deviation between the set
control valve. room pressure value and the measured room pressure value
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a exceeds a certain deviation reference value occurs or before
room pressure control system includes an air supply valve a second predetermined time elapses since the deviation has
that adjusts an air volume of supply air to be blown into a been removed .
target room ; a general exhaust valve that adjusts an air 10 The room pressure control system may further include a
volume of exhaust air to be blown out from the target room ; fume hood provided in the target room ; a local exhaust valve
an air volume control unit that determines the supply air that adjusts an exhaust air volume from the fume hood ; and
volume from the air supply valve and the exhaust air volume a local exhaust air volume adjusting unit that controls the
from the general exhaust valve and controls the air supply local exhaust valve so that a face velocity of a sash of the
valve and the general exhaust valve so that a difference 15 fume hood has a predetermined value. The air volume
between the supply air volume adjusted by the air supply control unit may control the air supply valve and the general
valve and the exhaust air volume adjusted by the general exhaust valve so that a difference between the supply air
exhaust valve coincides with a set offset air volume value ; volume adjusted by the air supply valve and the exhaust air
a room pressure correction control unit that controls the volume adjusted by the local exhaust valve and the general
valve operating as a room pressure control valve, between 20 exhaust valve coincides with the set offset air volume value .
the air supply valve and the general exhaust valve , so that a In the room pressure control system , the room pressure
room pressure, which is a difference in pressure between the ease -of- fluctuation determination unit may determine that
target room and a certain reference room , coincides with a the room pressure easily fluctuates if at least one of the
set room pressure value ; a room pressure ease - of- fluctuation conditions ( 1 ) to ( 3 ) and a condition (4 ) while a local exhaust
determination unit that determines whether the room pres - 25 air volume adjusted by the local exhaust valve is being
sure easily fluctuates ; a room pressure stability determina - changed or before a third predetermined time elapses since
tion unit that determines whether the room pressure is stable ; the local exhaust air volume has been changed is established .
and a dead zone parameter setting unit that sets dead zone According to an embodiment of the present disclosure , a
parameters used to determine stability of the room pressure . room pressure controlmethod includes determining a supply
The dead zone parameter setting unit sets , in the room 30 air volume from an air supply valve provided in a target
pressure stability determination unit , a dead zone parameter room and an exhaust air volume from a general exhaust
with which responsiveness of room pressure control is valve provided in the target room and controls the air supply
valued above reduction in the number of operations of the valve and the general exhaust valve so that a difference
room pressure control valve if the room pressure ease - of - between the supply air volume adjusted by the air supply
fluctuation determination unit determines that the room 35 valve and the exhaust air volume adjusted by the general
pressure easily fluctuates and sets , in the room pressure exhaust valve coincides with a set offset air volume value ;
stability determination unit, a dead zone parameter with controlling the valve operating as a room pressure control
which the reduction in the number of operations of the room valve , between the air supply valve and the general exhaust
pressure control valve is valued above the responsiveness of valve , so that a room pressure , which is a difference in
the room pressure control if the room pressure ease-of- 40 pressure between the target room and a certain reference
fluctuation determination unit determines that the room room , coincides with a set room pressure value ; determining
pressure does not easily fluctuate . The room pressure cor- whether the room pressure easily fluctuates ; determining
rection control unit holds change in the air volume for the — 7 — whether the room pressure is stable ; and setting dead
room pressure control if the room pressure stability deter- zone parameters used to determine stability of the room
mination unit determines that the room pressure is stable . 45 pressure . The setting includes setting a dead zone parameter
In the room pressure control system , the dead zone with which responsiveness of room pressure control is
parameters may include a dead zone width and a deviation valued above reduction in the number of operations of the
time, and the room pressure stability determination unit may r oom pressure control valve if it is determined that the room
determine that the room pressure is stable if an absolute pressure easily fluctuates and setting a dead zone parameter
value of a deviation between the set room pressure value and 50 with which the reduction in the number of operations of the
a measured room pressure value is lower than or equal to the room pressure control valve is valued above the responsive
dead zone width and determines that the room pressure is n ess of the room pressure control if it is determined that the
being varied if a continuation time of a situation in which the room pressure does not easily fluctuate . The controlling
absolute value of the deviation exceeds the dead zone width includes holding change in the air volume for the room
exceeds the deviation time. 55 pressure control if it is determined that the room pressure is
In the room pressure control system , the dead zone width stable .
with which the responsiveness of the room pressure control According to the present disclosure , the dead zone param
is valued may be narrower than the dead zone width with eters are switched between the state in which the room
which the reduction in the number of operations of the room pressure easily fluctuates and the state in which the room
pressure control valve is valued , and the deviation time with 60 pressure hardly fluctuates . When the room pressure easily
which the responsiveness of the room pressure control is fluctuates , the stability of the room pressure is determined
valued may be shorter than the deviation time with which the using the dead zone parameters with which the responsive
reduction in the number of operations of the room pressure ness of the room pressure control is valued above the
control valve is valued . reduction in the number of operations of the room pressure
In the room pressure control system , the room pressure 65 control valve . Accordingly , the responsiveness of the control
ease -of-fluctuation determination unit may determine that to the fluctuation of the room pressure is improved . In
the room pressure easily fluctuates if at least one of condi contrast, when the room pressure does not easily fluctuates,
 US 9 ,945 ,571 B2
5
the stability of the room pressure is determined using the parameter storage 208 stores in advance a dead zone param
dead zone parameters with which the reduction in the eter with which responsiveness of the room pressure control
number of operations of the room pressure control valve is is valued above the reduction in the number of operations of
valued above the responsiveness of the room pressure con - the room pressure control valve and a dead zone parameter
trol. Accordingly , the number of operations of the room 5 with which the reduction in the number of operations of the
pressure control valve is reduced and the lifetime of the room pressure control valve is valued above the responsive
room pressure control valve is increased . Accordingly , it is ness of the room pressure control.
possible to achieve both the increase in the lifetime of the The exhaust air volume controller 200 in the controller
room pressure control valve and the responsiveness of the unit 105 composes a local exhaust air volume adjusting unit .
room pressure control . 10 T .
Embodiments of the present disclosure will herein be The 106
supply air volume controller 201 in the controller unit
and the exhaust air volume controller 202 in the
described with reference to the attached drawings. FIG . 1 controller unit 107 compose an air volume control unit. The
illustrates an exemplary configuration of a room pressure
corrected output
control system according to an embodiment of the present in the controller unit calculator 206 and the sum calculator 207
disclosure . The room pressure control system of the present 15 107 compose a room pressure correc
embodiment includes a fumehood 101 provided in a room tion control unit .
100 ; a local exhaust duct 102 connected to the fume hood Although the room pressure ease -of- fluctuation deter
101; an air supply duct 103 that supplies air to the room 100; miner 203, the dead zone parameter setter 204 , the room
a general exhaust duct 104 that exhausts the air in the room pressure stability determiner 205 , the corrected output cal
100 ; a local exhaust valve EXV that adjusts the air volume 20 culator 206 , the sum calculator 207, and the dead zone
in the local exhaust duct 102; an air supply valve MAV that parameter storage 208 are provided in the controller unit 107
adjusts the air volume in the air supply duct 103 ; a general in the present embodiment, the present embodiment is not
exhaust valve GEX that adjusts the air volume in the general limited to this. The room pressure ease - of- fluctuation deter
exhaust duct 104; a controller unit 105 that controls the local miner 203, the dead zone parameter setter 204 , the room
exhaust valve EXV ; a controller unit 106 that controls the air 25 pressure stability determiner 205 , the corrected output cal
supply valve MAV: a controller unit 107 that controls the culator 206 , the sum calculator 207 , and the dead zone
general exhaust valve GEX ; a communication line 108 via parameter storage 208 may be provided in another controller
which the controller units 105 , 106 , and 107 are connected or a centralmonitoring unit (not illustrated ).
to each other ; a differential pressure sensor 109 that mea - An air volume control operation in normal times , which
sures a room pressure , which is the difference in pressure 30 is performed by the room pressure control system , will now
between the room 100 and a certain reference room ( the be described . Here , the air volume of the supply air blown
space outside the room 100 in the present embodiments ; and into the room 100 through the air supply duct 103 is denoted
a room pressure monitor 110 used to check the pressure by Vmav, the air volume of the exhaust air blown out from
difference . The fume hood 101 includes a sash 111 that is room 100 through the general exhaust duct 104 is denoted by
capable of being opened and closed and a sash sensor 112 35 Vgex , and the air volume of the exhaust air blown out from
that detects the degree of opening of the sash 111. the room 100 through the local exhaust duct 102 is denoted
FIG . 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary by Vexv.
configuration of the controller unit 105 . FIG . 3 is a block The exhaust air volume controller 200 in the controller
diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of the con - unit 105 determines the exhaust air volume Vexv so that the
troller unit 106 . FIG . 4 is a block diagram illustrating an 40 face velocity of the sash has a predetermined value ( nor
exemplary configuration of the controller unit 107 . mally 0 .5 m /s ) on the basis of the area of the opening of the
The controller unit 105 includes an exhaust air volume sash of the fume hood 101 and controls the degree of
controller 200 that controls the local exhaust valve EXV . opening of the local exhaust valve EXV so that the local
The controller unit 106 includes a supply air volume exhaust duct 102 has the exhaust air volume Vexv. The area
controller 201 that controls the air supply valve MAV . 45 of the opening of the sash of the fume hood 101 is deter
The controller unit 107 includes an exhaust air volume mined by multiplying the height of the opening of the sash
controller 202 , a room pressure ease - of - fluctuation deter - 111 , which is calculated from the degree of opening of the
miner 203, a dead zone parameter setter 204 , a room sashThedetected by the sash sensor 112 , by a known sash width .
pressure stability determiner 205 , a corrected output calcu The exhaust air volume controller 202 in the controller
lator 206 , a sum calculator 207 , and a dead zone parameter 50 unit 107 varies the exhaust air volume Vgex by the amount
storage 208 . The exhaust air volume controller 202 controls of the variation in the exhaust air volume Vexv caused by the
the general exhaust valve GEX . The room pressure ease - of- opening and closing of the sash so that a total exhaust air
fluctuation determiner 203 determines whether the room volume (Vgex + Vexv) is kept constant and calculates the
pressure easily fluctuates. The dead zone parameter setter control output value so that the general exhaust duct 104 has
204 sets dead zone parameters used to determine the stabil - 55 the exhaust air volume Vgex to control the degree of
ity of the room pressure . The room pressure stability deter - opening of the general exhaust valve GEX .
miner 205 determines whether the room pressure is stable . The supply air volume controller 201 in the controller unit
The corrected output calculator 206 calculates a corrected 106 determines the supply air volume Vmav so that at least
control output value for the valve operating as a room a minimum air volume is constantly blown into the room
pressure control valve, among the air supply valve MAV and 60 100 through the air supply valve MAV in order to meet a
the general exhaust valve GEX , on the basis of the room minimum amount of ventilation of the room 100 and cal
pressure measured by the differential pressure sensor 109 culates the control output value so that the air intake duct
and a set room pressure value . The sum calculator 207 103 has the supply air volume Vmav to control the degree
calculates the sum of a control output value corresponding of opening of the air supply valve MAV. In order to ensure
to the valve operating as the room pressure control valve and 65 the minimum amount of ventilation of the room 100 , the
the corrected control output value and supplies the calcu - supply air volume Vmav is set to a value higher than or equal
lated sum to the room pressure control valve. The dead zone to the minimum amount of ventilation .
 US 9,945 ,571 B2
With the above method of setting the air volume, Equation sure easily fluctuates is established to determine whether the
( 1 ) is established when the fume hood 101 is not used (that room pressure easily fluctuates .
is, the sash 111 is fully opened ): The conditions in which the room pressure easily fluctu
Vmav = Vgex + a ates include :
!) 5 ( A ) While the supply air volume Vmav or the exhaust air
A constant a is a set offset air volume value used to volume Vgex is being changed ,
determine the air volume leaking from the room 100 and to ( B ) Before a first predetermined time T1 elapses after the
determine whether the pressure of the room 100 is to set a room pressure control is started ,
positive pressure or a negative pressure . (C ) A measured room pressure value is deviated from the
Next, Equation ( 2 ) is established when the fumehood 101 10 set room pressure value or before a second predetermined
is used : time T2 elapses since the deviation has been removed , and
(D ) While the exhaust air volume Vexv is being changed
Vmav= Vgex + Vexv+ a 10 or before a third predetermined time T3 elapses since the
For example , when the exhaust air volume Vexv is exhaust air volume Vexv has been changed .
increased to a maximum air volume ( Vexv )max , the exhaust 15 The room pressure ease - of- fluctuation determiner 203
air volume controller 202 in the controller unit 107 determines that the room pressure easily fluctuates if at least
decreases the exhaust air volume Vgex to attempt to keep the one of ( A ) to (D ) is established . The room pressure ease
balance of the air volume. However, it is not possible to of-fluctuation determiner 203 determines that the room
further decrease the exhaust air volume Vgex if the degree pressure does not easily fluctuate if none of (A ) to ( D ) is
ofopening of the general exhaust valve GEX is Oo when the 20 established .
controller unit 107 attempts to keep the balance of the air The first predetermined time T1, the second predeter
volume only with the operation of decreasing the exhaust air mined time 12 , and the third predetermined time T3 are
volume Vgex . In such a case , the supply air volume con - capable of being individually set . As for the condition (C ),
troller 201 in the controller unit 106 adjusts the supply air it is determined that a measured room pressure value dPE is
volume Vmav so as to establish Equation (3 ): 25 deviated from a set room pressure value SP if the absolute
Vmav = Vgex + ( Vexv )max + a (3 )
(3 )
value ISP - APEI+ 1. of
val a deviation between the set room pressure
value CD
SP and the. measured room pressure value dPE mea
With the above air volume control operation , when the sured by the differential pressure sensor 109 exceeds a
exhaust air volume Vexv is varied in response to opening or certain deviation reference value SW and it is determined
closing of the sash 111 of the fume hood 101, the supply air 30 that the deviation is removed if the absolute value ISP - APE |
volume Vmav and the exhaust air volume Vgex are varied of the deviation is lower than or equal to the deviation
with the variation in the exhaust air volume Vexv. reference value SW .
An air volume switching control operation is exemplified If the room pressure ease -of- fluctuation determiner 203
as another example in which the supply air volume Vmav determines that the room pressure easily fluctuates (YES in
and the exhaust air volume Vgex are changed . In the air 35 Step S100 ), in Step S101, the dead zone parameter setter 204
volume switching control operation , the supply air volume in the controller unit 107 reads out dead zone parameters (a
Vmav and the exhaust air volume Vgex are decreased while dead zone width W and a deviation time t) when the room
the difference in pressure between the inside of a room and pressure easily fluctuates from the dead zone parameter
the outside thereof is kept constant for energy saving in a storage 208 and sets the dead zone parameters that are read
time period , such as night or a holiday, when no person 40 out in the room pressure stability determiner 205 .
exists and no operation is performed . The change of the air If the room pressure ease - of- fluctuation determiner 203
volume is performed every weekday . In an example of determines that the room pressure does not easily fluctuates
switching from daytime to night, both the supply air volume (NO in Step S100 ) , in Step S102 , the dead zone parameter
Vmav and the exhaust air volume Vgex are gradually setter 204 reads out dead zone parameters in normal times
decreased . In an example of switching from night to day - 45 from the dead zone parameter storage 208 and sets the dead
time, both the supply air volume Vmav and the exhaust air zone parameters that are read in the room pressure stability
volume Vgex are gradually increased . determiner 205 . For example , the dead zone width W is set
An change operation in response to , for example , an to 3 Pa and the deviation time t is set to Os in the dead zone
instruction to change the amount of ventilation in a room is parameters when the room pressure easily fluctuates . For
exemplified as another example in which the supply air 50 example , the dead zone width W is set to 4 . 5 Pa and the
volume Vmav and the exhaust air volume Vgex are changed . deviation time t is set to 30 s in the dead zone parameters in
The supply air volume Vmav and the exhaust air volume normal times. As described above , the dead zone parameters
Vgex are changed also in a case in which air supply and optimal for the situation in which the room pressure easily
exhaust fans are stopped in fumigation of the room or when fluctuates and the dead zone parameters optimal for the
the room is not used and a case in which a state in which the 55 situation in which the room pressure hardly fluctuates are
air supply and exhaust fans are stopped is switched to a state registered in the room pressure stability determiner 205 in
in which the air supply and exhaust fans are normally advance .
operated . The deviation reference value SW described above is
A room pressure control operation performed in parallel greater than the dead zone width W and is set to , for
with the above operations will now be described . FIG . 5 is 60 example , 15 Pa. In other words , as described below , since
flowchart illustrating an exemplary room pressure control the fluctuation in the room pressure naturally disappears in
operation . In the present embodiment, the general exhaust a case in which the absolute value (SP -APEI of the deviation
valve GEX is operated as a room pressure control valve is slightly deviated from the dead zone width W while the
(PCV ) . room pressure control is held , the control is continuously
Referring to FIG . 5 , in Step S100, the room pressure 65 held . However, when the room pressure is greatly fluctuated
ease -of- fluctuation determiner 203 in the controller unit 107
for any reason , the holding of the room pressure control
determines whether any condition in which the room pres should be immediately cancelled without waiting for expi
 US 9 ,945 ,571 B2
10
ration of the deviation time t to restart the room pressure parameters in normal times . It is assumed that any fluctua
control. Accordingly , the deviation reference value SW tion in room pressure occurs in this state and the absolute
greater than the dead zone width W is set and, if the absolute value ISP - PEL of the deviation between the set room
value ISP - APEI of the deviation exceeds the deviation pressure value SP and the measured room pressure value
reference value SW , it is determined that the room pressure 5 dPE exceeds the dead zone width W = 4 . 5 Pa at a time t1 . In
easily fluctuates and the dead zone parameters are switched . this case , if a continuation time CT of the state in which the
In Step S103 , the room pressure stability determiner 205 absolute value SP - APE ) of the deviation exceeds the dead
in the controller unit 107 determines whether the room
pressure is stable . The room pressure stability determiner zone width W is shorter than or equal to the deviation time
205 determines that the room pressure is stable if the 10 essaryroom
t , the pressure control is continuously held and unnec
operations of the room pressure control valve (PCV )
absolute value ISP - APEI of the deviation between the set ( the general exhaust valve GEX ) are eliminated while the
room pressure value SP and the measured room pressure room pressure is stable , as illustrated in FIG . 6 .
value dPE measured by the differential pressure sensor 109 It is assumed here that the amount-of- ventilation change
is — 20 lower than or equal to the dead zone width W and
inst to varyis atissued
instruction
determines that the room pressure is being varied if the state 15 start and the supply and exhaust air volumes
a time t2 . Here , the room pressure ease - of
in which the absolute value ISP - PEL of the deviation
exceeds the dead zone width W continues for a time exceed fluctuation determiner 203 determines that the room pres
ing the deviation time t. sure easily fluctuates and the dead zone parameter setter 204
If the room pressure stability determiner 205 determines sets the dead zone width W = 3 Pa and the deviation time t = 0
that the room pressure is being varied (NO in Step S103 ), in 20 s as the dead zone parameters when the room pressure easily
Step S104 , the corrected output calculator 206 in the con - fluctuates . It is assumed that the fluctuation in the room
troller unit 107 calculates an amount of variation in the pressure occurs in this state and the absolute value ISP - PEI
exhaust air volume Vgex using a known proportional- of the deviation between the set room pressure value SP and
integral -derivative ( PID ) control algorithm so that the devia the measured room pressure value dPE exceeds the dead
tion between the set room pressure value SP and the mea - 25 zone width W = 3 Pa at a time t3 . Since the deviation time t
sured room pressure value dPE is removed and calculates has been changed to Os in this case , it is immediately
the corrected control output value so that the exhaust air determined that the room pressure is being varied and the
volume Vgex of the general exhaust duct 104 is varied by the room pressure control is restarted without holding the room
calculated amount of variation . pressure control.
In Step S105 , the sum calculator 207 in the controller unit 30 As described above , in the present embodiments , the dead
107 calculates the sum of the exhaust control output value zone parameters are switched between the state in which the
output from the exhaust air volume controller 202 and the room pressure easily fluctuates and the state in which the
corrected control output value output from the corrected room pressure hardly fluctuates . When the room pressure
output calculator 206 and supplies the calculated sum to the easily fluctuates , the stability of the room pressure is deter
general exhaust valve GEX . Fine - tuning of the degree of 35 mined using the dead zone parameters with which the
opening of the general exhaust valve GEX through the room responsiveness of the room pressure control is valued above
pressure control operation is performed simultaneously with the reduction in the number of operations of the general
the adjustment of the degree of opening of the general exhaust valve GEX (the dead zone width W is narrower and
exhaust valve GEX through the air volume control operation the deviation time t is shorter than the dead zone parameters
in the above manner to control the room pressure . 40 in normal times) . Accordingly , compared with the technolo
If the room pressure stability determiner 205 determines gies disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application
that the room pressure is stable (YES in Step S103), in Step Publication No. 2006 - 153325 and Japanese Unexamined
S106 , the corrected output calculator 206 holds the output of Patent Application Publication No. 2012 - 237527 , the
the corrected control output value calculated using the PID responsiveness of the control to the fluctuation of the room
control algorithm and continuously outputs the corrected 45 pressure is improved . In contrast, when the room pressure
control output value that has been output in the last calcu - does not easily fluctuates, the stability of the room pressure
lation cycle until a new corrected control output value is is determined using the dead zone parameters with which the
output in a calculation cycle subsequent to the current reduction in the number of operations of the general exhaust
calculation cycle . valve GEX is valued above the responsiveness of the room
If the room pressure is stable, holding the output of the 50 pressure control ( the dead zone width W is wider and the
corrected control output value to hold the room pressure deviation time t is longer than the dead zone parameters in
control allows the operation of the general exhaust valve normal times ). Accordingly , the number of operations of the
GEX to be stopped , thereby decreasing the number of general exhaust valve GEX is reduced and the lifetime of the
operations of the general exhaust valve GEX . Since the new general exhaust valve GEX is increased . In the present
corrected control output value is calculated and output in 55 embodiments , it is possible to achieve both the increase in
Step S104 if the room pressure stability determiner 205 the lifetime of the room pressure control valve (PCV ) ( the
determines that the room pressure is being varied , the general exhaust valve GEX ) and the responsiveness of the
holding of the room pressure control is cancelled and the room pressure control in the above manner.
room pressure control is restarted . Although the general exhaust valve GEX is caused to
In Step S107, it is determined whether the room pressure 60 function as the room pressure control valve (PCV ) in the
control is terminated . Steps S100 to $ 106 are repeated for present embodiments , the air supply valve MAV may be
every calculation cycle until the room pressure control is caused to function as the room pressure control valve (PCV ) .
terminated (YES in Step S107 ). However, when the air supply valve MAV is caused to
FIG . 6 illustrates an example of the room pressure control function as the room pressure control valve (PCV ) , the sum
operation in the present embodiment. When the room pres - 65 calculator 207 calculates the sum of the control output value
sure does not easily fluctuates , the dead zone width W = 4 . 5 output from the supply air volume controller 201 in the
Pa and the deviation time t= 30 s are set as the dead zone controller unit 106 and the corrected control output value
 US 9,945 ,571 B2
11
output from the corrected output calculator 206 and supplies
the calculated sum to the air supply valve MAV .
Each of the controller units 105 , 106 , and 107 described
above in the present embodiments may be realized by a
computer including, for example , a central processing unit 5
(CPU ) , memories , and interfaces and programs that control
these hardware resources. The CPU of each of the controller
units 105 , 106 , and 107 performs the processes described
above in the present embodiments in accordance with the
programs stored in the memories .
Although the fume hood is exemplified as a local exhaust
apparatus in the present embodiments, the local exhaust
apparatus may be applied to an apparatus , such as a safety
cabinet, having the same role as that of the fume hood .
The present disclosure is applicable to the room pressure 15
control system .
What is claimed is :
1 . A room pressure control system , comprising:
an air supply valve configured to adjust a volume of
supply air to be blown into a target room ;
a general exhaust valve configured to adjust a volume of
exhaust air to be blown out from the target room ;
an air volume control circuit configured to determine the 5 . The room pressure control system according to claim 1 ,
supply air volume and the exhaust air volume and further comprising :
control the air supply valve and the general exhaust 25 a fume hood provided in the target room ;
valve so that a difference between the supply air
volumeadjusted by the air supply valve and the exhaust
air volume adjusted by the general exhaust valve coin
cides with a set offset air volume value ; and
processing circuitry configured to
control a valve operating as a room pressure control
valve, the valve being one of the air supply valve and
the general exhaust valve , so that a room pressure ,
which is a difference between a pressure in the target
room and a pressure in certain reference room , 35
coincides with a set room pressure value ;
determine whether the room pressure fluctuates;
determine whether the room pressure is stable; and
set parameters used to determine stability of the room
pressure ,
wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to
set a first dead zone parameter with which responsive
ness of room pressure control is valued above a reduc
tion in a number of operations of the room pressure
control valve when the processing circuitry determines 45
that the room pressure fluctuates, and set a second dead
zone parameter with which the reduction in the number
of operations of the room pressure control valve is
valued above the responsiveness of the room pressure
control when the processing circuitry determines that 50
the room pressure does not easily fluctuate , and
wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to
maintain a change in air volume to control the room
pressure when the processing circuitry determines that
the room pressure is stable .
2 . The room pressure control system according to claim 1 ,
wherein the dead zone parameters include a dead zone
width and a deviation time, and
wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to
determine that the room pressure is stable when an 60
absolute value of a deviation between the set room
pressure value and a measured room pressure value is
lower than or equal to the dead zone width , and
determine that the room pressure is being varied when
a continuation time, which is a time period during 65
which the absolute value of the deviation exceeds the
dead zone width , exceeds the deviation time.
12
3 . The room pressure control system according to claim 2 ,
wherein the dead zone width with which the responsive
ness of the room pressure control is valued is narrower
than the dead zone width with which the reduction in
the number of operations of the room pressure control
valve is valued , and the deviation time with which the
responsiveness of the room pressure control is valued is
shorter than the deviation time with which the reduc
tion in the number of operations of the room pressure
control valve is valued .
4 . The room pressure control system according to claim 1 ,
wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to
determine that the room pressure fluctuates when at
least one of a plurality of conditions is true, the
plurality of conditions including (1) the supply air
volume or the exhaust air volume is being changed , ( 2 )
before a first predetermined time elapses after the room
pressure control is started , and (3 ) a deviation between
the set room pressure value and a measured room
20 pressure value exceeds a certain deviation reference
value or before a second predetermined time elapses
since the deviation has been removed .
a local exhaust valve to adjust an exhaust air volume from
the fume hood ; and
a local exhaust air volume adjusting circuit configured to
control the local exhaust valve so that a face velocity of
30 a sash of the fume hood has a predetermined value,
wherein the air volume control circuit is further config
ured to control the air supply valve and the general
exhaust valve so that a difference between the supply
air volume adjusted by the air supply valve and the
exhaust air volume adjusted by the local exhaust valve
and the general exhaust valve coincides with the set
offset air volume value .
6 . The room pressure control system according to claim 4 ,
wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to
40
40 determine that the room pressure easily fluctuates when
at least one of the conditions ( 1 ) to (3 ) and a condition
(4 ) are true, the condition (4 ) being a local exhaust air
volume adjusted by a local exhaust valve is being
changed or before a third predetermined time elapses
since the local exhaust air volume has been changed .
7 . A room pressure control method , comprising:
determining a supply air volume from an air supply valve
provided in a target room and an exhaust air volume
from a general exhaust valve provided in the target
room , and controlling the air supply valve and the
general exhaust valve so that a difference between the
supply air volumeadjusted by the air supply valve and
the exhaust air volume adjusted by the general exhaust
valve coincides with a set offset air volume value ;
controlling a room pressure control valve , arranged
between the air supply valve and the general exhaust
valve , so that a room pressure , which is a difference in
between a pressure in the target room and a pressure in
a certain reference room , coincides with a set room
pressure value ;
determining whether the room pressure fluctuates ;
determining whether the room pressure is stable ; and
setting dead zone parameters used to determine stability
of the room pressure ,
wherein the setting step comprises setting a first dead
zone parameter with which responsiveness of room
pressure control is valued above a reduction in a
 US 9 ,945 ,571 B2
13 14
number of operations of the room pressure control zone width with which the reduction in the number of
valve when it is determined that the room pressure operations of the room pressure control valve is valued , and
fluctuates , and setting a second dead zone parameter the deviation time with which the responsiveness of the
with which the reduction in the number of operations of room pressure control is valued is shorter than the deviation
the room pressure control valve is valued above the 5 time with which the reduction in the number of operations
responsiveness of the room pressure control when it is of the room pressure control valve is valued .
determined that the room pressure does not easily the10step . The room pressure control method ofclaim 7 , wherein
of determining whether the room pressure easily
fluctuate , and fluctuates comprises determining that the room pressure
wherein the controlling step comprises maintaining ña 10 fluctuates when at least one of a plurality of conditions is
change in air volume to control the room pressure when true, the plurality of conditions including (1) the supply air
it is determined that the room pressure is stable. volume or the exhaust air volume is being changed , ( 2 )
8 . The room pressure controlmethod of claim 7 , wherein
the dead zone parameters include a dead zone width and a pressurea control
before first predetermined time elapses after the room
is started , and (3 ) a deviation between the
deviation time, and
the step of determining whether the room pressureressure isis 15 set room pressure value and a measured room pressure value
stable comprises determining that the room pressure is exceeds a certain deviation reference value or before a
second
stable when an absolute value of a deviation between been removed predetermined time elapses since the deviation has
the set room pressure value and a measured room .
pressure value is lower than or equal to the dead zone 11 . The room pressure control method of claim 10 ,
width , and determining that the room pressure is being 2020 wherein the step of determining whether the room pressure
varied when a continuation time, which is a timeperiod fluctuates comprises determining that the room pressure
during which the absolute value of the deviation and easily fluctuates when at least one of the conditions ( 1) to (3 )
exceeds the dead zone width , exceeds the deviation a condition ( 4 ) are true , the condition (4 ) being a local
time. exhaust air volume adjusted by a local exhaust valve is being
ethod of
9 . The room pressure control method claim 88 , wherein
of claim wherein 2325 changed or before a third predetermined time elapses since
the dead zone width with which the responsiveness of the the local exhaust air volume has been changed .
room pressure control is valued is narrower than the dead ? ? *