Introduction
The Home HVAC model was designed and built as an experimental test-bed for developing a smart HVAC control system. The model itself uses the design principle of independance of functional requirements to give as much flexability to the model as possibile; this allows for many interesting scenarios and experiements to be run in a controled system before implementing them in an actual home system. The purpose for the control system is to limit the temperature differential within a room and between rooms to make for a consistant and comfortable living enviroment. This is accomplished through the use of mechanical systems, electrical systems, and software. The idea for the project came from a personal dissatisfaction team members have with drafty rooms, hot and cold spots, and unresponsive thermostats in our own homes.
This Website is our final report for this project. It is broken down into four sections:
- The Design section reviews the design intent laid out in the project proposal and identifies changes that were made to the proposed design.
- The Implementation page explains exactly what was built and changes in the design resulting from unforeseen challenges.
- The Results page is a discussion of the successes and failures of the project and of developments we would like to make in the future if given the opportunity.
- The Archive is a repository of the documents, code, figures and photos that were used throughout the project and this website.
Team Info
- Ned Cameron
- Ned is a senior in the Mechanical Engineering department. He has concentrated in MEMS, Nanotechnology, and Mechatronics while fulfilling the requirements for his degree. After graduation, he will work as Application Service Engineer for Informance International in Northbrook, IL.
- Ted Reynolds
- Ted is a senior in the Mechanical Engineering department. He is a co-op engineer with ITW in Glenview where he plays on the volleyball team. He enjoys sleeping little and cooking lots. Considering he still has another year left, Ted has not given much thought to his future, but wherever he may be, he plans to have the best HVAC system on the block.
- James Snyder
- James is a first year graduate student in Biomedical Engineering. He has recently completed an undergraduate degree in biology at Northwestern University (concentration in Neurobiology), and currently works with the MacIver Lab studying sensorimotor integration in weakly-electric fish.
Conceptual Design
Team Windbags (Ted, James, Ned)