An intelligent computer system for rapidly configuring a HVAC system to a building

由于加拿大气候相对寒冷，建筑物是加拿大的重要系统。建筑系统为人类以及居住在建筑物中的货物提供一般功能，包括（1）提供空间，庇护所，空气，水，温度和湿度以及（2）清除废物。现代建筑系统比以往任何时候都更加复杂，因为人们对建筑系统的性能、功能以及提供舒适宜人的居住环境的要求越来越高.建筑施工的复杂性也是由于对低成本和高可持续性的需求的增加。建筑物中的一个重要的子系统是HVAC（加热、通风和空气调节）系统，它与建筑物的空气、温度和湿度功能相关。本研究旨在开发一种基于计算机的工具，以合理地选择HVAC系统，该系统能够以低成本和高可持续性实现所需的功能（空气、温度和湿度）。本研究的建筑体系类型仅限于住宅和办公建筑，不失一般性。本研究的三个具体目标是：1、开发一个全面的建筑知识库，包括建筑物的结构和功能（特别是HVAC功能）; 2、开发一个完整的HVAC部件或系统及其功能的知识库; 3、开发一个原型系统来演示HVAC系统的计算机选择，以满足特定建筑物的特定HVAC功能要求。目标3实际上是基于目标1和目标2中两个知识库的集成，本研究的意义在于能够以较低的成本和较短的建设周期，更合理、快速地设计和开发建筑物的暖通空调系统。

Buildings are important systems in Canada due to the relatively cold climate. A building system provides thegeneral functions for humans, as well as goods that reside in the buildings, including (1) the supply of space,shelter, air, water, temperature, and humidity and (2) the removal of wastes. Modern building systems are morecomplex than ever due to the increased desires concerning the performance of the building system of itsfunctions as well as on its provision of a comfortable and pleasant place to live. Complexity in buildingconstruction is also due to the increased desire for low cost and high sustainability associated with buildings ingeneral. An important sub-system in buildings is the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system,which is associated with the functions of the building concerning air, temperature, and humidity.The proposed research aims to develop a computer-based tool to rationally select the HVAC system that canfulfil the desired functions (air, temperature, humidity) with low cost and high sustainability. The type ofbuilding system for this research is restricted to residence and office buildings without loss of generality. Threespecific objectives of the research are: 1, to develop a comprehensive knowledge base for buildings, whichincludes both the structure and function (especially the HVAC function) of buildings; 2, to develop acomprehensive knowledge base for HVAC components or systems and their functions; and 3, to develop aprototype system to demonstrate computer-selection of HVAC systems to meet a particular HVAC functionrequirement for a particular building. In fact, Objective 3 is based on integration of two knowledge bases asdeveloped in Objective 1 and Objective 2, respectively.The significance of this research is that the HVAC systems for buildings can be designed and developed morerationally and rapidly with low cost and short construction lead time.