典型的HVAC&R设计过程涉及生成相对较少的替代解决方案（系统、子系统和组件的配置），然后利用分析和评估工具根据预定义的选择标准选择“最佳”解决方案，例如，最低寿命周期成本。这种方法受到工程师经验、能力和时间限制的限制，常常导致错过最佳系统选择的机会。此外，最新的设备、设计方法和概念往往甚至没有被考虑。 因此，整个设计过程正逐渐受到影响。基于知识的专家系统（KBES）可以通过创建必要的手段来自动生成、分析和排序受场地和用户约束的众多设计解决方案，从而增强当前先进建筑模拟工具的能力。本文描述了一个称为HVAC-KBCD（基于知识的概念设计）的KBES的总体框架，该框架能够自动合成一整套可能的HVAC&R系统，然后可以使用可用的建筑能耗模拟程序（如DOE）对其进行分析- 2.1 E.首先通过应用静态专家知识（1级）修剪或缩小设计方案的解决方案空间，然后通过由动态应用知识主导的引导搜索（2级）进行综合。1级从所有可行二次系统（以及所有可行一次系统）的数据库开始，并使用基于启发式专家知识、设计实践和标准的装配规则和应用规则，生成二次系统（和一次系统）的允许设计备选方案。 级别2使用启动规则和匹配规则来组合二级系统（因为建筑有不同的分区）和一级系统。这些功能已被编程到商用混合KBES外壳中，以及程序编程功能，这些功能能够执行简单的启发式制冷和制热设计负荷，以及首次和维护成本计算。ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA标准90.1-2001已用于设定风机、冷却器、锅炉等设备的最低允许能量性能。 本文描述了HVAC-KBCD的总体框架、结构、功能和内部工作，同时一篇配套论文将说明和演示本文描述的办公楼概念设计的整个方法。引文:ASHRAE Transactions，第110卷，pt。1.

The typical HVAC&R design process involves generating a relatively small number of alternative solutions (configurations of systems, subsystems, and components) and then utilizing analysis and estimation tools to select a “best” solution based on predefined selection criteria, for example, lowest life-cycle cost. This approach is limited by the engineer’s experience, capabilities, and time constraints, often resulting in missed opportunities for optimum system selection. Further, the latest equipment, design approaches, and concepts are often not even considered. As a result, the overall design process is being gradually compromised. A knowledge-based expert system (KBES) can augment the capability of current advanced building simulation tools by creating the necessary means for automatically generating, analyzing, and sorting numerous design solutions subject to both site and user constraints.This paper describes the general framework of such a KBES called HVAC-KBCD (knowledge-based conceptual design), capable of automatically synthesizing the complete set of possible HVAC&R systems, which can then be analyzed using available building energy simulation programs such as DOE-2.1 E. This synthesis is done by first pruning or shrinking the solution space of the design alternatives by applying static expert knowledge (Level 1) and then by a guided search dominated by dynamic application knowledge (Level 2). Level 1 starts with a database of all feasible secondary systems (and another for all feasible primary systems) and uses assembly rules and application rules based on heuristics expert knowledge, design practice, and standards to generate the permissible design alternatives of secondary systems (and primary systems). Level 2 uses initiation rules along with matching rules to combine secondary systems among themselves (since the building has different zones) and with primary systems. These capabilities have been programmed into a commercial hybrid KBES shell along with procedural programming capabilities that have the ability to perform simple heuristic cooling and heating design load, as well as first and maintenance cost calculations. ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2001 has been used to set the minimum allowed energy performance for equipment such as fans, chillers, boilers, etc. This paper describes the general framework, structure, capabilities, and inner working of the HVAC-KBCD, while a companion paper will illustrate and demonstrate the entire methodology described here to the conceptual design of office buildings.