Multiple zone control system and method of operation

Abstract

A multiple heating/cooling zone control system is disclosed. A heating/cooling system control device continuously monitors heating/cooling zone demand and matches the heating/cooling device output capacity to the total space or heat input required. Within the calculated heating/cooling device output capacity the heating/cooling device is modulated based on zone temperature setpoint to further adjust heating/cooling device output. As heat/cooling loss is increased heating/cooling device capacity and modulation are increased. Should heat/cooling loss decrease heating/cooling device capacity and modulation are decreased. Since heat/cooling output is adjusted based on the heat loss(gain) the heating/cooling device can be immediately adjusted to the proper or matching heating/cooling rate even before water/air temperature based adjustments can be made. Hence, the overall effect of the control device is a reduction in cycles of the heating/cooling device and the life of the heating/cooling device is extended and subsequent energy is saved.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to a multiple zone control system for controlling heating and / or air conditioning and a method of operation thereof. In particular, the invention is directed to the control and operation of multiple heating (cooling) zones for single and multiple family residences.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Boiler systems have been used to regulate the temperature of commercial and residential facilities for a number of years. However, despite the fact that boiler systems have been around for many years, innovations continue to change the manner in which these systems operate.[0003]The first residential boilers were coal or wood fired and were always “on”. The resulting over or under heating was corrected by opening a window, putting on a sweater and adding more or less fuel the next day. Next the industry introduced the “on / off” boiler that turned “on” the boiler when the home was cold and turned it “off” after it became warm...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]An object of the invention is to provide a heating / cooling system which is able to satisfy each individual zone with the appropriate amount of heat / cooling without extra cycles, component life reduction or wasted energy.

[0008]An object of the invention is to provide adaptive firing rate control. This type of control adds feed-forward to the conventional temperature based feedback control system. This control device calculates the boiler size required based on the particular zone that is calling, a control technique called “feed-forward” control. Before the boiler is even released to fire the boiler, “size” is set to match the possible heat loss. Temperature modulation is then used to adjust this firing rate further to suit the active load. The control device optimizes condensing boiler firing rate by preventing the firing rate from driving too high based on measuring temperature alone. The result is a significantly increased amount of time the boiler operates in the condensing mode, reduced cycling, increasing equipment life and saving fuel.

[0009]An embodiment is directed to a multiple heating zone control system in which a boiler or stage is provided with heating BTU / hr capacity required and water temperatures required. A heating system control device continuously monitors heating zone demand and matches the boiler output capacity to the total space or indirect water heater heat input required. Within the calculated boiler output capacity the boiler is modulated based on zone water temperature setpoint to further adjust boiler heat output. As heat loss is increased boiler capacity and modulation are increased. Should heat loss decrease, boiler capacity and modulation are decreased. Hence, the overall effect of the control device is a reduction in boiler cycles, extended boiler life and subsequent energy savings.

Problems solved by technology

The result is a significantly increased amount of time the boiler operates in the condensing mode, reduced cycling, increasing equipment life and saving fuel.

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