Device and method for monitoring heating installations and for determining efficiency, environmental impact and optimum heating performance in buildings

Abstract

Proposed is a data acquisition device (10) for acquiring operating data of a heating installation (22), the data acquisition device comprising a processing means (12), a data storage means (14) and a sensor means (16) connected to the processing means (12), wherein the sensor means (16) is designed for arrangement on or close to the heating installation (22) and / or on a control line (30) of a unit (27) and for identifying an activation of the unit (27), and wherein the processing means (12) is configured to acquire the identified activation and to store and / or update at least one dataset, comprising at least one activation time and a activation duration or a deactivation time, in the data storage means (14). A method for determining efficiency parameters of a heating installation (22) has the following steps: storing a plurality of datasets (26), in particular by means of a data acquisition device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each dataset comprises at least one time of activation, and a duration of activation or a time of deactivation of a unit (27) of the heating installation (22); and, for every analysis day, determining weather data relating to a location of the heating installation (22) from a weather database, and linking the datasets to the weather data.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Device and method for monitoring heating systems and determining efficiency, environmental impact and optimal heating performance in buildings

[0003] The invention relates to a data acquisition device and a method for determining energy deficits in the operation of a heating system.

[0004] Heating systems in Germany are subjected to a regular annual inspection, during which, in particular, the pollutant content in the flue gas from the burner is measured. In gas- or oil-fired heating systems, preparatory processes are initiated when the burner is started in a start-up state, such as pre-purging the combustion chamber. After ignition, the burner enters a heat-up state in which it initially operates inefficiently, for example, compensating for heat losses from the start-up state. Only then does the burner gradually build up power and only later enter a state in which it can reach its maximum efficiency. The pollutant content is measured no earlier than 2-3 minutes after the burner is started, during an increasingly stable combustion process.Modern heating systems are now so technically advanced that they operate extremely efficiently in a stable operating condition if they are correctly adjusted and dimensioned.

[0005] The measured pollutant content in the burner's exhaust gas is used to derive the efficiency of the combustion process, which is then communicated to the customer, for example. However, this is not the actual efficiency of the heating system or the heating system as a whole, but merely the efficiency of the combustion process in operating mode.

[0006] Conventional methods for measuring the energy efficiency of an entire heating system require the installation of energy meters at various points within the heating system. For example, the difference between the flow and return temperatures is recorded, as is the amount of fluid flowing through the heating circuit. This is done by recording how much fuel was consumed by the burner system, and then calculating what proportion of the provided primary energy was actually released into the heating circuit as heat.

[0007] This process is complex and can only be performed by qualified personnel, partly due to necessary safety regulations. This is due, for example, to the fact that control lines and / or supply lines of the heating system must be opened to install the necessary sensors and flow meters. Furthermore, this method only allows for the determination of an energy balance of the entire system, but not for the detection of inefficient operation caused by the control or dimensioning of the heating system.

[0008] Because measuring the energy efficiency of the entire heating system is very complex, many heating system owners do not notice that their heating system is incorrectly configured and / or dimensioned, in particular oversized, and therefore does not work efficiently.

[0009] This problem is even more pronounced when using a heat pump, as heat pumps require a particularly long start-up time to operate efficiently. Furthermore, heat pumps only operate efficiently if their performance is optimally tailored to the building.

[0010] Against this background, the present invention has the object of proposing a device for determining incorrect dimensioning or inefficient operation of a heating system in its concrete installation situation and under the climatic conditions prevailing at the installation site, wherein the device is easy to handle by an end user without prior knowledge.

[0011] In order to control energy use and reduce pollutant emissions, a broad recording of the efficiency of heating systems is also desired in order to be able to easily control an incentive, e.g. a change in the duty and tax burden, for the optimization of as many heating systems as possible.

[0012] The object is achieved by a data acquisition device according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 11. Further advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0013] To achieve the object, a data acquisition device for acquiring operating data of a heating system is proposed, comprising a processing device, a data storage device and a sensor device connected to the processing device, wherein the sensor device is designed to be arranged on or near the heating system and / or on a control line of a unit, and to detect an activation and / or deactivation of the unit, and the processing device is designed to detect the detected activation and to store and / or update at least one data set, comprising at least one activation time and an activation duration or a deactivation time, in the data storage device.

[0014] Because it's mounted on a heating system unit, it's not necessary to disconnect any heating system lines to install the sensor. Therefore, the data acquisition device can be easily installed by an end user. Re-certification of the heating system is also not necessary after the data acquisition device has been installed.

[0015] In some embodiments, the sensor device comprises an acceleration sensor, a vibration sensor, an air pressure sensor and / or an acoustic sensor for detecting the activation of the unit.

[0016] Such a data acquisition device is particularly easy to install, as its sensor device only needs to be positioned at a location where vibrations, changes in air pressure, or noise generated by the unit can be detected during or during activation of the unit. Such data acquisition devices can also be installed without contact with the heating system.

[0017] In some embodiments, the sensor device comprises an inductive, capacitive sensor or a current sensor, in particular a clamp ammeter, for detecting the activation of the unit.

[0018] Such a data acquisition device is particularly easy to install since its sensor device only needs to be arranged at a location where a change in a current caused by the activation of the unit can be measured at or during the activation of the unit.

[0019] In some embodiments, the current sensor is arranged and configured to measure a supply current of the heating system.

[0020] Such a data acquisition device is particularly easy to install, since its sensor device only needs to be arranged in a location where a change in the supply current of the entire heating system, not just a single unit, caused by the activation of the unit can be measured, for example in a heating emergency stop switch.

[0021] In some embodiments, the sensor device comprises an optical and / or thermal sensor for detecting the activation of the unit, wherein the sensor is arranged to detect an optical and / or thermal emission caused by the activation of the unit (27).

[0022] Such a data acquisition device is particularly easy to install, as its sensor device only needs to be positioned at a location where optical and / or thermal emissions caused by the activation of the unit can be measured during or during the activation of the unit. Especially in heating systems with a burner, an opening is often provided for visual inspection of the combustion process. This can thus be used for easy detection of the combustion process.

[0023] In some embodiments, the data acquisition device comprises a housing whose shape is adapted to a shape of the aggregate such that the housing can accommodate or encompass at least a portion of the aggregate.

[0024] This simplifies the installation of the data acquisition device. For example, there's no need to find an additional installation location for the data acquisition device; instead, the data acquisition device can be attached to a burner valve in the heating system, for example.

[0025] In some embodiments, the sensor device can be mounted and dismounted without disconnecting a control line or a supply line of the heating system.

[0026] Therefore, the data acquisition device can be easily installed by an end user. Re-certification of the heating system is also not necessary after the data acquisition device has been installed.

[0027] In some embodiments, the processing device comprises a Kl module for detecting the activation and / or deactivation of the unit by evaluating the data acquired by the sensor device.

[0028] Such a Kl module increases the accuracy of detecting the activation and / or deactivation of the unit.

[0029] In some embodiments, the unit has a plug device for connection to a control device, wherein the processing device has an intermediate plug for arrangement between the plug device and the unit, wherein the processing device is configured to detect the activation of the unit and / or to control the unit by means of the control signals carried by the intermediate plug.

[0030] By directly tapping the control signal for the unit, particularly precise recording of heating cycles is possible. Furthermore, signals transmitted through the adapter plug can be modified to intervene in the heating system's control system in a particularly simple way.

[0031] In some embodiments, the data acquisition device comprises at least one temperature sensor for detecting a flow and / or return temperature.

[0032] If the data acquisition devices intervene in the heating control, it can be ensured that certain temperature limits for the flow temperature and / or the return temperature are maintained.

[0033] The object is further achieved by a method for determining efficiency parameters of a heating system, comprising the steps of: storing a plurality of data sets, in particular by means of one of the data acquisition devices described above, wherein each data set comprises at least a time of activation and a duration of activation or a time of deactivation of a unit of the heating system; for each analysis day, determining weather data from a weather database for a location of the heating system and linking the data sets with the weather data.

[0034] Heating systems that have been formally classified as efficient following an emission control measurement because their combustion process was measured as efficient by a chimney sweep after a certain burning time may have deficiencies in their design and control that significantly reduce the overall efficiency of the heating system. Precisely these inefficiencies during continuous operation can be identified using the method according to the invention and quantified for each individual heating cycle and / or all cycles of the heating period. By incorporating weather data, it is possible, in particular, to determine whether the heating system is correctly designed for its location and the type of use. The link can, in particular, involve a mathematical link, for example, using statistical methods such as averaging, calculating probability distributions, or regression.

[0035] This method makes it possible, for the first time, to make a qualified statement about the efficiency of the existing heating system in its specific installation and use. This opens up the possibility of implementing improvements to the system immediately and optimally planning modifications or system upgrades.

[0036] In some embodiments, the weather data includes historical data or data associated with a day of analysis of one or more of the following data types: daily average outside temperature, daily low outside temperature, temperature history throughout the day, relative humidity, absolute humidity, partial pressure of water in the atmosphere, dew point, wind speed, strength and direction of mean wind, wind gusts, wind direction, solar radiation, sky cover, total precipitation over a definable period of time, air pressure.

[0037] All of this weather data influences how much energy escapes through the building envelope of a house heated by the heating system. Thus, the actual heating output, calculated from the number and length of heating cycles, is comparable to the expected heating output calculated based on the weather data, making it possible to determine energy deficits of the heating system in the specific building application.

[0038] In some embodiments, the step of linking the data sets comprises linking the heating cycle durations contained in the data sets for the analysis day with the number of data sets stored for an analysis day and with the daily average outside temperature to form an efficiency factor that is a measure of an overall efficiency of the heating system on the analysis day.

[0039] This is a particularly effective calculation of an efficiency value that provides object-specific insight into the actual efficiency of the heating system.

[0040] In some embodiments, the step of linking the data sets comprises determining an efficiency profile of a heating cycle for the heating system and linking this efficiency profile with the heating cycle durations stored for the analysis day and / or the weather data associated with the analysis day to an effective heating duration on the date as an efficiency value.

[0041] If the performance development of a specific heating model over the course of each heating cycle is known, the efficiency of the heating system can be calculated much more accurately using this model. In some embodiments, the method includes a step of controlling the unit so that activation and / or deactivation of the unit is advanced and / or delayed.

[0042] Based on the efficiency parameters, corrective action can be taken in the heating control system in order to improve the efficiency of the heating control system.

[0043] Further features and variants of the invention are apparent from the accompanying figures, which show the inventive forms of the invention only schematically. They show in detail:

[0044] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a data acquisition device according to an embodiment of the invention and

[0045] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a data acquisition device according to an embodiment of the invention with cloud connection;

[0046] Fig. 3 shows an example data set that can be captured using an embodiment of the invention;

[0047] Fig. 4 is a graphic illustrating the technical background of the invention with regard to oil or gas-fired heating systems;

[0048] Fig. 5 is a graphic explaining the technical background of the invention related to heat pumps and

[0049] Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of a data acquisition device according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0050] A data acquisition device 10 shown in Fig. 1 is provided for monitoring a heating device in the form of a heating system 22. The heating system 22 serves, for example, to supply a building with heat, in particular for space heating and the provision of hot water.

[0051] The heating system 22 has a heating control 24 and a heat-generating unit 27. A control line 30 is provided for controlling the unit 27. Some parts of the heating system 22 that are not relevant to the present invention are not shown in the schematic drawings.

[0052] The heating system 22 is operated, for example, with oil or gas, so that the heat-generating unit 27 has a fuel release valve 26 and an oil- or gas-fired burner device 28. In some embodiments, the heat-generating unit 27 is designed as a heat pump. The heating system 22 does not usually heat continuously, since the heating output of the unit 27 cannot be adjusted or can only be adjusted imprecisely. The heating output of the unit 27 cannot therefore be precisely adjusted to demand, which is why it is only operated temporarily in operating cycles.

[0053] There are also so-called modulating burners, in which the heating output of the burner device 28 can be adjusted within a predetermined range dependent on the design. This adjustment of the heating output may be imprecise, or the modulating burner may be operated outside its adjustment range. In these cases, too, operation occurs in heating cycles. Furthermore, such burners are rarely found in oil-fired heating systems 22 and have so far been less widespread in gas-fired heating systems 22 due to their higher acquisition costs.

[0054] The heating energy demand, for example, of a building heated by heating system 22, depends on many factors and can only be precisely measured individually with great effort. Therefore, control devices 24 usually rely on measured values ​​determined in or on the heating system 22 to control unit 27.

[0055] A frequently encountered control parameter is the flow temperature of a heating circuit. If the flow temperature drops below a predetermined lower temperature value, unit 27 is started to heat the medium in the heating circuit. Unit 27 remains in operation until the flow temperature has risen above another predetermined upper temperature value. The lower and upper temperature values ​​are often dependent on an outside temperature. In this case, this relationship between the outside temperature and the lower and upper temperature values ​​can be determined by a heating curve.

[0056] In addition, the difference between the flow temperature and the return temperature is used as a rough guide to the energy delivered by the heating circuit. To determine how much heat was fed into the heating circuit, the amount of energy delivered can be calculated from the difference between the flow temperature and the return temperature and the flow rate of the transport medium.

[0057] In particular, units 27 that are not or only inadequately controllable can operate inefficiently if the heating characteristic is incorrectly set. In this case, the actual efficient time in the operating state is shortened compared to the time required to start up the unit 27. Fig. 4 shows a diagram 44 generally illustrating how the heating output 46 provided by the unit 27 changes over the course of a heating cycle. This diagram 44 is particularly applicable to oil or gas heating systems.

[0058] At a time t0, for example, the heating control 24 has decided that a heating cycle is necessary. Such a decision may be based, for example, on the fact that a flow temperature has fallen below a limit value.

[0059] At time t0, operation of the unit 27 is prepared. For the majority of oil or gas burners, this is the pre-purge phase, during which fresh air is introduced into the combustion chamber. This air is outside air, which is particularly cold in winter. This effectively cools the combustion chamber, thus providing a negative heat output 46, as shown in diagram 44 by the heat output graph 46 falling below the zero line. At a time t s the burner is started, so that from this point on the heating output 46 begins to increase. After the burner start, from a point in time t aa heating phase during which the heating power 46 increases continuously. Before reaching a maximum heating power Q ma x the increase in heating power 46 slows down. At a time th, from which the heating power 46 increases only slightly, the so-called holding operation is reached.

[0060] Between times t s and t a The combustion chamber has not yet reached its ideal operating temperature. As a result, the exhaust gas during this period contains a particularly high proportion of pollutants, such as CO or NO X although very little heating power 46 is provided.

[0061] The heating cycle ends at time t s to P , at which, for example, the heating control 24 decides that no further heating energy is currently required.

[0062] A corresponding diagram 44 for heat pumps is shown in Fig. 5. Although heat pumps are generally not pre-flushed, the development of the heating output occurs with a long delay, similar to the fuel heating shown in Fig. 4. The time between t s and th is typically significantly longer for heat pumps than for fuel heating systems.

[0063] The present invention covers, among other things, how often these inefficient and harmful

[0064] Operating periods are run through. The data acquisition device 10 shown in Fig. 1 comprises a processing device 12, a data storage device 14, a sensor device 16, and a power supply device 18. The sensor device 16 is connected to the processing device 12 by means of a connecting cable 20.

[0065] The sensor device 16 is designed to inductively detect whether the fuel valve 26 is activated and thus open or not. Conventional fuel valves 26 are controlled by alternating current via the control line 30, so that during operation, i.e., when they are open, they generate an alternating electromagnetic field in the space surrounding them.

[0066] When the sensor device 16 detects this alternating field, it transmits a corresponding activity signal to the processing device 12 or to a sensor input 34 of the processing device 12. Depending on the degree of integration of the sensor device 16 used, this signal can be indicated by a change in a voltage value (e.g., 0 V = valve is closed, 5 V = valve is open). Other variants, such as transmission via IIART, USB, a CAN bus, or other interfaces, are of course also conceivable.

[0067] In its simplest form, the processing device 12 records the start and end timestamps of the heating cycles. This is equivalent to recording a start or end time stamp and a duration of the heating cycle, as these data are interdependent and can be determined by simple calculation once two of the three pieces of information (start timestamp, end timestamp, duration) are known. In some embodiments, the processing device 16 can record additional data, for example, the respective duration of a combustion process, which results from the time during which the fuel valve 26 was open.

[0068] In further embodiments, the sensor device 16 has an inductive detection device, for example, a single or multiple conductor loop arranged circumferentially around the control line 30. A magnetic field is generated around the control line 30 both when the fuel valve 26 is switched on or off and while the fuel valve 26 is supplied with electrical current. The change in this magnetic field induces a voltage in the conductor loop, which, by means of amplification and / or processing, can be used as a signal for activating or deactivating the fuel valve 26. The signals obtained in this way are often very weak. If the fuel valve 26 is controlled with direct current, only a short pulse can be detected when switching on or off.To reliably process these signals, the processing device 12 can have corresponding signal processing modules and / or signal processing methods, which can be implemented, for example, in software. If a large amount of interference and / or external interference is detected by the conductor loop, the processing device 12 can have a K1 system, such as a CNN, to separate the signal to be detected from the external interference. This allows even very weak signals, which are superimposed, for example, by strong noise amplification, to be reliably detected.

[0069] In some embodiments, the sensor device 16 may comprise a magnetic field sensor, for example, a Hall sensor or a magnetoresistive sensor. Such sensors can also detect the magnetic field generated by a direct current, for example, and are thus not dependent on detecting magnetic field changes when switching on or off.

[0070] In some embodiments, the sensor device 16 may, for example, comprise one or more of the following sensors: an acceleration sensor, a vibration sensor, an air pressure sensor, and / or an acoustic sensor. Heat-generating units 27 cause vibrations of various types due to the mechanical effects that occur during heat generation, which can be detected by some or all of these sensors.

[0071] An acceleration sensor or a vibration sensor are suitable for detecting vibrations in solids. It is therefore sufficient to arrange a data acquisition device 10 equipped with such a sensor on or at a surface physically connected to the heat-generating unit 27, so that the vibrations generated during operation of the unit 27 are transmitted to the data acquisition device 10.

[0072] Air pressure sensors and acoustic sensors are suitable for detecting vibrations in gases, especially in ambient air, such as sound. Therefore, it is sufficient to arrange a data acquisition device 10 equipped with such a sensor near the unit 27 so that the sensor device 16 can detect the vibrations in the ambient air.

[0073] Combustion-based units 27 generate, through the dynamics of the combustion process, a characteristic frequency spectrum of vibrations which are transmitted to the ambient air and to devices physically connected to the unit 27.

[0074] Heating systems are often located in enclosed building sections. In heating systems whose heat is generated by the combustion of fuels, exhaust gases are discharged from the enclosed building section, for example, through a chimney. This creates an air flow and / or a change in air pressure, which exhibits a recognizable pattern over time, particularly when starting, stopping, and / or during operation of the unit 27. By detecting this pattern, the activation of the unit 27 is then detected. For this purpose, the sensor device 16, which comprises an air pressure sensor, merely needs to be arranged at a location where the change in air pressure can be measured with sufficient accuracy.

[0075] Both heating systems 22, whose heat is generated by combustion of fuels, and heat pumps, for example, cause vibrations and / or acoustic emissions when activated. For example, in some embodiments in which the sensor device 16 comprises a vibration sensor, the vibration sensor can be arranged on or near the heating system 22 and can detect vibrations or accelerations accordingly. Through processing, for example in the processing device 12, it can then be determined whether the vibrations and / or accelerations were caused by the activation of a unit 26 of the heating system. Similarly, in some embodiments, the acoustic emissions can be detected, for example, by means of an acoustic sensor, for example a microphone, and can be used to detect the activation of the unit 26.

[0076] In further embodiments, the sensor device 16 can, for example, have an optical and / or a thermal sensor. The optical sensor can, for example, be arranged to detect optical emission from a combustion process resulting from activation of the unit 26. By means of a thermal sensor, be it an IR sensor or a temperature sensor, for example, waste heat from a combustion process resulting from activation of the unit 27 can be detected. This is also applicable to heat pumps, in which characteristic temperature developments of the unit 27 can be observed during the start-up phase. In further embodiments, the sensor device 16 can have a current sensor. The current sensor can, for example, be arranged to detect a current operating current of the heating system 22.When the unit 26 is activated, the operating current of the heating system 22 changes in a comprehensible manner, so that activation of the unit 26 is detected by measuring the operating current.

[0077] The current sensor can be located, for example, on a heating emergency switch or in a fuse box. Individual wires of the power supply are accessible from the heating emergency switch or fuse box. This makes it particularly easy to install a clamp-on ammeter.

[0078] The respective variable detected by the sensor of the sensor device 16, for example, air pressure, vibration or shock intensity, sound pressure, or current intensity, can be evaluated by the processing device 12. To evaluate the detected variable, the processing device 12 can, for example, have a processing module, in particular a K1 module, which is configured to process the detected variable. For example, the processing module can be configured to extract the switching on and off times of the heat-generating device from a temporal profile of the detected variable.

[0079] In some embodiments, the data acquisition device 10, as shown in Fig. 6, for example, may include a supply temperature sensor 54 for detecting a temperature of a supply line 50 and / or a return temperature sensor 56 for detecting a temperature of a return line 52.

[0080] For this purpose, the processing device 12 can have an algorithmized model of the combustion processes, for example, a method for determining operating efficiency based on input data, wherein the input data includes, for example, the recorded data of the measured start-up processes and the individual operating times. Furthermore, in some models, weather and / or climate data of a location of the heating system 22 can be used as input data. This makes it possible for the processing device 12, in particular the model, to combine operating data of the heating system with the weather and / or climate data to determine operating efficiency.

[0081] In some embodiments, the Kl module includes the model. In this case, the algorithmization is performed, for example, by training the Kl module. The Kl module can be trained, for example, through laboratory tests using a method for determining operating efficiency based on measured start-up processes and runtimes. Other algorithmizations of the heat pump's combustion processes or operating cycles for determining pollutant emissions and savings potential are also conceivable.

[0082] The processing device 12 can in particular be configured to use the model to determine a CCh pollutant emission, primary energy consumption, relative environmental impact and / or a savings potential.

[0083] In some embodiments, the unit 27 is connected to the heating control system 24 via a standardized plug-in interface. In this case, the data acquisition device 10 can be connected to the heating system 22 via an intermediate plug, which draws the operating power and / or activation signal required for the unit from the interface. In some embodiments, the data acquisition device 10 can be designed so compactly that the parts required for the heating system 22, for example, the communication device 38 and / or the processing device 12, are fully integrated into the intermediate plug.

[0084] Fig. 3 shows an example data set 42, such as may be stored in the data storage device 14. The data set 42 thus includes, for example, an activation time (activation_ts, activation_zs), for example, a time at which the unit 26 was started. Furthermore, the data set 42 has a combustion duration (active_duration, active_duration), which indicates how long the unit was in operation. The operating data contained in the data set 42 include a flow temperature (temp_flow, temp_flow), a return temperature (temp_return, temp_return), and a measured outside temperature (temp_ext, temp_outside).

[0085] The data acquisition device 10 is configured to store such a data record 42 for each start-up process of the unit 26.

[0086] In addition to the data sets 42, the data acquisition device 10 is configured to collect further data on a climate at the installation location of the heating system 22 and data on the heating system 22.

[0087] In some embodiments, the data acquisition device 10 may receive and / or acquire data from one or more room thermostats and also incorporate this data into calculations or combinations.

[0088] CORRECTED SHEET (RULE 91) ISA / EP In some embodiments, the data acquisition device 10 can, for example, be configured to collect temperature data from the last few years for an analysis day, in particular to determine a minimum temperature occurring during this time on this analysis day.

[0089] In some embodiments, data about the heating system 22 can include, in particular, the dimensions of a combustion system or a heat pump, as well as their startup characteristics. From the dimensions of a nozzle, for example, it is possible to determine how much heating medium flows through it per second during operation of the unit 27. From this, and from the chemical properties of the heating medium, it is possible to directly calculate how much CO2 was emitted during a heating process. If data on pollutant emissions during the startup phase are available, the pollutant emissions of the heating system 22 can be calculated easily and cost-effectively.

[0090] Equally cost-effective, other plant-specific increased air pollutant potentials (NO, NOx) of each individual start-up process can be determined in the first 2 to 3 minutes after ignition, thus allowing, for example, the relative conditions of pollutant load over a heating period to be determined.

[0091] Various methods for determining efficiency parameters of a heating system can be carried out by the data acquisition device 10 or with its support.

[0092] In a first step, a large number of data sets are saved, each of which contains at least a time of activation and a duration of activation or a time of deactivation of the unit. In a second step, weather data for a location of the heating system is obtained from a weather database for each analysis day. In a third step, the data sets are linked to the weather data.

[0093] The weather data can be historical or assigned to a specific analysis day and can include one or more of the following data types: Daily

[0094] / Annual average outside temperature, daily / annual minimum outside temperature,

[0095] Temperature profile over a day, a year, or a selectable period, relative humidity, absolute humidity, partial pressure of water in the atmosphere, dew point, wind speed, strength and direction, average wind speed, wind gusts, wind direction, solar radiation, sky cover, total precipitation over a definable period, air pressure. In some embodiments, the processing device is configured so that the step of linking the data sets comprises linking the heating cycle durations contained in the data sets for the analysis day with the number of data sets stored for an analysis day and with the daily / annual average outside temperature during a heating period to form an efficiency factor, which is a measure of the overall efficiency of the heating system on the analysis day, as an efficiency parameter.

[0096] For this purpose, a reference design temperature can be defined, for example, which is calculated from an average of the coldest outside temperatures observed in the past or in the last 3 to 15 years, or from average daily temperatures. A behavior of the heating system 22 observed at a higher temperature during a heating cycle can be converted into a behavior of the heating system 22 at the reference design temperature system. If it turns out that the calculated heating cycles at the reference outside temperature are too short, this indicates that the heating system 22 is oversized.

[0097] In these cases, various measures can be initiated: reducing the size of a burner nozzle, adjusting the heating curve or, if sensors for the flow and return temperature as well as the intermediate plug are provided, so that the heating control 24 receives a temperature signal from the data acquisition device 10, and an intervention in the start and length of heating cycles can take place.

[0098] Thus, in some embodiments, an analysis method for determining efficiency parameters of a heating system 22 comprises the following steps: In a first step, determining a reference design temperature for an installation location of the heating system 22, wherein the reference design temperature is formed, for example, from an average of the lowest daily average temperatures of the last n years, where n can be, for example, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, or 15. In a second step, determining an upper temperature limit above which the effects of space heating are overlaid by other effects, for example, hot water preparation. This upper temperature limit is, for example, between 14°C and 17°C, preferably 15°C.In a third step, for a data set 42 for which the outside temperature is known, the measured duration of the heating cycle is divided by a reference duration of an idealized precalculated heating system 22 for this outside temperature, if this lies between the reference design temperature and the upper temperature limit, whereby the result of the division yields the efficiency parameter. These three steps can, for example, be part of a process step for linking the data sets with the weather data.

[0099] In some embodiments, a fourth step may include carrying out the third step for all data records 42 that are assigned to a specific period, in particular a calendar day, and determining an average of the efficiency parameters determined by division as the efficiency parameter.

[0100] Such a method represents the efficiency of a heating system 22 on the basis of the actual usual use more accurately than previously known methods.

[0101] In some embodiments, one of which is shown as an example in Fig. 6, the unit 27 is connected to the control line 30 by a plug. The data acquisition device 10 has, for example, on the processing device 12 or the input module 34, an intermediate plug 58, which is connected on one side to the heating control 24 and on the other side to the unit 27. Individual or all control signals and sensor data transported by the control line 30, which can carry several different signals, for example, can thus be used by the processing device 12 and / or modified by it.

[0102] The data acquisition device 10 can utilize already installed temperature sensors, for example, for measuring a supply temperature and / or a return temperature, provided their signals are also routed through the intermediate connector 58. In some embodiments, the data acquisition device 10 has its own supply and return temperature sensors 54, 56.

[0103] To increase the efficiency of the heating system 22, a data acquisition device 10 configured in this way can intervene in the heating control system 24. This can be achieved by completely generating the signals for the unit 27 carried in the intermediate plug 58 by the data acquisition device 10, thus replacing the signals of the heating system 22. Another possibility is to transmit changed temperature values, for example from a flow temperature sensor 54 or other sensors, such as an outside temperature sensor, to the heating control system 24 via the intermediate plug 58. This allows the data acquisition device 10 to advance or delay the activation and / or deactivation of the unit 27. This can be done, for example, depending on the heating load, adapted to the weather data, such as outside temperature and / or weather.The data acquisition device 10 can therefore be configured to carry out a method step of intervening in the heating control 24 in order to extend a duration of a heating cycle and / or to increase a time interval between heating cycles.

[0104] In some embodiments, the data acquisition device 10 comprises an energy harvesting device 40, which can be arranged, for example, together with the sensor device 16 on the control line 30 or the fuel release valve 26. When the fuel release valve 26 is operated with alternating current, an alternating electromagnetic field forms in the space around the fuel release valve 26. The energy harvesting device 40 inductively extracts the required energy for the operation of at least part of the data acquisition device 10 or for the entire data acquisition device 10 from this alternating field.

[0105] For this purpose, the energy generation device 40 has a coil device arranged as perpendicular as possible to the field lines of the alternating electromagnetic field. In further embodiments, at least two coil devices are provided, which are arranged obliquely to one another, so that a constantly changing magnetic flux, generated by the fuel release valve 26, is present at least through one of the coil surfaces of the coil devices, which induces an electric current in the coil device.

[0106] Electrical energy generated by the energy generation device 40 may, in some embodiments, be collected and / or stored by the energy supply device 18 until required by devices of the data acquisition device 10.

[0107] The energy recovery device 40 eliminates the need to provide an electrical power connection for the data acquisition device 10, which further simplifies its installation and operation.

[0108] Different embodiments of the data acquisition device 10 can be optimized for different users. For example, embodiments for end users, such as homeowners, without special knowledge of heating systems can be designed so that they are particularly easy to install. Such embodiments are characterized in particular by the fact that they require no or as few complex method steps as possible for commissioning that go beyond arranging the data acquisition device 10. If necessary, a connection to a power supply device, such as a power outlet, may also be necessary. Furthermore, embodiments for end users can, for example, allow a setup step for connecting to a computer network, for example for connecting to a WLAN, or for connecting to a mobile device, such as a mobile phone or tablet.

[0109] Embodiments of the data acquisition device 10 that are optimized for users in multi-family homes, for example, for caretakers or property managers with basic technical knowledge, can comprise more complex installation steps. For example, it can be provided that the data acquisition device 10 is arranged in a heating emergency switch in a first step, and in a second step, a current clamp of the data acquisition device 10 is placed around one of the connecting lines of the heating emergency switch in order to detect a current flow to the heating system 22. These embodiments of the data acquisition device 10 can also comprise any of the above-mentioned communication devices, which may require a setup step for connecting to a computer network.

[0110] Some embodiments of the data acquisition device 10 have an automatic configuration, so that no manual setup of the system is necessary, but with a preconfigured NB-loT radio transmission module, data of the heating system 22 is sent to a cloud module or a processing device 12 directly after the data acquisition device 10 is installed, where this data is stored and / or evaluated.

[0111] In some embodiments, devices of the data acquisition device 10, for example, the processing device 12, the data storage device 14, the sensor device 16, or parts thereof, can have a housing whose shape is adapted to a shape of a device of the unit 27 such that the housing can accommodate or encompass at least a portion of the unit 27. For example, the housing of a sensor or the sensor device 16 can be shaped and configured such that it can be plugged onto, for example, the valve device 28 and / or fastened thereto, for example, clamped thereto.

[0112] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 2, the processing device 12 can comprise a cloud server 36. The functions of the processing device 12, and in particular the data storage device 14, are divided between a local device installed at the end user's site and a cloud component. The connection between the local device and the cloud component is established, for example, by means of a communication device 38, which has, for example, one of the following interfaces: Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi, or Ethernet. The communication device 38 can, for example, establish a connection to the Internet and, via this, establish a connection to the cloud server 36.

[0113] In particular, the contents of the data storage devices 14 can be exchanged.

[0114] The cloud server 36 can, for example, have a web interface that provides the user of the data acquisition device 10 with all measured data and the knowledge gained therefrom for dimensioning the heating system.

[0115] In some embodiments, the cloud server 36 and / or the data acquisition device 10 may have an interface by means of which a specialist, for example a heating engineer, can retrieve the operating data and / or the analysis results and use them to optimize the heating system.

[0116] The data acquisition device 10 is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to install. It enables the described methods, in particular the analysis methods, to be reliably implemented on a large scale. By collecting the operating data, for example, in the cloud server 26, information can be obtained about the actual efficiency of the heating systems 22 installed, for example, in a country.

[0117] It would also be possible, based on the operating data determined as described above, to identify heating systems 22 whose efficiency is too far removed from the achievable efficiency. This possibility has not yet been available because the necessary data is not collected and / or stored in a way that would allow the data obtained from different heating systems 22 to be compared. The innovative data acquisition device 10 thus also offers the possibility, for example, of levying taxes and / or levies on heating systems 22 that, according to the above analyses, exhibit unnecessarily high levels of pollutants and / or energy consumption.

[0118] To achieve energy savings or pollutant reduction, for example, a special levy could be introduced for particularly inefficient heating systems, the amount of which could be determined based on the analyses mentioned here. It would also be possible to establish a reward or incentive system for efficiency improvements in heating systems based on the collected data. This incentive system could, for example, be structured similarly to the existing procedure for allocating emission reduction certificates.

[0119] Even though the disclosed examples predominantly relate to oil- or gas-fired heating systems 22 (19 million systems compared to 1 million heat pumps in Germany), the present data acquisition device 10 can also be advantageously used with heat pumps. Heat pumps are also inefficient at the beginning of their heating cycle and have a stable operating state in which they exhibit the highest efficiency. After a cold start, heat pumps require a certain amount of time to create thermodynamic conditions in their units that allow the extraction of heat from the respective medium, for example, air. In this process, energy is used in the form of electrical current, which is therefore not usable as heating energy or can only be used with significant losses. As a result, depending on the electricity mix used, pollutants are generated elsewhere without any benefit in the form of heat being generated.

[0120] In particular, the data acquisition device 10 and the analysis methods make it possible to determine the efficiency of the heating system 22 in its specific environment. Incorrect dimensioning is detected regardless of the building type, environmental data, or user behavior.

[0121] In addition, the establishment of a central database could make it possible to record environmental pollution and measure consumption at the state level in accordance with the polluter pays principle.

[0122] The invention can thus provide data and evaluations as a basis for decisions on both immediately implementable and future building heating measures. This applies to all oil, gas, and heat pump heating systems. In addition, in some embodiments, efficiency measures are implemented automatically, particularly with the aid of AI.

[0123] By analyzing the operating processes until stable, efficient system operation is achieved, the relative pollutant concentrations and CO2 emissions from the heat pump's electricity mix can also be determined. Particularly inefficient systems can be easily identified based on the operating pattern of start-ups and runtimes, and their environmental impacts can be quantified.

[0124] 10 Data acquisition device

[0125] 12 Processing facility

[0126] 14 Data storage device

[0127] 16 Sensor device

[0128] 18 Energy supply facility

[0129] 20 connecting cables (of the sensor device)

[0130] 22 Heating system

[0131] 24 heating control

[0132] 26 Fuel release valve

[0133] 27 aggregate

[0134] 28 Burner device

[0135] 30 control line

[0136] 32 Display setup

[0137] 34 Input module

[0138] 36 cloud servers

[0139] 38 Communication device

[0140] 40 Energy generation facility

[0141] 42 data sets

[0142] 44 Diagram

[0143] 46 heating output

[0144] 48 boilers

[0145] 50 lead time

[0146] 52 Return

[0147] 54 Temperature sensor (flow)

[0148] 56 Temperature sensor (return)

[0149] 58 adapter plugs

[0150] Q heating power t time

Claims

Patent claims 1. Data acquisition device (10) for acquiring operating data of a heating system (22), comprising a processing device (12), a data storage device (14) and a sensor device (16) connected to the processing device (12), wherein the sensor device (16) is designed to be arranged on or near the heating system (22) and / or on a control line (30) of a unit (27), and to detect an activation and / or deactivation of the unit (27), and wherein the processing device (12) is designed to detect the detected activation and to store and / or update at least one data set (42), comprising at least one activation time and an activation duration or a deactivation time, in the data storage device (14).

2. Data acquisition device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor device (16) has an acceleration sensor, a vibration sensor, an air pressure sensor and / or an acoustic sensor for detecting the activation of the unit (27).

3. Data acquisition device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor device (16) has an inductive or capacitive sensor or a current sensor, in particular a clamp-on ammeter, for detecting the activation of the unit (27).

4. Data acquisition device according to claim 3, characterized in that the current sensor is arranged and configured to measure a supply current of the heating system (22).

5. Data acquisition device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor device (16) has an optical and / or thermal sensor for detecting the activation of the unit (27), wherein the sensor is arranged to detect an optical and / or thermal emission caused by the activation of the unit (27).

6. Data acquisition device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data acquisition device (10) or a of its devices has a housing whose shape is adapted to a shape of a device of the unit (27) in such a way that the housing can accommodate or encompass at least a portion of the unit (27).

7. Data acquisition device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor device (16) can be mounted and dismounted without disconnecting a control line (30) or a supply line of the heating system (22).

8. Data acquisition device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the processing device (12) has a Kl module for detecting the activation and / or deactivation of the unit (26) by evaluating the data acquired by the sensor device (16).

9. Data acquisition device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the unit (27) has a plug device for connection to the heating control (24), wherein the processing device has an intermediate plug (58) for arrangement between the plug device and the unit (27), wherein the processing device is set up to detect the activation of the unit (27) and / or to control the unit (27) by means of the control signals carried by the intermediate plug (58).

10. Data acquisition device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data acquisition device (10) has at least one temperature sensor (54, 56) for detecting a flow and / or a return temperature.

11. A method for determining efficiency parameters of a heating system (22), comprising the steps: Storing a plurality of data records (42), in particular by means of a data acquisition device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each data record (42) comprises at least one time of activation, and a duration of activation or a time of deactivation of an aggregate (27) of the heating system (22); For each analysis day, determining weather data from a weather database for a location of the heating system (22) and linking the data sets with the weather data.

12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the weather data comprise historical data or data assigned to a day of analysis of one or more of the following data types: daily average outside temperature, daily minimum outside temperature, temperature profile over the day, relative humidity, absolute humidity, partial pressure of water in the atmosphere, dew point, wind speed, strength and direction of average wind, gusts of wind, wind direction, solar radiation, sky cover, total precipitation over a definable period of time, air pressure.

13. Method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the step of linking the data sets comprises linking the heating cycle durations contained in the data sets (42) for the analysis day with the number of data sets (42) stored for an analysis day and with the daily average outside temperature to form an efficiency factor which is a measure of an overall efficiency of the heating system (22) on the analysis day.

14. Method according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the step of linking the data sets (42) comprises determining an efficiency profile of a heating cycle for the heating system (22) and linking this efficiency profile with the heating cycle durations stored for the analysis day and / or the weather data assigned to the analysis day to an effective heating duration on the date as an efficiency value.

15. Method according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized by a step of controlling the unit (27) so that an activation and / or a deactivation of the unit (27) is brought forward or delayed.

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