Climate system, method for operating a climate system and computer program

Abstract

Climate system (1), comprising at least: - a heating circuit (2) with a mixed heating circuit (8) and an unmixed heating circuit (5), - a heat generator (11) connected to a heating circuit supply (3) and a heating circuit return (4) of the heating circuit (2), wherein a first return (7) of the unmixed heating circuit (5) is directly connected to the heating circuit return (4) of the heating circuit (2), - a three-way valve (15) arranged at a first branch (14) of the heating circuit supply (3), - a first circulation pump (12) located upstream of the three-way valve (15) in a flow direction (25) of the heating circuit (2), - a second branch (16) located downstream of the first branch (14) in the flow direction (25),which connects the heating circuit supply (3) with a second supply (9) of the mixed heating circuit (8) and which connects a second return (10) of the mixed heating circuit (8) with the second supply (9) of the mixed heating circuit (8), and - a second circulation pump (13) which is arranged in the mixed heating circuit (8). In addition, a method for operating the air conditioning system (1) and a computer program product (18) are proposed.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an air conditioning system with a heating circuit comprising a mixed and an unmixed heating circuit, a method for operating an air conditioning system and a computer program product.

[0002] Air conditioning systems are used to heat or cool buildings. These systems typically include at least one heating circuit to transfer heat to and from the building's rooms. A heat transfer medium, often heating water, circulates within this circuit. A heating circuit can include multiple consumers, such as radiators, underfloor heating, or fan-assisted convectors. Heat generators for the air conditioning system can be fuel-burning appliances or heat pumps. Heat pumps can be used advantageously for both heating and cooling by reversing the refrigeration cycle.

[0003] The heating circuit is often subdivided or branched, comprising a mixed and an unmixed heating circuit. A mixed heating circuit allows for adjusting the flow temperature by mixing heat transfer fluid from the return line into the flow. Therefore, a mixed heating circuit is particularly suitable for underfloor heating systems that require a predetermined, low flow temperature. The unmixed heating circuit uses the temperature of the heat generator as its heating circuit temperature and is suitable for consumers such as radiators or heating elements.Such heating circuits, comprising a mixed and an unmixed circuit, typically require a hydraulic separator between the flow and return lines at the heat generator, three circulation pumps positioned between the hydraulic separator and the heat generator, as well as in the mixed and unmixed heating circuits, and a three-way valve connected to the return line as a mixing valve in the mixed heating circuit. While this setup allows for independent temperature control of the mixed and unmixed heating circuits, it is technically very complex and requires a large number of components.

[0004] The CH 556 513 A shows a heating system with a heat exchanger for a boiler for hot water supply arranged in parallel to a heating circuit. In this solution, only one heating circuit is provided for heat supply.

[0005] Based on this, the object of the invention is to propose a climate system, a method for operating a climate system, and a computer program product that at least partially overcome the problems of the prior art described above. In particular, it aims to enable independent temperature control of mixed and unmixed heating circuits, while simultaneously significantly simplifying the design of the heating circuit and reducing the number of necessary components.

[0006] These problems are solved by the features of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments of the solution proposed here are specified in the dependent claims. It should be noted that the features listed in the dependent claims can be combined with one another in any technologically meaningful way and define further embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, the features specified in the claims are further specified and explained in the description, which also presents further preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0007] This is aided by a climate system that exhibits at least the following features: a heating circuit with a mixed and an unmixed heating circuit, a heat generator connected to a heating circuit supply and a heating circuit return of the heating circuit, wherein a first return of the unmixed heating circuit is directly connected to the heating circuit return of the heating circuit, a three-way valve arranged at a first branch of the supply of the unmixed heating circuit, a first circulation pump arranged in the heating circuit supply or the heating circuit return, a second branch downstream of the first branch in the flow direction, connecting the heating circuit supply to a second supply of the mixed heating circuit and connecting a second return of the mixed heating circuit to the second supply of the mixed heating circuit, and a second circulation pump arranged in the mixed heating circuit.

[0008] In particular, the mixed heating circuit includes at least one underfloor heating system and, alternatively or cumulatively, a low-temperature radiator. The unmixed heating circuit includes at least one radiator and, alternatively or cumulatively, a fan-assisted convector.

[0009] The climate control system is a system for air conditioning, in particular for air conditioning at least one building. The climate control system has an integrated heating circuit (supply circuit) for heat transfer. The heating circuit includes, in particular, a liquid medium as a heat transfer fluid, to which heat can be added and removed, or which can transport the supplied heat. The heat transfer fluid is frequently water. The heat transfer fluid can circulate as needed in the heating circuit, which is preferably closed, by means of at least one circulation pump.In this context, it should be noted that the term heating circuit does not imply a restriction to heating operation, but a heating circuit can also be suitable for cooling operation, for example, by surface heating systems, in particular wall, ceiling, or floor heating systems, extracting heat from a room, which is supplied via the heating circuit to a heat pump that releases the heat to the environment in a cooling operation, for example to the ambient air in the case of an air-to-water heat pump.

[0010] In particular, the climate control system can be a heating system. The heating circuit comprises a mixed and an unmixed heating circuit. Specifically, the heating circuit can comprise exactly one mixed heating circuit and at least one unmixed heating circuit. The climate control system includes a heat generator, for example, in the form of a heating appliance such as a burner for oil, gas, or hydrogen as fuel, or a heat pump. The heat or thermal energy generated by the heat generator can be transferred to the heat transfer medium in the heating circuit and thus supplied to at least one consumer (e.g., a radiator, underfloor heating, or a fan convector) in the heating circuit(s). The at least one consumer can include an adjustment valve for setting the flow rate and / or the heat to be delivered (or received) as required.The control valve is often designed as a thermostatic valve, which can, in particular, regulate room temperature independently. Electronically controlled control valves are also known; these can be integrated into a home network, for example, and allow remote transmission of control signals. At least one consumer typically also has a pre-setting valve, the permanent setting of which is carried out as part of a static hydraulic balancing. The pre-setting valve also allows for the adjustment of a flow rate or flow resistance. Pre-setting and control valves are often integrated into a single unit. Thus, a conventional thermostatic valve typically allows for pre-setting (as part of the static hydraulic balancing), while a control valve controls heat transfer during the operation of the air conditioning system. In this respect, the pre-setting valve can define a range for the adjustment of the control valve.

[0011] The circulation pump, along with the heat generator, can be considered the most important component of a heating circuit. The circulation pump moves and circulates a flow of heat transfer fluid within the heating circuit, thereby supplying the heat provided by the heat generator to the connected consumers. In some heat generators or heating appliances, the circulation pump is integrated into the unit. The circulation pump generates the flow rate by building up pressure (also known as the differential pressure between the pressure and suction sides of the pump). This pressure is counteracted by a pressure loss within the heating circuit. This pressure loss depends on the current degree of opening of the heating circuit, which is a measure of the number of air passages in the circuit.The heating circuit's integrated consumer is linked to the opening state of the control valves. The circulation pump can generally be operated in various pump modes and should be configured within the climate control system to meet the specific requirements of the heating circuit(s).

[0012] The invention proposes a heating circuit design with a mixed heating circuit in which the flow temperature can be adjusted, and an unmixed heating circuit whose flow temperature corresponds to that of the heat generator, which requires a significantly smaller number of components compared to the prior art.

[0013] The construction of the heating circuit will be described in more detail below. A heating circuit supply and a heating circuit return are connected to the heat generator. This section can also be referred to as the heat generator circuit, from which the mixed and unmixed heating circuits branch off. A first branch can divide the heating circuit supply into a first branch, which represents the first supply to the unmixed heating circuit, and a second branch, which leads to the mixed heating circuit. The first branch includes a three-way valve that can divide the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid between the first and second branches in a ratio determined by the valve's control. At least one consumer, particularly a radiator and / or a heating element, can be located downstream of the three-way valve in the first branch.A first return line of the unmixed heating circuit is directly connected to the return line of the heating circuit. "Directly" can be understood to mean, in particular, that (in the direction of flow of the heat transfer medium) no consumer is located between the first return line and the return line of the heating circuit, and / or (in the direction of flow of the heat transfer medium) no circulation pump is located between the first return line and the return line of the heating circuit, and / or the unmixed heating circuit is not connected in series with the mixed heating circuit, and / or the unmixed heating circuit is not connected in series with any other heating circuit.

[0014] In the second branch, downstream of the three-way valve, a second branch is provided. This splits the heating circuit flow coming from the first branch into a third branch, which represents the second flow of the mixed heating circuit, and a fourth branch which is connected (in particular directly) to the second return of the mixed heating circuit and the heating circuit return leading to the heat generator.

[0015] In this system, a first circulation pump is located in the heating circuit supply line, for example between the heat generator and the three-way valve, or in the heating circuit return line. A second circulation pump is located in the mixed heating circuit, for example in the third branch, between the second branch and at least one consumer of the mixed heating circuit. Alternatively, the second circulation pump can also be located in the second return line of the mixed heating circuit.

[0016] The three-way valve can be a known three-way valve that can split a flow rate into two branches (first and second branch of the first branch) according to a set position. The set position can be adjustable by an actuator, for example a stepper motor, and / or the actuator can be controlled by a control unit.

[0017] Thus, the heat generator can be directly and immediately connected to the first circulation pump via the heating circuit supply line, and the first circulation pump can be directly and immediately connected to the first branch or the three-way valve. Alternatively, if the first circulation pump is located in the heating circuit return line, the heat generator can also be directly and immediately connected to the first branch or the three-way valve. In this case, the suction side of the first circulation pump can be connected to the heat generator, and the pressure side to the first branch. The first branch of the three-way valve is the first supply line of the unmixed heating circuit, and therefore, at least one consumer of the unmixed heating circuit can be directly and immediately connected to the three-way valve. The first return line of the unmixed heating circuit is directly and immediately connected to the heating circuit return line of the heat generator.

[0018] The first branch can be directly and immediately connected to the second branch via the second branch. At the second branch, the heating circuit flow coming from the first branch is directly and immediately connected to the second return of the mixed heating circuit and to the heating circuit return to the heat generator. Therefore, the third branch of the second branch is the second flow of the mixed heating circuit. The second circulation pump can be located directly connected to the second branch in the third branch and can be positioned between the second branch and at least one consumer of the mixed heating circuit, for example, one or more underfloor heating systems.

[0019] For the avoidance of doubt, it is clarified once again that the first and second branches each connect three pipes. The first pipe is connected to the heating circuit's supply line, and the remaining two pipes form the first and second branches at the first branch, and the third and fourth branches at the second branch. The terms "upstream" and "downstream" always refer to the direction of flow of the heat transfer fluid through the heating circuit or heating circuits. The flow direction can be from a supply line to a return line, or in the direction of delivery from the first or second circulation pump. The term "directly and immediately connected" means, in particular, that no components other than the pipe and / or, if applicable, a temperature sensor are interposed; rather, the heating circuit's pipe and / or heating circuits establish a direct and immediate connection.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the three-way valve can have an end position that ensures a minimum flow rate in the unmixed heating circuit. Thus, in one end position, the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid supplied to the unmixed heating circuit is set to a predetermined minimum flow rate, which the three-way valve cannot fall below. This end position can be stored in the climate control system. This allows the valve to operate only in the mixed heating circuit when there is no heat demand in the unmixed heating circuit. The climate control system can set the end position and thus ensure the circulation of a minimum flow rate in the unmixed heating circuit.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the climate control system can include temperature sensors designed and arranged to detect a flow temperature and a return temperature at the heat generator (i.e., at the heating circuit flow and return of the heating circuit or heat generator circuit), as well as at the second flow and return of the mixed heating circuit and / or at the first flow and return of the unmixed heating circuit. This can be helpful for the most precise temperature control possible of the mixed and unmixed heating circuits, as well as for diagnostic purposes.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the climate control system can include a control unit configured to regulate and control the climate control system. The control unit can be configured to regulate and control the supply of the heat transfer fluid to the mixed and unmixed heating circuits, specifically to set a flow temperature and / or a flow rate of the heat transfer fluid in the mixed heating circuit.

[0023] According to one design, the climate system can include a control and regulating device that is designed to control and regulate the climate system and associated heating circuits or heating circuits.

[0024] Following another aspect, a procedure for operating the climate control system proposed here is described. According to this procedure, a predetermined flow temperature of the mixed heating circuit can be set using the three-way valve.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the second circulation pump can be operated in such a way that the volume flow rate of the heat transfer fluid in the mixed heating circuit is always lower than the volume flow rate of the heat transfer fluid pumped by the first circulation pump.

[0026] In this proposed climate control system, four actuators can be assigned to regulate the heat supply to the mixed and unmixed heating circuits based on demand. These are the heating output of the heat generator, the output of the first circulation pump, the position of the three-way valve, and the output of the second circulation pump. The main control objectives of the overall system with the actuators mentioned above are to achieve the target flow temperatures of the mixed and unmixed heating circuits. The temperature of the first flow of the unmixed heating circuit corresponds to the flow temperature of the heat generator and is directly set / controlled via the heating output. The temperature of the second flow of the mixed heating circuit depends on the mass flow rate of the heat transfer fluid in the mixed heating circuit, the return temperature of the mixed heating circuit, the flow temperature of the heat generator, and the set position of the three-way valve.The return temperature of the mixed heating circuit is determined by the heat transfer and cannot be directly controlled. The flow temperature of the heat generator, or the heating circuit supply, is the maximum of the required flow temperatures of the mixed and unmixed heating circuits. As a rule, the required temperature of the first flow of the unmixed heating circuit is always higher than the required temperature of the second flow of the mixed heating circuit. Control of the mixed flow temperature would therefore be possible by adjusting the output of the second circulation pump in the mixed heating circuit, by setting a position of the three-way valve, or by using both actuators. The temperature setting range of the second flow of the mixed heating circuit via the three-way valve is generally higher than the setting range of the output of the second circulation pump.In order to reduce the temperature of the second flow (applies to heating operation; in cooling operation, increasing the flow temperature is the normal operation) of the mixed heating circuit, the temperature of the second return of the mixed heating circuit must be lower than the target flow temperature of the mixed heating circuit.

[0027] The procedure proposed here can be carried out by a computer or a control unit of the climate system, for example, the heat generator. For this purpose, the control unit may, for example, include and / or have a processor. In this context, the processor can, for example, execute the procedure stored in the control unit's memory. The control unit may be electrically connected to the first circulation pump, the second circulation pump, and / or a flame monitor of the heat generator. Furthermore, data acquired or required during the execution of the proposed procedure, such as characteristic curves, limit values, etc., may be stored in the control unit's memory.

[0028] According to another aspect of the invention, a computer program product or a computer program is also proposed, comprising instructions which, when the program is executed, cause a computer, for example a control and monitoring device of the climate system, to execute a method presented here.

[0029] It should be noted as a precaution that the numerical terms used here ("first", "second", etc.) primarily serve (only) to distinguish between several similar objects, quantities, or processes, and thus do not necessarily dictate any dependency and / or sequence between these objects, quantities, or processes. Should a dependency and / or sequence be required, this is explicitly stated here, or it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art upon studying the specific configuration described. Where a component can occur multiple times ("at least one"), the description of one of these components may apply equally to all or some of the multiple components, but this is not mandatory.

[0030] The details, features, and advantageous configurations discussed in connection with the process may also occur in the climate system and computer program proposed here, and vice versa. In this respect, full reference is made to the explanations provided therein for a more detailed characterization of the features.

[0031] This document presents a climate control system, a method for operating a climate control system, and a computer program that at least partially solves the problems described with reference to the state of the art. In particular, the proposed climate control system is considerably simpler in design than a state-of-the-art climate control system, as it eliminates the need for a hydraulic separator and a circulation pump for the unmixed heating circuit. However, independent control of the mixed and unmixed heating circuits, and especially the setting of a flow temperature in the mixed heating circuit, remains possible using the method proposed here.

[0032] The invention and its technical context are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figure. It should be noted that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment shown. In particular, unless explicitly stated otherwise, it is also possible to extract partial aspects of the facts illustrated in the figure and combine them with other elements and findings from the present description. It should be emphasized that the figure, and especially the depicted dimensions, are only schematic. The figure shows: Fig. 1 : a climate system proposed here.

[0033] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows an exemplary and schematic representation of a proposed climate system 1. This system comprises a heat generator 11, which is connected to a heating circuit 2 and can be, for example, a boiler or a heat pump. The heat generator 11 can be configured to transfer heat to or extract heat from a heat transfer medium circulating in the heating circuit 2. The heating circuit 2 can be a heat generator circuit. The heating circuit 2 has a heating circuit supply 3 and a heating circuit return 4, through which the heat transfer medium can flow in a flow direction 25.

[0034] Starting from the heat generator 11, a first circulation pump 12 can be arranged in the flow direction 25 in the heating circuit supply line 3, through which the heat transfer fluid can be pumped in the flow direction 25. Alternatively, the first circulation pump 12 could also be arranged in the heating circuit return line 4. The first circulation pump 12 is located in the Fig. 1 In the position shown, a first branch 14, comprising a three-way valve 15, can be located downstream of the flow direction 25. The three-way valve 15, or the first branch 14, divides the heating circuit supply 3 of heating circuit 2 into a first branch 27 and a second branch 28. The first branch 27 forms a first supply 6 of an unmixed heating circuit 5, which comprises the first supply 6 and a first return 7. In the unmixed heating circuit 5, at least one consumer 26 is arranged between the first supply 6 and the first return 7; in an unmixed heating circuit 5, this is often a radiator and / or a heating element. The first return 7 of the unmixed heating circuit 5 is connected to the heating circuit return 4 of heating circuit 2. It is explicitly noted that configurations with more than one unmixed heating circuit 5 are also possible.

[0035] The second branch 28 of the first branch 14, or of the heating circuit supply 3, leads to a second branch 16. A third branch 29 of the second branch 16, or of the heating circuit supply 3, forms a second supply 9 of a mixed heating circuit 8, wherein a fourth branch 30 of the second branch 16 is connected to a second return 10 of the mixed heating circuit 6 and the heating circuit return 4 of the heating circuit 2. In the second supply 9 (as in the Fig. 1(as shown) or in the second return line 10 of the mixed heating circuit 8, a second circulation pump 13 is also arranged, which pumps the heat transfer fluid in the mixed heating circuit 8 in the flow direction 25. At least one consumer 26, which may be designed as a surface heating element, is also arranged in the mixed heating circuit 8 between the second supply line 9 and the second return line 10. Depending on the flow rate, heat transfer fluid from the second return line 10 of the mixed heating circuit 8 can thus flow into the second supply line 9 of the mixed heating circuit 8 in the second branch 16, thereby establishing a mixed temperature as the supply temperature of the mixed heating circuit 8.

[0036] Furthermore, the climate system 1 can include several temperature sensors 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, in particular a first temperature sensor 19 in the heating circuit flow 3 of the heating circuit 2, a second temperature sensor 20 in the heating circuit return 4 of the heating circuit 2, a third temperature sensor 21 in the first flow 6 of the unmixed heating circuit 5, a fourth temperature sensor 22 in the first return 7 of the unmixed heating circuit 5, a fifth temperature sensor 23 in the second flow 9 of the mixed heating circuit 8 and a fifth temperature sensor 24 in the second return 10 of the mixed heating circuit 8.

[0037] The climate control system 1 or the heat generator 11 can include a control unit 17 configured to execute a procedure proposed herein. The procedure can be stored as a computer program 18 in the memory of the control unit 17. To execute the procedure proposed herein, the control unit 17 can be electrically connected to the heat generator 11, the first circulation pump 12, the second circulation pump 13, the three-way valve 15, and the temperature sensors 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 in the supply lines 3, 6, 9 and the return lines 4, 7, 10 of the heating circuit 2, the unmixed heating circuit 5, and the mixed heating circuit 8, thus enabling the transmission of detected signals or control signals. The electrical connection can be wired or wireless.

[0038] According to a method proposed here, the temperature of the second flow 9 of the mixed heating circuit 8 (which can be detected by the fifth temperature sensor 23) can be controlled by adjusting the three-way valve 15. According to one embodiment of the method, the flow rate supplied by the second circulation pump 13 can always be lower than the flow rate supplied by the first circulation pump 12.

[0039] The advantage of climate system 1 is its simple design and the fact that it does not require a hydraulic separator, unlike state-of-the-art climate systems. Reference symbol list

[0040] 1. Air conditioning system 2. Heating circuit 3. Heating circuit flow 4. Heating circuit return 5. Unmixed heating circuit 6. First flow 7. First return 8. Mixed heating circuit 9. Second flow 10. Second return 11. Heat generator 12. First circulation pump 13. Second circulation pump 14. First branch 15. Three-way valve 16. Second branch 17. Control and monitoring unit 18. Computer program product 19. First temperature sensor 20. Second temperature sensor 21. Third temperature sensor 22. Fourth temperature sensor 23. Fifth temperature sensor 24. Sixth temperature sensor 25. Flow direction 26. Consumer 27. First branch 28. Second branch 29. Third branch 30. Fourth branch

Claims

1. Climate control system (1), comprising at least: - a heating circuit (2) with a mixed heating circuit (8) and at least one unmixed heating circuit (5), - a heat generator (11) connected to a heating circuit supply (3) and a heating circuit return (4) of the heating circuit (2), wherein a first return (7) of the unmixed heating circuit (5) is directly connected to the heating circuit return (4) of the heating circuit (2), - a three-way valve (15) arranged at a first branch (14) of the heating circuit supply (3), - a first circulation pump (12) arranged in the heating circuit supply (3) or the heating circuit return (4), - a second branch (16) downstream of the first branch (14) in the flow direction (25),which connects the heating circuit supply (3) with a second supply (9) of the mixed heating circuit (8) and which connects a second return (10) of the mixed heating circuit (8) with the second supply (9) of the mixed heating circuit (8), and - a second circulation pump (13) which is arranged in the mixed heating circuit (8).

2. Climate system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first circulation pump (12) is arranged upstream of the three-way valve (15) in a flow direction (25) of the heating circuit (2).

3. Climate system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the three-way valve (15) has an end position which ensures a minimum volume flow in the unmixed heating circuit (5).

4. Climate system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein temperature sensors (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) are set up and arranged to detect a flow temperature and a return temperature of the heating circuit (2), the mixed heating circuit (8) and the unmixed heating circuit (5).

5. Climate system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a control and regulating device (17) configured for regulating and controlling the heating circuit (2), the unmixed heating circuit (5) and the mixed heating circuit (8).

6. Method for operating an air conditioning system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a predetermined flow temperature of a mixed heating circuit (8) of the air conditioning system (1) is set by means of a three-way valve (15) of the air conditioning system (1).

7. Method according to claim 6, wherein a second circulation pump (13) of the air conditioning system (1) is operated such that a volume flow rate of a heat transfer fluid in the mixed heating circuit (8) is always less than a volume flow rate of the heat transfer fluid supplied by a first circulation pump (12) of the air conditioning system (1).

8. Computer program product (18) comprising instructions which, when the program is executed, cause a computer or a control and regulating device (17) of an air conditioning system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 to execute a method according to any one of claims 6 or 7.

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