METHOD FOR SETTING A THERMOSTATIC VALVE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and device for setting the thermostatic head of a thermostatic valve, a valve body, and the thermostatic head. The thermostatic head comprises a motor for moving a piston within the thermostatic head, the movement of the piston causing a movement of a movable element of the valve body. According to the invention: - the motor is controlled (E50) to move the piston to a position in which the movable element of the valve body does not allow fluid to flow through the valve body, - it is verified (E52) whether the setting conditions of the thermostatic valve are met, - the motor is controlled (E53) to move the piston a predetermined distance, - the variations in the room temperature are compared (E55) to a second predetermined threshold, - the distance by which the piston has been moved is stored (E58) to determine an opening point of the thermostatic head.Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 5.

Description

Title of the invention: METHOD FOR PARAMETERIZING A THERMOSTATIC VALVE Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for setting the parameters of a thermostatic valve for the control and regulation of a domestic heating system with fluid circulation. STATE OF PRIOR ART

[0002] A thermostatic valve is a valve that allows control of the fluid flow rate in a radiator. Typically, thermostatic valves contain a temperature-sensitive probe that expands and contracts according to the ambient temperature and actuates a mechanical system, which allows the appropriate amount of fluid to pass through. A thermostatic valve is also known as a thermostatic radiator valve.

[0003] A thermostatic valve consists of a valve body and a thermostatic head static. The thermostatic head allows you to set a desired temperature in a room of a building by moving a movable element contained in the valve body which modulates the amount of fluid circulating in the radiator.

[0004] There are three types of thermostatic heads, mechanical thermostatic heads, electronic thermostatic heads and connected thermostatic heads.

[0005] Mechanical thermostatic heads are the most classic type of thermostatic head, with a visible scale from 1 to 5 and a frost protection mode; they are not programmable. They are adjustable manually only.

[0006] Electronic thermostatic heads are easy to control and offer the same advantages as mechanical ones, but with the added benefit of a digital display and control accurate to half a degree. Electronic thermostatic heads are programmable, whether for hourly or weekly schedules. They can be controlled directly on the thermostatic head itself or via the room thermostat.

[0007] Connected thermostatic heads are the new version of thermostatic heads and operate in connection with an Internet network and sometimes with a connected thermostat.

[0008] Many valve bodies with widely varying technical characteristics are available on the market. Figure 1 illustrates an example of fluid flow variations as a function of the displacement of a thermostatic head for different valve bodies. Curve 10 represents the fluid flow variations as a function of the displacement of a moving element of a valve body for a valve body with a linear response and Curve 20 represents the variations in fluid flow rate as a function of the displacement of a moving element of a valve body for a valve body with a nonlinear response. It should be noted here that the valve bodies have different opening points. The opening point is the point from which the fluid flows through the valve body and therefore the radiator.

[0009] On the x-axis, the position corresponding to the displacement of the moving element of the valve body to a position that does not allow fluid to flow in the valve body is noted Min.

[0010] It is possible to connect motorized and connected thermostatic heads to these valve bodies. These thermostatic heads incorporate a control mechanism that allows the user to regulate the room temperature according to a setpoint. The thermostatic head's control mechanism acts on the valve body to circulate a specific flow rate through the radiator. However, the valve bodies have different opening points depending on the brand or model.

[0011] Thus, for the same temperature setpoint and therefore the same action of the thermostatic head motor on the valve body, it is possible to obtain widely different flow rates and generate instabilities in temperature regulation.

[0012] These instabilities result in, among other things, excessive energy consumption due to the motor's unpredictable movements. This is particularly problematic when the thermostatic head is powered by a battery.

[0013] In particular, it is desirable to provide a solution that ensures uniform flow rates regardless of the type of valve body. Description of the invention

[0014] A method is proposed for setting the parameters of a thermostatic head of a thermostatic valve for the control and regulation of a domestic heating system with fluid circulation in a room of a building, the thermostatic valve comprising a valve body and the thermostatic head, the thermostatic head comprising a motor for moving a piston of the thermostatic head, the movement of the piston causing a movement of a movable element of the valve body, the movable element of the valve body allowing all or part of the fluid to circulate, or not allowing any fluid to circulate, characterized in that the method comprises the steps of:

[0015] - motor control to move the piston to a position in which the element The movable part of the valve body does not allow fluid to flow through the valve body.

[0016] - triggering a timer of a first predetermined duration,

[0017] - verification, after the elapsed time delay of a predetermined second duration completed, if the thermostatic valve configuration conditions are met. The conditions for setting the thermostatic valve are that the room temperature in the building is below a predetermined temperature, and that the variations in the room temperature during a second predetermined time delay are below a first predetermined threshold.

[0018] - motor control included in the thermostatic head to move the piston from a predetermined distance and cause the moving element of the valve body to move in a direction allowing fluid to flow through the valve body,

[0019] - measurement of the room temperature of the building after the flow of a tempo setting a third predetermined duration,

[0020] - comparison of the variations in room temperature in the building during the temperature application of a third predetermined duration to a second predetermined threshold,

[0021] - reiteration of the motor control steps included in the thermostatic head to move the piston a predetermined distance, for measurement and comparison, as long as the variations in room temperature during a third predetermined time delay are below the second predetermined variation threshold,

[0022] - memorization of the distance to which the piston has been moved to determine a thermostatic head opening point.

[0023] The invention also relates to a parameter setting device for a thermostatic head of a thermostatic valve for the control and regulation of a domestic heating system with fluid circulation in a room of a building, the thermostatic valve comprising a valve body and the thermostatic head, the thermostatic head comprising a motor for moving a piston of the thermostatic head, the movement of the piston causing a movement of a movable element of the valve body, the movable element of the valve body allowing all or part of the fluid to circulate or not allowing fluid to circulate in the valve body, characterized in that the device comprises:

[0024] - engine control means for moving the piston to a position in in which the moving element of the valve body does not allow fluid to flow through the valve body,

[0025] - means for triggering a time delay of a first predetermined duration finished.

[0026] - verification means, after a one-second delay predetermined duration, if the thermostatic valve setting conditions are met, the thermostatic valve setting conditions being a room temperature in the building lower than a predetermined temperature and variations in the room temperature during the time delay of a second predetermined duration are lower than a first predetermined threshold,

[0027] - motor control means included in the thermostatic head for move the piston a predetermined distance,

[0028] - means for measuring the temperature of the room in the building after the flow of a delay of a third predetermined duration,

[0029] - means for comparing variations in room temperature building during the time delay of a third predetermined duration at a second predetermined threshold,

[0030] - motor control means included in the thermostatic head for move the piston a predetermined distance, measure and compare as long as the variations in the temperature of the room in the building during the time delay of a third predetermined duration are below the second predetermined variation threshold,

[0031] - memorization of the distance to which the piston has been moved to determine a thermostatic head opening point.

[0032] Thus, the determination of the opening point is precise and is adapted to the type of valve body.

[0033] According to a particular embodiment, the process is carried out a plurality of times and at least part of the stored distances are used to determine an opening point of the thermostatic head.

[0034] According to a particular embodiment, the first predetermined duration is at least equal to 24 hours, the second predetermined duration is at least equal to one hour and the third predetermined duration is at least equal to 10 minutes.

[0035] Thus, the first predetermined duration allows the thermostatic valve to be configured under repeatable conditions. The second predetermined duration ensures temperature stability. The third predetermined duration provides sufficient time to observe the effect of the control action.

[0036] According to a particular embodiment, the predetermined temperature is equal to 17°C, the first predetermined threshold is equal to 0.5°C / hour in absolute value and the second predetermined threshold is equal to 3°C / hour.

[0037] Thus, the temperature of 17° allows us to be in conditions in which no other energy input other than that caused by the movement of the moving element of the valve body disturbs the setting of the thermostatic valve.

[0038] According to a particular embodiment, the predetermined distance is equal to 5% of the total displacement distance of the piston causing the displacement of the moving element of the valve body.

[0039] Thus, this 5% control allows for a precise determination of the opening point.

[0040] A computer program is also proposed which can be stored on a The program is stored on a medium and / or downloaded from a communication network to be read by a processor. This computer program includes instructions for implementing the process carried out by an internet gateway, as mentioned above, when said program is executed by the processor. The invention also relates to an information storage medium for storing such a computer program. Brief description of the drawings

[0041] The features of the invention mentioned above, as well as others, will become clearer upon reading the following description of at least one exemplary embodiment, said description being made in relation to the accompanying drawings, among which:

[0042] [Fig.1] illustrates an example of variations in fluid flow rate as a function of the displacement of a thermostatic head for different valve bodies;

[0043] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates an example of the hardware arrangement of a controller included in a thermostatic head according to the present invention;

[0044] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates an example of the hardware arrangement of a valve thermostatic comprising the present invention and having a linear valve body type comprising the present invention;

[0045] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates an example of the hardware arrangement of a valve thermostatic comprising the present invention and having a non-linear valve body type comprising the present invention;

[0046] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates an example of an algorithm executed by a controller according to the present invention.

[0047] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF IMPROVEMENTS

[0048] Fig. 2 schematically illustrates an example of a material arrangement of a controller included in a thermostatic head according to the present invention.

[0049] The Cont controller comprises, connected by a communication bus 201: a processor Proc 200; a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203; a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202 or a Flash memory; a radio interface 204, optionally a current sensor not shown in [Fig.2] and an input / output interface 206.

[0050] The current sensor measures the current delivered to the motor of the thermostatic head.

[0051] The input / output interface 206 allows the rotation of a motor included in the thermostatic head to be controlled, and a temperature to be obtained from a temperature sensor included in the thermostatic head.

[0052] The CPU 200 processor is capable of executing instructions loaded into RAM 203 from ROM 202, external memory (such as an SD card), storage media (such as the HDD hard drive), or a Communication network. When the Cont controller is powered on, the Proc 200 processor is able to read instructions from RAM 203 and execute them. These instructions form a computer program that causes the Proc 200 processor to implement all or part of the behaviors, algorithms, and steps described herein.

[0053] Thus, all or part of the algorithms and steps described herein can be implemented in software form by executing a set of instructions by a programmable machine, such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), a microcontroller, or a processor. All or part of the algorithms and steps described herein can also be implemented in hardware form by a machine or a component (a "chip"), such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit). Therefore, the Cont controller includes electronic circuitry adapted and configured to implement the behaviors, algorithms, and steps described herein.

[0054] Fig. 3 schematically illustrates an example of a material arrangement of a thermostatic valve comprising the present invention and whose valve body type is linear comprising the present invention.

[0055] The thermostatic head 100 includes a controller Cont, a motor 301, transmission means 302, a piston 303 and a temperature sensor 300.

[0056] The valve body 304 includes a movable element 306 actuated by the piston 303 whose movement modulates the quantity of fluid circulating in a conduit 305 connected to a radiator not shown in [Fig.3].

[0057] When the moving element 306 is in a position denoted Min in [Fig.3], the moving element 306 does not allow fluid to pass into the valve body. This position is called the minimum stop.

[0058] When the moving element 306 is in a position marked Max in [Fig.3], the moving element 306 allows the fluid to pass through the entire conduit of the valve body. This position is called the maximum stop.

[0059] When the moving element 306 is in a position between Min and Max, the moving element 306 partially allows fluid to pass through the valve body conduit. To represent the different positions taken by the moving element 306, the term "percentage of valve body opening" is sometimes used.

[0060] Fig. 4 schematically illustrates an example of a material arrangement of a thermostatic valve comprising the present invention and whose valve body type is non-linear comprising the present invention.

[0061] The thermostatic head 100 includes a controller Cont, a motor 301, transmission means 302, a piston 303 and a temperature sensor 300.

[0062] The valve body 404 includes a movable element 406 actuated by the piston 303 whose displacement modulates the quantity of fluid circulating in a conduit 405 connected to a radiator not shown in [Fig.4].

[0063] When the moving element 406 is in a position marked Min in [Fig.4], the moving element 406 does not allow fluid to pass into the valve body. This position is called the minimum stop.

[0064] When the moving element 406 is in a position marked Max in [Fig.4], the moving element 406 allows the fluid to pass through the entire conduit of the valve body. This position is called the maximum stop.

[0065] When the moving element 406 is in a position between Min and Max, the moving element partially allows fluid to pass through the valve body conduit. To represent the different positions taken by the moving element 406, the term "percentage of valve body opening" is sometimes used.

[0066] Figure 5 schematically illustrates an example of an algorithm executed by a controller according to the present invention.

[0067] The present algorithm is executed during the installation of the thermostatic head on a valve body already installed.

[0068] Prior to step E50, a calibration is performed.

[0069] The calibration step determines the maximum distance that the piston 303 can travel to bring the moving element 306 or 406 into contact with the valve head 304 or 404. This maximum distance is determined by comparing a measurement of the current delivered to the motor 301 to a predetermined value. This value is called the total travel distance of the piston 303. The position of the piston 303 corresponding to this distance is the minimum stop.

[0070] A maximum stop is also determined; the maximum stop corresponds to the distance traveled by the piston 303 to place the moving element outside the conduit 305 or 405. For example, the maximum stop is a predefined value.

[0071] At step E50, the controller Cont commands the motor Mot to move the piston 303 to its minimum stop and activates a timer of a first predetermined duration. The first predetermined duration is, for example, at least 24 hours. When the 24-hour timer has elapsed, the controller Cont proceeds to step E51.

[0072] Alternatively, the activation of the time delay of a first predetermined duration is executed after step E59 which will be described later.

[0073] In step E51, the Cont controller activates a timer of a second predetermined duration. The second predetermined duration is, for example, equal to 1 hour. When the 1-hour timer has elapsed, the Cont controller proceeds to step E52.

[0074] At step E52, the Cont controller checks whether the thermostatic valve parameter settings are met. The thermostatic valve parameter settings static are defined to detect a certain increase in temperature measured by the thermostatic head which coincides with a circulation of fluid in the radiator and therefore the crossing of the opening point of the valve body. Since the temperature rise associated with opening the valve body is small, it is important to trigger this detection phase when conditions in the room are favorable.

[0075] Thus, the room temperature must be sufficiently low, i.e., in the range of 14°C to 18°C, for example, 17°C, in order to easily detect a small amount of fluid circulation in the thermostatic head and the radiator. These conditions are generally met at night during the winter. The other important condition requires a small variation in the room temperature, i.e., less than 0.5°C / hour in absolute value. Indeed, if this variation is too large, it could mask the temperature increase generated by the detection of the valve body's opening point.

[0076] Thus the conditions for setting the thermostatic valve are a room temperature in the building in a range of 14°C to 18°C, and that the variations in the room temperature during the time delay of a second predetermined duration are less than 0.5°C in absolute value.

[0077] If the thermostatic valve parameterization conditions are met, the Cont controller proceeds to step E53. Otherwise, the Cont controller returns to step E51.

[0078] At step E53, the controller Cont commands the motor Mot 301 to rotate it to move the piston 303 a distance equal to a setpoint distance plus a distance between 1 and 15% of the total displacement distance of the piston 303. For example, the distance is equal to 5% of the total displacement distance of the piston 303.

[0079] The setpoint distance is equal to the distance corresponding to the minimum stop at the first iteration to be incremented by 5% of the total displacement distance of the piston 303 at each subsequent iteration.

[0080] At step E54, the Cont controller activates a timer of a third predetermined duration. This third predetermined duration is, for example, between 5 and 30 minutes. The third duration is, for example, equal to 10 minutes. When the timer of this third predetermined duration has elapsed, the Cont controller measures the temperature and proceeds to step E55.

[0081] At step E55, the Cont controller checks whether the variations in the temperature of the room in the building during the time delay of a second predetermined duration are greater than a variation of 3°C per hour.

[0082] Thus, starting from the minimum limit at each execution of the algorithm, the The opening percentage of duct 305 or 405 is increased by 5%, followed by a delay period (approximately 10 minutes) induced by the thermal inertia of the radiator and the room. As long as a temperature increase of 3°C / h is not observed, the cycle is restarted. This ultimately allows the valve opening point to be determined.

[0083] If the variations in the temperature of the room in the building during the time delay of a third predetermined duration are greater than a variation of 3°C per hour, the Cont controller proceeds to step E56. Otherwise, the Cont controller returns to step E53.

[0084] At step E56, the Cont controller stores the value of the distance of the displacement of the piston 303 as well as a value of an index.

[0085] The index is equal to the value 1 at the first iteration of the algorithm.

[0086] At step E57, the Cont controller checks if the index value is greater than 3. If yes, the Cont controller proceeds to step E58. If no, the Cont controller proceeds to step E59.

[0087] At step E59, the Cont controller increments the index value by one unit and returns to step E50.

[0088] At step E58, the Cont controller determines the opening position from the three stored setpoint values. The opening position is determined by excluding a value that is significantly different from the other two, or by averaging all three stored setpoint values.

[0089] The opening position is used, for example, for PID-type motor control of the valve body, with coefficients Kp, Ki, Kd. Determining the minimum stop allows PID control to operate over approximately the true useful range, i.e., from the opening point to the maximum stop.

Claims

1. Claims Method for setting a thermostatic head of a thermostatic valve for controlling and regulating a domestic heating installation with circulation of fluid in a room of a building, the thermostatic valve comprising a valve body and the thermostatic head, the thermostatic head comprising a motor for moving a piston of the thermostatic head, the movement of the piston causing a movement of a movable element of the valve body, the movable element of the valve body allowing circulation in whole or in part or not allowing circulation of fluid in the valve body, characterized in that the method comprises the steps of: - control (E50) of the motor to move the piston to a position in which the moving element of the valve body does not allow fluid to circulate in the valve body, - triggering (E50) of a time delay of a first predetermined duration, - verification (E52), at the end of a time delay of a second predetermined duration (E51), whether conditions for setting the thermostatic valve are met, the conditions for setting the thermostatic valve being a temperature of the room of the building lower than a predetermined temperature and variations in the temperature of the room of the building during the time delay of a second predetermined duration are lower than a first predetermined threshold, - control (E53) of the motor to move the piston by a predetermined distance and cause the moving element of the valve body to move in a direction allowing fluid to flow into the valve body, - measurement (E54) of the temperature of the room of the building after the lapse of a time delay of a third predetermined duration, - comparison (E55) of the variations in the temperature of the room of the building during the time delay of a third predetermined duration with a second predetermined threshold, - repeating the steps of controlling the motor included in the thermostatic head and moving the piston by a predetermined distance, measuring and comparing as long as the variations in the temperature of the room of the building during the time delay of a third predetermined duration are lower than the second predetermined variation threshold, - memorization (E58) of the distance to which the piston was moved to determine an opening point of the thermostatic head.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the method is executed a plurality of times and at least part of the stored distances are used to determine an opening point of the thermostatic head.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first predetermined duration is at least equal to 24 hours, the second predetermined duration is at least equal to one hour and the third predetermined duration is at least equal to 10 minutes.

4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the predetermined temperature is equal to 17°C, the first predetermined threshold is equal to 0.5°C / hour and the second predetermined threshold is equal to 3°C / hour.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the predetermined distance is equal to 5% of the total displacement distance of the piston causing the displacement of the movable element of the valve body in a direction allowing fluid to flow into the valve body.

6. Device for setting a thermostatic head of a thermostatic valve for controlling and regulating a domestic heating installation with circulation of fluid in a room of a building, the thermostatic valve comprising a valve body and the thermostatic head, the thermostatic head comprising a motor for moving a piston of the thermostatic head, the movement of the piston causing a movement of a movable element of the valve body, the movable element of the valve body allowing circulation in whole or in part or not allowing circulation of fluid in the valve body, characterized in that the device comprises: - means for controlling the motor for moving the piston to a position in which the movable element of the valve body does not allow circulation of fluid in the valve body, - means for triggering a time delay of a first predetermined duration, - verification means,at the end of a time delay of a second predetermined duration, if conditions for setting the thermostatic valve are met, the conditions for setting the thermostatic valve being a temperature of the room of the building in-, lower than a predetermined temperature and variations in the temperature of the room of the building during the time delay of a second predetermined duration are lower than a first predetermined threshold, - means for controlling the motor included in the thermostatic head to move the piston by a predetermined distance, - means for measuring the temperature of the room of the building after the lapse of a time delay of a third predetermined duration, - means for comparing the variations in the temperature of the room of the building during the time delay of a third predetermined duration with a second predetermined threshold, - means for controlling the motor included in the thermostatic head to move the piston by a predetermined distance, for measurement and comparison as long as the variations in the temperature of the room of the building during the time delay of a third predetermined duration are less than the second predetermined variation threshold, - means for memorizing the distance by which the piston has been moved to determine an opening point of the thermostatic head.

7. Computer program product comprising instructions for implementing, by a processor, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, when said program is executed by said processor.

8. An information storage medium storing a computer program comprising instructions for implementing, by a processor, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, when said program is read and executed by said processor.

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