Improved heating system

Abstract

Improved heating system A system for heating an indoor environment, comprising: The primary heat source for the heat emitter and the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid through the return pipe outlet of the heat emitter are At least one remotely operable valve for stepwise or continuous control and a heat emitter A pipe temperature sensor is used to measure the temperature at the outlet of the return pipe of the inverter, and the ambient temperature of the indoor environment is measured. Includes an optional room temperature sensor to measure temperature and at least one target ambient temperature. An optional user interface for receiving instructions from the user, including receiving temperature measurement information from each of said pipe temperature sensors; and (optionally) receiving temperature measurement information from each of said room temperature sensors. It receives temperature measurement information from each device and also transmits control instructions for flow rate control to a remotely operated valve. and an electronic controller configured to provide each of the A processor configured to determine the control instructions based at least in part on temperature measurement information. Equipped with a processor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a control method for an indoor heating system, an indoor heating system, and a control device for an indoor heating system.

Background Art

[0002] Indoor heating systems are an essential necessity in daily life. Since the ancestors of humanity huddled around a primitive fire in a dwelling, humans have continuously improved indoor heating systems to make them cheaper, more efficient, more stable, safer, and easier to operate with less labor. Among the heating systems currently in use, the most common ones are radiators and floor heating pipes. Both transfer heat from a heat source to the interior of a room by means of a heat-conducting fluid (usually water). Here, when water is used as the heat-conducting fluid, other heating fluids are also included. In a system using a radiator, usually heated water is supplied to the radiator. Since the radiator is made of a material with a large surface area and high thermal conductivity, it transfers heat from the water as radiant heat to the surroundings. In a floor heating system, hot water is configured to extend from a central manifold to the underside of the floor surface of each room to show a large surface area and transfer heat to serpentine heat-conducting pipes. There are various heat sources for such systems. Particularly for household use, gas combustion boilers are common. These generally heat a water tank by exposing it to a flame supplied from natural gas. In addition, there are those that heat water little by little by exposing pipes to a flame and store it in a buffer tank until needed. Heat pumps are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to gas boilers. This is a phase change cycle or thermoelectric semiconductor is used to extract heat from the external environment and supply it to water. That is. The efficiency of a heat pump is determined by the ratio of the amount of energy (usually electrical energy) used for the heat pump to operate and the amount of heat energy transferred. Up to the maximum rated output of the heat pump, the amount of heat transferred increases in response to the amount of energy supplied, but this is not a linear relationship. The heat pump is most efficient when operated at a small fraction of its maximum rated output. That is. Efficient. Prior art heating systems incorporating heat pumps heat water at high power until the thermostat records that the target ambient temperature has been reached, and stop heating the water until the thermostat records that a second, usually lower target temperature has not been reached. However, the efficiency of the heat pump is not maximized in this way. That is. In this way, the efficiency of the heat pump is not maximized. The heat pump becomes more efficient when operated at low power for a long period of time. That is, to transfer the same amount of heat as in the prior art control method, less energy will be used. First, the heat pump has a unique efficiency curve, and its peak efficiency usually heads towards the lower end of the operating power range. That is. Second, the heat pump is more efficient when operating at a low temperature difference. Therefore, if the heat pump is set to heat water to a lower temperature and the temperature difference between the heated water and the external environment from which the heat pump extracts heat is reduced, the heat pump will operate more efficiently. That is. If the temperature difference between the heated water and the external environment from which the heat pump extracts heat is reduced, the heat pump will operate more efficiently. That is. Third, heat is always lost from the room in any indoor environment. That is, To reach and maintain the target temperature, more heat must be supplied to the room. Heat loss from the room increases with air movement in the room. Heat transfer from these rooms is by convection, so it is better to heat the room at a constant low temperature than at a high temperature. This reduces heat loss compared to regular heating. Thus, the efficiency of the central heat source is maximized while achieving the desired temperature in each room of the indoor environment. It is desirable to devise a method of controlling a space heating system that achieves and maintains a desired temperature. As mentioned above, the water in a space heating system comes from a central location, such as a gas-fired boiler or heat pump. The water is then heated at the heating station and then routed around the heating system as needed. It usually forms a circuit, pumping around the heating system and then reheating it. The heat has caused it to move back to a central location. The temperature and pressure of the water depend on many factors, such as the distance from the heat source and the height relative to the heat source (especially in the case of buildings). Therefore, when installing or maintaining a space heating system, it is important to consider the following factors: Balancing involves the balancing of each radiator in the radiator system. The flow rate (or range of flow rates) of water through the underfloor heating system and each outlet of the manifold The flow rate of water through the radiator (hereinafter, the radiator and the underfloor heating pipes are collectively referred to as "radiators"). The purpose is to adjust the temperature (flow rate) so that the water flow rate through each radiator is the same. For example, an umbala with a boiler, a first radiator and a second radiator connected in a heated water circuit. In the case of a simple heating system, if the first radiator is closer to the boiler than the second radiator, The first radiator is more likely to become hotter than the second radiator. This is because the water in the heated circuit It travels a longer distance and loses more heat and pressure before reaching the second radiator. This is because. Also, since water flow prefers the path of least resistance, the water flow to the first radiator - becomes naturally high. In the prior art, to balance the system it was necessary to gradually reduce the maximum flow rate of heated water to the first radiator until the flow rate of water through the first radiator became approximately the same as that through the second radiator as a result of trial and error. This trial-and-error approach will be understood to be even more difficult and time-consuming in a system consisting of two or more heat emitters. Therefore, it is desirable to devise an improved method for balancing an indoor heating system that is less time-consuming, more accurate, and more efficient. Typical radiators are provided with two valves. That is, a first valve at the inlet of the heated water that controls the flow rate of the water entering the radiator by the user, and a second valve at the outlet of the heated water (also called a lockshield valve). By adjusting the first valve, the range of the flow rate through the radiator depends on the position of the lockshield valve (when all other relevant factors such as the size of the radiator are the same). In a properly balanced system where each first valve is fully open, the heat output of each radiator will be the same. It would be desirable to devise a system in which a single valve can provide both balancing (especially automatic balancing) and daily control functions. EP2912384 discloses a method for operating a heating system using a radiator drive instead of a conventional thermostat head. EP3470745 discloses a system for distributing heat from a boiler to a plurality of rooms, which consists of an adjustable valve and a valve controller for controlling the temperature of each room. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention provides a method for controlling an indoor heating system comprising a primary heat source for heating a fluid in a fluid circuit to a target central temperature and a plurality of radiators connected to the fluid circuit, thereby addressing at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art identified above. The method includes the following steps: Controlling the flow of fluid to or from each radiator such that the vicinity of each radiator achieves and maintains its respective target temperature or temperature range; Determining the minimum target central temperature required to achieve and maintain all of the target temperatures or temperature ranges in the vicinity of each radiator, or determining the minimum amount of heat supplied to the fluid by the primary heat source; Setting the target central temperature to the minimum target central temperature, or controlling the primary heat source to supply only the minimum heat to the fluid; The minimum target central temperature or minimum amount of heat is determined based on the highest of the temperatures at the outlets of the fluid flows from all the radiators connected to the fluid circuit. The present invention further provides a control device for an indoor heating system programmed to execute this method. The present invention further provides a primary heat source for heating a fluid in a fluid circuit, a plurality of radiators connected to the fluid circuit, respective remotely operable electric valves provided at the fluid outlets or inlets of each radiator, temperature sensors provided at the outlets of each radiator, and a perimeter provided near each radiator. ​ A room heating system comprising a surrounding temperature sensor, a primary heat source, a remotely operable motorized valve, and a controller for controlling and communicating with each of the temperature sensors, respectively. The controller is programmed to execute the method of any of the preceding claims. A room heating system comprising a primary heat source for heating a heat transfer fluid, at least one remotely operable valve for controlling the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid passing through the return pipe of the heat emitter in a stepwise or continuous manner, a pipe temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the return pipe of the heat emitter, and an electronic controller configured to receive temperature measurement information from each of the pipe temperature sensors and further configured to provide control commands regarding flow rate control to each of the remotely operable valves. This electronic control device comprises a processor configured to determine control instructions based at least in part on the temperature measurement information. Therefore, the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid passing through each radiator of the heating system of the present invention can be remotely controlled based at least in part on the measured temperature of the return outlet pipe temperature measurement value proportional to the return temperature of the heat transfer fluid. Thus, by implementing an appropriate control method for the remotely operable valves in the electronic control device, the system can automatically balance the radiator system remotely during installation or maintenance. Thereby, the remotely operable valve can serve the purpose of, for example, a lockshield valve in a prior art radiator system. In certain embodiments related to the present invention, by implementing another appropriate control method for the remotely operable valves, the heat transfer through each radiator A system for heating an indoor environment is provided, comprising a primary heat source for heating a heat transfer fluid, at least one remotely operable valve for controlling the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid passing through the return pipe of the heat emitter in a stepwise or continuous manner, a pipe temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the return pipe of the heat emitter, and an electronic controller configured to receive temperature measurement information from each of the pipe temperature sensors and further configured to provide control commands regarding flow rate control to each of the remotely operable valves. This electronic control device comprises a processor configured to determine control instructions based at least in part on the temperature measurement information. Therefore, the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid passing through each radiator of the heating system of the present invention can be remotely controlled based at least in part on the measured temperature of the return outlet pipe temperature measurement value proportional to the return temperature of the heat transfer fluid. Thus, by implementing an appropriate control method for the remotely operable valves in the electronic control device, the system can automatically balance the radiator system remotely during installation or maintenance. Thereby, the remotely operable valve can serve the purpose of, for example, a lockshield valve in a prior art radiator system. A system for heating an indoor environment is provided, comprising a primary heat source for heating a heat transfer fluid, at least one remotely operable valve for controlling the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid passing through the return pipe of the heat emitter in a stepwise or continuous manner, a pipe temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the return pipe of the heat emitter, and an electronic controller configured to receive temperature measurement information from each of the pipe temperature sensors and further configured to provide control commands regarding flow rate control to each of the remotely operable valves. This electronic control device comprises a processor configured to determine control instructions based at least in part on the temperature measurement information. Therefore, the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid passing through each radiator of the heating system of the present invention can be remotely controlled based at least in part on the measured temperature of the return outlet pipe temperature measurement value proportional to the return temperature of the heat transfer fluid. Thus, by implementing an appropriate control method for the remotely operable valves in the electronic control device, the system can automatically balance the radiator system remotely during installation or maintenance. Thereby, the remotely operable valve can serve the purpose of, for example, a lockshield valve in a prior art radiator system. A system for heating an indoor environment is provided, comprising a primary heat source for heating a heat transfer fluid, at least one remotely operable valve for controlling the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid passing through the return pipe of the heat emitter in a stepwise or continuous manner, a pipe temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the return pipe of the heat emitter, and an electronic controller configured to receive temperature measurement information from each of the pipe temperature sensors and further configured to provide control commands regarding flow rate control to each of the remotely operable valves. This electronic control device comprises a processor configured to determine control instructions based at least in part on the temperature measurement information. Therefore, the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid passing through each radiator of the heating system of the present invention can be remotely controlled based at least in part on the measured temperature of the return outlet pipe temperature measurement value proportional to the return temperature of the heat transfer fluid. Thus, by implementing an appropriate control method for the remotely operable valves in the electronic control device, the system can automatically balance the radiator system remotely during installation or maintenance. Thereby, the remotely operable valve can serve the purpose of, for example, a lockshield valve in a prior art radiator system. A system for heating an indoor environment is provided, comprising a primary heat source for heating a heat transfer fluid, at least one remotely operable valve for controlling the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid passing through the return pipe of the heat emitter in a stepwise or continuous manner, a pipe temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the return pipe of the heat emitter, and an electronic controller configured to receive temperature measurement information from each of the pipe temperature sensors and further configured to provide control commands regarding flow rate control to each of the remotely operable valves. This electronic control device comprises a processor configured to determine control instructions based at least in part on the temperature measurement information. Therefore, the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid passing through each radiator of the heating system of the present invention can be remotely controlled based at least in part on the measured temperature of the return outlet pipe temperature measurement value proportional to the return temperature of the heat transfer fluid. Thus, by implementing an appropriate control method for the remotely operable valves in the electronic control device, the system can automatically balance the radiator system remotely during installation or maintenance. Thereby, the remotely operable valve can serve the purpose of, for example, a lockshield valve in a prior art radiator system. A system for heating an indoor environment is provided, comprising a primary heat source for heating a heat transfer fluid, at least one remotely operable valve for controlling the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid passing through the return pipe of the heat emitter in a stepwise or continuous manner, a pipe temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the return pipe of the heat emitter, and an electronic controller configured to receive temperature measurement information from each of the pipe temperature sensors and further configured to provide control commands regarding flow rate control to each of the remotely operable valves. This electronic control device comprises a processor configured to determine control instructions based at least in part on the temperature measurement information. By implementing another appropriate control method for the remotely operable valves, the heat transfer through each radiator Automatically and independently adjust the flow rate of the working fluid to the normal level according to the real-time needs of the user and control the temperature of the radiator. Thus, the valve can be remotely operated to achieve the purpose of the first radiator valve described above, for example. Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention including a radiator as a heat radiator, it will be understood that only one valve is required instead of two valves for each radiator. Nevertheless, it may be advantageous to provide an additional valve at the inlet of the new radiator. However, it will also be understood that some embodiments of the present invention can be retrofitted to existing heating systems. Another embodiment further includes a room temperature sensor for measuring the ambient temperature of the indoor environment. In such an embodiment, the temperature measurement information used by the electronic control device includes the temperature measurement information from each room temperature sensor. In certain embodiments, it further includes a user interface for receiving instructions from the user including at least one target ambient temperature. In certain embodiments, the primary heat source is controllable to provide a variable heat output to the heat transfer fluid. When the primary heat source is a gas-fired boiler or the like, the flow rate of the gas supplied to the burner can be adjusted to control the heat generated from the flame and supply it to the water. Alternatively, when the primary heat source is a heat pump, an inverter-driven heat pump can also be used, and the heat transfer rate of the heat pump can be adjusted by adjusting the electrical power input to the heat pump. Embodiments having an adjustable primary heat source provide additional freedom to the user and enable more efficient operating modes, as described below. ​​​​​​​​​​​In another embodiment, the controller provides control instructions related to the level of heat output to the primary heat source and is configured to do so. In embodiments where the adjustable primary heat source is adjustable by the controller, additional control techniques can be implemented to improve the efficiency of the system. Examples of such techniques are described below . In another embodiment, the primary heat source consists of a heat pump and can consist of an inverter-driven heat pump. In other embodiments, the primary heat source is constituted by a boiler. In another embodiment related to the present invention, a system for heating an indoor environment comprising the following is provided. That is, a primary heat source for heating a heat transfer fluid, at least one heat emitter (heat emitter) having an inlet and an outlet at at least one respective location in the indoor environment, a flow pipe for supplying the heat transfer fluid from the primary heat source to the respective inlets of the heat emitters, a return pipe for returning the heat transfer fluid from the respective outlets of the heat emitters to the primary heat source, a remote-operable valve provided in the return pipe or at the outlet of each heat emitter to control the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid through the return pipe stepwise or continuously, a temperature sensor for each pipe configured to measure the temperature of each return pipe, an electronic controller configured to receive temperature measurement information from each pipe temperature sensor and to receive temperature measurement information from each room temperature sensor, and further configured to provide control instructions regarding the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid through the outlet to each of the remote-operable valves, the electronic controller comprising a processor configured to determine the control instructions based at least in part on the temperature measurement information. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The present invention can be used with a single heat emitter alone, but it is particularly advantageous to use it with at least two or more heat emitters. Another embodiment further includes a room temperature sensor and is configured to measure the ambient temperature of each region. Here, the temperature measurement information used by the electronic control device includes the temperature measurement information from each room temperature sensor. Another embodiment further includes a user interface and receives an instruction from the user including the target temperature of each region of the indoor environment. In another embodiment, the primary heat source is controllable to provide a variable heat output to the heat transfer fluid. In this embodiment, a controller is configured to provide a control instruction related to the level of heat output to the primary heat source. In another embodiment, the primary heat source is constituted by a heat pump. This may be an inverter-driven heat pump or a boiler. In certain embodiments, at least one of the heat emitters is a radiator. At least one of the heat emitters may be a branch of a floor heating system. In this case, the outlet of the branch of the floor heating system may be a manifold, for example, a return inlet from each piping zone on the manifold.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0004] Embodiment examples of the present invention will be described with reference to the following drawings.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0005] FIG. 1 shows a heating system incorporating the present invention in the form of a block diagram. This system consists of a primary heat source 1, which in this case is an inverter-driven heat pump. This heat pump is connected to a circuit of a heat transfer fluid 2 represented by a solid line. Usually, the heat transfer fluid is water. For clarity, only the components of the system useful for explaining the present invention are shown in the figure, but such a system usually consists of many more components well known to those skilled in the art, such as a pump for flowing water through the circuit. In the illustrated configuration, the heat transfer fluid circuit 2 flows from the heat pump 1 to the buffer tank 3. An electric buffer tank inlet valve (not shown) serves to selectively stop the heated water flowing from the heat pump 1 to the buffer tank 3. From the joint on the buffer tank side of the buffer tank inlet valve, the circuit 2 flows to each of the three radiators 4-6. The buffer tank inlet valve serves to select whether water is supplied directly from the heat pump 1 to the radiator or from the buffer tank 3. Normally, water is supplied from the buffer tank 3 only when the temperature of the water in the buffer tank 3 is at the desired heat supply temperature. The radiators 4-6 are installed in different rooms 7-9 of the indoor environment respectively. The radiators 4-6 are connected in parallel. Of course, the present invention can be applied to any number of radiators and any number of rooms. The radiators 4-6 are connected in parallel. Of course, the present invention can be applied to any number of radiators and any rooms, or areas within the indoor environment. Here, for the purpose of providing an example for understanding the present invention three radiators are selected for three separate rooms. The inlets of each of the radiators 4-6 can be controlled by respective valves 10-12 such as thermostat radiator valves. When the present invention is installed with a heating system, these valves 10- 12 may be omitted. When the present invention is retrofitted to an existing system, the valves 10-12 are likely to already exist, but as will be described below, the present invention can be used in a way that renders them unnecessary. When using the present invention to replace the inlet valves 10-12, they may be removed or simply maintained in the fully open position. The outlets of each of the radiators 4-6 are controlled by respective remotely operable valves 13-15 according to the present invention. When retrofitting the present invention to an existing system, each outlet is likely to be constituted by a lockshield valve. As will be described below, the present invention can be used in a way that renders the lockshield valve unnecessary, in which case what exists within the system may be removed or simply maintained in the fully open position by remotely operable valves 13-15 arranged in series. The remotely operable valves 13-15 will be described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 2. The system is constituted by a communication network 16. Through the communication network, various components of the present invention can communicate with each other and transmit and receive information and instructions as described below. The communication network may be wireless, wired, or a combination of both. For example, some or all of the components of the communication network may be short-range radio.​ Wireless communication systems, wireless Internet connections, cellular network connections, and other wireless or wired communication means, or any combination thereof, can be used for communication. In each of the rooms 7 - 9, respective room temperature sensors 17 - 19 are also installed. These measure the ambient temperature of their respective rooms and are configured to transmit the measured values continuously or periodically via the communication network 16. Although they are depicted as separate units from the remote control valves 13 - 15, this is not necessarily the case. It is also possible to incorporate the room temperature sensors 17 - 19 within the same unit as the remote control valves 13 - 15. This is particularly convenient for later embodiments of the present invention. Each of the rooms 7 - 9 may also include respective user interfaces 20 - 22. These receive inputs from the user, such as the target temperature or desired temperature for their respective rooms, and / or the schedule of desired temperatures over a day or a week, and are configured to transmit the inputs via the communication network 16. Also, the user interfaces 20 - 22 are configured to receive instructions via the communication network. This includes the content displayed on the display screen and the information relayed by voice via the speaker. In some embodiments, it may be convenient to provide the user interfaces 20 - 22 and the room temperature sensors 17 - 19 installed in each of the rooms 7 - 9 together as a single unit. However, in yet another embodiment, it may be preferable to provide them separately. In one embodiment, the user interfaces 20 - 22 and the temperature sensors 17 - 19 are configured to be remotely operable from the valves 13 - 15. configured to be remotely operable from the valves 13 - 15. configured to be remotely operable from the valves 13 - 15. configured to be remotely operable from the valves 13 - 15. configured to be remotely operable from the valves 13 - 15. configured to be remotely operable from the valves 13 - 15. In some embodiments, it may be convenient to provide the user interfaces 20 - 22 and the room temperature sensors 17 - 19 installed in each of the rooms 7 - 9 together as a single unit. However, in yet another embodiment, it may be preferable to provide them separately. In one embodiment, the user interfaces 20 - 22 and the temperature sensors 17 - 19 are configured to be remotely operable from the valves 13 - 15. configured to be remotely operable from the valves 13 - 15. It may be provided within the same housing or unit. In yet another embodiment, the user interface may simply be an application on the user's smart device. . A controller 23 is also provided. The controller 23 receives information and / or instructions from the communication network 16 and from its own memory storage, processes the information and instructions, and is configured to output instructions to the communication network 16 as a result of this processing. Although the controller 23 is shown as a single unit within the indoor environment, it should be understood that any suitable control configuration is within the scope of this invention. Various components of the controller 23, such as memory, microprocessor , interface with the communication network 16, etc., may be distributed throughout the indoor environment, or may be distributed beyond the indoor environment, for example, using a connection to a cloud computing system. An example of a control method using the control device 23 is shown below. FIG. 2 shows the remotely operable valve 13 of the present invention. The remotely operable valve 13 has an inlet 24 connected to the outlet of the radiator 4 and an outlet 25 connected to the heat pump 1, and is connected to a heat transfer fluid circuit 2 for the fluid. Between the inlet 24 and the outlet 25, there is a motor control valve 26 consisting of a valve 27 controlled by a motor 28, and the valve 27 is between the fully open position and the fully closed position, and at any position therebetween, so as to control the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid passing through the remotely operable valve 13, and is controllable to move therebetween. The remotely operable valve 13 also includes a pipe temperature sensor 29 arranged to measure the temperature of the heat transfer fluid in the heat transfer fluid circuit 2 after passing through the valve 27. This temperature sensor ... ... The remotely operable valve 13 also includes a pipe temperature sensor 29 arranged to measure the temperature of the heat transfer fluid in the heat transfer fluid circuit 2 after passing through the valve 27. This temperature sensor ... - Also, the communication interface 30 of the remotely operable valve 30 is configured to continuously or periodically provide temperature measurement values. The temperature measurement values are provided. The communication interface 30 of the remotely operable valve receives the temperature measurement values from the pipe temperature sensor 29 and is configured to transmit them via the communication network 16. Further, it is configured to receive instructions via the communication network 16, particularly instructions regarding the desired position of the valve, and control the motor 28 to move the valve 27 to the desired position.

[0006] Figure 3 shows a method executable by the system shown in Figures 1 and 2. This method enables automatic balancing of the indoor heating system. This method should be executed when the system is first installed and may need to be repeated several times if significant maintenance or changes are made to the system. In step S1, the control device 23 instructs all the remotely operable valves 13 - 15 to fully open via the communication network 16 and their respective communication interfaces 30. The control device 23 also instructs the inverter-driven heat pump 1 to heat the water (heat transfer fluid) to the temperature defined by parameter 1 in Table 1 below. To control the temperature of the water in the heat pump 1, a feedback loop may be provided that traverses the communication network 16, for example, including a temperature sensor in the buffer tank. In step S2, the controller waits for the period defined by parameter 2 in Table 1. This gives 4 - 6 hours for the radiator to reach a steady-state temperature before proceeding to the next step. In step S3, each pipe temperature sensor 29 continuously or repeatedly measures the temperature of the water exiting from the respective remotely operable valves 13 to 16, and reports it to the controller 23 via the communication network. In step S4, the control device 23 compares the latest readings from each of the pipe temperature sensors 29 and determines whether they are all within a certain range of each other as defined by parameter 3 in Table 1. In step S4, if it is determined that all the measured values of the pipe temperature sensors are within the range, the current position of each valve 27 is stored in the memory as "balance configuration" (step S5). After that, the method ends. If it is determined in step S4 that the readings of the pipe temperature sensors are not within the range, the method proceeds to step S6. In step S6, the valve 27 that reached the highest pipe temperature measurement is identified and designated in the memory as the "currently hottest pipe valve", and is closed by an amount according to parameter 4 in Table 1. In step S7, the controller waits for a period defined by parameter 2 in Table 1. This is to give the radiator time to reach the steady temperature again. In step S8, the controller 23 receives and compares the temperature measurement values from each pipe temperature sensor 29 in the system. If the "currently hottest pipe valve" identified in step S6 is currently determined to be associated with the lowest reported temperature, it is opened by an amount according to parameter 5 in Table 1 (in step S9). Then, the control device 23 returns to step S3. Instead, in step S8, if the "currently hottest pipe valve" identified in step S6 is currently determined to be associated with the lowest reported temperature, it is opened by an amount according to parameter 5 in Table 1 (in step S9). Then, the control device 23 returns to step S3. If it is determined that the "steam" is not currently associated with the lowest reported temperature, the controller Return directly to step S3. table FIG. 4 illustrates another method that can be implemented by the system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and described above. The balancing method shown in Figure 3 is performed, and the "balanced configuration" is It is assumed that the data is stored in This method starts, and in step S11, the controller 23 controls the inverter-driven heat pump 1 to supply water (heat transfer The heat point instructs the device to heat the fluid (used in the heat exchanger) to the temperature defined in parameter 1 of Table 1. The water temperature of pump 1 (and buffer tank 3, if provided) To control it, a communication network 16 is traversed, which includes a temperature sensor at the outlet of the heat pump. A feedback loop may be provided. Next, the method branches into two. The first branch is connected to each of the remotely operable valves 13 to 15. The first branch of the method is a method for applying the same to each of the rooms 7 to 9 independently. Although described as being applied to a single remotely operable valve 13 in room 7, the same method can be used It is understood that this applies simultaneously to all remotely operable valves 13-15 in all rooms 7-9. The second branch concerns methods that apply to the entire system. The first branch starts with S12. Remotely controlled valve 13 is recorded in the "Balanced Configuration". The balance position is set so that the In S13, the input “target temperature” for the room is specified. This is entered in the user interface. The communication network 16 may be connected to the network 16 and may be stored in a memory. It may be selected by a user device, such as a smartphone. In S14, the room temperature sensor 17 measures the temperature of room 7 and transmits it to the communication network 16. In S15, the controller 23 receives the measured value of the temperature of room 7 from the communication network 16, and determines whether it is equal to or higher than the "target temperature" specified in step S13. If the room temperature is equal to or higher than the "target temperature", the method proceeds to step S16. Otherwise, it returns to step S14. In step S16, the remotely operable valve 13 is closed by the amount defined by parameter 6 in Table 1. In step S17, the system waits for the time defined by parameter 2 in Table 1. This gives the time for the temperature of the radiator 4 to reach a new steady state after the change in the opening amount of the remotely operable valve 13. In step S18, the room temperature is measured by the room temperature sensor 17, and the measured value is compared with the "target room temperature". If the room temperature is equal to or higher than the "target room temperature", the method returns to step S16. Otherwise, the method proceeds to step S19. In step S19, the remotely operable valve 13 is opened up to the maximum opening amount at the balance position stored in the "balance configuration" by the amount defined by parameter 6 in Table 1. Then, the method returns to step S17. Regarding the second branch applied to the entire system, the process of step S11 proceeds to step S20. In S20, it waits for the time defined by parameter 2 in Table 1. In S21, the pipe temperature sensor 29 measures the temperature of each pipe and communicates the measured value to the communication network 16. In S22, the control device 23 receives the pipe temperature measurement value from the communication network 16, and the pipe temperature measurement Determine whether the highest value is lower than the temperature at which water is currently being heated by the heat pump 1 by the margin defined by parameter 7 in Table 1. The radiator with the highest return pipe temperature is in the room with the lowest heating efficiency. This is likely to indicate that the insulation of this room is the lowest, or the doors and windows are opened most frequently, or there is the most air movement. Also, when comparing each radiator with other rooms, the room may be large compared to the size of the radiator, and it may be necessary to increase the temperature of the radiator to sufficiently heat the room. If it is determined that the highest pipe temperature is lower than the current water temperature by more than the margin defined by parameter 7 in Table 1, the method proceeds to step S23. Otherwise, S22 is repeated. In step S23, the water temperature, that is, the temperature at which water is heated by the heat pump 1, is set to a temperature higher than the highest pipe temperature determined in S22 by the amount defined by parameter 7 in Table 1. Then, the method returns to step S22. This ensures that the heat pump 1 is used to heat water only up to the level necessary to meet the target temperature of each room, and supplies sufficient heat for the least performing radiator to meet the target, but no more. The controller 23 used in the embodiment of the present invention preferably monitors the performance of each element of the system to recommend an upgrade. For example, the controller 23 determines whether the least performing radiator consistently has a return pipe temperature that deviates from the average return pipe temperature by the amount determined by parameter 8 in Table 1 for the period determined by parameter 9 in Table 1. ​​​​​​​​​​​​If it is determined so, the controller 23 can convey a recommendation to the user to replace or upgrade the radiator with the worst performance. These parameters are defined using the parameters defined in Table 1 and using the range and preferred values. For those skilled in the art, in a specific embodiment of these methods, a single value of each pa rameter should be selected and should be selected according to specific situations, and it can be easily assumed that it can be improved using trial and error or other appropriate methods. The preferred parameters and their ranges may be different from those shown in Table 1, and may also be different depending on whether the radiator is a radiator or a floor heating pipe. For example, the time until the change in the water temperature affects the return pipe temperature may be different between the radiator and the floor heating pipe. However, the heating system of the present invention may be composed of both a radiator and a floor heating pipe, and since these are on separate water circuits, the method of the present invention can be applied to each circuit separately. The present invention has been described with reference to specific preferred embodiments and specific usage methods, but these embodiments and methods are not limiting. The present invention is limited only by the scope of the claims. For example, more sophisticated methods can also be used to control the central heat source and the remotely operable valve more efficiently. The controller of the present invention may be provided with a machine learning function in order to more accurately predict the influence of small changes in controllable parameters such as valve position on the room temperature. Also, by machine learning, external factors such as heat loss due to heat insulation insufficiency, opening of doors and windows, time zone, and many other factors affect the room temperature. ​Predict the resulting impacts, and based on the prediction of these impacts, make adjustments to avoid these impacts in advance This can be done.

Claims

1. A method for controlling an indoor heating system comprising a primary heat source (1) for heating the fluid in a fluid circuit (2) to a target central temperature and a plurality of heat emitters (4, 5, 6) connected subsequent to the fluid circuit (2), the method comprising the following steps. Controlling the flow of fluid to or from each heat emitter (4, 5, 6) such that the respective surroundings (7, 8, 9) of each heat emitter (4, 5, 6) achieve and maintain their respective target temperatures or temperature ranges. Determining the minimum target central temperature required to achieve and maintain all of the respective target temperatures or ranges of the respective surroundings (7, 8, 9) of the heat emitters (4, 5, 6), or the minimum amount of heat provided to the fluid by the primary heat source (1). Setting the target central temperature to the minimum target central temperature or controlling the primary heat source (1) to supply only the minimum heat to the fluid. The minimum target central temperature or minimum amount of heat is determined based on the highest temperature among the temperatures of the fluid outlets from all the heat emitters (4, 5, 6) connected to the fluid circuit (2).

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising balancing the plurality of heat emitters (4, 5, 6) by adjusting the maximum allowable flow rate of fluid to or from each heat emitter (4, 5, 6) prior to step a.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein in step a, when the flow of fluid to or from each respective heat emitter (4, 5, 6) is controlled, for any of the plurality of heat emitters (4, 5, 6), it does not exceed the maximum allowable flow rate of fluid determined during the step of balancing the plurality of heat emitters (4, 5, 6).

4. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the flow of fluid to or from each heat emitter (4, 5, 6) is increased or decreased by remotely operable motorized valves (13, 14, 15).

5. An indoor heating system comprising the following. A primary heat source (1) for heating the fluid in a fluid circuit (2), a plurality of heat emitters (4, 5, 6) connected to the fluid circuit (2), and respective remotely operable motorized valves (13, 14, 15) at the fluid outlets or inlets of each heat emitter (4, 5, 6). ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ and a temperature sensor (29) at the outlet of each heat emitter, and ambient temperature sensors (17, 18, 19) in the vicinity (7, 8, 9) of each heat emitter (4, 5, 6) and a controller (23) for controlling and communicating with the primary heat source (1), ambient temperature (17, 18, 19) sensors in the vicinity (7, 8, 9) of each heat radiator (4, 5, 6), each of the primary heat source (1), remotely operable motorized valves (13, 14, 15), and a controller (23) that is in control communication with each of the temperature sensors (17, 18, 19, 29), characterized in that the controller (23) is programmed to execute the method of any of the preceding claims.

6. The indoor heating system according to claim 5, wherein the primary heat source (1) is an inverter-controlled heat pump.

7. The indoor heating system according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the plurality of heat radiators (13, 14, 15) include radiators and / or floor heating pipes.

8. A controller for an indoor heating system programmed to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

9. The controller according to claim 11, wherein the indoor heating system is a hot water heating system.

10. The controller according to claim 11, wherein the indoor heating system is a steam heating system.

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