Methods, systems, and devices that support the reduction of energy and water consumption.

Abstract

The household hot water supply system includes a cold water inlet (302) for receiving cold water from a water supply source, a hot water outlet (304) connected to supply hot water on demand to a household hot water outlet operated by a user, a heat exchanger (308) for heating water using a high-temperature fluid received from a high-temperature fluid source (306), an electric heater (326), a heat storage device (342) for storing heat, a circulation pump (320) for sending water from the heat storage device (342) to the heat exchanger (308), and a controller (340) for controlling the operation of the system to provide a high-temperature fluid to be passed to the fluid source (306) to heat the fluid source (306) to reduce thawing or freezing when hot water is not requested at the household hot water outlet (304). Hot water is sent from the heat storage device (342) to the heat exchanger (308) via a circulation pump (320), or, if the heat storage device (342) does not have enough heat stored in it, an electric heater (326) is used to heat the water that is passed to the heat storage device (342). The fluid from the fluid source (306) is heated in the heat exchanger (308) using thermal energy from the hot water so that the high-temperature fluid is returned to the fluid source (306) to heat the fluid source (306).

Description

Technical Field

[0003]

[0001] The present disclosure is variously related to methods and apparatuses for facilities including a building hot water supply system that assist in reducing energy and water usage.

Background Art

[0002] Worldwide, there is a shortage of drinking water. Water shortages are now commonly reported around the world, and such problems may once have been thought to affect only "hot" countries and continents, but that is no longer the case. The European Environment Agency has reported that water shortages or water stress are problems affecting millions of people around the world, including over 100 million in Europe. Approximately 88.2% of freshwater use in Europe (for drinking and other purposes) is derived from rivers and groundwater, with the remainder from reservoirs (10.3%) and lakes (1.5%), and these water sources are extremely vulnerable to the threats posed by unregulated development, pollution, and climate change.

[0003] As a result, there is an urgent need to reduce household water usage. In Europe, on average, 144 liters of fresh water are supplied per person per day for household consumption, but much of this water is "wasted" through carelessness and inappropriate choices of faucets, showers, and appliances.

[0004] Linked to the need to reduce water consumption is the need to reduce household energy consumption, particularly (at least in Europe) considering that approximately 75% of heating and cooling is still generated from fossil fuels and only 22% from renewable energy.

[0005] According to Directive 2012 / 27 / EU, buildings account for 40% of the European Union's final energy consumption and 36% of its CO2 emissions. The 2016 European Commission report, “Mapping and Analysis of Heating and Cooling Fuel Deployments Now and in the Future (2020-2030) (Fossil Fuels / Renewable Energy),” concluded that in EU households, heating and hot water supply alone accounts for 79% (192.5 Mtoe) of total final energy use. The European Commission also reported: “According to Eurostat's 2019 figures, approximately 75% of heating and cooling still comes from fossil fuels, and only 22% comes from renewable energy. To achieve the EU’s climate and energy targets, the heating and cooling sector must significantly reduce its energy consumption and reduce its use of fossil fuels. Heat pumps (which draw energy from air, ground, or water) have been identified as potentially important contributors in addressing this problem.”

[0006] Many countries have policies and pressures to reduce their carbon footprint. For example, in the UK, the government published a white paper on the "Future Homes Standard" in 2020, proposing a 75-80% reduction in carbon emissions from new homes compared to current levels by 2025. Furthermore, in early 2019, it was announced that the installation of gas boilers in new homes would be banned from 2025. As of the time of this application, it has been reported that 78% of the total energy used for heating buildings in the UK comes from gas and 12% from electricity.

[0007] In the UK, there are numerous small properties with two or three bedrooms or less that are equipped with gas-fired central heating, and most of these properties use what are known as combination boilers. Here, the combination boiler functions as both an instantaneous hot water heater and a central heating (space heating) boiler. Combination boilers are popular because they combine a small form factor, can supply "unlimited" hot water almost instantly (with an output of 20-35 kW), and do not require a hot water tank. Such boilers can be purchased relatively inexpensively from reputable manufacturers. Due to their small form factor and the fact that they do not require a hot water storage tank, such boilers can generally be installed even in small apartments and houses (often wall-mounted in the kitchen), meaning that a new boiler can be installed in a day's work by one worker. Thus, it is possible to install a new gas combination boiler inexpensively. With the ban on new gas boilers imminent, there is a need to provide alternative heat sources to replace gas combination boilers. Furthermore, previously installed combination boilers will eventually need to be replaced with some kind of alternative. Combination boilers generally have dimensions of approximately 70cm to 200cm in height, 420cm to 150cm in width, and 20cm to 100cm in depth. However, an average indoor combination boiler for small to medium-sized houses is approximately 75cm in height, 45cm in width, and 50cm in depth. Of course, these dimensions vary depending on the manufacturer and the boiler's rated output.

[0008] Amid growing concerns about the environmental impact of energy consumption, interest in using heat pump technology as a method for supplying hot water to homes has recently increased. A heat pump is a device that transfers thermal energy from a heat source to a heat reservoir. While heat pumps require electricity to accomplish the work of transferring thermal energy from the heat source to the heat reservoir, they are generally more efficient than electric resistance heaters (electric heating elements), typically having a coefficient of performance of at least 3 or 4. This means that, under equivalent electricity usage, a heat pump can provide users with three or four times the amount of heat compared to an electric resistance heater.

[0009] The heat transfer medium that carries thermal energy is known as a refrigerant. Thermal energy from air (e.g., outside air or air from a hot room in a house) or a geothermal heat source (e.g., an underground loop or a water-filled borehole) is extracted by a heat exchanger on the receiving side and transferred to a sealed refrigerant. The refrigerant, with its increased energy, is compressed, its temperature rises significantly, and this high-temperature refrigerant exchanges thermal energy with a heated water loop via the heat exchanger. In the context of supplying heated water, the heat extracted by the heat pump can be transferred to water in an insulated tank that acts as a thermal energy storage, and the heated water can be used later as needed. The heated water can be directed to one or more water outlets as needed, e.g., a faucet, shower, or radiator. However, heat pumps generally require more time to raise water to the desired temperature compared to electric resistance heaters.

[0010] While heat pumps have been proposed as a potential solution to the need to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower CO2 emissions, many technical, commercial, and practical reasons make them unsuitable at present for replacing gas-fired boilers in small-scale residential (and small-scale commercial) facilities. They are generally very large, requiring a considerable amount of external space outside the property. Therefore, they cannot be easily retrofitted to properties with typical combi boilers. Units capable of providing output equivalent to a typical gas boiler are currently expensive and may require significant power demand. Not only is the cost of the unit itself several times that of a comparable gas-fired device, but its size and complexity also mean that installation is technically complex and therefore expensive. A storage tank for hot water is also required, which is another factor hindering the use of heat pumps in small-scale residential homes. A further technical problem is that heat pumps tend to take a considerable amount of time to begin generating heat in response to demand. Perhaps 30 seconds for self-diagnosis, and then more time to heat up, resulting in a delay of more than a minute between requesting hot water and receiving it. Therefore, renewable solutions using heat pumps and / or solar power are generally applicable to large-scale properties that have space for hot water storage tanks (which involve space requirements, heat loss, and the risk of Legionella bacteria).

[0011] A significant component of household energy consumption is the use of hot water, both in terms of the amount of hot water used and the energy wasted due to overheating. Hot water waste is, of course, a major contributor to the more common problem of water waste, and this issue must also be addressed if humanity is to achieve a sustainable future.

[0012] Whether in commercial or residential settings, heated water is needed 24 / 7, year-round. Needless to say, providing heated water requires both clean water and a heat source. To provide heated water, a heating system is often provided to a centralized water supply system, heating the water to a predetermined temperature, for example, set by the user. The heat source used is traditionally one or more electric heating elements or the combustion of natural gas. Generally, during periods of high energy (e.g., gas or electricity) demand, utilities apply peak rates, raising the unit price of energy to cover the additional cost of having to purchase more energy to supply customers and to curb unnecessary energy use. Then, during periods of low energy demand, utilities apply off-peak rates, lowering the unit price of energy to incentivize customers to switch to using energy during these off-peak periods instead of peak periods, thereby achieving a more balanced overall energy consumption over time. However, such strategies are only effective if customers are always aware of the price changes and make a conscious effort to change their energy consumption habits.

[0013] Because different homes, workplaces, and commercial spaces have different requirements and preferences for hot water use, new methods of providing heated water are desirable to enable heat pumps as a practical alternative to electric heaters. [Overview of the Initiative]

[0014] The present invention provides a hot water supply system as described in claim 1.

[0015] The present invention also provides a method for controlling the hot water supply system described in claim 9.

[0016] The present invention further provides the corresponding computer program product described in claim 13. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] Various embodiments of this disclosure are described below, for illustrative purposes only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a schematic overview of an exemplary water supply system. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a building water supply system according to the embodiments of this disclosure. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram, similar to Figure 2, showing a portion of the building's water supply system, illustrating its components and flow paths. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows the building's internal water supply equipment as shown in Figure 3, illustrating the first operating mode. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows the building's water supply system as depicted in Figure 3, illustrating the second operating mode. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows the building's water supply system as depicted in Figure 3, illustrating the third operating mode. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows the building's water supply system as depicted in Figure 3, illustrating the fourth operating mode. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows the building's internal water supply system as shown in Figure 3, illustrating the fifth operating mode. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows the building's internal water supply system as shown in Figure 3, illustrating the sixth operating mode. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows the building's water supply system as depicted in Figure 3, illustrating the seventh operating mode. [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows the building's water supply system as depicted in Figure 3, illustrating the eighth operating mode. [Figure 12] Figure 12 shows the building's water supply system as depicted in Figure 3, illustrating the ninth operating mode. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] When dealing with household energy consumption, it is important to consider the energy used for providing hot water, which means taking into account not only the temperature of the water supplied or stored, but also the amount of hot water used. In many countries and regions, due to the perception that fresh water is abundant, historically little attention has been paid to the amount of water used in households, and this lack of attention has been greatly reflected in the configuration of water supply systems and the flow rate at the outlets. It was not uncommon for bathtub faucets to flow at a rate of over 15 liters per minute, kitchen faucets to have a flow rate or over 12 liters per minute, and even washbasin faucets to flow at a rate of over 10 liters per minute. Shower outlets could flow at over 15 liters per minute, and approximately two-thirds of that was usually from the hot water supply.

[0019] Over the past 20 years, as water shortages have begun to be recognized and former publicly-owned water supply operators have been privatized, along with the introduction of household water meters and volume-based billing, awareness has changed somewhat. As a result, in newly constructed dwellings, faucets and shower outlets tend to have a maximum flow rate that is about half to two-thirds that of conventional ones. Nevertheless, it is common not only for old dwellings to still have high-flow faucets and showers, but also for even modern outlets to make it easy to use more water than is strictly necessary for washing hands, taking a bath, or taking a shower. Consider a shower with a flow rate of 15 liters per minute. A 12-minute shower uses 180 liters of water, and approximately 100 - 110 liters of that is from the hot water supply. The hot water supply temperature is often in the range of 50 to 60 degrees Celsius and is heated from a temperature much lower, often below 10 degrees Celsius. Therefore, it can be understood that not only a large amount of water is used, but also a large amount of energy is used to heat that water.

[0020] Furthermore, although a high hot water supply temperature of 50 to 60 degrees Celsius has the advantage of reducing the risk of Legionella infection, there is a significant risk of burns at this temperature range.

[0021] In embodiments of this technology, chilled and heated water are supplied by a centralized water supply system to multiple water outlets, including faucets, showers, radiators, etc., for residential or commercial buildings. An exemplary water supply system according to an embodiment is shown in Figure 1. In this schematic system, the water supply system 100 comprises a control module 110 which includes one or more machine learning algorithms 120. The control module 110 is configured to communicately couple to and control various elements of the water supply system, which include, for example, a flow control unit 130 in the form of one or more valves arranged to control the flow rate of water into and out of the system; a heat pump 140 (geothermal or air source) configured to extract heat from the surroundings and store the extracted heat in a thermal energy tank 150 used to heat the water; and one or more electric heating elements 160 configured to directly heat chilled water to a desired temperature by controlling the amount of energy supplied to the electric heating elements 160. Whether heated by the thermal energy tank 150 or by the electric heating element 160, the heated water is then directed to one or more water outlets as needed. In this embodiment, the heat pump 140 extracts heat from the surroundings and places it into a thermal energy storage medium in the thermal energy tank 150. The thermal energy storage medium may also be heated by other heat sources. The thermal energy storage medium is heated to a desired operating temperature, after which cold water, for example from a tap, may be heated by the thermal energy storage medium to a desired temperature. The heated water can then be supplied to various water outlets in the system.

[0022] In this schematic system, the control module 110 is configured to receive inputs from a plurality of sensors 170-1, 170-2, 170-3, ..., 170-n. The plurality of sensors 170-1, 170-2, 170-3, ..., 170-n include, for example, one or more air temperature sensors, one or more water temperature sensors, one or more water pressure sensors, one or more timers, one or more motion sensors located indoors and / or outdoors, and also include other sensors not directly linked to the water supply system 100, such as a GPS signal receiver, calendar, weather forecast app on a smartphone carried by a resident and communicating with the control module via a communication channel. In this embodiment, the control module 110 is configured to use the received inputs to perform various control functions, such as controlling the flow rate of water through the flow control unit 130 and sending it to the thermal energy tank 150 or electric heating element 160 to heat the water.

[0023] Generally, heat pumps are more energy-efficient for heating water compared to electric resistance heaters. However, heat pumps take time to start up because they perform various checks and cycles before reaching a normal operating state, and they also take time to transfer a sufficient amount of thermal energy to the thermal energy storage medium before reaching the desired operating temperature. On the other hand, electric resistance heaters can generally provide heat more immediately. Therefore, a heat pump may take longer to heat the same amount of water to the same temperature compared to an electric resistance heater.

[0024] Figure 2 shows a more detailed schematic diagram of an in-building hot water supply system 200, which includes a hot water source 205 with multiple controllable water outlets (various faucets and showers, which will be described in more detail later), at least one outlet with a controllable outflow temperature, and at least one first temperature sensor 243, at least one flow measuring device 210, and at least one flow regulator 215 for detecting the outflow temperature in the water flow path between the water source 205 and the multiple controllable water outlets. A processor 240 is operably connected to the at least one flow measuring device 210 and the at least one flow regulator 215. The illustrated water supply system represents a residence with a main bathroom 221, a first en-suite shower room 222, a second en-suite shower room 223, a cloakroom 224, and a kitchen 225. The main bathroom 221 and the first en-suite shower room 222 may be located on one floor of the residence, while the cloakroom 224, the second en-suite 223, and the kitchen 225 may be located on a different floor of the residence. In such a situation, it is preferable to have two separate water channels 230 and 231 to supply water to various outlets, as shown. The two water channels 230 and 231 may each be supplied from different outlets, and the temperatures of the two outlets are individually adjustable, with each outlet having its own associated temperature sensor 243. The water temperature at the outlets may be adjusted by mixing chilled water with hot water from a fixed-temperature or variable-temperature source, or by controlling the energy supplied to a heat source such as an electric heating element or a gas heater. Later, a hot water system including a thermal energy storage configuration, generally combined with a heat pump, will be described, in which the hot water supply temperature can generally be adjusted by mixing chilled water from a chilled water source in different ratios. Sometimes, such a system may include an instantaneous heat source (such as an electric heating element) downstream of the thermal energy storage configuration, controlled by the system's processor, and in such a setup, control of the hot water supply temperature may include controlling the amount of energy supplied to the instantaneous water heater and, in some cases, mixing chilled water from a chilled water source in different ratios.

[0025] The main bathroom 221 is shown to include a shower outlet 235, a bathroom faucet or tap 236, and a sink faucet 237. The en-suite shower rooms 222 and 223 also include a shower outlet 235 and a sink faucet 237. Conversely, the cloakroom 224 includes only a flush toilet (not shown) and a sink with a faucet 238. Finally, the kitchen 235 has a sink with a faucet 239.

[0026] The processor, i.e., the system controller 240, is coupled to the at least one flow measuring device 210 and the at least one flow regulator 215, along with the associated memory 241. It will be understood that each of the two water channels 230 and 231 is provided with its own flow measuring device 210 and flow regulator 215. The processor is also optionally connected to one or more temperature sensors 243, one each for each of the water channels 230 and 231. This processor may be associated with an energy bank.

[0027] The processor may also be coupled to an RF transceiver 242, which includes at least one RF transmitter and at least one RF receiver, for bidirectional communication via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc., and preferably also to the Internet 244 for connection to a server or central station 245, and optionally to a cellular radio network (LTE, UMTS, 4G, 5G, etc.). By connecting to the RF transceiver 242 and / or the Internet, the processor 240 can communicate with a mobile device 250, which may be, for example, a smartphone or tablet, for use by a facilities engineer when configuring (and optionally mapping) an in-building water supply system. The mobile device 250 includes software such as a specific app that works with corresponding software in the system controller 240 and potentially in the server 245 to facilitate the configuration (and optionally mapping) method according to embodiments of the present invention, and in particular, synchronizes the actions performed by the engineer with the clock of the system controller 240 / server 245. Memory 241 contains code that allows the processor to execute a method for configuring (and optionally mapping) the building's water supply equipment processor, for example, during the commissioning process of new equipment.

[0028] During the commissioning process, to configure the hot water supply system 200, engineers may be asked to set up temperature sensors directly below specific hot water outlets, such as specific faucet or shower outlets, and to fully open those outlets at specific moments. The system processor is configured to measure the flow rate, the difference between both the outlet temperature and the supply temperature, the time delay, and preferably the outdoor temperature (data provided by the external temperature sensor). This allows an algorithm (e.g., MLA) to calculate the heat loss through the distribution system, the distance between the outlet (faucet or shower outlet) and the hot water source, and ultimately to precisely adjust the outlet temperature to achieve the correct water temperature at the relevant controllable outlet (e.g., faucet). For example, if the household includes children, the maximum hot water temperature to all outlets except the kitchen sink may be limited to 40 or 41 degrees, while if there are infants in the house, the maximum temperature may be limited to 37 degrees. Even if there are no children, the maximum temperature to all outlets except the kitchen sink may be set to 43 degrees, and perhaps to 41 degrees for the shower outlet.

[0029] The system may also be set up to limit the flow rate of hot water to several classes of water outlets, such as washbasins, sinks, and possibly showers, with different maximum flow rates set for each class of outlet, and / or a maximum specific flow rate set for a particular outlet. Thus, for example, lower flow rates may be set for bathrooms and cloakrooms used by children. The determination of maximum temperature and flow rates may be based on rules provided by the system supplier. Later, we will discuss hot water supply systems using heat pumps and thermal energy storage configurations, such systems greatly benefit from the imposition of temperature and flow rate control. This is because heat pumps sized to meet the spatial heating needs of medium-sized one- to three-bedroom residences generally do not have the heating capacity to meet the instantaneous hot water demands of a household without a large hot water storage tank. By controlling the flow rate and temperature of hot water, it may be possible to eliminate the need to provide a hot water tank while minimizing the scale of energy shortages that would otherwise have to be addressed by other means. When the installation includes a thermal energy storage configuration and a heat pump, the system supplier typically pre-programs appropriate temperature and flow rate values ​​into the processor based on the outlet type and household configuration.

[0030] A database of temperature and, optionally, flow rates, based on outlet type and household composition, is also made available to the system controller via the internet and can be updated as needed. The system controller's user interface may provide means for residents and / or service engineers to adjust various settings in response to changes in household composition (such as the arrival of guests, including infants, children, or elderly or infirm persons), for example, to allow users to set lower maximum temperatures and / or flow rates.

[0031] Figure 3 schematically shows the heating system 300, illustrating several components and flows between them that may be used in a system similar to the one described above with reference to Figure 1. As shown, the heating system 300 includes a cold water inlet 302 and a household hot water outlet 304, such as a faucet or shower outlet, as well as a household hot water heating device 310, such as a radiator. The system 300 further includes heat storage equipment 342, such as a heat pump 306 with a heating capacity of typically 3 to 12 kW, a heat exchanger 308, and a relatively small water tank that holds about 15 liters of water. These components are connected by water flow pipes equipped with flow transducers, temperature transducers, and valves that control the water flow in the manner described below. The flow transducers and temperature transducers are all connected via signal lines that provide signals to a system controller 340, which controls the valves to control the system to operate in one of several operating modes described below. One, some, or all of the flow transducers may be replaced with pressure transducers that determine the fluid pressure so that the flow rate can be determined.

[0032] A first flow path 312, extending from the cold water inlet 302, leads to the first inlet HX1 of the heat exchanger 308. A temperature transducer TT01 and a flow transducer FT01 measure the temperature and flow rate of the cold water at the cold water inlet 302. A temperature transducer TT02 and a flow transducer FT03 measure the temperature and flow rate at the first inlet HX1 to the heat exchanger 308. A second flow path 314 leads from the first flow path 312 near the cold water inlet 302 toward the household hot water outlet 304. A first electric valve MV01 is located in the second flow path 314 to regulate the water flow within the second flow path 314. The flow transducer FT02 measures the flow rate of chilled water passing through the first electric valve MV01, and from there selectively merges with the water exiting the electric three-way valve MV03, as will be further described below, and heads toward the household hot water outlet 304, where the temperature transducer TT07 measures the temperature of the water leading to the household hot water outlet 304.

[0033] The first portion 316a of the third flow path 316 is accessed from the first flow path 312, which is closer to the heat exchanger 308 than the second flow path 314. The second motorized valve MV02 is located within the first portion 316a of the third flow path 316 to regulate the water flow within the first portion 316a of the third flow path 316, which leads to the lower part of the heat storage device 342. A temperature transducer TT11 measures the water temperature at the lower part of the heat storage device 342, and another temperature transducer TT10 measures the water temperature at the upper part of the heat storage device 342. The second portion 316b of the third flow path 316 is accessed from the upper part of the heat storage device 342 to the second inlet B of the motorized three-way valve MV03, where a temperature transducer TT05 measures the water temperature in the second portion 315b of the third flow path 316. The return channel 318 is provided to return water from the outlet of the electric valve MV02 in the first portion 316a of the third channel 316 back to the inlet of the electric valve MV02 via the circulation pump 320 and the check valve 322.

[0034] The heat exchanger 308 has a first outlet HX2, which is a connector for receiving water that enters the heat exchanger via a first inlet HX1. A fourth flow path 324 leads from the first outlet HX2 of the heat exchanger to the first inlet A of the electric three-way valve MV03 via an electric heater 326. A temperature transducer TT03 measures the temperature of the water leaving the first outlet HX2 of the heat exchanger 308, and a temperature transducer TT04 measures the temperature of the water leaving the electric heater 326 and entering the first inlet A of the electric three-way valve MV03. A fifth flow path 328 leads from the outlets AB of the electric three-way valve MV03 toward the household hot water outlet 304 and merges with the first flow path 314 before reaching the household hot water outlet 304. The temperature transducer TT06 measures the temperature of the water exiting outlet AB of the electric three-way valve MV03 before it merges with the water from the second flow path 314, and the temperature transducer TT07 measures the temperature of the water entering the household hot water outlet 304 after it has merged with the water from the second flow path 314.

[0035] On the opposite side of the heat exchanger 308 from the first inlet HX1 and first outlet HX2 are a second inlet HX3 and a second outlet HX4. The second inlet HX3 is supplied by a sixth flow path 330 that leads from the outlet of the heat pump 306 via an electric three-way valve MV04, and the temperature of transducer TT08 measures the temperature of the water at the second inlet HX3 of the heat exchanger 308. A seventh flow path 332 is coupled between the second outlet HX4 of the heat exchanger 308 and the inlet of the heat pump 306. As shown, the heat pump 306 includes a heat exchanger 334 and a circulation pump 336 to heat the water received at the inlet and to output the heated water and output. A temperature transducer TT09 measures the temperature of the water that leaves the heat exchanger 308 and is passed to the inlet of the heat pump 306. Therefore, the electric three-way valve MV04 has a first inlet A connected to the outlet of the heat pump 306, and outlets AB connected to the second inlet HX3 of the heat exchanger 308. The second outlet B of the electric three-way valve MV04 leads to the inlet of the household hot water heating appliance 310, and its outlet leads to the seventh flow path 332.

[0036] The dashed line labeled 344 indicates all the components of a system that may be contained within a housing of similar size and shape to that of a combination boiler, although it will be understood by those skilled in the art that, in some circumstances, components may be arranged in a different way inside or outside such a housing, and in some circumstances, no housing may be required at all. In particular, for example, the temperature transducer TT09 may be located closer to the heat exchanger 308 inside the housing 344, or closer to the household hot water heater 310 outside the housing 344. Other temperature and flow transducers, such as the flow transducer FT01 and / or temperature transducer TT01, may also be located inside or outside the housing as desired.

[0037] The operating modes of the heating system 300 will be described in more detail below with reference to Figures 4 to 12. These figures show the system in Figure 3, but for clarity, the signal lines between the controller 340 and the various flow and temperature transducers, as well as the equipment, have been omitted. Instead, the flow paths used in a particular operating mode are shown with superimposed dashed lines to indicate which flow paths and components are controlled in that mode. There are several different operating modes, each of which will be described in turn, some of which are interrelated and can be used in combination or separately. The modes are as follows: Mode 1 (Figure 4): A heat exchanger heat storage mode in which water used to fill (or store heat in) the heat storage device 342 is heated using the heat exchanger 308. Mode 2 (Figure 5): Electric heater heat storage mode in which the electric heater 326 is used to heat the water used to store heat in the heat storage device 342. Mode 3 (Figure 6): Initial hot water mode in which hot water supplied to the household hot water outlet 304 is supplied by the thermal energy storage device 342 if it is storing heat in hot water, or by being heated by the electric heater 326, or by a combination of both as needed. Mode 4 (Figure 7): A mixed water mode in which cold water from the tap cold water inlet 302 is mixed with water from Mode 3 to lower the temperature of the water supplied to the household hot water outlet 304. Mode 5 (Figure 8): A steady-state mode in which the heat pump 306 is used to heat chilled water from the water supply chilled water inlet 302 in a heat exchanger to provide hot water, which is optionally further heated by an electric heater 326 and mixed with the chilled water from the water supply chilled water inlet 302 to lower the temperature of the water supplied to the household hot water outlet 304. Mode 6 (Figure 9): A combined mode that is a combination of Mode 3 and Mode 5. Mode 7 (Figure 10): Heat pump defrosting mode. Mode 8 (Figure 11): House heating mode. And, Mode 9 (Figure 12): A combined mode that is a combination of Mode 6 and Mode 8.

[0038] First, turning to Figure 4, we see a first operating mode ("heat pump heat storage mode") in which the heat storage device 342 stores heat with hot water provided from the heat exchanger 308. In this first operating mode, the second electric valve MV02 is closed and the circulation pump 320 in the return channel 318 is turned on, so water is sent from the heat storage device 342 to the first inlet HX1 of the heat exchanger 308 via the circulation pump 320, the check valve 322, and the first channel 312. Since water is sent from the first section 316a of the third channel 316 to the first channel 312, water from the household chilled water inlet 302 does not affect the flow. The water is heated in the heat exchanger 308 and passed from the first outlet HX2 through the fourth channel 324 to the electric valve MV03 via the electric heater 326, which is turned off in this mode. The electric valve MV03 controls the water so that it flows from port A to port B, and the water returns to the heat storage unit 342. It will be apparent that the water can be looped in this manner multiple times until the water in the heat storage unit 342 reaches a predetermined temperature measured by the temperature transducer TT10 or the temperature transducer TT04, if desired. To supply hot water from the heat pump to the heat exchanger 308, the electric valve MV04 controls the water in the sixth channel 330 from the heat pump 306 to pass from port A to port AB in the electric valve MV04 and to the second inlet HX3 of the heat exchanger 308. The water then returns to the heat pump 306 from the second outlet HX4 of the heat exchanger 308.

[0039] In this first mode, the power of the heat pump is adjusted to transfer heat to the circulating hot water loop, and with the continuous operation of the hot water-side circulation pump 320, heat is stored in a thermal energy storage device 342, which is, for example, a 15-liter tank. In an exemplary case, if the circulation pump 320 operates at 6 L / min and the heat pump 306 is adjusted to heat the water in the hot water loop to 55 degrees in the heat exchanger 308, the circulation pump 320 will operate for approximately 6 minutes, storing the water in the thermal energy storage device 342 to 55 degrees by passing through the loop twice.

[0040] Figure 5 shows a second operating mode ("electric heater heat storage mode of heat storage") in which the heat storage device 342 stores heat with hot water heated by the electric heater 326. In this mode, as in the first mode, the second electric valve MV02 is closed and the circulation pump 320 in the return channel 318 is turned on, so that water is sent from the heat storage device to the first inlet HX1 of the heat exchanger 308 via the circulation pump 320, the check valve 322, and the first channel 312. Since the heat pump does not provide thermal energy to the heat exchanger in this mode, the water is passed from the first outlet HX2 of the heat exchanger through the fourth channel 324 to the electric heater 326, which is actively controlled to heat the water in this mode. The hot water is then passed to the electric valve MV03, which is controlled so that the hot water flows from port A to port B, so that the hot water returns to the heat storage device 342. It will be apparent that, if desired, the water in the heat storage device 342 can be looped through multiple times in this manner until it reaches a predetermined temperature measured by the temperature transducer TT10 or the temperature transducer TT04.

[0041] In this second mode, the power of the electric heater is adjusted to heat the circulating water on the hot water side to a desired temperature. In an exemplary case, if the circulation pump 320 operates at 5 L / min and the electric heater 326 is adjusted to heat the water in the hot water loop to 55 degrees, as measured by the temperature transducer TT04, the circulation pump 320 will operate for 6 minutes to store the water in the thermal energy storage device 342 at 55 degrees in two passes.

[0042] Therefore, the controller can choose to use either the first or second mode to store heat in the thermal energy storage device. This may depend on whether the heat pump is available and active. If it is active and the hot fluid is already available in the heat exchanger, the first mode may be selected. Even if the heat pump is already active but the electric valve MV04 has not yet allowed the hot fluid to pass thoroughly into the heat exchanger, the first mode is still selected, and the electric valve MV04 is controlled as described above to allow the hot fluid to pass from port A to port AB and then to the second inlet HX3 of the heat exchanger. On the other hand, considering that the heat pump is not active and it will take some time for the heat pump to start generating the hot fluid as described above, the controller selects the second mode and uses an electric heater to heat the water and store heat in the thermal energy storage device.

[0043] In the third operating mode shown in Figure 6 ("initial hot water mode"), hot water is supplied to the household hot water outlet 304 by the heat energy storage device 342 if it is heated with hot water, by the electric heater 326, or by a combination of both. If the heat energy storage device 342 is fully heated with hot water, it can be used in preference to using the electric heater 326 to heat the water. To use the hot water from the heat energy storage device 342, the motor valve MV02 is opened, thereby using the third flow path 316 to take in cold water from the water cold water inlet 302 and push the hot water out of the heat energy storage device 342. The hot water from the heat energy storage device 342 passes through the motor valve MV03 from port B to port AB. As the temperature of the water from the thermal energy storage device 342 decreases (due to mixing with cold water from the tap cold water inlet 302), the electric valve MV03 is controlled to gradually open the path from port A to port AB while gradually closing the path from port B to port AB. The flow rates between ports A-AB and B-AB are configured to be inversely proportional so that the outflow of water from port AB to the fifth flow path 328 leading to the household hot water outlet 304 is kept constant. This is adjusted according to the temperature sensed by the temperature transducer TT06, depending on whether the temperature sensed by the temperature transducer TT06 is lower than the desired temperature in the temperature transducer TT06. Therefore, if the temperature in the temperature transducer TT06 is lower than the desired temperature, the percentage of valve port B that allows fluid flow to port AB can be reduced from 100 percent to allow flow through port A, while the flow from port B is reduced. Thus, the reduced flow from port B is mixed with the flow coming from port A. The water passing through port A of the electric valve MV03 comes from the fourth channel 324 and is heated as needed via the electric heater 326 to supply hot water to ports AB at a desired temperature sensed by the temperature transducer TT06. The water in the fourth channel 324 arrives there via the first channel 312 from the tap cold water inlet 302 and comes through the heat exchanger 308.This operating mode depends on the thermal energy storage device 342 being preheated by, for example, either the first or second operating mode.

[0044] Normally, the water in the thermal energy storage device 342 is stored as heat at 1.25 times the desired temperature, as sensed by the temperature transducer TT07, measured as temperature at temperature transducers TT11 and TT10. When there is a secondary hot water demand at a flow rate measured by the flow transducer FT01, water flows through a third channel 316 to the thermal energy storage device 342. The thermal energy storage device 342 is a stratified tank holding 15 L, where 15 L of water flowing in at a temperature measured by temperature transducer TT01 will push out 15 L of preheated water. Tank depletion is measured by knowing the temperature readings at temperature transducers TT10 and TT11 and the amount of water that has passed through the tank. V = t * (Q@FT01 - Q@FT03 - Q@FT02) Here, V is the amount of tank depletion. t is time. Q@FT01 is the flow rate measured by the flow transducer FT01. Q@FT02 is the flow rate measured by the flow transducer FT02. Q@FT03 is the flow rate measured by the flow transducer FT03.

[0045] When water flows out of the tank to port B of the electric valve MV03, if for any reason the temperature in the temperature transducer TT05 is lower than the desired temperature in the temperature transducer TT07, an electric heater 326 can be used to replenish the temperature of the water passing through the fourth passage 324, where the electric valve MV03 is controlled to at least partially open port A to allow at least a portion of the flow rate measured by the flow transducer FT01 to pass through the fourth passage 324 to the electric heater 326, and the bypassed portion of the flow rate in the flow transducer FT03 can be heated from the temperature in the temperature transducer TT03 to the temperature in the temperature transducer TT04 by controlling the electric heater 326.

[0046] This is a useful mode to use when the heat pump 306 is not operating, or when it is not yet fully operational and is not supplying high-temperature fluid to the heat exchanger 308. Of course, as the heat pump heats up, the fluid begins to get hotter and can be supplied to the heat exchanger 308, thereby causing the water passing through it to begin to rise in temperature as measured by the temperature transducer TT03, thereby allowing the heating supplied by the electric heater 326 to be controlled to produce the appropriate desired temperature.

[0047] Figure 7 shows a fourth operating mode, which is a mixed water mode in which the temperature of hot water from the thermal energy storage device 342 and / or electric heater 326 (provided according to the third operating mode described above), or the temperature of hot water from the heat exchanger 308 if the heat exchanger is generating hot water according to the fifth mode, is mixed with cold water from the tap cold water inlet 302 to lower the temperature of the water supplied to the household hot water outlet 304. In this mode, the temperature of the hot water leaving port AB of the electric three-way valve MV03 is measured using a temperature transducer TT06, regardless of whether the hot water leaving port AB of the electric three-way valve MV03 is supplied via the heat exchanger 308 through the fourth flow path 324 (whether or not the water is heated by the electric heater 326), or supplied from the thermal storage device 342. The temperature is signaled to the system controller 340 (not shown in Figures 4 to 12). Subsequently, the controller 340 determines whether the temperature in the temperature transducer TT06 is higher than the desired temperature of the hot water that should be available at the household hot water outlet 304. If it is higher, the controller opens the electric valve MV01 to allow the cold water from the water supply cold water inlet 302 to flow through the second flow path 314 into the fifth flow path 328, thereby mixing the cold water from the second flow path 314 with the hot water that exits port AB of the electric three-way valve MV03 and enters the fifth flow path 328. The amount by which the electric valve MV01 is opened depends on the temperature of the cold water from the water inlet 302, as measured by the temperature transducer TT01, and the flow rate of the cold water from the water inlet 302, as measured by the flow rate transducer FT01. This mixes the cold water from the second channel 314 with the hot water in the fifth channel 328, producing a desired flow rate, as measured by the flow rate transducer FT02, in the second channel 314 leading to the fifth channel 328, so as measured by the temperature transducer TT07, that the water should be available at the household hot water outlet 304. An appropriate control program executed by the controller regulates this mixing during normal operation and prevents any overshoot from the desired temperature at the household hot water outlet 304.

[0048] Firstly, this serves as a safety feature to prevent burns to users who do not have a temperature safety valve installed on their household faucets or taps. Secondly, this mixing allows the heat storage device 342 to store heat at a temperature higher than the desired outlet temperature, thereby, when the system operates in a mode in which the heat storage device 342 provides hot water to be used from the household hot water outlet 304, the higher temperature water is mixed with the cold water from the cold water inlet to lower the temperature, thereby slowing the discharge of the heat storage device 342 and proportionally giving it a higher effective volume.

[0049] After the third operating mode, in which hot water is initially supplied by the thermal energy storage device 342, the electric heater 326 (or a combination of both), and once the heat pump has reached full operation and is supplying high-temperature fluid to the heat exchanger 308, a fifth operating mode may be initiated. In this steady-state mode, shown in Figure 8, the electric valve MV02 is closed so that there is no flow through the third flow path 316 and the thermal energy storage device 342. The electric heater 326 is active and controllable by the controller. The mixing control described above with reference to the fourth mode is also active. Thus, the electric valve MV04 is controlled so that water passes from port A to port AB. In this mode, the heat pump 306 actively supplies heated fluid to the heat exchanger 308 via the sixth flow path 330 and the electric valve MV04, which is set to allow fluid to pass from port A to port AB at a temperature determined by the measured flow rate of the secondary hot water demand and the set hot water temperature measured by the temperature transducer TT07. The water flow passing through the heat exchanger 308 is heated by the heat exchanger to a temperature measured by the temperature transducer TT03. Therefore, the amount of energy supplied from the heat pump can be determined using the flow rate measured by the flow transducer FT03, the temperature measured by the temperature transducer TT02, and the temperature measured by the temperature transducer TT03, and then feedback can be provided to the heat pump for power output adjustment. If the temperature measured by the temperature transducer TT03 is determined to be lower than the desired temperature measured by the temperature transducer TT07, the electric heater 326 is controlled to raise the water temperature to the required temperature measured by the temperature transducer TT04. Since the water passes through the electric valve MV03 from port A to port AB, it is clear that the temperature measured by the temperature transducer TT04 will be the same as the temperature measured by the temperature transducer TT06.If the temperature measured by the temperature transducer TT06 is higher than the desired temperature in the temperature transducer TT07, the chilled water may be mixed with the hot water as described for the fourth operating mode, thereby lowering the temperature of the water that is mixed with the chilled water from the water supply chilled water inlet 302 and supplied to the household hot water outlet 304.

[0050] Figure 9 shows the sixth operating mode, which is essentially a combination of the third (initial hot water) and fifth (steady state) modes. Hot water is supplied from the heat exchanger 308 or from the heat storage device 342. If the water temperature measured by the temperature transducer TT06 is lower than the desired water temperature in the temperature transducer TT07, the electric heater 326 can be used to supplement the water temperature from the heat exchanger 308. On the other hand, if the water temperature measured by the temperature transducer TT06 is higher than the desired water temperature in the temperature transducer TT07, cold water from the tap cold water inlet 302 can be mixed with the hot water via the second flow path 314 to lower its temperature to the desired temperature.

[0051] In adverse weather conditions, there may be a risk of the heat pump freezing. In such situations, the controller may control the system to operate a seventh mode ("heat pump thawing mode"), whether to thaw a frozen heat pump or to prevent the heat pump from freezing when it is known that the temperature may drop below freezing. In this seventh operating mode, shown in Figure 10, the second motorized valve MV02 is closed and the circulation pump 320 in the return channel 318 is turned on so that water is sent from the heat storage device 342 to the first inlet HX1 of the heat exchanger 308 via the circulation pump 320, the check valve 322, and the first channel 312. Since water is sent from the first section 316a of the third channel 316 to the first channel 312, water from the household chilled water inlet 302 does not affect the flow. Water is passed from the first outlet HX2 through the fourth channel 324 and via the electric heater 326 to the motorized valve MV03, which is controlled so that the water flows from port A to port B, so that the water returns to the heat storage device 342 and can be circulated again. The water entering the first inlet HX1 of the heat exchanger 308 is controlled to become hot, depending on the degree to which the heat storage medium is heated by hot water, either from the heat storage device, or more likely from the electric heater 326, or a combination of both.

[0052] In this seventh mode, the electric heater is active and adjusted to transfer heat to the circulating hot water loop that passes through the thermal energy storage device 342. The electric valve MV04 controls the water in the sixth flow path 330 from the heat pump 306 to pass from port A to port AB and then to the second inlet HX3 of the heat exchanger 308. The water then returns to the heat pump 306 from the second outlet HX4 of the heat exchanger 308. As the water passes from the second inlet HX3 to the second outlet HX4 of the heat exchanger 308, it is heated by heat exchange with the hot water that enters the first outlet HX1 of the heat exchanger 308 through the first inlet HX1 as described above. The heated water returned to the heat pump 306 can then provide thermal energy to the refrigerant loop in the heat pump 306, which is now circulating through the heat pump's compressor. This heated refrigerant can then defrost the evaporator coil.

[0053] The eighth mode shown in Figure 11 ("House Heating Mode") assumes that hot water is not required at the household hot water outlet 304 (or any other hot water outlet), and therefore this mode focuses solely on providing a hot fluid, which may be water, for heating a household dwelling or other building via the use of a radiator or a hot water floor heating system. In this mode, the heat pump actively generates hot water, which is sent via an electrically operated valve MV04 controlled to pass heated water from port A to port B, thereby delivering the hot water to a household hot water heater 310, whose outlet returns to the heat pump 306.

[0054] Figure 12 shows the ninth mode, which is a combination of the sixth and eighth modes, and therefore a combination of the third (initial hot water), fifth (steady state), and eighth (house heating) modes, thereby allowing all of the various modes described above to be combined as needed. In this mode, the electric heater 326 is active and adjustable, and the four electric valves MV01, MV02, MV03, and MV04 are all active and adjustable. In this mode, the heat pump 306 can provide both heating (according to the eighth mode described above) and thermal energy for heating or preheating the hot water in the heat exchanger 308. As described above with respect to the sixth mode, the hot water is supplied from the heat exchanger 308 or the heat storage device 342. If the water temperature measured by the temperature transducer TT06 is lower than the desired water temperature in the temperature transducer TT07, the electric heater 326 can be used to supplement the water temperature from the heat exchanger 308. On the other hand, if the water temperature measured by the temperature transducer TT06 is higher than the desired water temperature measured by the temperature transducer TT07, cold water from the tap cold water inlet 302 can be mixed with the hot water via the second flow path 314 to lower its temperature to the desired temperature.

[0055] As described above, most of the system components, excluding the heat pump 306, the household hot water outlet 304, and the household hot water heating equipment 310, are generally contained within a housing (or enclosure) 344, which can be made to be similar in size and shape to that of a combination boiler. The housing 344 may include insulation to reduce heat loss and can be used in combination or separately so that different operating modes are available as desired and controlled by a controller.

Claims

1. A hot water supply system for home use, A cold water inlet for receiving cold water from the water supply source, A hot water outlet, which is operated by the user and supplies hot water upon request to a household hot water outlet connected to the cold water inlet, A heat exchanger having a water inlet connected to the cold water inlet and a water outlet connected to the hot water outlet, wherein the heat exchanger selectively heats the water between the water inlet and the water outlet using a high-temperature fluid selectively received from a high-temperature fluid source, An electric heater for selectively heating water, A heat storage device for storing heat is connected to the aforementioned hot water outlet, A circulation pump for supplying water from the heat storage equipment to the heat exchanger, A first flow path between the chilled water inlet and the water inlet of the heat exchanger, The second flow path between the cold water inlet and the fifth flow path, A third flow path between the heat storage device and the fifth flow path, The fourth flow path between the water outlet of the heat exchanger and the fifth flow path, The fourth flow path and the fifth flow path from the third flow to the hot water outlet, The system comprises a controller coupled to the heat exchanger, the electric heater, and the heat storage device for controlling the operation of the household hot water supply system in one or more operating modes, wherein the operating modes are The thawing mode includes providing a high-temperature fluid to be passed to the fluid source in order to heat the fluid source in order to reduce thawing or freezing, and the thawing mode is a) Determine whether hot water is requested at the household hot water outlet, and if it is determined that hot water is not requested at the household hot water outlet, then, b) Controlling the system to send hot water from the heat storage device to the first flow path and to the water inlet of the heat exchanger via the circulation pump, and to return it to the heat storage medium via the fourth flow path and the electric heater from the water outlet of the heat exchanger, c) If the heat storage device has not stored sufficient heat within it, the electric heater is controlled to heat the water passing through the fourth channel so that hot water is delivered to the heat storage device to store energy within it. d) Controlling the system to deliver fluid from the fluid source to the heat exchanger so that the fluid is heated in the heat exchanger using thermal energy from the hot water, e) A household hot water supply system comprising controlling the system to return the high-temperature fluid to the fluid source in order to heat the fluid source.

2. The household hot water supply system according to claim 1, further comprising one or more temperature sensors positioned at or near the heat storage medium and coupled to transmit a temperature signal to the controller, enabling the controller to determine whether or not the heat storage medium in step c) has stored sufficient heat therein.

3. A household hot water supply system according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising one or more flow transducers located in or near the flow path to the hot water outlet, coupled to transmit a flow signal to the controller, in order to enable the controller to determine whether hot water is requested at the household hot water outlet.

4. A household hot water supply system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising one or more pressure transducers located in or near the flow path to the hot water outlet, coupled to transmit a pressure signal to the controller, in order to enable the controller to determine whether hot water is requested at the household hot water outlet.

5. A household hot water supply system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cold water inlet, the hot water outlet, the controller, the heat exchanger, the electric heater, the heat storage device, and the circulation pump are housed within a housing.

6. The household hot water supply system according to claim 5, wherein the housing has the same installation area as a household combination boiler.

7. The household hot water supply system according to claim 5, wherein the housing has maximum dimensions of 90 cm in height, 60 cm in width, and 60 cm in depth.

8. The household hot water supply system according to claim 7, wherein the housing has dimensions of approximately 75 cm in height, 45 cm in width, and 50 cm in depth.

9. A method for controlling a household hot water supply system, wherein the household hot water supply system is A cold water inlet for receiving cold water from the water supply source, A hot water outlet, which is operated by the user and supplies hot water upon request to a household hot water outlet connected to the cold water inlet, A heat exchanger having a water inlet connected to the cold water inlet and a water outlet connected to the hot water outlet, wherein the heat exchanger selectively heats the water between the water inlet and the water outlet using a high-temperature fluid selectively received from a high-temperature fluid source, An electric heater for selectively heating water, A heat storage device for storing heat is connected to the aforementioned hot water outlet, A circulation pump for supplying water from the heat storage equipment to the heat exchanger, A first flow path between the chilled water inlet and the water inlet of the heat exchanger, The second flow path between the cold water inlet and the fifth flow path, A third flow path between the heat storage device and the fifth flow path, The fourth flow path between the water outlet of the heat exchanger and the fifth flow path, The fourth flow path and the fifth flow path from the third flow to the hot water outlet, The system comprises the heat exchanger, the electric heater, the heat storage device, and a controller coupled to the circulation pump, The method comprises a controller that controls the operation of the household hot water supply system in one or more operating modes, and the operating modes are: The thawing mode includes providing a high-temperature fluid to be passed to the fluid source in order to heat the fluid source in order to reduce thawing or freezing, and the thawing mode is a) Determine whether hot water is requested at the household hot water outlet, and if it is determined that hot water is not requested at the household hot water outlet, then, b) Controlling the system to send hot water from the heat storage device to the first flow path and to the water inlet of the heat exchanger via the circulation pump, and to return it to the heat storage medium via the fourth flow path and the electric heater from the water outlet of the heat exchanger, c) If the heat storage device has not stored sufficient heat within it, the electric heater is controlled to heat the water passing through the fourth channel so that hot water is delivered to the heat storage device to store energy within it. d) Controlling the system to deliver fluid from the fluid source to the heat exchanger so that the fluid is heated in the heat exchanger using thermal energy from the hot water, e) A method for controlling a household hot water supply system, comprising controlling the system to return the hot fluid to the fluid source in order to heat the fluid source.

10. A method for controlling a household hot water supply system according to claim 9, wherein determining whether the heat storage medium in step c) has stored sufficient heat therein is comprised of using one or more temperature sensors located at or near the heat storage medium, and transmitting temperature signals from the one or more temperature sensors to the controller.

11. A method for controlling a household hot water supply system according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein determining whether hot water is requested at the household hot water outlet includes using one or more flow transducers located in or near the flow path to the hot water outlet, and transmitting flow signals from the one or more flow transducers to the controller.

12. A method for controlling a household hot water supply system according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein determining whether hot water is requested at the household hot water outlet includes using one or more pressure transducers located in or near the flow path to the hot water outlet, and transmitting pressure signals from the one or more pressure transducers to the controller.

13. A computer-readable medium on which instructions are stored, wherein the instructions, when executed by one or more processors of a controller, cause the controller to perform the method according to any one of claims 9 to 12.

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