Conditioning unit for a conditioning system of a test stand and method for regulating the temperature of an operating medium in a test stand

Abstract

An apparatus and method are provided that allow the operating medium in the test object circulation section of a test object in a test stand to be adjusted to a desired temperature as quickly as possible. [Solution] In a mixing unit 3 for a conditioning system 1 of a test stand, which adjusts the operating medium of the test object circulation section PK of a test object P to a target temperature, the mixing unit 3 is provided with a mixing area in which the operating medium of the test object circulation section PK can be mixed with a pre-conditioned operating medium from the conditioning circulation section KK, the mixing unit 3 is provided with a test object circulation inlet connection 26a and a test object circulation outlet connection 26b, which are fluidly connected to each other via the mixing area, and the mixing unit 3 is provided with a conditioning unit inlet connection 27a and a conditioning unit return connection 27b, which are fluidly connected to each other via the mixing area to form part of the conditioning circulation section KK for the operating medium.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mixing unit for a conditioning system of a test stand for adjusting the operating medium of a test specimen circulation part of a test object placed on a test stand to a predetermined target temperature, and to a conditioning unit for a conditioning system of a test stand for adjusting the operating medium of a test specimen circulation part of a test object placed on a test stand to a predetermined target temperature. The present invention also relates to a conditioning system for a test stand for adjusting the operating medium of a test specimen circulation part of a test object placed on a test stand to a predetermined target temperature, and to a test stand having a test object and a conditioning system for adjusting the operating medium of the test specimen circulation part of the test object to a predetermined target temperature. The present invention also relates to a method for adjusting the operating medium of a test specimen circulation part of a test object on a test stand to a predetermined target temperature. [Background technology]

[0002] To adjust a given liquid or gaseous operating medium of an installed test object to a desired temperature, known adjustment systems can be used on the test stand for a given test. For example, the test object may be an entire vehicle, a vehicle subsystem, or an individual vehicle component. A vehicle subsystem is, for example, a drivetrain, which may include one or more components, such as a drive unit, a transmission, etc. The component may be, for example, a drive unit, such as an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, or a combination of an internal combustion engine and an electric motor (a so-called hybrid drive). However, the component may also be, for example, a fuel cell, a battery, a transmission, etc. Each test object typically has at least one test object circulation section for an operating medium, such as a coolant, fuel, lubricant, etc. During operation of the test object on the test stand, the operating medium circulates in the test object circulation section, and heat is typically input to the operating medium. It is often desirable to adjust a given temporal temperature profile of the operating medium in the test object circulation section on the test stand as accurately and as quickly as possible. For example, it may be desirable to reproduce the temperature profile of the operating medium of the test object on a test stand that has been recorded in advance under real conditions (e.g., in a real vehicle when traveling a predetermined distance), or at the same time to reproduce a simulated temperature profile. It may also be desirable to maintain the temperature at as constant a level as possible. However, particularly by means of a regulation system, rapid temperature changes of the operating medium on the test stand could only be adequately accommodated up to now, due in particular to the relatively large thermal inertia of the operating medium used.

[0003] Regulation systems are known, for example, from US Pat. No. 5,629,299, US Pat. No. 5,629,299 or US Pat. No. 5,629,299. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2019 / 183658 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2019 / 149792 [Patent Document 3] European Patent Application Publication No. 3293504 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device and a method which make it possible to adjust the operating medium in the test specimen circuit of a test specimen on a test stand to a desired temperature as quickly as possible. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to the present invention, the above object is achieved by providing a mixing area in the mixing unit, in which the operating medium of the test substance circuit can be mixed with a pre-conditioned operating medium from the conditioning circuit in order to adjust the operating medium in the test substance circuit to a predetermined target temperature by the mixing unit, the mixing unit being provided with at least one test substance circuit inlet connection and at least one test substance circuit outlet connection for fluidly integrating the mixing unit into the test substance circuit, the test substance circuit inlet connection and the test substance circuit outlet connection being fluidically connected to each other via the mixing area to form part of the test substance circuit, and the mixing unit being provided with at least one conditioning unit inlet connection and at least one conditioning unit return connection for connecting the mixing unit to a conditioning unit of the conditioning system, the conditioning unit inlet connection and the conditioning unit return connection being fluidically connected to each other via the mixing area to form part of the conditioning circuit for the operating medium, thereby enabling a very uniform mixture to be produced and keeping the pressure loss in the test substance circuit as low as possible.

[0007] The above problem is also solved by a regulating unit, in which at least one mixing unit inlet connection and at least one mixing unit outlet connection are provided in the regulating unit to connect the regulating unit to a mixing unit that can be fluidically integrated into the test substance circulation section, and the at least one mixing unit inlet connection and the at least one mixing unit outlet connection are fluidly connected in the regulating unit to form part of the regulating circulation section for the operating medium, and the main flow line of the regulating circulation section, which is connected to the at least one mixing unit inlet connection, is divided into at least two partial flow lines in the regulating unit, each partial flow line being connected to at least one mixing unit outlet connection, the operating medium can be regulated to a predetermined regulating temperature in one partial flow line, and at least one other partial flow line can be passed through with an unregulated operating medium having a neutral temperature higher or lower than the regulating temperature, and the flow rate of the operating medium in the at least two partial flow lines can be adjusted depending on the predetermined target temperature in the test substance circulation section. By adjusting the flow rates, a predetermined mixing ratio of the operating medium from the at least two partial flow lines can be generated as a function of a predetermined target temperature, so that the target temperature can be reached as quickly as possible.

[0008] Advantageous configurations of the adjustment unit are set forth in the dependent claims. 2 ~ 11 is described in.

[0009] Furthermore, the above problem is solved by a method in which a mixing unit is fluidly integrated into the test substance circulation section to form part of the test substance circulation section, the operating medium to be conditioned in the test substance circulation section is supplied to the mixing unit via at least one test substance circulation inlet connection, the operating medium to be conditioned to a predetermined target temperature is discharged from the mixing unit via at least one test substance circulation outlet connection, at least an operating medium having a predetermined conditioned temperature and an operating medium having a higher or lower neutral temperature are supplied to the mixing unit via at least one conditioned unit inlet connection, the operating medium is mixed with the operating medium supplied from the test substance circulation section in a mixing area provided in the mixing unit and is discharged from the mixing unit via at least one conditioned unit return connection, and the flow rate of the operating medium having the conditioned temperature and the operating medium having the neutral temperature are adjusted depending on the predetermined target temperature.

[0010] Advantageous configurations of the method are defined in the dependent claims 13 ~ 16 is described in.

[0011] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the exemplary, schematic and non-limiting figures 1a to 7 which show advantageous configurations of the invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1a] 1 illustrates an advantageous embodiment of the adjustment system of the present invention. [Figure 1b] FIG. 10 illustrates the adjustment system of the present invention in an alternative form. [Figure 2] 1 shows a mixing unit according to the invention in an advantageous configuration; [Figure 3] FIG. 2 shows the flow course in the mixing chamber of the mixing unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 shows a mixing unit according to the invention in an alternative form. [Figure 5] 1 shows a valve unit according to the invention in an advantageous configuration; [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a valve housing of the valve unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 shows a mixing element of the valve unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] FIG. 1a shows a schematic illustration of a regulating system 1 according to the present invention on a test stand in one preferred embodiment. The regulating system 1 comprises a regulating unit 2 and a mixing unit 3, which are fluidly connected to each other to form a regulating circuit KK for a fluid operating medium. A fluid operating medium is understood to mean a suitable gaseous or liquid medium. For example, refrigerant, fuel, oil, air, etc., can be considered as the operating medium. "Fluidly connected" in the present invention is understood to mean a hydrodynamic connection, for example, via suitable pipes, conduits, etc. The mixing unit 3 can be fluidly integrated into a test object circuit PK of a test object P placed on the test stand, in which the same operating medium circulates. The type of operating medium used in the regulating circuit KK depends on the operating medium used in the test object circuit PK of the test object P. As mentioned at the beginning, the test object P can be, for example, a gear unit such as a manual transmission, an automatic transmission, or a differential; a drive unit such as an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, or a hybrid drive; an energy storage unit such as a battery; or an energy converter such as a fuel cell. However, the type of test object P used is not important for the present invention. Basically, each test object P can be operated by a test object circulation unit PK with an operating medium. If there are several operating media for the test object, several such control systems 1 according to the present invention can also naturally be provided on the test stand. A test stand control unit 21 is typically provided in a known manner for controlling the test object P on the test stand in response to the test.

[0014] The test object circulation part PK can of course also be provided with a pump (not shown) for conveying the operating medium, which pump can be part of the test stand or part of the test object P. Naturally, further components, such as heat exchangers, valves, sensors, throttles, etc., can also be provided in the test object circulation part PK, but these further components are not essential to the invention. The mixing unit 3 can be integrated into the test object circulation part PK behind the test object P in the flow direction of the operating medium, as shown in Figure 1. However, the mixing unit 3 can also be provided in front of the test object P in the flow direction of the operating medium, as suggested by the test object P shown in dashed line in Figure 1.

[0015] The temperature characteristics of the operating medium should be reproduced on the test stand using the conditioning system 1. In particular, the heat input of the test object P into the test object circulation part PK, which occurs due to the operation of the test object P, should be reproduced by the conditioning system 1 according to the invention. For this purpose, the test object P can be actually operated on the test stand in accordance with the regulations so that it performs the work of heating the operating medium in the test object circulation part PK. In this case, the conditioning system 1 can be used, for example, to simulate a larger or smaller heat input of the test object P. However, the test object P can also be used simply to be able to depict the pressure loss in the test object circulation part PK caused by the test object P as realistically as possible. In this case, the test object P itself is not operated and therefore does not cause a heat input to the operating medium of the test object circulation part PK, but the heat input is emulated by the conditioning device 1 according to the invention.

[0016] For this purpose, the preconditioned operating medium from the conditioning circuit KK and the operating medium of the test object circuit PK are mixed in the mixing unit 3 in such a way that a predefined setpoint temperature T_SOLL of the operating medium in the test object circuit PK is set downstream of the mixing unit 3. The preconditioning of the operating medium in the conditioning circuit KK is carried out by the conditioning unit 2, as will be explained in more detail below. An advantageous configuration of the mixing unit 3 is explained in more detail with the aid of FIGS. 2, 3 and 4.

[0017] In general, the regulating unit 2 is provided with at least one mixing unit inlet connection 4 and at least one mixing unit outlet connection 5 for connecting the regulating unit 2 to the mixing unit 3. In the example shown in FIG. 1a, for example, three mixing unit outlet connections 5a-5c are provided. In order to form part of the regulating circuit KK for the operating medium, the mixing unit inlet connection 4 is fluidly connected to the three mixing unit outlet connections 5a-5c within the regulating unit 2. In general, the main flow line 6 of the regulating circuit KK, which is connected to the mixing unit inlet connection 4, is divided within the regulating unit 2, for example at a distribution node 8, into at least two partial flow lines 7a and 7c (or 7b and 7c).

[0018] Typically, the operating medium can be adjusted to a predetermined adjustment temperature T1, T2 in one of the at least two partial flow lines 7a, 7b, while an unadjusted operating medium having a neutral temperature T3 higher or lower than the adjustment temperatures T1, T2 can flow through at least one other partial flow line 7c. If only heating of the operating medium in the test specimen circulation section PK is desired, an embodiment with an adjustment temperature T1 higher than the neutral temperature T3 can be used. If cooling of the operating medium in the test specimen circulation section PK is desired, an embodiment with an adjustment temperature T2 lower than the neutral temperature T3 can be used. To adjust the adjustment temperatures T1, T2 higher or lower than the neutral temperature T3, appropriate temperature adjustment units 9a, 9b can be provided in each partial flow line 7a, 7b, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0019] In the example shown in FIG. 1a, the main flow line 6 is divided into three partial flow lines 7a, 7b, and 7c in the regulating unit 2, so that heating of the working medium can take place in the first partial flow line 7a and cooling of the working medium can take place in the partial flow line 7b. The main flow line 6 is preferably equipped with an open-loop or closed-loop controllable pump 15 for conveying the working medium in the regulating circuit KK, although it is also possible to provide one pump (not shown) in each of the partial flow lines 7a to 7c. A bypass line 16 for the working medium can also be provided, connecting the main flow line 6 upstream of the pump 15 with the main flow line 6 downstream of the pump 15 in order to bypass the pump 15. As will be explained in more detail below with reference to the mixing unit 3 shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the bypass line 16 can be equipped with a controllable valve 17 in order to reduce, and preferably completely compensate for, the pressure loss Δp in the test substance circuit PK caused by the mixing unit 3. Instead of or in addition to the bypass line 16 including the valve 17, a throttle point 29 with an adjustable throttle can also be provided in the mixing unit 3, through which pressure losses can likewise be compensated, as will be explained in more detail with reference to Figures 2 to 4.

[0020] In the example according to FIG. 1a, each of the partial flow lines 7a-7c is connected to one mixing unit outlet connection 5a-5c in the regulating unit 2. To supply the preconditioned operating medium to the mixing unit 3, the mixing unit outlet connections 5a-5c can again be connected to the mixing unit 3, for example, via the inlet lines ZLa-ZLc. The operating medium can be regulated to a first set temperature T1 in the first partial flow line 7a and to a second set temperature T2 in the second partial flow line 7b. An operating medium having a neutral temperature T3 between the first and second temperatures can flow through the third partial flow line 7c, which is preferably not regulated separately. The temperature range of the set temperatures T1, T2 essentially depends on the given boundary conditions or requirements for the regulating system 1, such as the minimum or maximum required set temperature T_SOLL of the operating medium and / or the operating medium used. The neutral temperature T3, which lies between the regulating temperatures T1, T2, depends essentially on the temperature of the working medium flowing back from the mixing unit 3.

[0021] Preferably, in the regulating unit 2, at least one first temperature regulation unit 9a is provided in the first partial flow line 7a for regulating the working medium to a first (higher) set temperature T1. At the same time, at least one second temperature regulation unit 9b is preferably provided in the second partial flow line 7b for regulating the working medium to a second (lower) set temperature T2. In principle, all devices suitable for regulating the working medium in the first and second partial flow lines 7a, 7b to the respective set temperatures T1, T2 can be used as temperature regulation units 9a, 9b, such as, for example, heat exchangers, (e.g., electric) heating devices, cooling devices, heat pumps, Peltier elements, etc. For this purpose, the regulating unit 2 can be provided with at least one heat source supply flow connection 10a and at least one heat source return flow connection 10b for connecting a heat source. The heat source supply flow connection 10a and the heat source return connection 10b can be fluidly connected to a first temperature control unit 9a configured as a heat exchanger to form part of the heat source supply circulation section VK1.

[0022] Similarly, the conditioning unit 2 can be provided with at least one heat sink supply flow connection 11a and at least one heat sink return flow connection 11b for connecting a heat sink, which are fluidly connected to a second temperature control unit 9b configured as a heat exchanger to form part of the heat sink supply circuit VK2. As a heat source, essentially any suitable device can be used that maintains the supply medium of the heat source supply circuit VK1 at a relatively high supply temperature that is as constant as possible, for example, within 10 K above the maximum required target temperature. Similarly, as a heat sink, essentially any suitable device can be used that maintains the supply medium of the heat sink supply circuit VK2 at a relatively low supply temperature that is as constant as possible, for example, within 10 K below the minimum required target temperature. As a supply medium, for example, an operating medium or another suitable medium can be used.

[0023] The heat provision by the heat source and the heat sink can take place, for example, in a separate supply module 12, which forms an autonomous unit to which the conditioning unit 2 can be connected. The supply module 12 can naturally also be provided with other (not shown) hydraulic components for the supply circuits VK2, VK2, such as, for example, pumps, pressure regulators, valves, tanks, etc. For example, the supply module 12 can be controlled by a conditioning unit control unit 20, which can be arranged, for example, in the conditioning unit 2. However, the supply module 12 can also be controlled, for example, by a test stand control unit 21 of a test stand in which the conditioning system 1 is used (as suggested by the dashed connecting line in FIG. 1).

[0024] However, to provide the pre-conditioned supply medium, test stands are often provided with a central medium supply system, for example as part of the test stand building. For example, it is possible to supply one or more pre-conditioned supply media to multiple and various types of test stands via the central medium supply system. In this case, the provision of pre-conditioned supply media for the first and second temperature control units 9a, 9b, in particular the supply circuits VK1, VK2 of the heat exchangers, can take place via the supply lines L1, L2 of the central medium supply system, for example, as shown in FIG. 1a. In this case, a separate supply module 12 can be omitted.

[0025] The regulating unit 2 is configured for controlling, in particular for closed-loop control, the flow rate, in particular the volumetric or mass flow rate, of the operating medium in the three partial flow lines 7a-7c (or generally at least two partial flow lines 7a and 7b or 7b and 7c) as a function of a predefined target temperature T_SOLL of the operating medium in the product circuit PK, so that the target temperature T_SOLL can be adjusted as quickly as possible in the product circuit PK. For this purpose, the preconditioned operating medium from the partial flow lines 7a-7c of the regulating unit 2 is mixed with the operating medium in the product circuit PK as a function of the predefined target temperature T_SOLL of the product circuit PK, the mixing taking place in the mixing unit 3, in particular in a mixing region 28 of the mixing unit 3, as will be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 2-4. To form the regulating circuit KK, the regulating unit 2 can be connected to the mixing unit 3, for example, via one or more suitable inlet lines ZLa-ZLc and one or more suitable return lines RL.

[0026] For this purpose, the mixing unit 3 is provided with at least one regulating unit inlet connection 27a and one regulating unit return connection 27b. The regulating unit return connection 27b can be connected to the mixing unit inlet connection 4 of the regulating unit 2 via a return line RL. In the example shown in FIG. 1a, an inlet line ZLa-ZLc is connected to each mixing unit discharge connection 5a-5c of the regulating unit 2. If the mixing unit 3 is provided with only one regulating unit inlet connection 27a, as suggested in FIG. 1a, the inlet lines ZLa-ZLc can be combined into a common collecting line SL, preferably just before the mixing unit 3. The common collecting line SL can then be connected to the regulating unit inlet connection 27a. However, the mixing unit 3 can be provided with several (not shown) regulating unit inlet connections 27a, for example, three regulating unit inlet connections 27a (or one regulating unit inlet connection 27a for each of the inlet lines ZLa-ZLc). In this case, each mixing unit outlet connection 5a-5c can be connected to a conditioning unit inlet connection via an inlet line ZLa-ZLc. A number of conditioning unit inlet connections 27a can then be combined into one collecting line SL, which again opens into the mixing region 28 of the mixing unit 3. It is advantageous for the desired target temperature T_SOLL in the test substance circulation part PK to be reached more quickly if the preconditioned operating medium is combined into the flow in the collecting line SL only as close as possible to the mixing unit 3, preferably directly at the mixing unit 3.

[0027] The flow rates in the three partial flow lines 7a-7c of the regulating unit 2 (or generally in at least two partial flow lines 7a and 7c or 7b and 7c) can be set depending on the target temperature T to be reached so that a pre-conditioned mixture of the operating medium at the first regulated temperature T1 or the second regulated temperature T2 and the intermediate neutral temperature T3 is formed in a predetermined mixing ratio in the regulating circuit KK, so that when the pre-conditioned mixture of the operating medium from the regulating circuit KK is mixed with the operating medium of the test object circuit PK, the predetermined target temperature T is set as quickly as possible in the test object circuit PK. In this case, the regulated temperatures T1, T2 and the neutral temperature T3 of the operating medium in the partial flow lines 7a-7c are substantially constant, and the target temperature T is regulated essentially only via open-loop or closed-loop control of the flow rates in the partial flow lines 7a-7c of the regulating unit 2 so that the predetermined mixing ratio is reached. If only two partial flow lines (hot and neutral or cold and neutral) are provided, then of course only these two partial flows are mixed in a defined mixing ratio so that the target temperature T_SOLL is set in the test object circulation part PK. In this case, the flow rate in the conditioning circulation part KK is preferably greater than the flow rate in the test object circulation part PK, so that the operating medium in the test object circulation part PK is preferably substantially completely replaced by the pre-conditioned operating medium from the conditioning circulation part KK.

[0028] To control the flow rates, for example, the first and second partial flow lines 7a, 7b of the regulating circuit KK of the regulating unit can be provided with known pressure regulating units 13a, 13b, respectively, and the third partial flow line 7c can be provided with a check valve 14. For example, the main flow line 6 upstream of the distribution node 8 can be provided with a first metering orifice 18 with a differential pressure sensor 18a measuring the differential pressure Δp1 across the first metering orifice 18, and the third partial flow line 7c downstream of the distribution node 8 can be provided with a second metering orifice 19 with a differential pressure sensor 19a measuring the differential pressure Δp2 across the second metering orifice 19. Since the differential pressures Δp1, Δp2 are proportional to the square of the respective flow rates (volume flow rate, mass flow rate), it is possible to calculate the flow rate ratios (= partial volume flow rate, partial mass flow rate) in the partial flow lines 7a-7c based on the difference between the measured differential pressures Δp1, Δp2. If Δp1-Δp2=0, then for example 100% of the operating medium flows via the third partial flow line 7c, if the difference Δp1-Δp2=0.5*Δp1, then for example 75% of the operating medium flows via the third partial flow line 7c and 25% via the first or second partial flow line 7a, 7b (or generally via at least one partial flow line 7a or 7b), etc. Alternatively, the measuring orifice 18 with the differential pressure sensor 18a and the measuring orifice 19 with the differential pressure sensor 19a can each also be provided with a suitable (not shown) flow measuring unit, which allows for direct measurement of the flow rate (volume flow rate, mass flow rate), for example in the form of a known MID sensor (magnetoinductive flowmeter) or Coriolis mass flow system.

[0029] The control of the conditioning system 1 can be effected, for example, via a suitable control unit in the form of hardware (microprocessor-based hardware, integrated circuits (such as ASICs, FPGAs), memory-programmable controllers, analog circuits, or a combination of such hardware) and / or software. For example, the control can be performed directly via a higher-level control unit, for example a test stand control unit 21 of the test stand, which is often present in each test stand anyway. Typically, the test object P and possible other devices of the test stand, such as a load machine (not shown) that drives or loads the test object P and / or the supply module 12, can be controlled in an open-loop or closed-loop manner via the test stand control unit 21. Alternatively or additionally, a conditioning unit control unit 20 can also be provided in the conditioning unit 2. The test stand control unit 21 can then communicate with the conditioning unit control unit 20 in a suitable manner to exchange control information. For example, the test stand control unit 21 can be connected to the conditioning unit 2 via a suitable test stand interface S, via which control data can be transmitted or exchanged.

[0030] For closed-loop control of a predetermined setpoint quantity X_IST, in particular the setpoint temperature T_SOLL, in the test specimen circulation part PK, the test stand control unit 21 and / or the regulating unit control unit 20 can be provided with one or more suitable controllers, for example PID controllers. Optionally, however, the setpoint pressure loss Δp_SOLL can also be controlled via the mixing unit 3, in particular to compensate for pressure losses due to the design of the mixing unit 3 or to simulate various pressure losses. In the control, it is advantageous to also implement known feed-forward control, so that the controller only has to compensate for smaller errors. The setpoint value X_SOLL of the closed-loop control can be set, for example, via the test stand control unit 21. For example, a simulation unit 22 can also be provided in the test stand control unit 21, in which a simulation model is implemented. The simulation model 22 can, for example, generate a predetermined time course of the setpoint value X_SOLL, in particular the time course of the setpoint temperature. However, measured temperature trends over time, which result, for example, from real measurement runs by a vehicle, for example, from a vehicle in which the test object P to be investigated is installed or from test bench tests which have already been carried out by the test object P, can also be used as the target temperature T_SOLL.

[0031] In the simplest case, it is of course also possible to set a constant setpoint X_SOLL, e.g., a constant setpoint temperature T_SOLL and / or a constant pressure loss Δp_SOLL, for example by manual input via a suitable input unit, e.g., a computer. The setpoint X_SOLL can, for example, be transmitted from the test stand control unit 21 via the test stand interface S to the regulating unit control unit 20 and processed by the regulating unit control unit. Based on the setpoint or setpoints X_SOLL and the detected actual values ​​X_IST, the regulating unit control unit 20, e.g., a controller implemented therein, calculates the required control variable X_STELL for the control elements required for the closed-loop control, e.g., the pressure regulating units 13a, 13b (FIG. 1a) and / or the controllable valve 17 in the pump 15 and / or the bypass line 16 and / or the valve unit 34 (FIG. 1b), which will be described in more detail below, and / or the control element (actuator) A (FIG. 1b) of the adjustable orifice (orifice) of the throttle point 29.

[0032] During operation of the regulating system 1, the actual value X_IST of the closed-loop control can be detected, for example, by suitable sensors in the regulating unit 2 and the mixing unit 2 and transmitted to the regulating unit control unit 20. The regulating unit 2 and the mixing unit 3 can be provided with, for example, one or more temperature sensors 23, pressure sensors 24, and differential pressure sensors 24a, 18a, 19a, which can detect the actual temperature T_IST, actual pressure p_IST, or actual differential pressure Δp_IST of the operating medium (or the supply medium of the temperature control units 9a, 9b configured as heat exchangers). To determine the pressure loss Δp_IST across the mixing unit 3, the mixing unit 3 can be provided with, for example, a differential pressure sensor 24a. The differential pressure sensor 24a can, of course, also be understood as two individual pressure sensors 24, each generating a measured value, as is known. The pressure loss Δp_IST can then be determined based on the difference between the measured values ​​of the pressure sensors 24. The same naturally applies to the pressure sensors 18a, 19a.

[0033] As control elements for closed-loop control of the temperature in the operating medium of the test object circulation part PK, for example, the above-mentioned pressure regulating units 13a, 13b of the first and second partial flow lines 7a, 7b can be provided. The flow rates in at least two partial flow lines 7a and 7c or 7b and 7c can be adjusted via the pressure regulating units 13a, 13b as a function of the target temperature T_SOLL. The control units 21, 20 can, for example, adjust the target differential pressure Δp_SOLL in the third partial flow line 7c as a function of the target temperature T_SOLL.

[0034]

number

[0035] where Δp1 is the differential pressure in the main flow line 6 upstream of the node 8, measured using a measuring orifice 18, T_SOLL is the desired target temperature of the working medium, T3 is the neutral temperature of the working medium in the third partial flow line 7c, and Tx is representative for the set temperatures T1, T2 of the working medium in the first and second partial flow lines 7a, 7b. Based on the target differential pressure Δp2_SOLL and the actual differential pressure Δp2_IST measured using a measuring orifice 19, the control units 20, 21 can calculate a control variable X_STELL for controlling the pressure regulating units 13a, 13b by means of a suitable controller, for example a PI or PID controller. If, instead of the measuring orifices 18, 19 having differential pressure sensors 18a, 19a, a suitable flow measuring device is used, for example, for measuring mass flow or volume flow, Richmann's mixing rule can of course also be used to calculate the target mass flow or target volume flow rate.

[0036] However, the above relationship can also be used to determine the actual temperature T_IST of the mixed operating medium, for example in the region of the collecting line SL in the mixing unit 3, for which the temperature sensor 23 is shown in FIG. 1a. This can be advantageous in particular in the dynamic operation of the control system 1, for example in the test object circulation part PK, where the temperature profile of the time-varying setpoint temperature T_SOLL is to be adjusted, since the temperature sensor 23 cannot in some circumstances detect rapid temperature changes sufficiently quickly. The actual temperature T_IST of the mixture can be determined, for example, in the region of the collecting line SL in the mixing unit 3, for which the temperature sensor 23 is shown in FIG. 1a.

[0037]

number

[0038] The calculation can be performed according to the general Richmann law of mixing, as follows: where mx represents the mass flow rate m1, m2 of the working medium in the first or second partial flow line 7a, 7b, Tx represents the control temperature T1, T2 in the first or second partial flow line 7a, 7b, m3 represents the mass flow rate in the third partial flow line 7c, and T3 represents the neutral temperature in the third partial flow line 7c. The prerequisite for this is that the mass flow rates mx, m3 are known. For this purpose, instead of the measuring orifices 18, 19, it is possible to use, for example, a suitable flow rate measuring device for measuring the mass flow rates mx, m3. If, instead of the measuring orifices 18, 19, a suitable flow rate measuring device for measuring a volumetric flow rate is provided, the volumetric flow rate can also be used for the calculation.

[0039] For flow measurement using a measuring orifice with differential pressure sensors 18a, 19a as shown in FIG. 1a (and below also in FIG. 1b), the following relationships are obtained:

[0040]

number

[0041] .

[0042] As a control element for closed-loop control or compensation of the pressure loss in the mixing unit 3, for example, a controllable valve 17 can be used in the bypass line 16 of the pump 15. Instead of or in addition to control via the valve 17, pressure loss compensation can also be achieved by changing the delivery power of the pump 15 (e.g., by changing the pump speed). For closed-loop control of the pressure loss, an adjustable orifice can also be provided in the mixing unit 3 (FIG. 1b). The regulating unit control unit 20 can calculate a suitable control variable X_STELL depending on a predetermined setpoint value X_SOLL and adjust it via the control element.

[0043] FIG. 1b shows an alternative configuration of the conditioning unit 1. The structure and function of the conditioning system 1 substantially correspond to the conditioning system according to FIG. 1a, so that only substantial differences will be described below. In contrast to FIG. 1a, the conditioning unit 2 is provided with only one mixing unit outlet connection 5. Therefore, the partial flow lines 7a-7c (or generally at least two partial flow lines 7a and 7c or 7b and 7c) are already combined again in the conditioning unit 2 into one conditioning unit collecting line KSL, which is connected to the mixing unit outlet connection 5. Naturally, therefore, only one inlet line ZL is required to connect the mixing unit 3 to the conditioning unit 2. This requires fewer lines and therefore allows for a simpler connection.

[0044] The regulating unit 2 can be provided with a valve unit 34 for mixing the working medium from the three partial flow lines 7a-7c (or generally at least two partial flow lines 7a and 7c; 7b and 7c) and supplying it to the regulating unit collecting line KSL. The partial flow lines 7a-7c are connected via the valve unit 34 to the regulating unit collecting line KSL, which is further connected to the mixing unit discharge connection 5. Alternatively or additionally, a valve unit 34 (not shown) can also be provided at the junction 8 for distributing the working medium from the main flow line 6 to the partial flow lines 7a-7c, which are connected via the valve unit 34 to the partial flow lines 7a-7c. By using the controllable valve unit 34, it is possible to omit the pressure regulating units 13a, 13b in the partial flow lines 7a, 7b and the check valve 14 in the third partial flow line 7c, as can be seen in FIG. 1b. An advantageous configuration of the valve unit 34 will now be explained in more detail with reference to FIG.

[0045] In contrast to FIG. 1a, the mixing unit 3 shown in FIG. 1b is provided with an adjustable orifice at the throttle point 29, which can be adjusted by an electrically controllable control element A, e.g., a suitable actuator, to change the flow cross section at the throttle point 29. This allows the bypass line 16 and the controllable valve 27 according to FIG. 1a to be omitted, and pressure loss compensation can be achieved by adjusting the orifice using the control element A. For this purpose, the mixing unit 3 can again be provided with a differential pressure sensor 24a for measuring the differential pressure Δp as the actual quantity X_IST. The actual quantity X_IST can be transmitted, for example, to a test stand control unit 21 and / or a regulating unit control unit 20, which calculates a controlled quantity X_STELL, which is transmitted to the control element A, as shown in FIG. 1b. If pressure loss compensation is achieved solely via the orifice, then in a simple embodiment, for example, the controllable pump 15 can also be omitted, and a pump 15 with a constant delivery power can be used in the regulating unit 2.

[0046] The mixing unit will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 based on two advantageous configurations. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a mixing unit 3 according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the flow course of the operating medium in the mixing unit according to FIG. 2. FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the mixing unit 3 according to an alternative embodiment. The mixing unit 3 generally comprises a housing 25 made of a suitable material, such as a steel or aluminum alloy or a synthetic resin, which is provided with suitable flow channels for guiding the operating medium. The mixing unit 3 is provided with at least one test specimen circulation inlet connection 26a and at least one test specimen circulation outlet connection 26b for fluidly integrating the mixing unit 3 into the test specimen circulation PK of the test specimen P. This allows the mixing unit 3 to be easily integrated into an existing test specimen circulation PK of the test specimen P at the test stand without requiring any structural modifications to the test stand.

[0047] Naturally, the mixing unit 3 can also be provided with connecting and sealing elements (not shown), for example, to enable as easy and leak-free connection as possible of the pipes or hoses of the test product circulation part PK to the test product circulation inlet connection 26a and the test product circulation outlet connection 26b of the mixing unit 3. To form part of the test product circulation part PK, the test product circulation inlet connection 26a and the test product circulation outlet connection 26b are fluidly connected via a mixing area 28 in the mixing unit 3. The operating medium can therefore flow from the test product circulation inlet connection 26a via the mixing area 28 to the test product circulation outlet connection 26b in the mixing unit 3, as indicated by the double arrows in FIGS. 2 to 4 and as can also be seen based on the flow in FIG. 3. The mixing area 28 is to be understood in the present invention as the entire area in the mixing unit 3 in which the operating medium from the regulating circulation part KK and the operating medium from the test product circulation part PK come into contact.

[0048] As mentioned above, the mixing unit 3 is provided with at least one regulating unit inlet connection 27a and at least one regulating unit return connection 27b for connecting the mixing unit 3 to the regulating unit 2 of the regulating system 1. This connection can be made, as mentioned above, for example, via a return line RL and one or more inlet lines ZL, ZLa-ZLc, for example, one inlet line ZLi per partial flow line (FIG. 1a) or a common inlet line ZL (FIG. 1b). For multiple inlet lines ZLa-ZLc, these can be combined into a common collecting line SL before the mixing unit 3, or multiple regulating unit inlet connections 27a can be provided, each of which can be connected to one of the inlet lines ZLa-ZLc. The pre-conditioned working medium from the partial flows can then be combined into a single flow by the collecting line SL in the mixing unit 3.

[0049] At least one regulating unit inlet connection 27a and at least one regulating unit return connection 27b are also fluidly connected to the mixing unit 3 via the mixing area 28 to form part of the regulating circuit KK for the operating medium (see FIGS. 1a and 1b). This allows the pre-conditioned operating medium supplied from the regulating unit 2 to the mixing unit 3 to flow from the regulating unit inlet connection 27a, via the mixing area 28, to the regulating unit return connection 27b in the mixing unit 3, as indicated by the double arrow in FIG. 2. The flow of operating medium in the regulating circuit KK is thus counter-directional to the flow of operating medium in the product circuit PK, which ensures good mixing. This also makes it possible to compensate for pressure losses in the product circuit PK across the throttle point 29. The mixing unit 3 can, of course, also be provided with connecting and sealing elements (not shown), for example, to allow for as easy and leak-free connection of the pipes or hoses of the regulating circuit KK to the regulating unit inlet connection 27a and the regulating unit discharge connection 27b of the mixing unit 3 as possible.

[0050] As mentioned above, the mixing unit 3 is provided with a mixing zone 28 in which the operating medium of the test object circulation section PK can be mixed with the conditioned operating medium from the conditioning circulation section KK in order to adjust the operating medium in the test object circulation section PK to a predetermined target temperature. To achieve as uniform a mixing as possible as quickly as possible between the operating medium of the conditioning circulation section KK and the operating medium of the test object circulation section PK, the mixing zone 28 preferably comprises at least one substantially ring-shaped mixing chamber 28a, as can be seen particularly in FIG. 3 . In general, in the context of the present invention, "ring-shaped" should be understood to mean any substantially suitable ring shape, such as a cylindrical ring, a torus, etc. Here, the conditioning unit return connection 27b is preferably arranged in the mixing unit 3 so as to open into the mixing zone 28 between the test object circulation inlet connection 26a and the conditioning unit inlet connection 27a.

[0051] In the example according to Figures 2 and 3, the regulating unit return connection 27b opens into the mixing region 28, for example, between the test substance circulation inlet connection 26a and the annular mixing chamber 28a. In addition, a throttle point 29 can be provided between the regulating unit inlet connection 27a and the regulating unit return connection 27b. In the example according to Figures 2 and 3, the throttle point 29 is arranged, for example, between the annular mixing chamber 28a and the regulating unit return connection 27b and is configured as a fixed constriction with an unchangeable flow cross-section. Due to the throttle point 29, a pressure difference can be formed in the operating medium flow between the regulating unit inlet connection 27a and the regulating unit return connection 27b, which pressure difference counteracts the pressure difference in the operating medium flow in the test substance circulation part PK. Thus, by using a flow rate (volumetric or mass flow) of the operating medium in the regulating circuit KK (e.g., preferably via a bypass line with a controllable pump 15 and / or valve 17) that is greater than the flow rate (volumetric or mass flow) in the product circuit PK, the pressure difference created in the product circuit PK by the mixing unit 3 can be reduced, or preferably completely compensated for, or adjusted to a predetermined value. In general, the flow rate (volumetric or mass flow) in the regulating circuit KK is preferably greater than the flow rate (volumetric or mass flow) in the product circuit PK, for example by 5 to 20%, in particular by about 10%. This allows the operating medium in the product circuit PK to be advantageously substantially completely exchanged in the mixing unit 3 and replaced with the regulated operating medium from the regulating circuit KK. The temperature of the operating medium in the region of the at least one conditioning unit inlet connection 27a (e.g., collection line SL (FIG. 1a) or inlet line ZL (FIG. 1b)) preferably substantially corresponds to the temperature of the operating medium in the region of the test substance circulation outlet connection 26b. Therefore, in the present invention, it is also possible to use, for example, the temperatures in the region of the at least one conditioning unit inlet connection 27a as the setpoint temperature T_SOLL and the actual temperature T_IST.

[0052] However, in an advantageous embodiment, the flow cross section at the throttle point 29 can also be varied (instead of or in addition to controlling the flow rate in the regulating circuit KK of the regulating unit 2). As already mentioned above, for this purpose, it is possible to provide, for example, an adjustable orifice (throttle) for varying the flow cross section at the throttle point 29. In the simplest case, the adjustable orifice can be manually adjusted, but preferably, an electrically controllable control element A (see FIG. 1b) for adjusting the orifice is provided, which can be controlled, for example, by the regulating unit control unit 20 and / or the test stand control unit 21. Open-loop or closed-loop control of the flow rate of the operating medium in the regulating circuit KK can be carried out, as mentioned above, via a control unit (for example, the test stand control unit 21 or the regulating unit control unit 20). For this purpose, for example, a suitable controller (for example, a PID controller) can be implemented in the regulating unit control unit 20. The controller can calculate a control variable X_STELL for the controllable valve 17 in the bypass line 16 of the pump 15 of the regulating unit 2 in the product circulation part PK based on the actual differential pressure Δp_IST measured by the differential pressure sensor 24a (FIG. 1) in the mixing unit 3 and a predetermined setpoint differential pressure Δp_SOLL (e.g., Δp_SOLL=0) and control the valve accordingly. As already mentioned above, the control can also be implemented by known feedforward control of the control variable X_STELL. However, the flow rate can also be controlled, for example, via a pump 15 with a variable delivery rate, for example, a pump 15 with an adjustable pump speed. The activation of an adjustable orifice for adjusting the flow cross section can be controlled, for example, likewise via a separate control unit and / or via the test stand control unit 21 or the regulating unit control unit 20. If the adjustable orifice at the throttle point 29 is closed, the pump 15 of the regulating unit 2 can also be used, for example, to deliver the operating medium in the product circulation part PK. In this case, it is also possible to omit the separate pump in the test object circulation section PK.

[0053] In order to reduce the pressure loss Δp in the test product circulation part PK, it is advantageous if the inlet opening 30 of the test product circulation inlet connection 26a, which opens radially outward into the annular mixing chamber 28a, and the outlet opening 31 of the test product circulation outlet connection 26b, which also opens radially outward into the annular mixing chamber 28a, are spaced apart from one another by a circumferential distance of at least 90°, preferably 180°±30°. It can also be advantageous if at least one regulating unit inlet connection 27a extends to a central region 32 of the mixing unit 3 and opens radially inward into the annular mixing chamber 28a, preferably in the region of the inlet opening 30 of the test product circulation inlet connection 26a. As already explained with reference to FIG. 1, the mixing unit 3 can be provided with at least one temperature sensor 23 for measuring the actual temperature T_IST of the operating medium. Preferably, a temperature sensor 23 is provided in the region of the conditioning unit inlet connection 27a, a temperature sensor 23 is provided in the region of the test object circulation inlet connection 26a, and a temperature sensor 23 is provided in the region of the test object circulation outlet connection 26b, as suggested in Figure 3. The detected actual temperature T_IST can be transmitted, for example, to a control unit (e.g., test stand control unit 21 or conditioning unit control unit 20) in order to adjust the setpoint temperature T_SOLL in the test object circulation PK.

[0054] FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the mixing unit 3. The mixing unit 3 is again provided with at least one test product circulation inlet connection 26a, at least one test product circulation outlet connection 26b, at least one regulating unit inlet connection 27a, and at least one regulating unit return connection 27b. Unlike the variation according to FIG. 3, here, two substantially ring-shaped mixing chambers 28a, 28b are provided in the mixing region 28, which preferably communicate with each other radially. The flow connection between the two ring chambers 28a, 28b is preferably provided with a throttle point 29. As explained with reference to FIG. 3, the throttle point 29 can again have a fixed flow cross-section or, as suggested in FIG. 1b, can be provided with an adjustable orifice (not shown) with a control element A for adjusting the flow cross-section. The regulating unit inlet connection 27a preferably opens axially essentially centrally into the first mixing chamber 28a, and the test product circulation discharge connection 26b preferably opens radially into the first mixing chamber 28a. Similarly, the regulating unit return connection 27b preferably opens axially essentially centrally into the second mixing chamber 28b, and the test product circulation inlet connection 26a preferably opens radially into the second mixing chamber 28b. In order to keep pressure losses as small as possible, it is again advantageous if the inlet opening 30 of the test product circulation inlet connection 26a, which opens radially outward into the ring-shaped second mixing chamber 28b, and the discharge opening 31 of the test product circulation discharge connection 26b, which opens radially outward into the ring-shaped first mixing chamber 28a, are spaced apart by an angle of at least 90°, preferably 180°±30°, and the inlet opening 30 and the discharge opening 31 are preferably coplanar as shown.

[0055] To achieve the best possible mixing of the preconditioned operating medium from the conditioning circuit KK with the operating medium of the test substance circuit PK, it may be further advantageous if at least one filter element 33 is provided in the mixing region 28. This allows for turbulence in the flow, which improves mixing. When appropriately positioned in the flow path, the at least one filter element 33 can also serve as a kind of dirt filter, for example, to prevent deposits or dirt particles from reaching the test substance circuit PK from the conditioning circuit KK. For this purpose, at least one filter element 33 with a sufficiently small mesh size can be provided, for example, at least in the region of the conditioning unit return connection 27b. Generally, various structural configurations can be used as the filter element 33, such as perforated sheets, wire mesh, metal mesh, etc.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 4, it is particularly advantageous if each of the ring-shaped mixing chambers 28a, 28b is provided with one filter element 33, preferably formed in a ring shape. In the illustrated example, the filter element 33 is formed as a substantially cylindrical sleeve, the outer periphery of which is provided with a plurality of openings connecting the outer periphery with the inner periphery. Depending on the number, size, and distribution of the openings around the periphery, it is possible to influence the mixing and / or filtering properties. In the variation according to FIG. 4, for example, a preferably cylindrical recess can be provided for each of the mixing chambers 28a, 28b, for example, drilled or milled into the housing 25. The ring-shaped filter element 33 can then be used in an appropriate manner. The ring-shaped mixing chambers 28a, 28b are thereby formed between the inner periphery of the cylindrical opening and the outer periphery of the ring-shaped filter element 33.

[0057] As a result, the pre-conditioned operating medium from the conditioning circulation section KK can flow substantially axially via the conditioning unit inlet connection 27a into the cylindrical interior space of the ring-shaped filter element 33 and radially through the ring-shaped filter element 33 into the ring-shaped mixing chamber 28a. The operating medium can further flow from the ring-shaped mixing chamber 28a through the throttle point 29 in a direction opposite to the flow direction in the test substance circulation section PK into the second ring-shaped mixing chamber 28b. As indicated by the arrows in FIG. 4 , the operating medium can flow substantially in the opposite direction from the second ring-shaped mixing chamber 28b, like the first mixing chamber 28a, first through an opening in the filter element 33 into the interior of the filter element 33 and then axially to the conditioning unit return connection 27b. While the operating medium of the conditioning circulation section KK flows as described above, the operating medium of the test substance circulation section PK can simultaneously flow substantially in the opposite direction through the mixing zone 28, as indicated by the corresponding arrows.

[0058] Finally, FIG. 5 illustrates a valve unit 34 for use in the regulating unit 2 in one advantageous configuration. FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a valve housing 34a of the valve unit 34 according to FIG. 5. FIG. 7 illustrates a mixing element 37 of the valve unit 34 according to FIG. 5. As already mentioned above, the valve unit 34 can be used to divide a main fluid flow HS of a (liquid or gaseous) working medium into at least two partial fluid flows TS and / or to mix at least two partial fluid flows of one working medium or several different working media into one main fluid HS. To this end, the valve unit 34 can advantageously be used, for example, in the regulating unit 2 shown in FIG. 1b, to combine three partial flow lines 7a-7c into one regulating collection line KSL. Additionally or alternatively, the valve unit 34 can also be used at the junction 8 in the regulating unit 2 to divide the main flow line 6 into three partial flow lines 7a-7c. However, the valve unit 34 can also be provided for other purposes, independent of the regulating unit 2, for example, in order to produce in the main fluid flow HS a mixture of various gases which are fed to the valve unit 34 via the partial fluid flow TS. For example, it is possible to produce synthesis gas consisting of oxygen O2, nitrogen N2 and carbon dioxide CO2.

[0059] The valve unit 34 or valve housing 34a has at least one main fluid flow connection 36 for the main fluid flow HS and at least one partial fluid flow connection 35a-35c for each partial fluid flow TS, which are in fluid communication with each other via a mixing space M provided in the valve unit 34. If the valve unit according to FIG. 1b is used to mix the partial fluid flows TS of the partial flow lines 7a-7c, for example, the first partial flow line 7a can be connected to the first partial fluid flow connection 35a, the second partial flow line 7b can be connected to the second partial fluid flow connection 35b, and the third partial flow line 7c can be connected to the third partial fluid flow connection 35c. The adjustment unit collecting line KSL can be connected to the main fluid flow connection 36. A movable mixing element 37 for controlling the flow rate is provided in the mixing space M, which can be driven by a drive unit 38. Depending on the position of the mixing element 37, it is possible to adjust a predetermined mixing ratio of the partial fluid flows.

[0060] As can be seen in Fig. 5, in the illustrated example, the mixing element 37 is configured, for example, as a rotatable rotor, and the drive unit 38 is configured as an electrically operable actuator. To mix (or distribute) the partial fluid flows TS in a predetermined ratio, the drive unit 38 can be controlled by a suitable control unit. In the example according to Fig. 1b, the valve unit 34 can be controlled, for example, by the regulating unit control unit 20 via a predetermined control variable X_STELL in order to adjust the ratio of the working media from the partial flow lines 7a-7c so that a desired target temperature T_SOLL is achieved in the test object circulation part PK.

[0061] As can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the mixing space M can be, for example, at least partially cylindrical, and the mixing element 37 or rotor can comprise, for example, a hollow cylinder (see FIG. 5) that can rotate in the mixing space M. The hollow cylinder preferably has a control opening 40 on its outer periphery, which connects the outer periphery to the inner periphery. The control opening 40 can be, for example, a cylindrical hole, but can also have other shapes. In the illustrated example, the control opening 40 is configured, for example, as a kind of notch. The control opening 40 extends in the circumferential direction over a certain area that essentially depends on the structural design of the valve unit 34, in particular the relative arrangement of the inlet openings 41a-41c of the partial fluid flow connections 35a-35c to the mixing space M; in FIG. 6, only the inlet openings 41a-41c are visible. For example, the control opening 40 can extend in the circumferential direction over an angle of 90-180°. In the axial direction, the length of the control opening 40 preferably corresponds to the length of the inlet openings of the partial fluid-flow connections 25a-35c. By rotating the rotor or hollow cylinder by means of the drive unit 38, the control opening 40 can be at least partially aligned with at least one inlet opening 41a-41c of each of the partial fluid-flow connections 35a-35c, which opens into the mixing space M. If the valve unit 34 is used as a mixing valve, this makes it possible to set a predetermined mixing ratio of the partial fluid streams TS of the working medium (or of different working media) in the main fluid stream HS.

[0062] 5, the rotor can be rotated preferably steplessly between, for example, a first position in which the control openings 40 communicate only with the inlet openings 41 a of the first partial fluid flow connection 35 a, a second position in which the control openings 40 communicate only with the inlet openings 41 b of the second partial fluid flow connection 35 b, and a third position (vertically downwards) in which the control openings 40 communicate only with the inlet openings 41 c of the third partial fluid flow connection 35 c. In the first position, the inlet openings 41 b, 41 c of the second and third partial fluid flow connections 35 b, 35 c are closed so that 100% of the flow can flow via the first partial fluid flow connection 35 a. In the second position, the first and third partial fluid flow connections 35a, 35c are closed so that 100% of the flow passes through the second partial fluid flow connection 35b, and in the third position, the first and second partial fluid flow connections 35a, 35b are closed so that 100% of the flow passes through the third partial fluid flow connection 35c. At positions of the control opening 40 between the first and third positions, the first and third partial fluid flows are mixed in a predetermined ratio. At positions of the control opening 40 between the second and third positions, the second and third partial fluid flows are mixed in a predetermined ratio, where each mixing ratio substantially depends on the size and geometry of the control opening 40 and the size and geometry of the inlet openings 41a-41c of the partial fluid flow connections 35a-35c.

[0063] The outer circumferential surface of the hollow cylinder can also preferably be provided with at least one turbulence-generating recess 39, which connects the outer circumferential surface of the hollow cylinder to the inner circumferential surface. Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, multiple turbulence-generating recesses 39 are provided in the circumferential direction of the hollow cylinder. The turbulence-generating recesses 39 are axially arranged in a portion of the hollow cylinder in the region of the opening 42 of the main fluid flow connection 36 to the mixing space M. This allows for turbulence to be generated in the flow, thereby achieving improved mixing of the partial fluid streams TS. When mixing partial fluid streams TS with different temperatures, this is advantageous, for example, to enable as precise a temperature determination of the mixture in the main fluid stream HS as possible directly in the valve unit 34, for example, by the temperature sensor 23 suggested in FIG. 5. As suggested, it is of course also possible to provide additional temperature sensors 23 in the valve unit 34, for example, one temperature sensor 23 for each partial fluid flow connection 35a-35c. In order to further improve the mixing of the partial fluid flows TS, the recesses 39 can be formed, for example, as slots, the main axis of which extends, for example, parallel to the axis of the hollow cylinder.

[0064] However, it should be understood that the illustrated valve unit 34 is exemplary, and other configurations are also possible. The mixing space M and the mixing element 37 do not have to be configured cylindrically, for example, but may have other shapes. Depending on the structural configuration of the valve unit 34, in particular the mixing element 37, the mixing space M, and the position, size, and geometry of the control openings 40, it is possible to adapt the mixing characteristics of the valve unit 34 to predetermined boundary conditions.

[0065] The present invention may also include the following aspects: 1. A mixing unit (3) for a conditioning system (1) of a test stand for adjusting the operating medium of a test object circulation part (PK) of a test object (P) placed on a test stand to a predetermined target temperature (T_SOLL), the mixing unit (3) is provided with a mixing zone (28) in which the operating medium of the test object circulation zone (PK) can be mixed with a pre-conditioned operating medium from the conditioning circulation zone (KK) in order to adjust the operating medium in the test object circulation zone (PK) to the predetermined target temperature (T_SOLL), the mixing unit (3) is provided with at least one test object circulation inlet connection (26a) and at least one test object circulation outlet connection (26b) for fluidly integrating the mixing unit (3) into a test object circulation part (PK), the test object circulation inlet connection and the test object circulation outlet connection being fluidly connected to each other via the mixing area (28) to form part of the test object circulation part (PK); 1. A mixing unit, comprising: at least one regulating unit inlet connection (27a) and at least one regulating unit return connection (27b) for connecting the mixing unit (3) with a regulating unit (2) of the regulating system (1); the regulating unit inlet connection and the regulating unit return connection being fluidly connected to one another via the mixing area (28) to form part of the regulating circuit (KK) for the working medium. 2. A mixing unit (3) as described in 1. above, characterized in that at least one regulating unit return connection (27b) opens into the mixing area (28) between the test substance circulation inlet connection (26a) and the regulating unit return connection (27b). 3. A mixing unit (3) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a throttling point (29) is provided in the mixing region (28) between the at least one regulating unit inlet connection (27a) and the at least one regulating unit return connection (27b). 4. A mixing unit (3) as described in 3 above, characterized in that the throttle point (29) has an adjustable orifice, preferably provided with an electrically controllable control element for adjusting the orifice. 5. The mixing unit (3) according to any one of 1. to 4. above, characterized in that the mixing unit (3) is provided with at least one differential pressure sensor (24a) for measuring the pressure loss of the operating medium in the mixing unit (3). 6. The mixing unit (3) according to any one of 1. to 5. above, characterized in that the mixing unit (3) is provided with at least one temperature sensor (23) for measuring the actual temperature (T_IST) of the operating medium, preferably a temperature sensor (23) is provided in the region of the at least one regulating unit inlet connection (27a), a temperature sensor (23) is provided in the region of the at least one test object circulation inlet connection (26a), and a temperature sensor (23) is provided in the region of the at least one test object circulation outlet connection (26b). 7. The mixing unit (3) according to any one of the above items 1 to 6, wherein the mixing region (28) is provided with at least one ring-shaped mixing chamber (28a). 8. A mixing unit (3) as described in 7. above, characterized in that the inlet opening (30) of at least one test material circulation inlet connection (26a) opening from the radially outward direction into the ring-shaped mixing chamber (28a) and the outlet opening (31) of at least one test material circulation outlet connection (26b) opening from the radially outward direction into the ring-shaped mixing chamber (28a) are spaced apart from each other at a circumferential interval of at least 90°, preferably 180°±30°. 9. A mixing unit (3) as described in 7. or 8. above, characterized in that the at least one regulating unit inlet connection (27a) opens radially inward into the ring-shaped mixing chamber (28a), preferably in the region of the inlet opening (30) of the at least one test substance circulation inlet connection (26a). 10. A mixing unit (3) according to any one of 1. to 7. above, characterized in that the mixing area (28) is provided with at least two fluidly connected ring-shaped mixing chambers (28a, 28b), and the at least one regulating unit inlet connection (27a) preferably opens axially into the first mixing chamber (28a), and the at least one regulating unit outlet connection (27b) preferably opens axially into the second mixing chamber (28b). 11. The mixing unit (3) according to item 10 above, characterized in that the at least two ring-shaped mixing chambers (28a, 28b) are connected in a radial direction. 12. A mixing unit (3) as described in 10. or 11. above, characterized in that the throttle point (29), preferably configured as an adjustable orifice, is arranged in the fluid connection between the two annular mixing chambers (28a, 28b). 13. The mixing unit (3) according to any one of 1. to 12. above, characterized in that the mixing region (28) is provided with at least one filtering element (33), and preferably each ring-shaped mixing chamber (28a, 28b) is provided with a filtering element (33) configured in a ring shape. 14. A control unit (2) for a control system (1) of a test stand for controlling the operating medium of a test object circulation part (PK) of a test object (P) placed on a test stand to a predetermined target temperature (T_SOLL), The regulating unit (2) is provided with at least one mixing unit inlet connection (4) and at least one mixing unit outlet connection (5, 5a to 5c) for connecting the regulating unit (2) with a mixing unit (3) that can be fluidly integrated into the test substance circulation part (PK), the at least one mixing unit inlet connection (4) and the at least one mixing unit outlet connection (5, 5a-5c) are fluidly connected in the regulating unit (2) to form part of a regulating circulation (KK) for the operating medium, a main flow line (6) of the regulating circulation section (KK), connected to at least one mixing unit inlet connection (4), is divided in the regulating unit (2) into at least two partial flow lines (7a-7c), Each partial flow line (7a-7c) is connected to said at least one mixing unit discharge connection (5, 5a-5c), The operating medium can be adjusted to a predetermined adjustment temperature (T1, T2) in one partial flow line (7a, 7b), and an unadjusted operating medium having a neutral temperature (T3) higher or lower than the adjustment temperature (T1, T2) can flow through at least one other partial flow line (7c), A regulating unit, characterized in that the flow rate of the operating medium in at least two partial flow lines (7a-7c) is adjustable as a function of a predetermined target temperature (T_SOLL) in the test object circulation part (PK). 15. The main flow line (6) is divided into at least three partial flow lines (7a-7c), each partial flow line (7a-7c) being connected to at least one mixing unit discharge connection (5, 5a-5c); 14. The regulating unit (2) according to claim 14, characterized in that the operating medium can be regulated to a first regulated temperature (T1) in the first partial flow line (7a) and to a second regulated temperature (T2) in the second partial flow line (7b), and an unregulated operating medium having a neutral temperature (T3) between the first regulated temperature (T1) and the second regulated temperature (T2) can flow through the third partial flow line (7c). 16. A regulating unit (2) as described in paragraphs 14 or 15 above, characterized in that in the regulating unit (2), at least one partial flow line (7a, 7b) is provided with at least one temperature control unit (9a, 9b), preferably formed as a heat exchanger, in order to regulate the working medium to the respective regulation temperatures (T1, T2). 17. The conditioning unit (2) is provided with at least one heat source supply flow connection (10a) and at least one heat source return flow connection (10b) for connecting a heat source, and the heat source supply flow connection and the heat source return flow connection are fluidly connected to a heat exchanger (9a) arranged in the partial flow line (7a) for conditioning the working medium to a conditioning temperature (T1) higher than the neutral temperature (T3) to form part of the heat source supply circuit (VK1); and / or 16. The regulating unit (2) according to claim 16, characterized in that the regulating unit (2) is provided with at least one heat sink supply flow connection (11a) and at least one heat sink return flow connection (11b) for connecting the heat sink, and that the heat sink supply flow connection and the heat sink return flow connection are fluidly connected to a heat exchanger (9b) arranged in the partial flow line (7b) for adjusting the working medium to an adjustment temperature (T2) lower than the neutral temperature (T3) so as to form part of the heat sink supply circuit (VK2). 18. The regulating unit (2) is provided with at least one regulating unit control unit (20) for controlling at least the flow rate of the working medium in at least two partial flow lines (7a-7c), and / or The regulating unit (2) described in any one of items 14 to 17 above is characterized in that the regulating unit (2) is connectable to a test stand control unit (21) via a test stand interface (S) to control at least the flow rate of the operating medium in at least two partial flow lines (7a to 7c). 19. At least one partial flow line (7a, 7b) in which the operating medium can be adjusted to each adjustment temperature (T1, T2) is provided with a pressure adjustment unit (13a, 13b); and The regulating unit (2) according to any one of the above items 14 to 18, characterized in that at least one other partial flow line (7c) through which unregulated operating medium can flow is provided with a check valve (14), and at least one pressure regulating unit (13a, 13b) can be controlled by at least one control unit (20, 21) to regulate the flow rate in at least two partial flow lines (7a to 7c). 20. The main flow line (6) is provided with a first metering orifice (18) or flow measurement unit having a differential pressure sensor (18a) for measuring a differential pressure (Δp1) across the first metering orifice (18); and A regulating unit (2) according to any one of claims 14 to 19, characterized in that at least one other partial flow line (7c) through which the unregulated operating medium can flow is provided with a second measuring orifice (19) or a flow measuring unit having a differential pressure sensor (19a) for measuring the differential pressure (Δp2) across the second measuring orifice (19). 21. The control unit (21, 20) calculates the temperature T_SOLL in dependence on a predetermined target temperature T_SOLL by the formula

[0066]

number

[0067] (where Tx=T1 or T2), calculates a target differential pressure (Δp2_SOLL) in the third partial flow line (7c), and calculates a control variable (X_STELL) for at least one pressure regulating unit (13a, 13b) based on the actual differential pressure (Δp2_SOLL) measured by the differential pressure sensor (19a) and the target differential pressure (Δp2_SOLL). 22. A regulating unit (2) according to any one of the above items 14. to 20., characterized in that the main flow line (6) is provided with a pump (15) for conveying the working medium in the regulating circulation section (KK), preferably controllable by a control unit (20, 21). 23. The regulating unit (2) described in 22. above, characterized in that the regulating circulation section (KK) is provided with a bypass line (16) for the working medium to bypass the pump (15), and the bypass line (16) is provided with a controllable valve (17), which is preferably controllable by a control unit (20, 21). 24. The regulating unit (2) is provided with a controllable valve unit (34) for distributing the working medium from the main flow line (6) to at least two partial flow lines (7a-7c), and the main flow line (6) is connected to at least two partial flow lines (7a-7c) via the valve unit (34), and / or The regulating unit (2) according to any one of the above items 14 to 23, characterized in that the regulating unit (2) is provided with a controllable valve unit (34) for mixing the working medium from at least two partial flow lines (7a to 7c) and supplying it to a regulating unit collecting line (KSL), the at least two partial flow lines (7a to 7c) being connected to the regulating unit collecting line (KSL) via the valve unit (34), and the regulating unit collecting line (KSL) being connected to at least one mixing unit discharge connection (5). 25. The regulating unit (2) described in 24. above, characterized in that the valve unit (34) has at least one main fluid flow connection (36) for the main fluid flow (HS) and at least one partial fluid flow connection (35a-35c) for each partial fluid flow (TS), the main fluid flow connection and the partial fluid flow connection being fluidly connected via a mixing space (M), and the mixing space (M) is provided with a movable mixing element (37) for preferably steplessly controlling the distribution ratio or mixing ratio of the partial fluid flows (TS), the mixing element being drivable by a drive unit (38). 26. The adjusting unit (2) described in 25 above, characterized in that the mixing element (37) is configured as a rotatable rotor, and the drive unit (38) is configured as an electrically operable actuator for rotating the rotor. 27. The regulating unit (2) described in paragraph 26 above, characterized in that the rotor has a hollow cylinder, the outer surface of which is provided with a control opening (40) connecting the outer surface of the hollow cylinder with the inner surface, and the rotor is preferably infinitely rotatable in order to at least partially align the control opening (40) with at least one inlet opening of each of the partial fluid flow connection portions (35a to 35c) which opens into the mixing space (M). 28. The adjusting unit (2) described in 27. above, characterized in that the outer surface of the hollow cylinder is provided with at least one turbulence-forming recess (39) connecting the outer surface of the hollow cylinder with the inner surface, the turbulence-forming recess (39) being arranged in the axial direction in a part of the hollow cylinder, which part is in the area of ​​the opening of the main fluid flow connection part (36) in the mixing space (M), and the turbulence-forming recess (39) is preferably formed as a long hole. 29. A control system (1) for a test stand for controlling the operating medium of a test object circulation part (PK) of a test object (P) placed on the test stand to a predetermined target temperature (T_SOLL), The adjusting system (1) comprises a mixing unit (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 13 and an adjusting unit (2) according to any one of claims 14 to 28, At least one mixing unit inlet connection (4) of the regulating unit (2) is connected to at least one regulating unit return connection (27b) of the mixing unit (3) via at least one return line (RL), A regulating system characterized in that at least one mixing unit discharge connection (5, 5a-5c) of the regulating unit (2) is connected to at least one regulating unit inlet connection (27a) of the mixing unit (3) via at least one inlet pipe (ZL, ZLa-ZLc). 30. A test stand having a test object (P) and a regulation system (1) for regulating the operating medium of a test object circulation part (PK) of the test object (P) to a predetermined temperature (T_SOLL), The adjustment system (1) is constructed according to claim 29, the mixing unit (3) is fluidly integrated in the test object circulation part (PK) of the test object (P) to form part of the test object circulation part (PK), A test stand characterized in that the regulating unit (2) is controllable by a test stand control unit (21) of the test stand for controlling at least the flow rate of the operating medium in at least two partial flow lines (7a-7c) depending on a predetermined target temperature (T_SOLL) in the test object circulation part (PK). 31. A method for adjusting the operating medium flowing in a test object circulation part (PK) of a test object (P) placed on a test stand to a predetermined target temperature (T_SOLL), comprising: a mixing unit (3) fluidly integrated into the test object circulation section (PK) to form part of the test object circulation section (PK); the operating medium to be regulated in the test substance circulation part (PK) is supplied to the mixing unit (3) via at least one test substance circulation inlet connection (26a), an operating medium, which is adjusted to a predetermined target temperature (T_SOLL), is discharged from the mixing unit (3) via at least one test substance circulation discharge connection (26b); At least an operating medium having a predetermined adjustment temperature (T1, T2) and an operating medium having a neutral temperature (T3) higher or lower than this temperature are supplied to the mixing unit (3) via at least one adjustment unit inlet connection (27a), The operating medium is mixed with the operating medium supplied from the test substance circulation section (PK) in a mixing area (28) provided in the mixing unit (3) and is discharged from the mixing unit (3) via at least one adjustment unit return connection (27b); 10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the flow rates of the operating medium with the set temperatures (T1, T2) and the operating medium with the neutral temperature are adjusted as a function of the predetermined target temperature (T_SOLL). 32. The method according to claim 31, characterized in that at least one actual temperature (T_IST) of the operating medium is detected in the test object circulation section (PK) or the regulating circulation section (KK) and supplied to a control unit (20, 21), and the control unit (20, 21) controls the flow rate of the operating medium having the regulating temperature (T1, T2) and the flow rate of the operating medium having the neutral temperature (T3) depending on the detected actual temperature (T_IST) and a predetermined target temperature (T_SOLL). 33. The actual temperature (T_IST) is calculated based on Richmann's law of mixtures, preferably by the mass flow rate (mx) of the working medium having the controlled temperatures (T1, T2) and the mass flow rate (m3) of the working medium having the neutral temperature (T3).

[0068]

number

[0069] 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the calculation is performed according to: 34. A method according to claim 31 or 32, characterized in that the operating medium supplied to the mixing unit (3) via at least one regulating unit inlet connection (27a) flows to at least one regulating unit return connection (27b) in a direction opposite to the flow direction of the test substance circulation section (PK). 35. The actual pressure loss (Δp_IST) is detected in the test substance circulation section (PK) in the mixing unit (3); A method according to any one of claims 31 to 34, characterized in that the flow rates of the operating medium having the controlled temperatures (T1, T2) and the flow rate of the operating medium having the neutral temperature (T3) and / or the flow cross section of the throttle point (29) provided in the mixing area (28) are set so that the pressure loss (Δp) in the test product circulation section (PK) of the mixing unit (3) is adjusted to a predetermined target pressure loss (Δp_SOLL), preferably compensated.

Claims

1. A control unit (2) for a control system (1) of a test stand for controlling the operating medium of a test object circulation part (PK) of a test object (P) placed on a test stand to a predetermined target temperature (T_SOLL), The regulating unit (2) is provided with at least one mixing unit inlet connection (4) and at least one mixing unit outlet connection (5, 5a to 5c) for directly connecting the regulating unit (2) with a mixing unit (3) that can be fluidically integrated into the test substance circulation part (PK), the at least one mixing unit inlet connection (4) and the at least one mixing unit outlet connection (5, 5a-5c) are fluidly connected in the regulating unit (2) to form part of a regulating circulation (KK) for the operating medium, a main flow line (6) of the regulating circulation section (KK), connected to at least one mixing unit inlet connection (4), is divided in the regulating unit (2) into at least two partial flow lines (7a-7c), each partial flow line (7a-7c) is connected to said at least one mixing unit discharge connection (5, 5a-5c), The operating medium can be adjusted to a predetermined adjustment temperature (T1, T2) in one partial flow line (7a, 7b), and an unadjusted operating medium having a neutral temperature (T3) higher or lower than the adjustment temperature (T1, T2) can flow through at least one other partial flow line (7c), 1. A regulating unit, characterized in that the flow rate of the operating medium in at least two partial flow lines (7a-7c) is adjustable as a function of a predetermined target temperature (T_SOLL) in the test substance circulation part (PK).

2. the main flow line (6) is divided into at least three partial flow lines (7a-7c), each partial flow line (7a-7c) being connected to the at least one mixing unit discharge connection (5, 5a-5c); 2. The regulating unit (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the operating medium can be regulated to a first regulated temperature (T1) in the first partial flow line (7a) and to a second regulated temperature (T2) in the second partial flow line (7b), and an unregulated operating medium having a neutral temperature (T3) between the first regulated temperature (T1) and the second regulated temperature (T2) can flow through the third partial flow line (7c).

3. 3. The regulating unit (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the regulating unit (2), at least one partial flow line (7a, 7b) is provided with at least one temperature control unit (9a, 9b) for regulating the operating medium to each regulating temperature (T1, T2).

4. the conditioning unit (2) is provided with at least one heat source supply flow connection (10a) and at least one heat source return flow connection (10b) for connecting a heat source, the heat source supply flow connection and the heat source return flow connection being fluidly connected to a heat exchanger (9a) arranged in the partial flow line (7a) for conditioning the working medium to a conditioning temperature (T1) higher than the neutral temperature (T3) in order to form part of the heat source supply circuit (VK1); and / or 4. The conditioning unit (2) according to claim 3, characterized in that the conditioning unit (2) is provided with at least one heat sink supply flow connection (11a) and at least one heat sink return flow connection (11b) for connecting the heat sink, and in order to form part of the heat sink supply circuit (VK2), the heat sink supply flow connection and the heat sink return flow connection are fluidly connected to a heat exchanger (9b) arranged in the partial flow line (7b) and provided for conditioning the working medium to a conditioning temperature (T2) lower than the neutral temperature (T3).

5. the regulating unit (2) is provided with at least one regulating unit control unit (20) for controlling at least the flow rate of the working medium in at least two partial flow lines (7a-7c); and / or 5. The regulating unit (2) according to claim 1, wherein the regulating unit (2) is connectable to a test stand control unit (21) via a test stand interface (S) for controlling at least the flow rate of the operating medium in at least two partial flow lines (7a-7c).

6. at least one partial flow line (7a, 7b) in which the operating medium can be adjusted to each adjusted temperature (T1, T2) is provided with a pressure adjustment unit (13a, 13b); and 6. The regulating unit (2) according to claim 1, wherein at least one further partial flow line (7c), through which unregulated operating medium can flow, is provided with a check valve (14), and at least one pressure regulating unit (13a, 13b) is controllable by at least one control unit (20, 21) for regulating the flow rates in at least two partial flow lines (7a-7c).

7. the main flow line (6) is provided with a first metering orifice (18) or flow measurement unit having a differential pressure sensor (18a) for measuring a differential pressure (Δp1) across the first metering orifice (18); and At least one further partial flow line (7c), through which the unregulated operating medium can flow, is provided with a second measuring orifice (19) or a flow measurement unit having a differential pressure sensor (19a) for measuring a differential pressure (Δp2) across the second measuring orifice (19), and the control unit (21, 20) determines, as a function of a predetermined target temperature (T_SOLL), the formula: [Equation 1] 7. The regulating unit (2) according to claim 1, wherein the regulating unit (2) is configured to calculate a target differential pressure (Δp2_SOLL) in the third partial flow line (7c) in accordance with the above formula (where Tx=T1 or T2) and to calculate a control variable (X_STELL) for at least one pressure regulating unit (13a, 13b) based on the actual differential pressure (Δp2_SOLL) measured by the differential pressure sensor (19a) and the target differential pressure (Δp2_SOLL).

8. 8. The regulating unit (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the main flow line (6) is provided with a pump (15) controllable by a control unit (20, 21) for conveying the working medium in the regulating circuit (KK), the regulating circuit (KK) is provided with a bypass line (16) for the working medium to bypass the pump (15), the bypass line (16) is provided with a controllable valve (17), the controllable valve being controllable by the control unit (20, 21).

9. the regulating unit (2) is provided with a controllable valve unit (34) for distributing the operating medium from a main flow line (6) to at least two partial flow lines (7a-7c), the main flow line (6) being connected to at least two partial flow lines (7a-7c) via the valve unit (34); and / or 9. The regulating unit (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the regulating unit (2) is provided with a controllable valve unit (34) for mixing and supplying the working medium from at least two partial flow lines (7a-7c) to a regulating unit collecting line (KSL), the at least two partial flow lines (7a-7c) being connected to the regulating unit collecting line (KSL) via the valve unit (34), and the regulating unit collecting line (KSL) being connected to at least one mixing unit discharge connection (5).

10. 10. The regulating unit (2) according to claim 9, characterized in that the valve unit (34) comprises at least one main fluid flow connection (36) for a main fluid flow (HS) and at least one partial fluid flow connection (35a-35c) for each partial fluid flow (TS), the main fluid flow connection and the partial fluid flow connections being in fluid communication via a mixing space (M), the mixing space (M) being provided with a movable mixing element (37) for controlling the distribution or mixing ratio of the partial fluid flows (TS), the mixing element being drivable by a drive unit (38).

11. 11. The regulating unit (2) according to claim 10, characterized in that the mixing element (37) is configured as a rotatable rotor and the drive unit (38) is configured as an electrically operable actuator for rotating the rotor, the rotor having a hollow cylinder, on the outer circumferential surface of which a control opening (40) is provided connecting the outer circumferential surface of the hollow cylinder with an inner circumferential surface, the rotor being rotatable in order to at least partially align the control opening (40) with at least one inlet opening of each of the partial fluid-flow connections (35 a-35 c) opening into the mixing space (M), the outer circumferential surface of the hollow cylinder being provided with at least one turbulence-generating recess (39) connecting the outer circumferential surface of the hollow cylinder with its inner circumferential surface, the turbulence-generating recess (39) being arranged on a part of the hollow cylinder in the axial direction, which part is in the region of the opening of the main fluid-flow connection (36) in the mixing space (M), the turbulence-generating recess (39) being configured as an elongated hole.

12. A method for adjusting a working medium flowing in a test object circulation section (PK) of a test object (P) placed on a test stand to a predetermined target temperature (T_SOLL), comprising: a mixing unit (3) fluidly integrated into the test object circulation section (PK) to form part of the test object circulation section (PK), The operating medium to be regulated in the test substance circulation part (PK) is supplied to the mixing unit (3) via at least one test substance circulation inlet connection (26a), The operating medium, which is adjusted to a predetermined target temperature (T_SOLL), is discharged from the mixing unit (3) via at least one test substance circulation discharge connection (26b), At least an operating medium having a predetermined adjustment temperature (T1, T2) and an operating medium having a neutral temperature (T3) higher or lower than this temperature are supplied to the mixing unit (3) via at least one adjustment unit inlet connection (27a), The operating medium is mixed with the operating medium supplied from the test substance circulation section (PK) in a mixing area (28) provided in the mixing unit (3) and is discharged from the mixing unit (3) via at least one regulating unit return connection (27b), 10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the flow rates of the operating medium with the set temperatures (T1, T2) and the operating medium with the neutral temperature are adjusted as a function of the predetermined target temperature (T_SOLL).

13. 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein at least one actual temperature (T_IST) of the operating medium is detected in the test object circulation section (PK) or the regulating circulation section (KK) and is supplied to a control unit (20, 21), which controls the flow rate of the operating medium having the regulating temperature (T1, T2) and the flow rate of the operating medium having the neutral temperature (T3) depending on the detected actual temperature (T_IST) and a predetermined target temperature (T_SOLL).

14. The actual temperature (T_IST) is calculated based on Richmann's law of mixtures by the mass flow rate (mx) of the operating medium having the set temperatures (T1, T2) and the mass flow rate (m3) of the operating medium having the neutral temperature (T3). [Equation 2] 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the method is calculated according to:

15. 14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the operating medium supplied to the mixing unit (3) via at least one conditioning unit inlet connection (27a) flows in a direction opposite to the flow direction of the test substance circulation section (PK) to at least one conditioning unit return connection (27b).

16. the actual pressure loss (Δp_IST) is detected in the test substance circulation section (PK) of the mixing unit (3); 16. The method according to claim 12, wherein the flow rates of the operating medium with the set temperatures (T1, T2) and the operating medium with the neutral temperature (T3) and / or the flow cross section of the throttle point (29) in the mixing area (28) are set in such a way that the pressure loss (Δp) in the test product circulation part (PK) of the mixing unit (3) is adjusted to a predetermined target pressure loss (Δp_SOLL).

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