System for autonomy, operation control and upgrading of conventional heating body to smart heating body

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for autonomy (120), operation control and upgrading of a conventional heating body (110) to a smart heating body (100). The autonomy system (120) creates an external closed loop consisting of temperature sensors (176) and fluid flow (150) within the heating body (110), a variable speed pump (140) and fluid heater (130), as well as a piston expansion tank unit (190). The system operation is controlled by an electronic control unit (125) connected to an activation switch, control-command buttons and a display (124). The same or another similar control unit can be used to control the operation of a system consisting of more than one heating bodies (110) and convert them into smart heating bodies (100). The proposed autonomy (120) and operation control system ensures optimal performance of the heating bodies (100), economy in electricity consumption, protection of the system from damage and protection of those near the heating bodies (100) from injuries and burns.

Description

Title of the Invention: SYSTEM FOR AUTONOMY, OPERATION CONTROL AND UPGRADING OF CONVENTIONAL HEATING BODY TO SMART HEATING BODYDescriptionState of the Art

[0001] Heating bodies are widely used for heating indoor spaces. The most common heating bodies (e.g. radiator type) are used in central heating installations, where a closed circuit to which the heating bodies are connected heats water or other liquid which is supplied through pipes to the heating bodies. Such heating systems are very efficient in heating indoor spaces but have limitations due to their design, which result in their reduced performance.

[0002] It is known that the correct flow of water is critical for the efficient operation of a heating system and the uniform distribution of heat to the radiators which in turn transfer the heat evenly to the space. This circulation is ensured by using a circulator in the central closed-circuit heating installation (e.g. of an apartment building or each house separately in cases of autonomy heating systems). The absence of a water (or other liquid) circulator in each heating body results in a significantly reduced efficiency of the heating body, as well as the need to supply hot water to all heating bodies, which are located in areas that we do not wish to heat (such as in isolated rooms or rooms that have already been heated and no longer need heating).

[0003] Accordingly, in individual, usually portable, radiators, corresponding problems of reduced efficiency are observed due to the absence of a liquid circulator.

[0004] Another problem that arises when we heat the liquid (e.g. water or oil) of the closed heating system is that the liquid expands and its expansion increases its volume. In a closed heating circuit (in which there is a liquid filling), when the liquid is heated, instead of increasing its volume, its pressure increases, which can cause damage to the system but also a risk of injury or bums to people who are near the heating body or to a pipeline that may burst due to the increase in liquid pressure. This problem in heating systems is solved by two well-known methods, the first being the open expansion tank and the second the closed expansion tank.

[0005] The above closed heating systems can be modified with suitable systems based on electrical resistances which are placed inside the radiators, in order to make one or more radiators independent or to improve an individual heating body in order to better control the heating of the corresponding spaces. From the above it follows that in the system of making a heating body independent, without any of the above methods of dealing with the increase in pressure of the liquid they contain, it is necessary to use an electrical resistance of lower power than desired, so that the increase in heat to the maximum desired limit is impossible because otherwise the pressure of the liquid in the system would increase above the permitted limits and damage to the system and / or injury could be caused.

[0006] Another way to prevent the pressure from increasing beyond the permitted limits is to add a thermostat inside the heating body to control the temperature of the liquid. In this way, when the liquid exceeds a predetermined temperature, the thermostat interrupts the supply of electrical voltage to the resistor, and when the temperature drops below the same (or preferably slightly lower) predetermined temperature, it re-supplies the electrical resistor with voltage. In this way, the water pressure inside the heating body is maintained constant. The technique of selecting a lower resistance power and inserting an analog thermostat into the heating body results in an even further reduction in the already reduced efficiency of the heating body.

[0007] Another disadvantage arises from the way in which we control the temperature of the space we want to heat. In the case where the room thermostat is fitted to the heating element, which is located very close to or inside the heating body, the heat is transferred directly from the heating body to the thermostat, resulting in the thermostat interrupting the operation of the element without having confirmed that the temperature inside the room where the heating body is located is the same as that of the thermostat. This result leads to a further reduction in the efficiency of the heating body, making the space insufficiently heated. Furthermore, in the aforementioned case of the thermostat inside the heating body, we do not have temperature measurements of the space we wish to heat and consequently this can lead to additional energy consumption and therefore increase the annual heating cost.Problem Definition

[0008] It is obvious that a heating body independence system is required, which ensures boththe safe and efficient operation of the heating body, as well as the effective heating of the space in which the heating body is located.Proposed Solution

[0009] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a system that will eliminate the above problems and will transform the heating body into a smart heating body. The present invention operates both from the electricity grid and from renewable energy sources.

[0010] For the implementation of the present heating body autonomy system according to the present invention and for solving the above problems, in order to have the optimal performance of the smart autonomy heating body, and for maximum energy savings, an innovative system is proposed which is suitable both for use in new heating bodies, and for connection to existing (non-smart) heating bodies.

[0011] Figure 1 shows a smart heating body according to the present invention. The smart heating body (100) consists of a conventional (non-smart) heating body (110) which is supported on the floor with supports (115) or hung on a wall. An autonomy system (120) is connected to the body (110), which includes a control unit (125), an external (i.e., the space to be heated) temperature sensor (129), an operation control switch (127) and optionally a display (124) for providing information to the operator of the autonomy system (120). The autonomy system (120) optionally also includes an air circulation unit (195), which increases the air circulation between the air ducts-heatsinks of the heating body (110) so that heat is more effectively and directly extracted from the heating body (110) for heating the space in which the latter is located.

[0012] Figure 2 illustrates an example of an implementation of the autonomy system (120) and its connection to the heating body (110). The autonomy system (120) includes a temperature sensor immersion cup (175) which is connected to the liquid inlet (170) of the heating body (110). The temperature sensor immersion cup (175) is connected via tubing (128) to a heater (130), which is preferably implemented as a film type heater. An (internal) temperature sensor (176) is included within the immersion cup (175). By using the immersion cup (175), the temperature sensor (176) can measure the temperature of the liquid within the heating body(110) without it coming into contact with the liquid.

[0013] The film-type heater can be implemented with a (thick) film-type heater, approximately 1 mm thick, printed on stainless steel substrates or on aluminum substrates, which film operates with alternating or direct voltage. Other embodiments of the heater (130) are also possible, such as for example a positive temperature coefficient heating element or an electrical resistor.

[0014] A variable speed pump (1 0) is connected to the heater (130), which in turn is connected to a liquid flow sensor (150). The liquid flow sensor (150) is connected via a filling valve (160) to the liquid outlet (180) of the heating body (110). The temperature sensor immersion cup (175) is also connected to a piston expansion tank unit (190), optionally via two sealing plugs (not shown). The connections of the above parts of the heating body (110) are made through pipes (128).

[0015] The temperature sensor (176) within the temperature sensor immersion cup (175), the heater (130), the variable speed pump (140), the liquid flow sensor (150), the external temperature sensor (129) and the operation control switch (127) are electrically connected, via wiring, to the control unit (125), in order to provide it with temperature and liquid flow measurements and to receive commands from it for the heating and circulation speed of the liquid within the heating body (110).

[0016] The operator of the device can turn it on and off via the operation control switch (or button) (127). The system (120) is connected to an electrical power supply via the button (127), which allows the connection and disconnection of the conductive path in the electrical circuit (for controlling the heater (130) and the variable speed pump (140)) and in the electronic circuit (for communicating with the sensors and other electronic components as shown in Figure 3) in order to control the operation of the smart heating body.

[0017] Depending on the embodiment of the device (120), it may include a display (124), which is electrically connected to the control unit (125), and / or an air circulation unit (195) which is also electrically connected to the control unit (125) and is controlled by it for starting and stopping its operation and optionally for its operating speed.

[0018] Figure 3 shows an example of an implementation of the control unit (125). The control unit (125) includes a microprocessor (320) which is designed to receive temperature and fluid flow measurements of the system (120) and external temperature, as well as operator commands via the display (124) and / or one or more buttons (310) and to provide visual information to the operator of the system (120) via the display (124), as well as to control the operation of the heater (130) and the variable speed pump (140). The control unit (125) is also connected to a power supply source (340) via the operation control switch (or button) (350). The power source may be a transformer-rectifier, which transforms and rectifies the mains power supply voltage to a DC voltage suitable for use in electronic circuits such as the microprocessor (320) and optionally also includes a battery for powering the microprocessor (320) and the display (124) for informing the operator and / or programming the system (120).

[0019] The microprocessor (320) is also connected to a memory (330) in which the temperature and fluid flow measurements and the operator's commands, the software executed by the microprocessor and optionally the history of the operation of the system (120) are stored.

[0020] The control unit (125) is used to control the operation of a heating body and convert it into a smart heating body. The same control unit (125) can also be programmed to control the operation of more than one heating body and convert them into smart radiators.

[0021] In a different embodiment, the control of the operation of more than one heating body and their conversion into smart radiators is carried out via a central electronic unit (in addition to the units (125)), which includes a microprocessor, a liquid crystal display, navigation keys and appropriate software so that the operator can receive information on the screen about the operation of the system and enter the desired operating parameters of the system via the navigation keys and / or via the screen (in embodiments in which touch screens are used). In this way, the individual radiators are controlled wired or wirelessly, individually or as a system, as well as the energy consumption of each heating body separately and as a whole, so as to achieve the optimal heating result for each level of energy consumption of the radiators.

[0022] Figure 4 shows an example of an embodiment of the air circulation unit (195). The air circulation unit (195) is controlled by the microprocessor (320) of the control unit (125) and consists of one or more air circulators (400), which are in the form of an impeller, fan or othercorresponding electromechanical device known from the literature as suitable for air circulation. The air circulation unit (195) is placed outside the heating body (110) and preferably on its lower side in order to ensure the best heat distribution in the space where the heating body is located by exploiting and enhancing the natural movement of hot air upwards.

[0023] Figure 5 shows an example of an embodiment of the piston expansion tank unit. The piston expansion tank unit (500) includes a piston expansion tank 510), which has on its outer surface, at its first end, a first helical thread (520) and at its second end, a second helical thread (530) for its connection to the temperature sensor immersion cup (175) and screw cap (560), respectively.

[0024] Inside the piston expansion tank (510), a moving piston (540) is first inserted, followed by a return spring (550), and the piston expansion tank (510) is sealed with the screw cap (560), which optionally has a cut-off switch (565). The moving piston (540) has sealing gaskets (542), (544), (546) on its outer surface.

[0025] The piston expansion tank unit (500) has round cross-sections, while in alternative embodiments the piston expansion tank (510) and the moving piston (540) have other shaped cross-sections.

[0026] By using the piston expansion tank unit (500), the pressure is controlled which is caused by the increase in the volume of the liquid contained in the system (100) and which is proportional to the increase in the temperature of the liquid. This avoids damage to the system (100) as well as injuries and / or burns to those near the system (100).

[0027] The examples used above to describe the present innovative solution should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present innovative solution. This innovative solution can be applied to other scenarios and settings than those described in the examples presented above.

[0028] The person skilled in the art understands that the shape, proportions and dimensions of the parts of the present invention, as presented in the exemplary embodiments, can be modified without departing from the scope and intended protection of the present invention.

[0029] The above descriptions of exemplary embodiments are simplified and do not include parts used in the embodiment but do not form part of the present invention, are not essential for understanding the invention and are obvious to the person skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. Furthermore, variations of the exemplary embodiments are possible where, for example, certain elements of the exemplary embodiments may be rearranged, omitted and replaced with equivalents or new elements may be added, as well as existing elements may be interconnected in a manner different from that described, provided that the different interconnection is compatible with the technical effect achieved by the elements of the invention being technical features of the invention. Similarly, modification of the shape and dimensions of the presented parts is considered to fall within the scope of protection of the present innovative solution to the extent that these modifications are obvious to persons skilled in the relevant art and to the extent that these modifications are equivalent to the implementation examples presented or do not add tangible and unexpected or non-obvious improvements to the technical result they offer. Thus, the present text is not intended to be limited only to the examples of implementation of the invention presented but should be given the broadest possible scope in accordance with the principles and novel features it discloses.

[0030] One skilled in the art understands that signals can be represented using any of a variety of different techniques. For example, data, software, instructions, signals that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, light, or any combination thereof.

[0031] A person skilled in the art further understands that the various illustrative radio frequency or analog circuit blocks described in connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented in a variety of different circuit topologies, in one or more integrated circuits, separately or in combination with logic circuits and systems while performing the same functions described in the present disclosure.

[0032] A person skilled in the art also understands that the various illustrative logical blocks, units, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative elements, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality.Whether this functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends on the specific implementation and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in different ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be construed as causing a departure from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0033] The various illustrative logic blocks, units, and circuits described in connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or executed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete logic gates or transistors, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but alternatively, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in combination with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0034] In one or more exemplary embodiments, the functions described may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions can be stored or transmitted as one or more instructions or code on a computer- readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media, including any medium that facilitates the transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD - ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to transfer or store the desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer or any other device or apparatus that functions as a computer. Also, any connection is properly called a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of the medium. Disc anddisk, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and blu-ray disc where discs typically reproduce data magnetically, while disks reproduce data optically with a laser. Combinations of the above should also be included in the scope of computer-readable media.

[0035] An example of a storage medium is coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information from and write information to the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium may be integrated into the processor. The processor and storage medium may be located in an ASIC. The ASIC may be located in a user terminal. Alternatively, the processor and storage medium may be located as discrete components in a user terminal.

[0036] Unless specifically stated otherwise, it is the intention of the inventor to give to the words and phrases mentioned in the description of the invention and in the claims the ordinary and commonly accepted meanings ascribed to one skilled in the art relating to the present invention.

[0037] The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment and the best mode of carrying out the invention known to the applicant at the time of filing the application has been presented and is intended for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application and to enable others skilled in the relevant art to better utilize the invention in various application scenarios and modes of use and with various modifications as are appropriate for the particular use contemplated. Therefore, it is intended that the invention is not limited to the specific details disclosed for carrying out the invention, but that the invention includes everything that falls within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

Claims1. System (120) for autonomy, operation control and upgrading of a conventional heating body to a smart heating body, which system (120) includes: a temperature sensor immersion cup (175), comprising an internal temperature sensor (176), wherein the cup (175) is connected to a liquid inlet (170) of a heating body (110), a heater (130), connected to the temperature sensor immersion cup (175), variable speed pump (140), connected to the heater (130), a liquid flow sensor (150), connected at its first end to the variable speed pump (140) and at its second end, via a filling valve (160), to a liquid outlet (180) of the heating body (HO), a piston expansion tank unit (190), connected to the temperature sensor immersion cup (175), outside temperature sensor (129), operation control switch (127), piping (128), and a control unit (125), electrically interconnected with the operation control switch (127), the external temperature sensor (129), the liquid flow sensor (150), the variable speed pump (140), the heater (130), and the internal temperature sensor (176) which is included in the temperature sensor immersion cup (175), and configured to control the activation of the heater (130) and the speed of the variable speed pump (140) based on measurements of the external temperature sensor (129), the liquid flow sensor (150), and the internal temperature sensor (176) and commands from an operator thereof.

2. A system (120) according to claim 1, which system (120) also includes two sealing caps between the temperature sensor immersion cup (175) and the piston expansion vessel unit (190).

3. A system (120) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heater (130) is (a) a thick film heater of at least 1 mm thickness printed on stainless steel substrates or on aluminum substrates, or (b) a positive temperature coefficient heating element, or (c) an electrical resistor.

4. A system (120) according to any one of the preceding claims, which system also includes an air circulation unit (195), which includes at least one air circulator (400), and is configured to be controlled by the control unit (125).

5. A system (120) according to any one of the preceding claims, which system also includes a display (124) and at least one navigation / command button (310).

6. A system (120) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (125) comprises: a microprocessor (320), which is designed to receive temperature and fluid flow measurements of the system (120) and external temperature, operator commands via the display (124) and / or the at least one button (310) and to provide visual information to the operator of the system (120) via the display (124), as well as to control the operation of the heater (130) and the variable speed pump (140), and memory (330) formatted to store temperature and fluid flow measurements and operator commands, software executed by the microprocessor (320), and optionally the history of system operation (120).

7. System for autonomy, operation control and upgrading of more than one conventional heating bodies to smart heating bodies, which system includes more than one system (120), according to any one of claims 1-6.

8. A system according to claim 7, further comprising a central electronic unit, comprising a microprocessor, a liquid crystal display, navigation keys and software configured to allow the operator to receive system operating information on the display and to enter desiredsystem operating parameters via the navigation keys and / or via the display to control the radiators of the plurality of systems (120) according to any one of claims 1-6.

9. System according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the control unit (125) and the central electronic unit are configured to communicate wired or wirelessly.

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