A method and user application program for setting a nominal duty point of a circulation pump

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method for setting a nominal duty point of a circulation pump (15) for circulating a heat-transfer medium through one or more valve-controlled branches (5a,b) of a hydronic system (1), wherein the method comprises: - receiving, by the circulation pump (15) from a user input device (23), a target maximum flow value (Qmax) or information for calcu- lating the target maximum flow value (Qmax); - automatically or manually adjusting valves (9a,b) of the one or more valve-controlled branches (5a, b) of the hydronic system (1) to a defined opening degree; - running the circulation pump (15) in a head demand estimation mode when the valves (9a,b) of the one or more valve-controlled branches (5a,b) of the hydronic system (1) are adjusted to the defined opening degree, wherein a pump speed and a power consumption of the circulation pump (15) is varied in the head demand estimation mode until a determined flow has reached the target maximum flow value (Qmax); - estimating a head demand value based on the pump speed and the power consumption of the circulation pump (15) when the estimated flow is at the target maximum flow value (Qmax); and - setting the estimated head demand value or the estimated head demand value plus a relative or absolute offset as the nominal duty point of the circulation pump (15).

Description

[0001] Applicant: GRUNDFOS HOLDING A / S

[0002] Title: A method and user application program for setting a nominal duty point of a circulation pump

[0003] Our Ref.: GP 3803 WO

[0004] Description

[0005] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0006]

[0001] The present disclosure is directed to a method and a user application program for setting a nominal duty point of a circulation pump.

[0007] 5 Such a circulation pump is used for circulating a heat-transfer medium, e.g. water, through one or more valve-controlled branches of a hydronic system, for example a heating or cooling system. For instance, the hydronic system may be a household heating system with radiators and / or underfloor heating as thermal energy consumers being equipped with temperature-controlled valves, e.g. thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs). It is also possible that the branches of the hydronic system are controlled by “smart valves” that are remotely controllable by a smart valve application.

[0008] 15 BACKGROUND

[0009]

[0002] A circulation pump may be installed at a piping system as an integrated circulation pump assembly being integrated into other system components, e.g. a boiler, or as a stand-alone circulation pump assembly. The circulation pump typically comprises a pump, an electric motor for driving the pump and an electronics housing with electronics for controlling the speed of the motor. The circulation pump may be operated in different selectable control modes, e.g. a constant pressure control mode or a proportional pressure control mode. Each control mode may

[0010] 25 include a certain number of selectable pump control curves. If the pump

[0011] Patentanwdlte Hemmer Lmdfeld Frese GP 3803 WO, 1 7 / 07 / 2025 is operated to follow a certain pump control curve, the operating point of the pump sticks to the pump control curve if possible.

[0012]

[0003] Typically, a pump control curve is manually or automatically se¬

[0013] 5 lected from a range of applicable pump control curves, or determined as an interpolation between applicable pump control curves. A nominal duty point of the circulation pump unambiguously defines which selected or determined pump control curve within a range of applicable pump control curves is to be followed.

[0014] 10

[0015]

[0004] When the hydronic system comprises temperature-controlled valves, the valves gradually close when the demand for thermal energy decreases and they gradually open when the demand for thermal energy increases to achieve a target temperature. Typically, the circulation pump as a stand-alone pump assembly does not get any direct information about how much the valves are opened or closed. If the pump sticks to its set pump control curve, it may run with an unnecessary high speed when the valves close or with a too low speed when the valves open. A too high speed of the pump wastes energy saving potential and

[0016] 20 leads to undesired flow noise. A too low speed of the pump has a negative impact on the user comfort, because the hydronic system does not achieve its target temperatures, at least not within a desired time frame.

[0017]

[0005] It is known in the prior art to automatically adapt the pump control curve in a closed-loop control based on a pipe resistance value as a feedback value. For example, EP 0 726396 Bl or EP 1 323986 Bl describe such an automatic adaptation of the pump control curve in a closed- loop control.

[0018] 30

[0006] It has shown that the known methods of automatic adaptation of the pump control curves successfully reduce the energy consumption and flow noise when the valves close. However, the known methods of

[0019] Patentanwdlte Hemmer Lmdfeld Frese GP 3803 WO, 1 7 / 07 / 2025 automatic adaptation of the pump control curve may not be sufficiently reliable in hydronic systems that comprise a pressure-compensated bypass valve. Such pressure-compensated bypass valves are widely used to allow a minimum flow bypassing closed valves if a minimum bypass

[0020] 5 differential pressure is reached. Typically, that minimum bypass differential pressure is a manual setting of the pressure-controlled bypass valve on a scale, e.g. zero to five metres head. As it is not known for the circulation pump at which minimal bypass differential pressure the pressure- controlled bypass valve opens, known automatic adaptation algorithms

[0021] 10 may fail.

[0022]

[0007] In such a situation, the automatic adaptation algorithm may be switched off and one of a limited number of applicable control curves, e.g. proportion pressure control curves PPI (minimal proportional pressure curve), PP2 (medium proportional pressure curve) and PP3 (maximum proportional pressure curve), may be manually selected based on the experience of the user. If the optimal pump control curve, however, is between the limited set of applicable pump control curves, the user is not able to select or determine it. Furthermore, the user does not even

[0023] 20 know which pump control curve is the optimal one.

[0024]

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to provide a method and user application program for setting a nominal duty point of a circulation pump for circulating a heat-transfer medium through one or more valve-controlled branches of a hydronic system, wherein the nominal duty point defines an optimal pump control curve even if the hydronic system comprises a pressure-controlled bypass valve.

[0025] SUMMARY

[0026] 30

[0027]

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a method for setting a nominal duty point of a circulation pump for circulating a heat-

[0028] Patentanwdlte Hemmer Lmdfeld Frese GP 3803 WO, 1 7 / 07 / 2025 transfer medium through one or more valve-controlled branches of a hydronic system is provided, wherein the method comprises: receiving, by the circulation pump from a user input device, a target maximum flow value or information for calculating the target

[0029] 5 maximum flow value; automatically or manually adjusting valves, preferably all, of the one or more valve-controlled branches of the hydronic system to a defined opening degree; running the circulation pump in a head demand estimation mode

[0030] 10 when the valves of the one or more valve-controlled branches of the hydronic system are adjusted to the defined opening degree, wherein a pump speed and a power consumption of the circulation pump is varied in the head demand estimation mode until a determined flow has reached the target maximum flow value; estimating a head demand value based on the pump speed and the power consumption of the circulation pump when the estimated flow is at the target maximum flow value; and setting the estimated head demand value or the estimated head demand value plus a relative or absolute offset as the nominal duty

[0031] 20 point of the circulation pump.

[0032]

[0010] The inventive method makes use of both user information received from a user input device and system information derived by running the circulation pump in the head demand estimation mode. The method is reliable to work in hydronic systems comprising a pressure-con- trolled bypass valve irrespective of the bypass valve settings which may be known or unknown. The method is also reliable to work in hydronic systems in which automatic adaptation algorithms are undesired or fail for other reasons. It should be noted that not all valves of the hydronic

[0033] 30 system must be adjusted during the head demand estimation mode to the defined opening degree. If certain branches are to be excluded

[0034] Patentanwdlte Hemmer Lmdfeld Frese GP 3803 WO, 1 7 / 07 / 2025 from the setting, those branches may be kept closed during the head demand estimation mode.

[0035]

[0011] Optionally, the method may further comprise:

[0036] 5 selecting or calculating a pump control curve within a range of applicable pump control curves, wherein said pump control curve is selected or calculated such that it contains the set nominal duty point; and operating the circulation pump along the selected or calculated

[0037] 10 pump control curve for circulating the heat-transfer medium through the one or more valve-controlled branches of the hydronic system. For example, the selected or calculated pump control curve may be an interpolation between two applicable pump control curves such that the selected or calculated pump control curve runs through the set nominal duty point.

[0038]

[0012] Optionally, the method may further comprise sending or displaying, by the circulation pump and / or by the user input device, a command for automatically or manually adjusting the valves of the one or more valve-controlled branches of the hydronic system to the defined

[0039] 20 opening degree. For example, a user application program being executed on the user input device may prompt the user to open all valves and to confirm when all valves are opened.

[0040]

[0013] Optionally, the flow may be determined by a flow estimation being based on the pump speed and the power consumption of the circulation pump. This is particularly useful, because no flow sensor is needed and the flow can be estimated on the basis of internal variables being readily available to the circulation pump.

[0041]

[0014] Optionally, the applicable pump control curves may be constant¬

[0042] 30 pressure control curves, e.g. CPI (minimal constant pressure curve), CP2

[0043] Patentanwdlte Hemmer Lmdfeld Frese GP 3803 WO, 1 7 / 07 / 2025 (medium constant pressure curve) and CP3 (maximum constant pressure curve), or proportional-pressure control curves, e.g. PPI , PP2 and PP3.

[0044]

[0015] Optionally, the user input device may be a mobile device being

[0045] 5 in wired or wireless communication connection with the circulation pump. Preferably, the user input device is a smartphone or tablet with an executable user application program that guides the user through the method steps.

[0046] 10

[0016] Optionally, the defined opening degree of the valves is a maximum opening degree of the valves. So, the valves are preferably fully opened during the head demand estimation mode. Thereby, it is ensured that the pump is able to provide the required flow in a maximum flow demand situation.

[0047]

[0017] Optionally, the circulation pump may run in the head demand estimation mode when a user has confirmed by an input into the user input device that the valves of the one or more valve-controlled branches of the hydronic system are adjusted to the defined opening degree. Alter¬

[0048] 20 natively, smart valves may communicate their opening degree directly or indirectly to the user input device and / or to the circulation pump. If the valves are smart valves and a smart valve application is integrated into or combined with the user application program, the user application program may communicate with the smart valves to set the defined opening degree.

[0049]

[0018] Optionally, the method may further comprise prompting a user, by the user input device, for a confirmation before the estimated head demand value or the estimated head demand value plus a relative or

[0050] 30 absolute offset is set as the nominal duty point of the circulation pump. This is beneficial for a user to make a plausibility check of the nominal duty point before it is set for the circulation pump.

[0051] Patentanwdlte Hemmer Lmdfeld Frese GP 3803 WO, 1 7 / 07 / 2025

[0019] Optionally, the method may further comprise determining and / or displaying, by the circulation pump and / or by the user input device, a pump size fit indicator based on the estimated head demand value,

[0052] 5 wherein the pump size fit indicator is indicative of the size of the circulation pump being adequate if the estimated head demand value is within a pre-determined percentage range of the maximum head of the circulation pump, wherein the pump size fit indicator is indicative of the size of the circulation pump being too small if the estimated head demand

[0053] 10 value is above a pre-determined percentage range of the maximum head of the circulation pump. This is very useful to check if the circulation pump has an adequate size for the hydronic system it is installed in. The inventive method may therefore also serve as a testing method whether the installed pump is sufficiently large for the hydronic system it is installed in. The pump size fit indicator may be a Boolean information that simply indicates whether the pump size is adequate or not.

[0054]

[0020] Optionally, the pump size fit indicator may be indicative of the size of the circulation pump being too large if the estimated head demand

[0055] 20 value is below the predetermined percentage range of the maximum head of the circulation pump. A too large circulation pump is less of a technical issue, but not optimal in terms of economic use of resources if a smaller circulation pump could do the job.

[0056]

[0021] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a circulation pump is provided for circulating a heat-transfer medium through or one more valve-controlled branches of a hydronic system, wherein the circulation pump is configured to carry out the above-described method.

[0057] 30

[0058] Patentanwdlte Hemmer Lmdfeld Frese GP 3803 WO, 1 7 / 07 / 2025

[0022] Optionally, the circulation pump may comprise a user input device and / or a communication interface for a wired or wireless communication connection with a user input device.

[0059] 5

[0023] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a user application program is provided for setting a nominal duty point of a circulation pump for circulating a heat-transfer medium through one or more valve-controlled branches of a hydronic system, wherein the user application program is executable by a user input device having a commu¬

[0060] 10 nication interface fora wired or wireless communication connection with the circulation pump, wherein the user application program is configured to: process user input for sending a target maximum flow value or information for calculating the target maximum flow value to the circulation pump; prompt a user to confirm that valves, preferably all, of the one or more valve-controlled branches of the hydronic system are adjusted to a defined opening degree; command the circulation pump to run in a head demand estima¬

[0061] 20 tion mode when the valves of the one or more valve-controlled branches of the hydronic system are confirmed to be adjusted to the defined opening degree, wherein a pump speed and a power consumption of the circulation pump is varied in the head demand estimation mode until an estimated flow based on the pump speed and the power consumption of the circulation pump has reached the target maximum flow value; receive from the circulation pump an estimated head demand value based on the pump speed and the power consumption of the circulation pump when the estimated flow is at the target max¬

[0062] 30 imum flow value; and prompt a user to confirm the estimated head demand value for setting the estimated head demand value or the estimated head

[0063] Patentanwdlte Hemmer Lmdfeld Frese GP 3803 WO, 1 7 / 07 / 2025 demand value plus a relative or absolute offset as the nominal duty point of the circulation pump.

[0064]

[0024] The inventive user application program may be a smartphone app that is executable on a smartphone. Preferably, the user application

[0065] 5 program is integrated in or part of a general application that allows a user to communicate with the circulation pump. The user application program combines user input with system information determined during the head demand estimation mode and may guide a user conveniently step by step through the method described above. It should be noted that not all valves of the hydronic system must be adjusted during the head demand estimation mode to the defined opening degree. If certain branches are to be excluded from the setting, those branches may be kept closed during the head demand estimation mode.

[0066]

[0025] Optionally, the user application program may be further config¬

[0067] 15 ured to display a pump size fit indicator based on the estimated head demand value, wherein the pump size fit indicator is indicative of the size of the circulation pump being adequate if the estimated head demand value is within a pre-determined percentage range of the maximum head of the circulation pump, wherein the pump size fit indicator is indic¬

[0068] 20 ative of the size of the circulation pump being too small if the estimated head demand value is above the pre-determined percentage range of the maximum head of the circulation pump, wherein the pump size fit indicator is indicative of the size of the circulation pump being too large if the estimated head demand value is below a pre-determined percentage range of the maximum head of the circulation pump.

[0069]

[0026] Optionally, the user application program may be further configured to process a user input indicating whether the hydronic system comprises a pressure-compensated bypass valve in a bypass line, and

[0070] 30 to offer a user at least one alternative way of setting the nominal duty

[0071] Patentanwdlte Hemmer Lmdfeld Frese GP 3803 WO, 1 7 / 07 / 2025 point if the hydronic system does not comprise a pressure-compensated bypass valve in a bypass line.

[0072]

[0027] Optionally, the at least one alternative way of setting the nominal

[0073] 5 duty point of the circulation pump is a manual setting and / or a fully automatically adapting nominal duty point.

[0074]

[0028] The method disclosed herein may be implemented in form of compiled or uncompiled software code that is stored on a computer readable

[0075] 10 medium with instructions for executing the method. Alternatively, or in addition, the method may be executed by software in a cloud-based system and / or a building management system (BMS).

[0076]

[0029] The present invention may be a system, a method, and / or a computer program product at any possible technical detail level of integration. The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.

[0077] 20

[0078]

[0030] The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM),

[0079] 30 an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc readonly memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or

[0080] Patentanwdlte Hemmer Lmdfeld Frese GP 3803 WO, 1 7 / 07 / 2025 raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic

[0081] 5 waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fibre-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire.

[0082]

[0031] Computer readable program instructions described herein can be

[0083] 10 downloaded to respective computing / processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and / or a wireless network. The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibres, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and / or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing / processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the re¬

[0084] 20 spective computing / processing device.

[0085] SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

[0086]

[0032] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example with reference to the following figures of which:

[0087] Fig. 1 shows an example of a hydronic system according to the present disclosure;

[0088] 30 Fig. 2 shows a flow chart of method steps according to the present disclosure; and

[0089] Patentanwdlte Hemmer Lmdfeld Frese GP 3803 WO, 1 7 / 07 / 2025 Fig. 3a, b show head-flow-diagrams for two different hydronic systems.

[0090] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0091] 5

[0092]

[0033] Fig. 1 shows a hydronic system 1 in form of a household heating system with radiators 3a, b for heating rooms of a building. The radiators 3a, b are just an example of valve-controlled thermal energy consumers of the hydronic system 1 . Alternatively, or in addition, the hydronic system

[0093] 10 1 may comprise one or more underfloor heatings and / or a domestic hot water (DHW) circuit. In the shown example, each radiator 3a, b is installed in a respective branch 5a, b of the hydronic system 1 . A main supply line 7 forks into the branches 5a, b to supply the radiators 3a, b with thermal energy. Temperature-controlled valves 9a, b define, depending on their opening degree, the flow through the respective branch 5a, b. The valves 9a, b thereby control the thermal energy flow into the radiators 3a, b. The branches 5a, b comprise each a return section downstream of the radiator 3a, b that merge into a main return line 1 1 . A thermal energy source 13 in form of a boiler, a heat pump, a heat exchanger or thermal

[0094] 20 energy reservoir receives return fluid from the main return line 1 1 and provides thermal energy into the main supply line 7. A circulation pump 15 is installed in the main supply line 7 for driving the fluid flow through the hydronic system 1 . To cope with varying temperatures in the main supply line 7, the main supply line 7 is connected to an expansion vessel 17 to prevent excessive pressure in the hydronic system 1 .

[0095]

[0034] The hydronic system 1 also comprises a bypass line 19 that branches off from the main supply line 7 downstream of the circulation pump 15 to allow a bypass flow into the main return line 1 1 in order to

[0096] 30 allow a minimal flow when the valves 9a, b are closed. A pressure-regulated bypass valve 21 is installed in the bypass line 19, so that fluid only flows through the bypass line 19 if the differential pressure in the bypass

[0097] Patentanwdlte Hemmer Lmdfeld Frese GP 3803 WO, 1 7 / 07 / 2025 line 19 exceeds a minimum value being determined by the settings of the pressure-controlled bypass valve 21 . The settings of the pressure-con- trolled bypass valve 21 and the minimal differential pressure needed to open the pressure-controlled bypass valve 21 is not known to the circu¬

[0098] 5 lation pump 15. This makes it difficult to run the circulation pump 15 in an automatic adaptation operation mode that automatically finds an optimal pump control curve to serve the hydronic system 1 in the most efficient way.

[0099] 10

[0035] Typically, a circulation pump 15 serving a hydronic system 1 with radiators 3a, b, as shown in Fig. 1 , is preferably operated in a proportional pressure control mode, in which the operating point follows a proportional pressure curve, e.g. PPI , PP2 or PP3, or interpolations between those. In case of a hydronic system comprising underfloor heating, the circulation pump 15 is typically operated in a constant pressure control mode, in which the operating point follows a constant pressure control curve, e.g. CPI , CP2 or CP3, or interpolations between those.

[0100]

[0036] Usually, a nominal duty point of the circulation pump 15 must be

[0101] 20 initially set upon installation for the circulation pump 15 to serve most efficiently the hydronic system 1 it is installed in. A manual setting of the nominal duty point requires knowledge and experience of the user. Furthermore, the available options for a manual setting may be too limited to set the best nominal duty point that may reside between available options. A fully automatically adapting nominal duty point may fail, because the pressure-controlled bypass valve 21 makes it difficult to automatically adapt the nominal duty point to an optimal value.

[0102]

[0037] There are several options for a user to communicate with the cir¬

[0103] 30 culation pump 15 via a user input device 23 to set the nominal duty point. The user input device 23 may, for example, be a smartphone as shown in Fig. 1. Alternatively, or in addition, the user input device 23 may be

[0104] Patentanwdlte Hemmer Lmdfeld Frese GP 3803 WO, 1 7 / 07 / 2025 integrated into the circulation pump 15 in form of a display and / or human machine interface (HMI) of the circulation pump 15. It is also possible that the user input device is an external computer, for example as part of a cloud-based system and / or a building management system

[0105] 5 (BMS). A wired or wireless communication connection 25 between the circulation pump 15 and the user input device 23 allows a bidirectional communication between the user and the circulation pump 15.

[0106]

[0038] Fig. 2 shows the inventive method to set the nominal duty point in

[0107] 10 form of a flow chart. Depending on whether the user knows a target maximum flow value Qmax of the hydronic system 1 , the inventive method may take two alternative paths to determine the target maximum flow value Qmax. If the target maximum flow value Qmax of the hydronic system 1 is known to the user, the user can directly input this value in step 201 into the user input device 23. Preferably, a user application program is executable on the user input device 23 to guide a user through method steps shown in Fig. 2. The target maximum flow value Qmax is then sent to the circulation pump 15 and set in step 203 at the circulation pump 15.

[0108] 20

[0039] If the user does not know the target maximum flow value Qmax, the user application program on the user input device 23 may prompt the user to input some information on the basis of which the target maximum flow value Qmax is calculated. In step 205, the user may be prompted to input the area A of the rooms to be heated by the one or more branches 5a, b of the heating system 1 . Then, the user may be prompted to input a typical heat loss per time and area P for the heated building, e.g. 100W / m2. This may depend on the year when the building was built and / or the insulation standard of the building. The user may further in step 209 be prompted to input a target temperature difference AT be¬

[0109] 30 tween the feed temperature and the return temperature. Based on the formula Qmax= , the target maximum flow value Qmax can be cal culated and set for the circulation pump 15 in step 203, wherein c is the

[0110] Patentanwdlte Hemmer Lmdfeld Frese GP 3803 WO, 1 7 / 07 / 2025 specific heat capacity of the heat-transfer medium, e.g. water, and p is the density of the heat-transfer medium, e.g. water.

[0111]

[0040] The user application program on the user input device 23 may

[0112] 5 then ask the user in step 21 1 whether the hydronic system 1 comprises radiators or underfloor heating. In steps 213a,b, the user is requested to adjust all valves 9a, b to a defined opening degree, preferably to a maximum opening degree. It should be noted that not all valves 9a, b of the hydronic system 1 must be adjusted to the defined opening degree. If

[0113] 10 certain branches 5a, b, are to be excluded from the setting, those branches may be kept closed. Once the user has confirmed that all valves 9a, b of the relevant branches 5a, b are adjusted to the defined opening degree, the circulation pump 15 runs in a head demand estimation mode in steps 215a, b. In the head demand estimation mode, the circulation pump 15 varies its pump speed and its power consumption until an estimated flow based on the pump speed and the power consumption of the circulation pump 15 has reached the target maximum flow value Qmax. That estimated head demand value is then set in the circulation pump 15 as the nominal duty point in steps 217a, b. Once the

[0114] 20 nominal duty point is set, the circulation pump 15 is operated in step 219a at a proportional pressure curve that goes through the set nominal duty point if the hydronic system 1 comprises radiators. If the hydronic system 1 comprises an underfloor heating, the circulation pump 15 is operated in step 219b at a constant pressure curve that runs through the set nominal duty point.

[0115]

[0041] Fig. 3a shows a head-flow diagram and the selection or calculation of the optimal proportional pressure curve between a minimal proportional pressure curve PPI and a maximal proportional pressure curve

[0116] 30 PP3 on the basis of the target maximum flow value Qmax and the set nominal duty point. The set nominal duty point results from the operating point at which the circulation pump reaches the target maximum flow value

[0117] Patentanwdlte Hemmer Lmdfeld Frese GP 3803 WO, 1 7 / 07 / 2025 Qmax during the head demand estimation mode. There is only one proportional pressure curve that runs through the nominal duty point at the target maximum flow value Qmax, so that the optimal proportional pressure curve is unambiguously defined by the nominal duty point.

[0118] 5

[0119]

[0042] Fig. 3b shows a situation in which the circulation pump 15 cannot reach the target maximum flow value Qmax, because the resistance in the hydronic system 1 is too high or the circulation pump 1 is not large enough. In this situation, the next lower achievable nominal duty point

[0120] 10 may be set to define the optimal proportional pressure curve under the circumstances. The user application program may display to a user that the circulation pump is too small to achieve the target maximum flow Value Qmax.

[0121]

[0043] Where, in the foregoing description, integers orelements are mentioned which have known, obvious or foreseeable equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Reference should be made to the claims for determining the true scope of the present disclosure, which should be construed so as to encompass any such

[0122] 20 equivalents. It will also be appreciated by the reader that integers or features of the disclosure that are described as optional, preferable, advantageous, convenient or the like are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims.

[0123]

[0044] The above embodiments are to be understood as illustrative examples of the disclosure. It is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any one embodiment may be used alone, or in combination with other features described, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the embodiments,

[0124] 30 or any combination of any other of the embodiments. While at least one exemplary embodiment has been shown and described, it should be understood that other modifications, substitutions and alternatives are apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and may be changed without

[0125] Patentanwdlte Hemmer Lmdfeld Frese GP 3803 WO, 1 7 / 07 / 2025 departing from the scope of the subject matter described herein, and this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein.

[0126] 5

[0045] In addition, "comprising" does not exclude otherelements or steps, and "a" or "one" does not exclude a plural number. Furthermore, characteristics or steps which have been described with reference to one of the above exemplary embodiments may also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps of other exemplary embodiments de¬

[0127] 10 scribed above. Method steps may be applied in any order or in parallel or may constitute a part or a more detailed version of another method step. It should be understood that there should be embodied within the scope of the patent warranted hereon all such modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of the contribution to the art. Such modifications, substitutions and alternatives can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, which should be determined from the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

[0128]

[0046] List of reference numerals:

[0129] 20 I hydronic system

[0130] 3a, b radiators

[0131] 5a, b branches of hydronic system

[0132] 7 main supply line

[0133] 9a, b valves

[0134] I I main return line

[0135] 13 thermal energy source

[0136] 15 circulation pump

[0137] 17 expansion vessel

[0138] 19 bypass line

[0139] 30 21 pressure-controlled bypass valve

[0140] 23 user input device

[0141] 25 communication connection

[0142] 201 user inputting Q max

[0143] Patentanwdlte Hemmer Lmdfeld Frese GP 3803 WO, 1 7 / 07 / 2025 205 user inputting heated area A

[0144] 207 user inputting heat loss per area

[0145] 208 setting of Q max

[0146] 209 user inputting temperature difference

[0147] 5 21 1 selecting between radiators and underfloor heating

[0148] 213a,b displaying request to adjust all valves 215a,b running pump in head demand estimation mode 217a,b setting nominal duty point

[0149] 21 a,b running pump at pop control curve through set nominal 10 duty point

[0150] Patentanwdlte Hemmer Lindfeld Frese GP 3803 WO, 1 7 / 07 / 2025

Claims

Claims1. A method for setting a nominal duty point of a circulation pump (15) for circulating a heat-transfer medium through one or more valve-controlled branches (5a, b) of a hydronic system (1 ), wherein5 the method comprises: receiving, by the circulation pump ( 15) from a user input device (23), a target maximum flow value (Qmax) or information for calculating the target maximum flow value (Qmax) ; automatically or manually adjusting the valves (9a, b) of the one10 or more valve-controlled branches (5a, b) of the hydronic system ( 1 ) to a defined opening degree; running the circulation pump (15) in a head demand estimation mode when valves (9a, b) of the one or more valve-controlled branches (5a, b) of the hydronic system (1 ) are adjusted to the defined opening degree, wherein a pump speed and a power consumption of the circulation pump (15) is varied in the head demand estimation mode until a determined flow has reached the target maximum flow value (Qmax) ; estimating a head demand value based on the pump speed20 and the power consumption of the circulation pump ( 15) when the determined flow is at the target maximum flow value (Qmax); and setting the estimated head demand value or the estimated head demand value plus a relative or absolute offset as the nominal duty point of the circulation pump (15).

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising selecting or calculating a pump control curve within a range of applicable pump control curves, wherein said pump control curve is selected or calculated such that it contains the set nom¬30 inal duty point; and atentanwdlte Hemmer Lmdfeld Frese GP 3803 WO, 1 7 / 07 / 2025operating the circulation pump (15) along the selected pump control curve for circulating the heat-transfer medium through the one or more valve-controlled branches (5a, b) of the hydronic system (1 ).5 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the applicable pump control curves are constant-pressure control curves or proportional-pressure control curves.

4. The method of any of the preceding claims, further comprising sending or displaying, by the circulation pump (15) and / or by the10 user input device (23), a command for automatically or manually adjusting the valves (9a, b) of the one or more valve-controlled branches (5a, b) of the hydronic system (1 ) to the defined opening degree.

5. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the flow is determined by a flow estimation being based on the pump speed and the power consumption of the circulation pump (15).

6. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the user input device (23) is a mobile device being in wired or wireless communication connection (25) with the circulation pump (15).20 7. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the defined opening degree of the valves (9a, b) is a maximum opening degree of the valves (9a, b).

8. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the circulation pump ( 15) is run in the head demand estimation mode when a user25 has confirmed by an input into the user input device (23) that the atentanwdlte Hemmer Lmdfeld Frese GP 3803 WO, 1 7 / 07 / 2025valves (9a, b) of the one or more valve-controlled branches (5a, b) of the hydronic system (1 ) are adjusted to the defined opening degree.

9. The method of any of the preceding claims, further comprising5 prompting a user, by the user input device (23), for a confirmation before the estimated head demand value or the estimated head demand value plus a relative or absolute offset is set as the nominal duty point of the circulation pump (15).

10. The method of any of the preceding claims, further comprising de¬10 termining and / or displaying, by the circulation pump ( 15) and / or by the user input device (23), a pump size fit indicator based on the estimated head demand value, wherein the pump size fit indicator is indicative of the size of the circulation pump ( 15) being adequate if the estimated head demand value is within a pre-determined percentage range of a maximum head of the circulation pump (15), wherein the pump size fit indicator is indicative of the size of the circulation pump ( 15) being too small if the estimated head demand value is above the pre-determined percentage range of the maximum head of the circulation pump (15).20 1 1 . The method of claim 10, wherein the pump size fit indicator is indicative of the size of the circulation pump (15) being too large if the estimated head demand value is below the pre-determined percentage range of the maximum head of the circulation pump (15).

12. A circulation pump (15) for circulating a heat-transfer medium25 through one or more valve-controlled branches (5a, b) of a hydronic system (1 ), wherein the circulation pump (15) is configured to carry out the method of any of the preceding claims. atentanwdlte Hemmer Lmdfeld Frese GP 3803 WO, 1 7 / 07 / 202513. The circulation pump of claim 12, wherein the circulation pump ( 15) comprises a user input device (23) and / or a communication interface for a wired or wireless communication connection (25) with a user input device (23).5 14. A user application program for setting a nominal duty point of a circulation pump (15) for circulating a heat-transfer medium through one or more valve-controlled branches (5a, b) of a hydronic system (1 ), wherein the user application program is executable by a user input device (23) having a communication interface10 for a wired or wireless communication connection (25) with the circulation pump ( 15), wherein the user application program is configured to: process a user input for sending a target maximum flow value (Qmax) or information for calculating the target maximum flow value (Qmax) to the circulation pump (15), prompt a user to confirm that valves (9a, b) of the one or more valve-controlled branches (5a, b) of the hydronic system (1 ) are adjusted to a defined opening degree, command the circulation pump (15) to run in a head demand20 estimation mode when the valves (9a, b) of the one or more valve-controlled branches (5a, b) of the hydronic system (1 ) are confirmed to be adjusted to the defined opening degree, wherein a pump speed and a power consumption of the circulation pump ( 15) is varied in the head demand estimation mode until a determined flow has reached the target maximum flow value (Q max) , receive from the circulation pump (15) an estimated head demand value based on the pump speed and the power consumption of the circulation pump (15) when the estimated flow30 is at the target maximum flow value (Qmax), and atentanwdlte Hemmer Lmdfeld Frese GP 3803 WO, 1 7 / 07 / 2025prompt a user to confirm the estimated head demand value for setting the estimated head demand value or the estimated head demand value plus a relative or absolute offset as the nominal duty point of the circulation pump (15).5 15. The user application program of claim 14, being configured to guide a user step-by-step through the steps of the method of claims 1 to 1 1 .

16. The user application program of claim 14 or 15, being further configured to display a pump size fit indicator based on the estimated head demand value, wherein the pump size fit indicator is indicative of the size of the circulation pump (15) being adequate if the estimated head demand value is within a pre-determined percentage range of a maximum head of the circulation pump (15), wherein the pump size fit indicator is indicative of the size of the cir¬15 culation pump (15) being too small if the estimated head demand value is above the pre-determined percentage range of the maximum head of the circulation pump (15), wherein the pump size fit indicator is indicative of the size of the circulation pump ( 15) being too large if the estimated head demand value is below the predetermined percentage range of the maximum head of the circulation pump (15).

17. The user application program of any of the claims 14 to 16, being further configured to process a user input indicating whether the hydronic system (1 ) comprises a pressure-compensated bypass25 valve (21 ) in a bypass line ( 19), and to offer a user at least one alternative way of setting the nominal duty point if the hydronic system (1 ) does not comprise a pressure-compensated bypass valve (21 ) in a bypass line (19). atentanwdlte Hemmer Lmdfeld Frese GP 3803 WO, 1 7 / 07 / 202518. The user application program of claim 17, wherein the at least one alternative way of setting the nominal duty point is a manual setting and / or a fully automatically adapting nominal duty point. atentanwdlte Hemmer Lindfeld Frese GP 3803 WO, 1 7 / 07 / 2025

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