A heating and/or cooling system for collective residential housing units, a control device therefor and a method for the control thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heating and cooling systems for collective residential housing units require multiple loops and manual adjustments, leading to inefficiencies, increased material usage, and potential defects, as well as challenges in maintaining optimal energy transfer due to pressure differences and variable energy demands.
Innovation Solution
A control device that uses a single closed circuit with an interface to gather temperature data from housing units, determining the desired temperature for the collective heat pump output and generating control signals to manage heating and cooling needs, incorporating machine learning for energy loss prediction and automatic flow rate adjustment to optimize energy distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two separate loops are used for heating and cooling, then the needs of individual housing units can be met, but the amount of raw materials and installation time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines heating and cooling loops into a single integrated loop system. The heat pump can switch between heating and cooling modes, allowing the same loop to serve both functions. This eliminates the need for separate conduit materials for heating and cooling, reducing material quantity while maintaining the ability to meet different thermal needs of housing units.
Solution Approach 2:
The single loop is designed to perform multiple functions - it can circulate heating medium and cooling medium sequentially or simultaneously to different housing units. The heat pump system provides multi-functionality by switching modes based on demand, allowing one loop to replace what would traditionally require two separate loops.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two separate loops are used for heating and cooling, then comprehensive thermal coverage is achieved, but the number of couplings, taps, and sensors increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging heating and cooling functions into a single loop, the patent reduces the number of connection points, couplings, and taps required. Fewer connection points mean fewer potential leak locations and reduced complexity in system assembly and maintenance.
3Quantity of substance
If a single loop is used for heating or cooling, then material usage is reduced, but pressure differences cause insufficient energy transfer to distant housing units
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts flow rates to different housing units based on their thermal demands and distance from the heat pump. Flow control devices regulate the medium distribution, ensuring that distant units receive sufficient flow despite pressure losses. The system can also dynamically switch between heating and cooling modes based on real-time conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters such as flow rate, temperature, and pressure to optimize energy transfer. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system compensates for pressure losses in long loops and ensures reliable energy delivery to all housing units regardless of distance.
4Reliability
If flow rate limiters are manually adjusted for each housing unit, then optimal energy distribution is achieved, but time and labor are required for adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates automatic control mechanisms that self-adjust flow distribution based on thermal demands of housing units. Sensors detect temperature and flow conditions, and the control system automatically regulates flow rates without requiring manual intervention. This eliminates the time and labor needed for manual adjustment while maintaining optimal energy distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control where sensors monitor temperature, flow rate, and pressure conditions in real-time. This information feeds back to the control system, which automatically adjusts flow limiters and heat pump operation to maintain optimal energy distribution. The continuous feedback loop ensures the system adapts to changing conditions without manual intervention.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces material and installation costs, minimizes defects, and ensures efficient energy distribution by automatically adjusting flow rates and optimizing energy use based on real-time and historical data, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of heating and cooling systems.
Implementation Method 1
a collective heat pump to provide thermal energy to a collection of residential housing units
Implementation Method 2
one closed circuit for circulating a liquid between the collective heat pump and the residential housing units
Implementation Method 3
pressure differences arise as a result of pressure loss as a result of the transport over the loop
Implementation Method 4
height differences over the loop can also play a role
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A heating and cooling system for collective residential housing units. The system includes: a collective heat pump, a plurality of residential housing units, one closed circuit for circulating a liquid between the collective heat pump and the residential housing units, and a control device for controlling the collective heat pump. The control device controls the temperature of the collective water pump and/or the maximum flow rate from the closed circuit to each of the housing units and/or the flow rate over a bypass on the closed circuit in function of the current needs of the residential housing units.