Automated Air Venting in Closed Fluid Systems
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating and cooling systems face inefficiencies and operational challenges due to air presence, which can lead to noise, reduced heat transfer efficiency, and system malfunctions. Manual venting is time-consuming and costly, requiring skilled technicians and often resulting in suboptimal system performance.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a variable speed pump operated in three phases: short pulse width flow pulses to loosen air accumulations, a phase for air detection, and longer pulse width flow pulses to transport air towards a venting device, allowing for efficient automated air venting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual venting is used to remove air from the system, then air can be removed from the system, but the process is time-consuming and requires service technician availability
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-venting by automatically detecting air presence through pump motor current monitoring and executing pump pulse sequences without requiring external service technician intervention. The controller autonomously manages the entire air removal process, transforming a manual service task into an automated self-service operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces manual mechanical venting operations with an automated control system that uses electrical signals to monitor pump current and control pump pulse sequences. The mechanical action of manual valve operation is substituted with automated electronic detection and control of pump cycling.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the air venting device is positioned in a less optimal location, then installation flexibility is improved, but air transport to the venting device becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic pump pulse sequences with varying pulse widths and intervals to adaptively transport air to the venting device regardless of its position. The controller adjusts pump operation dynamically based on detected air presence, enabling effective air transport even when the venting device is not optimally positioned for passive air rise.
3Reliability
If longer pulse width flow pulses are used, then air transport to venting device is improved, but air accumulation loosening effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The air removal process is segmented into distinct phases: a first phase using short pulse width flow pulses to loosen air accumulations from pipes and components, followed by a second phase using longer pulse width flow pulses to transport the loosened air to the venting device. This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic pump pulsing with alternating short and long pulse sequences. The periodic variation in pulse width creates alternating phases of air dislodgement and air transport, leveraging the complementary effects of different pulse durations to achieve complete air removal.
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 method provides an efficient and automated solution for venting air from closed fluid systems, improving system efficiency, reducing manual intervention, and enhancing operational reliability, even when the air venting device is positioned in a less optimal location.
Implementation Method 1
said pump is operated to provide a number of first flow pulses in said fluid system each having a pulse width being shorter than a first pulse width... said pump is operated to provide a number of third flow pulses in said fluid system each having a pulse width being longer than said first pulse width
Implementation Method 2
air, if present in said fluid, is detected... air present prevents an effective circulation of the medium
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates in a first aspect to method of venting air out of a closed fluid system comprising a number of inter connected pipes configured for flow of a fluid, a variable speed pump configured for controlling the volume flow of fluid in said fluid system and an air venting device configured to let air out from the fluid system, the method comprising operating said pump in at least three phases.