Method for regulating a circulation pump, circulation pump, and heating system

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional circulation pumps in heating systems operate with higher control curves than necessary, leading to excessive energy consumption due to inefficient speed control, which does not accurately match the system's current heating requirements.

Innovation Solution

A method that adjusts the pump speed based on the temperature profile of the heating medium, using recorded temperature data to determine the average cooling curve and adjust speed accordingly, ensuring the pump operates at optimal levels to match the system's heating requirements, thereby reducing energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If proportional pressure control is used to adjust pump speed based on hydraulic resistance, then the pump adapts to system conditions, but the control curves are significantly higher than the system characteristic curve causing excessive energy consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepump adaptation to system conditionsVSAvoidpump energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from temperature sensors to monitor the actual heating demand and adjusts the pump speed accordingly. The controller compares the actual temperature profile with the desired profile and modifies the pump operation to minimize energy consumption while maintaining heating effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The pump speed is dynamically adjusted based on real-time temperature measurements and heating demand assessment. Instead of using fixed control curves, the system continuously adapts the pump characteristics to match the actual system requirements, allowing operation closer to the minimum system characteristic curve.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the pump operates at higher speeds to ensure sufficient heat transfer, then heating demand is met, but unnecessary energy is consumed when heating demand is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidunnecessary pump energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by operating the pump at reduced speeds when full heating capacity is not required. By assessing the actual heating demand through temperature monitoring, the pump can operate at minimal necessary speeds during periods of low demand, avoiding excessive energy consumption while still meeting heating requirements when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The pump operating parameters (speed, flow rate) are changed based on assessed heating demand. The system dynamically modifies these parameters to match actual system needs, reducing speed and flow when heating demand is low and increasing them when heating demand rises, thereby optimizing the balance between heat transfer efficiency and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If the pump speed is reduced to approximate the minimum system characteristic curve, then energy consumption decreases, but heat transfer efficiency may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepump energy consumptionVSAvoidheat transfer rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Temperature sensors provide continuous feedback on the thermal state of the heating system. This feedback allows the controller to assess whether reduced pump speeds are sufficient to meet heating demand, ensuring that heat transfer efficiency is maintained while minimizing energy consumption. The system can increase speed if temperature deviations indicate insufficient heat transfer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3740718B1Method for regulating a circulation pump, circulation pump, and heating system
Publication Date: 2023.11.15 KSB SE & CO KGAA
  • EP3740718B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3740718B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3740718B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for regulating a circulation pump for a heating system. The pump controller records the temperature curve of the medium temperature for a specified duration and adapts the pump speed during the circulation operation while taking into consideration the recorded temperature curve.