Climate System Iterative Cv-Value Adjustment for Flow Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating systems in large buildings face challenges in maintaining optimal fluid flow and temperature distribution due to sub-optimal control adjustments, leading to inefficiencies and costly manual corrections, as mathematical models may not accurately represent actual system behavior over time due to component changes and external influences.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using a software model to iteratively adjust fixed valve coefficient (Cv) flow regulators, determining significant radiator flow changes and their impact on system performance, allowing for precise adjustments to achieve desired temperature settings while minimizing disruptions to other parts of the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fixed flow regulators with defined Cv-values are installed throughout the system, then optimal flow control and system efficiency are improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to deviations from intended performance due to component changes and external influences over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where temperature sensors continuously monitor room temperatures and compare them against target temperatures. When deviations are detected, the system automatically calculates adjusted Cv-values and reconfigures the flow regulators to restore optimal performance, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains reliability over time
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically detecting temperature deviations, calculating the required Cv-value changes, and reconfiguring the flow regulators without manual intervention. This self-service capability allows the system to compensate for component changes and external influences, maintaining optimal efficiency independently
2Temperature
If manual adjustments are performed to correct temperature deviations, then immediate temperature correction is achieved, but additional errors are introduced in other parts of the system and time-consuming iterations are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses temperature feedback from sensors to automatically detect deviations and trigger recalculations of Cv-values across the entire system. This eliminates the need for manual trial-and-error adjustments by providing real-time monitoring and automatic correction
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calculation of the complete set of Cv-value adjustments needed to correct temperature deviations before implementing any changes. This preliminary action ensures that all adjustments are coordinated to avoid introducing additional errors in other parts of the system
3Manufacturing precision
If the mathematical model perfectly represented actual system behavior, then optimal flow distribution would be maintained indefinitely, but the model fails to account for component replacements, external influences, and system aging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates continuous temperature monitoring and feedback to detect when actual system behavior deviates from the mathematical model. This feedback triggers automatic recalculation of Cv-values to account for component changes, aging, and external influences, allowing the model to adapt to real-world variations
4Temperature
If sub-optimal flow control occurs, then system temperature must be increased to compensate, but this leads to decreased system efficiency and increased energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors room temperatures and uses this feedback to automatically adjust flow distribution through recalculation of Cv-values. This ensures optimal flow control is maintained, preventing the need to increase system temperature and thereby avoiding increased energy consumption
Data Source
AI summary
A computer implemented method for post installation adjustment of a climate system including determining a desired change of at least one radiator flow, determining a change of at least one Cv-value required to achieve the desired flow change, using a software implemented model of the system to automatically calculate a set of radiator flow changes resulting from the change of at least one Cv-value, identifying a subset of radiator flow changes from the set of radiator flow changes which have a perceivable impact on system performance, and repeating the above steps until the subset is empty.The iteration allows an operator to determine a complete set of Cv adjustments that will provide the desired radiator flow change(s) while (as far as possible) leaving other radiator flows unchanged.