Device and method for regulating a heating and/or cooling system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heating and cooling systems in buildings often operate with open-loop control, leading to higher energy consumption and inefficient energy management, as they lack closed-loop control integration between generation and distribution systems, making it costly and complex to upgrade to more efficient Class A control logics.

Innovation Solution

A device and method that enables closed-loop control by communicating with the generation system to modulate power in real-time using fuzzy logic algorithms, integrating with both generation and distribution systems to adjust heat transfer fluid delivery based on actual building demands, thereby enhancing energy efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If open-loop control (Class C) is used to regulate heating and cooling systems, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but energy consumption increases and energy efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements closed-loop control by introducing feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor indoor environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, air quality) and outdoor conditions, then automatically adjust generation and distribution system operations. This feedback loop enables the system to respond dynamically to actual building demands, achieving significant energy savings compared to open-loop control while maintaining manageable complexity through automated control algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of energy

If closed-loop control (Class A) is implemented to improve energy efficiency, then energy consumption is reduced, but device complexity and upgrade costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy wasteVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control of generation and distribution systems into a unified closed-loop control architecture. By integrating sensors, controllers, and actuators across both subsystems, the invention enables coordinated operation that optimizes energy usage throughout the entire HVAC system. This integration reduces energy waste through proactive load management and dynamic adjustment of operational parameters based on real-time building conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control system performs preliminary actions by predicting building thermal loads and environmental conditions in advance, allowing the generation and distribution systems to be pre-adjusted before peak demand occurs. This proactive control strategy reduces energy waste by avoiding reactive adjustments that occur after conditions have already degraded, thereby optimizing energy efficiency while managing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If closed-loop control is implemented to reduce energy consumption, then productivity and energy efficiency are improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complex upgrades

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy management efficiencyVSAvoidsystem operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service control where the HVAC system automatically monitors its own performance, detects deviations from optimal operation, and adjusts generation and distribution parameters without human intervention. The integrated sensor network and control algorithms enable the system to self-regulate based on real-time conditions, improving energy management efficiency while eliminating the need for complex manual operations and reducing the operational burden on building managers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4038322B1Device and method for regulating a heating and/or cooling system
Publication Date: 2024.03.27 ENERBRAIN SRL
  • EP4038322B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4038322B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4038322B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device (110) for regulating a heating and/or cooling system (100) serving a building (141), said system (100) comprising a management system (101) and a generation system (120), said device (110) being adapted to: - receive a main signal (105) from said management system (101); - receive at least one reference signal (106) representative of a desired parameter for said building (141); - receive at least one environmental signal (145) representative of at least one parameter related to said building (141), said device (110) being characterized in that it is adapted to: - receive a control unit signal (126) representative of a parameter related to the generation system (120), - output a control signal (115) for said generation system (120), said control signal (115) being determined on the basis of said main signal (105), said reference signal (106), said at least one environmental signal (145) and said control unit signal (126).