Control apparatus and method for combination space and water heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combination space and water heating systems often focus on non-potable, commercial applications and lack an intermediary controller to optimize thermal comfort and efficiency in residential systems, which are typically potable water systems without intermediary heat exchangers.
Innovation Solution
A smart controller device with sensors and plumbing is installed between the water heater and hydronic heating coil, automatically inferring thermal and physical properties to balance thermal comfort, user safety, and operating efficiency, using machine learning to predict space heating and domestic hot water loading, and integrating features like Legionella protection and anti-scalding, while managing supplemental heating systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If an intermediary controller is added to optimize thermal comfort and efficiency, then operating efficiency and thermal comfort are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary controller device positioned between the water heater and hydronic coil to mediate control functions. This controller incorporates sensors, processing logic, and actuation mechanisms to optimize thermal comfort and efficiency without requiring complete system redesign, thereby improving productivity while managing complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is designed to automatically infer thermal and physical properties of system components through sensor measurements and machine learning algorithms. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual configuration and continuous user intervention, allowing the system to self-optimize while keeping the control architecture manageable.
2Loss of energy
If machine learning is used to predict heating capacity and manage energy usage, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional rule-based control mechanisms with machine learning algorithms that process sensor data and predict system behavior. This substitution enables more sophisticated energy optimization through pattern recognition and predictive analytics, improving energy efficiency while managing complexity through software-based solutions rather than complex hardware architectures.
3Ease of operation
If the controller automatically infers thermal and physical properties from sensor measurements, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors system parameters through sensors and uses this feedback to infer thermal and physical properties of the water heater and hydronic coil. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables automatic adaptation to changing system conditions, improving ease of operation while managing measurement precision requirements through continuous verification and adjustment of inferred parameters.
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
The controller enhances thermal comfort and operating efficiency by optimizing hydronic heating coil characteristics, predicting heating capacity, and managing energy usage, minimizing energy losses and ensuring safe operation in residential combination space and water heating systems.
Implementation Method 1
a space heating apparatus including a hydronic heating coil for accepting and conveying the heated water from the water heating apparatus... an air handling unit to convey air in heat transfer communication with the hydronic heating coil
Implementation Method 2
air in heat transfer communication with the hydronic heating coil
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and system for a combination space and water heater including a controller device and a method for control. The controller device is a self-contained system that can be added to, or in combination with, existing water heaters and hydronic air heating systems using standard plumbing connections, and provides a potable water system without any need of an intermediary heat exchanger. The controller device automatically monitors a heating capacity of the water heater and the hydronic heating coil over time, and correlates measured heating loads with one or more environmental temperatures, thermostats, user settings, and/or a supplemental heating system.