Dark Radiator Burner Control via Powerline Data Signals

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heating systems with dark radiator units face issues due to the use of ring power supply lines and ring bus data lines, which result in high cabling costs, increased risk of faults, and interference disruptions when controlling multiple burner units.

Innovation Solution

A method using medium-frequency data signals (90-150 KHz) transmitted via the power supply lines for controlling burner units, reducing cabling needs and minimizing interference, with each burner control unit connected to a central control device via a common AC connection, and utilizing unshielded power cables for data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If ring power supply lines and ring bus data lines are used to connect multiple burner control units, then all burners can be controlled centrally, but cabling costs increase and the risk of faults increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentral control capabilityVSAvoidcabling quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines power supply and data transmission functions into a single power supply line. The power supply line serves dual purposes: providing electrical power to burner control units and transmitting control signals modulated onto the power line, thereby eliminating the need for separate ring bus data lines and reducing overall cabling quantity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The power supply line is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical energy to the burner control units and serves as a communication medium for transmitting control signals. This multi-functionality approach eliminates the need for dedicated data transmission infrastructure, reducing cabling complexity and costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If ring power supply lines are used to connect burner control units, then central control is enabled, but the number of contact points doubles and fault risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentral control capabilityVSAvoidsystem reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By merging power supply and data transmission into a single line, the number of contact points and connection interfaces is reduced. Instead of having separate contact points for power and data in a ring configuration, the system uses a simpler topology with fewer connection points, thereby reducing potential failure locations and improving overall system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of information

If high-frequency transmitting and receiving units are used on power supply lines, then data transmission is enabled, but interference from burner ignition disrupts transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission capabilityVSAvoidignition interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the frequency parameter of the transmitted signals to match the power line frequency (50 Hz or 60 Hz) rather than using high-frequency carriers. Control signals are modulated onto the power line at these lower frequencies, which are less susceptible to ignition interference and electromagnetic noise, thereby enabling reliable data transmission through the power supply infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach reduces installation costs and errors, enhances transmission reliability, and allows for efficient control of multiple dark radiator units with minimal cabling, while preventing interference from other modems in the power line network.

Implementation Method 1

Control signals for controlling each burner control unit are transmitted from the central control device as medium-frequency data signals with frequencies in the range from 90 to 150 KHz via the power supply lines to the burner control units

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

the power supply lines for supplying the burner control units are fed via a common 50 Hz AC connection, and that Control signals for controlling each burner control unit are transmitted from the central control device as medium-frequency data signals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2816735B1Method for controlling a heating system with a plurality of dark radiator units by powerline communication and assembly for carrying out said method
Publication Date: 2016.07.20 KUBLER GMBH
  • EP2816735B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

A method for controlling a heating arrangement (1) with a multiplicity of dark radiator units (2, 2A1 to 2A10, 2B1 to 2B10), of which each dark radiator unit (2A1 to 2A10, 2B1 to 2B10) comprises a radiant tube (4). , which can be charged with hot gas by a burner (6), each burner (6) having its own burner control unit (8A1 to 8A10, 8B1 to 8B10) which can be supplied with electrical energy via a power supply line (10A, 10B) and which Switching the burner (6) on and off is coupled to a central control device (14) via a data bus, is characterized in that the power supply lines (10A, 10B) for supplying the burner control units (8A1 to 8A10, 8B1 to 8B10) are fed via a common 50 Hz AC connection (11), and that the control signals for controlling each burner control unit (8A1 to 8A10, 8B1 to 8B10) from the central control device (14) as medium-frequency data signals with frequencies in the range from 90 to 150 kHz are transmitted via the power supply lines (10A, 10B) to the burner control units (8A1 to 8A10, 8B1 to 8B10), with the central control device (14) transmitting the data signals to control the burner control unit (8A1 to 8A10, 8B1 to 8B10) into at least one of the power supply lines (10A, 10B) via a first modem (18A, 18B), and that each of the burner control units (8A1 to 8A10, 8B1 to 8B10) has its own additional modem (20A1 to 20A10, 20B1 to 20B10), via which the medium-frequency data signals are selectively decoupled from the power supply line (10A, 10B) and fed to the burner control unit (8A1 to 8A10, 8B1 to 8B10). The invention also relates to an arrangement for carrying out the method.