Decoy Temperature Sensor for Building Heating Load Shedding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for load shedding in electric heating devices, such as Joule effect heaters in buildings, are expensive due to the need for multiple power relays and modifications to electrical wiring, which increase installation costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A control device with an automatic energy limitation mechanism that uses an additional temperature sensor and a microprocessor to transmit decoy temperature values to manage heating operations, allowing for reduced energy consumption without modifying the power circuit, thus avoiding the need for additional breaking equipment and extensive audits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If multiple power relays and wiring modifications are used to implement load shedding, then energy consumption can be reduced during peak times, but installation cost and system complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a virtual copy of the temperature sensor signal to implement load shedding. Instead of physically disconnecting power relays, the system creates a decoy temperature value that mimics what a real temperature sensor would read, thereby controlling heating appliances through software-based signal manipulation rather than hardware modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical system of power relays and physical wiring modifications with an electronic/software-based system. The load shedding function is achieved through digital signal processing and virtual temperature sensor emulation, eliminating the need for physical electrical components and wiring changes.
2Productivity
If power relays and wiring modifications are installed for load shedding, then heating control during peak times is achieved, but installation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a virtual copy of the temperature sensor signal to implement load shedding. Instead of physically disconnecting power relays, the system creates a decoy temperature value that mimics what a real temperature sensor would read, thereby controlling heating appliances through software-based signal manipulation rather than hardware modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential control function from the physical power relay system and isolates it into a separate software module. By taking out the temperature sensing and control logic into a virtual/emulated form, the system separates the control intelligence from the power switching hardware, eliminating the need for expensive physical installations.
3Reliability
If existing systems are modified with additional breaking equipment, then load shedding capability is improved, but system intrusiveness and audit requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a software intermediary layer between the temperature sensor and the heating control system. This intermediary (the virtual temperature sensor module) mediates the control signal without requiring physical intervention in the power circuit, thereby maintaining reliability through controlled signal manipulation while minimizing intrusiveness into the existing electrical infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a virtual copy of the temperature sensor signal to implement load shedding. Instead of physically disconnecting power relays, the system creates a decoy temperature value that mimics what a real temperature sensor would read, thereby controlling heating appliances through software-based signal manipulation rather than hardware modifications.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an electrical heating installation for a building, which comprises at least one electrical heating appliance (R) disposed in this building, the operation of which is managed by an automatic facility (A) having an energy limitation function, this automatic facility (A) transmitting to said heating appliance (R) on/off commands, and/or speed commands, and/or operating setpoint commands as a function of the temperature (TE) detected outside the building by a first probe (SR), characterized in that the heating installation comprises at least one additional temperature probe (S1, Sn) whose value is set to a predetermined temperature (TE1, TEn) in combination with a limited operating time of the heating, or even the absence of heating, as well as a module (B1) comprising a micro-processor which, when it receives an outside item of information regarding erasure (i, i2 ), is configured to transmit to the appliance (R) by way of a second module (B2), a command for switching the measured temperature (TE) originating from said first probe (SR) to a decoyed outside temperature value (TEI), that is to say one which is imposed, originating from said additional temperature probe (S1, Sn) for a predetermined duration.