Device and method for regulating heating systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating systems face challenges in regulating temperature and flow effectively, particularly when connecting radiant floor pipes to high temperature circuits, leading to inefficient heating and potential damage due to overheating of components within the heating plant.
Innovation Solution
A regulating device with a thermostatic valve that maintains a residual flow rate between 1-10 litres/hour, even in closed configuration, to ensure proper temperature management and prevent overheating, allowing for connection of radiant floor pipes to high temperature circuits while maintaining efficient heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a limit temperature controller is used to regulate radiant floor pipes connected to high temperature circuits, then the temperature of the radiant pipe can be maintained at correct levels, but the controller may overheat and malfunction due to the high temperature environment inside the heating plant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a thermal insulation barrier (intermediary) between the high temperature environment and the limit temperature controller. This barrier isolates the controller from direct thermal influence of the high temperature circuit, allowing it to reliably regulate the radiant pipe temperature without overheating or malfunctioning.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the limit temperature controller is positioned to effectively regulate the radiant line temperature, then flooring damage is prevented, but the controller body itself overheats causing lockout and insufficient heating
Solution Approach 1:
A thermal insulation intermediary is positioned between the high temperature water source and the controller body, protecting the controller from overheating while allowing it to maintain proper temperature regulation of the radiant line to prevent flooring damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct thermal zones: the high temperature circuit portion and the low temperature radiant line portion, with the controller positioned in an isolated thermal environment. This segmentation allows each component to operate at its optimal temperature range.
3Device complexity
If high temperature water is diverted directly to radiant floor pipes, then system complexity is reduced, but the pipes and flooring may deteriorate due to excessive temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The limit temperature controller enables the system to self-regulate the water temperature in the radiant pipe. By automatically responding to temperature changes in the radiant line, the controller maintains the water temperature within safe limits without requiring external intervention or complex additional equipment.
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 device ensures reliable operation by preventing overheating and maintaining efficient heating performance, even in high temperature environments, with a high degree of versatility and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a valve element which can be at least partially housed inside the body of the device and which is operatively active in said interception area, said valve element being configured to operate in a plurality of operating configurations so as to vary the flow rate of fluid passing from said inlet to said outlet, through said interception area, as a function of the difference in temperature between a perceived temperature of the fluid at said inlet and a reference temperature
Implementation Method 2
This device consists in a thermostatic valve located on a line and provided with a temperature-sensitive element that commands the opening or the closing of the valve proportionally to the difference between the temperature of the fluid in the line and a reference temperature
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5A
AI summary
The present invention relates to a regulating device (1) for regulating heating systems, comprising a body (2) provided with at least one inlet (3), an outlet (4), and an interception area interposed between the inlet and the outlet, in such a way that the latter can be selectively set into fluid communication with each other. The device comprises a valve element (10) that is operatively active in the interception area and that operates in a plurality of operating configurations so as to vary the flow rate of fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet as a function of the difference in temperature between a perceived temperature of the fluid at the inlet and a reference temperature at which the valve element is configured. The plurality of operating configurations comprise at least one maximum aperture configuration, in which there is a maximum flow rate of fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet, and a closed configuration, corresponding to a state in which the detected temperature of the fluid at the inlet is equal to or higher than the reference temperature; in the closed configuration, there is a residual flow rate of fluid transferred from the inlet to the outlet and this residual flow rate is greater than zero.