System and method for controlling a medium parameter of the medium on the secondary side of a heat exchanger

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heat exchanger control systems require extensive cabling, leading to increased error susceptibility and costs due to the centralization of control units, which complicates the regulation of media parameters like temperature and humidity in secondary-side mediums.

Innovation Solution

Integrating the control unit directly into the actuator of the primary circuit, such as a pump or valve, allowing for local regulation of media parameters without external signal transmission, reducing cabling needs and improving signal transmission behavior.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the control unit is arranged centrally in a switch cabinet, then the hydraulic and electrical parts are separated, but the cabling effort increases and error susceptibility rises

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem assemblyVSAvoidcabling error susceptibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit is segmented from the central switch cabinet and relocated to the actuator housing. This segmentation allows the electrical control components to be physically separated from the hydraulic components while maintaining functional integration, thereby reducing cabling requirements and error susceptibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The actuator housing serves as an intermediary structure that integrates both hydraulic and electrical components. By placing the control unit within the actuator housing, the patent creates a local control station that eliminates the need for extensive cabling between the switch cabinet and actuators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the control unit is arranged centrally, then system components are separated, but cabling costs and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent separationVSAvoidcabling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit is merged with the actuator housing, creating an integrated control assembly. This merging eliminates the need for separate cabling connections between the central switch cabinet and individual actuators, thereby reducing cabling complexity while maintaining component functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If control is centralized, then hydraulic and electrical parts are separated, but signal transmission distance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem modularityVSAvoidsignal transmission quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The control function is localized to each actuator by placing the control unit within the actuator housing. This localization ensures that signal transmission occurs over minimal distances between sensors, control units, and actuators, thereby maintaining high signal transmission quality and reducing information loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3757465A1System and method for controlling a medium parameter of the medium on the secondary side of a heat exchanger
Publication Date: 2020.12.30 WILO SE
  • EP3757465A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3757465A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3757465A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a system for controlling a medium parameter of the secondary-side medium of a heat exchanger (8), in particular air, comprising a heat exchanger (8) through which a secondary medium flows and a primary circuit (1) in which a primary-side heat transfer medium can be pumped through the heat exchanger by means of a pump (5), wherein at least one control unit (4, 7, 11) is provided for controlling the medium parameter, which is configured by electronics and/or a program to perform the control, and wherein an actuator of the primary circuit comprises the control unit. The invention further relates to a method for controlling a medium parameter.