Method, system and computer program product for controlling a heat generator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Heat generators experience inefficient and high-wear operations during short operating and pause times, known as pulsing or stuttering operation, which is undesirable and leads to increased energy consumption and wear.

Innovation Solution

A method for controlling a heat generator that involves detecting valve positions to coordinate heat generation with heat consumption, optimizing heating output, and reducing wear by ensuring heat is generated only when needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the valve opening is increased to improve heat transfer, then heating efficiency improves, but energy waste occurs when heat is generated but not consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidenergy waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The control device continuously monitors the actual valve opening and compares it with the determined minimum valve opening. This feedback mechanism allows real-time adjustment of the valve position to match actual heating demand, ensuring optimal heat transfer efficiency while preventing energy waste by closing the valve appropriately when heating demand is low or absent.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the heat generator is controlled based on traditional methods without valve position consideration, then control simplicity is maintained, but pulsing operation occurs leading to high wear and inefficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol simplicityVSAvoidoperating efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control device autonomously determines the minimum valve opening based on heating demand projections and automatically adjusts the valve position accordingly. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex manual control interventions while preventing pulsing operation, thereby improving operating efficiency without sacrificing control simplicity from the user perspective.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4071414B1Method, system and computer program product for controlling a heat generator
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 VIESSMANN HOLDING INTERNATIONAL GMBH
  • EP4071414B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4071414B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4071414B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

System, method, and computer program product for controlling a heat generator. The method comprises the steps of detecting the position of a valve configured to control the flow rate of a fluid from the heat generator to a radiator, and controlling the heat generator based on the detected valve position.