Heat Storage Coupling Control for Heat Pump Temperature Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating device control methods fail to effectively manage temperature changes in heat circuits, leading to inefficient operation, wear on heat pumps, and potential user discomfort due to inadequate temperature regulation and de-icing processes.
Innovation Solution
A method that dynamically couples and decouples a heat storage device into the heat circuit based on temperature changes, using a control unit to monitor and adjust the heat transfer medium flow rate, and employs additional heat capacities and consumer connections to maintain optimal operating temperatures, thereby slowing down temperature changes and preventing overheating or freezing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the heat pump operates continuously to maintain temperature, then heating/cooling performance is improved, but wear on the heat pump increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat accumulator stores thermal energy in advance during periods when the heat pump operates favorably, so that the heat pump can be switched off or operated intermittently later when temperature regulation is needed, reducing wear and improving reliability while maintaining temperature control
Solution Approach 2:
The heat accumulator acts as an intermediary between the heat pump and the heat circuit, decoupling the continuous operation requirement of the heat pump from the continuous temperature maintenance requirement of the heat circuit, allowing the heat pump to operate intermittently while the accumulator buffers temperature changes
2Reliability
If the heat pump is switched off frequently to reduce wear, then heat pump reliability is improved, but temperature regulation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heat accumulator pre-stores thermal energy before the heat pump needs to be switched off, ensuring that sufficient heat or cooling capacity is available to maintain temperature stability during periods when the heat pump is not operating
Solution Approach 2:
The heat accumulator serves as a buffer that compensates for the intermittent operation of the heat pump, absorbing excess thermal energy when the heat pump is running and releasing it when the heat pump is off, thereby maintaining temperature stability in the heat circuit
3Temperature
If the heat accumulator is always connected to the heat circuit, then temperature regulation is improved, but system complexity and energy loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the heat accumulator and the heat circuit is made dynamic rather than static, with the coupling unit enabling the heat accumulator to be connected or disconnected based on real-time temperature conditions and operational requirements, optimizing energy efficiency while maintaining temperature control when needed
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 allows for prolonged, uninterrupted operation of the heat pump within a permissible temperature range, reduces wear, and minimizes user discomfort by effectively managing temperature changes and de-icing processes.
Implementation Method 1
the heat pump exchanges heat between the heat circuit and a heat reservoir, in particular an environment of the heat pump, such as the atmosphere, a body of water and/or the ground
Implementation Method 2
at least one fluid circulation unit, for example a pump, a blower, and/or a compressor, circulates a heat transfer medium, in particular water, an aqueous solution, a thermal oil, air, or the like, in the heat circuit
Implementation Method 3
the heat accumulator is coupled into and/or out of the heat circuit depending on a temperature change in the heat circuit in order to slow down the temperature change
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling a heating device comprising at least one heat circuit (14) with at least one heat pump (16) and a heat storage unit (18) that can be coupled to the heat circuit (14). It is proposed that the heat storage unit (18) be coupled into and/or disconnected from the heat circuit (14) depending on a temperature change (20) of the heat circuit (14) in order to slow down the temperature change (20).