Heating Assembly Exhaust Flow Detection for Shared Flues

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing heating systems face reliability issues due to undesirable exhaust gas accumulation when the secondary heat generator is not operational, leading to exhaust gas from the primary heat generator flowing into the secondary heat generator, which can result in flue gas accumulation in the installation room.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a throughput measuring device on the secondary heat generator to detect and prevent the flow of exhaust gas from the primary heat generator when the secondary heat generator is off, allowing for timely intervention to prevent gas accumulation, and optionally using this device to measure fuel gas and air throughput during operation to regulate combustion via lambda control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a common exhaust gas removal device is used for both primary and secondary heat generators, then device complexity is reduced, but exhaust gas may accumulate in the room when the secondary heat generator is not operational

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexhaust gas removal deviceVSAvoidexhaust gas removal reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A throughput measuring device is introduced as an intermediary between the exhaust gas discharge device and the secondary heat generator. This device detects exhaust gas flow from the primary heat generator when the secondary heat generator is off, enabling timely intervention to prevent harmful gas accumulation while maintaining the simple common exhaust gas removal structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the secondary heat generator is left connected to the common exhaust gas discharge device, then ease of operation is improved, but harmful exhaust gas flow into the secondary heat generator occurs when it is switched off

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat generator operationVSAvoidexhaust gas accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The throughput measuring device provides feedback about exhaust gas flow conditions to the control system. When exhaust gas from the primary heat generator is detected flowing into the secondary heat generator, the control system can automatically close the closure device or switch off the primary heat generator, preventing harmful gas accumulation while allowing the secondary heat generator to remain connected for easy operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If a throughput measuring device is installed on the secondary heat generator, then exhaust gas flow detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexhaust gas flow detectionVSAvoidheat generator system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The throughput measuring device serves multiple functions: it measures exhaust gas flow when the secondary heat generator is off to prevent accumulation, and can also measure fuel gas and air throughput during operation for combustion regulation. This multi-functionality justifies the added device complexity by providing comprehensive measurement and control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3168549B1Method for operating a heating assembly
Publication Date: 2018.12.12 VIESSMANN GRP GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3168549B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a heating system comprising a primary heat generator (1) producing exhaust gas and a secondary heat generator (2) producing exhaust gas, both of which are connected to a common exhaust gas removal device (3) for exhaust gas removal. The invention also relates to a method for operating a heating system, in which a primary heat generator (1) and, if necessary, a secondary heat generator (2) are operated to cover a heat requirement, exhaust gas from the two heat generators (1, 2) being fed to a common exhaust gas discharge device (3). . According to the invention, the secondary heat generator (2) has a throughput measuring device (4) for detecting any exhaust gas coming from the primary heat generator (1) and flowing via the exhaust gas discharge device (3) to the secondary heat generator (2). According to the invention, the method provides that when the secondary heat generator (2) is not in operation, a throughput measuring device (4) is used to detect a flow of exhaust gas generated by the primary heat generator (1) from the exhaust gas discharge device (3) into the secondary heat generator (2). .