Heating Medium System Pump Control to Prevent Temperature Overshoot

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Solution Overview

Problem

In heating medium systems, the temperature of the heating medium tends to overshoot the target temperature under various conditions, and conventional methods are unable to reliably prevent this overshooting.

Innovation Solution

A heating medium system that includes a pump and a heating device, with a pump control mechanism that adjusts the circulation flow rate and operating speed based on predictions about the activation of auxiliary heat sources, ensuring the temperature matches target values and preventing overshooting by dynamically controlling the heating medium supply temperature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the circulation flow rate is reduced to improve heating efficiency, then energy consumption decreases, but the heating medium temperature overshoots the target temperature

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidtemperature control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The pump control means predicts future activation of the second heating device in advance and adjusts the circulation flow rate proactively before the overshoot occurs. By anticipating the need for temperature adjustment and acting beforehand, the system prevents temperature overshooting while maintaining energy-efficient operation at lower flow rates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the circulation flow rate based on real-time predictions of heating device activation. The pump control means continuously monitors system state and modifies the flow rate adaptively - maintaining lower flow rates for energy efficiency when stable, and increasing flow rates when temperature overshoot is predicted, creating a dynamic balance between energy consumption and temperature control precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If the circulation flow rate is increased to prevent temperature overshooting, then temperature control precision improves, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control precisionVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuously maintaining high circulation flow rates, the system uses prediction to temporarily increase flow rates only when the second heating device activation is forecasted. This preliminary action approach allows the system to achieve precise temperature control exactly when needed, while consuming less energy during normal stable operation periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the circulation flow rate parameter dynamically based on predicted system state. Rather than operating at a constant high flow rate for precision control, the pump control means adjusts the flow rate parameter adaptively - maintaining it at energy-efficient low levels during stable operation and temporarily increasing it when temperature control precision is predicted to be needed, thus optimizing the trade-off between energy consumption and control precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If conventional control methods are used to maintain simple system operation, then ease of operation is maintained, but temperature overshooting cannot be reliably prevented

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem operation simplicityVSAvoidtemperature control reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pump control means implements a prediction-based feedback mechanism that monitors system state and anticipates temperature overshoot conditions. By continuously comparing actual temperature with target temperature and predicting future activation of the second heating device, the system automatically adjusts circulation flow rate to prevent overshooting, thereby achieving reliable temperature control while maintaining automated simple operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-adjustment through automated prediction and control without requiring manual intervention. The pump control means autonomously predicts temperature overshoot conditions and adjusts the circulation flow rate accordingly, enabling the system to reliably prevent temperature overshooting while maintaining ease of operation through fully automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 system effectively prevents significant overshooting of the heating medium supply temperature, maintaining stability and efficiency in heating medium circulation.

Implementation Method 1

a pump configured to circulate a heating medium in a circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPump: Pump

Implementation Method 2

a heating device configured to heat the heating medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3312515B1Heat medium system
Publication Date: 2020.08.26 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3312515B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3312515B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3312515B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A heating power of a main heat source (heating device) is controlled such that a main heat source outlet temperature (heating medium supply temperature) matches a first target temperature (Step S3103). The presence or absence of a sign of overshooting of the main heat source outlet temperature (heating medium supply temperature) is determined (Step S3104). In a case where it is determined that the sign of the overshooting is not present, an operation of a pump is controlled such that a circulation flow rate of a heating medium matches a target value (Step S3106). In a case where it is determined that the sign of the overshooting is present, the operation of the pump is controlled such that the main heat source outlet temperature (heating medium supply temperature) matches a second target temperature higher than the first target temperature (Step S3107).