Heating Output Control From Pump Power And Valve Position

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heating systems face challenges in efficiently and cost-effectively adjusting heating output to changing heat requirements within buildings, often relying on complex and costly individual room temperature measurements and direct volume flow measurements.

Innovation Solution

A heating system with a control and/or regulation unit that adjusts the heat generator unit's output based on pump output parameters from a speed-controlled circulation pump and radiator valve position, using sensors to detect current consumption and speed, allowing for rapid and needs-based adjustments without direct volume flow measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If individual room temperature measurements and direct volume flow measurements are used to adjust heating output, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating output adjustment accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential information needed for heating control (pump power and valve position) and uses this subset of data instead of comprehensive room temperature and direct volume flow measurements. This reduces measurement system complexity while maintaining sufficient control accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces pump power and valve position as intermediary parameters that indirectly represent the actual heating demand and flow conditions. These intermediaries simplify the measurement system by avoiding direct temperature sensing in each room and direct volume flow measurement, while still enabling effective heating output adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If rapid adjustment of heating output to changing heat requirements is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating output adjustment speedVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the control unit continuously monitors pump power and valve position, and automatically adjusts the heating output accordingly. This enables rapid response to changing heat requirements while keeping the control logic relatively simple by focusing on these two key parameters rather than complex multi-room temperature feedback.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables dynamic adjustment of heating output by continuously varying the heating generator's power based on real-time pump performance characteristics and valve positions. This dynamic control allows rapid adaptation to changing thermal demands without requiring a complex system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of energy

If cost-effective heating system operation is achieved, then loss of energy is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating energy efficiencyVSAvoidheat demand measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the heating system to self-regulate by using the pump's own performance characteristics and valve positions as control inputs. This self-service approach reduces energy waste by automatically matching heating output to actual demand without requiring expensive external measurement systems, achieving cost-effective operation with sufficient (though not highly precise) measurement capability.

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

This solution enables rapid, reliable, and cost-effective adjustment of heating output to changing heat requirements, reducing installation and maintenance costs while ensuring quick responses to changes in radiator valve positions.

Implementation Method 1

at least one speed-controlled circulation pump arranged in the at least one flow line or in the at least one return line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPump: Pump

Implementation Method 2

at least one radiator...designed for the generation, storage, and/or distribution of thermal energy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

at least one radiator valve...for shutting off, throttling, and/or releasing, controlling, and/or regulating the flow of a heating medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectValve flow control: Valve

Implementation Method 4

heat generator unit...designed to generate and/or utilize energy, especially using at least one energy carrier

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat generation: Combustion

Data Source

PatentEP3121523B1Heating system and method for operating a heating system
Publication Date: 2019.07.10 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3121523B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention is based on a heating system with at least one heat generator unit (12), with at least one radiator (14), with at least one radiator valve (16), with at least one flow line (18), with at least one return line (20) and with at least one in the at least one flow line (18) arranged speed-controlled circulation pump (22). It is proposed that the heating system (10) has a control and/or regulating unit (24) which is intended to allocate a heating output of the at least one heat generator unit (12) as a function of at least one pump output parameter of the at least one circulating pump (22). regulate and/or control.