Heating Circulation Pump Control for Under- and Oversupply Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional heating systems with variable-speed circulating pumps often experience temporary undersupply or oversupply issues, leading to inefficiencies such as noise, energy waste, or inadequate heat distribution, which existing control methods fail to reliably address.

Innovation Solution

A method for controlling the variable-speed heating circulating pump by recording the time profile of the delivery rate or flow rate and comparing it to a predetermined curve characteristic, such as a sine wave, to detect undersupply or oversupply, allowing for automatic corrective adjustments to ensure optimal system supply.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the pump delivers at high pressure and flow rate to ensure adequate supply, then the heating system is reliably supplied, but energy is wasted and noise increases when supply exceeds requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadequate supplyVSAvoidenergy waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The control method uses feedback from the flow rate sensor to continuously monitor actual delivery and compare it with the required delivery profile. Based on this feedback, the pump speed is automatically adjusted to match actual system needs, preventing both undersupply and oversupply conditions that waste energy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The pump operates with dynamically adjustable speed rather than fixed speed, allowing it to adapt its delivery characteristics in real-time to match the varying thermal demands of the heating system, thereby avoiding energy waste during periods of reduced demand

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of energy

If the pump speed is reduced to save energy, then energy efficiency improves, but the heating system may experience temporary undersupply

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidadequate supply
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors actual flow rate via sensor feedback and compares it with the required delivery profile. When undersupply conditions are detected (actual flow falls below required flow), the control automatically increases pump speed to restore adequate supply, ensuring reliability while maintaining energy efficiency during normal operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control system uses a predetermined delivery profile that anticipates system requirements. By comparing actual delivery against this profile in advance, the system can take preliminary corrective action by adjusting pump speed before undersupply conditions fully develop, preventing reliability issues while optimizing energy use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If conventional control methods are used without flow monitoring, then the system is simpler to operate, but undersupply or oversupply cannot be reliably detected and corrected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimple controlVSAvoidsupply accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-diagnosis and self-correction by automatically comparing sensor-measured flow rate against the required delivery profile and adjusting pump speed accordingly. This eliminates the need for manual intervention or complex operator judgment while ensuring reliable detection and correction of supply issues

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual monitoring and adjustment mechanisms with automated electronic control and sensor-based flow measurement. This substitution maintains ease of operation by eliminating manual intervention while dramatically improving supply accuracy through continuous automated monitoring and adjustment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP1933097B1Method for controlling a variable speed circulation pump for heating system
Publication Date: 2013.04.10 GRUNDFOS MANAGEMENT AS
  • EP1933097B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP1933097B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP1933097B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for controlling a variable-speed heating circulating pump in a heating system, the flow resistance of which varies depending on the room temperature, in which the time profile of the delivery rate (1) or a pump variable linked to the delivery rate is recorded and determined on the basis of the recorded variable whether an adequate supply or an under- or oversupply of the heating system by the pump takes place, with a determined under- or oversupply, the pump is automatically controlled to correct it (Fig. 1).