Heating system and method for operating same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heating systems often fail to maintain a comfortable room climate over the long term, as they either overheat or underheat, leading to inefficient energy use and occupant discomfort due to the lack of consideration for both room and heat transfer medium temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A heating system with a control circuit that uses both room and return temperatures to adjust the flow of the heat transfer medium, employing a cooling-down mode to prevent heat exchanger cooling and maintain radiant heat emission, thereby maintaining a consistent room temperature with reduced energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the valve is fully open to reach target temperature quickly, then heating speed is improved, but the heat exchanger becomes significantly warmer than the room and emits excessive thermal radiation causing overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit continuously monitors both the room temperature (via first temperature sensor) and the heat transfer medium temperature (via second temperature sensor). This dual feedback mechanism allows the system to adjust the valve position dynamically, preventing the heat exchanger from becoming excessively warm while still achieving the target room temperature efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the controlled variable from solely room temperature to include both room temperature and heat transfer medium temperature. By monitoring both parameters and adjusting accordingly, the system can maintain optimal heating speed while preventing overheating and excessive thermal radiation.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the valve is fully closed when target temperature is reached, then energy consumption is reduced, but the heat exchanger and walls cool down and absorb thermal radiation from occupants causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of completely closing the valve when the target temperature is reached, the system applies partial action by keeping the valve slightly open. This maintains a minimal flow of heat transfer medium through the heat exchanger, preventing it and the walls from cooling down too much, thereby avoiding the absorption of thermal radiation from occupants while still reducing energy consumption compared to full heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous, albeit reduced, heating action by keeping the valve partially open. This continuous minimal heating prevents the heat exchanger and walls from cooling down completely, ensuring they continue to emit thermal radiation and maintain a comfortable ambient temperature without requiring full heating power.
3Device complexity
If conventional thermostatic control is used with single temperature sensor, then device complexity is reduced, but the system cannot distinguish between air temperature and radiant temperature causing poor climate control
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a second temperature sensor as an intermediary to measure the heat transfer medium temperature. This additional measurement point provides information about the radiant temperature component, allowing the control system to distinguish between air temperature and radiant temperature effects and adjust heating accordingly.
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 achieves a more even perceived room temperature and reduced heat losses through radiant heating, allowing for a lower room temperature to maintain a pleasant climate while minimizing energy use.
Implementation Method 1
the heat exchanger is significantly warmer than the room, and it itself or surfaces heated by it emit thermal radiation that is intercepted by a resident's body
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a heating system comprising at least one first temperature sensor (16) for detecting a room temperature (T1i) of a room (14) to be heated, at least one valve (12) for controlling the flow of a heat-transfer medium through a heat exchanger (13) by means of actuating commands, and a regulating circuit (22) connected to the first temperature sensor (16) and the valve (12) for generating the actuating commands. The regulating circuit (22) is connected to a second temperature sensor (19) which is arranged so as to detect a first temperature (T3i) of the heat-transfer medium after flowing through at least one part of the heat exchanger (13) and which is designed to generate the actuating commands on the basis of the first temperature (T3i) as a controlled variable if the room temperature (T1i) lies over a room temperature target value (T1s).