Heating system for an property and method for operating a heating system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heating systems in residential units face challenges in integrating renewable energy technologies due to space constraints and inefficiencies, particularly in apartment buildings where large-volume systems are required for both water circulation and fresh water heating, limiting the share of renewable energy in total energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A compact heating system that connects a heat pump and a heat generator in series, with a storage tank, allowing the heat pump to preheat water which is then further heated by the generator, enabling a smaller volume and lower heating capacity for both components, and increasing the use of renewable energy by utilizing the heat pump to heat both fresh water and the fluid used for building temperature control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a heat pump system is used to heat both fresh water and heating water in apartment buildings, then the share of renewable energy increases, but the required system volume and space requirements become too large for available installation areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshare of renewable energyVSAvoidsystem volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the fresh water heating function and heating water circulation function into a single integrated heat pump system. The heat pump serves dual purposes: heating fresh water for domestic use and heating the heating water circulation system for space heating. This merging of functions allows apartment buildings to utilize renewable energy for both heating needs without requiring separate large-volume systems, thus resolving the contradiction between increasing renewable energy share and reducing system volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If separate systems are used for fresh water heating and heating water circulation, then each system can be optimized independently, but the total space requirement and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem optimizationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heat pump system is designed with universal functionality to perform both fresh water heating and heating water circulation. The system includes a heat pump unit, a storage tank for fresh water, and a heating water circulation system with heat exchangers. The heat pump can operate in different modes to serve both functions, reducing the need for separate dedicated systems while maintaining optimization capabilities through controlled operation modes.

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

3Use of energy by stationary object

If large-volume heat pump systems are installed for heating both fresh water and building heating, then renewable energy coverage is maximized, but installation space in existing apartment buildings becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverenewable energy coverageVSAvoidinstallation area
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by stationary objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested configuration where the heating water circulation system is integrated within or alongside the fresh water heating system. The heating water circuit components, including heat exchangers and circulation pumps, are arranged to utilize the space occupied by the fresh water storage tank and heat pump unit. This nesting approach allows the system to provide maximum renewable energy coverage while minimizing the footprint in existing apartment building installations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 configuration allows for a more efficient use of renewable energy, reducing the overall energy consumption and space requirements, while maintaining effective heating capabilities, by using a heat pump to preheat water and a heat generator to achieve desired temperatures, thus enhancing the integration of renewable energy in residential heating systems.

Implementation Method 1

energy is extracted from or transferred to the heat transfer fluid circuit through the evaporation, compression, and condensation of a refrigerant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

energy is extracted from or transferred to the heat transfer fluid circuit through the evaporation, compression, and condensation of a refrigerant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 3

energy is extracted from or transferred to the heat transfer fluid circuit through the evaporation, compression, and condensation of a refrigerant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 4

These heat generators typically utilize condensing technology. The system utilizes the calorific value of the fuel used by cooling the exhaust gases below their dew point, causing the water vapor to condense and the resulting heat of condensation to be used

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 5

The fluid and the fresh water can be heated via the storage tank and subsequently via the heat generator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4435332A1Heating system for an property and method for operating a heating system
Publication Date: 2024.09.25 VAILLANT GMBH(DE)
  • EP4435332A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4435332A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4435332A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Heating system (1) for a property (2) and a method for its operation. The heating system (1) comprises at least a supply system (3) for hot fresh water (4), a heating water circulation system (5) which includes a fluid (6) as a heat transfer medium, a storage tank (8) with a volume (9) which can be temperature-controlled by a heat pump (7), and a heat generator (10), characterized in that the fluid (6) and the fresh water (4) can be heated via the storage tank (8) and at least the fresh water (4) subsequently via the heat generator (10).