Hydraulic component for a heating or air-conditioning system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heating and air conditioning systems lack the ability to efficiently adjust the temperature of the heating or cooling medium and cannot supply multiple heating circuits with different temperature levels simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A hydraulic unit with a circulating pump, multiple flow connections, and a mixing valve that allows for the adjustment of temperature by mixing heated and cooled liquids, enabling the supply of at least two heating circuits with different temperature levels by connecting the mixing valve to both the heat source and return connections, and arranging it in the flow path to vary the mixing ratio.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a mixing valve with external circulation pump is used to supply different temperature levels, then temperature control capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the circulation pump and mixing valve into a single integrated hydraulic unit. The pump housing contains the mixing valve, and the pump's outlet is connected to the mixing valve's inlet, allowing both functions to be performed by one compact device rather than requiring separate external components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hydraulic unit performs multiple functions within a single device: it circulates heating medium through the pump, mixes hot and cold water through the integrated mixing valve, and can switch between different operating modes using the diverter valve. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate external mixing valves and circulation pumps.

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

2Ease of operation

If a diverter valve is used to switch circulation between heat exchanger and heating circuit, then ease of operation is improved, but temperature control precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidtemperature control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a diverter valve with three positions (first, second, and intermediate) that allows dynamic switching between different operating modes. The intermediate position enables partial flow through both the heat exchanger and heating circuit simultaneously, providing more flexible and precise temperature control compared to simple on/off switching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables precise temperature control and the ability to supply multiple heating circuits with different temperature levels, improving the flexibility and efficiency of heating and air conditioning systems.

Implementation Method 1

a mixing valve that allows for the adjustment of temperature by mixing heated and cooled liquids

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMixing:

Implementation Method 2

at least one circulation pump unit, which serves to circulate a liquid heat transfer medium, acting as a heating or cooling medium, through the heating or air conditioning system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Implementation Method 3

a heat source, through which the heating medium is heated in the circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3361182B1Hydraulic component for a heating or air-conditioning system
Publication Date: 2020.03.25 GRUNDFOS HLDG
  • EP3361182B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3361182B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3361182B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a hydraulic unit for a heating or air conditioning system, having at least one return connection (20) for a heating circuit (6), a first flow connection (16) for a heating circuit (6), a heat source outlet ( 12), a heat source inlet (14) that is fluidly connected to the first flow connection (16) and a flow path between the return connection (20) and the heat source outlet (12) or in a flow path between the heat source inlet (14) and the first flow connection (16 ) arranged circulating pump unit (28) with at least one second flow connection (18), which is fluidically connected to the heat source inlet (14) and the return flow connection (20), wherein in a flow path from the heat source inlet (14) to the second flow connection (18) and / or at least one in a flow path from the return port (20) to the second flow port (18). Mixing valve (54) is arranged.