Hydronic Control Layout for Multi-Source Solar Heating Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
The hydronic heating industry faces challenges due to a lack of installation and design expertise for complex solar hydronic systems, with only a few hundred experts in the United States, making it difficult for home builders and architects to install and configure these systems effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilizes a computing device to process environmental and hydronic apparatus data, generating configuration data for a hydronic system layout and transmitting it to a controller, which applies a subset of default rules to optimize the system's operation, including the integration of multiple sources and loads such as boilers, solar collectors, and heat storage devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional hydronic systems use on-demand sources and basic controllers, then the system is simpler to install and operate, but the system cannot optimize or store energy from solar heating systems
Solution Approach 1:
The controller pre-configures multiple sets of control rules corresponding to different system configurations (single source, multiple sources, single load, multiple loads). During installation, the installer selects the appropriate pre-configured rule set, eliminating the need for complex real-time optimization programming while achieving energy optimization through the pre-planned rules.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pre-programmed control rules that are copied from a library of standard configurations. Instead of creating custom optimization algorithms for each installation, the controller selects and applies appropriate pre-existing rule sets that have been designed to optimize energy usage for different solar hydronic system configurations.
2Use of energy by moving object
If solar hydronic systems are designed with multiple sources and loads, then energy optimization is improved, but the difficulty of installation and configuration increases due to lack of expertise
Solution Approach 1:
The controller includes pre-configured control rules that are prepared in advance for different system configurations. During installation, the installer only needs to select the appropriate pre-configured rule set rather than programming complex optimization logic, making solar hydronic systems with multiple sources and loads accessible to installers without specialized expertise.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically selects and applies the appropriate control rules based on the configured system architecture. The controller self-configures the energy optimization strategy by matching the installed components (sources and loads) with the corresponding pre-programmed rules, eliminating the need for manual programming or expert intervention.
3Reliability
If expert designers are required to configure solar hydronic systems, then system performance is optimized, but the availability of installation becomes limited and costly
Solution Approach 1:
Expert control rules have been pre-configured and stored in the controller during manufacturing. These rules encapsulate the performance optimization expertise of solar hydronic specialists. During installation, any installer can select from these pre-configured rules, making expert-level system performance accessible without requiring expert installers to be available.
Solution Approach 2:
The system copies proven control strategies from expert-designed configurations into the controller's rule library. These copied rules can be applied to any installation, allowing standard化的 performance optimization without requiring the original expert designer to be present or available for each project.
4Use of energy by moving object
If complex control rules are programmed into the controller, then energy optimization is improved, but the configuration process becomes more difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Complex energy optimization control rules are pre-programmed into the controller before installation. The installer only needs to select the appropriate pre-configured rule set based on the system configuration, reducing configuration time from hours or days of programming to minutes of selection and setup.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller contains a library of pre-configured control rules that can be copied and applied to different installations. Instead of programming optimization rules from scratch for each project, the installer copies appropriate pre-existing rules that have already been optimized for energy efficiency, dramatically reducing configuration time.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for designing and controlling a hydronic apparatus. In one aspect of the invention, the system includes a computing device having a first receiver that receives input data, in which the input data includes environmental data and hydronic apparatus data. The computing device also includes a first processor that communicates with the first receiver. The first processor processes the received input data into configuration data that includes a hydronic apparatus layout. The hydronic apparatus layout indicates a plurality of hydronic components and fluid connections between the hydronic components. The computing device also includes a transmitter that transmits the configuration data. The system also includes a controller that has a stored set of rules and a second receiver that receives the configuration data. The controller includes a second processor that processes the received configuration data to correlate the configuration data with the default rules and select a corresponding subset of the set of default rules.