Temperature delta control for a hydronic heating/cooling system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional heating/cooling systems with hydronic emitters suffer from poor temperature control, leading to temperature overshoot and undershoot due to on/off switching, which is inefficient and lacks precision in maintaining desired room temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A controller assembly with a movement actuator, temperature sensors, and a computer device that adjusts water flow through hydronic emitters to achieve a target temperature delta between inlet and outlet temperatures, allowing for precise modulation of heating/cooling based on room temperature setpoints, using a data structure to map temperature differences to valve positions for direct or incremental adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional on/off switching control is used, then the system is simple to operate, but temperature control precision deteriorates causing overshoot and undershoot
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously measures the temperature delta across the hydronic emitter and compares it to a target value, then adjusts the valve position accordingly to maintain the desired temperature differential, preventing overshoot and undershoot
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical on/off switching with an electronically controlled actuator that modulates valve position based on feedback signals, enabling precise continuous control rather than discrete switching
2Stability of the object's composition
If on/off switching control is used, then the device complexity is low, but temperature stability worsens due to overshoot and undershoot
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors the temperature delta and adjusts the valve position in real-time to maintain stable temperature control, eliminating the oscillations caused by on/off switching
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically adjusts the valve position based on measured temperature conditions without requiring manual intervention, maintaining stable temperature control through self-regulating feedback
3Loss of energy
If individual room modulation is implemented, then energy efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the heating/cooling control into individual room zones with separate hydronic emitters and independent control, allowing each room to be modulated separately for optimized energy efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The controller assembly is designed to work with standard boilers while providing individual room modulation capability, making the system universally applicable to existing heating infrastructure
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 approach ensures stable and efficient temperature control, preventing overshoot or undershoot, and allows for individual room modulation using a standard boiler, enhancing energy efficiency and precision in heating/cooling systems.
Implementation Method 1
a movement actuator configured to connect to a valve in order to control water flow through a hydronic emitter
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensor interface configured to interface to first and second temperature sensors, wherein the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor measure an inlet temperature and an outlet temperature
Implementation Method 3
controlling the movement actuator to adjust the valve so that water flow through the hydronic emitter results in the measured temperature delta approximately equaling the target temperature delta
Data Source
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AI summary
A controller assembly controls water flow through individual emitters of a heating/cooling system based on a temperature setpoint and room temperature indicator obtained from an associated thermostat. The controller assembly provides delta temperature room control using a high precision movement actuator fitted with two pipe temperature sensors to power modulate individual radiators, underfloor heating circuits or fan-coils to provide energy efficiency for individual room heating/cooling control. Based on the temperature difference between the room temperature and the setpoint the controller assembly controls water flow through the emitter by adjusting a valve to attain a target temperature delta between the inlet and outlet of the emitter. As the room temperature approaches the setpoint so that the temperature difference decreases, the power output of the emitter is modulated to achieve desirable performance characteristics.