Distribution Area Director for Multi-Zone Hydronic Flow Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional hydronic flow systems in climate control systems face inefficiencies due to conflicting condition type requests between adjacent zones, leading to increased energy consumption and the need for separate area zone units with larger cooling coils, resulting in higher thermal transport fluid temperatures and energy expenditure.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a distribution area director (DAD) that controls hydronic flow by determining condition type requests and supply temperature types across multiple zones, allowing for efficient routing of thermal transport fluid and reducing the need for separate units by using changeover coils and a centralized valve assembly, thereby lowering thermal transport fluid temperatures and enhancing energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate area zone units with larger cooling coils are used to handle conflicting condition requests, then reliability of temperature control is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple area zone units into a single unified unit that serves multiple zones. The single area zone unit integrates cooling coils and heating elements that can be dynamically controlled to serve different zones based on their respective conditioning needs, thereby reducing the number of separate units required while maintaining temperature control reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic control of the single area zone unit to adapt to changing zone requirements. The cooling coils and heating elements are dynamically activated or deactivated based on real-time zone conditions, allowing the system to handle conflicting temperature requests without requiring separate dedicated units for each zone
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate area zone units are installed for each zone, then adaptability to different zone conditions is improved, but loss of substance (thermal transport fluid) and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple zones are served by a single area zone unit, reducing the total number of cooling coils and thermal transport fluid circuits. This consolidation minimizes the amount of thermal transport fluid required and reduces energy losses associated with multiple separate units operating independently
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers thermal energy by routing thermal transport fluid through different coils based on zone requirements. When one zone requires cooling and another requires heating, the system can recover heat from the cooling zone's fluid to provide heating to the heating zone, reducing overall energy consumption
3Adaptability or versatility
If higher thermal transport fluid temperatures are used to satisfy heating requests, then adaptability to heating conditions is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers thermal energy from the thermal transport fluid after it has served a cooling zone. The fluid, which still contains residual heat, is routed through heating coils to provide heating to zones that require it, thereby recovering energy that would otherwise be wasted and reducing the need for high-temperature fluid generation
4Productivity
If a centralized valve assembly with DAD is used to control hydronic flow routing, then productivity and energy efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution area director (DAD) acts as an intermediary control device that manages the complex routing decisions. The DAD receives zone conditioning requests and automatically directs thermal transport fluid through the appropriate coils using the valve assembly, thereby centralizing control complexity in a single intelligent device rather than distributing it across multiple units
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 solution improves energy efficiency by reducing thermal transport fluid temperatures, increasing heat pump efficiency, and minimizing the number of required area zone units and pipes, resulting in a more cost-effective and energy-efficient climate control system.
Implementation Method 1
routing of hydronic flow supplied to heat exchangers
Implementation Method 2
thermal transport fluid temperature within the respective supply line
Implementation Method 3
heat exchangers
Implementation Method 4
refrigerant to transport heat across a temperature gradient
Data Source
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AI summary
A method is provided for the controlled routing of hydronic flow within a climate control system. The method includes determining a condition type request for a plurality of area zones corresponding to a particular thermal zone. The method further includes determining a supply temperature type associated with at least a supply line of a primary supply loop and a supply line of a secondary supply loop. The supply temperature type is indicative of a thermal transport fluid temperature within the respective supply line. The method further includes providing an actuation signal set to a valve assembly. The actuation signal set is configured to describe a position for each value of the valve assembly and the position for each valve is based on the conditioning type request and the determined supply temperature types.