Hydronic Control Valve with RFID Wireless Temperature Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydronic control valves require complex and error-prone wiring between temperature sensors and actuators, making installation time-consuming and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A hydronic control valve design utilizing an RFID transmitter in the valve unit and an RFID receiver in the actuator unit, allowing wireless transmission of temperature measurement signals, eliminating the need for physical wiring between the temperature sensor and the actuator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wiring is used to connect temperature sensor and actuator, then reliable signal transmission is achieved, but installation complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wiring connection with an RFID wireless communication system. The temperature sensor connects to an RFID transmitter that wirelessly transmits temperature data to an RFID receiver, which then communicates with the actuator. This eliminates the need for physical wiring while maintaining signal transmission reliability, directly resolving the contradiction between reliable communication and installation time.
2Reliability
If wiring is used to connect temperature sensor and actuator, then stable connection is achieved, but installation error rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wiring connection with an RFID wireless communication system. The temperature sensor connects to an RFID transmitter that wirelessly transmits temperature data to an RFID receiver, which then communicates with the actuator. This eliminates the need for physical wiring while maintaining signal transmission reliability, directly resolving the contradiction between reliable communication and installation time.
3Ease of operation
If wireless RFID communication is used between valve unit and actuator, then installation complexity decreases, but signal transmission reliability may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an RFID receiver as an intermediary component. The temperature sensor connects to an RFID transmitter, which wirelessly transmits data to the RFID receiver. The receiver then processes and relays the information to the actuator via wired connection. This intermediary approach maintains signal reliability while achieving wireless communication between critical components, resolving the contradiction between installation ease and signal reliability.
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 design simplifies and accelerates the installation process, reducing errors and enhancing reliability by enabling wireless communication between the temperature sensor and the actuator, while maintaining precise control over fluid flow as a function of temperature differences.
Implementation Method 1
The valve unit (11) comprises a RFID transmitter (32). The temperature sensor (26) is connected to RFID transmitter (32). The actuator unit (12) comprises a RFID receiver (33). The temperature measurement signals provided by the temperature sensor (26) of the valve unit (11) are wirelessly transmitted to the actuator unit (12).
Data Source
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AI summary
Hydronic control valve (10) for a hydronic installation, comprising a valve unit (11) and an actuator unit (12). The valve unit has a valve housing (13) providing a valve inlet (14) for a hydronic medium and a valve outlet (15) for the hydronic medium said valve inlet (14) and valve outlet (15) being connectable into a pipe of the hydronic installation. The valve unit has a valve seat (21) and a valve body (22) acting together with the valve seat (21). The valve unit has a temperature sensor (26) measuring the temperature of the hydronic medium. The actuator unit (12) has an electrical or electronic actuator (27) for operating the valve body (22) of the valve unit (11) as a function of the temperature of a hydronic medium measured by the temperature sensor (26). The valve unit comprises a RFID transmitter (32), the temperature sensor (26) being connected to RFID transmitter (32). The actuator unit comprises a RFID receiver (33), the electrical or electronic actuator (27) being connected to RFID receiver (33). The temperature measurement signals provided by the temperature sensor (26) of the valve unit (11) are wirelessly transmitted from the RFID transmitter (32) of the valve unit (11) to the RFID receiver (33) of the actuator unit (12). (Figure 2)