Method and device for regulating a temperature of a fluid carrier medium

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing temperature control methods for fluid carrier media in energy generators often rely solely on adjusting the power output of the energy generator, leading to reduced control quality, especially at low return temperatures, as they do not vary the mass flow of the carrier medium, resulting in suboptimal performance and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that control the temperature of a fluid carrier medium by adjusting both the power and mass flow through the energy generator, using a control device to determine and manipulate these variables to achieve the highest possible power output and mass flow, thereby improving control quality and maintaining the setpoint temperature effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If only the power output of the energy generator is adjusted for temperature control, then the control method is simple, but the control quality is reduced especially at low return temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol method simplicityVSAvoidcontrol quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the mass flow adjustable and variable instead of fixed. The mass flow is dynamically adapted based on operating conditions (return temperature, setpoint temperature) to optimize control quality. The control device varies the mass flow through the energy generator to achieve better temperature regulation, especially at low return temperatures where conventional fixed flow methods fail.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of mass flow from a fixed value to a variable parameter that is actively controlled. By adjusting the mass flow parameter in response to temperature deviations and operating conditions, the system achieves improved control quality. The control device calculates optimal mass flow values based on the difference between setpoint and actual temperature, as well as the return temperature.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the mass flow of carrier medium is increased, then the heat transfer capacity is improved, but the temperature control precision is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat transfer capacityVSAvoidtemperature control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts mass flow based on real-time temperature measurements and operating conditions. Rather than using a fixed high flow rate, the control device continuously adapts the mass flow to match the heating or cooling demand, maintaining both high heat transfer capacity when needed and precise temperature control when the system is near the setpoint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback control where the actual temperature is continuously measured and compared with the setpoint temperature. The mass flow is adjusted based on this feedback loop, reducing flow when temperature deviations are small (to improve precision) and increasing flow when larger adjustments are needed (to maintain heat transfer capacity).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If the power of energy generator is reduced to improve temperature control, then the temperature deviation is minimized, but the heat transfer efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidheat transfer efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of only reducing power to improve temperature control, the patent changes the mass flow parameter to achieve temperature regulation. By adjusting mass flow independently of power output, the system can maintain high power settings for efficiency while using flow rate variations to fine-tune temperature control, thus avoiding the trade-off between control precision and heat transfer efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 significantly improves control quality by minimizing temperature deviations and maintaining the setpoint temperature over time, allowing for maximum heat transfer or dissipation, whether heating or cooling, by optimizing both power output and mass flow of the carrier medium.

Implementation Method 1

an energy generator, which heats or cools the carrier medium before it flows via a flow to a consumer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a pump for driving the heating liquid in the heating circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Data Source

PatentEP3350515B1Method and device for regulating a temperature of a fluid carrier medium
Publication Date: 2021.04.21 VIESSMANN CLIMATE SOLUTIONS SE
  • EP3350515B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3350515B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3350515B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for regulating a temperature of a fluid carrier medium which flows through an energy generator (1), wherein the energy generator (1) heats or cools the carrier medium before it flows via an outward line (2) to a consumer (11) and then via a return line (3) back to the energy generator (1). One method step involves determining a deviation (e) between a setpoint value (ϑ w ) and an actual value (ϑ x ) of the temperature. A further step involves calculating a first correcting variable for setting a power output (Q) of the energy generator (1), and the temperature of the fluid carrier medium is regulated, using the first correcting variable, so as to minimize the deviation (e) between the setpoint value (ϑ w ) and the actual value (ϑ x ) of the temperature. According to the invention, a further step involves calculating a second correcting variable for setting a mass flow (ṁ) of the fluid carrier medium through the energy generator (1), the temperature being regulated using the first and second correcting variables.