Method, system and computer program product for controlling a heat and / or cold generator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Heat and cold generators experience inefficiencies and high wear due to short operating cycles, known as 'stuttering' or 'cycling' operations, where the system operates intermittently rather than continuously, leading to suboptimal performance and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for controlling heat and cold generators that involve detecting control variables of volume flow control devices to regulate air flow, determining reference, minimum, and maximum control variables, and adjusting the generator's operation based on these variables to ensure efficient heat or cold distribution, thereby preventing 'stuttering' by matching generation with demand and reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the heat and/or cold generator operates continuously to avoid stuttering, then reliability and efficiency improve, but energy consumption increases when there is no or low demand
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors the control variable of the volume flow control device and uses this feedback information to adjust the operation of the heat and/or cold generator. When the control variable indicates low or no air flow demand, the system reduces or stops generation, thereby avoiding energy waste while preventing stuttering operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system determines reference, minimum, and maximum control variables in advance to establish optimal operating parameters. By pre-defining these control thresholds, the system can proactively adjust generation levels before stuttering occurs, ensuring continuous efficient operation without excessive energy consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the heat and/or cold generator operates with short cycling to match variable demand, then energy consumption decreases, but reliability deteriorates due to increased wear and tear
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operation of the heat and/or cold generator based on real-time control variable feedback. Rather than fixed cycling, the operation level continuously adapts to match actual demand conditions, reducing wear from abrupt start-stop cycles while maintaining energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system changes operational parameters (such as generation power level, operating temperature, or flow rates) based on the detected control variable. By smoothly varying these parameters rather than binary on/off cycling, the system reduces mechanical stress and wear while responding to variable demand conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system monitors and controls based on multiple control variables from multiple volume flow control devices, then efficiency and adaptability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is designed to handle multiple control variables from multiple volume flow control devices using a unified control approach. The same control logic and evaluation criteria are applied across all devices, allowing the system to manage complex multi-device coordination without proportionally increasing control complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines multiple control variables into a coordinated control strategy for the heat and/or cold generator. By merging the information from multiple volume flow control devices into a unified control decision process, the system achieves high adaptability while avoiding the complexity of managing each device separately.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
System, method, and computer program product for controlling a heat and/or cold generator, in particular an air-to-air heat pump. The method comprises the steps of acquiring a control variable of a volume flow control device, which is configured to control an airflow from the heat and/or cold generator to an air outlet of a room, and controlling the heat and/or cold generator depending on the acquired control variable.