Multi-Way Mixing Valve Layout for Priority Hot Water Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-circuit heating and cooling systems are complex and costly, lacking a simple and cost-effective solution for managing heat distribution across multiple circuits, including a priority circuit for hot water storage tanks, especially when demand varies or when there is no heat demand on other circuits.
Innovation Solution
A multi-circuit system utilizing a multi-way mixing valve with at least five connections to distribute energy-transferring medium, allowing for efficient operation by connecting heat sources and sinks in various configurations, including a hot water tank, with a distribution device that minimizes hydraulic circuitry and requires fewer circulating pumps, enabling low control effort through temperature sensors and valves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional multi-circuit heating systems with separate mixing devices for each circuit are used, then each circuit can be controlled independently, but the system becomes complex and costly with increased hydraulic circuitry and multiple circulating pumps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple mixing functions into a single multi-way mixing valve that handles both the first and second heating circuits. This valve integrates the functions of separate mixing devices, reducing hydraulic complexity while maintaining independent control capability through electronic actuators that can be controlled separately for each circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-way mixing valve serves multiple functions simultaneously - it mixes heat transfer medium for both the first and second heating circuits, connects to the heat source circuit, and can operate in different modes (mixing, bypass, etc.). This universal component replaces what would traditionally require multiple specialized devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a hot water storage tank is added to the multi-circuit system, then priority hot water heating is enabled, but the system complexity and control requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-way mixing valve is designed to handle the hot water storage tank circuit in addition to the two heating circuits. It can switch between different operating modes including priority heating of the hot water tank, thereby integrating multiple functions without requiring separate control mechanisms for each circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The control functions for the heat source circuit, mixed heating circuit, unmixed heating circuit, and hot water tank are merged into a single integrated control system that operates the multi-way mixing valve. This unified approach simplifies control effort despite the increased system versatility.
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
The system achieves a structurally simple and cost-effective multi-circuit heating or cooling system with reduced hydraulic complexity, allowing for efficient heat distribution and reduced energy losses, while maintaining effective control over various operating states.
Implementation Method 1
a distribution device with hydraulic means for distributing an energy-transporting medium is provided, which has a multi-way mixing valve with at least five connections
Implementation Method 2
multi-way mixing valve with at least five connections (A, B, C, D, E), and the heating source circuit and each heating circuit is connected to at least one of the connectors is connected
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a multi-circuit heating or cooling system (100), a device for open-loop and/or closed-loop control for multi-circuit heating or cooling systems (100), and a method for operating a multi-circuit heating or cooling system (100). The multi-circuit heating or cooling system (100) is designed with an unmixed heating circuit (103) and a mixed heating circuit (105) in such a way that a hot-water store (107a) can be integrated and the mixed heating circuit (105) can be operated with heat from the unmixed heating circuit (103) or from a heat source (101a). There is a priority circuit for the hot-water store (107a), for charging the hot-water store with heat from the heat source (101a). In addition, the multi-circuit heating or cooling system (100) has an especially simple design and is also economically constructed.