Modulating Boiler Control Without Outdoor Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing boiler systems face inefficiencies due to reliance on outdoor air sensors, which can provide erroneous measurements, fail to account for non-temperature related heat sources, and are limited in reducing energy input, leading to compromised comfort and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A modulating boiler system that calculates energy needs by using moving averages of thermostat on-time to adjust boiler energy input, eliminating the need for ambient air sensors and allowing for direct measurement of heating requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If outdoor reset systems are used to reduce energy consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to erroneous outdoor air temperature measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary calculation method that uses indoor temperature measurements and heat loss models to estimate the effective outdoor temperature influence, rather than directly relying on potentially erroneous outdoor sensor readings. This intermediary approach filters out measurement errors while preserving the energy-saving function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring indoor temperature responses and adjusting the reset ratio accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism compensates for measurement errors in outdoor temperature sensing, maintaining both energy efficiency and measurement accuracy through adaptive correction.
2Loss of energy
If outdoor reset systems are used to reduce energy input, then energy efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases due to sensor installation and calibration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the system to self-calibrate and self-adjust by using internal temperature measurements and built-in heat loss models. The system automatically determines appropriate reset ratios without requiring external sensor calibration, eliminating the need for periodic manual intervention and reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system integrates multiple functions into a single control mechanism that can operate with or without outdoor temperature sensors. The same control algorithm adapts to different installation scenarios, making the system universally applicable and reducing the complexity associated with mandatory sensor installation.
3Reliability
If conservative reset ratio is programmed to ensure sufficient heat availability, then comfort reliability is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to limited reduction capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static, conservative reset ratio into a dynamic parameter that continuously adapts based on actual indoor temperature responses and calculated heat loss. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize between comfort reliability and energy efficiency in real-time, rather than being constrained by fixed conservative settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the reset ratio parameter adaptively based on calculated heat loss and observed temperature responses. By dynamically modifying this key parameter, the system achieves both sufficient heat availability and reduced energy consumption, overcoming the limitation of fixed conservative settings.
4Measurement precision
If outdoor sensors are positioned to reflect average outdoor temperature, then measurement accuracy is improved, but installation complexity increases due to positioning constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses indoor temperature measurements as an intermediary that indirectly captures the effect of outdoor temperature variations. This eliminates the need for complex outdoor sensor positioning, as the indoor measurements naturally reflect the actual heating demand without requiring precise external placement.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of measuring outdoor temperature directly and inferring heating needs, the system inverts the approach by measuring indoor temperature responses and calculating the implied outdoor influence. This inversion simplifies installation while maintaining accuracy in determining heating requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of increasing the efficiency of a boiler includes determining a proportional time period reflecting how long a thermostat is requesting heat from the boiler within a predetermined time period, determining a cycle frequency reflecting the number of times the thermostat is requesting heat from the boiler within the predetermined time period, and adjusting an energy input provided to the boiler in dependence upon the proportional time period and the cycle frequency.