Parallel Valve Temperature Control for Precise Heat Exchanger Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Highly precise and efficient temperature regulation in heating and cooling systems is challenging due to the high cost and operational inefficiency of valves, especially when they need to operate within a narrow range of valve openings.
Innovation Solution
A dual-valve system with a first valve responding to temperature changes and a second valve providing assistance when the first valve operates outside its defined range, using a controller to adjust both valves' openings to maintain temperature within specified limits, thereby reducing energy consumption and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single valve is used to regulate fluid temperature with high precision and speed, then temperature control precision is improved, but valve cost and operational wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the temperature control function into two separate valves: a first valve for primary temperature regulation and a second valve for supplementary control. This segmentation allows each valve to operate within optimized ranges, reducing individual valve complexity and cost while maintaining overall system precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The first valve operates within a limited span (e.g., 20-80% opening) for precise control during normal conditions, while the second valve provides partial action to extend the effective range. This approach achieves high precision where needed without requiring the first valve to operate across its full range, reducing wear and cost.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a valve operates across a wide span of openings to handle all temperature conditions, then adaptability is improved, but control precision and efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the valve control function so that the first valve handles a limited span (e.g., 20-80% opening) for precise control, while the second valve supplements when the first valve reaches its limits. This maintains adaptability across wide temperature ranges while preserving precision within the primary valve's optimized range.
Solution Approach 2:
The second valve acts as an intermediary that engages only when the first valve's opening span is insufficient. This allows the system to adapt to extreme conditions without compromising the precision of the primary control valve, which operates within its optimal range.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a single valve operates continuously to maintain temperature, then temperature stability is improved, but energy consumption and valve wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The first valve operates continuously for stable temperature control within normal ranges, while the second valve provides partial action only when the first valve approaches its opening limits. This maintains temperature stability while reducing the energy consumption and wear of the primary control valve by preventing it from operating at extreme positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller monitors the first valve's opening position and activates the second valve when the first valve's opening exceeds predetermined limits. This feedback mechanism ensures temperature stability is maintained while optimizing energy usage and reducing wear on the primary control valve.
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 allows for efficient and precise temperature control while minimizing energy usage and valve wear by leveraging the second valve's assistance during extreme temperature fluctuations, ensuring the system operates effectively within a narrow range of valve openings.
Implementation Method 1
a first fluid (e.g. a heating or cooling fluid) is circulated through a first inlet line and first outlet line connected to some exchange of heat, such as for some domestic use like heating tapping water
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relate to a heating and/or cooling system with a fluid circuit including a fluid inlet line and fluid outlet line connected to a heat exchanger, a temperature sensor measuring a fluid temperature T, wherein the fluid inlet or outlet line includes a first valve and a second valve positioned in respectively a first and second parallel sub-lines forming a split section, and where the first and second valves are controlled according to input from a controller and operating with first V1 and second V2 valve openings respectively, where said controller is adapted to operate according to maintain said measured fluid temperature T to be within a normal temperature span, defined as a minimum temperature T1min and a maximum temperature T1max, by changing settings of said first and second valves, where the controller is adapted to change the valve opening V1 of the first valve in response to the measured temperature T, and to change the valve opening V2 of the second valve in response to the first valve opening V1 gets above a maximum opening V1max or below a minimum opening V1min. The present invention further relates to the method operating such valves.