Pressure-Balanced Heating Circuits for Uniform Room Heat Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid distribution control systems for building temperature regulation face challenges in achieving uniform heat distribution across different-sized rooms due to varying flow resistances, leading to energy inefficiencies and comfort issues, as they rely on temperature-based control methods that are difficult to regulate and prone to errors.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of pressure regulating units in each circuit to maintain a constant pressure difference, independent of circuit length, ensures uniform fluid and heat distribution by balancing pressure drops across all circuits, allowing for individual temperature regulation in each room through actuators, and simplifies system installation and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If flow control valves are adjusted manually during installation to achieve desired flow distribution, then flow distribution can be optimized, but the adjustment process is difficult and prone to errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow distribution adjustmentVSAvoidadjustment process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure regulating units automatically balance the flow distribution by maintaining constant pressure difference across circuits, eliminating the need for manual adjustment of flow control valves. The system self-regulates based on pressure differential, making the adjustment process unnecessary and error-free.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the control parameter from temperature-based control to pressure difference-based control. By regulating pressure difference rather than temperature, the system achieves automatic flow balancing without manual intervention, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If temperature-based control methods are used to regulate floor temperature, then temperature regulation is possible, but the system is difficult to regulate and prone to errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefloor temperature controlVSAvoidregulation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention fundamentally changes the control parameter from temperature to pressure difference. Instead of regulating floor temperature directly through temperature-based control methods, the system maintains constant pressure difference across circuits, which automatically balances flow distribution. This parameter change eliminates regulation difficulties and errors associated with temperature-based control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If circuits of different lengths are used to accommodate different room sizes, then room-specific heating needs are met, but uniform flow distribution becomes difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit length adaptationVSAvoidflow distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure regulating units create equipotential conditions by maintaining constant pressure difference across all circuits regardless of their length. This ensures that each circuit experiences the same driving pressure, automatically balancing the flow distribution and achieving uniform heat distribution across rooms of different sizes without requiring complex adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

4Loss of energy

If non-uniform flow distribution occurs in circuits, then energy losses increase, but achieving uniform distribution requires complex adjustment processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy loss reductionVSAvoidadjustment system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure regulating units automatically maintain constant pressure difference across circuits, enabling the system to self-balance flow distribution without external intervention. This eliminates energy losses from non-uniform distribution while avoiding complex adjustment mechanisms, as the system self-regulates based on pressure differential.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 solution ensures consistent fluid speed and heat distribution across all circuits, enhancing comfort and reducing energy losses by maintaining a uniform pressure difference, allowing for easy adjustment and maintenance, and enabling efficient operation in existing systems.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure regulating unit providing a constant pressure difference over the circuits is disposed in each circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure difference regulation: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 2

A pressure in the circuit acts on the membrane in a closing direction of the valve element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure actuation: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP2557365B1Fluid distribution control system
Publication Date: 2015.05.27 DANFOSS AS
  • EP2557365B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2557365B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2557365B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a fluid distribution control system having at least two temperature control circuits (2, 3, 4). To simplify the installation and for energy optimizing, a pressure regulating unit (18, 19, 20) is disposed in each circuit (2, 3, 4). The pressure regulating units (18, 19, 20) provide a constant pressure difference over the respective circuit (2, 3, 4).