Pump device, service water system, method for operating the service water system and self-learning method for the pump device in the service water system
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing service water systems lack a simple and convenient method to detect water draw-off events and adapt pump operation accordingly, leading to inefficient hot water recirculation and potential cooling of hot water lines.
Innovation Solution
A pump device with a check valve and bypass line, integrated sensor and evaluation device, which detects temperature changes and flow rate variations to determine user patterns, allowing for self-learning control of the feed pump operation without external sensors, ensuring efficient recirculation and minimizing cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a circulation pump is used to recirculate hot water continuously, then hot water temperature is maintained in the lines, but energy consumption increases and the system lacks adaptability to actual user needs
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation pump's operation is made dynamic by enabling it to switch between continuous circulation mode and demand-responsive mode. The pump adapts its operation based on detected water draw-off events, transitioning from a static continuous operation to a dynamic state that responds to actual system needs, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining temperature when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by using sensors to detect water draw-off events and flow conditions, then using this information to control the circulation pump's operation. The evaluation device processes sensor signals to determine when recirculation is actually needed, creating a closed-loop control system that adjusts pump operation based on real-time system state, eliminating the need for continuous energy-consuming circulation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If external sensors are installed to detect water draw-off events, then system adaptability improves, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation pump is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the primary circulation device and an integrated detection system. The pump incorporates flow sensors and evaluation devices that allow it to detect water draw-off events and control its own operation, eliminating the need for separate external sensors and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection and control functions are merged into the circulation pump itself rather than being implemented as separate external components. The evaluation device and sensors are integrated with the pump, combining multiple functions into a single unit, thereby reducing device complexity and installation requirements while maintaining the ability to adapt to user patterns.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the pump operates continuously to prevent hot water cooling, then temperature stability is maintained, but the system loses convenience and user-pattern adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting water draw-off events in advance and activating the circulation pump proactively before the user actually needs hot water. The evaluation device analyzes sensor data to predict when hot water will be required, allowing the pump to maintain temperature stability only when necessary, thereby improving convenience by reducing unnecessary operation while preventing temperature drops when actually needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation system serves itself by using integrated sensors and evaluation devices within the pump to automatically detect water draw-off events and control its own operation. The pump monitors its own operational state and the system's temperature conditions, making autonomous decisions about when to circulate hot water, thereby achieving both temperature stability and convenience without requiring external control systems.
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 effectively detects water draw-off events and adapts pump operation to maintain hot water temperature, reducing energy consumption and ensuring comfortable operation by optimizing recirculation based on user patterns, thus preventing excessive cooling of hot water lines.
Implementation Method 1
When water is drawn off, the non-return valve prevents hot water from flowing from a hot water supply device through the feed pump at high speed counter to a feed direction of the feed pump
Implementation Method 2
The bypass line ensures that a small amount of warm water can still flow back into the feed pump. This can lead to a temperature change, and in particular a relatively steep temperature change, which can be detected.
Implementation Method 3
A pump device with a check valve and bypass line, integrated sensor and evaluation device, which detects temperature changes and flow rate variations to determine user patterns
Implementation Method 4
A pump device with a check valve and bypass line, integrated sensor and evaluation device, which detects temperature changes and flow rate variations to determine user patterns
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Disclosed is a pump device to be arranged on a recirculation pipe (24) in an industrial water system (10), said pump device comprising a delivery pump (116), a check valve (32) and a bypass pipe (34) for the check valve (32); the bypass pipe (34) is arranged parallel to the check valve (32), and a combination (36) consisting of the check valve (32) and the bypass pipe (34) is arranged in series to the delivery pump (116).