Heating Pump Startup Sequencing for Inrush Current Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heating systems face issues with inrush current surges when multiple pumps start simultaneously, leading to potential failures and increased costs due to the need for high-current-rated components, which can be costly and reduce system reliability.
Innovation Solution
A heating system design that limits simultaneous pump startups by dividing the operation into permitted and prohibited intervals within a predetermined cycle, ensuring only specific pumps operate during permitted intervals, thereby controlling inrush currents and avoiding the need for high-current-rated components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If multiple pumps are started simultaneously to meet heating demands, then the heating system can respond quickly to temperature requirements, but the inrush current exceeds the allowable current causing component failures and requiring expensive high-current-rated components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pump startup process by dividing it into multiple startup sequences. Instead of starting all pumps simultaneously, the control unit starts pumps one after another in a predetermined sequence, with each pump starting at a different time. This segmentation of the startup process prevents the simultaneous inrush current from exceeding the allowable current, thereby maintaining system reliability while still meeting heating demands.
2Power
If high-current-rated components are used to handle simultaneous pump startup currents, then the allowable current of the heating system is increased, but the cost of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a dynamic startup control strategy where the startup timing of each pump is dynamically adjusted based on a predetermined sequence. The control unit dynamically manages the startup process by enabling pumps at different times rather than using fixed simultaneous startup, allowing the system to handle pump startup currents with standard current ratings while avoiding the need for expensive high-current-rated components.
3Ease of manufacture
If pumps are started in a staggered sequence to limit inrush current, then the allowable current is not exceeded and cost is reduced, but the time required to start all pumps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by establishing a predetermined startup sequence with specific time intervals between pump startups. The control unit follows a periodic pattern where each pump is started at a predetermined time point in the sequence, creating a rhythmic and organized startup process. This periodic approach ensures that inrush current is always within allowable limits while maintaining efficient overall startup time.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a heating system capable of implementing an inrush current countermeasure without causing an increase in cost. A control means of the heating system repeatedly executes, in a predetermined cycle, a sequence starting operation of the fluid flowing part, the predetermined cycle being divided into a plurality of operation start permitted intervals, and the operation start permitted intervals permitting, among the fluid flowing part, only a specific fluid flowing part determined for each operation start permitted interval, to start operating, and prohibiting the other fluid flowing part other than the specific fluid flowing part from starting to operate.