Circulation Pump Unit With Integrated Temperature Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solar thermal systems face errors during assembly and operation due to complex connections of temperature sensors, and they require multiple sensors to determine the temperature of a liquid reservoir, which complicates the system and increases susceptibility to errors.
Innovation Solution
A circulating pump unit with an integrated control device and internal temperature sensor that regulates the speed of the electric drive motor based on temperature signals from both internal and external sensors, eliminating the need for additional external temperature sensors on the liquid reservoir and simplifying the system's structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors are connected to a control device, then the temperature measurement capability is improved, but the assembly complexity and error susceptibility increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple temperature sensing functions into a single integrated temperature sensor assembly that is pre-connected to the control device. This merging of sensing and control components eliminates the need for separate sensor connections during assembly, reducing complexity while maintaining the capability to measure multiple temperature points for accurate temperature determination of the liquid reservoir.
2Measurement precision
If temperature sensors are connected during assembly, then the system can determine temperature, but the operation reliability decreases due to connection errors
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is pre-connected to the control device during manufacturing before the product reaches the customer. This preliminary action of establishing connections during production rather than during customer assembly eliminates the risk of assembly errors and ensures reliable operation throughout the product's lifetime, while still enabling accurate temperature determination of the liquid reservoir.
3Measurement precision
If external temperature sensors are installed on the liquid reservoir, then the temperature measurement is possible, but the system structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the control unit and as the integration point for temperature sensing. By making the control device universal - capable of both control operations and temperature measurement through the integrated sensor - the patent eliminates the need for separate external temperature sensors on the liquid reservoir, thereby simplifying the overall system structure while maintaining temperature measurement capability.
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 configuration reduces installation complexity, increases reliability, and allows for accurate temperature determination of the liquid reservoir without external sensors, enhancing the system's operational stability and reducing the risk of incorrect connections.
Implementation Method 1
The temperature sensor can be arranged in such a way that it comes into direct contact with the medium to be pumped, but can also be connected in a thermally conductive manner to a wall defining the flow path through the pump housing
Implementation Method 2
The temperature sensor can particularly preferably be an infrared sensor which is arranged on the circulating pump unit and measures the surface temperature of a wall of the pump housing which is in contact with the medium to be pumped
Implementation Method 3
The circulating pump unit has an electric drive motor and a control device, preferably for controlling or regulating this electric drive motor
Implementation Method 4
The electric drive motor drives at least one impeller of a centrifugal pump in a known manner
Implementation Method 5
The solar collector is connected to a heat exchanger arranged in or on the water tank via a heating circuit
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a circulating pump assembly (2) with an electric drive motor (6) and a control device (10), with at least one internal temperature sensor (16) being arranged in the circulating pump assembly (2) which measures the temperature of the pumped liquid from the circulating pump assembly (6). Medium detected and outputs a corresponding temperature signal (42) to the control device (10), and a solar thermal system with such a circulation pump unit.