Radiant Floor and Ceiling Temperature Control Without Dual Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing temperature control systems for buildings are either complex in structure or limited in performance, as they often require separate mixing devices and pump systems for room floors and ceilings, and cannot simultaneously control the temperature of both sections effectively.

Innovation Solution

A temperature control system where all temperature control pipes are charged with a uniform flow temperature, with metering valves adjusting flow quantities based on room temperature sensor readings to meet different cooling or heating requirements, and limit temperature sensors prevent extreme temperatures, allowing for simultaneous control of room floors and ceilings without additional mixing devices or pumps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate mixing devices and pump systems are used for room floor and ceiling temperature control, then independent temperature regulation of each section is achieved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent temperature regulation capabilityVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the previously separate mixing devices and pump systems into a single shared system. One mixing device and one pump serve both the room floor and ceiling temperature control circuits, eliminating redundant components while maintaining independent control capability through separate metering valves for each circuit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single mixing device and pump system perform multiple functions by serving both the floor heating/cooling circuit and the ceiling heating/cooling circuit. The mixing device adjusts flow temperature for the entire system, while metering valves distribute flow to different zones, making the system universally applicable to multiple temperature control requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If a single mixing device and pump system is used for both room floor and ceiling, then system complexity is reduced, but simultaneous temperature control of both sections becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem structureVSAvoidsimultaneous temperature control capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the temperature control system into separate controllable circuits for the floor and ceiling, each with its own metering valve. This allows independent flow regulation for each section while using a shared mixing device and pump, enabling simultaneous temperature control of both sections with a simplified system structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs dynamic flow regulation through metering valves that can independently adjust the flow distribution to floor and ceiling circuits based on real-time temperature requirements. This dynamic control capability allows the single mixing device and pump to adaptively serve multiple temperature control zones simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If cooling capacity is increased to prevent overheating, then temperature control precision improves, but condensation risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control precisionVSAvoidcondensation risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates limit temperature sensors that provide feedback on the actual temperature in temperature-controlled rooms. This feedback mechanism allows the control system to precisely regulate cooling capacity and prevent temperatures from dropping below the dew point, thereby maintaining temperature control precision while avoiding condensation formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system takes preliminary anti-action by using limit temperature sensors to detect approaching dew point conditions before condensation occurs. The control system responds by adjusting the cooling capacity in advance, preventing the harmful condensation effect while maintaining effective temperature control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 simplifies the temperature control system structure, enabling efficient and simultaneous temperature regulation of both room floors and ceilings, while preventing extreme temperatures and condensation risks, thus improving energy efficiency and comfort.

Implementation Method 1

a mixing device (9) divided into a switching unit (9a) and a mixing unit (9b), wherein the mixing unit (9b) mixes the respectively released temperature control fluid with returning temperature control fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMixing:

Implementation Method 2

each of which is assigned a controllable metering valve (20-22) for influencing the room temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow control:

Implementation Method 3

Temperature control systems of the type mentioned at the beginning and operating methods for them are known from DE 200 04 881 U1 DE 100 60 797 C1

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 4

limit temperature sensors (31-33) for measuring an actual limit temperature in the room sections adjacent to these sensors

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Data Source

PatentEP2095028B1Temperature regulation system, and method for cooling-mode and heating-mode operation of such a temperature regulation system
Publication Date: 2011.02.09 REHAU AG & CO
  • EP2095028B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2095028B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2095028B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6

AI summary

A temperature regulation system (1) regulates the internal temperature of at least one room of a building (2). For this purpose, the actual internal temperature and the actual humidity of the room are first detected, and from these values a minimum temperature is calculated in a regulation module (35). Sections of the room adjacent to temperature regulation pipes of the temperature regulation system (1) must not undershoot said minimum temperature. A target supply temperature is specified using the calculated minimum supply temperature for the pipes. A mixing device (9) is controlled to regulate the supply temperature. Metering valves (20, 21, 22) are controlled in such a way that the actual room temperature corresponds to a prespecified target room temperature. If, in the operation of the temperature regulation system (1), a prespecified intervention temperature which is higher than a surface minimum temperature is undershot by a measured actual limit temperature of an excessively temperature regulated limit-temperature section of the room, the temperature regulation of this section of the room is influenced in such a way that this section of the room does not undershoot the surface minimum temperature. This operating method of the temperature regulation system (1) in the cooling operating mode is designed in the same way for the heating operating mode. These operating methods are possible with a system with exactly one mixing device for regulating the supply temperature. The result is a temperature regulation system and an operating method in which at least both a room floor and a room ceiling can be used in the temperature regulation of the room with a temperature regulation system of simpler design compared to that of the prior art.