Radiant Heating and Cooling Valve Control for Hydraulic Balancing
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating and cooling systems face challenges in maintaining hydraulic balance, especially during regular operation, due to the use of 2-point drives and inadequate planning documents, leading to comfort losses and increased energy consumption from oversupply or undersupply of heating medium.
Innovation Solution
A method that iteratively adjusts the degree of opening for each valve in the heating and cooling circuits to maintain a minimum and maximum flow rate, using motor-actuated valves with continuously adjustable positions, allowing for dynamic hydraulic balancing and correction based on system load and temperature control requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If 2-point drives are used for valve control, then the system structure is simpler, but the hydraulic balancing cannot adapt to changes in system load and design deviations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static 2-point drives to dynamic motor-actuated valves with continuously adjustable opening degrees. The control method dynamically adjusts valve positions based on measured flow rates and system conditions, enabling the system to adapt to varying loads and correct hydraulic imbalances that occur during part-load operation or after system modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where flow rates in heating circuits are measured and used to adjust valve opening degrees. The controller compares measured flow rates with target values and modifies valve positions accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that continuously maintains optimal hydraulic balance despite changes in system conditions.
2Device complexity
If static valve setting is used for hydraulic balancing, then the device complexity is lower, but the flow rate cannot be maintained at desired values during part-load operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces static valve settings with dynamic valve control where opening degrees are continuously adjusted based on measured flow rates. Motor-actuated valves can change their position in response to varying system conditions, ensuring that desired flow rates are maintained during part-load operation and after system modifications without requiring complex additional hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The control method enables the hydraulic balancing system to self-adjust and correct imbalances automatically. By measuring actual flow rates and comparing them with target values, the system autonomously modifies valve positions to maintain optimal flow distribution, eliminating the need for manual rebalancing after system changes or load variations.
3Reliability
If flow controllers are used to limit heating medium flow, then the flow rate can be kept constant, but the system cannot react to changes in system configuration or design deviations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control where flow rates are continuously measured and used to adjust valve positions. This closed-loop approach allows the system to maintain desired flow rates while simultaneously adapting to system changes, as the controller receives real-time information about actual flow conditions and modifies valve openings accordingly to compensate for any deviations caused by system modifications or design variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from fixed valve positions to dynamically adjustable opening degrees. By controlling the valve opening degree as a variable parameter rather than a fixed setting, the system can adapt flow rates to match actual system conditions and requirements, enabling response to system changes while maintaining flow constancy through continuous adjustment.
4Adaptability or versatility
If motor-actuated valves with continuous adjustment are used, then the hydraulic balancing can adapt to system changes, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the valve actuators multi-functional by enabling them to perform both room temperature control functions and hydraulic balancing functions. The same motor-actuated valves used for regulating flow based on temperature requirements also serve for maintaining optimal hydraulic balance through flow rate measurement and adjustment, eliminating the need for separate balancing mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control method enables the valve system to perform self-balancing without requiring external intervention or complex additional hardware. The system automatically measures flow rates, compares them with target values, and adjusts valve positions accordingly, making the valves self-sufficient for both temperature control and hydraulic balancing tasks.
5Ease of manufacture
If inadequate hydraulic balancing is performed, then the system is easier to commission, but comfort is reduced and energy consumption increases due to oversupply or undersupply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control where flow rates are measured and used to adjust valve positions for optimal energy efficiency. By continuously monitoring actual flow conditions and comparing them with target values, the system automatically corrects hydraulic imbalances that would otherwise lead to oversupply or undersupply, thereby reducing energy consumption without requiring complex commissioning procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The control method enables the system to perform self-balancing during operation, automatically correcting hydraulic imbalances without requiring professional commissioning or manual intervention. The system measures flow rates, identifies imbalances, and adjusts valve positions autonomously, making energy-efficient operation achievable through simple commissioning while maintaining optimal performance through automatic self-correction.
Data Source
AI summary
This method is used to perform hydraulic balancing of a heating and/or cooling system operated by a temperature control medium, for example, in a building, and in particular a radiant heating and/or cooling system. The heating and/or cooling system has a supply line, a return line, and several heating and/or cooling circuits, each connected to the supply and return lines. Each heating and/or cooling circuit has a motorized valve whose opening degree is continuously or quasi-continuously adjustable between fully closed and fully open. The basic principle of the method is: - Determining the minimum opening at low system load - Storing these opening degrees - Determining whether this minimum opening found for each circuit is still sufficient at maximum system load - If necessary,Correcting the minimum opening of one circuit or reducing the maximum opening of all other circuits - Correcting the found minimum and maximum values based on the results of the room temperature control.