Radiator Cover Vent Control for Room Temperature Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radiators in multi-unit buildings face challenges with temperature control and energy efficiency, particularly due to inconsistent heating and wasteful energy usage, as existing solutions like thermostatic valves and air circulation systems fail to precisely manage heat distribution and often lead to overheating.
Innovation Solution
A radiator system equipped with an insulative cover, temperature sensors, and a variable air circulation system, controlled by a centralized server, which allows for precise temperature management and energy savings by minimizing waste heat through active or passive ventilation and fan operation, and can be retrofitted without altering existing piping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If thermostatic valves are used to control radiator temperature, then temperature control capability is improved, but the system cannot increase heat exchange properties in cold apartments and requires installation, balancing, and calibration in each location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the temperature control function from the radiator system itself and places it in a separate, portable controller unit that can be moved between different locations. This eliminates the need for installing thermostatic valves in each radiator location, as the controller can be temporarily placed in any room to measure temperature and provide control recommendations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a centralized server as an intermediary that receives temperature data from portable controllers, processes the information, and generates control recommendations. This mediator coordinates the operation of multiple radiators across different units without requiring direct installation at each location, simplifying the overall system deployment.
2Reliability
If boiler systems are run conservatively to ensure minimum temperature regulations are met, then compliance with regulations is improved, but energy usage increases as occupants vent hot air outside to prevent overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where portable temperature controllers continuously monitor room temperatures and communicate this data to a centralized server. The server uses this feedback to dynamically adjust radiator control recommendations, ensuring minimum temperature compliance while preventing overheating. This real-time feedback eliminates the need for conservative boiler operation and prevents energy-wasting venting behavior.
3Productivity
If fans are used to circulate air around radiators to increase heat exchange properties, then heating efficiency in individual spaces is improved, but the system does not deal with overheating and requires additional equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the radiator control system dynamic by using portable controllers that can be moved to different locations based on heating needs. The centralized server dynamically adjusts control recommendations based on real-time temperature data from multiple units, enabling the system to adapt to varying heating and overheating conditions without requiring fixed installation or additional equipment like fans.
4Ease of operation
If TRVs are installed in each location to control heating, then individual space temperature control is improved, but reliability and maintenance issues arise with relatively short lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service approach where portable temperature controllers are simple devices that can be easily moved and reset by occupants without requiring professional installation or maintenance. The complex processing and coordination functions are handled by the centralized server, allowing the individual units to remain simple and reliable while providing sophisticated temperature control capabilities.
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 enables efficient temperature control in individual units, reducing energy consumption and costs by optimizing heating and cooling, while providing feedback for building-wide energy management and integrating with low-power systems like memory-shape materials or thermo-electric generators.
Implementation Method 1
A radiator fitted with an insulative cover... one or more temperature sensors, a variable air circulation system, and control system can precisely control the temperature
Implementation Method 2
Temperature sensing can be performed using one or more sensors placed in specific locations around the unit
Implementation Method 3
Variable air circulation can include active air handling by operating fans... These examples make use of fans and motors to circulate air around a radiator, effectively increasing the heat exchange properties
Implementation Method 4
steam and hot-water-heated apartment buildings... a heat exchanger and a cover with an adjustable deflector element
Implementation Method 5
GB 759 049, which is the closest prior art, discloses an electric space heater that contains removable electric heating units that extend through heat storage bodies
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 2
AI summary
An insulated heating-unit cover having an opening to permit air to circulate around the heating-source when a vent disposed at the top of the cover is opened, allowing heat into a space. The cover can include a heating-unit temperature sensor disposed within a space covered by the cover and a controller in wireless communication with a space temperature sensor located at a distance away from the heating-unit. The controller can be configured to operate an actuator such that the vent is open when the space temperature sensor indicates that the ambient temperature is below a set point temperature and such that the vent is closed when the ambient temperature is greater than the set point temperature. The controller can communicate with a plurality of other similar controllers and a central server to effect changes in the output of a central heating source coupled to a plurality of individual heating-units.