Radiator Volume Flow Control for Automatic Hydraulic Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hot water heating systems face inefficiencies due to uneven energy distribution among radiators, leading to higher energy consumption, noise, and poor controllability, as radiators farther from the pump receive insufficient heating, and hydraulic balancing is often poorly executed due to complex data requirements and measurements.
Innovation Solution
A method using a thermocyclic control method to determine and set equal specific energy supplies for each radiator by calculating volume flows based on the ratio of pulse durations to pause durations, allowing for automatic hydraulic balancing without laborious data determinations, utilizing a central evaluation and control unit to adjust valve settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a more powerful pump is installed and flow temperature is increased to supply distant radiators, then heating coverage is improved, but energy consumption increases and flow noise becomes disturbing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by determining individual volume flow values for each heat transfer device based on its specific heating requirements and distance from the pump. Each radiator receives a customized flow rate rather than a uniform distribution, optimizing energy supply locally to each zone while maintaining overall system efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by using a learning control method that continuously adapts the volume flow settings. The control device learns from temperature measurements and automatically adjusts the volume flow values for each radiator over time, enabling the system to dynamically optimize energy distribution without manual intervention.
2Use of energy by moving object
If hydraulic balancing is performed with precise data determination and calculations, then energy distribution is optimized, but the adjustment process becomes complex and laborious
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by implementing an automatic learning control method where the control device determines optimal volume flow values independently. The system learns from temperature measurements and automatically adjusts settings without requiring manual hydraulic balancing by specialists, thereby simplifying the adjustment process while maintaining optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously measuring temperatures at heat transfer devices and using this information to adjust volume flow settings. The control device learns from the system's response to previous adjustments and refines volume flow values iteratively, enabling automatic optimization without complex manual calculations.
3Temperature
If volume flows are increased to meet heating demand, then temperature control is improved, but flow noise becomes disturbing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by determining specific volume flow values for each heat transfer device based on its individual heating requirements. This localized optimization ensures that each radiator receives only the necessary flow rate, avoiding excessive flow and associated noise while maintaining precise temperature control at each location.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
A method for setting a temperature control device, in particular a hot water heating system, with a plurality of heat transfer devices through which a heating or coolant flows, comprises the following steps: - Determining a heating or coolant volume flow value for each heat transfer device with the specification that each object to be temperature-controlled is the same should experience specific energy supply; and - setting the volume flows to the determined values. A device for carrying out this method comprises: - a temperature control device, with - a heat source (12) or heat sink, and - a plurality of heat transfer devices (16) through which a heating or coolant flows, with a valve (22) for each heat transfer device (16) or a throttling device is provided which influences the inflow of the heating or cooling medium; and - a central evaluation and control unit (24) with the aid of which the valves (22) or throttle devices are set to the determined volume flow values.