Radiator Heat Cost Allocation Without a Separate Flow Meter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heat cost allocators require installation of a flow meter to measure volume flow, which is complex and expensive, and need parameterization with radiator-specific data, making them error-prone and time-consuming to set up, especially when radiator type or manufacturer information is unknown.
Innovation Solution
A heat cost allocator with a radiator control valve that uses a known operating characteristic to calculate heat output based on valve lift position, flow temperature, and return temperature, eliminating the need for flow meter installation and radiator-specific parameterization by using a differential pressure controller to maintain constant differential pressure across the valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a flow meter is installed to measure the volume flow of the heat transfer medium, then the measurement precision of heat consumption is improved, but the device complexity and installation cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the flow measurement function from a separate flow meter and integrates it into the radiator control valve through a differential pressure sensor. This eliminates the need for a dedicated flow meter while maintaining the ability to determine volume flow based on differential pressure measurements across the valve
Solution Approach 2:
The radiator control valve is designed to serve multiple functions: it controls the heat output by adjusting valve lift position and simultaneously measures differential pressure to determine volume flow. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate measurement devices and reduces overall system complexity
2Measurement precision
If radiator-specific parameterization is required for accurate heat output calculation, then the measurement precision is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to error-prone installation and specialized training requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-identification by automatically detecting radiator type and manufacturer information through stored identification data. This eliminates the need for manual parameterization by installers, making the system user-friendly while maintaining accurate heat output calculations specific to each radiator type
Solution Approach 2:
Radiator-specific parameters and identification data are pre-stored in the heat cost allocator before installation. This preliminary preparation allows the system to automatically configure itself upon installation without requiring manual input or specialized knowledge from the installer
3Device complexity
If the operating characteristic of the radiator control valve is used to determine volume flow, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision may be affected by differential pressure variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously measures the differential pressure across the radiator control valve and uses this feedback to dynamically determine the volume flow based on the operating characteristic. This real-time feedback mechanism allows accurate flow determination despite varying differential pressure conditions while maintaining system simplicity
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 allows for independent distribution of heating costs without relying on radiator properties, simplifying installation and operation, reducing errors, and eliminating the need for specialized training or manufacturer data, while ensuring accurate heat output calculation.
Implementation Method 1
a differential pressure controller to maintain constant differential pressure across the radiator control valve
Implementation Method 2
a flow temperature sensor for measuring the flow temperature of a heat transfer medium
Implementation Method 3
a radiator temperature sensor for measuring a radiator temperature, such as in particular a return temperature and/or a radiator surface temperature
Implementation Method 4
The heat output ΔQ per unit time Δt results from using the logarithmic excess temperature Δlog
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 1c
AI summary
A heat cost allocator and a method for recording the amount of heat (ΔQ) given off by a radiator (3) with a flow temperature sensor (5) for measuring the flow temperature (ϑVL) of a heat transfer medium, with a radiator temperature sensor (7, 107) for measuring a radiator temperature ( ϑRL, ϑHK) and described with a computing unit (10), which is set up to determine the amount of heat released (ΔQ). It is provided that the heat cost allocator (1) has a radiator control valve (11) with a known and optionally presettable operating characteristic for the relationship between the valve lift position (h) and the volume flow (V) at a known differential pressure (Δp) of the heat transfer medium via the radiator control valve ( 11), wherein the differential pressure (Δp) across the radiator control valve (11) is known at the operating point, that the heat cost allocator (1) has a device for determining the valve lift position (h) of the radiator control valve (11) and that the computing unit (10) of the heat cost allocator (1) is set up to calculate the heat output (ΔQ) from the valve lift position (h), flow temperature (ϑVL) and radiator temperature (ϑRL, ϑHK) using the operating characteristic of the radiator control valve (11) for the known differential pressure (Δp). to calculate.