Temperature Control Device Flow Measurement via Pump Characteristic Curves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature control devices face challenges with wear-free and cost-effective flow measurement, as mechanical flowmeters are prone to wear and expensive ultrasonic or magnetic-inductive meters are sensitive to air and vapor bubbles, while existing pressure transducers do not account for pump wear and temperature-related changes.
Innovation Solution
A temperature control device that stores the pump characteristic curve relating pump pressure to flow rate, using pressure measuring devices to determine flow rate without additional flow meters, and calibrates the curve to account for wear and temperature changes, with optional integration of a second pressure measuring device for pressurized systems and automatic system pressure adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If mechanical flowmeters (impeller or turbine) are used for flow measurement, then flow rate can be measured, but the components are subject to wear and require maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical flowmeters with a measurement system based on pump characteristic curves. Instead of using mechanical impellers or turbines that are subject to wear, the system uses a pressure measuring device combined with stored pump characteristic data to determine flow rate. This substitution eliminates moving parts in the measurement system while maintaining measurement capability through the relationship between pump pressure and flow rate.
2Reliability
If ultrasonic or magnetic-inductive flowmeters are used for wear-free measurement, then no wear occurs, but they are very expensive and sensitive to air and vapor bubbles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a cost-effective approach by using a simple pressure measuring device instead of expensive ultrasonic or magnetic-inductive flowmeters. The pressure sensor combined with pump characteristic curves provides a economical solution that achieves wear-free measurement without the high cost and sensitivity issues of advanced flowmeter technologies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces pump characteristic curves as an intermediary element between pressure measurement and flow rate determination. Instead of directly measuring flow with complex sensors, the system uses the known relationship between pump pressure and flow rate (stored as characteristic curves) to derive flow information from simple pressure measurements, thereby avoiding sensitivity to air and vapor bubbles.
3Measurement precision
If a fixed pump characteristic curve is used for flow measurement, then flow rate can be determined from pressure, but pump wear over time causes inaccurate measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the pump characteristic curve dynamic rather than fixed. The system stores multiple pump characteristic curves corresponding to different wear states of the pump. As the pump ages and wears, the system can select or transition to characteristic curves that reflect the current pump condition, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy over time despite pump degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary calibration to determine the actual pump characteristic curve before using it for flow measurements. By calibrating the pump characteristics in advance and storing the calibrated curve, the system ensures accurate flow determination from the beginning of operation. This preliminary action accounts for any initial variations in pump performance.
4Ease of operation
If pressure measuring device is used without calibration, then flow measurement is simple, but it does not account for temperature-related density changes and pump wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms to maintain measurement accuracy. The system includes calibration routines that allow the pump characteristic curves to be adjusted based on actual performance. Additionally, the system can detect deviations from expected behavior and trigger recalibration, ensuring that temperature-related density changes and pump wear are accounted for while maintaining operational 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
Enables accurate, wear-free, and cost-effective flow measurement, detects pump malfunctions, and adjusts for temperature-related density changes, preventing cavitation and overpressure, thus ensuring reliable operation in pressurized water devices.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure measuring device downstream of the pump
Implementation Method 2
The pump pressure is determined from the flow pressure measured by the pressure measuring device, compared with the pump characteristic curve in the control and evaluation unit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a temperature control device having a pump for delivering a temperature control medium, a pressure measuring device downstream of the pump, a blocking device downstream of the pressure measuring device, and a control and evaluation unit. The temperature control device allows simple, inexpensive and rapid measuring of flow of the temperature control medium flowing in the circuit, wherein wear uncertainties of the pump or system changes are also considered. According to the invention, a pump characteristic curve of the pump of the temperature control device is stored in the control and evaluation unit, representing the relationship between a pump pressure of the temperature control device and a flow quantity of the temperature control medium, and the control and evaluation unit is designed such that the pump characteristic curve can be calibrated. The invention further relates to a method for determining the flow quantity of the temperature control medium in a temperature control device described above.