Thermoactive Building Control Using Bounded Heat Gain Curves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling room temperature in buildings with thermoactive component systems face challenges in achieving desired comfort levels with low energy consumption, particularly due to uncertainties in internal and external heat gains.
Innovation Solution
The method employs an unknown-but-bounded approach, determining known lower and upper limits of heat gains to manage uncertainties, using outside-temperature-compensated flow temperature regulation, and adjusting heating and cooling curves to maintain a comfort band, which includes heating and cooling system control based on the uncertainty level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional temperature control methods are used, then temperature regulation is achieved, but energy consumption increases due to uncertainties in heat gains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating heating and cooling curves based on determined lower and upper bounds of heat gains during a construction phase. These pre-calculated curves enable the control system to anticipate temperature variations and adjust the thermoactive component systems proactively, rather than reactively responding to temperature deviations, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliable temperature regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by varying the flow temperature through the thermoactive component systems according to pre-calculated heating and cooling curves. The control system adjusts the flow temperature parameter dynamically based on the uncertain-but-bounded heat gains, enabling efficient energy use while ensuring temperature regulation reliability despite uncertainties in internal and external heat loads.
2Ease of operation
If heating and cooling systems are continuously operated to ensure comfort, then temperature comfort is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by operating heating and cooling systems only when and to the extent necessary to maintain comfort within the specified band. By using pre-calculated curves based on heat gain bounds, the system avoids continuous full-capacity operation, switching systems on or off strategically to maintain comfort while minimizing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service through the automatic control system that uses pre-calculated heating and cooling curves to autonomously determine when heating or cooling is needed. The system self-regulates based on the uncertain-but-bounded heat gains without requiring continuous manual intervention or over-operation, thereby maintaining comfort while reducing energy waste from unnecessary system operation.
3Loss of energy
If precise knowledge of heat gains is assumed for control optimization, then energy efficiency improves, but reliability decreases due to uncertainty in actual heat gains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by determining and using both lower and upper bounds of heat gains during the construction phase to create robust heating and cooling curves. This cushioning approach accounts for uncertainties in actual heat gains by preparing control strategies that work across the entire range of possible heat gain values, ensuring both energy efficiency and control reliability without requiring precise knowledge of actual heat gains.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by transitioning from assuming a single precise heat gain value to using bounded parameter ranges (lower and upper bounds). The control system adjusts flow temperature based on these bounded parameters, creating a more reliable and energy-efficient control strategy that acknowledges and accommodates uncertainty in heat gain knowledge rather than relying on potentially inaccurate precise estimates.
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 approach allows for efficient energy use by optimizing heating and cooling operations within defined comfort bands, ensuring effective temperature regulation even with varying uncertainties in heat gains, thereby enhancing energy efficiency and the ability of TABS to cover building heating and cooling loads.
Implementation Method 1
Floors and ceilings made of concrete, for example, are ideal for storing heat or cold
Implementation Method 2
the room temperature is advantageously stabilized by means of pipe registers inserted in floors and ceilings, which are fed with heating or cooling water
Implementation Method 3
Free cooling with air, for example, is also common for cooling TABS, with dry or hybrid recoolers, for example, using the night hours in summer to cool concrete masses
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling and/or regulating room temperature (9r) in a building. The control of the room temperature can be switched between heating, neutral temperature and cooling according to an uncertainty ( qg,ub - qg,lb ) of the internal and external increase of heat, said uncertainty being determined in the construction phase. The uncertainty is determined by a low foreign heating limit (qg,lb) and a high foreign heating limit ( qg,ub ). Said method can be commonly used to control and/ regulate the temperature in rooms or areas, in particular, in buildings which are cooled and heated by means of the building material, for example, via thermoactive component systems.