Underfloor heating diverter/blending valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underfloor heating systems require complex and costly control systems to manage water temperature and flow, especially in mixed systems with radiators, necessitating a simplified solution to reduce component costs and installation complexity.
Innovation Solution
A thermostatic mixing valve system with a mechanical thermostatic element and thermal actuator that adjusts temperature thresholds to control the mixing of hot and return water flows, operated by a pump to maintain a desired supply temperature, allowing for efficient heating circuit management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional water manifolds with integrated TRV heads are used to control water temperature and flow, then temperature regulation is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the thermostatic mixing valve, temperature threshold control, and actuator into a single integrated unit. This merging of previously separate components (manifolds, TRV heads, actuators) into one compact device reduces system complexity while maintaining temperature regulation functionality through the thermostatic element and actuator mechanism.
2Reliability
If traditional water manifolds with integrated TRV heads are used to control water temperature, then temperature control is achieved, but component cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating multiple functions into a single thermostatic mixing valve assembly, the patent reduces the total number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This consolidation lowers component costs while maintaining effective temperature control through the thermostatic element and actuator system.
3Ease of operation
If traditional water manifolds are used for underfloor heating control, then flow control is achieved, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges flow control and temperature regulation functions into a single integrated valve assembly, reducing the number of installation steps and connections required. This simplifies installation while maintaining effective flow and temperature control through the integrated thermostatic element and actuator mechanism.
4Productivity
If a pump is added to circulate outlet flow around the heating circuit, then heating circuit operation is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermostatic mixing valve system is designed to automatically regulate temperature and flow without requiring complex external control systems. The thermostatic element responds automatically to temperature changes, and the actuator self-adjusts the valve position, enabling the system to serve itself and reducing the need for additional control components.
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 simplifies the control of underfloor heating systems by reducing component costs and complexity, enabling effective temperature regulation and flow management, suitable for single-zone applications and mixed heating systems.
Implementation Method 1
a thermostatic element arranged to control the flow of liquid from the first inlet to the outlet to limit the supply temperature to a desired temperature threshold
Implementation Method 2
The actuator is configured to operate the temperature threshold control to switch the temperature threshold between a first temperature threshold corresponding to a desired supply temperature for a heating circuit
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A control system for a heating system, comprising a blending valve configured to be connected to a heat source and a heating circuit conduit. The blending valve is configured to mix a heating water supply with the return flow from the heating circuit and supply the mixed water to the heating circuit. The blending valve has a first temperature threshold corresponding to the desired operating temperature of the heating circuit and a second temperature threshold that is substantially lower than the return temperature. An actuator is provided the switches the blending valve to the first temperature threshold to activate the heating circuit and to the second temperature circuit to deactivate the heating circuit. The actuator is connected to the pump, and operates the pump when activating the heating circuit.