Thermostatic Valve Control Using Peltier-Based Temperature Compensation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Thermostatic elements in valve arrangements for heat exchangers exhibit proportional control behavior, resulting in a permanent control deviation between target and actual temperatures, and traditional motor-driven solutions are slow and costly.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a temperature and/or pressure influencing device that adjusts the thermostatic element's control characteristics based on physical parameters, such as pressure and temperature, to improve control behavior, potentially enabling PI or PID control, using a Peltier element for heating or cooling, and a thermally conductive connection for rapid temperature transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a thermostatic element is used to control the valve, then the response speed is quick, but a permanent control deviation remains between target and actual temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
A temperature and/or pressure influencing device is introduced as an intermediary between the physical parameters and the thermostatic element. This device modifies the control characteristics of the thermostatic element by adjusting its temperature and/or pressure based on control deviation signals, enabling the system to eliminate permanent control deviation while preserving the quick response特性 of the thermostatic element
Solution Approach 2:
The control characteristics of the thermostatic element are changed by dynamically adjusting its temperature and/or pressure parameters. The temperature and/or pressure influencing device alters these parameters in response to control deviation, transforming the proportional control behavior into a more accurate control system that can achieve PI or PID control characteristics
2Measurement precision
If a motor is used to control the valve, then the control accuracy can be improved, but the response speed becomes slow and the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature and/or pressure influencing device serves as an intermediary that enables accurate control without requiring a motor. By modifying the control characteristics of the thermostatic element through temperature and/or pressure adjustments, the system achieves motor-level control accuracy while maintaining the inherent speed advantage of thermostatic elements
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical motor-driven control system is replaced with a thermodynamic control approach. Instead of using mechanical force to adjust the valve, the system uses temperature and/or pressure influences on the thermostatic element to achieve precise control, eliminating the need for motors and their associated complexity and cost
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 reduces control deviations and enhances the stability and responsiveness of the valve control loop, achieving better temperature regulation with reduced residual temperature deviations in heat exchangers, particularly in domestic water heaters.
Implementation Method 1
using a Peltier element for heating or cooling
Implementation Method 2
a thermally conductive connection for rapid temperature transfer
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 2a~5
Figure 6
AI summary
The invention relates to a valve arrangement (1), having a valve (2), which controls a flow of a heat-transfer medium through a heat exchanger arrangement, which comprises a primary side and a secondary side (11), and having a valve actuating device, which comprises a thermostat element (6), which is exposed to a temperature on the secondary side (11) and can be acted on by a temperature- and/or pressure-influencing device (14). The aim of the invention is to achieve good control behavior and fast reaction. For this purpose, the temperature- and/or pressure-influencing device (14) is influenced by a physical variable that can be determined at the valve (2) or the heat exchanger arrangement.