Electronic Valve Control for Linearized Heat Exchanger Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve systems with electronically controlled drive units lack simplicity and flexibility in adjusting characteristic curves, particularly in thermal load conditions, requiring complex mathematical knowledge and design changes to accommodate varying thermal loads in heating/cooling systems.
Innovation Solution
A method for operating a valve with an electronically controlled drive unit that predetermines a non-linear characteristic function, allowing users to specify parameter values or analytical functions to adjust valve opening positions based on target flow rates, enabling selectable and adaptable characteristic curves without requiring extensive mathematical knowledge, using a user-friendly interface for inputting function terms and reference values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a complex mathematical model is used to accurately represent thermal load conditions, then the precision of flow control is improved, but the complexity of the control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the complex non-linear characteristic curve into a linearized representation by changing the parameter space. Instead of working with the original non-linear relationship between valve opening and flow rate, the system applies a linearization transformation that converts the characteristic curve into a form where linear control algorithms can be used, thereby reducing computational complexity while maintaining control precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mathematical computations with simplified linearized equations. By substituting the non-linear mathematical model with a linearized approximation, the system achieves comparable control accuracy with significantly reduced computational burden, allowing standard microcontrollers to implement precise thermal load compensation
2Adaptability or versatility
If the valve tappet design is changed to achieve different characteristic curves, then the adaptability to different thermal loads is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustability to the valve system by enabling runtime modification of the characteristic curve through software parameters. Instead of manufacturing different tappet geometries for different applications, the system allows the characteristic curve to be dynamically adjusted via firmware configuration, making a single valve design adaptable to multiple thermal load conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables characteristic curve adaptation through parameter changes in the control software rather than physical modifications to the valve tappet. By storing multiple characteristic curves in memory and selecting/applying them through software parameters, the system achieves versatility without requiring complex manufacturing processes for different tappet designs
3Device complexity
If a linear valve characteristic is used, then the simplicity of the valve design is improved, but the ability to compensate for thermal loads deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational layer between the simple linear valve and the thermal load compensation requirement. The control unit acts as an intermediary that receives the control demand, applies the linearized characteristic curve calculation, and outputs the appropriate valve opening command, thereby enabling thermal load compensation while maintaining simple valve hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the need for complex mechanical valve designs with a simplified linear valve配合 a computational control approach. By replacing mechanical complexity with mathematical processing in the control unit, the system achieves both simple valve hardware and effective thermal load compensation through the linearized characteristic curve method
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a valve (100) having an electronically controlled drive unit (102), containing the steps: - determining or specifying a nonlinear characteristic curve function (230), which indicates the required relationship between a valve opening position (H) and the flow rate of a fluid through the valve; - storing the characteristic curve function (230) in an electronic control unit (104); - using the characteristic curve function to set the valve opening position of the valve in accordance with a control signal (105) for a setpoint flow rate of the valve, - wherein the characteristic curve function is automatically calculated by means of a parameter value (a), by means of an analytic function or by interpolation with specified supporting values, which are specified by a user of the valve. The method is characterized in that: - the characteristic curve function is an inverse function determined from a characteristic curve (220) for a heat exchanger (110) and from a target function (210); - said characteristic curve (220) indicates the relationship between the heating power or cooling power and the flow rate of a liquid or a gas through the heat exchanger; - the target function indicates the relationship between the heating power or cooling power of the heat exchanger and the valve opening position of the valve; - the target function is preferably linear; and - the characteristic curve for the heat exchanger can preferably be calculated by means of the same parameter value as the specified or determined characteristic curve function.