Control means for a valve arrangement, valve arrangement, and method for monitoring temperatures with a control means for a valve arrangement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing temperature estimation methods for valve arrangements lack accuracy due to influences from radiant heat and ambient temperature, affecting the readings of first and second temperature sensors.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a third temperature sensor with a distinct distance from the valve coupling zone to measure an intermediate temperature, which helps in calculating a more accurate temperature estimate by compensating for unwanted influences on the first and second temperature sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If only two temperature sensors are used for temperature estimation, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision of ambient and fluid temperature is insufficient due to influences from radiant heat and ambient temperature

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature estimation accuracyVSAvoidnumber of temperature sensors
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The third temperature sensor acts as an intermediary measurement point between the first temperature sensor (exposed to radiant heat) and the second temperature sensor (exposed to ambient temperature). By measuring the intermediate temperature at an intermediate distance from the valve coupling zone, it provides a reference value that enables compensation calculations to eliminate the effects of radiant heat and ambient temperature influences, thereby improving temperature estimation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If the first temperature sensor is placed close to the valve coupling zone to measure fluid temperature, then the response time is fast, but the measurement is influenced by radiant heat from the heater radiator

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature response speedVSAvoidradiant heat influence
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from the third temperature sensor (measuring intermediate temperature) and the second temperature sensor (measuring ambient temperature) to compensate for the radiant heat influence on the first temperature sensor. The control unit calculates the actual fluid temperature by combining measurements from all three sensors, where the third sensor provides feedback about the temperature gradient and helps eliminate the harmful radiant heat effect from the first sensor's reading.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

The third temperature sensor enhances the accuracy of ambient and fluid temperature estimation, allowing for precise temperature calculations and reducing errors caused by radiant heat and ambient temperature influences.

Implementation Method 1

the first temperature sensor may be influenced, for example, by radiant heat of a radiator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadiant heat: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

the second temperature sensor may be influenced by an ambient temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAmbient temperature influence:

Implementation Method 3

The third temperature sensor is arranged to measure an intermediate temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIntermediate temperature measurement:

Data Source

PatentEP3246782B1Control means for a valve arrangement, valve arrangement, and method for monitoring temperatures with a control means for a valve arrangement
Publication Date: 2021.02.24 DANFOSS AS
  • EP3246782B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3246782B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3246782B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a control means (1) for a valve arrangement, the control means (1) comprising a valve coupling zone (2), a first temperature sensor (7) having a first distance with respect to the valve coupling zone (2), and a second temperature sensor (8) having a second distance with respect to the valve coupling zone (2), the second distance being different from the first distance. According to the invention, the control means (1) is provided with a third temperature sensor (9), the third temperature sensor (9) having a third distance with respect to the valve coupling zone (2), the third distance being different from the first distance and from the second distance. Furthermore, the invention relates to a valve arrangement with the control means (1) and a method for monitoring temperatures with the control means (1). The invention allows to estimate a room temperature and a fluid temperature with a good accuracy.