Variable Flow Heating Control for Room Load and Cavitation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating systems fail to efficiently control constant flow based on heating loads for individual rooms, leading to increased fuel costs and noise due to cavitation, as they do not properly account for varying heating loads and room conditions.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a controller that adjusts the total constant flow by determining the optimum flow value for each room based on heating loads, using a variable flow valve and driver system to reduce flow proportionally when rooms are unheated, thereby optimizing heating efficiency and reducing noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the total constant flow is set when the constant flow valve is installed, then the constant flow can be maintained, but the flow cannot be re-set to change the total constant flow, causing excessive flow to pass through the water returning pipe when rooms are closed, increasing flow velocity and reducing heating efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing the static constant flow valve with a variable flow valve that can dynamically adjust the total constant flow based on the number of open drivers. The controller receives signals from drivers and automatically modifies the flow setting, transforming the system from a fixed to a dynamic configuration that adapts to changing heating requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by having the controller monitor the status of drivers in each room and use this information to automatically adjust the variable flow valve. The system continuously receives feedback about which rooms are being heated and modifies the total flow accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains optimal flow conditions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the total constant flow is not reduced when rooms are closed, then the flow continues to pass through the water returning pipe, but the flow velocity increases causing cavitation and water hammering noise
Solution Approach 1:
The controller receives feedback from drivers about room heating status and automatically adjusts the variable flow valve to maintain optimal flow velocity. This feedback mechanism prevents cavitation and water hammering by ensuring the flow is reduced when fewer rooms are being heated, eliminating the harmful noise while maintaining heating efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting when rooms are closed through driver signals and autonomously adjusting the total flow without requiring manual intervention. The controller and variable flow valve work together to self-regulate the system, preventing cavitation and maintaining optimal heating conditions dynamically.
3Productivity
If more flow than the setting flow passes through the water returning pipe when rooms are closed, then the flow velocity is great, but sufficient heat exchange does not occur between the room and fluid, decreasing heating efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The variable flow valve dynamically adjusts the total constant flow based on the actual heating demand indicated by open drivers. This dynamic adjustment ensures that the flow velocity remains within the optimal range for heat exchange, preventing energy waste while maintaining heating efficiency. The system adapts flow conditions to match the number of actively heated rooms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the flow parameter dynamically by using the variable flow valve to modify the total constant flow setting based on driver status. This parameter change ensures that the flow velocity and flow rate are optimized for heat exchange efficiency, preventing both excessive flow that causes cavitation and insufficient flow that reduces heating effectiveness.
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 effectively reduces fuel costs and eliminates noise from cavitation by ensuring the correct flow is maintained for each room, optimizing heating efficiency and meeting design criteria.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of warm water ducts (4) which are communicated with the supply tube (2) and are branched to each room respectively, and allow the latent heat of the warm water to be heat-exchanged with the corresponding room
Implementation Method 2
a cavitation (cavity phenomenon) occurs to induce a water hammering phenomenon in which when a fluid flows, the fluid hammers an inner side of the pipe, thereby to make a noise
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is an apparatus for automatically controlling a constant flow by considering a heating load in which a necessary request heat amount necessary for optimum heating is calculated by considering a heating load per room to find a optimum flow in proportion to the heat amount and reduce a total constant flow of the household by the optimum flow corresponding to the heating-stopped room, and thereby to save fuel cost in proportion to the heating-stopped flow and decrease tube noise due to cavitation.