Water Circuit Refill Control Using Temperature-Based Pressure Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water filling and refilling systems in heating or cooling circuits face issues with overpressure damaging system components and underpressure leading to corrosion and air ingress, due to fixed pressure limits that do not account for temperature changes.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using temperature sensors to dynamically adjust pressure limit values in a water circuit, ensuring optimal filling and pressure conditions by defining these limits as a function of current water temperature, preventing overpressure and underpressure through a control unit that manages the shut-off valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed pressure limits are used to control water filling and refilling, then the system is simple to operate, but overpressure damages system components and underpressure causes corrosion and air ingress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from fixed pressure limits to dynamic pressure limits that automatically adjust according to water temperature. The control unit modifies the first and second pressure limit values based on temperature sensor readings, allowing the pressure control system to adapt to thermal expansion and contraction of water in the heating circuit. This resolves the contradiction by making the pressure control responsive to temperature changes, preventing both overpressure and underpressure conditions while maintaining system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying the pressure limit values as a function of temperature. The control unit receives temperature signals and accordingly adjusts the pressure thresholds for opening and closing the filling valve. This dynamic parameter adjustment ensures that pressure limits change with temperature conditions, preventing component damage from overpressure and corrosion from underpressure, thereby improving reliability without requiring complex additional hardware.
2Ease of operation
If pressure limits are kept constant, then the control system is simple, but too much water is topped up during temperature drops causing overpressure later
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the pressure limits dynamic rather than static. The control unit automatically adjusts the pressure thresholds based on real-time temperature measurements, ensuring that water topping up is appropriate for current thermal conditions. This prevents the problem of excessive water addition during temperature drops that would later cause overpressure, while maintaining ease of operation through automatic control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using temperature sensors to monitor water temperature and feeding this information back to the control unit, which then adjusts the pressure limits accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that the pressure control system responds appropriately to temperature changes, preventing both overpressure and underpressure conditions while maintaining reliable automatic water topping up operation.
3Device complexity
If pressure limits are kept constant, then the control logic is simple, but negative pressure creates air ingress and corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by adjusting the pressure limit values dynamically based on temperature conditions. The control unit modifies both the first pressure limit (for opening the filling valve) and the second pressure limit (for closing the filling valve) according to temperature sensor readings. This dynamic adjustment prevents negative pressure conditions that would cause air ingress and corrosion, while keeping the control logic relatively simple through automated temperature-based adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying the pressure threshold parameters as a function of temperature. The control unit receives temperature signals and accordingly modifies the pressure limits to prevent negative pressure conditions. This parameter adaptation ensures that the filling control remains effective across different temperature conditions, preventing corrosion and air ingress without requiring complex control logic.
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 ensures energy-saving operation by maintaining optimal pressure and preventing damage to components, corrosion, and air ingress, while adjusting for temperature changes to avoid over or underfilling, thus ensuring stable circuit operation.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure in the water circuit being measured by means of a pressure sensor
Implementation Method 2
a current water temperature of the water in the water circuit is detected by means of a first temperature sensor
Implementation Method 3
the pressure in the water circuit is low at the lowered temperature... If the temperature rises later, overpressure can occur in the heating circuit
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for filling and refilling water in a water circuit (2) which is supplied with water from a water supply system, in particular in a heating or cooling circuit, a shut-off valve (11) being arranged between the water circuit (2) and the water supply system, through which water can enter the water circuit (2) in the open state, the pressure (p) in the water circuit being measured by means of a pressure sensor (14), the shut-off valve (11) depending on the pressure (1) prevailing in the water circuit (2). p) is controlled in such a way that the shut-off valve (11) opens when the pressure (p) in the water circuit (2) falls below a first limit value (pGW1) and that the shut-off valve (11) closes when the pressure (p) exceeds a second limit value (pGW2) exceeds the second limit (pGW2) is greater than the first limit (pGW1), is characterized in that a current water temperature (T1, T1VL, T1RL) of the water in Water circuit (2) is detected by a first temperature sensor (15) and transmitted to a control unit (12), and that the limit values (pGW1, pGW2) for the pressure (p) as a function of the determined water temperature (T1, T1VL, T1RL) be determined. In this way, both damage to system components due to excess pressure and corrosion due to negative pressure after temporary temperature drops in the water circuit can be avoided.