Method and apparatus for controlling the circulation of heat transfer fluid for thermal conditioning systems for spaces

• US 5,485,953 A
• Filed: 01/26/1995
• Issued: 01/23/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: HVAC Modulation Technologies LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Gas Research Institute (GTI Energy)
• Inventors: Webster, Thomas L., Russ, Robert M., Bassett, William W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sollecito, John M.
• Application Number:
  US08/378,517
• Time in Patent Office: 362 Days
• Field of Search: 165/22, 236/11, 236/49.3
• US Class Current: 236/49.3
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/00 Control or safety arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/54 using one central controller connected to several sub-controllers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/76 by means responsive to temperature, e.g. bimetal springs
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/77 by controlling the speed of ventilators
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/83 by controlling the supply of heat-exchange fluids to heat-exchangers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature

Abstract

A method and apparatus for controlling the circulation of heat transfer fluid for thermal conditioning systems for spaces, in which the temperatures of several at least partially thermally separate spaces are monitored and averaged, and compared with a predetermined set point temperature, for purposes of controlling the operation of a source of thermal conditioning. In addition, the temperature differentials between the several spaces are also monitored, for purposes of controlling the circulation of the heat transfer fluid. The present invention permits the continued circulation of the heat transfer fluid, even if no heating or cooling is required, for purposes of reducing the temperature differentials between the several spaces.

Claims

1. A method for controlling the circulation of heat transfer fluid for thermal conditioning systems for at least partially thermally separate spaces, in which the thermal conditioning system includes a source of thermal conditioning, and a means for circulating heat transfer fluid from the source of thermal conditioning to the at least partially thermally separate spaces, such that heat may be transferred between the source of thermal conditioning and the heat transfer fluid, and between the heat transfer fluid and the at least partially thermally separate spaces, the method comprising:

sensing the temperature in each of the at least partially thermally separate spaces;

determining, at predetermined intervals of time, a calculated sensed temperature, based upon the temperatures sensed by the sensors;

comparing the calculated sensed temperature against a predetermined range of temperatures; and

,

if the calculated sensed temperature is within the predetermined range, the following steps of

determining the differentials between the sensed temperatures,

comparing the determined temperature differential of the greatest absolute value against a predetermined temperature differential absolute value, and

increasing the flow of the heat transfer fluid if the greatest determined temperature differential value exceeds the predetermined temperature differential value.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

determining whether the calculated sensed temperature is above or below the predetermined range of temperatures, if the calculated sensed temperature is outside the predetermined range of temperatures.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of:

adjusting the rate of operation of the source of thermal conditioning, so as to transfer less heat to, or remove more heat from, the heat transfer fluid, if the calculated sensed temperature is above the predetermined range of temperatures.

4. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of:

adjusting the rate of operation of the source of thermal conditioning, so as to transfer more heat to, or remove less heat from, the heat transfer fluid, if the calculated sensed temperature is below the predetermined range of temperatures.

5. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the steps of:

determining the differentials between the sensed temperatures,

comparing the determined temperature differential of the greatest absolute value against a predetermined temperature differential absolute value, and

increasing the flow of the heat transfer fluid if the greatest determined temperature differential value exceeds the predetermined temperature differential value.

6. The method according to claim 4, further comprising the steps of:

determining the differentials between the sensed temperatures,

comparing the determined temperature differential of the greatest absolute value against a predetermined temperature differential absolute value, and

increasing the flow of the heat transfer fluid if the greatest determined temperature differential value exceeds the predetermined temperature differential value.

7. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the steps of:

determining the differentials between the sensed temperatures,

comparing the determined temperature differential of the greatest absolute value against a predetermined temperature differential absolute value, and

adjusting the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid to a minimum predetermined rate appropriate in relation to the rate of operation of the thermal conditioning means.

8. The method according to claim 4, further comprising the steps of:

determining the differentials between the sensed temperatures,

comparing the determined temperature differential of the greatest absolute value against a predetermined temperature differential absolute value, and

adjusting the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid to a minimum predetermined rate appropriate in relation to the rate of operation of the thermal conditioning means.

9. An apparatus for controlling the circulation of heat transfer fluid in a thermal conditioning systems for at least partially thermally separate spaces, in which the thermal conditioning system includes a source of thermal conditioning, and means for circulating heat transfer fluid from the source of thermal conditioning to the at least partially thermally separate spaces, such that heat may be transferred between the source of thermal conditioning and the heat transfer fluid, and between the heat transfer fluid and the at least partially thermally separate spaces, the apparatus comprising:

means for sensing temperature, operably disposed in each of the at least partially thermally separate spaces;

means for regulating the actuation and speed of operation of the source of thermal conditioning and the means for circulating heat transfer fluid, operably associated with the source of thermal conditioning, the means for circulating heat transfer fluid and the means for sensing temperature;

means for determining, at predetermined intervals of time, calculated sensed temperatures, based upon the temperatures sensed by the sensors;

means for comparing the calculated sensed temperature against a predetermined range of temperatures,

means for determining if the calculated sensed temperature is within the predetermined range, and

means for determining the differentials between the sensed temperatures,

means for comparing the determined temperature differential of the greatest absolute value against a predetermined temperature differential absolute value, and

means for increasing the flow of the heat transfer fluid if the calculated sensed temperature is determined to be within the predetermined range and the greatest determined temperature differential value is determined to exceed the predetermined temperature differential value.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising:

means for determining whether the calculated sensed temperature is above or below the predetermined range of temperatures, if the calculated sensed temperature is outside the predetermined range of temperatures.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising:

means for adjusting the rate of operation of the source of thermal conditioning, so as to transfer less heat to, or remove more heat from, the heat transfer fluid, if the calculated sensed temperature is above the predetermined range of temperatures.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising:

means for adjusting the rate of operation of the source of thermal conditioning, so as to transfer more heat to, or remove less heat from, the heat transfer fluid, if the calculated sensed temperature is below the predetermined range of temperatures.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising:

means for determining the differentials between the sensed temperatures,

means for comparing the determined temperature differential of the greatest absolute value against a predetermined temperature differential absolute;

value, and

means for increasing the flow of the heat transfer fluid if the greatest determined temperature differential value exceeds the predetermined temperature differential value.

14. The apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising:

means for determining the differentials between the sensed temperatures,

means for comparing the determined temperature differential of the greatest absolute value against a predetermined temperature differential absolute value, and

means for increasing the flow of the heat transfer fluid if the greatest determining temperature differential value exceeds the predetermined temperature differential value.

15. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising:

means for determining the differentials between the sensed temperatures,

means for comparing the determined temperature differential of the greatest absolute value against a predetermined temperature differential absolute value, and

means for adjusting the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid to a minimum predetermined rate appropriate in relation to the rate of operation of the thermal conditioning means.

16. The apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising:

means for determining the differentials between the sensed temperatures,

means for comparing the determined temperature differential of the greatest absolute value against a predetermined temperature differential absolute value, and

means for adjusting the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid to a minimum predetermined rate appropriate in relation to the rate of operation of the thermal conditioning means.