BE1028507B1 - CLIMATE CONTROL - Google Patents

Abstract

Climate device (1) comprising a first water reservoir (2) and a heat pump (3) with a heat exchanger (4) arranged in the first water reservoir (2) and comprising a supply for supplying rainwater, wherein the climate device (1) comprises a second water reservoir (6) and a control system (7), the control system (7) being provided for measuring and/or receiving parameters, said parameters comprising at least the temperature of the water present in the first water reservoir (2), and one or several parameters related to the weather conditions and wherein the supply comprises a first branch (8) for supplying collected rainwater to the first water reservoir (2), a second branch (9) for supplying collected rainwater to the second water reservoir ( 6) and wherein the air-conditioning device (1) comprises at least one regulating means (11) for regulating the flow of rainwater in said branches (8, and this in function of mi at least one of the parameters mentioned.

Description

CLIMATE CONTROL

This invention relates to a climate device for controlling the temperature in one or more spaces, comprising a first water reservoir and a heat pump with a heat exchanger arranged in the first water reservoir for extracting or supplying energy from the water present in the first water reservoir and comprising a supply for supplying collected rainwater to the first water reservoir.

Such air-conditioning devices exist in many embodiments.

Usually such a climate device comprises an underground water reservoir, this water reservoir being (partially) fed by rainwater.

This water reservoir may or may not be additionally used for the recovery of rainwater, whereby the rainwater is then used in the household, for example for flushing toilets and/or cleaning cars, terraces and the like and/or for watering plants.

Such an underground water reservoir is referred to as a heat sink.

The water present in such a heat sink will almost always have a positive and relatively high temperature, wherein the temperature of this water fluctuates little if the volume of the water reservoir is well adapted to the amount of desired cooling/heating.

For example, the average temperature of the water in such a heat sink in Western Europe is between 10 °C and 14 °C.

When it is desired to heat rooms with the energy of the water present in the heat sink, energy is extracted from this water and this with the aid of the heat pump, causing the temperature of the water to decrease.

When it is desired to cool rooms with the water present in the heat sink, energy is added to this water with the help of the heat pump, which increases the temperature of the water.

In order to counteract excessive fluctuations in temperature, a water reservoir with a sufficiently large volume is provided.

The disadvantage is therefore that water reservoirs with a sufficiently large volume must always be provided in order to provide optimum cooling and/or heating of spaces.

If you also wish to use the water in the water reservoir in the household, an additional volume must be provided so that the water reservoir is always sufficiently filled with water.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a climate device which does not have the above-mentioned drawbacks.

This object is achieved by providing a climate device for controlling the temperature in one or more spaces, comprising a first water reservoir and a heat pump with a heat exchanger arranged in the first water reservoir for extracting or supplying energy from the water present in the water. the first water reservoir and comprising a supply for supplying collected rainwater to the first water reservoir, the climate device comprising a second water reservoir and a control system, the control system being provided for measuring and/or receiving parameters, these parameters comprising at least the temperature of the water contained in the first water reservoir and one or more parameters related to the weather conditions and the supply comprising a first branch for supplying collected rainwater to the first water reservoir, a second branch for supplying collected rainwater to the second second water reservoir and wherein the air-conditioning device comprises at least one control means for regulating the flow of rainwater in the said branches of the supply, the control system being provided to control the at least one control means and this in function of at least one of the said parameters, so that collected rainwater flows to the desired water reservoir.

With this air-conditioning device, the temperature of the water present in the first water reservoir can be adjusted if necessary, and this in function of the said parameters.

As a result, the necessary volume of water is present in the first water reservoir, which is smaller in comparison with existing air-conditioning devices and this to provide the same amount of heating/cooling.

As a result, the necessary volume of the first water reservoir is relatively small.

The second water reservoir can additionally, if desired, be used for rainwater recovery, without negatively influencing the necessary collecting capacity of the water present in the first water reservoir.

The air-conditioning device preferably operates as follows.

The temperature of the water present in the first water tank is measured continuously or regularly and this parameter is processed by the control system.

If the temperature of the water in the first water reservoir evolves negatively, for example starts to cool down too much when the water present in the first water reservoir is used to heat one or more rooms, or increases too much when one or more rooms are cooled down , the operating system can intervene.

For example, the operating system can intervene in the event of a rain shower.

By working here with a supply for collected rainwater with the two branches mentioned, it is possible to ensure that the rainwater will only end up in the first water reservoir if this rainwater has a positive (or at least not negative) temperature in the water present in the first water reservoir. ) will affect.

For example, when heating, it is undesirable that the temperature of the water contained in the first water reservoir decreases due to the addition of rainwater, and when cooling is performed, it is undesirable that the temperature of the water contained in the first water reservoir rises due to the addition of rainwater. adding rainwater.

Only if the rainwater has a positive influence on the temperature of the water present in the first water reservoir, one can opt to effectively add the collected rainwater to the first water reservoir.

With this air-conditioning device, rainwater can therefore be used for heating/cooling, without the rainwater causing a negative influence.

Rain from a downpour has a certain temperature.

If one or more parameters of the weather conditions show that the rain, or the future rain, has a lower temperature than the water in the first water tank and the first water tank is used for heating, the control system can be used to ensure that the collected rainwater does not end up in the first water reservoir, but flows to the second water reservoir via the second branch.

In this way the water from the first water reservoir does not cool down undesirably.

However, if the temperature of the collected rainwater is higher than the temperature of the water present in the first water reservoir, the control system can be used to ensure that the collected rainwater flows through the first branch to the first water reservoir, so that the energy present in the first water reservoir rises.

If one or more parameters of the weather conditions indicate that the rain, or the future rain, has a lower temperature than the water in the first water tank and the first water tank is used for cooling, the control system can be used to ensure that the collected rainwater flows through the first branch to the first water reservoir.

In this way the water from the first water reservoir cools down, making it easier to cool.

However, if the temperature of the collected rainwater is higher than the temperature of the water present in the first water reservoir, it is possible with the aid of the control system to ensure that the collected rainwater flows via the second branch to the second water reservoir.

The one or more parameters related to the weather conditions can be parameters related to the current weather conditions, such as the air temperature, the presence of rain, the temperature of the rainwater collected, etc. but can also be parameters related to the future weather conditions, i.e. the weather forecasts, such as times when rain is expected, amount of precipitation is expected, future temperatures, etc.

Additional parameters may include: the temperature of the water present in the second water tank, the amount of water present in the first water tank, the amount of water present in the second water tank, etc.

The control means can for instance comprise one or more valves.

For example, a valve may be arranged in the second branch, this valve being movable between an open position, where collected rainwater can flow through the second branch to the second water reservoir, and a closed position, where this valve prevents the flow of water to the second branch. water reservoir. The control system is then able to control the movement and position of this valve as a function of at least one of the parameters mentioned. The air-conditioning device may also comprise a valve arranged in the first branch. In a specific embodiment, the supply of the air-conditioning device comprises a collecting tank for rainwater, wherein the collected rainwater flows to this collecting tank, and wherein the first branch is connected to the collecting tank and the second branch is connected to the collecting tank so that water can flow from the collecting tank. flow to said branches, the first branch being at a higher position than the second branch and the control means being a valve arranged in the second branch. The valve is controlled using the control system. When the valve is in the open position, the rainwater will flow through the second branch to the second water reservoir because the height of the water in the sump will not rise to the height where it can flow through the first branch. When the valve is in the closed position, the water in the sump will rise to the height where the first branch is located and the rainwater will flow to the first water reservoir. This particular embodiment concerns a very simple way of controlling the flow of water in the branches. Of course, other versions are also possible.

The control system may comprise a fixed system, such as a system for processing the parameters and for controlling the at least one control means, this fixed system being installed in the vicinity of the water reservoirs. For example, the control system can be installed underground or, for example, above ground in a cabin or the like. The control system may additionally comprise measuring equipment, such as thermometers, for measuring certain parameters and then sending this information, wirelessly or otherwise, to said fixed system. However, this operating system can also be a computer program that is installed on a smartphone, or a tablet on a computer or the like. Using wireless communication, the operating system can then receive the necessary parameters, for example. The air-conditioning device then comprises, for instance, measuring equipment, such as thermometers, for measuring parameters, wherein this measuring equipment does not form part of the control system, but is capable of sending the parameters, wirelessly or otherwise, to the control system.

The control system may also be able to receive parameters from a monitoring station or from the internet, such as parameters related to current weather conditions and/or future weather conditions.

The branches can be, for example, conduits such as tubular conduits.

For example, the supply can comprise one main line which then splits into the two branches mentioned.

The supply can also comprise one supply line and a collecting tray, wherein the supply line debouches into a receiving tray, wherein the branches of the supply are then pipes which connect to this receiving tray.

The air-conditioning device preferably comprises a supply line from the second water reservoir to the first water reservoir, for supplying water from the second water reservoir to the first water reservoir, wherein the control system is provided for controlling the flow of water in this supply line in function of at least one of the parameters mentioned.

When the temperature of the water in the first water reservoir evolves unfavorably, for instance exceeds a certain threshold value, water can be added from the second water reservoir.

If during the heating of the one or more spaces with the air-conditioning device the temperature of the water of the first water reservoir drops too much, action can be taken here by bringing water from the second water reservoir to the first water reservoir.

When the temperature of the water of the first water reservoir rises too much during the cooling of the one or more spaces with the air-conditioning device, action can be taken here by bringing water from the second water reservoir to the first water reservoir.

The temperature of the water in the second water reservoir will fluctuate less quickly.

To be sure that the water from the second water reservoir will positively influence the temperature in the first water reservoir, the temperature of the water in the second water reservoir can also be measured.

The control system can then also take this latter parameter into account for regulating the flow of water in this supply line. When rain is expected with an undesirable temperature, being too hot or too cold, one can opt to bring part of the water present in the second water reservoir to the first water reservoir via the supply line to ensure that all the rainwater can be collected by the second water reservoir and/or to favorably influence the temperature of the water of the first water reservoir. The air-conditioning device preferably furthermore comprises a pump for pumping water from the second water reservoir, through the supply line, to the first water reservoir, and the control system is provided for controlling this pump. With the help of a pump one can easily move water through a pipe. It is therefore easy to install the two water reservoirs here at the same height/depth. The pump can use a float.

Also further preferably, the parameters at least additionally comprise the temperature of the water present in the second water reservoir, the control system being provided for controlling the flow of water in the supply line in function of at least additionally the latter parameter.

In a specific embodiment, the air-conditioning device comprises a discharge pipe and this for discharging water from the first water reservoir. This discharge pipe can be connected to a sewer, to a watercourse, to the second water reservoir, etc. The advantage of such a discharge pipe is that water with an undesired temperature can be drained, after which the first water reservoir can be filled with water with a more suitable temperature. This latter water can then be rainwater or water originating from the second water reservoir. Discharge of water by means of the discharge line can take place by means of a pump or a valve or the like.

Furthermore, the control system is preferably provided to determine the flow of water in the discharge line and this as a function of at least one of the parameters mentioned. If the temperature of the water present in the first water reservoir is too high or too low and, for example, rain is on the way with a more suitable temperature, the first water reservoir can be (partially) emptied by sending water through the drain pipe and then the refilling the first water reservoir with rainwater and diverting collected rainwater via the first branch of the supply to the first water reservoir.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the air-conditioning device comprises a pump for pumping up water from the second water reservoir and the second water reservoir is additionally used for rainwater recovery. In this way, the collected rainwater can be used in a household or industry without the collection capacity of the water present in the first water reservoir being compromised and thus without the temperature of the water present in the first water reservoir being adversely affected. . In addition to the function of regulating the temperature in one or more rooms, this air-conditioning system therefore has an additional function, namely rainwater recovery. It is therefore not necessary to provide an additional rainwater tank.

Preferably, the control system comprises a receiver for receiving the one or more parameters of the weather conditions and a processing unit for processing the parameters. By providing such a receiver, the operating system itself need not be able to measure all parameters. It is then easy to use information from a weather station and/or the internet and/or measuring devices. The control system can receive these parameters via cable or wireless communication. By providing the control system itself with the processing unit here, the temperature of the water present in the first water reservoir can be optimally regulated here.

In a specific embodiment, the air-conditioning device comprises an overflow that connects the first water reservoir to the second water reservoir.

This can be useful if the water level in one of the above-mentioned water reservoirs becomes too high and it is not desired to lose and/or discharge this water into, for example, a sewer.

This overflow can act in one direction, for example from the second water reservoir to the first water reservoir, but it can also work in both directions.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the one or more parameters relating to the weather conditions comprise at least the ambient temperature and the times when rain is expected.

In this way one can optimally regulate the temperature and the amount of water present in the first water reservoir.

Preferably, said water reservoirs are located completely underground.

In this way, these water reservoirs do not form obstacles and the temperature of the water fluctuates less.

In a specific embodiment, the air-conditioning device comprises an additional buffer reservoir for storing excess rainwater.

This can be useful if the volumes of the first and second water reservoirs are small and it is also desired to use the air-conditioning device for rainwater recovery.

It can be useful to provide an additional buffer reservoir, especially in areas where longer periods with a lot of precipitation and longer periods with little precipitation occur.

This additional buffer reservoir can then be connected to the first and/or the second water reservoir via one or more pipes.

For example, an overflow of the first and/or the second water reservoir can be connected to the buffer reservoir.

Water can be pumped directly or indirectly from the buffer reservoir for rainwater recovery.

This invention will now be further elucidated on the basis of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of a climate device according to this invention. The purpose of this description is only to give illustrative examples and to indicate further advantages and particulars, and can thus in no way be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention or of the patent rights claimed in the claims. In this detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which figure 1 is a schematic representation of an air-conditioning device according to the invention. The air-conditioning device (1) as schematically shown in figure 1, is used to heat up and/or cool down spaces in a building. For this purpose, this air-conditioning device (1) comprises a first water reservoir (2), a second water reservoir (6), a heat pump (3) with a heat exchanger (4), a supply for supplying rainwater to the first and second water reservoirs (2, 6), a control system (7), a supply line (12) with an associated pump (13) for supplying water from the second water reservoir (6) to the first water reservoir (2), an overflow (14) connecting the first water reservoir (2) connects to the second water reservoir (6) and measuring equipment (not visible) for measuring the temperature and volumes of the water contained in the first and second water reservoirs (2, 6). The water reservoirs (2, 6) here have the same volumes and are both underground at the same depth. The water reservoirs (2, 6) can also each have a different volume.

The supply comprises a supply line (5), a collecting bin (10), and two branches (8, 9), i.e. pipes, which connect to the collecting bin (10). The rainwater that ends up on the building is carried to the supply line (5) by means of gutters and the like and thus ends up in the collecting tray (10). The branches (8, 9) comprise a first branch (8) and a second branch (9), the first branch (8) being higher than the second branch (9). With the first branch

(8) rainwater is brought to the first water reservoir (2), with the second branch (9) rainwater is brought to the second water reservoir (6). Furthermore, the outlet further comprises a valve (11) arranged in the second branch (9). This valve (11) is movable between an open position, in which water can flow from the receptacle (10) through the second branch (9) to the second water reservoir (6), and a closed position, in which water cannot flow from the receptacle (10). ) through the second branch (9) to the second water reservoir (6). The control system (7) controls the position and thus the displacement of the valve (11) (see below). When the valve (11) is in the open position, the rainwater that ends up in the collecting tank (10) will mainly flow through the second branch (9) because the second branch (9) is located at the lowest point.

When the valve (11) is in the closed position, the rainwater that ends up in the collecting tank (10) will flow through the first branch (8), because the valve (11) drains the water in the second branch (9) and thus the water level in the collecting tank (10) rises and water can therefore move through the higher first branch (8).

The heat exchanger (4) is arranged in the first water reservoir (2). The heat pump (3) is therefore capable of extracting or supplying energy from the water present in the first water reservoir (2). The first water reservoir (2) therefore serves as a heat sink.

When energy is extracted from the water present in the first water reservoir (2), so when the heat pump (3) is used to heat the rooms, energy is extracted from this water and the temperature of this water decreases.

When supplying energy to the water present in the first water reservoir (2), so when the heat pump (3) is used to cool the rooms, energy is added to this water and the temperature of this water increases.

This means that the temperature of the water can change in such a way that it is no longer suitable for heating/cooling.

To avoid this, this air-conditioning device (1) has a specific control system (7). This operating system (7) is a fixed system or a system that is installed on a (mobile) device such as a smartphone, a tablet or a computer.

This control system (7) is provided to receive various parameters, wirelessly or otherwise, and to process these parameters.

These parameters include, among others, the temperature of the water present in the first water tank (2), the temperature of the water present in the second water tank (6) and parameters related to the current weather conditions and forecasts, such as the ambient temperature, the rainwater temperature if any, amount of expected rain and time of expected rain.

Additionally, the parameters may also include the volume of water contained in the first water reservoir (2) and the volume of water contained in the second water reservoir (6). For the parameters temperatures of the water present in the mentioned water reservoirs (2, 6) use is made of thermometer systems (not visible) arranged in the respective water reservoirs (2, 6), whereby the thermometer systems transmit these parameters to the control system (7 ). The parameters related to the current weather conditions and forecasts are available via the Internet or directly from a weather station.

In order to keep the temperature of the water present in the first water reservoir (2) as optimal as possible for cooling/heating, the air-conditioning device (1) works as follows.

The control system (7) receives said parameters continuously or on a regular basis.

The control system (7) then also processes these parameters and intervenes if desired.

For example, if the control system (7) knows that it will rain soon and that the temperature of the expected rain will have a positive influence on the temperature of the water present in the first water reservoir (2), then the control system (7) ensures that this rainwater will end up in the first water reservoir (2) and this by bringing the valve (11) into the closed position.

For example, if the control system (7) knows that it will rain soon and that the temperature of the expected rain will have a negative influence on the temperature of the water present in the first water reservoir (2), then the control system (7) ensures that this rainwater will end up in the second water reservoir (6) and this by moving the valve (11) into the open position.

In addition, if it appears that the temperature of the water present in the second water reservoir (6) will have a positive influence on the temperature of the water present in the first water reservoir (2), the control system (7) can start controlling the pump (13). to start pumping (part of) the water present in the second water reservoir (6) to the first water reservoir (2) prior to the rain, and this via the supply line (12). This has a positive influence on the water present in the first water reservoir (2) and it also ensures that all the rainwater can enter the second water reservoir (6), so that water with a less favorable temperature is not undesirably via the overflow (14). ends up in the first water reservoir (2). If no rain is expected and the control system (7) deduces from the parameters that the temperature of the water present in the first water reservoir (2) becomes unfavorable, the control system (7) can, if the temperature of the water present in the second water reservoir (6) is more favorable, start pumping water via the pump (13) from the second water reservoir (6) via the supply line (12) to the first water reservoir (2). The control system (7) thus processes the received parameters here and will control the valve (11) and the pump (13) on the basis of the parameters in order to optimize the temperature of the water present in the first water reservoir (2).

The overflow (14) avoids wasting water because excess water is brought from the second water reservoir (6) to the first water reservoir (2).

The air-conditioning device (1) can also additionally comprise a second pump (not visible) for pumping up water from the second water reservoir (6), for instance for domestic use.

Claims (12)

CONCLUSIONS Air-conditioning device (1) for regulating the temperature in one or more spaces, comprising a first water reservoir (2) and a heat pump (3) with a heat exchanger (4) arranged in the first water reservoir (2) for withdrawing or supplying energy to the water present in the first water reservoir (2) and comprising a supply for supplying collected rainwater to the first water reservoir (2), characterized in that the air-conditioning device (1) comprises a second water reservoir (6) and a control system (7), wherein the control system (7) is provided for measuring and/or receiving parameters, said parameters comprising at least the temperature of the water present in the first water reservoir (2), and one or more parameters relating to the weather conditions and wherein the supply comprises a first branch (8) for supplying collected rainwater to the first water reservoir (2), a second branch (9) for supplying captured rainwater to the second water reservoir (6) and wherein the air-conditioning device (1) comprises at least one control means (11) for controlling the flow of rainwater in said branches (8, 9) of the supply, the control system (7) it is provided that the at least one control means (11) can be controlled as a function of at least one of the parameters mentioned, so that collected rainwater flows to the desired water reservoir (2, 6). Air-conditioning device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the air-conditioning device (1) comprises a supply line (12) from the second water reservoir (6) to the first water reservoir (2), for supplying water from the second water reservoir ( 6) to the first water reservoir (2), the control system (7) being provided for controlling the flow of water in this supply line (12) as a function of at least one of said parameters. Air-conditioning device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the air-conditioning device (1) comprises a pump (13) for pumping water from the second water reservoir (6), through the supply line (12), to the first water reservoir ( 2) and wherein the control system (7) is provided for controlling this pump (13). Climate device (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the parameters at least additionally comprise the temperature of the water present in the second water reservoir (6) and wherein the control system (7) is provided for controlling the flow of water in the supply line (12) depending on at least additionally the last-mentioned parameter. Climate device (1) as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the climate device (1) comprises a discharge pipe, this for discharging water from the first water reservoir (2). Air-conditioning device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the control system (7) is provided to determine the flow of water in the discharge pipe and this as a function of at least one of the said parameters. Air-conditioning device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air-conditioning device (1) comprises a pump for pumping up water from the second water reservoir (6) and the second water reservoir (6) is additionally used for rainwater recovery. Air-conditioning device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control system (7) comprises a receiver for receiving the one or more parameters of the weather conditions and a processing unit for processing the parameters. Air-conditioning device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air-conditioning device (1) comprises an overflow (14) connecting the first water reservoir (2) to the second water reservoir (6). Air-conditioning device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the one or more parameters relating to the weather conditions comprise at least the ambient temperature and the times when rain is expected. Air-conditioning device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said water reservoirs (2, 6) are located completely underground. A climate device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the climate device (1) comprises an additional buffer reservoir for storing excess rainwater.