CA3142432C

CA3142432C - Adjustment apparatus and method for determining a hydraulic threshold value of a valve

Info

Publication number: CA3142432C
Application number: CA3142432A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Thomas Straub; Philipp Straub; Benjamin LANDMESSER; Christoph PACKE; Dominik GOTTSTEIN
Original assignee: Straub KG
Current assignee: Straub KG
Priority date: 2019-07-25
Filing date: 2020-05-13
Publication date: 2023-10-24
Anticipated expiration: 2040-05-13
Also published as: CA3142432A1; DE102019120126A1; EP4004448A1; CN114207548A; KR20220035972A; DE102019120126B4; CN114207548B; KR102566473B1; WO2021013398A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an adjusting device (1) for a flow control valve (2), which adjusting device can determine a threshold of a hydraulic minimum opening position (Sv-hydraulisch-min) along a displacement path. The adjusting device (1) detects a flow based on a temperature change of the heat transfer medium in the consumer loop (3) and performs iterations from different opening positions. The determination process spans several external temperature control requirements, wherein missing iterations of the determination process, which are still pending after deactivation of the adjusting device (1) between the temperature control requirements, are continued upon reactivation of the adjusting device (1).

Description

Adjustment apparatus and method for determining a hydraulic threshold value of a valve The present application relates to an adjustment apparatus for the temperature-dependent, self-regulating adjustment of a flow control valve in a temperature regulating system and a corresponding method focusing on a functionality consisting of determining a hydraulic threshold value of a valve.
Associated aspects of the subject matter of this patent application are based upon 143 patent application DE 10 2017 123 560 Al by the same applicant. The present invention is based upon unpublished, internal knowledge and improvements from a product development relating to the technology from said patent application by the applicant.
Parts of the present disclosure, the drawing and independent claims thus include parts of the older subject matter of the application, reference being made herein to the technology thereof.
A technical background of the invention resides in the use of heating and air-conditioning installations for rooms, such as in particular floor heating assemblies, surface heating assemblies or cooling ceilings which are installed in a building in order to provide a selectable room temperature which is independent of weather conditions.
In the prior art, numerous arrangements and control methods for comfort-oriented and efficiency-oriented distribution and control of a heat energy by means of a hydraulic network in the building are known from heating engineering, wherein similar installations in buildings are likewise known for distributing and regulating air-conditioning energy or heat extraction from rooms.
The prior art discloses methods for performing hydraulic alignment, in which the return temperature is detected at a heat exchanger and the volume flow through the heat exchanger is controlled in dependence upon the return temperature. In one alternative, a temperature difference between the supply temperature and the return temperature is ascertained. A control difference is formed between the ascertained temperature Date Recue/Date Received 2023-04-17 difference and a desired value of a constant temperature difference. The volume flow through the heat exchanger is controlled on the basis of this control difference in order to bring the return temperature more into line with the desired value of the constant temperature difference, i.e. a predetermined, invariable temperature spread.
The technology of the aforementioned patent application DE 10 2017 123 560 Al describes an adjustment apparatus and a method for self-regulating adjustment of a flow in consumer loops comprising a heat exchanger, which is based upon a calculation of a use-optimised temperature spread between the supply temperature and return temperature, i.e. a variable desired temperature difference in each consumer loop. The adjustment apparatus foinis the significant component of a temperature regulating system, in which the corresponding method is carried out and which has an allocated room thermostat. The calculation of a variable spread of the temperature difference is used for the purpose of independently adapting an optimum operating point in an individual installation environment of the heat exchanger. The incorporation of the resulting heating period compensates for conditions of the building, such as e.g. storey, basement position or external wall ratio as well as conditions of the installation, and renders it possible to independently optimise a more rapid room temperature regulation within an efficient range. A plurality of corresponding adjustment apparatuses effect, without the requirement of a central control unit, distribution of the partial flows in the consumer loops as required.
The present invention is concerned with a determination of a hydraulic minimum opening position of a valve, from which flow is effected through a consumer loop allocated to the valve. The learning of such a hydraulic threshold value of the valve serves as an initialisation or calibration of the adjustment apparatus to a used valve type, or to a variable ageing state of a seal of the valve, whereby an accuracy and a speed of a control for adjusting the valve are improved.
In general, so-called flow control valves which are used in heating circuits of a heating installation, such as a floor heating assembly or other temperature regulating systems, such as cooling ceilings or the like, have a seal. The seal seals a flow of a liquid

2 Date Recue/Date Received 2023-04-17 heating medium in a closed position of the valve, e.g. when there is no temperature regulating requirement by the allocated consumer loop and its heat exchangers.
The seal can be arranged on a valve body or a valve plate which is displaced via a valve pin. In general, the seal consists of an elastic material, such as e.g. rubber. If the valve plate is .. lifted from a valve seat, a compression of the seal decreases within the resulting valve gap, but the seal does not yet release flow through the valve gap. By reason of the elastic material property, there is thus a seal-effective region along an actuating travel path of the valve. From a hydraulic threshold value which is to be subsequently determined, a minimum flow of the heating medium is effected under a hydraulic pressure applied upstream of the valve. In a subsequent hydraulic region along the actuating travel path of the valve, a restricted flow through the valve increases.
In order to provide an energetically efficient fine regulation of heating circuits or consumer loops in a temperature regulating system, the control operation of a self-regulating adjustment apparatus can be optimised if it can revert to a value which is allocated to a minimum or smallest possible known opening position of the valve.
The corresponding threshold value of an actuating travel of a valve between a hydraulic region and a seal-effective region, in which a flow through a valve seal is almost prevented, is individual. A corresponding transition is expected to be within a lower half of the valve actuating travel, but an absolute value is in principle unknown because it depends on any compatible valve type as well as on wear or ageing of the seal.
In the case of the above-mentioned technology, an arrangement of the valve and a temperature sensor for the supply temperature is preferably provided in such a way that the valve is attached to a supply manifold pipe, i.e. upstream of the allocated consumer loop in the direction of flow, and the temperature sensor for the supply temperature is attached to a line section leading away from the supply manifold pipe, i.e.
downstream of the valve in the direction of flow, in an initial region of the consumer loop.
No detection of the flow is provided on the valve or an allocated line. A control makes use of a comparison of detected temperatures at the beginning and end of the consumer loop to draw conclusions as to whether there is a flow in the consumer loop.

3 Date Recue/Date Received 2023-04-17 In a possible solution for this control, provision could be made that the hydraulic threshold value of the valve used is learned as part of an initialisation of the adjustment apparatus which is performed by a trained mechanic after assembly and before an initial start-up. The adjustment apparatus slowly opens the valve, starting from the closed position while the temperature difference at the beginning and end of the consumer loop is monitored. As soon as the detected temperatures indicate a flow of the heating medium, the hydraulic threshold value is fixed on the corresponding valve control value. After the initialisation procedure has been completed, the adjustment apparatus is released by the to trained mechanic for control operation in the temperature regulating system.
However, this approach has various disadvantages. The initialisation for learning the threshold values of the valves must be carried out or monitored by a mechanic. The procedure must be carried out individually by the mechanic after an installation on each adjustment apparatus of each valve of a manifold pipe or a heating circuit manifold. This gives rise to corresponding outlay and costs before the start-up of the temperature regulating system.
The more accurately the threshold value is to be determined, the slower the speed at which the valve opens must be, also because the thermal response behaviour of a low flow in the consumer loop to the temperature detection is accompanied by a delay. If carried out carefully, learning of the hydraulic threshold value of a valve used can take the mechanic approximately one hour.
Furthermore, at the time of initialisation, all components of the temperature regulating system must be set ready for operation and the supply connections of an energy source and the electricity must already be enabled by a utility company.
Likewise, the insulation of the building should be completed. Otherwise, separate work of a mechanic is required separately from an installation of the heating circuit manifold in the building again at a later time of the initial start-up of the temperature regulating system.

4 Date Recue/Date Received 2023-04-17 It is an object of the invention to provide an adjustment apparatus and a corresponding method for self-regulating adjustment of a flow control valve, which provide an alternative determination of a hydraulic threshold value of the flow control valve.
This object is achieved by the characterising features of an adjustment apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, and the characterising features of a method as claimed in claim 13 or 14.
lo The adjustment apparatus for self-regulating adjustment of a flow control valve is characterised in particular in that it is arranged to determine a hydraulic minimum opening position of the flow control valve, at which a minimum flow can be detected, along an actuating travel path; and the adjustment apparatus detects a flow through the flow control valve based upon a temperature change of the heating medium in the consumer loop;
wherein the determination of the hydraulic minimum opening position comprises iterations of different opening positions along the actuating travel path of the flow control valve; each iteration of an opening position of the flow control valve comprises at least one detection of the flow through the flow control valve; and the determination of the hydraulic minimum opening position extends over a plurality of external temperature regulating requests to the consumer loop, and missing iterations of the determination, which are still pending after deactivations of the adjustment apparatus between the temperature regulating requests, are continued upon reactivation of the adjustment apparatus.
The corresponding inventive method for self-regulating adjustment of a flow is characterised in particular by the steps of: determining a hydraulic minimum opening position of the flow control valve, at which a minimum flow can be detected, along an actuating travel path; by means of detecting a flow through the flow control valve based upon a temperature change of the heating medium in the consumer loop; wherein the determination of the hydraulic minimum opening position comprises iterations of different opening positions along the actuating travel path of the flow control valve; each iteration of an opening position of the flow control valve comprises at least one detection

5 Date Recue/Date Received 2023-04-17 of the flow through the flow control valve; and the determination of the hydraulic minimum opening position extends over a plurality of external temperature regulating requests to the consumer loop, and missing iterations of the determination, which are still pending after deactivations of the adjustment apparatus between the temperature regulating requests, are continued upon reactivation of the adjustment apparatus.
For the first time, the invention provides an independent determination of a hydraulic threshold value of the flow control valve by means of an adjustment apparatus, which is carried out in a time-distributed manner over the temperature regulating operation after start-up of the temperature regulating system.
In its most general foiiii, the invention is based upon the idea of performing a successive approximation to the threshold value, which is to be determined, automatically by the adjustment apparatus during ongoing operation over a plurality of temperature .. regulating requests which are made to open a flow through a consumer loop.
An external temperature regulating request in terms of this disclosure is made e.g.
by a theimostat which outputs a signal, e.g. a binary switch-on signal (ON/OFF) to activate the adjustment apparatus. For example, a room thermostat makes a heating request to a floor heating assembly and activates, on a heating circuit manifold, the adjustment apparatus of a flow control valve which is assigned to the floor heating assembly in the room in question. The flow control valve opens the corresponding consumer loop and adjusts a flow and so the room temperature approaches a desired temperature which has been adjusted on the room thermostat by a user.
As an alternative to a thermostat, the adjustment apparatus can also be activated by another input means, such as a switch, by means of which the user can directly specify a temperature regulating request for the adjustment apparatus.
The invention has the advantage that the adjustment apparatus can learn the hydraulic threshold value of the flow control valve independently after a start-up of the temperature regulating system. This eliminates the need for a mechanic to do the work.

6 Date Recue/Date Received 2023-04-17 The hydraulic threshold value is determined in a time-distributed manner over a plurality of temperature regulating requests. There is no need to initialise or calibrate the adjustment apparatus before initial start-up, for which all other requirements of the temperature regulating system must be ensured ready for operation.
Installation of the adjustment apparatus and a start-up of the temperature regulating system are decoupled in terms of time. Thus, for the inventive determination of the hydraulic threshold value, it is irrelevant whether the adjustment apparatus was installed e.g. when a building was completed in summer, and is only put into operation for the first time during the course of a heating period in autumn.
The invention also has the advantage that the determination of the hydraulic threshold value is suitable to be repeated routinely. In principle, this enables the adjustment apparatus to independently adapt to changes in the hydraulic threshold value, .. such as those caused by a replacement of a valve, wear or ageing of a seal.
Advantageous developments of the present invention are provided in the dependent claims.
According to one aspect of the invention, the first iteration can begin at a hydraulic opening position, at which flow through the flow control valve is to be expected; and the adjustment apparatus can adjust in an offset manner an opening position of the flow control valve for a subsequent iteration towards a closed position of the flow control valve if flow through the flow control valve is detected. Thus, a start-up of the temperature regulating system is not initially impaired by the functionality for determining the hydraulic minimum opening position, i.e. in particular a flow for a first heating request is not prevented by the first iteration of an opening position of the flow control valve.
According to one aspect of the invention, the adjustment apparatus can adjust in an offset manner an opening position of the flow control valve for a subsequent iteration opposite to the direction to the closed position of the flow control valve if no flow through

7 Date Recue/Date Received 2023-04-17 the flow control valve is detected. By means of a two-sided iterative approximation, the hydraulic minimum opening position can be determined relatively accurately.
According to one aspect of the invention, the adjustment apparatus can offset an opening position of the flow control valve during a subsequent iteration by a distance along the actuating travel path equal to half the amount of the offset distance during the preceding iteration. During this iterative approximation, large distances of the actuating travel are initially covered, which are included in the determination. This allows the hydraulic minimum opening position to be determined relatively quickly in relation to the number of iterations of opening positions.
According to one aspect of the invention, the adjustment apparatus can deteimine the hydraulic minimum opening position within a predetermined number of iterations of different opening positions of the flow control valve. Thus, the length of the determination can be effectively and simply limited in dependence upon a predetermined resolution or accuracy of the hydraulic threshold value.
According to one aspect of the invention, if no flow through the flow control valve is detected, an iteration of the corresponding opening position can still comprise a detection of the flow at a higher opening position of the flow control valve.
Therefore, by means of a comparison it is possible to verify whether in fact no flow was detected as a result of a substantially closed flow cross-section. In particular, it is possible to exclude the fact that the detection of no flow is not the result of another possible cause, such as a misinterpretation from an influence of the detected temperature change or a malfunction of the pump.
According to one aspect of the invention, each iteration can comprise a predetermined number of detections of flow through the flow control valve at an opening position of the flow control valve. Therefore, the result of whether there is a flow can be checked and ensured multiple times through a plurality of successive closures and readjustments of the relevant opening position and detections of the flow before the determination progresses to a subsequent iteration at a further opening position. In the

8 Date Recue/Date Received 2023-04-17 case where there is no flow at an opening position, the iteration can comprise e.g. twice the number of detections of the flow, i.e. each detection where there is no flow is alternately followed in each case by a detection to verify that flow is provided by the system or can be detected by means of the temperature measurement at a higher opening .. position.
According to one aspect of the invention, between each iteration of an opening position, between each detection of flow within an iteration of an opening position, and/or between an activation and a continuation of pending iterations of the detection, a predetermined blocking period can initially run, for which the flow control valve is closed and/or during which no temperature is detected. Thus, a thermal inertia of components, node points and circuits in the temperature regulating system is taken into consideration, which can influence a response behaviour of a temperature measurement and initially impair or falsify the detection of the temperature change in the consumer loop.
According to one aspect of the invention, the continuation of an interrupted iteration of the determination of the hydraulic minimum opening position can be temporarily suspended for a temperature regulating request; if no flow through the flow control valve was previously detected at the opening position of the interrupted iteration.
Therefore, the functionality for determining the hydraulic minimum opening position is temporarily subordinated to a requested temperature regulating requirement in order to minimise any impairment of user comfort during the determination.
According to one aspect of the invention, the adjustment apparatus can perform the determination of the hydraulic minimum opening position when it has been disconnected from a power supply and/or when a disassembly with respect to the flow control valve has been detected by means of the actuator. Therefore, the adjustment apparatus can carry out an initialisation independently after changes have possibly been made to the temperature regulating system.
According to one aspect of the invention, the adjustment apparatus can perform the determination of the hydraulic minimum opening position when a predetermined

9 Date Recue/Date Received 2023-04-17 repetition interval expires. Therefore, the adjustment apparatus can independently carry out a recurring calibration to a variable valve state.
The invention as well as suitable technology for carrying out the invention will be understood more clearly with the aid of the description of the Figures with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference signs are used for like elements, in which:
Fig. 1 shows a graph, in which a characteristic curve of a flow value and of a valve lo actuating travel of a flow control valve are plotted on the axes;
Fig. 2 shows a diagram illustrating a scatter of the hydraulic threshold value with respect to a minimum flow at different flow control valves and a determined hydraulic threshold value at a specific flow control valve in relation to a valve actuating travel;
Fig. 3 shows a graph illustrating iterations of different opening positions along a valve actuating travel path from a detennination of the minimum hydraulic opening position according to one embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 4 shows a block diagram explaining a theoretical resolution of the deteunined result after a predetermined number of iterations;
Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of an adjustment apparatus;
Fig. 6 shows a view of a temperature regulating system comprising adjustment apparatuses in a manifold apparatus, thermostats and further system components; and Fig. 7 shows a block diagram illustrating the system components for self-regulation, Date Recue/Date Received 2023-04-17 An exemplified embodiment of the inventive functionality for determining a hydraulic minimum opening position of a flow control valve 2 is described hereinafter in relation to Figs. 1 to 4 and is implemented on an adjustment apparatus 1 in a temperature regulating system 10 illustrated in Figs. 5 to 7.
In terms of this disclosure, the hydraulic minimum opening position is an opening position, at which there is a minimum flow to be established for control operation.
However, it is not absolutely necessary that the smallest absolute flow which can be adjusted or achieved is present at this opening position. It is relevant that a flow is ensured and that this turns out to be as low as possible within the scope of an approximation. On the one hand, the approximation to the smallest absolute flow is limited by the indirect measurement methodology which does not provide a flow measurement on the apparatus side, but instead provides a temperature measurement. On the other hand, for practical regulating operation, the approximation to the smallest absolute flow is sufficient up to a remaining tolerance and can then preferably be terminated in order to limit outlay. It is relevant that the remaining tolerance remains within a hydraulic region and not within a seal-effective region of the valve actuating travel, and so a flow at the approximated threshold value of the hydraulic minimum opening position is ensured. The determined threshold value is then used as the hydraulic minimum opening position in the adjustment apparatus 1 for the regulating operation.
In terms of this disclosure, the actuating travel of the flow control valve 2 is an absolute distance of the valve stroke, i.e. actuating travel between a completely closed position Sv min, in which a valve body or valve plate 24 lies on a valve seat 25 under pretensioning, and a completely open position, in which a flow cross-section is completely or as far as possible adjustably released by the valve plate 24 against pretensioning. Furthermore, in terms of this disclosure, the completely closed position Sv min of the flow control valve 2 represents an arrangement, in which an actuator 6 of the adjustment apparatus 1 is just coming into contact with a valve pin 23, i.e. a point before a valve adjustment path begins.

Date Recue/Date Received 2023-04-17 In terms of this disclosure, an external temperature regulating request leading to activation and subsequently deactivation of the adjustment apparatus 1 at a flow control valve 2 in a consumer loop 3 is a demand for a temporary temperature regulating power to maintain a desired temperature, in particular room temperature. Such a demand is determined by a user or a thermostat 12 and is output by means of a signal in order to activate the adjustment apparatus 1. A corresponding signal is e.g. a control voltage which has a high level during the demand for temperature regulation and has a low level or zero level after the demand.
In the case of a thermostat 12, a temperature regulating request is made by the thermostat 12 after a user specifies or changes a desired temperature which deviates from an actual temperature. Much more frequently, e.g. in the form of regular cycling, temperature regulating requests are made by a thermostat 12 while maintaining an actual temperature which has already been brought up to the desired temperature. The state is maintained generally within a temperature fluctuation around the desired temperature which is modelled via an intermittent supply of the temperature regulating power. For this purpose, a thermostat 12 cycles flow times of the heating medium through the corresponding consumer loop 3 or the heat exchangers 30 by activating and deactivating the adjustment apparatus 1 in phases. The duration of such cycling depends upon the design (e.g. bimetal or analogue or digital) or the type of a thermostat 12.
In order to maintain a temperature, short-cycle types of thermostats 12 can specify activation durations for temperature regulating requests and deactivation durations between temperature regulating requests which may be in the region of 15 or 10 minutes, or possibly even less. Long-cycle types of thermostats 12 can specify corresponding durations in the region of a few hours, e.g. 4 hours.
As explained later, each flow control valve 2 is arranged upstream or at the beginning of each consumer loop 3 illustrated in Fig. 6 and controls the flow of a liquid heating medium through the consumer loop 3. The opening position of each flow control valve 2 is adjusted by an autonomously controlling adjustment apparatus 1 in a decentralised manner, i.e. in particular not from a central control unit of the temperature regulating system 10, on the basis of a comparison of the temperatures of the heating Date Recue/Date Received 2023-04-17 medium flowing through at the beginning and end of the consumer loop 3. The adjustment apparatus 1 is designed for mounting on a standardised valve type which is preferably used on manifold pipes of heating circuit manifolds.
The detection of a temperature change means a temporal detection of a gradient of the temperature change of the heating medium at a position of a temperature detection means 7 at the consumer loop 3, preferably of the temperature detection means 7 at the beginning of the consumer loop 3 downstream of the flow control valve 2. In a transitory memory or RAM of a microcomputer or calculation means 8 of the adjustment apparatus 143 1, a temperature change is detected e.g. over one minute. For example, a gradient of the detected temperature change is formed over several tens of seconds or one minute and is compared to a predetermined gradient, e.g. +1 or +2 K/min.
If there is a significant temperature change, i.e. a detected gradient is greater than the predetermined gradient, this temperature change must have resulted from a volume of the liquid heating medium present in the consumer loop 3 having been replaced at the position of the temperature detection means 7 by a volume of heating medium subsequently flowing from the temperature regulating source 4. Consequently, there is a flow at the flow control valve 2 at the relevant opening position.
If no temperature change is detected, i.e. the gradient is substantially 0 IC/min, a volume of the liquid heating medium is obviously still present at the position of the temperature detection means 7 and has not been replaced by a subsequently flowing volume of the heating medium. Consequently, there is no flow at the flow control valve .. 2 at the relevant opening position.
Furthermore, a transition range of the gradient can be defined, in which the detection of a slight temperature change does not allow a reliable determination relating to a flow. If the detected gradient has e.g. values in the region of several tenths of Kelvin per minute, the temperature change could also have been caused by other external circumstances, such as cooling or a equalisation between heat capacitances of liquid-Date Recue/Date Received 2023-04-17 carrying components in the temperature regulating system 10. In this case, the result of the detection is discarded.
The inventors have tested a large number of products of flow control valves 2 available on the market which are compatible with the adjustment apparatus 1 with regard to standardised dimensions, in relation to a transition between a seal-effective region and a hydraulic region with respect to the actuating travel of the valve, and have analysed relevant parameters with regard to the inventive functionality of the adjustment apparatus 1.
For instance, Fig. 1 shows a graph, in which a flow rate of a flow control valve 2 is plotted on a vertical axis in relation to a valve actuating travel. In an exemplary characteristic curve of a tested flow control valve 2, as shown in Fig. 1, it can be read that there is no flow of the heating medium within a range of the actuating travel of 0 to 0.25 mm. In a range from 0.25 mm to about 2 mm, the flow initially increases approximately linearly up to about 0.7 mm and flattens out above this. Beyond an opening of the actuating travel of about 2.0 mm, the flow stagnates at a maximum.
The various products of commercially available flow control valves 2 which are compatible with the adjustment apparatus 1 differ with regard to the characteristic curve illustrated, but they are correlated in teuns of the course of the characteristic curve. From the correlation, applicable regions along the actuating travel path of a flow control valve 2 have been defined for the functionality of the determination of a hydraulic threshold value of a valve which is allocated to the hydraulic minimum opening position.
Fig. 2 shows a comparison between a control operation before a threshold value of the hydraulic minimum opening position has been determined and a control mode after the threshold value of the hydraulic minimum opening position has been determined.
Firstly, the illustration on the left shows a division of the actuating travel, to which the adjustment apparatus 1 reverts if the hydraulic minimum opening position has not yet been conclusively determined. At the lower end of the actuating travel, the actuator 6 of Date Recue/Date Received 2023-04-17 the adjustment apparatus 1 comes into contact with the flow control valve 2.
In this region, the adjustment apparatus 1 detects that it is coupled to a flow control valve 2 or that there is an operable mounting state of the adjustment apparatus 1. This is followed, at some distance, by a region, in which the hydraulic threshold value of a valve which is allocated to the hydraulic minimum opening position was discovered when testing various products of standardised, compatible flow control valves. The scatter of the threshold values of the tested valves produces a region, in which the adjustment apparatus 1 discovers the hydraulic minimum opening position to be determined along the actuating travel path, as expected. Above this, an open region is defined, in which, based on the test, as expected, a substantial bandwidth of hydraulically limited opening positions SV-hydraulic is adjustable.
Above this is an upper region of the actuating travel, in which the flow control valve 2 is substantially unrestricted, i.e. flow is scarcely limited or is not limited.
The illustration on the right shows a division of the actuating travel, to which the adjustment apparatus 1 reverts if the threshold value of the hydraulic minimum opening position has been determined. The determined threshold value confirms how far the seal-effective region extends starting from the completely closed position Sy-min over the actuating travel path. This knowledge enables the control to adjust a fine regulation of a small flow up to and into a critical region of a valve gap. It is further specified that extending from the threshold value of the hydraulic minimum opening position SV-hydraulic-min is the region, in which the substantial bandwidth of hydraulically limited opening positions SV-hydraulic is adjustable. Furthermore, it is specified that a substantially open opening position can be adjusted in the remaining upper region of the actuating travel.
At the completely closed position Sy-min, an actuator 6 of the adjustment apparatus 1 is coupled without force to the valve pin 23. In an opening position thereabove, the valve plate 24 is lifted off the valve seat 25 against pretensioning, but a seal still blocks a valve gap. In the region defined as seal-effective, it can therefore be assumed that a compression of the seal at the valve gap has decreased or has been relieved, but substantially no opening has yet been released at the valve gap which allows a flow of the liquid heating medium under the applied delivery pressure. In the region of the hydraulically limited opening positions Sy-hydraulic, it was ensured during the Date Recue/Date Received 2023-04-17 determination that a flow occurs, wherein this increases along the actuating travel path located thereabove.
An absolute value of the hydraulic minimum opening position SV-hydrauhc-min varies not only in dependence upon the valve, but also by reason of ageing and wear of the seal.
The value ranges of the actuating travel in the illustration on the left, which are based on correlations of the values in the tests carried out on various available flow control valves 2, can be stored in advance in a memory of the adjustment apparatus 1. The values are selected in such a manner that in a random selection of a compatible, standardised flow control valve 2, the predefined property of an effective seal or a hydraulic limitation applies with certainty or at least with a high probability.
There is no flow through the consumer loop 3 in the seal-effective region of the actuating travel. As a result, control logic which is not based upon an actual flow measurement, but instead is based upon the temperature comparison of an assumed flow, can cause a malfunction to occur. The control logic of the adjustment apparatus 1 would reach a control-related dead end, in which the flow is restricted ever further, while the detected temperature difference remains unchanged due to the cause of a lack of flow. By means of a further functionality of the adjustment apparatus 1 which is the subject of a contemporaneous patent application, and which is oriented to a hydraulic threshold value, preferably to the hydraulic minimum opening position SV-hydraulic-min determined in accordance with this disclosure, such a malfunction can be prevented or causes for a control-related dead end can be excluded.
Fig. 3 shows on a vertical axis an actuating travel in relation to a total movable distance Sv of a flow control valve 2, at which the adjustment apparatus 1 performs the determination of the hydraulic minimum opening position SV-hydraulic-min. On a horizontal time axis, positive results p and negative results n are plotted in relation to one detection of a flow.
The determination of the hydraulic minimum opening position Sv-hydraulic-min is described hereinafter in a course of iterations in Fig. 3. The adjustment apparatus 1 Date Recue/Date Received 2023-04-17 performs the determination on the lower half of the actuating travel, in which the hydraulic minimum opening position Sy-hydraulic-min is located as expected. At the beginning of the determination, the adjustment apparatus 1 of the present embodiment adjusts, in a first iteration, an opening position of the flow control valve 2 allocated to the .. half SV-hydraulid2 of the total distance of the actuating travel Sy.
Then, a blocking period of a few minutes, e.g. 5 min, which is not illustrated, is run through and so a thermal inertia which influences the response behaviour of the temperature measurement is awaited. Then, a measurement is perfolined to establish whether a temperature of the heating medium at the beginning or at the end of the consumer loop 3 changes significantly or does not even change. If a temperature change is measured which exceeds a predetermined gradient, e.g. 1 or 2 IC/min, it is assumed that the liquid heating medium in the consumer loop 3 is not at rest in the region of the temperature detection means 7. On the contrary, it is to be assumed that a portion of the heating medium coming from the temperature regulating source 4 has now passed through the flow control valve 2 and is flowing into the consumer loop 3, i.e. there is a flow, and a positive result p of the detection of a flow is established for the first iteration.
After a positive result p, the adjustment apparatus 1 adjusts, in a second iteration, an opening position of the flow control valve 2 allocated to a quarter Sy-hydraulic/4 of the total distance of the actuating travel Sy. Then, the procedures from the first iteration are repeated in relation to the passing of the blocking period and the temperature measurement for detecting a flow, which again leads to a positive result p.
After the positive result p, the adjustment apparatus 1 adjusts, in the third iteration, an opening position of the flow control valve 2 allocated to an eighth Sy-hydramic/8 of the total distance of the actuating travel Sy. Then, the procedures are repeated in relation to the passing of the blocking period and the temperature measurement for detecting a flow.
In the third iteration, no significant temperature change is measured. In order to rule out .. that the missing flow or the missing temperature change is not the result of a cause on the part of the temperature regulating system 10, such as e.g. a shutdown of the pump 5 or a night-time reduction of the supply temperature, the adjustment apparatus 1 performs a Date Recue/Date Received 2023-04-17 comparison measurement within the same iteration. For this purpose, the adjustment apparatus 1 temporarily opens the flow control valve 2 to a hydraulic opening position, in which a flow is ensured, e.g. to an opening position of the previous iterations with a positive result p. Then, the adjustment apparatus 1 waits for the blocking period and subsequently performs a second detection for verification. If a flow is detected during the comparison measurement, this means that there is no error on the part of the system. On the other hand, this also means that a lack of flow in the first detection was the result of a sealed flow cross-section at the adjusted opening position of the third iteration.
Accordingly, a negative result n is established for the third iteration.
After a negative result n, in a fourth iteration the adjustment apparatus 1 adjusts an opening position of the flow control valve 2 which is greater than the opening position in the third iteration, and moreover by half the distance of the change before the third iteration. This value is midway between a quarter SV-hydraulic/4 and an eighth Sy-hydraulic/8, i.e. three sixteenths Sy-hydrauhc/3/16 of the total distance of the actuating travel Sy. Then, the procedures are repeated in relation to the passing of the blocking period and the temperature measurement for detecting a flow which, in turn, leads to a positive result p.
After the positive result p, in the fifth iteration the adjustment apparatus 1 adjusts an opening position of the flow control valve 2 which is smaller than the opening position in the fourth iteration, and moreover by half the distance of the change before the fourth iteration. This value is five thirty-seconds SV-hydraulic/5/32 of the total distance of the actuating travel Sy. Then, the procedures are repeated in relation to the passing of the blocking period and the temperature measurement for detecting a flow. In the first detection, no significant temperature change is measured. As in the third iteration, by reason of the negative detection of a flow by means of temperature measurement, the adjustment apparatus 1 once again performs a second detection for verification purposes.
For this purpose, the adjustment apparatus 1 temporarily adjusts the flow control valve 2 to a hydraulic opening position, at which a flow is ensured, waits again for the blocking period and subsequently performs a detection of a flow. After a temperature change has occurred in the consumer loop 3 and this is verified during the second detection of a flow, Date Recue/Date Received 2023-04-17 it is established that there is no external impailinent. Accordingly, a negative result n is established for the fifth iteration.
An optional, illustrated sixth and a seventh iteration are effected according to the procedures in the preceding iterations.
In one embodiment of the invention, the adjustment apparatus 1 perfomis a detection of a flow three times within each iteration which leads to a positive result p.
Between the temperature measurements, the flow control valve 2 is temporarily closed for a blocking period, then is readjusted to the corresponding opening position of the iteration, and once again a blocking period is awaited. In each iteration which leads to a negative result n, a flow is detected six times, since each detection in which no significant temperature change is measured is followed by a detection to verify a flow at a higher hydraulic opening position.
The blocking period which is a predetermined number of a few minutes enables better recognition of a gradient of the temperature change and reduces influences on the temperature measurement by reason of an inertia of heat capacitances of the liquid-carrying components in the temperature regulating system 10.
Furthermore, the determination can be interrupted at any time by deactivating or switching off the adjustment apparatus 1 between two temperature regulating requests. In this case, after a subsequent activation or switch-on and after a blocking period has passed, the adjustment apparatus 1 continues with the next pending detection of the iteration, in which the determination was interrupted.
Fig. 4 shows a branching of percentage values in relation to a resolution of measurement errors. The values are based upon a symmetrical division of value ranges which are successively approximated to narrow down a searched value. Here, positive and negative measurements are designated by 1 and 0, respectively, wherein pending iterations are designated by X. It can be seen from the illustration that in the present application of the determination of the threshold value of the hydraulic minimum opening Date Recue/Date Received 2023-04-17 position, after five iterations a resolution of 3.125% is achieved in relation to the entire distance Sv. This accuracy is sufficient for the control operation of the adjustment apparatus 1. Moreover, the outlay for or the duration of the determination can be limited.
It must only be ensured that at the end of the determination there is a positive result p in relation to a flow at the opening position. Otherwise, the adjustment apparatus 1 reverts e.g. to a preceding iteration or performs a further last iteration.
In one embodiment, the adjustment apparatus 1 can decide, based upon parameters such as the detected temperature difference ATactuar, a progression thereof or the duration .11:1 of preceding activations, whether a current temperature regulating request contributes a small or large portion to bringing an actual temperature closer to a desired temperature.
This decision is particularly relevant if there is a large temperature regulating demand and no flow through the flow control valve 2 was previously detected at the opening position of the interrupted iteration. Accordingly, the adjustment apparatus 1 can make a decision .. that a continuation of the determination which starts again at a substantially closed opening position is temporarily postponed by one temperature regulating request, or is suspended at every second temperature regulating request. As a result, the determination of a hydraulic threshold value is predominantly shifted to temporal sections of the control operation, in which merely a temperature state is maintained.
In the event of a relatively short cycle by a thermostat 12 of e.g. merely 15 or 10 minutes or less between activations and deactivations of the adjustment apparatus 1, a detection of a flow in a continued determination can be cancelled again without the blocking period between an adjustment of an opening position and a temperature measurement to be performed at the consumer loop 3 having expired.
Consequently, the result of the detection possibly cannot be used and is discarded. Furthermore, in the event of such short cycles, a deactivation of the adjustment apparatus 1, i.e. a duration between detections, may not be sufficiently long for a temperature of the heating medium in the consumer loop 3 to already be distinctively different from a temperature of a potentially newly inflowing part of the heating medium by reason of a heat exchange. In this case, in one embodiment, the adjustment apparatus 1 can make a decision based upon passed blocking durations and activation durations that the flow control valve 2 remains Date Recue/Date Received 2023-04-17 temporarily closed for the subsequent temperature regulating request. Thus, even during a relatively short cycle, it is ensured that the temperature of the heating medium in the closed consumer loop 3 has already changed in a distinctive manner by the time the determination is continued by means of a heat exchange, and a newly inflowing part of the heating medium would be detectable by a significant temperature change.
Furthermore, in one embodiment of the adjustment apparatus 1, provision is made that, after each temperature regulating request, only one interrupted or next pending iteration including a comprised predetermined number of detections of a flow is performed, and thereafter the control operation of the adjustment apparatus 1 for self-regulating adjustment of the flow control valve 2 in favour of temperature regulation by the temperature regulating system 10 begins. In a further embodiment of the adjustment apparatus 1, provision is made that, after each temperature regulating request, only one further detection of a flow from an interrupted or next pending iteration is performed before the typical control operation then starts. A total duration of the determination over which the iterations and their detections are performed in a temporally distributed manner thus depends significantly upon the durations of the temperature regulating requests and those therebetween, i.e. the activation durations and the deactivation durations or, in the case of a thermostat 12, upon a cycle thereof.
In one embodiment, the adjustment apparatus 1 starts or repeats the determination of the hydraulic threshold value when it was disassembled from a flow control valve 2 and disconnected from a power supply. This initial situation occurs if the adjustment apparatus 1 is installed for the first time or in the meantime has been removed from the flow control valve 2 and deliberately disconnected from the power or reset.
The adjustment apparatus 1 of this embodiment can detect a disassembly by means of free actuating travel of the actuator 6 which results in the assembled state up to a contact with the pretensioned valve pin 23, or does not result in the disassembled state.
Furthermore, in one embodiment of the adjustment apparatus 1, the determination of the hydraulic threshold value can be manually re-initiated by the user or a mechanic.
For this purpose, a predetermined signal can be manually input, e.g. in the form of a timed Date Recue/Date Received 2023-04-17 sending of a signal in Morse code for switching on and off or activating and deactivating the adjustment apparatus 1.
In a further embodiment, the adjustment apparatus 1 repeats the determination of the hydraulic threshold value cyclically in relation to a repetition interval.
The repetition interval is fixed e.g. to a predeteimined number of several hundred or several thousand temperature regulating requests or adjustment procedures on the flow control valve 2, after which a change in the valve seal is to be expected. The repetition interval can likewise be fixed to a predetermined number of several hundred or several thousand .. operating hours of the adjustment apparatus 1.
Hereinafter, with the aid of Figs. 5 to 7 reference will be made to a suitable embodiment from said technology which is the subject matter of independent claims.
The adjustment apparatus 1 is mounted on a flow control valve 2. The adjustment apparatus 1 is fastened to the flow control valve 2 by means of a flange 27.
For its part, the flow control valve 2 is installed into a return manifold 14 in the embodiment depicted in this case. The return manifold 14 has a connecting piece 18 screwed therein which connects the return manifold 14 to a consumer loop 3, not illustrated in greater detail. The flow control valve 2 can also be otherwise installed into the return manifold 14. The connecting piece 18 can also be pressed, adhered, soldered, welded or otherwise fastened into the return manifold 14.
The adjustment apparatus 1 comprises an electrically activatable actuator 6.
In the present example, the longitudinal axis of the adjustment apparatus 1 coincides with that of the actuator 6. The electrically activatable actuator 6 contains an activation means 20 which is movable in the axial direction. The longitudinal axis of the activation means 20 likewise coincides with the longitudinal axis of the electrically activatable actuator 6. The activation means 20 is arranged within the electrically activatable actuator 6, has a component which is variable in length in the axial direction, e.g. a flexible material element 21, in particular a wax caitiidge, and is pretensioned by means of a spiral spring 22 arranged coaxially thereto in a concentric manner. The component which is variable Date Recue/Date Received 2023-04-17 in length can also be designed as an electrical mini-actuator instead of a flexible material element 21, although frequently these actuators are more likely not to be considered for reasons of cost and owing to the supposed noise development. Instead of the spiral spring 22, a different suitable means, e.g. an annular spring assembly or the like, can also produce a pretensioning.
By means of electrical lines, the electrically activatable actuator 6 receives signals from a temperature detection means 7 or temperature sensor, not illustrated in greater detail, on the return manifold 14 with regard to the output-side return temperature Treturn of the through-flowing heating medium. The electrically activatable actuator 6 also receives via the lines temperature signals from a temperature detection means 7 or temperature sensor on the supply manifold 13, not illustrated here, with regard to an input-side supply temperature Tsupply of the through-flowing heating medium. In the present embodiment, a further electrical line forms an interface 9 to a thermostat 12, not illustrated in Fig. 5 but illustrated in Fig. 6.
Calculation means 8 contained in the adjustment apparatus 1 process the signals obtained via the lines and output to the electrically activatable actuator 6 corresponding commands or control signals, by means of which the flexible material element 21 in the .. activation means 20 is activated or deactivated. A defined adjustment path or stroke of the activation means 20 in the axial direction is ultimately produced in this manner. The activation means 20 presses in the axial direction onto an activation pin or valve pin 23 of the flow control valve 2 and thus activates same. In the present embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the activation means 20 and the activation pin or valve pin 23 of the flow control valve 2 coincide.
By means of the axial activation of the valve pin 23, a valve head which in the exemplified embodiment is designed as a valve plate 24 is lifted from a valve seat 25 and therefore a valve position is defined which conesponds to a specific opening position of .. the flow control valve 2 or a specific valve opening cross-section.

Date Recue/Date Received 2023-04-17 The respective stroke of the flow control valve 2 or the opening cross-section resulting therefrom is detected via a position detection means 15 in the adjustment apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, the position detection means 15 consists of a magnet 16 which is allocated via a radially outwardly protruding aim 26 to the electrically activatable actuator 6 and is connected to the activation means 20. In this manner, the magnet 16 moves in the axial direction in parallel with the flexible material element 21 or in parallel with the valve plate 24, executes therewith the same stroke or adjustment path and serves as a reference for the respective stroke. A hall sensor 17 which is arranged opposite the magnet 16 is a further component of the position detection means 15. By means of the hall sensor 17, the position and also the movement or the stroke of the magnet 16 is detected and thereby the lift of the valve plate 24 with respect to the valve seat 25 is detected and ultimately the cross-section of the flow control valve 2 is determined.
The adjustment apparatus 1 illustrated in Fig. 5 is used in high number in the temperature regulating system 10 illustrated in Fig. 6. The exemplified embodiment of the temperature regulating system 10 shown in Fig. 6 contains a manifold apparatus 11 having three adjustment apparatuses 1 which are mounted by means of the respective flange 27 on the respectively allocated flow control valve 2. The respective flow control .. valves 2 are installed into one return manifold 14. On the opposite side of the adjustment apparatus 1 or on the underside of the return manifold 14 as viewed in the installation direction, said manifold has in each case a connecting piece 18 which establishes the connection to the respective consumer loop 3. The respective consumer loop 3 fonns a respective heat exchanger 30. In each case, a temperature detection means 7, e.g. a return .. temperature sensor 7h is attached, in particular clipped or adhered, to the connecting piece 18. The return temperature sensor 7b is used to detect the respective output-side return temperature Tretum of the heating medium flowing through the respective consumer loop 3. The return temperature sensor 7b could also be attached to another suitable point for detecting the respective return temperature, e.g. immediately after the connecting piece 18 on the pipe wall of the consumer loop 3 illustrated by lines.

Date Recue/Date Received 2023-04-17 The temperature regulating system 10 further has a supply manifold 13. In the exemplified embodiment, the supply manifold 13 contains three connecting pieces 28 for the three illustrated consumer loops 3. However, a temperature detection means 7 is attached to each connecting piece 28, e.g. a supply temperature sensor 7a, in order to detect the respective input-side supply temperature Tsupply of the heating medium flowing through the respective consumer loop 3. The supply temperature sensor 7a could also be attached to another suitable point for detecting the respective supply temperature, e.g.
immediately after the connecting piece 28 on the pipe wall of the consumer loop 3 illustrated by lines.
lo The supply manifold 13 is connected to the return manifold 14 via a line 29 which contains a temperature regulating source 4 and a pump 5. The liquid heating medium which has been charged with heat energy or optionally cooled by the temperature regulating source 4 can be circulated by the pump 5. The through-flowing heating medium is transported by the pump 5 to the supply manifold 13 where the heating medium flows into the three consumer loops 3 illustrated in this case and flows therethrough back to the return manifold 14, wherein the respective flow volume is determined by the flow cross-section of the respective flow control valve 2 used in the return manifold 14. From the return manifold 14, the through-flowing heating medium combined at this location then flows back to the pump 5 or the temperature regulating source 4.
A thermostat 12 which is allocated to the respective consumer loop 3 outputs an activation signal if there is a requirement for temperature regulating. The activation signal is transmitted from the thermostat 12 e.g. via an interface 9, in this case a cable, to the adjustment apparatus 1. However, the interface 9 could also be designed as a wireless connection. The respective adjustment apparatus 1 determines the respective opening cross-section of the respective flow control valve 2 by means of the respective calculation means 8 in dependence upon the activation signal or deactivation signal of the respective thermostat 12 and the respectively allocated signals or data of the supply temperature and the return temperature.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-04-17 The adjustment apparatuses 1 shown in Fig. 5 used in the temperature regulating system 10 shown in Fig. 6 are illustrated in Fig. 7 once again in a block diagram showing the system components for self-regulation.
Heat or cold is discharged by the consumer loop 3 to the environment. A
thermostat 12, in particular a room thermostat in a living space in a building outputs a signal. The signal from the thermostat 12 is transmitted to an ECU of the adjustment apparatus 1.
Furthermore, the ECU obtains temperature signals or data, such as e.g. the return temperature Tretum and the supply temperature Tsupply. A calculation means 8 which contains the ECU is configured to electrically activate the actuator 6, not illustrated in greater detail here, of the adjustment apparatus 1 in order to effect a stroke of the valve or to adjust a predetermined opening position of the flow control valve 2 allocated to a specific flow cross-section.
The opening cross-section of the flow control valve 2 or the stroke thereof is calculated based upon a control difference ATcontrol difference, wherein the control difference ATcontrol difference, which is to be calculated, between the temperature difference ATactuai is fotined from the detected input-side supply temperature Tsupply and the output-side return temperature Tretum and a predetermined temperature spread ATaesirea from the output-side return temperature Treturn to the input-side supply temperature Tsupply.
The adjustment apparatus 1 further comprises a time detection means, not further illustrated here, and a storage means which are configured to detect and store a preceding or current activation period of the activation signal from the thermostat 12 and/or a deactivation period between two activations or deactivations, wherein the calculation means 8 with the ECU contained therein is configured to variably determine the temperature spread ATaesirea based on an activation period and/or a deactivation period.
Alternative aspects for implementing the suitable technology Date Recue/Date Received 2023-04-17 Further aspects and alternatives of the adjustment apparatus 1 of the method or a corresponding temperature regulating system 10 and assemblies thereof will be provided hereinafter.
The thermostat 12 of the temperature regulating system 10 which is located in a room can have an input means for inputting a value representative of a specifiable room temperature, and an interface 9 for outputting an activation signal for at least one consumer loop 3 in the room.
lo The thermostat 12 of the temperature regulating system 10 can be configured to react to an actual room temperature, in that the thermostat 12 outputs the activation signal as long as a deviation tolerance between the specifiable room temperature and the actual room temperature is exceeded.
An activation according to the definition of the present disclosure is a switch-on state or a start-up from a standby mode of the adjustment apparatus 1 or at least of the calculation means 8 in the adjustment apparatus 1, which is supported by a continuous signal level, is triggered by a signal pulse, or is activated by a control voltage or activation voltage, which is applied in the form of a signal, for switching a transistor on a power supply, a power supply supplied directly in the form of a signal, or the like.
An activation period relates by definition to the time period from the beginning to the end of the correspondingly activated switch-on state or the start-up from a standby mode or the reception period of continuous signal level, control voltage, activation voltage or power supply, or the time period between two signal pulses which effect a switch-on procedure and a switch-off procedure. A deactivation and a deactivation period are accordingly the complementary state and time period, in which the adjustment apparatus 1 is not operated or at least the calculation means 8 does not calculate or the actuator 6 does not activate.
The adjustment apparatus 1 can be configured to output, during an activation period, the electrical activation, which is calculated by the calculation means 8, to the actuator 6, and to output, during a deactivation period, no electrical activation or a predetermined electrical activation, which corresponds to the closed position of the flow Date Recue/Date Received 2023-04-17 control valve 2, to the actuator 6. As a result, depending upon the type of actuator 6 the consumer loop 3 is blocked after a heating procedure so as to prevent any excessive energy supply or any overshooting of the temperature regulating.
The adjustment apparatus 1 can be configured to switch off, during a deactivation period, an electrical power supply to the calculation means 8 and/or to the adjustment apparatus 1. As a result, during the deactivation periods which can also last e.g.
throughout a summer, electricity is saved.
The calculation means 8 can be configured to store at least one value of a preceding opening position of the flow control valve 2 in the storage means. As a result, when the adjustment apparatus 1 is activated the valve is initially moved to a valve position as a starting point which has already been ascertained during the course of the previous heating periods, and which needs to be adapted merely in a different manner during the current heating period.
The storage means can contain a pre-stored reference value for the activation period and/or a pre-stored reference value for the deactivation period. As a result, a time period, established as being comfortable, for reaching a specified temperature is stored as a sought-after reference value which governs the self-regulation.
The storage means can contain a pre-stored value range for the temperature spread.
As a result, it is easily possible to ensure that the operating point of the heat exchanger is selected within an energy-efficient range.
The storage means can contain a pre-stored characteristic map including allocated values of activation periods and/or deactivation periods and specified temperature spreads for determining the temperature spread. As a result, it is possible to implement a predetermined universal control with less processing power.
The storage means can contain pre-stored control logic for calculating the temperature spread. As a result, a more individual control can be implemented.

Date Recue/Date Received 2023-04-17 The adjustment apparatus 1 can be configured to modify the temperature spread in dependence upon the supply temperature, and/or the adjustment apparatus 1 can be configured to modify a bandwidth of the temperature spread in dependence upon the supply temperature, and/or the adjustment apparatus 1 can be configured to receive, via the interface 9, further external signals with operating parameters from the temperature regulating system 10; and the calculation means 8 can be configured to adapt the temperature spread in dependence upon the operating parameters. As a result, it is possible to implement a control which, on the basis of a change in the supply temperature, detects weather fluctuations or times of the year and adapts an efficient working point accordingly or to allow further comfort-oriented functions, which can be specified on a multifunctional room thermostat, to also influence the control.
One thermostat 12 and two or more consumer loops 3 or heating or cooling circuits can be located in one room of the building. This makes it possible to supply large rooms by means of a plurality of installed heating or cooling coils which have standardised diameters and an overall lower flow resistance and which are regulated by dedicated adjustment apparatuses 1 but the same room thermostat.
The thermostat 12 can have a bi-metal element which reacts to the actual room temperature and effects an output of the activation signal or deactivation signal. This provides a particularly simple, reliable and cost-effective design of the room thermostat without electronics and sensors.
The activation signal or deactivation signal can be a binary signal which comprises a switch-on state with a signal level above a predetermined level value and comprises a switch-off state without a signal level or with a signal level below the predetermined level value. This likewise provides a particularly simple and cost-effective embodiment of the signal generation and signal recognition.
A thermostat 12 can comprise a microcomputer and a temperature sensor 7a, 7b for detecting the actual room temperature; wherein the thermostat 12 detects and stores a Date Recue/Date Received 2023-04-17 progression of the actual room temperature, whilst and/or after the activation signal or the deactivation signal is output; and the thermostat 12 and an adjustment apparatus 1 are configured to communicate data relating to a progression of detected actual room temperatures. This provides a multifunctional design of the temperature regulating system

10 which permits an adaptive control to further comfort-oriented parameters, such as influencing a heating curve progression in dependence upon an output temperature and target temperature and/or an outside temperature or a time of day or the like.
The activation signal and/or the deactivation signal can be communicated from a specific thermostat 12 to an allocated adjustment apparatus 1 by means of wireless interfaces 9. As a result, cabling from the room thermostat to the adjustment apparatus 1 can be omitted and installation outlay can be reduced. Furthermore, such a wireless interface 9 can also be used to establish a connection between a smartphone, tablet PC or the like and an adjustment apparatus 1 or a thermostat 12, thus permitting a further input option for the user to the system.
A smaller temperature spread can be determined if at least one preceding activation period is greater than a reference value, or a larger temperature spread can be determined if at least one preceding activation period is less than the reference value.
As a result, the .. self-regulation is oriented to a time period, established in advance as being comfortable, for reaching a specified [temperature].
The temperature spread can be deteiniined based upon a progression of consecutive, preceding activation periods. This permits better adaptation of the self-regulation to user behaviour, times of the year and the like.
The adjustment apparatus 1 can have a position detection means 15 which is designed in such a way as to detect a current position of the actuator 6. This allows specified actuating travel to be respected, which is required depending upon the type of actuator 6.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-04-17 The position detection means 15 can be formed from a magnet 16 and a hall sensor 17 allocated to the magnet 16. This permits exact detection and implementation of specified actuating travel.
The actuator 6 can be provided by various types of actuators, of which the actuating force is based upon an electromotive power, a thermal expansion, a spring bias or the like, as long as the actuating travel can be activated by an activation on the part of the calculation means 8.
lo Figs. 5 to 7 discussed above use the reference signs which are listed below in summary, wherein this list does not claim to be complete:
1 adjustment apparatus;
2 flow control valve;
3 consumer loop;
4 temperature regulating source;
5 pump;
6 actuator 7 temperature detection means;
7a supply temperature sensor;
7b return temperature sensor;
8 calculation means;
9 interface;
10 temperature regulating system;

11 manifold apparatus;

12 theimostat;

13 supply manifold;

14 return manifold;

15 position detection means;

16 magnet;

17 hall sensor;

18 connecting piece;

Date Recue/Date Received 2023-04-17 20 activation means;
21 flexible material element;
22 coil spring;
23 valve pin;
24 valve plate;
25 valve seat;
26 arm;
27 flange;
28 connecting piece;
29 line;
30 heat exchanger;
Sv entire movable distance of the actuating travel SV min closed position of the flow control valve SV-hydraulic-min hydraulic minimum opening position of the flow control valve Sv-hyclraulic hydraulic limited opening position of the flow control valve Tsupply input-side supply temperature of the through-flowing heating medium;
Tretum output-side return temperature of the through-flowing heating medium;
ATaetual temperature difference;
ATdesired temperature spread;
ATeontrol difference control difference;
Troom-desired specifiable room temperature;
Troom-aetual actual room temperature;

Date Recue/Date Received 2023-04-17

Claims

1. Adjustment apparatus for self-regulating adjustment of a flow control valve of a consumer loop comprising a heat exchanger, a liquid heating medium and a pump, wherein the adjustment apparatus comprises:
an actuator which is configured so as to be able to be coupled to the flow control valve such that an opening position of the flow control valve is adjustable and detectable between a closed position (Sv min) and an open position by means of the adjustment apparatus;
temperature detection means which detect a supply temperature asuppO, which is on the input side in relation to the consumer loop, and an output-side return temperature (Tretum) of the through-flowing heating medium; wherein a calculation means which is configured to calculate an activation of the actuator which corresponds to a predetermined opening position, which is allocated allocated to a specific flow cross-section, of the flow control valve such that a temperature difference (ATactual) from the detected input-side supply temperature (Tsupply) and the output-side return temperature (Treturn) is brought up to a predetermined temperature spread (ATdesired) 1 from the output-side return temperature (Tretum) to the input-side supply temperature (Tsupply);
characterised in that the adjustment apparatus is configured to determine a hydraulic minimum opening position (SY-hydraulic-min) of the flow control valve, at which a minimum flow is detectable, along an actuating travel path; and the adjustment apparatus detects a flow through the flow control valve based upon a temperature change of the heating medium in the consumer loop; wherein the determination of the hydraulic minimum opening position (Sv-hydrautiu-ruiu) comprises iterations of different opening positions along the actuating travel path of the flow control valve;
each iteration of an opening position of the flow control valve comprises at least one detection of the flow through the flow control valve; and the determination of the hydraulic minimum opening position (SV-hydraulic-min) extends over a plurality of external temperature regulating requests to the consumer loop, and missing iterations of the determination which are still pending after deactivations of the adjustment apparatus between the temperature regulating requests are continued during renewed activations of the adjustment apparatus.

2. Adjustment apparatus for self-regulating adjustment of a flow control valve of a consumer loop comprising a heat exchanger, a liquid heating medium and a pump, wherein the adjustment apparatus comprises:
an electrically activatable actuator which is configured so as to be able to be coupled to the flow control valve such that an opening position of the flow control valve is adjustable and detectable between a closed position (Sv min) and an open position by means of the adjustment apparatus;
temperature detection means which detect a supply temperature (Tsuppiy), which is on the input side in relation to the consumer loop, and an output-side return temperature (Treturn) of the through-flowing heating medium;
a calculation means which is configured to calculate an electrical activation of the actuator which corresponds to a predetermined opening position, which is allocated to a specific flow cross-section, of the flow control valve based upon a control difference (ATcontrol difference), wherein the control difference (ATcontrol difference), which is to be calculated, between a temperature difference (ATactual) is fomted from the detected input-side supply temperature (Tsupply) and the output-side return temperature (Treturn) and a predetermined temperature spread (ATdesired) from the output-side return temperature (Treturn) to the input-side supply temperature (Tsuppty);
an interface for receiving an external activation signal for activating the calculation means and/or the adjustment apparatus; wherein the adjustment apparatus comprises a time detection means and a storage means which are configured to detect and store a preceding or current activation period of the activation signal and/or a deactivation period between two activations;
and the calculation means is configured to variably determine the temperature spread (ATdesired) based upon an activation period and/or a deactivation period;
characterised in that the adjustment apparatus is configured to deteimine a hydraulic minimum opening position (SY-hydraulic-min) of the flow control valve, at which a minimum flow is detectable, along an actuating travel path; and the adjustment apparatus detects a flow through the flow control valve based upon a temperature change of the heating medium in the consumer loop; wherein the detemiination of the hydraulic minimum opening position (SY-hydraulic-min) comprises iterations of different opening positions along the actuating travel path of the flow control valve;
each iteration of an opening position of the flow control valve comprises at least one detection of the flow through the flow control valve; and the detemtination of the hydraulic minimum opening position (Sy-hydraulic-mi.) extends over a plurality of external temperature regulating requests to the consumer loop, and missing iterations of the determination which are still pending after deactivations of the adjustment apparatus between the temperature regulating requests are continued during renewed activations of the adjustment apparatus.

3. Adjustment apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first iteration begins at a hydraulic opening position (Sv-hydrautic), at which a flow through the flow control valve is to be expected; and the adjustment apparatus adjusts in an offset manner an opening position of the flow control valve for a subsequent iteration in the direction of a closed position (Sv-min) of the flow control valve if a flow through the flow control valve is detected.

4. Adjustment apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the adjustment apparatus adjusts in an offset manner an opening position of the flow control valve for a subsequent iteration opposite to the direction to the closed position (Sy-min) of the flow control valve if no flow through the flow control valve is detected.

5. Adjustment apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the adjustment apparatus offsets an opening position of the flow control valve during a subsequent iteration by a distance along the actuating travel path equal to half the amount of the offset distance during the preceding iteration.

6. Adjustment apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the adjustment apparatus determines the hydraulic minimum opening position (Sv_ hydraulic-min) within a predetermined number of iterations of different opening positions of the flow control valve.

7. Adjustment apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein if no flow through the flow control valve is detected, an iteration of the corresponding opening position still comprises a detection of the flow at a higher opening position of the flow control valve.

8. Adjustment apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein each iteration comprises a predetermined number of detections of flow through the flow control valve at an opening position of the flow control valve.

9. Adjustment apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein between each iteration of an opening position, between each detection of the flow within an iteration of an opening position, and/or between an activation and a continuation of pending iterations of the determination, a predetermined blocking period is initially run, for which the flow control valve is closed and/or during which no temperature is detected.

10. Adjustment apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the continuation of an interrupted iteration of the determination of the hydraulic minimum opening position (Sy-hydraulic-min) is temporarily suspended for a temperature regulating request;
if no flow through the flow control valve was previously detected at the opening position of the interrupted iteration.

11. Adjustment apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the adjusting apparatus performs the determination of the hydraulic minimum opening position (SV-hydraulic-min) if it has been disconnected from a power supply, if a disassembly in relation to the flow control valve has been detected by means of the actuator and/or a predetermined switching pattern in relation to the activation has been detected.

12. Adjustment apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the adjustment apparatus performs the determination of the hydraulic minimum opening position (Sy-hydraulic-min) when a predetermined repetition interval expires.

13. Method for self-regulating adjustment of a flow of a liquid heating medium through a consumer loop comprising a heat exchanger in a temperature regulating system for buildings having a temperature regulating source and a pump by means of an adjustment apparatus for a flow control valve;
wherein the method comprises at least the steps of:
detecting an input-side supply temperature (Tsupply) and an output-side return temperature (Tretum) of the through-flowing heating medium at the consumer loop;
adjusting an opening position - allocated to a specific flow cross-section -of the flow control valve such that a temperature difference (ATactual) is formed from the detected input-side supply temperature (Tsupply) and the output-side return temperature (Tretum) is brought up to a predetemiined temperature spread (ATdesired) from the output-side return temperature (Tretum) to the input-side supply temperature (Tsupply), characterised by the steps of:

determining a hydraulic minimum opening position (SY-hydraulic-min) of the flow control valve, at which a minimum flow is detectable, along an actuating travel path; by means of detecting a flow through the flow control valve based upon a temperature change of the heating medium in the consumer loop; wherein the deteimination of the hydraulic minimum opening position (Sy-hydraulic-ruin) comprises iterations of different opening positions along the actuating travel path of the flow control valve;
each iteration of an opening position of the flow control valve comprises at least one detection of the flow through the flow control valve; and the determination of the hydraulic minimum opening position (SY-hydraulic-min) extends over a plurality of external temperature regulating requests to the consumer loop, and missing iterations of the determination which are still pending after deactivations of the adjustment apparatus between the temperature regulating requests are continued during renewed activations of the adjustment apparatus.

14. Method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first iteration begins at a hydraulic opening position (Sy-hydraulic), at which a flow through the flow control valve is to be expected; and an opening position of the flow control valve is offset for a subsequent iteration in the direction of a closed position (Sy-min) of the flow control valve if a flow through the flow control valve is detected.

15. Method as claimed in claim 14, wherein an opening position of the flow control valve is offset for a subsequent iteration opposite to the direction to the closed position (Sy-min) of the flow control valve if no flow through the flow control valve is detected.

16. Method as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein an opening position of the flow control valve is offset during a subsequent iteration by a distance along the actuating travel path equal to half the amount of the offset distance during the preceding iteration.

17. Method as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the hydraulic minimum opening position (Sy-hydraulic-min) is deteimined within a predetermined number of iterations of different opening positions of the flow control valve.

18. Method as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein if no flow through the flow control valve is detected, an iteration of the corresponding opening position still comprises a detection of the flow at a higher opening position of the flow control valve.

19. Method as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein each iteration comprises a predetermined number of detections of flow through the flow control valve at an opening position of the flow control valve.

20. Method as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 19, wherein between each iteration of an opening position, between each detection of the flow within an iteration of an opening position, and/or between an activation and a continuation of pending iterations of the determination, a predetermined blocking period is initially run, for which the flow control valve is closed and/or during which no temperature is detected.

21. Method as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 20, wherein the continuation of an interrupted iteration of the determination of the hydraulic minimum opening position (Sy-hydraulic-min) is temporarily suspended for a temperature regulating request;
if no flow through the flow control valve was previously detected at the opening position of the interrupted iteration.

22. Method as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 21, wherein the determination of the hydraulic minimum opening position (SY-hydraulic-min) is performed if the adjustment apparatus has been disconnected from a power supply, if a disassembly in relation to the flow control valve has been detected and/or a predetermined switching pattern in relation to the activation has been detected.

23. Method as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 22, wherein the determination of the hydraulic minimum opening position (SY-hydraulic-min) is performed when a predetermined repetition interval expires.

24. Method for self-regulating adjustment of a flow of a liquid heating medium through an externally activatable consumer loop comprising a heat exchanger in a temperature regulating system for buildings having a temperature regulating source and a pump by means of an adjustment apparatus for a flow control valve;
wherein the method comprises at least the steps of:
detecting a preceding or current activation period and/or a deactivation period of the consumer loop;
detecting an input-side supply temperature (T5upply) and an output-side return temperature (Tretum) of the through-flowing heating medium at the consumer loop;
determining a variable temperature spread (ATdesired) from the output-side return temperature (Tretum) to the input-side supply temperature (T5upp0 based upon the activation period and/or the deactivation period;
calculating a control difference (ATeontrol difference) between a temperature difference (ATaetual) from the detected input-side supply temperature (T5upply) and the output-side return temperature (Tref.), as well as the predetermined temperature spread (ATdesired); and calculating and adjusting an adjustable flow cross-section in the consumer loop based upon the control difference (ATcontrol difference); wherein an opening position -allocated to the calculated flow cross-section - of the flow control valve is adjusted in the consumer loop;
characterised by the steps of:
determining a hydraulic minimum opening position (Sv-hydradic-min) of the flow control valve, at which a minimum flow is detectable, along an actuating travel path; by means of detecting a flow through the flow control valve based upon a temperature change of the heating medium in the consumer loop; wherein the determination of the hydraulic minimum opening position (SY-hydraulic-min) comprises iterations of different opening positions along the actuating travel path of the flow control valve;
each iteration of an opening position of the flow control valve comprises at least one detection of the flow through the flow control valve; and the detemiination of the hydraulic minimum opening position (SY-hydraulic-min) extends over a plurality of external temperature regulating requests to the consumer loop, and missing iterations of the determination which are still pending after deactivations of the adjustment apparatus between the temperature regulating requests are continued during renewed activations of the adjustment apparatus.

25. Method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the first iteration begins at a hydraulic opening position (SY-hydraulic), at which a flow through the flow control valve is to be expected; and an opening position of the flow control valve is offset for a subsequent iteration in the direction of a closed position (Sv_rnin) of the flow control valve if a flow through the flow control valve is detected.

26. Method as claimed in claim 25, wherein an opening position of the flow control valve is offset for a subsequent iteration opposite to the direction to the closed position (Sv_min) of the flow control valve if no flow through the flow control valve is detected.

27. Method as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein an opening position of the flow control valve is offset during a subsequent iteration by a distance along the actuating travel path equal to half the amount of the offset distance during the preceding iteration.

28. Method as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 27, wherein the hydraulic minimum opening position (SV-hydraulic-rnin) is determined within a predetermined number of iterations of different opening positions of the flow control valve.

29. Method as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 28, wherein if no flow through the flow control valve is detected, an iteration of the corresponding opening position still comprises a detection of the flow at a higher opening position of the flow control valve.

30. Method as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 29, wherein each iteration comprises a predetermined number of detections of flow through the flow control valve at an opening position of the flow control valve.

31. Method as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 30, wherein between each iteration of an opening position, between each detection of the flow within an iteration of an opening position, and/or between an activation and a continuation of pending iterations of the determination, a predetermined blocking period is initially run, for which the flow control valve is closed and/or during which no temperature is detected.

32. Method as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 31, wherein the continuation of an internipted iteration of the determination of the hydraulic minimum opening position (Sy-hydraulic-min) is temporarily suspended for a temperature regulating request;
if no flow through the flow control valve was previously detected at the opening position of the interrupted iteration.

33. Method as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 32, wherein the determination of the hydraulic minimum opening position (SY-hydraulic-min) is performed if the adjustment apparatus has been disconnected from a power supply, if a disassembly in relation to the flow control valve has been detected and/or a predetermined switching pattern in relation to the activation has been detected.

34. Method as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 33, wherein the determination of the hydraulic minimum opening position (SV-hydraulic-min) is performed when a predetermined repetition interval expires.