DE102007055132A1 - Monitoring and diagnosis armature for warm water, has electronic module adjusting signals in compare to preset limited values and sending optical and/or acoustic and/or electronic warning message during exceeding of limiting values - Google Patents

Abstract

The armature has a measuring module (1) designed as T-fitting and exhibiting a pH-value sensor (4) for pH measurement, an electrical conductivity-sensor (5) for measurement of electrical conductivity, and a LED (6) and a photocell (7) for turbidity measurement in a flow channel. An electronic module (8) receives electrical signals transmitted from the sensors and from a flow rate meter (3). The electronic module adjusts the signals in compare to preset limited values and sends optical and/or acoustic and/or electronic warning message during exceeding of the limiting values.

Description

The The invention relates to a monitoring and diagnostic fitting for heating water, the damage in the heating and / or Cooling water circuit prevented by Temperierungsanlagen.

It is already known heating systems against calcification and corrosion to protect. A commonly used method exists in the addition of inhibitors in the water cycle. It is irrelevant, whether it is heating or cooling circuits is. The starting point is the following. becomes a hot water heating system filled with (drinking) water of high water hardness Heat generators, radiators, pipes, pumps, valves etc. by calcification and corrosion damage.

In Germany since December 2005 in the VDI 2035, sheet 1 measures to prevent calcification in hot water - heating systems (including those with electric heating elements) is required, in Austria is the by the Ö standard H 5195-1 regulated.

activities to prevent corrosion are in the VDI 2035, sheet 2 and the accompanying explanations described.

Limescale and corrosion protection in hot water heating systems of low and medium power is usually achieved by the addition of so-called inhibitors, the effectiveness of which depends essentially on the correct dosage. There are many technical solutions, one of which is in the DE 10 2004 048 333 A1 described.

to exact dosage becomes aware of the exact water content of the heating system needed. This one is almost always unknown, because the heating system does not have a water meter is filled. In practice, therefore, the water content Currently only diagrams dependent on the installed radiator types roughly certainly.

This The process provides very inaccurate water contents, resulting in incorrect inhibitor dosages can lead.

• – die Inhibitor – Konzentration verändert wird und diese ab einer bestimmten Verdünnung unwirksam ist, d. h. der vorgeschriebene Schutz wird aufgehoben.
• – die Häufigkeit und Menge der Wassernachfüllung Hinweise auf Defekte (Leck, defektes Ausdehnungsgefäß usw.) in der Heizungsanlage geben können.

To assess the function of a heating system, it is not only important to know the exact water content, but of particular importance, when, how often and how much water is replenished, because

• - The inhibitor concentration is changed and this is ineffective at a certain dilution, ie the prescribed protection is waived.
• - the frequency and quantity of water replenishment can give indications of defects (leak, defective expansion tank, etc.) in the heating system.

Furthermore are for efficient function and long life the heating factors pH, electrical conductivity and the degree of pollution with suspended particles (siltation) really important. The pH of the heating water should be between 8.3 and 9.5 are maximum when using aluminum components 9.0. The electrical conductivity may be avoided of corrosion amount to a maximum of 1000 μS / cm.

The everything does not do the previously known methods.

The Invention has the goal of a simple and reliable Specify device, which allows already existing as well as keeping new heating systems functional, by the inhibitor concentration, the pH, the electrical conductivity and the degree of pollution with suspended particles (siltation) is determined continuously and inexpensively.

The Invention has the task of proposing a fitting, with their Help it is possible to fill for Determine heating systems and indirectly from the inhibitor concentration set, test and monitor.

In a first step is the filling of the heating system via a special flow meter in the heating water circuit a Solution, which alone is not a new invention.

In the second step, the heating system inhibitor is added to the knowledge of the amount Water can be dosed with sufficient accuracy. The inhibitor can be introduced via a filler neck, but also via any opening, such as the bore of the vent valve in the radiator or the like.

Of the Flowmeter is structurally arranged so that only the Quantities of water are detected, which are introduced into the heating system become. The circulating water quantity is not measured.

Of the circulating heating water flow flows through a measuring device, which measured values are taken to assess the quality of circulating water are required.

The are the pH, the electrical conductivity, the turbidity.

The continuous recording of the measured values can be done differently. It is advantageous to store the measured values electronically. The electronic storage can be linked to signaling upon reaching and / or exceeding limit values, which be specified.

As a result, if the fitting according to the invention consists of two modules:

Module 1: Measurement module

It is used in the vicinity of the boiler directly into the pipe system Installed heating water distribution and also serves as a filler neck, or filling tap.

Of the Inner diameter and thus also the dimensions of the connection fittings depend on the system contents and the maximum water flow rate. The dimensioning of the surveillance and diagnostic fitting should the sizing of the boiler connection correspond and not be chosen smaller. This means, that the measuring module made in several sizes will be. The measuring module contains the flow rate measuring device for water and the sensors.

The Measuring module can also be used alone with the electronics of the heat generator which are then described for module 2 Functions after appropriate programming takes over. This comes especially into consideration when the inventive Fitting already factory-installed or mounted in a new boiler becomes.

Module 2: electronic module

In the electronic module ( 8th ) are controlled by a microprocessor ( 10 ) with the included time / date circuit the electrical signals from the measuring module ( 1 ) and links the calculated information in the display ( 11 ) and possibly supported by optical and / or acoustic signals.

The function of the measuring module is explained below with reference to the 1 is referred to.

In the measuring module ( 1 ), which is dirt-water-resistant and pressure-resistant, there is a flow meter ( 3 ), which measures the amount of water flowing into the heating system during the filling or refilling process and outputs the result as an electrical impulse.

The flow meter ( 3 ) is not used for billing, but only for the collection of water quantities for internal use. As a result, no calibration and no periodical exchange according to calibration order is required and the accuracy of the measured value may be lower than otherwise required by meters.

For the monitoring and control of the quality of the Heating water are two physical characteristics of particular Meaning, the pH and the electrical conductivity. The characteristic value gains in importance as the operating time progresses the water pollution by detached corroded particles, the so-called turbidity.

By integration of one sensor each ( 4 + 5 ) for the pH value and electrical conductivity in the measuring module, the first two characteristic values can be recorded.

With increasing contamination of the heating water by corrosion products decreases the heat transfer performance and thereby energy losses occur.

The actual pollution of the heating water is measured in which the emitted from the LED and photocell / phototransistor received light beams are evaluated.

• – Wassermenge in Liter
• – pH-Wert ohne Maßeinheit
• – elektrische Leitfähigkeit in μS/cm
• – Trübung ohne Maßeinheit

The measuring module provides electrical information about:

• - amount of water in liters
• - pH without unit of measurement
• - electrical conductivity in μS / cm
• - Turbidity without unit of measurement

Measuring cycle:

Amount of water:

Collection and storage of water quantities during filling (initial filling, refilling). The T-shape of the measuring module ( 1 ) is designed in such a way that only the sensors are located in the flow circuit and the flow meter in the dead branch, in which only a flow is created during filling and refilling of the heating water circuit.

PH value:

• Measurement at longer intervals is sufficient (Day month)

Electric conductivity:

• Measurement at longer intervals is sufficient (Day month)

turbidity:

• Measurement at longer intervals is sufficient (Day month)

For the function of the electronic module:

• – Wassermenge Befüllung Heizungssystem mit Datum/Uhrzeit
• – Jede Nachfüllmenge mit Datum/Uhrzeit

By evaluating the quantities of water - proportional impulses of the flowmeter ( 3 ), the following information can be recorded and stored in connection with an electronic evaluation via its time module:

• - Water quantity filling heating system with date / time
• - Each refill quantity with date / time

• – Wasserinhalt der Heizungsanlage
• – Jede einzelne Nachfüllung mit Menge und Datum/Uhrzeit
• – Nachfüllhäufigkeit bezogen auf definierte Zeitabschnitte (Monat, Jahr, definierter Zeitraum)
• – Nachfüllmengen bezogen auf definierte Zeitabschnitte (Monat, Jahr, definierter Zeitraum)
• – Prozentuale Erneuerung der Wassermenge durch Nachfüllung bezogen auf den Gesamt-Wasserinhalt (= Verdünnung zugemischter Inhibitoren).

From this data, the following information can be generated, which is displayed on a display:

• - Water content of the heating system
• - Each individual refill with quantity and date / time
• - Replenishment frequency based on defined time periods (month, year, defined period)
• - Refill quantities in relation to defined time periods (month, year, defined period)
• - Percentage renewal of the amount of water by refilling based on the total water content (= dilution of admixed inhibitors).

When the minimum inhibitor concentration is undercut, the microprocessor electronics ( 10 ) of the electronic module ( 8th ) issued a warning (visual / audible) and / or via an integrated or the control of an external metering device via the interface ( 12 ) on the electronic module ( 8th ) automatically replenished the missing amount of inhibitor.

The Operation of the electronic module (selection of the display, definition of limit values, etc.) via a membrane keypad.

The Error states, their evaluation and the resulting Error codes and their meaning are shown in Table 1.

It is also possible to send the measured values and error codes of the monitoring and diagnostic device via the interface ( 12 ) directly to the control electronics of the heater. A remote reading via Internet connection is also possible if the electronics of the boiler can be reached via the Internet.

The Power supply of the electronic module is possible. It can be connected to the public power supply as well such as battery operation, generator operation or batteries, the latter optionally chargeable by thermocouples, which the Heat of the heating pipe transform into electrical energy and thus generate the charging current for the battery (s), if the heating is in operation. The data store is designed to that the measured values are retained in the event of a power failure.

The inventive solution all hardware combinations with each other (no additional Sensor, all sensors and all possibilities in between), all possibilities of linking the acquired measured values to various information and their evaluations and all integrations hardware configurations and evaluation links this invention in already existing fittings in the heating water circuit are installed, for. B. heat meter.

Especially promising is the sole use of the measuring module in Heating boilers and other heat generators with integration the measured values in the existing electronics and the error display in the display of the heat generator.

Furthermore is still a low-cost option protection claim to a simple Water meter (totalizer in liters up to 9999) in which by integration of a reset button for the counter (analogue odometer) there is a possibility of refilled water to record manually. From the manually entered values can then the effects on the inhibitor concentration can be calculated. Such a water meter with reset option The counter is not only used to measure the filling water and replenishment amount of heating systems suitable, but also in all other areas, where water quantities and water contents to be determined, for. B. Water content of containers, Ponds, pools or for quantity measurement and consumption measurement of Lawn sprinklers, pressure washers, washing machines, etc.

By Various changeable connection pieces can be the water meter easy via standard connectors (Eg System Gardena), hose connections with hose clamps or Threaded connections are introduced into different water systems.

The Type of inhibitor is not the subject of the invention. It can from the supplier as well as from the maintenance service used by these, usually used or recommended inhibitors. It's clear, that are mixed only within the tolerances can.

By Targeted diagnosis and more effective maintenance can through the monitoring and diagnostic fitting for Heating water approx. 30 to 50% of the fault applications and accidents in hot water heating systems are prevented.

By the optimal state of the heat carrier water can save several percent of energy in a heating system and an extension of the life can be achieved.

The sales potential for the use of the monitoring and diagnostic fittings for heating water in Germany is estimated at 1 to 3 million units in the next 5 years, including the integration of the measuring module into the boilers of the manufacturers.

1

Messmodul (wasserfest, druckfest)

2

Anschlussstutzen

3

Durchflussmengenmesser

4

Sensor pH-Wert

5

Sensor elektr. Leitfähigkeit

6

Leuchtdiode

7

Fotozelle (6 + 7 = Trübungssensor)

8

Elektronikmodul

9

Elektronikplatine (Mikroprozessorsteuerung)

10

Stromversorgung

11

Anzeigedisplay (Digitalanzeige)

12

Schnittstelle

Legend too 1

1

Measuring module (waterproof, pressure-resistant)

2

spigot

3

Flow meters

4

Sensor pH

5

Sensor electr. conductivity

6

led

7

Photocell ( 6 + 7 = Turbidity sensor)

8th

electronic module

9

Electronic board (microprocessor control)

10

power supply

11

Display (digital display)

12

interface

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102004048333 A1 [0005]

Cited non-patent literature

• - Ö standard H 5195-1 [0003]

Claims (4)

Heating water monitoring and diagnostic device consisting of two modules, the first of which is designed as a T-piece and installed in the flow direction of the heating water, and sensors ( 4 ) for a pH measurement, sensors ( 5 ) for measuring the electrical conductivity, sensors ( 6 ) and ( 7 ) for turbidity measurement in the flow channel, the T-piece has a flow meter, the second module of the sensors ( 4 ) 5 ) 6 ) and ( 7 ) as well as the flow meter ( 3 ) receives emitted electrical signals, compensates against predetermined limit values and transmits optical and / or acoustic and / or electronic warning messages when the limit values are exceeded. Monitoring and diagnostic fitting for Heating water according to claim 1, since characterized in that the Signal evaluation unit of module 2 with the boiler electronics connected or integrated into it. Monitoring and diagnostic fitting for Heating water according to claims 1 and 2, characterized that warning signals are transmitted directly to a maintenance and / or breakdown service become. Monitoring and diagnostic fitting for Heating water according to claims 1 to 3, characterized that a simple, non-calibrated water meter is lower Accuracy with possibility of returning the Counter is used to zero value.