DE102019004962A1 - Procedure for monitoring the energy content of a water storage system - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for controlling the heating of a domestic hot water tank, wherein the tank temperatures are measured. The store temperatures are entered into a control unit and a heater is activated to heat the water in the store when the control unit reports heating needs. The method comprises a step of entering a temperature value of the cold water supplied into the control unit and generating a parameter caused by this temperature of the cold water supplied. The storage tank temperature is measured and is related to the thermal energy content of the storage tank, whereby the storage tank temperature is measured with a built-in water temperature sensor attached to the storage tank and has further influence on the parameter. Depending on a comparison between a setpoint and the parameter that is generated on the basis of the storage tank temperature and the measured cold water temperature, a heating demand message is then processed.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for monitoring the energy content of a water storage system.

It should be noted that the citation or identification of any document in this application should not be interpreted to mean that the document in question is available as prior art for the present invention.

For future demand-controlled network systems, information on the energy content of storage systems is required to avoid load peaks and stabilize the network. In particular, the storage capacity of electrically heated water storage systems plays an important role in network stabilization, considering the generation of electrical energy from wind and solar sources.

With the introduction of a demand-controlled water heating system, it will be possible to optimize power generation taking into account cost-effective power distribution and grid stability. In the future, consumers will be able to make their water storage capacity available to utility companies to store thermal energy in times of abundant wind and solar energy. According to the current state of the art, information about the temperature in a water reservoir is provided using a capillary tube that is in contact with the water reservoir and contains a heat-sensitive fluid. US200910019931A1 provides information on such a system.

DE102010047368B3 shows a method for controlling a water reservoir heated with an electrical element. The heating-up time of the water storage tank is based on information on the tapping history of the consumer using different charging rates for the temperature settings.

Both methods are expensive and / or not precise in order to provide exact information about a useful energy content in the water reservoir.

DE102004018034B4 shows a heat pump, which is connected to a hot water storage system with a cold water connection in the lower area and a hot water connection in the upper area, between which a heat exchanger is arranged. A temperature sensor is located in the lower area of the memory. Alternatively, there is an impeller flow meter in the water pipe. The sensor or flow meter starts the heat pump when the amount of water withdrawn exceeds a set threshold.

The aim of this invention is to provide a method for reducing the energy consumption of a water storage heating system. It is within the scope of the invention to provide precise information about a water storage system.

This goal is achieved by a method in which a storage tank temperature is measured and the storage tank temperature is entered into a control unit. When the control unit reports heating demand, a heating element is activated to heat hot water in the storage tank. A temperature value of the cold water supplied is entered into the control unit and this generates a parameter dependent on the temperature of the cold water supplied. The measured storage temperature is related to the thermal energy content of the storage. The storage tank temperature is measured with a water temperature sensor attached to the storage tank, with the storage tank temperature having a further influence on the parameter. Depending on a comparison between a setpoint and the parameter that is generated on the basis of the storage tank temperature and the measured cold water temperature, a heating demand message is processed.

“With a water temperature sensor attached to the storage tank” means that this temperature sensor can be attached inside the storage tank or outside of the storage tank. When attached to the outside of the storage tank, the temperature sensor is specially attached to an outer surface of the storage tank.

One aspect of the invention is to provide a utility company with permanently precise information about the energy content of the water storage system in order to meet the requirements in terms of user comfort and the utility company, to save costs and to stabilize the network.

One aspect of the invention is to calculate an exact value of the thermal energy content depending on the reference mass and the generated parameter.

Another aspect of the invention is the step of measuring the internal water temperature of the reservoir using a built-in temperature sensor.

In addition, another aspect of the invention describes a heating requirement message when the exact temperature value is below the setpoint.

It is possible that the step of activating the heating device depends on the amount of the calculated exact value.

In one embodiment, the step of activating the heating element follows when the amount of the calculated exact value is less than a fixed value of the thermal energy content.

According to a further aspect of the invention, it is described to calculate the exact value of the thermal energy content by multiplying the reference mass parameter by a temperature increase value.

According to this aspect, the temperature rise is the difference between the target temperature and the temperature of the cold water supplied.

According to a further aspect of the invention, it is described to compare the measured current cold water temperature signal with a previous cold water temperature, to update the current cold water temperature signal if it differs from a previous one, and to use the updated one to calculate the parameter.

According to this aspect, an update step follows when the current cold water temperature signal is below the previous one.

In one embodiment, the method comprises the updating step if the current cold water temperature signal deviates from a defined value.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a step of identifying a withdrawal process is described in order to record the actual cold water temperature within a suitable period of time after the start of a withdrawal.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a step of detecting the cold water temperature in a suitable time period is described, a suitable time period beginning after the end of an unsuitable time period.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a step for determining the unsuitable time period is described if the time frame is exceeded.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a step for determining the time frame of approximately 5 to 40 seconds is described.

In one embodiment, the appropriate time period begins at the end of the inappropriate time period and ends after more than 30 seconds or at the end of the extraction process.

In one embodiment, the invention comprises the step of comparing successive cold water temperatures with differences using the temperature sensor information and a time base.

According to a further aspect of the invention, it is described to detect the start of the withdrawal when the difference between two successive cold water temperature values is over 2 K during the first time base.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a step for starting a first timer 1 with an unsuitable time period is described.

According to this aspect, the step of comparing a current cold water temperature with a previous one follows to calculate a difference. If the difference is less than a special parameter, a timer activates two to measure the current cold water temperature information using the temperature sensor during a time base.

According to a further aspect of the invention, steps are described in order, after the second timer 2 has been started, to record the temperature of the cold water supplied regularly for a minimum period of between 5 and 30 seconds, to enter each subsequent cold water temperature value in a register and the successive measured values Compare values. If there is a difference that is less than a second parameter, the measurement is valid.

It is possible to determine the mean value of the cold water temperature values in the register and to compare a current cold water temperature mean value with the previously stored mean value and if the difference between the currently calculated value and the previously stored value is over 2 K, the Updated previous stored value using a simple moving averaging process to avoid any jumping of values on a display.

According to a further aspect of the invention, it is described to identify a removal process with a suitable period of time in order to detect the actual cold water temperature by comparing previous cold water temperature values with the measured current cold water temperature signal, a lowest cold water temperature value of the previous cold water temperature values and the measured current cold water temperature signal is saved and the stored lowest value is used to calculate the exact thermal energy value.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a step is described in which the energy requirement is provided by at least one storage device or is transmitted to an energy supplier.

According to this aspect, the step for utilities follows to divide the consumers into different energy requirement classes in order to stabilize the mains voltage or frequency.

According to a further aspect of the invention, this comprises a step such that the water heating unit can be remotely controlled by the supply company.

In one embodiment, the usable hot water temperature is in a range between 30 ° C and 50 ° C.

In one embodiment, the lowest usable hot water temperature is close to 40 ° C.

In one embodiment, a hot water temperature for disinfection is close to 55 ° C, 60 ° C or more.

The hot water temperature for disinfection is activated in a period depending on the amount of water removed.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the heating element is an electrical heating element.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the heating device is a heat exchanger of a heat pump or the accumulator is connected to a heat pump or cooling circuit. The heat pump is activated when the electronic device or the thermostat reports a heating requirement.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the content of the water heater must be removed or replaced within a certain period of time.

In another aspect, the time to renew or remove the contents of the memory could be three days.

According to a further aspect, the target temperature of the water in the storage tank is reduced to a temperature below 60 ° C., in particular to 55 ° C. or less.

• In Zahlen, Gleichung [1]: $$\begin{array}{c}\text{Mm}=\text{Mhw}\mathrm{\ast }\left(\text{Tsw}-\text{Tcw}\right)\\ \text{ Tmw}-\text{Tcw}\end{array}$$
  

  Mm

  Mischwassermenge

  Tmw

  Mischwassertemperatur

  Mhw

  verfügbares erhitztes Speichervolumen

  Tsw

  erwartete Warmwassertemperatur (Sollwert)

  Tcw

  Temperatur des zugeführten Kaltwassers

  $$\begin{array}{cc}{\text{<figure-callout id="15" label="Mm" filenames="DE102019004962A1\_0011.png" state="{{state}}">Mm</figure-callout>}}_{15}=\frac{100\text{l}\mathrm{\ast }\left(85-15\right)\left(°\text{C}\right)}{40-15\left(°\text{C}\right)}=280\text{ <figure-callout id="10" label="l Mm" filenames="DE102019004962A1\_0008.png,DE102019004962A1\_0009.png" state="{{state}}">l</figure-callout>}& {\text{ Mm}}_{}{}_{10}=\frac{100\text{l}\mathrm{\ast }\left(85-10\right)\left(°\text{C}\right)}{40-10\left(°\text{C}\right)}=250\text{ l}\end{array}$$
  

The amount of mixed water available is important information for the consumer and depends on the storage volume, the mixing effect on the cold bottom of the storage below the element and of course the expected hot water temperature and the temperature of the cold water supplied. For example, if the expected hot water temperature in the storage tank is 85 ° C with 100 liters of heated storage volume and the usable water temperature is 40 ° C for a temperature of the cold water supply of 15 ° C and 10 ° C, the mixed water quantity is calculated, equation [0]:

• In numbers, equation [1]: $$\begin{array}{c}\text{mm}=\text{mhw}\mathrm{*}\left(\text{Tsw}-\text{Tcw}\right)\\ \text{TWA}-\text{Tcw}\end{array}$$
  

  mm

  Mixed water volume

  TWA

  Mixed water temperature

  mhw

  available heated storage volume

  Tsw

  expected hot water temperature (setpoint)

  Tcw

  Temperature of the cold water supplied

  $$\begin{array}{cc}{\text{<figure-callout id="15" label="mm" filenames="DE102019004962A1\_0011.png" state="{{state}}">mm</figure-callout>}}_{15}=\frac{100\text{l}\mathrm{*}\left(85-15\right)\left(°\text{C}\right)}{40-15\left(°\text{C}\right)}=280\text{<figure-callout id="10" label="l mm" filenames="DE102019004962A1\_0008.png,DE102019004962A1\_0009.png" state="{{state}}">l </figure-callout>}& {\text{mm}}_{}{}_{10}=\frac{100\text{l}\mathrm{*}\left(85-10\right)\left(°\text{C}\right)}{40-10\left(°\text{C}\right)}=250\text{l}\end{array}$$
  

In this example, the amount of usable water is reduced by more than 10% if the deviation of the cold water supplied exceeds 5 K. A 5 K deviation in the temperature of the cold water supplied is a good mean value if the seasonal ambient temperature between summer and winter is taken into account.

There is also a variation in the average annual temperature of the cold water supplied depending on the geographic location.

In another embodiment of the invention, storage data is transmitted to utilities, where a requirement for electrical energy is calculated for a heating-up period.

With this data from various storage systems, utilities can remotely control the stores and set the start of heating or activation of the heater.

• 1 zeigt eine relative Ungenauigkeit einer Mischwassermenge bei verschiedenen Temperaturen zugeführten Kaltwassers.
• 2 zeigt die durchschnittliche Grundwassertemperatur in den USA nach Standort.
• 3 zeigt ein Wasserspeichersystem.
• 4 zeigt ein Wasserspeichersystem mit einer geneigten Heizvorrichtung.
• 5 zeigt ein Wasserspeichersystem mit einem Durchfluss-Sensor.
• 6 zeigt ein Ergebnis einer Rückmeldung verschiedener Wassererhitzer-Vorrichtungen.

A load shift is thus possible in the network of the supply company, in particular in order to control the network voltage or the network frequency.

• 1 shows a relative inaccuracy of a mixed water quantity at different temperatures of cold water supplied.
• 2 shows the average groundwater temperature in the United States by location.
• 3 shows a water storage system.
• 4 shows a water storage system with an inclined heating device.
• 5 shows a water storage system with a flow sensor.
• 6 shows a result of a feedback of various water heater devices.

It is understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements relevant to a clear understanding of the present invention, whereas many other elements common in this technique have been omitted for the sake of clarity. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other elements are desirable to implement the present invention. However, since these elements are known in the art and do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, these elements are not discussed here.

The present invention will now be described in detail based on embodiments.

For example, in the United States there is a deviation of 40 ° F in the annual average temperature of water supplied by location. A calculation shows that if the temperature of the supplied water is 15 ° C and the tank is full, 280 1 of mixed water is obtained from the tank. If the temperature of the cold water supplied changes from 15 ° C to 10 ° C, the amount of hot water produced with the same storage tank is 30 l less than the specified value. For a precise energy monitoring device, it is important to accommodate a deviation in the temperature of the cold water supplied, or more, when units are installed in a location where the temperature of the cold water supplied deviates from the estimated value.

The following diagram ( 1 ) shows the inaccuracy of the specified mixed water quantity if an estimated temperature of the cold water supply of 15 ° C is assumed. The example is based on a 300-1 cylinder with a built-in sensor and a set hot water temperature of 60 ° C.

Referring to 1 the following is given as an example. If the temperature of the supplied water is 15 ° C, the deviation of the displayed mixed water quantity is 0.

If the fill level is 0.5, which means that the storage tank is half empty, the effectively available amount of usable hot water is 20% less for cold water of 8 ° C and 14% less for cold water supplied of 10 ° C based on the displayed amount ,

If the temperature of the cold water supplied is 25 ° C and the storage tank is 50% empty, the displayed mixed water volume is 28% below the actually available volume.

This invention provides an energy monitoring system that is more precise considering changing seasonal temperatures of cold water supplied, and provides a standard energy monitoring device for different locations from northern to southern climates. The higher accuracy is achieved when the temperature of the cold water supplied is measured using a temperature sensor which must be placed near the cold water inlet pipe.

The embodiment describes a system which controls the energy content of a water storage device with the aid of a built-in sensor and an additional sensor placed near the pipe of the cold water supplied.

There are several temperature sensors 8th . 9 . 10 at the store 1 appropriate. The temperature sensor 8th A built-in temperature sensor is located near the pipe via which the hot water leaves the storage tank 9 that is in a vertical direction of memory 1 is attached to form a thermocouple chain from multiple sensor elements, and a floor temperature sensor 10 , which is placed near the floor cold water inlet. The electronic device 5 is with the heater 4 connected to the heater 4 put into operation when the water needs to be heated. In this embodiment, the heating device is an electrical heating element. In another case, it could be a heat exchanger of a heat pump or the store 1 is connected to a heat pump or cooling circuit.

A safety shutdown is required to the heater 4 in the event of a failed electronic control 5 or if the temperature sensors fail 8th . 9 . 10 to put out of operation. The safety shutdown is in 3 not shown. All temperature sensors 8th . 9 . 10 can be attached to the storage surface, either with adhesive tape or with the help of sensor welding sockets that are in contact with water at well-located locations.

The electronic device 5 has a microcontroller that uses equation [0] to measure the amount of usable hot water in the tank 1 controls. The temperature difference between the temperature sensor 8th and a temperature setpoint is calculated, and the temperature setpoint is on the control panel 7 adjustable. The energy content of the storage 1 is recorded in energy units [KWh] and the temperature difference is determined between a measured temperature and the temperature setting.

Due to the fact that due to the thermal conductivity of the surface of the steel accumulator 1 and the thermal conductivity of the water heat from the heated upper section 101 over the heater 4 to the cold floor section 102 of memory 1 transported, becomes a cold sink 103 heated. This ensures an inaccurate measurement result in relation to the temperature of the water supplied. It also depends on the section of the cold water supply 3 between the water reservoir 1 and an entry of a pipe into a building where the water storage 1 is installed, more or less heat is transferred from the ambient conditions to the cold water, causing the water in this pipe section 104 is heated.

3 shows a water storage system consisting of a storage 1 with a hot water outlet pipe 2 , a cold water inlet pipe 3 , a heater 4 , an electronic motherboard 5 , a display 6 and a control panel 7 , There is a flow sensor 106 for measuring the water flow in the storage tank 1 ,

With this flow sensor 106 the water exchange in the storage tank is measured as a function of the amount of water withdrawn over a period of time, which could influence the set temperature.

1. 1. Identifizierung eines Entnahmevorgangs mit einem geeigneten Zeitraum, um die tatsächliche Kaltwassertemperatur durch Vergleich aufeinanderfolgender Kaltwasser-Temperaturwerte mithilfe der Temperaturinformation von Sensor 10 und einer Zeitbasis von 5 Sekunden zu erfassen.
2. 2. Der Entnahmebeginn wird erfasst, wenn die Differenz von zwei aufeinanderfolgenden Kaltwasser-Temperaturwerten eine festgelegte Temperatur, beispielsweise 2 K, übersteigt. Start eines ersten Timers 20.
3. 3. Timer 20 vergleicht die aufeinanderfolgenden gemessenen Kaltwasser-Temperaturwerte mit einer Zeitbasis von 2 Sekunden. Beträgt die Differenz von zwei aufeinanderfolgenden gemessenen Temperaturwerten weniger als 1 K, wird ein zweiter Timer 21 gestartet.
4. 4. Timer 21 erfasst die Temperatur des zugeführten Kaltwassers für einen Mindestzeitraum von mehr als 10 Sekunden alle 2 Sekunden und gibt jeden einzelnen folgenden Temperaturwert in ein Register ein. Timer 21 und 20 laufen parallel, und wenn der Vergleich von aufeinanderfolgenden gemessenen Werten eine Differenz von über 2 K aufzeigt, werden beide Timer gestoppt und die Messung ist nicht gültig.
5. 5. Ist die Messung gültig, erfolgt im Register für die Kaltwasser-Temperaturwerte eine Mittelwertbildung.
6. 6. Vergleich des aktuellen Kaltwassertemperatur-Mittelwerts mit dem früheren gespeicherten Mittelwert.
7. 7. Beträgt die Differenz zwischen dem aktuellen berechneten Wert im Vergleich zu dem früheren gespeicherten Wert mehr als 2 K, wird der frühere gespeicherte Wert unter Verwendung eines einfachen gleitenden Mittelwertbildungsprozesses überschrieben.
8. 8. Für die Erstinbetriebnahme ist ein werkseitiger Kaltwasser-Temperaturwert von 15 °C gespeichert.

The actual temperature of the cold water supplied is accomplished using the following steps as part of the electronic device comprising an electronic motherboard 5 integrated into the microprocessor software.

1. 1. Identification of a withdrawal process with an appropriate period of time to the actual cold water temperature by comparing successive cold water temperature values using the temperature information from sensor 10 and a time base of 5 seconds.
2. 2. The start of withdrawal is recorded when the difference between two successive cold water temperature values exceeds a specified temperature, for example 2 K. Start of a first timer 20.
3. 3. Timer 20 compares the successive measured cold water temperature values with a time base of 2 seconds. If the difference between two successive measured temperature values is less than 1 K, a second timer 21 is started.
4. 4. Timer 21 detects the temperature of the cold water supplied for a minimum period of more than 10 seconds every 2 seconds and enters each subsequent temperature value in a register. Timers 21 and 20 run in parallel, and if the comparison of successive measured values shows a difference of more than 2 K, both timers are stopped and the measurement is not valid.
5. 5. If the measurement is valid, an average is formed in the register for the cold water temperature values.
6. 6. Compare the current average cold water temperature with the previous stored average.
7. 7. If the difference between the current calculated value compared to the previous stored value is more than 2 K, the previous stored value is overwritten using a simple moving averaging process.
8. 8. A factory-set cold water temperature value of 15 ° C is saved for the initial start-up.

M_{m cw}

Mischwassermenge basierend auf der Kaltwassertemperatur

T_mw

Mischwassertemperatur

CP_Wasser

spezifische Wärmekapazität des Wassers

Tcw

Temperatur des zugeführten Kaltwassers

The remaining energy content Q _energy in the storage is calculated using the following law or equation [2]: $${\text{Q}}_{\text{energy}}={\text{M}}_{\text{mcw}}\mathrm{*}{\text{CP}}_{\text{water}}\mathrm{*}\left({\text{T}}_{\text{mw}}-{\text{T}}_{\text{cw}}\right)$$

M _{m cw}

Mixed water quantity based on the cold water temperature

T _mw

Mixed water temperature

CP _water

specific heat capacity of water

Tcw

Temperature of the cold water supplied

M_m Sollwert

Mischwassermenge basierend auf der Kaltwassertemperatur und der Solltemperatur

T_mw

Mischwassertemperatur

CP_Wasser

spezifische Wärmekapazität des Wassers

T_cw

Temperatur des zugeführten Kaltwassers

The energy content of the store Q _{Energy setpoint} is the energy content if the thermostat of the store has been met. It is calculated using the following equation [3]: $${\text{Q}}_{\text{Energy setpoint}}={\text{M}}_{\text{m setpoint}}*{\text{CP}}_{\text{water}}*\left({\text{T}}_{\text{mw}}-{\text{T}}_{\text{cw}}\right)$$

M _m setpoint

Mixed water quantity based on the cold water temperature and the target temperature

T _mw

Mixed water temperature

CP _water

specific heat capacity of water

T _cw

Temperature of the cold water supplied

The amount of energy Q _{energy charge} to be recharged is calculated - equation [4]: $${\text{Q}}_{\text{energy}-\text{charging}}={\text{Q}}_{\text{Energy setpoint}}\mathrm{*}-{\text{Q}}_{\text{energy}}$$

The value of Q _{energy charge} is in the software of the electronic device 5 permanently calculated.

The information on the energy content of the water storage is provided by the electronic device 5 via line 13 to a ripple control transmitter device 14 that can be connected to a device such as the Internet.

The ripple control receiver is for remote control 12 via line 11 with the electronic device 5 connected. Both devices 12 and 14 can into the electronic device 5 be installed. It is advantageous to supply the energy content signal in the form of a pulse pattern in a frequency range from 110 Hz to 2000 Hz.

This is an advantage because it is of interest to a network owner to divide the consumers into different energy requirement classes in order to be able to stabilize the voltage of the network structure by remote control.

6 shows the feedback result of various water heater devices that are connected to a ripple control system. Based on the loading information of each individual water storage system 1 the units are divided according to their individual charging requirements. For example, the number of vertical lines is in category [ A ] for the number of consumers who each need a charging capacity of less than 2.5 KWh. These units transmit their charging requirements via their ripple control transmitter to the network owner via a 110 Hz signal. The categories [ B ], [ C ] and [ D ] stand for other loading capacity requirements.

It also becomes the volume of memory 1 calculated.

A varied incoming cold water flow is measured with a sensor.

A temperature of cold water supplied is a value that corresponds to the actual water temperature of the cold water source. This value could be determined by measuring the cold water temperature by the water supply company in a water treatment plant or in a main supply line of the supply company. The value is transmitted to the control unit, where the energy content of the water storage is calculated. Otherwise, it is an embodiment of the invention that the cold water temperature is measured in a water pipe of the building in which the water reservoir is located, or in or on the water reservoir.

In one embodiment of the sensor 10 it is at least a single sensor element at a short distance from a water inlet 104 , He could be in the cold sink 103 or at the bottom of the store 1 , at the water inlet 105 , outside or inside, or in the area of the pipe section 104 to be appropriate. In a special case where the cold water supply 3 through the top section 101 of memory 1 the sensor could be placed in the area of the cold water supply line 3 or another water inlet.

In one embodiment of the built-in sensor 9 it is a thermocouple chain, in particular in a row, which is attached vertically, a winding wire with a fixed length, consisting of a material with NTC or PTC properties, a layer with a printed sensor or a chain of several printed sensors or at least one Pair of sensors in a series or parallel connection. The built-in sensor is inside or outside the memory 1 ,

Data is recorded via wired or wireless communication between the temperature sensor 8th . 9 . 10 and the electronic device 5 or another control unit.

The temperature sensor 10 should be installed at a location of the actual cold water temperature. In another embodiment of the invention, this location is one or more representative locations at which the temperature sensors are located 10 are located. Will the temperature sensors 8th . 9 . 10 outside the water reservoir 1 attached to a main water pipe or a house water pipe, it is advantageous if the temperature sensors 8th . 9 . 10 are connected to a wireless communication transmitter in order to transmit the measured temperature of the cold water supplied to the control unit.

Another embodiment of the invention is to receive local cold water temperature values from a utility or other source and store them in the electronic device 5 and save them as cold water temperatures instead of or in addition to a measured temperature value of the sensor serving the cold water supply 10 to use. Otherwise, a cold water temperature value can be entered into the electronic device by the user manually or by voice command 5 can be entered.

It is possible to retrofit existing water heating systems with this method.

While this invention has been described in connection with the specific embodiments set forth above, it is to be understood that numerous alternatives, changes and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments discussed above are intended to be illustrative, not restrictive. Various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventions as defined in the following claims.

It should be noted that the citation or identification of any document in this application should not be interpreted to mean that the document in question is available as prior art for the present invention.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• US 200910019931 A1 [0004]
• DE 102010047368 B3 [0005]
• DE 102004018034 B4 [0007]

Claims (28)

A method for controlling the heating of a hot water tank with a control unit, the method comprising: Measuring a storage temperature; Entering the storage temperature in a control unit; Activating a heating device for heating the water in the store when the control unit reports heating demand; Entering a temperature value of the supplied cold water into the control unit; Generation of a parameter based on the temperature of the cold water supplied; Measuring the storage temperature, which is related to the thermal energy content of the storage, the storage temperature being measured with a sensor attached to the storage; Modify the generated parameter based on the storage temperature; Processing a heating demand message depending on a comparison between a setpoint and the modified parameter. Procedure according to Claim 1 , further comprising: calculating an exact value of the thermal energy content depending on the reference mass and the modified parameter. Procedure according to Claim 2 , further comprising :: Output of a heating requirement message if the exact value is below the setpoint. Procedure according to Claim 1 : where the storage tank temperature is measured with a built-in temperature sensor. Procedure according to Claim 2 , further comprising: activating the heating device depending on the amount of the calculated exact value. Procedure according to Claim 5 : wherein the heating element is activated when the amount of the calculated exact value is less than a specified value of the thermal energy content. Procedure according to Claim 1 , further comprising: calculating the exact value of the thermal energy content by multiplying the reference mass parameter by a temperature rise value. Procedure according to Claim 7 : where the temperature rise is the difference between the target temperature and the temperature of the cold water supplied. Procedure according to Claim 1 , further comprising: comparing a measured current cold water temperature signal with a previously stored cold water temperature; Updating the stored cold water temperature value when the measured current cold water temperature signal deviates from the previous stored cold water temperature; and using the updated stored chilled water temperature value to calculate the parameter. Procedure according to Claim 9 : whereby the stored cold water temperature value is updated if the current cold water temperature signal is below the previous stored cold water temperature. Procedure according to Claim 9 : whereby the stored cold water temperature value is updated if the current cold water temperature signal deviates from a specified value. Procedure according to Claim 1 , further comprising: identifying a withdrawal process to record an actual cold water temperature within a suitable period of time after a withdrawal begins. Procedure according to Claim 12 , further comprising: detecting the cold water temperature within an appropriate period, the appropriate period beginning after the end of an inappropriate period. Procedure according to Claim 13 , further comprising: determining the inappropriate time period when a time frame is exceeded. Procedure according to Claim 14 : where the time frame is about 20 seconds. Procedure according to Claim 13 : where the appropriate period begins with the end of the inappropriate period and ends after more than 30 seconds or with or after the end of the removal process. Procedure according to Claim 13 , further comprising: comparing successive chilled water temperature readings to differences using temperature information from sensors and a time base. Procedure according to Claim 17 , further comprising: detecting the start of the withdrawal when a difference between two successive cold water temperature values is over 2 K of the time base. Procedure according to Claim 18 , further comprising: starting a first timer with an unsuitable time period. Procedure according to Claim 19 , further comprising: comparing a current cold water temperature with a previous one to calculate a difference and, if the difference is less than a specific parameter, activating a second timer to measure a sensor's current cold water temperature information during a time base. Procedure according to Claim 20 , further comprising: after the second timer has been started to regularly measure the temperature of the cold water supply for a minimum period of more than 10 seconds, entering each individual resulting cold water temperature value in a register and comparing the successive measured values; and determining that the measurement is valid if there is a difference less than a second parameter. Procedure according to Claim 21 , further comprising: averaging the cold water temperature values in the register, comparing a current cold water temperature average with the previous stored average; and if the difference between the current calculated value compared to the previous stored value is more than 2 K, updating the previous stored value using a simple moving averaging process. Procedure according to Claim 1 , further comprising: identifying a withdrawal process with an appropriate period of time to acquire the actual cold water temperature by comparing previous cold water temperature values with the measured current cold water temperature signal; Storing a lowest cold water temperature value of the previous cold water temperature values and the measured current cold water temperature signal; and using the stored lowest value to calculate the exact thermal energy value. Procedure according to Claim 23 , comprising the step in which: the energy requirement of at least one storage device 1 is made available to an energy supplier or is transmitted to a supply company. Procedure according to Claim 1 , further comprising: dividing consumers into different energy demand classes by a utility company to stabilize a voltage, frequency, or both of a power grid. Procedure according to Claim 24 : the heating unit being configured to be remotely controlled by the utility. Procedure according to Claim 1 : with the sensor installed outside the memory. Procedure according to Claim 1 : with the sensor inside the memory.

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