Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
  • G05D—SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
  • G05D23/00—Control of temperature
  • G05D23/19—Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means
  • G05D23/1927—Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means using a plurality of sensors
  • G05D23/193—Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means using a plurality of sensors sensing the temperaure in different places in thermal relationship with one or more spaces
  • G05D23/1932—Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means using a plurality of sensors sensing the temperaure in different places in thermal relationship with one or more spaces to control the temperature of a plurality of spaces
  • G05D23/1934—Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means using a plurality of sensors sensing the temperaure in different places in thermal relationship with one or more spaces to control the temperature of a plurality of spaces each space being provided with one sensor acting on one or more control means
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
  • F24D3/00—Hot-water central heating systems
  • F24D3/04—Hot-water central heating systems with the water under high pressure
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
  • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
  • F24F11/50—Control or safety arrangements characterised by user interfaces or communication
  • F24F11/56—Remote control
  • F24F11/59—Remote control for presetting
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
  • F24D11/00—Central heating systems using heat accumulated in storage masses
  • F24D11/002—Central heating systems using heat accumulated in storage masses water heating system
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
  • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
  • F24F11/30—Control or safety arrangements for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
  • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
  • F24F11/62—Control or safety arrangements characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
  • G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
  • G05B11/00—Automatic controllers
  • G05B11/01—Automatic controllers electric
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
  • G05D—SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
  • G05D23/00—Control of temperature
  • G05D23/19—Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
  • G05D—SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
  • G05D23/00—Control of temperature
  • G05D23/19—Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means
  • G05D23/1902—Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means characterised by the use of a variable reference value
  • G05D23/1904—Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means characterised by the use of a variable reference value variable in time

Definitions

• This invention relates to improvements in or relating to control apparatus and is more particularly but not exclusively concerned with heating control apparatus, for example, for controlling a domestic central heating system.
• Domestic central heating systems may include hot water radiators that can be controlled collectively by a timer/programmer or wall thermostat.
• Some heating systems include thermostatic control valves for individual radiators such that, where the temperature of the room in which the radiator is located exceeds a preset value, a control valve automatically shuts off the flow of hot water to that radiator.
• control apparatus having a programme controller for setting various off and on cycles of hot water radiators and/or hot water systems and individual thermostatic controls for individual radiators, it is believed that such systems are not as versatile, critically controlled, and/or user-friendly and/or efficient or cost-effective as they may otherwise be.
• European Patent Specification No. 0221 205 shows an arrangement for controlling individual space heating or cooling apparatus according to a collective programmed time cycle for all of the zones. It is believed that such an arrangement is not as user fi ⁇ endly or versatile as it otherwise could be involving the user to program information regarding on/off periods for all of the space heating/cooling devices in a single time cycle. Furthermore, it is believed that the bladder type flow control devices used may be disadvantageous in certain instances. It is an object of the present invention to at least alleviate the aforementioned, or other, disadvantage associated, with control apparatus e.g. for central lieating systems and/or to provide control apparatus which is improved in at least some respect.
• control apparatus for controlling a space heating and/or cooling system and thereby controlling the temperature of a number of rooms or zones
• said apparatus having timer controller means that, in use, may be programmed to switch on and/or off, or vary the temperature output of, space heating/cooling devices in associated rooms or zones in accordance with preset timer control information, the arrangement being such that, in use, timer control information can be entered into the timer controller means as individual time cycle programs for each associated room or zone.
• a method of controlling the temperature of a room or zone according to preset time controlled information including controlling the temperature of the rooms or zones individually or independently according to associated time cycle control information preset independently for each room/zone.
• each space heating/cooling device may be achieved according to a time cycle programmed specifically for an associated room or zone rather than, for example, individual space heating/cooling devices being controlled individually according to a single preset collective time cycle program for all of the heating/cooling devices.
• a time cycle programmed specifically for an associated room or zone rather than, for example, individual space heating/cooling devices being controlled individually according to a single preset collective time cycle program for all of the heating/cooling devices.
• the present invention is particularly appropriate for heating systems and more particularly for domestic hot water central heating systems having one or more space heating devices in the form of radiators in the rooms or zones.
• the central heating system may be a combination boiler system or a non-combination system.
• one of the zones may be a hot water cylinder and heating of the water may be controlled by an electric immersion heater activated by the timer controller.
• timer controlled signals can be sent out to activate pulse operated valves of the control apparatus associated with the radiators in order to open or close the valves or indeed to partially open or partially close the valves in order to achieve the desired flow of hot water to the particular radiator/s in order to achieve the required temperature for that room or zone.
• the pulse operated valves themselves may be subject to thermostatic control from a thermostat provided in the room or zone or elsewhere so that if a certain temperature is achieved in the room or zone or in the vicinity of the location of the thermostat, the pulse operated valves or valves may be shut off or otherwise controlled in a generally known manner.
• separate thermostatic valves may he provided, for each radiator.
• the preset timer controller information will be effective to switch on or off one or more space heating/cooling devices but could operate to set a heating/cooling level (for example by allowing only a partial flow of hot water to a radiator rather than fully opening a valve).
• a circulation pump may be provided to pump heating fluid (water) around the radiators and often the cause of system failure is failure of the pump. Therefore, advantageously, pump monitoring means may be provided to trigger an alarm if the differential between fluid input temperature to the pump and fluid output temperature is above a threshold value.
• control apparatus for controlling a space heating and/or cooling system and thereby controlling the temperature of a number of rooms or zones
• said apparatus having timer controller means that, in use, may be programmed to vary the temperature output of space heating/cooling devices in associated rooms or zones in accordance with preset timer control information, the arrangement being such that, in use, timer controlled signals can be sent out to activate pulse-operated valves or switches of the control apparatus, associated with the space heating/cooling devices.
• the puke-operated valves will usually be solenoid valves since these are usually able to withstand continual or hard use.
• timer controller for control apparatus for a space heating/cooling system, said timer controller being of a format including individual control buttons or keys correlated, in use, with associated space heating/cooling devices arranged in rooms or zones, such that individual or independent timed controlled cycles can be programmed into the timer controller for each room or zone.
• the timer controller includes a control panel having graphic or alphanumeric indicia on or adjacent the control buttons or keys correlated to the particular associated room or zone.
• the control buttons or keys may be illuminated or lit up at certain times (possibly in different colour modes indicating the status of program setting for the particular room or zone).
• the timer controller may be provided with a front display panel or cover that may be hinged or otherwise connected to the control panel and, preferably, which is releasably lockable thereto.
• the timer controller may be arranged to control the space heating/cooling devices by electrical connections and/or by remote control and the timer controller may be set up to be responsive to signal information sent, for example, via a telephone line and/or from a computer or mobile phone via the internet. Further according to.
• control apparatus for controlling a heating and/or cooling system comprising one or more of the following features:- a) facility for receiving independently programmed time cycle control information for individual associated heating and/or cooling devices for controlling the temperature of associated rooms or zones, b) a timer controller having a number of control buttons or keys each correlated to a particular zone, preferably by graphic indicia c) a timer as in b) in which the buttons or keys can be lit up, d) pump monitoring means including temperature sensors, in use, sensing the temperature of fluid to and from a pump and means to monitor the temperature difference between the sensors in order to trigger an alarm at a threshold temperature value, e) line checking means, f) frost protection, g) a summer mode setting, h) a time date clock, i) a heating off switch, j) a 1 hour advance facility, k) a room thermostat, 1) a holiday mode, m) a frost mode. Further according to the present invention there is provided method of controlling a
• FIGURE 1 shows an overview of a first embodiment of a control apparatus incorporated in a domestic combination central heating system including a timer controller and space heating devices in the form of hot water radiators;
• FIGURE 2 shows an overview of a second embodiment of control apparatus incorporated in a domestic, non-combination fully pumped system including a timer controller and space heating devices in the form of hot water radiators;
• FIGURE 3 shows a schematic of central heating controller outputs from a timer controller of either embodiment of the control apparatus
• FIGURE 4 shows a front view of the timer controller featuring a front display panel, and FIGURE5 afrontview of auormally hidden control panel, of the timer controller shown in FIGURE 4.
• a domestic combination hot water central heating system 1 has a plurality of radiators 2, in use, located in associated rooms or zones (zones 1 to 8) of a house (not shown).
• each radiator 2 is governed by a thermostatic valve 2a in a known manner.
• each radiator 2 is connected to a pulse operated solenoid valve 2b (zone control valve) controllable by time signal pulses generated by timer controller or control panel 3 (see FIGURES 3 to 5) according to preset timer control information entered as an individual on/off time control cycle for that radiator.
• a pulse operated solenoid valve 2b zone control valve
• Timer Controller 3 for presetting time cycle control operation separately and independently for each of the zones 1 to 8, in a manner to be described.
• Each radiator 2 is flow connected in parallel with each other radiator 2 (see zones 1 to 8) in a water flow circuit W including a combination heating boiler 4 in a generally known manner.
• hot water may flow from the boiler 4 in the selected, radiator 2, via the associated zone valve 2b, controlled, in this instance, by a timer controlled signal input along the associated hard-wired electrical connection path 2c from the control panel.3- Water may exiteaeh. radiator 2 after dissipating.lieat.to the..associated. room or zone via the associated thermostatic valve 2a to be returned to the boiler 4.
• the timer controller 3 has various control functions including electrical connections 2c to each of the eight zones (zones 1 to 8) and to a summer switch S for a non-combination central heating system V, for example, as shown in FIGURE 2.
• the non-combination central heating system V shown in FIGURE 2 is similar to the combination central heating system shown in FIGURE 1, except that an external pump P is provided rather than an internal pump in a combination boiler 4, and a separate hot water cylinder H (in use containing water that may be heated by an electrical immersion heater via line a - see FIGURE 3) is provided in the water supply circuit W, as shown in FIGURE 2.
• FIGURE 3 shows an electrical connection line b to the boiler 4,4" and an electrical connection line c to the external pump P, an electrical connection line d to monitoring pump overrun and electrical connection lines e and f to temperature sensors and external sensors.
• the temperature sensors are provided downstream and upstream of the pump P in FIGURE 2 in order to measure a temperature differential (via thermostats or other sensing means) indicative of failure of the. pump (the main cause of system, failure).
• An additional line g may be provided . to an external telephone line to enable control of the timer controller 3 from a remote location such as via the Internet.
• the timer controller 3 includes a control panel 3 a and display panel 3b (see FIGURES 4 and 5) as well as a central processing unit or microcontroller (not shown) and internal thermostat/s. Additionally, the timer controller 3 includes a pop-out switch h to enable the hinged, front display panel 3b to be moved relative to the control panel 3a to allow time cycle information to be preset on the timer controller 3.
• the control panel 3a includes eight equiangularly spaced circular control buttons Bl- B8 correlated to the eight zones, zones 1-8, of the central heating system l,r shown in FIGURE 1 or FIGURE 2.
• the buttons B1-B8 are interchangeable snap or click fit buttons or have interchangeable indicia.
• zone 1 may be a kitchen area and correlated to button Bl having a graphic symbol of a knife and fork.
• Button B2 has the graphic symbol of a bed and may be correlated to a particular bedroom zone (e.g. zone 2) and so on for the remaining buttons B3-B8 each having appropriate graphic symbols correlated to a specific room or zone.
• on/off time controlled cycle information can be entered into the timer controller 3 for the correlated zone via the menu control key Cl, back control key C2, and the UP and DOWN and acceptance control keys C3,C4, C5 whilst viewing the alphanumeric indicia information displayed on the time display panel C6.
• time cycle informatioa has been entered, into the timer controller .3 for a particular zone, another one of the buttons Bl -B 8 can be pressed in order to set time cycle control information for that zone totally independently of the time cycle control information for any of the other zones.
• Each button B1-B8 is surrounded by an annular light L (LED) which may or may not be illuminated in a variety of different colours to indicate the status of the radiators for a particular zone. For example, a light of one particular colour may indicate that a radiator is switched on and a light of another colour may indicate that although a radiator is not on, time cycle information has been preset into the timer controller 3. If the light L is not illuminated at all this may indicate that the radiator itself is off and no preset timer control information has been programmed into the timer controller 3.
• LED annular light L
• FIGURES 1 and V show an eight zone pattern, in practice any number of zones may be provided, and in particular, the system can readily be upgraded in multiples to 16, 24, 32, 40 and 48 zones.
• the selected zone LED (light L) will illuminate amber whilst programming and will flash green for 1 second when that zone is completed.
• the UP and DOWN keys increment or decrement the 12hr AM/PM clock by 1 hr per press of the key.
• the Enter key is used to accept the hours field value.
• LCD: Ll "Set Minutes"
• UP and DOWN keys are used to increment or decrement the minutes by lmin per key press.
• the Enter key is used to confirm the minutes field and submit the new time.
• the UP and DOWN keys increment or decrement the date field by 1 day per press of the key.
• the Enter key is used to accept the date field value.
• LCD: Ll "Set Month"
• the UP and DOWN keys increment or decrement the month field by 1 month per press of the key.
• the Enter key is used to accept the month field value.
• UP and DOWN keys are used to increment or decrement the year by 1 year per key press.
• the UP and DOWN keys increment or decrement the hour field by 1 hour per press of the key.
• the Enter key is used to confirm the hour field value.
• the UP and DOWN keys increment or decrement the minute field by 15 minutes per press of the key.
• the Enter key is used to confirm the minute field value and submit On time 1.
• the UP and DOWN keys increment or decrement the hour field by 1 hour per press of the key.
• the Enter key is used to confirm the hour field value.
• the UP and DQWN keys increment or decrement the minute field by 15 minutes per press of the key.
• the Enter key is used to confirm the minute field value and submit Off time 1.
• On time Range 1 is set to "AM 00:00 - AM 00:00" then skip to Zone 2. Otherwise continue with Zone 1 ⁇ On time Range 2 in the same way as above. At the end of On time Range 4 go to "Set Zone 2" and complete in the same way as above. At the End of Zone 8 ⁇ On time Range 4 return to main menu.
• the timer controller menu structure is as follows:-
• the timer controller functions are as follows:-
• Copying the data to individual registers for each day enables easy modification of the programme later for days that need independent control of timings and zones.
• the temporary modification feature allows the user to change the heating schedule on a temporary basis, without having to modify the core program. For example: Supposing I want to set up my heating to come on later on Tuesdays because of a 6 week evening class I am attending.
• the temporary modifications function allows me to specify which Programme, A or B, to modify. It then prompts me to input which Day to modify and then the Zone. It can then tell the heating to go off while I'm out, and come on for say 9pm -10pm when I return. After inputting the on time ranges, I am prompted to tell the programme how long to sustain this modification; in this case six weeks. The next prompt asks how often I would like this modification to be repeated, (ie - everyday, today, 2 days, 3 days, a week, 2 weeks.... ) which in this case is a week.
• Timer Controller A breakdown of the functions of the Timer controller are as follows:- Timer Controller - Breakdown of functions
• the heating off switch may be located near the front door of the dwelling or house being heated for easy convenient usage. Upon pressing, the system turns off all zones that are being heated and maintains a temperature not less than 3 0 C lower than the preset living temperature in the house. This ensures that the house doesn't become too cold, and that it can be quickly brought back up to temperature with little energy later. This reduced temperature should provide significant energy savings through the day.
• the maximum range of time that this function will work for is 12 hours. When this 12 hours has elapsed normal operation from the programme will resume. Upon re- entering the house the homeowner simply presses the button again to bring the temperature back up 3 0 C.
• the Holiday Mode feature should be utilised.
• the Advance facility is a non menu driven option that is accessed purely from the ZONE buttons.
• the effect of pressing a ZONE button is to immediately switch on that ZONE for 1 hour plus the time to the next scheduled 1/4 hour update.
• the blue LED associated with that ZONE will also light for the duration. Whilst any ZONE is in Advance, a second press of the ZONE button will switch off the LED instantly but not that zone until the next 1/4 hour update.
• the control will house a temperature sensor and DC amplifier fed to an A-D input so that it can be used to limit the maxiaium temperature of the-heating. If the temperature set in the menu (15 - 25C ) is reached, the heating will shut down regardless of the zone requirements. This function can be switched off or replaced with an external contact type room stat in the menu.
• frost stat The same temperature sensor as used for the room thermostat can also be used as a frost stat. When no heating is being called for the sensor is to be checked every 15 minutes to see if the room temperature has dropped to or below 3C. If it does frost mode should commence. Frost mode can also be initiated by either an external contacttype. stat orby either of the pump fail sensors reading 3C or less. There. is no menu requirement for frost protection.
• frost mode When frost mode is triggered the control will open all the radiators and run the pump continuously until the trigger is removed. After 15 minutes, if the water temperature as measured by either of the pump fail sensors is above 3 C, stop the pump and check again every 15 minutes. If the water temperature is not above 3C the boiler and pump are switched on for 15 minutes. The room stat should then read above 3C and the system reverts to normal frost monitoring. If the room stat still reads 3C or less the boiler should stay on for a further 15 minutes until it does read 3C+.
• External room thermostat fault indicate “ROOM STAT FAULT” and the control then refers only to the internal room stat reading, even if switched off in the naenu:
• External frost stat fault indicate “FROST STAT FAULT” and the control then refers only to the internal frost stat reading, even if switched off in the menu.
• Pump stat fault indicate "PUMP STAT FAULT”, disable the pump monitor routine and refer to the other pump stat, if working, for frost protection. If neither pump stat is functional, use the frost function of the internal sensor.
• each valve 2b is of a pulse operated solenoid type for example as manufactured by a company called General Imsubs of the following specification:-
• Coil Type Self latching coil, intermittent duty.
• Power supply system Capacitor discharge, reversible polarity type. Valve is operated t ⁇ y supplying current through capacitor discharge type power s ⁇ ppiy. When current is supplied on one polarity valve is actuated and remains in same position till power is supplied in reverse polarity. See Diagram 1.
• Coil life Minimum 250 000 cycles.
• Water Flow rate 5 LPM at 0.3 bare pressure and less than 35 LPM at 6 bar pressure.
• Position 1 if valve is in closed condition and coil is supplied voltage by discharging 4700 MFD capacitor charged by suitable power supply (pulsed current)* than valve comes in open position and remains open till supplied current as shown in position 2
• Terminal 1 - ve Terminal 2 +ve
• Position 2 when valve is opened by supplying current as mention in position 1, it can be closed only by supplying current as mentioned above.
• Valve remain in off position till power is supplied as mentioned in position 1, Power- is supplied by discharge of 4700 MFD capacitor (pulsed current).
• the main advantage of such valves is that only a brief pulse of low voltage DC (6- 12 volts) is required to change the operating status of the valve from 'open' to 'closed' and vice versa.
• the state of the valve is changed by reversing the polarity of the supplied signal pulse.
• no heat is generated in consequence of trying to maintain a changed state and the life of the valve is not limited by the burnout time of the coil.
• the body of the valve 2b has a mechanism (in common with conventional solenoid valves) that utilises water pressure to hold the valve in the selected state.
• the valve 2b can remain in either state by residual magnetism rather than by the application of an electromagnetic force.
• the 'Combi / conventional switch' is a software switch and is set during the initial programming of the control. Its function is to determine the functionality of zone 8 of the control. When set to 'Combi' zone 8 works exactly as the other 7 heating zones. When set to 'conventional' zone 8 becomes the hot water timer and control. An external hardware adapter is required to interface the control to either an immersion heater or 3 port valve.
• the 'summer switch' is a mechanical latching switch located under the front flap of the control. Its function in the 'summer' position is to disable the heating programs whilst maintaining the frost protection and manual override facilities. If 'conventional' has been selected during initial program setup, zone 8 which is the dedicated hot water control will continue to function.
• This facility can only be used with a combi boiler or a conventional one where hot water heating control is not required. It is set by configuring the control during initial set up as a 'conventional' boiler. Its function is to maintain heat to a zone that requires heat all year round regardless of the summer switch position. This could be a drying / airing cupboard, shower room or the area used by an ill or infirm person where a minimum temperature is required all year round. An additional room thermostat should be installed and wired as if it were the hot water tank thermostat as used with a conventional boiler.
• That zone can be switched on instantly by pressing the button once. This will override the program and keep that zone on for one hour from the next quarter hour zone update time. If the button is pressed twice within a 5 second period then that zone will override on for 2 hours from the next quarter hour zone update time. If the button is pressed three times within a 10 second time period the function will be cancelled and the override will cease.
• This feature can be used at any time and as many zones as required can be overridden simultaneously.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
• Thermal Sciences (AREA)
• Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
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• Fuzzy Systems (AREA)
• Mathematical Physics (AREA)
• Signal Processing (AREA)
• Steam Or Hot-Water Central Heating Systems (AREA)

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• 2005
  • 2005-07-01 GB GB0513489A patent/GB2427934B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2006
  • 2006-07-03 EP EP06764892A patent/EP1910904A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2006-07-03 WO PCT/GB2006/002467 patent/WO2007003935A1/en active Application Filing

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