GB2259350A

GB2259350A - A device for modifying the operation of a thermostatic radiator valve

Info

Publication number: GB2259350A
Application number: GB9119083A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gerard Michael Rusc Westmacott
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-09-06
Filing date: 1991-09-06
Publication date: 1993-03-10
Also published as: GB9119083D0

Abstract

A thermostatic radiator valve (for water circulating heating systems) has a control additionally fitted to allow the room or premises to be kept at different temperatures at different times. As illustrated, a heat shunt 1 connected to the temperature responsive element E of the valve is moved towards and away from the valve body A under the control of a timer 6, so that the element E responds to room temperature and, selectively, to the temperature of the valve body. In a modification, a remote temperature sensor is selectively moved towards and away from the valve body. This system allows for low energy requirement so the device is self contained with power supplied by battery. <IMAGE>

Description

A DEVICE FOR MODIFYING THE OPERATION OF A RADIATOR CONTROL VALVE This invention relates to a device for modifying the operation of a thermostatic radiator valve, for use with water circulating heating systems for premises.

Thermostatic radiator valves are commercially available for control of air temperature in a room heated by water circulating radiators. However, some rooms do not need to be heated to the same temperature all the time and energy usage (and heating cost) may be reduced if such a valve was regulated on, for instance, a time basis.

Normal domestic valves are not time controlled; instead it is the central boiler which is usually time controlled. However, individual radiators or groups of radiators can be controlled using relatively expensive heating control systems employing electromagnetic valves with the attendant wiring and (mains) electrical power.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for use in modifying the operation of a thermostatic radiator valve body, an inlet for connection to a source of hot water, an outlet for supplying a radiator, a valve member to control the flow of water from the inlet to the outlet, and a sensor to determine ambient temperature, the valve member being operable in response to the temperature sensed by the sensor, wherein the device comprises: heat transfer means capable in a first mode of transfering heat from the valve body or inlet or a region upstream thereof to the sensor but not so capable in a second mode, and means apable of causing the heat transfer means to move from the firsrt mode to the second mode, and vice verca, in response to a control factor.

The heat transfer means can take the form of a heat shunt or a heat tube capable of being moved so as to be able to transfer heat from the valve body or inlet, or the region upstream thereof, to the sensor, and also capable of being moved to a position in which such heat transference does not occur.

With regard to the means capable of causing the heat transfer means to move from the first mode to the second mode, and vice verca, in response to a control factor, this can be a timer unit, where the control factor is time itself, with provision for an element to act in response to the timer unit so as to cause the heat transfer means to move into, or out of, operation. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for use in modifying the operation of a thermostatic radiator valve present in a circulating water heating system, which valve has a valve body, an inlet for connection to a source of hot water, an outlet for supplying a radiator, a valve member to control the flow of water from the inlet to the outlet, and a remote sensor to determine ambient temperature, the valve member being operable in response to the temperature sensed by the the sensor, wherein the device comprises: movement means for moving the remote sensor into and out of contact of the valve body or inlet, or a region upstream thereof, and means capable of causing the movement means to move the sensor, in response to a control factor.

As with the first aspect of the present invention, the control factor can be a timer unit.

The device according to the first or second aspect of the present invention can be manufactured and sold seperately, intended to be attached to, and used in conjunction with, already installed radiator valves.

Thus a third aspect of the present invention provides, in combination, a thermostatic radiator valve of the type indicated above and a device according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, fitted in the vicinity of the valve.

Alternatively, the device according to the first or second aspect of the invention can be incorporated into a thermostatic radiator valve of the type indicated above during the manufacture of the same. Thus a fourth aspect of the present invention provides as an integral unit, a thermostatic radiator valve of the type defined above, provided with a device according to the first of second aspect of the present invention.

Acccording to one embodiment of the first aspect of the device according to the present invention, there is provided a time controlled thermostatic valve with self contained power and control units which allows for the effective set (air) temperature to be reduced for predetermined periods of the day or night when a lower room temperature is required. The invention utilises the fact that a normal thermostatic valve uses heat energy from the air to control the flow of hot water through the valve using a wax pellet actuator. With this invention, extra heat from the hot water supply pipe is routed via a heat shunt or heat tube to the wax pellet actuator, the actuator becomes warmer, and consequently the water flow and subsequent room temperature are so reduced.Rerouting the heat energy requires little power allowing for a self contained device with power supplied by a low voltage battery -hence no external power or wiring is employed.

It is anticipated that a prime application will be in bedrooms, where a decreased room temperature is more appropriate during the middle of the day or during the night. It is anticipated minor mechanical adjustments will allow the unit to be fitted to a range of existing thermostatic valves.

Note the term "sensor" is deemed to include devices which sense and dirctly OR indirectly actuate a (water) control plunger/valve. For information, commercial control valves devices often employ wax pellet or gas or gas/liquid or bi-metallic sensors/actuators A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of an example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a normal commercially available thermostatic control valve for water circulating heating systems.

Figure 2 shows the valve depicted in Figure 1 fitted with the required additions to produce a time controlled thermostatic valve Figure 3 shows the valve depicted in figure 2 fitted with an optional battery charger unit Figure 1 depicts a control valve (A) , wax pellet actuating device (E), driving plunger (F) which restricts or increases water flow through the valve. Gland nuts (D) allow for connection to supply pipe (C) and radiator (B) Referencing figure 2, the key component is the heat shunt (1). When the radiator is warm ( heating and thus water flow is being demanded by the thermostatic valve), the body of the valve (A) is also warm. At times determined by an electronic timer (6), a heat shunt (1) transferes heat from the warm valve body (A) to the heat sensitive wax valve actuator (E) which is part of the standard thermostatic valve.In order to aid the heat transfer from the valve body to the shunt, the surface of the valve is machined to provide a close contact surface to mate with the shunt component. The wax actuator is slightly warmed by the extra heat delivered by the shunt and closes prematurely. Obviously the valve will open slightly when the valve body (A) subsequently cools, so this invention will not normally switch the water flow OFF, it will reduce the water flow and heat output of the radiator.

At other times determined by the timer (6), the heat shunt (1) is lifted away from the warm housing (A) by reversible electric motor (2), and mechanical parts (2a,3,4,5). In this instance, the valve works in the normal way responding to room temperature only. This is the higher air temperature setting.

The mechanical parts mentioned above are, a gearbox (2a) integral with the motor, a driven threaded shaft (3), driving a nut assembly (5) which moves up (or down) when the motor is in motion, which subsequently moves connecting rod (4) thus moving the shunt into, or out of contact with the valve body.

In order for the device to actually function, peripheral parts are also needed. The timer device (6) is removable to allow convenient setting of times, a battery to power the motor (8) may also power the timer (6) depending on type of timer. The electical signals from the timer need modifying to correctly drive the motor (6) so a motor controller (7) is required, as is an electrical wiring harness (14) the whole arrangement is mounted on a mounting plate (9) secured by mountings (11) and protected with an overall cover, shown in outline only (10) Figure 3 shows a bank of thermocouples formed in a housing (20), secured by straps (21), with heat dissipator (22). This allows for electricity to be produced due to the temperature gradient between the warm pipe (C) and the cooler heat dissipator (22). A cable and connector (23) transfer electricity to the (in this case rechargeable) battery (8).

Claims

1) A device for use in modifying the operation of a thermostatic radiator valve body, an inlet for connection to a source of hot water, an outlet for supplying a radiator, a valve member to control the flow of water from the inlet to the outlet, and a sensor to etermine ambient temperature, the valve member being operable in response to the temperature sensed by the sensor, wherein the device comprises: heat transfer means capable in a first mode of transfering heat from the valve body or inlet or a region upstream thereof to the sensor but not so capable in a second mode, and means capable of causing the heat transfer means to move from the firsrt mode to the second mode, and vice verca, in response to a control factor.

2) A device according to claim (1), wherein the heat transfer means takes the form of a heat shunt or a heat tube capable of being moved so as to be able to transfer heat from the valve body or inlet, or the region upstream thereeof, to the sensor, and also capable of being moved to a position in which such heat transference does not occur.

3) A device according to claim (1) or (2), wherein the means capable of causing the heat transfer means to move from the first mode to the second mode, and vice verca, in response to a control factor, is a timer unit, where the control factor is time itself, with provision for an element to act in response to the timer unit so as to cause the heat transfer means to move into, or out of, operation.

4) A device for use in modifying the operation of a thermostatic radiator valve present in a circulating water heating system, which valve has a valve body, an inlet for connection to a source of hot water, an outlet for supplying a radiator, a valve member to control the flow of water from the inlet to the outlet, and a remote sensor to determine ambient temperature, the valve member being operable in response to the temperature sensed by the the sensor, wherein the device comprises: movement means for movinf the remote sensor into and out of contact of the valve body or inlet, or a region upstream thereof, and means capable of causing the movement means to move the sensor, in response to a control factor.

5) In combination, a thermostatic radiator valve of the type claimed in claim (1) or (2) or (3) or (4) and a device according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, fitted in the vicinity of the valve.

6) As an integral unit, a thermostatic radiator valve claimed in any of the preceding claims, provided with a device according to the first or second aspect of the present invention.

7) A thermostatic radiator valve claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the battery (8) is of a rechargeable type with a recharging device comprising a number of Peltier effect, Thompsom effect or thermocouple or similar units to provide electrical power to the battery.

8) A thermostatic radiator valve claimed in any of the preceding claims, but with differnt plumbing confifuration to allow in line use (in a hot water supply line to one or a group of radiators)