GB2464095A

GB2464095A - Thermostatic heating control system

Info

Publication number: GB2464095A
Application number: GB0817866A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Abdool Raheed Moedeen; Ibrar Hussain Shakoor
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-10-01
Filing date: 2008-10-01
Publication date: 2010-04-07
Anticipated expiration: 2028-10-01
Also published as: GB2464095B; GB0817866D0

Abstract

A thermostatic control apparatus 10 comprises a thermostatic radiator valve unit 12 having a radiator valve for locally controlling a supply of hot water to a specific radiator 52, a selectively adjustable actuator 24 for automatically controlling the valve based on surrounding air temperature, and a transmission device (26, Fig. 3) for emitting an electronic signal to a receiver device 14 which is separate from the thermostatic radiator valve unit 12 and which is communicable with a hot water boiler supplying hot water to the radiator. When the actuator 24 closes the valve, the transmission device 26 emits an electronic signal to the receiver device 14 to stop the boiler heating the water. A method and system are provided.

Description

Thermostatic Heating Control System, Apparatus And Method The present invention relates to thermostatic control apparatus for a radiator, a method for thermostatically controlling a radiator using such apparatus, and to a thermostatic heating control system.

A thermostatic radiator valve is now well known and is often referred to as a TRy'.

A TRV is provided inline with a radiator, typically at or adjacent to its water inlet, and works by sensing the surrounding air temperature. The valve progressively closes down the flow through the radiator as the air temperature rises, thereby cooling the radiator and regulating the room temperature.

A TRV typically comprises a flow control valve provided in a valve body, with a valve stem being controlled by an actuator. The actuator includes a user-rotatable plastic element containing a wax plug which expands or contracts as the temperature of the room rises or falls. The plastic element is rotated by a user to a preset position and includes a screw mechanism which positions the wax plug to a corresponding set distance from the valve stem.

As the wax plug expands, it moves the valve stem to close the flow control valve, and as the plug contracts, the valve stem can return thus allowing the valve to open.

It has been found that, due to the analogue actuator and the plastic element not providing a temperature display, but rather displaying a number range typically from 1 to 6, most users do not understand or appreciate how to optimally set the valve to achieve a desired temperature.

Many TRV's are therefore simply set to a maximum or 6', and thus do not perform their designed control function.

A further problem is that a TRV requires a connected boiler to be on thereby making hot water available for the TRV to draw as and when it is needed. When the boiler is off, typically when it is controlled by a central room thermostat, the TRVs in other rooms become redundant, thus defeating their purpose. Consequently, in order to make best use of a TRV in a room, the boiler needs to be on, thus defeating the fuel efficiency claims of the TRVs to some degree.

The present invention seeks to provide solutions to these problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided thermostatic control apparatus for a radiator, the apparatus comprising: a thermostatic radiator valve unit having a radiator valve for locally controlling a supply of hot water to a specific radiator, a selectively adjustable actuator for automatically controlling the valve based on surrounding air temperature, and a transmission device for emitting an electronic signal to a receiver device which is separate of the thermostatic radiator valve unit and which is communicable with a hot water boiler supplying hot water to the said radiator, so that, when the actuator closes the valve, the in use transmission device emits the electronic signal to the receiver device to stop the heating of water by the boiler.

Preferable and/or optional features of the first aspect are set forth in claims 2 to 11, inclusive.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for thermostatically controlling a radiator using thermostatic control apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, the method comprising the steps of: a) thermostatically controlling a radiator using the thermostatic radiator valve unit, and b) the thermostatic radiator valve unit controlling a hot water boiler to stop the heating of water by the boiler when a selectively adjustable actuator of the valve unit closes the radiator valve.

Preferable and/or optional features of the first aspect are set forth in claims 14 to 18, inclusive.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a thermostatic heating control system comprising a hot water boiler; a radiator connected to the boiler; a thermostatic radiator valve unit having a radiator valve which locally controls a supply of hot water from the boiler to the specific radiator, a selectively adjustable actuator which automatically controls the valve based on surrounding air temperature, and a transmission device; and a receiver device which is separate of the thermostatic radiator valve unit and which is in communication with the hot water boiler, the receiver device receiving a signal from the in use transmission device to stop the heating of water by the boiler when the actuator closes the valve.

The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of thermostatic control apparatus, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; Figure 2 is an exploded view of a thermostatic radiator valve unit of the apparatus; Figure 3 is a perspective view from above of the valve unit with a dial casing removed to show a display; Figure 4 is a plan view of a floor area of a building having the thermostatic control apparatus; Figure 5 is a plan view of the valve unit when set to a first temperature; and Figure 6 is a plan view of the valve unit when set to a second temperature.

Refening to the drawings, there is shown thermostatic control apparatus 10 which comprises a thermostatic radiator valve unit 12 and a receiver device 14. The valve unit 12 includes a flow control valve provided within a valve body 16 having an inlet 18, an outlet 20 and a flow passage 22 therebetween. The valve unit 12 also includes a selectively adjustable actuator 24 and a transmission device 26. The actuator 24 moves a valve stem of the flow control valve, so that the valve regulates fluid flow through the flow passage 22.

The actuator 24 includes an expandable and contractible wax plug element 28 and a screw mechanism 30 by which the wax plug element 28 can be selectively positioned relative to the valve stem. The actuator 24 also includes an actuator housing 32 in which the wax plug element 28 and the screw mechanism 30 are housed, and a dial casing 34 provided above the actuator housing 32 and which has an upper display window in which sits a light-transmissible display cover 36. The dial casing 34 is rotatable around the actuator housing 32, and the transmission device 26 is received there within.

The transmission device 26 includes a PCB 38 on which a wireless transmitter circuit 40 and a, typically LED, display 42 are provided. The PCB 38 also carries a battery 44, for example on its undersurface, for providing electrical energy to the transmitter circuit 40 and the display 42. The display 42 may be held stationary relative to the dial casing 34, or may be rotatable therewith. The dial casing 34 forms part of a variable resistance circuit 46, which is also provided on the PCB 38. As the dial casing 34 is turned by a user, the wax plug element 28 is adjusted on the screw mechanism 30 relative to the valve stem and the variable resistance circuit 46 outputs a signal to the display 42 which corresponds to a specific temperature, either in Celsius or Fahrenheit.

The receiver device 14 is connected, either directly or indirectly, to a water heating boiler 48 on the central heating circuit. The receiver device 14 may preferably be a separate independent unit which either communicates wirelessly or is wired to the control circuitry of the boiler 48, or may communicate wirelessly with or be wired to a remote main thermostat of the boiler 48. This allows the receiver device 14 to be retrofitted to existing boilers 48.

Additionally or alternatively, the receiver device may be incorporated or integrated as part of control circuitry of a new boiler during manufacture.

The receiver device 14 is in wired or, more preferably, wireless communication with the transmission device 26 of the valve unit 12, and as such has a wireless receiver circuit.

In use, the thermostatic radiator valve unit 12 is attached inline to or adjacent to, typically, an inlet 50 of the radiator 52, in a similar fashion to that of a traditional analogue TRy, and thus provides sole direct local control of the specific radiator 52. The valve unit 12 is set by the user at the desired temperature via the dial casing 34 and digital temperature display 42. The boiler 48 then supplies hot water to the radiator 52 that the valve unit 12 is connected to until the room in which the radiator 52 resides reaches the user preset temperature. Once the temperature of the air surrounding the valve unit 12 reaches or exceeds the user preset temperature, the actuator 24 closes the valve of the valve unit 12, halting hot water flow to the radiator 52, and the transmission device 26 of the valve unit 12 sends a signal to the receiver device 14 which in turn controls the boiler 48 to stop the heating of water for the central heating circuit.

In the event that a plurality of radiators 52 are available, as shown in Figure 4, then a plurality of the valve units 12 is utilised, one on each radiator 52. The user sets each valve unit 12 to the desired temperature for that room. The boiler 48 then runs and supplies hot water to the radiators 52 only as required. Once all of the valve units 12 have reached their preset temperatures and the actuators 24 have all automatically closed their respective valves, the signal sent by the transmission device 26 of the last valve unit 12 to close causes the receiver device 14 to control the boiler 48 to halt the production of hot water for the central heating circuit. If a pump is also supplied on the central heating circuit, either as part of the boiler or separately, the pump may be controlled by the boiler to run on for a short period, or to also stop immediately, depending on requirements.

Consequently, as any one of the rooms then cools to below the preset temperature of its valve unit 12, the respective transmission device 26 emits a conesponding signal causing the receiver device 14 to control the boiler 48 to start producing hot water again for the central heating circuit. Each valve unit 12 can thus independently control the boiler 48 via the common receiver device 14 to optimise the boiler 48 operation in regards to the central heating circuit.

In the event that the valve unit 12 is set to a temperature which exceeds the user preset heating capacity of the boiler 48 for the central heating circuit, the receiver device 14 compares the set valve unit temperature with the set boiler temperature on the heating circuit, and a transmitter circuit 40 of the receiver device 14 outputs a signal to the transmission device 26 of the valve unit 12. A colour of the displayed temperature on the valve unit 12 is then changed to indicate the discrepancy, and the receiver device 14 controls the boiler 48, either directly or via its pre-existing thermostat, to increase the temperature of the central heating circuit accordingly.

Although the transmission device of the valve unit has a wireless transmitter circuit, it may be, alternatively or additionally, wired.

The receiver device, although preferably provided as part of the apparatus, may be the controller of the boiler or the existing thermostat of the boiler. In this case, the wireless transmission device utilises the same signal frequency as that of the existing receiver device in order to communicate therewith.

It is thus possible to provide thermostatic control apparatus which can be retrofitted to an existing central heating boiler installation. It is also possible to provide a thermostatic heating control system which includes the thermostatic control apparatus as well as the boiler and the radiator or radiators. This apparatus and system may be provided as a kit of parts for installation purposes. The thermostatic radiator valve unit and receiver device enables greater optimisation of boiler operation, thus reducing energy costs and harmful emissions, whilst improving room temperature control.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims 1. Thermostatic control apparatus for a radiator, the apparatus comprising: a thermostatic radiator valve unit having a radiator valve for locally controlling a supply of hot water to a specific radiator, a selectively adjustable actuator for automatically controlling the valve based on surrounding air temperature, and a transmission device for emitting an electronic signal to a receiver device which is separate of the thermostatic radiator valve unit and which is communicable with a hot water boiler supplying hot water to the said radiator, so that, when the actuator closes the valve, the in use transmission device emits the electronic signal to the receiver device to stop the heating of water by the boiler.
2. Thermostatic control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a receiver device which is separate of the thermostatic radiator valve unit and which is communicable with a hot water boiler supplying hot water to the said radiator.
3. Thern-iostatic control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the valve unit includes a digital display for displaying a user setting of the actuator.
4. Therniostatic control apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the in use digital display displays a temperature set by a user.
5. Therniostatic control apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transmission device includes a wireless transmitter for outputting a signal corresponding to a state of the radiator valve and/or actuator.
6. Thermostatic control apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the receiver device includes a transmitter circuit for communicating with the boiler.
7. Thermostatic control apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the transmitter circuit is a wireless transmitter circuit for wirelessly communicating with the boiler.
8. Therniostatic control apparatus as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the receiver device is communicable with the boiler via an existing boiler thermostat.
9. Thermostatic control apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of the said radiator valve units are provided.
10. Thermostatic control apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the receiver device stops the heating of water by the boiler only when signals are received from all of the in use transmission devices.
11 Thermostatic control apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transmission device outputs a signal conesponding to a user setting of the actuator, and the receiver device controls a heating temperature of the boiler based on that signal.
12. Thermostatic control apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
13. A method for thermostatically controlling a radiator using thermostatic control apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, the method comprising the steps of: a) thermostatically controlling a radiator using the thermostatic radiator valve unit, and b) the thermostatic radiator valve unit controlling a hot water boiler to stop the heating of water by the boiler when a selectively adjustable actuator of the valve unit closes the radiator valve.
14. A method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a step c) of the thermostatic radiator valve controlling a heating temperature of the boiler when the boiler is on.
15. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the heating temperature is controlled based on a user setting of the selectively adjustable actuator.
16. A method as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the heating temperature of the boiler is increased by the thermostatic radiator valve unit.
17. A method as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the thermostatic radiator valve unit controls a heating temperature of the boiler via a remote receiver device.
18. A method as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein, in step a), a plurality of radiators is controlled by a plurality of respective thermostatic radiator valve units, and in step b) the boiler is stopped only when a last one of the selectively adjustable actuators closes its respective radiator valve.
19. A thermostatic heating control system comprising a hot water boiler; a radiator connected to the boiler; a thermostatic radiator valve unit having a radiator valve which locally controls a supply of hot water froni the boiler to the specific radiator, a selectively adjustable actuator which automatically controls the valve based on surrounding air temperature, and a transmission device; and a receiver device which is separate of the thermostatic radiator valve unit and which is in communication with the hot water boiler, the receiver device receiving a signal from the in use transmission device to stop the heating of water by the boiler when the actuator closes the valve.