NL2026341B1

NL2026341B1 - Heating assembly, method of heating a building

Info

Publication number: NL2026341B1
Application number: NL2026341A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Hamers Frans Maurice; De Vries Douwe
Original assignee: Sdg Bv; Mfhamers Holding Bv
Priority date: 2020-08-25
Filing date: 2020-08-25
Publication date: 2022-04-29

Abstract

The invention relates to a heating assembly for heating a building comprising: a fluid buffer for holding a heat transporting fluid; a heat pump in fluid communication with the fluid buffer for heating the heat transporting fluid; an ion heater element arranged to the fluid buffer for heating the heat transporting fluid; a central heating heat exchanger arranged for receiving heated heat transporting fluid from the fluid buffer for heating the building, and providing cooled heat transporting fluid to the fluid buffer; a circulation pump arranged for circulating the heat transporting fluid through the central heating heat exchanger; a fluid temperature sensor arranged for sensing a temperature of the heated heat transporting fluid; and a controller arranged for controlling the heat pump, the ion heater element and the circulation pump, wherein the controller is configured for: receiving the sensed fluid temperature from the fluid temperature sensor; when the sensed fluid temperature decreases and crosses over a first temperature threshold, switching on the heat pump; when the sensed fluid temperature increases and crosses over a second threshold, switching off the heat pump and switching on the ion heater element; when the sensed fluid temperature increases and crosses over a third temperature threshold, switching off the ion heater element; and controlling the circulation pump for transporting the heated heat transporting fluid from the fluid buffer to the central heating heat exchanger; wherein the first temperature threshold is lower than the second temperature threshold, and the second temperature threshold is lower than the third temperature threshold.

Description

HEATING ASSEMBLY, METHOD OF HEATING A BUILDING

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a heating assembly for heating a building. The invention more specifically relates to a highly efficient heating assembly. The invention further relates to a method of using such a heating assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A heat pump transfers heat energy from one location to another. A heat pump may be used to transfer heat energy from the outside to the inside of a building for heating the interior of the building. A disadvantage of a heat pump is that the efficiency drops rapidly when the temperature difference between inside and outside increases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to overcome one or more of the disadvantages mentioned above.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a heating assembly for heating a building comprising: - a fluid buffer for holding a heat transporting fluid; - a heat pump in fluid communication with the fluid buffer for heating the heat transporting fluid; - an ion heater element arranged to the fluid buffer for heating the heat transporting fluid; - a central heating heat exchanger arranged for receiving heated heat transporting fluid from the fluid buffer for heating the building, and providing cooled heat transporting fluid to the fluid buffer; - a circulation pump arranged for circulating the heat transporting fluid through the central heating heat exchanger; - a fluid temperature sensor arranged for sensing a temperature of the heated heat transporting fluid; and - a controller arranged for controlling the heat pump, the ion heater element and the circulation pump, wherein the controller is configured for: - receiving the sensed fluid temperature from the fluid temperature sensor;

- when the sensed fluid temperature decreases and crosses over a first temperature threshold, switching on the heat pump; - when the sensed fluid temperature increases and crosses over a second threshold, switching off the heat pump and switching on the ion heater element; - when the sensed fluid temperature increases and crosses over a third temperature threshold, switching off the ion heater element; and - controlling the circulation pump for transporting the heated heat transporting fluid from the fluid buffer to the central heating heat exchanger; wherein the first temperature threshold is lower than the second temperature threshold, and the second temperature threshold is lower than the third temperature threshold.

Buildings to be heated may be office buildings, houses, flats or apartments. The fluid buffer may be a vessel, hollow container, vat or repository for holding a heat transporting fluid. For applications in houses or smaller buildings, the fluid buffer may have a volume in a range of 50 to 150 litres, preferably 70 to 130 litres, more preferably 80 to 120 litres, most preferably, 90 to 110 litres. For larger applications, the fluid buffer may have a larger size, such as over 250 litres or even over 500 litres, depending on the size of the building complex, such as a flat, factory building or industrial building. The fluid buffer is typically well isolated, such that the heated heat transporting fluid heat held in fluid buffer maintains or substantially maintains the heated status. The heat transporting fluid is typically a refrigerant useable by the heat pump for transporting the heat. The heat transporting fluid may be in a liquid and/or gaseous state or depending on the part of the heat assembly in a liquid or gaseous state. The fluid may be glycol or water. The fluid buffer may be seen as a heat energy storage or buffer.

The ion heater element is arranged to the buffer for heating the heat transporting fluid. The ion heater element heats the heat transporting fluid by ionizing the heat transporting fluid. After being ionized, the ions combine to typically the original molecules and thereby release the energy insert for ionizing in the form of heat energy. This way of heating the heat transporting fluid is highly efficient. An example of an ion heater element may be the Stafor® ion boiler. It is noted that the Stafor® ion boiler is only noted as an example for explaining the working principle of the ion heater element.

The central heating heat exchanger is arranged for receiving the heated heat transporting fluid from the fluid buffer for heating the building, and providing cooled heat transporting fluid to the fluid buffer. Typically, the heat transporting fluid is too costly or too toxic or any other reason, such that the heat transporting fluid is kept to a limited part of the heating assembly, such as a part of the assembly where the heat is accumulated or generated. Other parts heating the building, which may or may not be considered part of the assembly, extend typically with extensive pipe working throughout the building to heat each corner and/or room of the building. To separate the two fluid circuits, the heating assembly comprises a central heating heat exchanger. In an alternative interpretation, the central heating heat exchanger may be a radiator arranged in a corner or room of the building for heating the internal space of this building. In this alternative interpretation, the heat transporting fluid also circulated throughout the building.

The circulation pump arranged for circulating the heat transporting fluid through the central heating heat exchanger. Typically circulates the heat transporting fluid between the central heating heat exchanger and the fluid buffer. The fluid buffer thereby provides the heat energy transported by the heat transporting fluid to the central heating heat exchanger. Further, the central heating heat exchanger return the heat transporting fluid without a substantial part of the heat energy back to the fluid buffer. This circulation may be forced with the circulation pump.

The fluid temperature sensor arranged for sensing a temperature of the heated heat transporting fluid. The fluid temperature sensor may be arranged in the fluid buffer. Typically, the fluid temperature sensor is arranged at the exit in the fluid buffer leading toward the central heating heat exchanger or in a conduit leading toward the central heating heat exchanger for the heated heat transporting fluid circulated toward the central heating heat exchanger.

The controller is typically a microprocessor with memory arranged to the microprocessor for executing a program that is an implementation of the mentioned steps. The steps may be performed in parallel or repeatedly or in a different order, unless expressly specified differently. The controller is at least arranged for controlling the heat pump and the ion heater element.

The controller is configured for the step of receiving the sensed fluid temperature from the fluid temperature sensor. The fluid temperature may be sampled multiple times on a polling basis. The fluid temperature may be sampled upon interrupt basis by setting a certain threshold whereupon the fluid temperature sensor triggers.

When the sensed fluid temperature decreases and crosses over a first temperature threshold, the controller is configured for the step of switching on the heat pump. Decreasing and crossing over a first temperature threshold may be perceived as the fluid temperature sinking below a first temperature threshold. Typically, the heat pump will add heat energy to the heat transporting fluid held in the fluid buffer.

When the sensed fluid temperature increases and crosses over a second threshold, the controller is configured for the step of switching off the heat pump and switching on the ion heater element. The temperature of the heat transporting fluid in the fluid buffer is typically rising form being heated by the heat pump. The heat pump typically has an upper limit whereafter further heating becomes inefficient or even impossible. The ion heater element is typically suitable for heating a heat transporting fluid to higher temperatures. Thus, as the temperature rises over a second threshold, the heating of the heat transporting fluid is taken over by the ion heater element to further increase the temperature of the heat transporting fluid.

When the sensed fluid temperature increases and crosses over a third temperature threshold, the controller is configured for the step of switching off the ion heater element. As the heated heat transporting fluid reaches the third temperature threshold, the ion heater element is switched off. As the heat pump was already switched off, no further heat energy will be added to the heated heat transporting fluid.

Due to that there will always be some thermal conduction, over time the heated transporting fluid, mainly held in the fluid buffer will lose heat energy. Furthermore, the heated transporting fluid may be circulated to the central heating heat exchanger for intentionally loosing heat energy by heating the building.

For the order of heating a cooling to work and to switch the heat pump and the ion heater element in the right order, the first temperature threshold is lower than the second temperature threshold, and the second temperature threshold is lower than the third temperature threshold. Expressed as equation: T,<T, < T: By switching the heat pump and the ion heater element at the set threshold temperatures, the heat energy is built up or accumulated in the heat transporting fluid in the fluid buffer.

A building may be considered as a heat energy buffer. Heat energy may be stored in the walls of the building and in the air in the rooms or chambers of the building. This heat energy buffer typically causes the heating process to be slow.

Rapid changes of e.g. radiators heating the building are thus dampened by the building itself.

Furthermore, the radiators or heat exchangers inside the building for heating the building are also damping rapid temperature changes of liquid or fluid flowing through the radiators and/or heat exchangers in the building.

The heat energy build up in the heat transporting fluid in the fluid buffer is 5 transported to the central heating heat exchanger by switching on the circulation pump.

The heat energy extracted from the fluid buffer is typically more than the heat energy inserted by the heat pump and/or the ion heater element.

In an alternative embodiment, the heat pump and/or the ion heater element are switched off when the circulation pump is on.

The central heating heat exchanger is thus receiving the heated heat transporting fluid starting at the third temperature threshold and when circulating cooling down to the first temperature threshold.

Over time an average temperature is created suitable for heating the building, while the heat pump may be operated in a highly efficient range.

In an embodiment, switching the circulation pump comprises: - when the sensed fluid temperature increases and crosses over a fourth temperature threshold, switching on the circulation pump; and/or - when the sensed fluid temperature decreases and crosses over a fifth temperature threshold, switch off the circulation pump.

In this embodiment, the heat transporting fluid is only circulated through when in a specific temperature range and while decreasing in temperature due to the circulation through a heat exchanger, such as the central heating heat exchanger.

The relative high temperature of the heat transporting fluid relative to the typical, optimal or efficient temperature of the heat pump is efficiently obtained by heating the heat transporting fluid with a combination of the heat pump and the ion heater element and switching these.

This advantageously allows the heat exchanger to exchange an average temperature with high efficiency above the typical, optimal or efficient temperature of the heat pump.

Typically, the fourth temperature threshold is the third temperature threshold.

Typically, the fifth temperature threshold is the first temperature threshold.

Thereby advantageously synchronising the switching or adapting of the different controlled unit causing the heating and cooling heat transporting element.

In an embodiment, the controller is configured for: - receiving a room temperature from a temperature sensor arranged for sensing the room temperature in a room of the building; - receiving a room temperature setting; - adapting the first temperature threshold and the third temperature threshold such that the room temperature is, substantially, the room temperature setting.

The heating assembly as well as the building may act as heat buffer dampening any temperature variations caused by the heating and cooling cycle of the heat transporting fluid.

The average temperature of the heat transporting fluid circulating through the central heating heat exchanger is at least partly determining the room temperature over time.

The average temperature is depending on the setting of the first temperature and the third temperature and the curve of the temperature during the cooling cycle.

The first temperature may advantageously be set to a level such that during heating of the heat transporting fluid, the heat pump is operating in an efficient temperature range.

The third temperature range may be set to a level such that the average temperature required is obtained.

In a further embodiment, the controller is configured for: - defining a room temperature band arranged around the room temperature setting; - determining a room temperature variation based on a maximum room temperature and a minimum room temperature; and - determining a fluid temperature variation based on the difference between the third temperature threshold and the first temperature threshold; wherein adapting comprises: - decreasing the fluid temperature variation when the room temperature variation exceeds the room temperature band; and - increasing the fluid temperature variation when the room temperature variation remains within the room temperature band.

Although the heating assembly as well as the building may act as heat buffer dampening any temperature variations caused by the heating and cooling cycle of the heat transporting fluid, the temperature variation of the heat transporting fluid may contribute to temperature variation in the building.

To minimize this temperature variation to a required and/or acceptable level, the fluid temperature variation is advantageously adapted.

Typically, a larger variation in fluid temperature variation allows the heat pump to advantageously operate in a higher efficient temperature operating area.

Thus, a balance is advantageously struck between efficiency of the heat pump and thus the heating assembly as a whole, and a required and/or acceptable room temperature variation.

Typically, the room temperature band is centred around the room temperature setting.

In a further embodiment, the room temperature band stretches out over 5°C, preferably 4°C, more preferably 3°C, even more preferably 2°C, even more preferably 1°C, most preferably

0.5°C.

In an embodiment, the controller is configured for: - determining an average room temperature based on the received room temperature; wherein adapting comprises: - decreasing the first temperature threshold and the third temperature threshold when the average room temperature is above the room temperature setting; and - increasing the first temperature threshold and the third temperature threshold when the average room temperature is below the room temperature setting. this advantageously allows the heating assembly to deliver the required heat energy to the building. The average room temperature is in this embodiment advantageously adapted to average room temperature. By adapting the first temperature, the heat pump is advantageously adapted to efficiently use the heat pump.

In an embodiment, the second temperature threshold is based on a maximum heat pump temperature of the heated heat transporting fluid from the heat pump, preferably wherein the second temperature threshold is set to within a range of 15°C below the maximum heat pump temperature up to the maximum heat pump temperature, more preferably wherein the second temperature threshold is set to within a range of 10°C below the maximum heat pump temperature up to the maximum heat pump temperature, most preferably wherein the second temperature threshold is set to within a range of 5°C below the maximum heat pump temperature up to the maximum heat pump temperature. The closer the second temperature threshold is set to the maximum heat pump temperature, the less efficient the heat pump becomes in heating the heat transporting fluid. Therefore, advantageously a balance is to be struck between using the heat pump to higher temperatures and decreasing efficiency. Furthermore, the higher the second temperature threshold is set, the longer it takes for the heat pump to provide the second temperature to the heat transporting fluid. During the heating cycle, the circulation through the central heating heat exchanger is typically stopped. Thus, during the heating cycle, the building is not provided with heat energy and cools off. This time delay between periods of heat energy provided to the building should advantageously be taken into account when adapting the second temperature threshold for keeping the room temperature within the room temperature band.

In an embodiment, the heating assembly comprises: - a domestic hot water heat exchanger for receiving the heated heat transporting fluid from the fluid buffer for providing heated domestic water, and providing cooled heat transporting fluid to the fluid buffer; and - a three way valve arranged for allowing circulation of the heat transporting fluid between the fluid buffer and either the central heating heat exchanger or the domestic hot water heat exchanger; wherein the circulation pump is also arranged for circulating the heat transporting fluid through the domestic water heat exchanger. The heating assembly may advantageously be switched between providing the heat energy for heating the building or for heating domestic hot water. Domestic hot water typically requires a higher temperature than the central heating. The domestic hot water typically requires a temperature outside the operating range of the heat pump. The domestic hot water is typically heated with the use of the ion heater element alone without the use of the heat pump. As domestic hot water is typically only required during short time intervals relative to the relative long time intervals that heating of the building is required, the use of only the ion heater element to heat the heat transporting fluid when hot domestic water is required, typically only negatively influences the overall efficiency of the assembly marginally or not substantially. Furthermore, to keep the overall use of the ion heater element to a minimum, the volume of the fluid buffer may be adapted to the volume needed to heat the hot domestic water in a particular time interval, such as for filling the bath tub or taking one or more showers. Furthermore, the controller of the heating assembly may be arranged to after heat energy is drafted from the fluid buffer, to heat the fluid buffer first with the heat pump to the second temperature threshold.

In an embodiment, the fluid temperature sensor is arranged for measuring the heated heat transporting fluid flowing from the fluid buffer to the central heating heat exchanger. The fluid temperature sensor may be arranged inside the fluid buffer, preferably adjacent or near the location where the heat transporting fluid exits the fluid buffer. The measured fluid temperature may advantageously be used by the controller to control the variation, such as the overshoot, of the room temperature when heating the building.

In an embodiment, the fluid temperature sensor is arranged: - in the fluid buffer; - in a conduit coupling the fluid buffer to the central heating heat exchanger; or - in the central heating heat exchanger.

The fluid temperature sensor may be arranged in a conduit between the fluid buffer and the central heating heat exchanger. The measured fluid temperature may advantageously be used by the controller to control the variation, such as the overshoot, of the room temperature when heating the building.

In an embodiment, the ion heater element is advantageously arranged inside the buffer for optimizing the efficiency of the ion heater element heating the heat transporting fluid.

In an embodiment, the heating assembly comprises a conduit in fluid communication with the buffer, wherein the ion heater element is arranged in the conduit.

In an embodiment, the heating assembly is advantageously combined with any of the heating assembly embodiments of the chapters EMBODIMENTS II or Ill for enhancing or combining the individual advantages of the embodiments.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method for heating a building, comprising: - controlling a circulation pump arranged for circulating a heat transporting fluid through a central heating heat exchanger arranged for receiving heated heat transporting fluid from a fluid buffer holding the heat transporting fluid, and providing cooled heat transporting fluid to the fluid buffer; - receiving a sensed fluid temperature from a fluid temperature sensor arranged for sensing a temperature of the heated heat transporting fluid, heatable by an ion heater element arranged to the fluid buffer, and/or a heat pump in fluid communication with the fluid buffer; - when the sensed fluid temperature decreases and crosses over a first temperature threshold, switching on the heat pump; - when the sensed fluid temperature increases and crosses over a second threshold, switching off the heat pump and switching on the ion heater element; - when the sensed fluid temperature increases and crosses over a third temperature threshold, switching off the ion heater element; and - controlling the circulation pump for transporting the heated heat transporting fluid from the fluid buffer to the central heating heat exchanger; wherein the first temperature threshold is lower than the second temperature threshold, and the second temperature threshold is lower than the third temperature threshold.

According to another aspect of the invention, a computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having computer readable code embodied therein, the computer readable code being configured such that, on execution by a suitable computer or processor, the computer or processor is caused to perform the method specified in an embodiment according to the invention. This aspect of the invention provides the advantages as specified for the other aspects of the invention.

According to another aspect of the invention, a heating assembly for heating a building comprising: - a fluid buffer having an internal buffer space for holding a heat transporting fluid; - an ion heater element arranged in the internal buffer space for heating the heat transporting fluid; wherein the internal buffer space is sized and/or shaped relative to the size, shape and/or position of the ion heater element for circulating the heat transporting fluid heated by the ion heater element in the internal buffer space. When the internal buffer space is sized and/or shaped relative to the size, shape and/or position of the ion heater element, when the ion heater is heating the heat transporting fluid, the internal buffer space is large enough to allow an upstream of heated heat transporting fluid and a downstream of cooler heat transporting fluid. Thus, the internal buffer space allows a circulation of heat transporting fluid inside the internal buffer space wherein this circulation is initiate or caused by the heat energy coming forth from the ion heater element interacting with or working on the heat transporting fluid.

As the internal buffer space is sized and/or shaped relative to the size, shape and/or position of the ion heater element the flow is predominantly or substantially a continuous or even laminar flow of heat transporting fluid. The flow should preferably have low amounts of turbulent flow. As the circulation comes in naturally and due to the size and/or shape of the internal buffer space the technical effect is that the circulation of the heat transporting fluid is highly efficient. Another technical effect is that a high volume of the heat transporting fluid is coming into contact with the ion heater element increasing its efficiency. This higher efficiency is for example in relation to an ion heater element arranged in a conduit allowing less volume to pass along the ion heater element or needing a circulation pump to let the same volume pass. Another technical effect is that if the circulation in the internal buffer space is only due to convection the assembly becomes less complex due to the absence of a circulation pump for circulating the heat transporting fluid along the ion heater element. In an embodiment, a horizontal cross-sectional area of the fluid buffer is defined at a height of the ion heater element; in use the ion heater element causes an upstream flow of heat transporting fluid occupying an upstream area of the horizontal cross-sectional area; the internal buffer space is sized and/or shaped relative to the size, shape and/or position of the ion heater element such that the upstream area divided by the horizontal cross-sectional area is less than 0.7, preferably 0.6, more preferably 0.5, even more preferably 0.4, most preferably 0.3. In a preferred embodiment, the upstream area is smaller than the downstream area. The ion heater element heats the heat transporting fluid in a relatively small area and short time. The fluid buffer, although typically well isolated, may lose heat energy to its environment due to conductive losses of the fluid buffer. This conduction of the fluid buffer is a typical slow process relative to the heating of the ion heater element. The technical effect of the smaller upstream area relative to the larger downstream area is to compensate and/or balance for this imbalance in heating and conductive processes inside the fluid buffer.

In an embodiment, the ion heater element comprises an elongated protrusions configured for ionizing the heat transporting fluid for heating the heat transporting fluid and having a protrusion length; wherein the internal buffer space has a buffer width; and wherein the buffer width is at least one and a half times, preferably twice, more preferably two and a half, even more preferably triple, the protrusion length. This advantageously allows the upstream area to be sized such that enough area is left over for the downstream area.

In an embodiment, the elongated protrusion is arranged in use horizontally. This advantageously allows the ion heater element to contact a larger volume of heat transporting fluid when passing along the ion heater element when circulating.

In an embodiment, the elongated protrusion extends from a side of the fluid buffer into the internal buffer space. This advantageously allows easy production. This embodiment is especially well combined with arranging the elongated protrusion in use horizontally.

In an embodiment, the ion heater element comprises multiple elongated protrusions configured for ionizing the heat transporting fluid for heating the heat transporting fluid and each having a protrusion length; the maximum protrusion length is the longest protrusion length of the one or more elongated protrusions; and the buffer width is at least one and a half times, preferably twice, more preferably two and a half, even more preferably triple, the maximum protrusion length. Relating the maximum protrusion length to the buffer width advantageously balances the upstream area and the downstream area. In a further embodiment, the multiple elongated protrusions are typically also independently adaptable, thereby providing the advantage of adapting the amount of heat energy provided to the heat transporting fluid by the ion heater element by individually adapting, such as individually switching on and off, the multiple elongated protrusions. This adapting and/or switching may be controlled by the controller or by the ion heater element itself upon request from the controller for a certain amount of heat energy per time interval.

In an embodiment, at least two of the multiple elongated protrusions are in use arranged at different heights in the internal buffer space. This advantageously allows to heat the heat transporting fluid in stages or steps. In a further embodiment, the elongated protrusions may be arranged not vertical above each other for thereby advantageously directing the heated and along the elongated protrusions flowing upward heat transporting fluid away from flowing directly upward for next to the circulation also advantageously inducing a flow in the horizontal plane for mixing the heat transporting fluid for a more even temperature build up in the heat transporting fluid.

In an embodiment, at least two of the multiple elongated protrusions are in use arranged substantially at the same height in the internal buffer space. This arrangement allows to effectively cover the upstream area. Furthermore, this embodiment may be combined with the preceding embodiment wherein elongated protrusion are also arranged at different vertical heights.

In an embodiment, the internal buffer space has a buffer top; and the multiple elongated protrusions are arranged at least half the length, preferably one length, preferably one and a half-length, preferably two lengths, more preferably two and a half lengths, even more preferably three lengths, of the maximum protrusion length lower than the buffer top. This advantageously allows the upstream flow of the heated heat transporting fluid to curve away before reaching the buffer top for minimizing the resistance caused by this curving away. Furthermore, the turbulence caused by this curving away is kept to a minimum for further increasing the efficiency with which the heat transporting fluid flows through the internal buffer space. In an embodiment, the internal buffer space has a buffer bottom; and the multiple elongated protrusions are arranged at least half the length, preferably one length, preferably one and a half-length, preferably two lengths, more preferably two and a half lengths, even more preferably three lengths, of the maximum protrusion length higher than the buffer bottom.

This advantageously allows the downstream flow of the cooled heat transporting fluid to curve away before reaching the buffer bottom for minimizing the resistance caused by this curving away. Furthermore, the turbulence caused by this curving away is kept to a minimum for further increasing the efficiency with which the heat transporting fluid flows through the internal buffer space. In a further embodiment, as the upstream area is typically smaller compared to the downstream area, the speed of the heat transporting fluid is typically larger along the elongated protrusions in the upstream area than in the downstream area. To advantageously allow the heat transporting fluid to make the curve at the buffer top compared to the curve at the buffer bottom, the height of placement of the ion heater element is advantageously below halfway the internal buffer space.

In an embodiment, the internal buffer space has a buffer height; and the multiple elongated protrusions are arranged substantially halfway the buffer height in the internal buffer space or in a band substantially halfway the buffer height in the internal buffer space. This advantageously simplifies production. Furthermore, advantageously equal space is provided for the heat transporting fluid to make the curve at the buffer top as well as at the buffer bottom.

In an embodiment, the heating assembly is advantageously combined with any of the heating assembly embodiments of the chapters EMBODIMENTS | or Ill for enhancing or combining the individual advantages of the embodiments.

According to another aspect of the invention, a heating assembly for heating a building comprising: - a fluid buffer for holding a heat transporting fluid; - a heat pump in fluid communication with the fluid buffer for heating the heat transporting fluid having a transport capacity;

- an ion heater element arranged to the fluid buffer for heating the heat transporting fluid having a heating capacity;

- a central heating heat exchanger arranged for receiving heated heat transporting fluid from the fluid buffer for heating the building, and providing cooled heat transporting fluid to the fluid buffer;

- a domestic hot water heat exchanger for receiving the heated heat transporting fluid from the fluid buffer for providing heated domestic water, and providing cooled heat transporting fluid to the fluid buffer;

- a three-way valve arranged for allowing circulation of the heat transporting fluid between the fluid buffer and either the central heating heat exchanger or the domestic hot water heat exchanger;

- a circulation pump arranged for circulating the heat transporting fluid through the central heating heat exchanger or the domestic hot water heat exchanger;

- a hot water signal input for receiving a hot water signal indicating if domestic hot water is required; and

- a controller arranged for controlling the heat pump, the ion heater element, the three-way valve and the circulation pump, wherein the controller is configured for:

- when the hot water signal indicates that domestic hot water is required, heating the heat transporting fluid in the fluid buffer with the ion heater element and switching the three-way valve such that the heated heat transporting fluid circulates through the domestic hot water heat exchanger; and - when the hot water signal indicates that no domestic hot water is required, heating the heat transporting fluid in the fluid buffer with the heat pump and/or the ion heater element and switching the three-way valve such that the heated heat transporting fluid circulates through the central heating heat exchanger.

The required temperature for heating domestic hot water typically exceeds the operational temperature range of a heat pump.

The required temperature for heating the building is typically in the operational temperature of a heat pump or such close to the operational temperature of the heat pump that the heat pump may contribute to heating the building, preferably as described above combining a heat pump and an ion heater element for heating a building.

The combination of the ion heater element and the heat pump further controlling both as described advantageously allows to use the high efficiency for at least partly heating the building, while the same assembly is also suitable for providing domestic hot water when required.

Thus, the heating assembly has the technical effect of combining the high efficiency for an overall efficient heating assembly while also providing a versatile heating assembly suitable for multiple purposes of heating.

Furthermore, in a further embodiment the volume of heat transporting fluid kept in the fluid buffer may be adapted to the volume needed to heat the hot domestic water in a particular time interval, such as for filling the bath tub or taking one or more showers. This advantageously allows the heat pump to support or provide a substantial part, preferably the larger part, of the heat energy for heating of the heat transporting fluid to a temperature suitable for providing domestic hot water.

In an embodiment, the heating assembly comprises: - a set room temperature input; - a room temperature signal input for receiving a sensed room temperature of a room of the building; wherein the controller is configured for the steps of: - receiving a set room temperature from the set room temperature input; and - receiving a room temperature from the room temperature signal input; wherein the step of when the hot water signal indicates that no domestic hot water is required, heating the fluid buffer comprises the steps of: - adapting the circulation pump based on the difference between the room temperature and the set room temperature. This embodiment advantageously allows the heating assembly to provide the required amount of heat energy to the building for heating the building. In a further embodiment, the step of adapting the circulation pump advantageously is switching the circulation pump.

In an embodiment, the heating assembly comprises: - a fluid temperature sensor arranged for sensing a temperature of the heated heat transporting fluid, preferably of the heat transporting fluid in the fluid buffer; wherein the controller is configured for the steps of: - receiving the sensed fluid temperature from the fluid temperature sensor; wherein the step of when the hot water signal indicates that no domestic hot water is required, heating the fluid buffer comprises the steps of:

- when the sensed fluid temperature decreases and crosses over a first temperature threshold, increasing the transport capacity of the heat pump, preferably switching on the heat pump; and

- when the sensed fluid temperature increases and crosses over a second threshold, decreasing the transport capacity of the heat pump, preferably switching off the heat pump.

The heat transporting fluid in the fluid buffer is advantageously kept within a temperature range such that the heating assembly may at any time provide, preferably quickly, domestic hot water as well as heat energy for heating the building.

The volume of heat transporting fluid inside the fluid buffer may be adapted to together with the predefined and/or allowed temperature range of the heat transporting fluid inside the fluid buffer to efficiently use the heat pump, preferably switching the heat pump on and off for further optimizing efficiency, while effectively using the volume of the fluid buffer as heat energy buffer between the heat pump as source of the heat energy, and the building and domestic hot water heat exchanger as drains or dissipaters of the heat energy.

In an embodiment, the heating assembly comprises:

- althe fluid temperature sensor arranged for sensing a temperature of the heated heat transporting fluid, preferably of the heat transporting fluid in the fluid buffer;

wherein the controller is configured for the steps of:

- receiving the sensed fluid temperature from the fluid temperature sensor;

wherein the step of when the hot water signal indicates that domestic hot water is required, heating the heat transporting fluid in the fluid buffer comprises the steps of:

- when the sensed fluid temperature increases and crosses over a third temperature threshold, decreasing the heating capacity of the ion heater element, preferably switching off the ion heater element; and

- when the sensed fluid temperature decreases and crosses over a sixth temperature threshold, increasing the heating capacity of the ion heater element, preferably switching on the ion heater element.

This advantageously allows to keep the heat transporting fluid within a temperature range required for the domestic hot water heat exchanger to heat the domestic hot water to a required temperature.

In an embodiment, the heating assembly is advantageously combined with any of the heating assembly embodiments of the chapters EMBODIMENTS | or Il for enhancing or combining the individual advantages of the embodiments. According to another aspect of the invention, a method for heating a building, comprising: - receiving a hot water signal indicating if domestic hot water is required; - when the hot water signal indicates that domestic hot water is required, controlling an ion heater element arranged to a fluid buffer arranged for holding a heat transporting fluid, for heating the heat transporting fluid in the fluid buffer having a heating capacity; - when the hot water signal indicates that domestic hot water is required, switching a three-way valve such that the heated heat transporting fluid is circulatable between the fluid buffer and a domestic hot water heat exchanger arranged for receiving heated heat transporting fluid from the fluid buffer for providing heated domestic water, and providing cooled heat transporting fluid to the fluid buffer; - when the hot water signal indicates that no domestic hot water is required, controlling the ion heater element and/or a heat pump in fluid communication with the fluid buffer for heating the heat transporting fluid in the fluid buffer having a transport capacity; - when the hot water signal indicates that no domestic hot water is required, switching the three-way valve such that the heated heat transporting fluid is circulatable through a central heating heat exchanger arranged for receiving heated heat transporting fluid from the fluid buffer for heating the building, and providing cooled heat transporting fluid to the fluid buffer; and - controlling a circulation pump arranged for circulating the heat transporting fluid through the central heating heat exchanger or the domestic hot water heat exchanger depending on the three-way valve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be apparent from and elucidated further with reference to the embodiments described by way of example in the following description and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 schematically shows a heating assembly; Figure 2 schematically shows a vertical cross-section of a fluid buffer; Figure 3 schematically shows a horizontal cross-section of a fluid buffer; Figure 4 schematically shows a method for a controller of a heating assembly; Figure 5 schematically shows a method for a controller of a heating assembly; and Figure 6 schematically shows an embodiment of a computer program product, computer readable medium and/or non-transitory computer readable storage medium according to the invention. The figures are purely diagrammatic and not drawn to scale. In the figures, elements which correspond to elements already described may have the same reference numerals.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

0 [deen setae

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS The following figures may detail different embodiments.

Embodiments can be combined to reach an enhanced or improved technical effect.

These combined embodiments may be mentioned explicitly throughout the text, may be hint upon in the text or may be implicit.

Figure 1 schematically shows a heating assembly 100. The heating assembly comprises a fluid buffer 110, a heat pump 120, an ion heater element 130, a central heating heat exchanger 140, a circulation pump 150, and controller 160. The fluid buffer and the heat pump are in fluid communication for exchanging heat transporting fluid, such as via a conduit providing a flow Fre of cooled heat transporting fluid from the fluid buffer to the heat pump and a conduit providing a flow Fu, of heated heat transporting fluid from the heat pump to the fluid buffer.

The fluid buffer is also in fluid communication with the central heating heat exchanger, such as via a conduit providing a flow F of heat transporting fluid from the fluid buffer to the central heating heat exchanger, and a conduit providing a flow Fi. of cooled heat transporting fluid from the central heating heat exchanger to the fluid buffer.

The circulation pump is arranged to stimulate or control the fluid communication between the fluid buffer and the central heating heat exchanger.

The circulation pump may be arranged upstream or downstream of the central heating heat exchanger.

The controller is arranged to control the heat pump with the heat pump control signal 171, ion heater element with the ion heater control signal 172, and the circulation pump with the circulation pump control signal 178.

The heating assembly may further comprise a fluid buffer temperature sensor 117. The controller may further be arranged to receive the fluid buffer temperature sensor signal 176. Based on this fluid buffer temperature signal the controller determine a heating cycle. The heating cycle may comprise switching between heating the heat transporting fluid with the heat pump or the ion heater element. Further, the heating cycle may comprise switching the circulation pump. The heating cycle and switching are at least determined by the first temperature threshold, the second temperature threshold and the third temperature threshold. These temperature thresholds may be predefined or partly predefined. These temperature thresholds may also be set by the controller or partly set by the controller based on the required heat energy per time interval, such as the set temperature for the building.

The fluid buffer may comprise an internal buffer space 111. The internal buffer space is the volume arranged for holding the heat transporting fluid. The heat transporting fluid may be a liquid or a gas depending on where the heat transporting fluid is in the heating assembly, such as compressed or expanded in the heat pump. The volume of the internal buffer space is typically enough for extracting enough heat energy for heating a bath or taking a shower. On the other hand, the volume of the internal buffer may be small enough such that the volume may be heated to such a temperature that the heat transporting fluid in the fluid buffer can be used for heating domestic water to a temperature for domestic hot water. Furthermore, the volume of the internal buffer may be small enough such that the volume delays new temperature settings not too much. Furthermore, the volume of the internal buffer may be large enough such that the volume dampens the temperature changes of the heating cycle enough for the room temperature in the building not to swing too much. Furthermore, the volume of the internal buffer may be large enough to allow the time of a heating cycle to be long enough to efficiently switch the heat pump, the ion heater element and the circulation pump. If the cycle is too short, energy will be lost in starting and stopping these, while if the cycle is too long, temperature swings of the heat transporting fluid will influence the temperature swings in a room of the building to be heated.

The heating assembly may further comprise a fluid buffer input temperature sensor 116. The controller may further be arranged to receive the fluid buffer temperature inflow sensor signal 177. The controller may use the temperature measurement together with the flow setting of the circulation pump to determine the amount of heat energy drawn from the fluid buffer for estimating the amount of heat energy that should be added to the fluid buffer. The heating assembly may further comprise a fluid buffer output temperature sensor 115 and the controller may further be arranged to receive the fluid buffer temperature outflow sensor signal 179 for improving determining the amount of heat energy drawn from the fluid buffer and thus exchanged in the heat exchanger.

The central heating heat exchanger may be a radiator in the building directly heating the building. Alternatively, the central heating heat exchanger may exchange heat to a secondary circuit wherein the secondary circuit may comprise a conduit for outflow Fen of heated secondary heat transporting fluid and a conduit for inflow Fcc of cooled secondary heat transporting fluid. The heating assembly may comprise a central heating temperature sensor 141 arranged to the central heating heat exchanger, the secondary circuit, and/or to a room of the building to be heated. The controller may be arranged for receiving a central heating temperature sensor signal

174. This additional signal may be used to improve the setting of the circulation pump, the first temperature threshold and the third temperature threshold to heat the building to the set temperature and keep temperature swings inside the building within the room temperature band set.

Furthermore, the chain of temperature sensors, being the fluid buffer temperature sensor, the fluid buffer output temperature sensor, the central heating temperature sensor, and/or the fluid buffer input temperature sensor may be used by the controller to control the heat energy delivered by the central heating heat exchanger such that a rapid rise of the heat energy transferred to the central heating heat exchanger is obtained while overshoot is minimized. The controller based on these multiple measurements along the chain of heat energy transport may model this transport chain and therefore improve control over this heat energy transport chain.

The heating assembly may comprise a domestic hot water heat exchanger

160. The domestic hot water heat exchanger is typically arranged such that it may operate mutually exclusive with the central heating heat exchanger. The heating assembly may further comprise a three-way valve 165 enforcing the mutual exclusive flow of the heat transporting fluid. The three-way valve is typically controlled by the controller via the three-way valve control signal 173. Typically, the domestic hot water heat exchanger exchanges heat to a domestic water circuit wherein the domestic water circuit comprises a conduit for outflow Fan of heated domestic hot water and a conduit for inflow Fg. of cool domestic water. The heating assembly may comprise a domestic hot water temperature sensor 161 arranged to the domestic hot water heat exchanger, and/or the conduit with domestic hot water. The controller may be arranged for receiving a domestic hot water temperature sensor signal 175. This additional signal may be used to improve the setting of the circulation pump, the first temperature threshold and the third temperature threshold to heat the domestic hot water to the set temperature and keep temperature swings of the domestic hot water within a temperature band set.

Furthermore, the chain of temperature sensors, being the fluid buffer temperature sensor, the fluid buffer output temperature sensor, the domestic hot water temperature sensor, and/or the fluid buffer input temperature sensor may be used by the controller to control the heat energy delivered by the domestic hot water heat exchanger to the to be heated domestic water such that a rapid rise of the heat energy transferred to the domestic hot water heat exchanger is obtained while overshoot is minimized. The controller based on these multiple measurements along the chain of heat energy transport may model this transport chain and therefore improve control over this heat energy transport chain.

Figure 2 schematically shows a vertical cross-section of a fluid buffer 110. The fluid buffer comprises an internal buffer space 111, determining the volume of heat transporting fluid that can be held inside the fluid buffer. The walls of the fluid buffer are typically well isolated to maintain the heat energy inside the heat transporting fluid in the fluid buffer. The ion heater element 130 may comprise elongated protrusions 131, 132 protruding into the internal fluid buffer space. The elongated protrusions typically are arranged with one end onto or on a wall, or even through a wall of the fluid buffer. The maximum protrusion length Lpro,max is defined as the maximum length of the one or more elongated protrusions.

The elongated protrusion is typically the active or interacting part of the ion heater element interacting with the heat transporting fluid for transferring energy from the elongated protrusion to the heat transporting fluid by ionizing and thereafter recombination of the ions in the heat transporting fluid. The ion heater element may comprise a separate control unit -not shown- for communication with the controller 170 of the heating assembly. The multiple elongated protrusions may be arranged at different heights in the fluid buffer for next to a vertical upstream convection also creating a diagonal flow of heat transporting fluid for improving that all heat transporting fluid in the fluid buffer is provided with heat energy.

The ion heater element has a height Hy. The height may be determined by the height of an elongated protrusion if one or more elongated protrusions are arranged at the same height in the fluid buffer. Alternatively, if elongated protrusions are arranged at different heights in the fluid buffer, the height of the ion heater element is as shown in the figure. The fluid buffer has a fluid buffer top 112, and a fluid buffer bottom 113. The distance Dr is defined as the distance between the top of the fluid buffer and the ion heater element. The distance Dg is defined as the distance between the bottom of the fluid buffer and the ion heater element.

Figure 3 provides a cross-sectional view along the dotted line in Figure 2.

Figure 3 schematically shows a horizontal cross-section of a fluid buffer 110 having an internal fluid buffer space 111. The ion heater element may comprise one or more elongated protrusions 131, 132 which may be spread out over a horizontal projection area as shown. The one or more elongated protrusions will induce an upstream flow of heat transporting fluid when active. This upstream flow may substantially be defined by the shaded area Sup. Next to the upstream flow, a downstream flow may substantially be induced and is defined by the unshaded area Sgown. The ratio of Sdown and Sup may be optimized to enhance the efficiency of the heating by the ion heater element of the heat transporting fluid in the fluid buffer. This ratio may be seen as part of the size and shape of the internal buffer space relative to the size, shape and/or position of the ion heater element.

Figure 4 schematically shows a method 300 for a controller of a heating assembly. Method comprises the steps of: - controlling 310 a circulation pump arranged for circulating a heat transporting fluid through a central heating heat exchanger arranged for receiving heated heat transporting fluid from a fluid buffer holding the heat transporting fluid, and providing cooled heat transporting fluid to the fluid buffer; - receiving 320 a sensed fluid temperature from a fluid temperature sensor arranged for sensing a temperature of the heated heat transporting fluid, heatable by an ion heater element arranged to the fluid buffer, and/or a heat pump in fluid communication with the fluid buffer; - when the sensed fluid temperature decreases and crosses over a first temperature threshold, switch 330 on the heat pump; - when the sensed fluid temperature increases and crosses over a second threshold, switching off 340 the heat pump and switching on the ion heater element; - when the sensed fluid temperature increases and crosses over a third temperature threshold, switching 350 off the ion heater element; and

- controlling 360 the circulation pump for transporting the heated heat transporting fluid from the fluid buffer to the central heating heat exchanger; wherein the first temperature threshold is lower than the second temperature threshold, and the second temperature threshold is lower than the third temperature threshold.

The steps of the method may be performed in parallel unless otherwise specified. The steps of the method may be performed multiple times relative to other steps unless otherwise specified. The steps of the method may be performed in one or more loops unless otherwise specified.

Figure 5 schematically shows a method 400 for a controller of a heating assembly. Method comprises the steps of: - receiving a hot water signal indicating if domestic hot water is required; - when the hot water signal indicates that domestic hot water is required, controlling an ion heater element arranged to a fluid buffer arranged for holding a heat transporting fluid, for heating the heat transporting fluid in the fluid buffer having a heating capacity; - when the hot water signal indicates that domestic hot water is required, switching a three-way valve such that the heated heat transporting fluid is circulatable between the fluid buffer and a domestic hot water heat exchanger arranged for receiving the heated heat transporting fluid from the fluid buffer for providing heated domestic water, and providing cooled heat transporting fluid to the fluid buffer; - when the hot water signal indicates that no domestic hot water is required, controlling the ion heater element and/or a heat pump in fluid communication with the fluid buffer for heating the heat transporting fluid in the fluid buffer having a transport capacity; - when the hot water signal indicates that no domestic hot water is required, switching the three-way valve such that the heated heat transporting fluid is circulatable through a central heating heat exchanger arranged for receiving the heated heat transporting fluid from the fluid buffer for heating the building, and providing cooled heat transporting fluid to the fluid buffer; and - controlling a circulation pump arranged for circulating the heat transporting fluid through the central heating heat exchanger or the domestic hot water heat exchanger depending on the three-way valve.

Figure 6 schematically shows an embodiment of a computer program product 1000, computer readable medium 1010 and/or non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising computer readable code 1020 according to the invention.

Examples, embodiments or optional features, whether indicated as non- limiting or not, are not to be understood as limiting the invention as claimed.

It should be noted that the figures are purely diagrammatic and not drawn to scale. In the figures, elements which correspond to elements already described may have the same reference numerals.

It will be appreciated that the invention also applies to computer programs, particularly computer programs on or in a carrier, adapted to put the invention into practice. The program may be in the form of a source code, a code intermediate source and an object code such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other form suitable for use in the implementation of the method according to the invention. It will also be appreciated that such a program may have many different architectural designs. For example, a program code implementing the functionality of the method or system according to the invention may be sub-divided into one or more sub-routines.

Many different ways of distributing the functionality among these sub-routines will be apparent to the skilled person. The sub-routines may be stored together in one executable file to form a self-contained program. Such an executable file may comprise computer-executable instructions, for example, processor instructions and/or interpreter instructions (e.g. Java interpreter instructions). Alternatively, one or more or all of the sub-routines may be stored in at least one external library file and linked with a main program either statically or dynamically, e.g. at run-time. The main program contains at least one call to at least one of the sub-routines. The sub-routines may also comprise function calls to each other. An embodiment relating to a computer program product comprises computer-executable instructions corresponding to each processing stage of at least one of the methods set forth herein. These instructions may be sub- divided into sub-routines and/or stored in one or more files that may be linked statically or dynamically. Another embodiment relating to a computer program product comprises computer-executable instructions corresponding to each means of at least one of the systems and/or products set forth herein. These instructions may be sub-

divided into sub-routines and/or stored in one or more files that may be linked statically or dynamically.

The carrier of a computer program may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program. For example, the carrier may include a data storage, such as a ROM, for example, a CD ROM or a semiconductor ROM, or a magnetic recording medium, for example, a hard disk. Furthermore, the carrier may be a transmissible carrier such as an electric or optical signal, which may be conveyed via electric or optical cable or by radio or other means. When the program is embodied in such a signal, the carrier may be constituted by such a cable or other device or means.

Alternatively, the carrier may be an integrated circuit in which the program is embedded, the integrated circuit being adapted to perform, or used in the performance of, the relevant method.

The term “substantially” herein, such as in “substantially all emission” or in ‘substantially consists”, will be understood by the person skilled in the art. The term “substantially” may also include embodiments with “entirely”, “completely”, “all”, etc. Hence, in embodiments the adjective substantially may also be removed. Where applicable, the term “substantially” may also relate to 90% or higher, such as 95% or higher, especially 99% or higher, even more especially 99.5% or higher, including 100%. The term “comprise” includes also embodiments wherein the term “comprises” means “consists of”.

The term "functionally” will be understood by, and be clear to, a person skilled in the art. The term “substantially” as well as “functionally” may also include embodiments with “entirely”, “completely”, “all”, etc. Hence, in embodiments the adjective functionally may also be removed. When used, for instance in “functionally parallel, a skilled person will understand that the adjective “functionally” includes the term substantially as explained above. Functionally in particular is to be understood to include a configuration of features that allows these features to function as if the adjective “functionally” was not present. The term “functionally” is intended to cover variations in the feature to which it refers, and which variations are such that in the functional use of the feature, possibly in combination with other features it relates to in the invention, that combination of features is able to operate or function. For instance, if an antenna is functionally coupled or functionally connected to a communication device, received electromagnetic signals that are receives by the antenna can be used by the communication device. The word “functionally” as for instance used in “functionally parallel” is used to cover exactly parallel, but also the embodiments that are covered by the word “substantially” explained above. For instance, “functionally parallel” relates to embodiments that in operation function as if the parts are for instance parallel. This covers embodiments for which it is clear to a skilled person that it operates within its intended field of use as if it were parallel.

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

The devices or apparatus herein are amongst others described during operation. As will be clear to the person skilled in the art, the invention is not limited to methods of operation or devices in operation.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "to comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the device or apparatus claims enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

The invention further applies to an apparatus or device comprising one or more of the characterising features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings. The invention further pertains to a method or process comprising one or more of the characterising features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings.

The various aspects discussed in this patent can be combined in order to provide additional advantages. Furthermore, some of the features can form the basis for one or more divisional applications.

EMBODIMENTS |

1. Heating assembly (100) for heating a building comprising: - a fluid buffer (110) for holding a heat transporting fluid; - a heat pump (120) in fluid communication with the fluid buffer for heating the heat transporting fluid; - an ion heater element (130) arranged to the fluid buffer for heating the heat transporting fluid; - a central heating heat exchanger (140) arranged for receiving heated heat transporting fluid from the fluid buffer for heating the building, and providing cooled heat transporting fluid to the fluid buffer; - a circulation pump (150) arranged for circulating the heat transporting fluid through the central heating heat exchanger; - a fluid temperature sensor (117) arranged for sensing a temperature of the heated heat transporting fluid; and - a controller (170) arranged for controlling the heat pump, the ion heater element and the circulation pump, wherein the controller is configured for: - receiving (320) the sensed fluid temperature from the fluid temperature sensor; - when the sensed fluid temperature decreases and crosses over a first temperature threshold, switching (330) on the heat pump; - when the sensed fluid temperature increases and crosses over a second threshold, switching (340) off the heat pump and switching (340) on the ion heater element; - when the sensed fluid temperature increases and crosses over a third temperature threshold, switching (350) off the ion heater element; and - controlling (360) the circulation pump for transporting the heated heat transporting fluid from the fluid buffer to the central heating heat exchanger; wherein the first temperature threshold is lower than the second temperature threshold, and the second temperature threshold is lower than the third temperature threshold.

2. Heating assembly according to the preceding embodiment, wherein switching the circulation pump comprises: - when the sensed fluid temperature increases and crosses over a fourth temperature threshold, switching on the circulation pump; and/or

- when the sensed fluid temperature decreases and crosses over a fifth temperature threshold, switch off the circulation pump.

3. Heating assembly according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the fourth temperature threshold is the third temperature threshold; and/or wherein the fifth temperature threshold is the first temperature threshold.

4. Heating assembly according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the controller is configured for: - receiving a room temperature from a temperature sensor arranged for sensing the room temperature in a room of the building; - receiving a room temperature setting; - adapting the first temperature threshold and the third temperature threshold such that the room temperature is, substantially, the room temperature setting.

5. Heating assembly according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the controller is configured for: - defining a room temperature band arranged around the room temperature setting; - determining a room temperature variation based on a maximum room temperature and a minimum room temperature; and - determining a fluid temperature variation based on the difference between the third temperature threshold and the first temperature threshold; wherein adapting comprises: - decreasing the fluid temperature variation when the room temperature variation exceeds the room temperature band; and - increasing the fluid temperature variation when the room temperature variation remains within the room temperature band.

6. Heating assembly according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the room temperature band is centred around the room temperature setting.

7. Heating assembly according to any of the preceding embodiments 5-6, wherein the room temperature band stretches out over 5°C, preferably 4°C, more preferably 3°C, even more preferably 2°C, even more preferably 1°C, most preferably 0.5°C.

8. Heating assembly according to any of the preceding embodiments 4-7, wherein the controller is configured for: - determining an average room temperature based on the received room temperature, wherein adapting comprises: - decreasing the first temperature threshold and the third temperature threshold when the average room temperature is above the room temperature setting; and - increasing the first temperature threshold and the third temperature threshold when the average room temperature is below the room temperature setting.

9. Heating assembly according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the second temperature threshold is based on a maximum heat pump temperature of the heated heat transporting fluid from the heat pump, preferably wherein the second temperature threshold is set to within a range of 15°C below the maximum heat pump temperature up to the maximum heat pump temperature, more preferably wherein the second temperature threshold is set to within a range of 10°C below the maximum heat pump temperature up to the maximum heat pump temperature, most preferably wherein the second temperature threshold is set to within a range of 5°C below the maximum heat pump temperature up to the maximum heat pump temperature.

10. Heating assembly according to any of the preceding embodiments, comprising: - a domestic hot water heat exchanger for receiving the heated heat transporting fluid from the fluid buffer for providing heated domestic water, and providing cooled heat transporting fluid to the fluid buffer; and - a three way valve arranged for allowing circulation of the heat transporting fluid between the fluid buffer and either the central heating heat exchanger or the domestic hot water heat exchanger; wherein the circulation pump is also arranged for circulating the heat transporting fluid through the domestic water heat exchanger.

11. Heating assembly according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the fluid temperature sensor is arranged for measuring the heated heat transporting fluid flowing from the fluid buffer to the central heating heat exchanger.

12. Heating assembly according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the fluid temperature sensor is arranged: - in the fluid buffer; - in a conduit coupling the fluid buffer to the central heating heat exchanger; or - in the central heating heat exchanger.

13. Heating assembly according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the ion heater element is arranged inside the buffer; or wherein the heating assembly comprises a conduit in fluid communication with the buffer, wherein the ion heater element is arranged in the conduit.

14. Heating assembly according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the heating assembly is combined with any of the heating assembly embodiments of the chapters EMBODIMENTS Il or III.

15. Method for heating a building, comprising: - controlling a circulation pump arranged for circulating a heat transporting fluid through a central heating heat exchanger arranged for receiving heated heat transporting fluid from a fluid buffer holding the heat transporting fluid, and providing cooled heat transporting fluid to the fluid buffer; - receiving a sensed fluid temperature from a fluid temperature sensor arranged for sensing a temperature of the heated heat transporting fluid, heatable by an ion heater element arranged to the fluid buffer, and/or a heat pump in fluid communication with the fluid buffer; - when the sensed fluid temperature decreases and crosses over a first temperature threshold, switching on the heat pump; - when the sensed fluid temperature increases and crosses over a second threshold, switching off the heat pump and switching on the ion heater element; - when the sensed fluid temperature increases and crosses over a third temperature threshold, switching off the ion heater element; and - controlling the circulation pump for transporting the heated heat transporting fluid from the fluid buffer to the central heating heat exchanger; wherein the first temperature threshold is lower than the second temperature threshold, and the second temperature threshold is lower than the third temperature threshold.

16. Computer program product (1000) comprising a computer readable medium (1010) having computer readable code (1020) embodied therein, the computer readable code being configured such that, on execution by a suitable computer or processor, the computer or processor is caused to perform the steps of the controller of embodiments 1-14, or method 15.

EMBODIMENTS II

1. Heating assembly for heating a building comprising: - a fluid buffer having an internal buffer space for holding a heat transporting fluid; - an ion heater element arranged in the internal buffer space for heating the heat transporting fluid; wherein the internal buffer space is sized and/or shaped relative to the size, shape and/or position of the ion heater element for circulating the heat transporting fluid heated by the ion heater element in the internal buffer space.

2. Heating assembly according to the preceding embodiment, wherein a horizontal cross-sectional area of the fluid buffer is defined at a height of the ion heater element; wherein in use the ion heater element causes an upstream flow of heat transporting fluid occupying an upstream area of the horizontal cross-sectional area; wherein the internal buffer space is sized and/or shaped relative to the size, shape and/or position of the ion heater element such that the upstream area divided by the horizontal cross-sectional area is less than 0.7, preferably 0.6, more preferably 0.5, even more preferably 0.4, most preferably 0.3.

3. Heating assembly according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the ion heater element comprises an elongated protrusions configured for ionizing the heat transporting fluid for heating the heat transporting fluid and having a protrusion length; wherein the internal buffer space has a buffer width; and wherein the buffer width is at least one and a half times, preferably twice, more preferably two and a half, even more preferably triple, the protrusion length.

4. Heating assembly according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the elongated protrusion is arranged in use horizontally.

5. Heating assembly according to any of the preceding embodiments 3-4, wherein the elongated protrusion extends from a side of the fluid buffer into the internal buffer space.

6. Heating assembly according to any of the preceding embodiments 3-5, wherein the ion heater element comprises multiple elongated protrusions configured for ionizing the heat transporting fluid for heating the heat transporting fluid and each having a protrusion length; wherein the maximum protrusion length is the longest protrusion length of the one or more elongated protrusions; and wherein the buffer width is at least one and a half times, preferably twice, more preferably two and a half, even more preferably triple, the maximum protrusion length.

7. Heating assembly according to the preceding embodiment, wherein at least two of the multiple elongated protrusions are in use arranged at different heights in the internal buffer space.

8. Heating assembly according to embodiment 6, wherein at least two of the multiple elongated protrusions are in use arranged substantially at the same height in the internal buffer space.

9. Heating assembly according to any of the embodiments 6-8, wherein the internal buffer space has a buffer top; and wherein the multiple elongated protrusions are arranged at least half the length, preferably one length, preferably one and a half-length, preferably two lengths, more preferably two and a half lengths, even more preferably three lengths, of the maximum protrusion length lower than the buffer top.

10. Heating assembly according to any of the embodiments 6-9, wherein the internal buffer space has a buffer bottom; and wherein the multiple elongated protrusions are arranged at least half the length, preferably one length, preferably one and a half-length, preferably two lengths, more preferably two and a half lengths, even more preferably three lengths, of the maximum protrusion length higher than the buffer bottom.

11. Heating assembly according to any of the embodiments 6-10, wherein the internal buffer space has a buffer height; and wherein the multiple elongated protrusions are arranged substantially halfway the buffer height in the internal buffer space or in a band substantially halfway the buffer height in the internal buffer space.

12. Heating assembly according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the heating assembly is combined with any of the heating assembly embodiments of the chapters EMBODIMENTS | or III.

EMBODIMENTS III

1. Heating assembly for heating a building comprising: - a fluid buffer for holding a heat transporting fluid; - a heat pump in fluid communication with the fluid buffer for heating the heat transporting fluid having a transport capacity; - an ion heater element arranged to the fluid buffer for heating the heat transporting fluid having a heating capacity; - a central heating heat exchanger arranged for receiving heated heat transporting fluid from the fluid buffer for heating the building, and providing cooled heat transporting fluid to the fluid buffer; - a domestic hot water heat exchanger for receiving the heated heat transporting fluid from the fluid buffer for providing heated domestic water, and providing cooled heat transporting fluid to the fluid buffer; - a three-way valve arranged for allowing circulation of the heat transporting fluid between the fluid buffer and either the central heating heat exchanger or the domestic hot water heat exchanger; - a circulation pump arranged for circulating the heat transporting fluid through the central heating heat exchanger or the domestic hot water heat exchanger; - a hot water signal input for receiving a hot water signal indicating if domestic hot water is required; and - a controller arranged for controlling the heat pump, the ion heater element, the three-way valve and the circulation pump, wherein the controller is configured for: - when the hot water signal indicates that domestic hot water is required, heating the heat transporting fluid in the fluid buffer with the ion heater element and switching the three-way valve such that the heated heat transporting fluid circulates through the domestic hot water heat exchanger; and - when the hot water signal indicates that no domestic hot water is required, heating the heat transporting fluid in the fluid buffer with the heat pump and switching the three-way valve such that the heated heat transporting fluid circulates through the central heating heat exchanger.

2. Heating assembly according to the preceding embodiment, comprising: - a set room temperature input; - a room temperature signal input for receiving a sensed room temperature of a room of the building;

wherein the controller is configured for the steps of: - receiving a set room temperature from the set room temperature input; and - receiving a room temperature from the room temperature signal input; wherein the step of when the hot water signal indicates that no domestic hot water is required, heating the fluid buffer comprises the steps of: - adapting the circulation pump based on the difference between the room temperature and the set room temperature.

3. Heating assembly according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the step of adapting the circulation pump is switching the circulation pump.

4. Heating assembly according to any of the preceding embodiments, comprising: - a fluid temperature sensor arranged for sensing a temperature of the heated heat transporting fluid, preferably of the heat transporting fluid in the fluid buffer; wherein the controller is configured for the steps of: - receiving the sensed fluid temperature from the fluid temperature sensor; wherein the step of when the hot water signal indicates that no domestic hot water is required, heating the fluid buffer comprises the steps of: - when the sensed fluid temperature decreases and crosses over a first temperature threshold, increasing the transport capacity of the heat pump, preferably switching on the heat pump; and - when the sensed fluid temperature increases and crosses over a second threshold, decreasing the transport capacity of the heat pump, preferably switching off the heat pump.

5. Heating assembly according to any of the preceding embodiments, comprising: - althe fluid temperature sensor arranged for sensing a temperature of the heated heat transporting fluid, preferably of the heat transporting fluid in the fluid buffer; wherein the controller is configured for the steps of: - receiving the sensed fluid temperature from the fluid temperature sensor; wherein the step of when the hot water signal indicates that domestic hot water is required, heating the heat transporting fluid in the fluid buffer comprises the steps of: - when the sensed fluid temperature increases and crosses over a third temperature threshold, decreasing the heating capacity of the ion heater element,

preferably switching off the ion heater element; and - when the sensed fluid temperature decreases and crosses over a sixth temperature threshold, increasing the heating capacity of the ion heater element, preferably switching on the ion heater element.

6. In an embodiment, the preceding heating assembly is combined with any of the heating assembly embodiments of the chapters EMBODIMENTS | or II.

7. Method for heating a building, comprising: - receiving a hot water signal indicating if domestic hot water is required; - when the hot water signal indicates that domestic hot water is required, controlling an ion heater element arranged to a fluid buffer arranged for holding a heat transporting fluid, for heating the heat transporting fluid in the fluid buffer having a heating capacity; - when the hot water signal indicates that domestic hot water is required, switching a three-way valve such that the heated heat transporting fluid is circulatable between the fluid buffer and a domestic hot water heat exchanger arranged for receiving the heated heat transporting fluid from the fluid buffer for providing heated domestic water, and providing cooled heat transporting fluid to the fluid buffer; - when the hot water signal indicates that no domestic hot water is required, controlling the ion heater element and/or a heat pump in fluid communication with the fluid buffer for heating the heat transporting fluid in the fluid buffer having a transport capacity; - when the hot water signal indicates that no domestic hot water is required, switching the three-way valve such that the heated heat transporting fluid is circulatable through a central heating heat exchanger arranged for receiving the heated heat transporting fluid from the fluid buffer for heating the building, and providing cooled heat transporting fluid to the fluid buffer; and - controlling a circulation pump arranged for circulating the heat transporting fluid through the central heating heat exchanger or the domestic hot water heat exchanger depending on the three-way valve.

8. Computer program product (1000) comprising a computer readable medium (1010) having computer readable code (1020) embodied therein, the computer readable code being configured such that, on execution by a suitable computer or processor, the computer or processor is caused to perform the steps of the controller of embodiments 1-6, or method 7.

Claims

CONCLUSIONS

A heating assembly (100) for heating a building, comprising: - a fluid buffer (110) for holding a heat transfer fluid; - a heat pump (120) in fluid communication with the fluid buffer for heating the heat transfer fluid; - an ion heating element (130) arranged on the fluid buffer for heating the heat transfer fluid; - a central heating heat exchanger (140) adapted to receive heated heat transfer fluid from the fluid buffer for heating the building, and provide cooled heat transfer fluid to the fluid buffer; - a circulation pump (150) arranged to circulate the heat transfer fluid through the central heating heat exchanger; - a fluid temperature sensor (117) arranged to detect a temperature of the heated heat transfer fluid; and - a control unit (170) adapted to control the heat pump, the ion heating element and the circulation pump, the control unit being configured to: - receive (320) the sensed fluid temperature from the fluid temperature sensor; - when the sensed fluid temperature falls and exceeds a first temperature threshold, switching on (330) the heat pump; - when the sensed fluid temperature rises and exceeds a second threshold, turning off (340) the heat pump and turning on (340) the ion heating element; - when the sensed fluid temperature rises and exceeds a third temperature threshold, turning off (350) the ion heating element; and - driving (360) the circulation pump for conveying the heated heat transfer fluid from the fluid buffer to the central heating heat exchanger; wherein the first temperature threshold is lower than the second temperature threshold, and the second temperature threshold is lower than the third temperature threshold.

Heating assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein switching the circulation pump comprises: - when the sensed fluid temperature rises and exceeds a fourth temperature threshold, switching on the circulation pump; and/or - when the sensed fluid temperature falls and exceeds a fifth temperature threshold, shutting down the circulation pump.

A heating assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the fourth temperature threshold is the third temperature threshold; and/or wherein the fifth temperature threshold is the first temperature threshold.

Heating assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the control unit is configured to: - receive a room temperature from a temperature sensor adapted to measure the room temperature in a room of the building; - receiving a room temperature setting; - adjusting the first temperature threshold and the third temperature threshold so that the room temperature is substantially equal to the room temperature setting.

Heating assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the control unit is configured to: - define a room temperature band arranged around the room temperature setting; - determining a room temperature variation based on a maximum room temperature and a minimum room temperature; and - determining a fluid temperature variation based on the difference between the third temperature threshold and the first temperature threshold; wherein adjusting comprises: reducing the fluid temperature variation when the room temperature variation exceeds the room temperature band; and

- increasing the fluid temperature variation when the room temperature variation remains within the room temperature band.

The heating assembly of the preceding claim, wherein the room temperature band is centered about the room temperature setting.

Heating assembly according to one of the preceding claims 5-6, wherein the room temperature band extends over 5°C, preferably 4°C, more preferably 3°C, still further preferably 2°C, still further preferably 1° C, most preferably 0.5°C.

Heating system according to one of the preceding claims 4-7, wherein the control unit is configured for: - determining an average room temperature based on the received room temperature; wherein adjusting comprises: - lowering the first temperature threshold and the third temperature threshold when the average room temperature is higher than the set room temperature; and - increasing the first temperature threshold and the third temperature threshold when the average room temperature is lower than the set room temperature.

Heating assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second temperature threshold is based on a maximum heat pump temperature of the heated heat transfer fluid from the heat pump, preferably wherein the second temperature threshold is set within a range of 15°C below the maximum heat pump temperature up to the maximum heat pump temperature, further preferably wherein the second temperature threshold is set within a range of 10°C below the maximum heat pump temperature up to the maximum heat pump temperature, most preferably wherein the second temperature threshold is set within a range of 5°C below the maximum heat pump temperature up to the maximum heat pump temperature.

A heating assembly according to any preceding claim, comprising: - a domestic hot water heat exchanger for receiving the heated heat transfer fluid from the fluid buffer to provide heated domestic water, and for providing the cooled heat transfer fluid to the fluid buffer ; and - a three-way valve adapted to allow circulation of the heat transfer fluid between the fluid buffer and either the central heating heat exchanger or the domestic hot water heat exchanger; wherein the circulation pump is also arranged to circulate the heat transfer fluid through the domestic water heat exchanger.

A heating assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid temperature sensor is adapted to measure the heated heat transfer fluid flowing from the fluid buffer to the central heating heat exchanger.

12. Heating assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein in the fluid temperature sensor is arranged: - in the fluid buffer; - in a conduit coupling the fluid buffer to the central heating heat exchanger; or - in the central heating heat exchanger.

A heating assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ion heating element is arranged in the buffer; or wherein the heating assembly comprises a conduit in fluid communication with the buffer, the ion heating element being disposed in the conduit.

A heating assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heating assembly is combined with one of the heating assembly embodiments of Chapters EMBODIMENTS II or III.

A method of heating a building, comprising: - controlling a circulation pump adapted to circulate a heat transport fluid through a central heating heat exchanger adapted to receive heated heat transport fluid from a fluid buffer for holding the heat transport fluid fluid, and providing cooled heat transfer fluid to the fluid buffer; - receiving a sensed fluid temperature from a fluid temperature sensor adapted to sense a temperature of the heated heat transfer fluid heatable by an ion heating element disposed in the fluid buffer, and/or a heat pump in fluid communication with the fluid buffer; - when the sensed fluid temperature falls and exceeds a first temperature threshold, switching on the heat pump; - when the sensed fluid temperature rises and exceeds a second threshold, turning off the heat pump and turning on the ion heating element; - when the sensed fluid temperature rises and exceeds a third temperature threshold, turning off the ion heating element; and - controlling the circulation pump for conveying the heated heat transfer fluid from the fluid buffer to the central heating heat exchanger; wherein the first temperature threshold is lower than the second temperature threshold, and the second temperature threshold is lower than the third temperature threshold.

A computer program product (1000) comprising a computer readable medium (1010) having computer readable code (1020) incorporated therein, wherein the computer readable code is configured such that when executed by a suitable computer or processor, the computer or processor is prompted to execute of the steps of the control unit of claims 1-14 or method

15.