US 9,851,111 B1 · Thermal reduction through activity based thermal targeting to enhance heating system efficiency

Abstract

Thermal targeting technology is used to continuously adjust boiler target temperature to the minimum necessary to satisfy the required heating load. Responsive to and initiated by a first call for heat, boiler target temperature is reduced by a predetermined amount upon or subsequent to the call for heat. Once the boiler temperature reaches this new target, a call timer is activated. If demand for heat is satisfied before a time set point is reached, the system ceases providing additional heat energy until the next heat demand. Responsive to and initiated by a next call for heat, the boiler target temperature is again reduced by the predetermined amount upon or subsequent to this next call for heat. Each time the heat demand is satisfied within the predetermined time interval, the boiler target temperature is reduced. If heat demand is not satisfied, a thermal boost is provided at set time intervals until the call for heat is removed.

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Drawings

Claims22

Dependent claims

A method of improving efficiency of a boiler heating system including adjusting boiler target temperature during heating system operation, said method comprising:

reducing said boiler target temperature a predetermined amount, ΔTreduce, to a reduced target temperature, such that said reducing is responsive to and initiated by a call for heat, and occurs upon or subsequent to said call for heat;
running said heating system at said reduced target temperature;
if said call for heat is satisfied while running heating system at said reduced target temperature:
measuring time from a point at which said call for heat is satisfied;
and
reducing said boiler target temperature said predetermined amount, ΔTreduce, each time a predetermined set time interval, tset, is reached without a subsequent call for heat.

3 more elements

A method of improving efficiency of a boiler heating system for heating a structure, said boiler heating system comprising:

a burner;
a controller in communication with said burner for adjusting boiler target temperature;
a first temperature measurement device for measuring said boiler heating system temperature, said first temperature measurement device in communication with said controller;
a second temperature measurement device for measuring temperature of said structure, said second temperature measurement device in communication with said controller;
said method comprising:
adjusting said boiler target temperature during heating system operation, by reducing said target temperature a predetermined amount to a reduced target temperature, ΔTreduce, such that said reducing is responsive to and initiated by a call for heat, and occurs upon or subsequent to said call for heat, said call for heat triggered by said second temperature measurement device communicating with said controller;
running said heating system at said reduced target temperature by having said controller communicate with and activate a circulator or said burner;
if said call for heat is satisfied while running said heating system at said reduced target temperature:
measuring elapsed time from a time at which a call for heat was satisfied;
and
reducing said boiler target temperature a predetermined amount, ΔTreduce, each time a first predetermined set time interval is reached without a subsequent call for heat;
if said call for heat is unsatisfied while running said heating system at said reduced target temperature:
measuring elapsed time from a time when said target temperature was met;
and
increasing said boiler target temperature a predetermined amount, ΔTboost, after said elapsed time equals to or exceeds a second predetermined set time interval;
and
running said heating system at said increased target temperature.

14 more elements

A method of improving the efficiency of a heating system comprising:

setting a predetermined temperature for a zoned space within a structure heated by said heating system;
setting a predetermined target temperature for an energy transfer medium within a boiler in said heating system;
measuring a dynamic temperature of said energy transfer medium within said boiler as a function of time;
measuring a dynamic temperature of said zoned space as a function of time;
triggering a call for heat upon a comparison of said temperature of said zoned space to said predetermined temperature for said zoned space, such that if said comparison is greater than a predetermined temperature difference said call for heat is initiated;
responsive to and initiated by said call for heat:
reducing said predetermined target temperature by a temperature reduction factor upon or subsequent to said call for heat;
circulating said energy transfer medium through said heating system to at least one heat exchanger within said zoned space;
and
sending a firing signal to a burner within said heating system if said dynamic temperature of said energy transfer medium within said boiler is, within a predetermined differential temperature range, less than said predetermined target temperature minus said temperature reduction factor;
initiating a timer when said dynamic temperature of said energy transfer medium is approximately equal to said predetermined target temperature minus said temperature reduction factor for said energy transfer medium;
if said call for heat is satisfied within a first set time interval:
reducing current target temperature by said temperature reduction factor, and
continuing to reduce the current target temperature by said temperature reduction factor each time said first set time interval has elapsed without a subsequent call for heat.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description6,848 words

Summary3,050 words

#The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for improving the efficiency of heating systems, specifically heating systems that use a boiler to heat an energy transfer medium, such as a fluid, for circulation through heat exchangers in residential and commercial buildings.

#More specifically, the present invention relates to an automatic control of the boiler water target temperature for an improved hot water heating system with the object of enhancing energy efficiency during operation in diverse and varying temperature environments through the systematic reduction of the boiler target temperature predicated upon heating efficiency factors and external temperature conditions.

#Hot water heating systems are closed-loop, fluid circulating systems that provide heat from an energy transfer medium, such as a fluid, and pump or circulate the energy transfer medium to an entire structure or zoned sections of a structure that requires a temperature increase greater than the external ambient temperature.

Brief description of the drawings3 figures

#The features of the invention believed to be novel and the elements characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The figures are for illustration purposes only and are not drawn to scale. The invention itself, however, both as to organization and method of operation, may best be understood by reference to the detailed description which follows taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

#FIG. 1 is a diagram of a heating system utilizing the thermal reduction algorithm of the present invention for enhancing efficiency of a heating system.

#FIG. 2 depicts a timing diagram exemplifying the thermal reduction algorithm of the present invention.

Detailed description3,672 words

#In describing the preferred embodiment of the present invention, reference will be made herein to FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings in which like numerals refer to like features of the invention.

#A heating system is designed to provide a near constant room temperature inside a dwelling regardless of outdoor temperature fluctuations. As the outdoor temperature drops, the rate at which the dwelling loses heat increases. Conversely, when the outdoor temperature increases, the dwelling is able to retain heat longer. For example, when the temperature of a room within a structure falls below a predetermined set point, e.g., 66°, the thermostat switches ON and activates the heating system to heat and circulate the energy transfer medium through conduits to a heat exchanger within the room, such as a radiator. This generally causes the temperature within the room to rise, although such factors as outside air temperature, thermal insulation, and heat exchanger efficiency play important roles in the time-rate-of-change of the temperature of the room. When the room temperature reaches a predetermined level, e.g., 68°, the thermostat switches OFF, deactivating the heating system. Heat then begins once again to dissipate from the room at a rate dependent upon the thermal insulation and outside environment temperature.

#As the outdoor temperature declines and the heat loss of the dwelling increases, the heating system typically requires more time to satisfy the heat demand. As a result, thermostat calls increase in duration, and especially so in situations where there is inadequate thermal insulation or diminished heat exchanger capacity or efficiency. As outdoor temperatures rise, the heating system is able to satisfy the heat demand more quickly. Thus, in warmer environs, the thermostat calls are shorter in duration and spaced further apart. These scenarios and external factors make it difficult to adjust the temperature of the energy transfer medium within the boiler to an optimum level.

Facts

Application

14/339,483Filed 24 Jul 2014 · continuation

Priority

30 Oct 2009

Granted

26 Dec 2017

Term ends

30 Jul 2031

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 638 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification15 codes

F24D 19/1066
For water heating systems: for the combination of central heating and domestic hot water
F24D 3/02
Hot-water central heating systems: with forced circulation, e.g. by pumps
F24H 15/175
Supplying heated water with desired temperature or desired range of temperature: where the difference between the measured temperature and a set…
F24H 15/215
Temperature of the water: before heating

Timeline

30 Oct 2009Priority claimedParent application 12/609,782
24 Jul 2014Application filedUS 14/339,483
26 Dec 2017GrantedUS 9,851,111 B1
22 Jan 2020Assigned to C. Cowles & Companyassignment of assignor's interest
5 Mar 2020Assigned to Cowles Operating Companyassignment of assignor's interest
25 Aug 2026Assigned to Coc Operating LLCassignment of assignor's interest
27 Aug 2026Assigned to Brookside Capital Fund V Sbic, L.P., AS Agentsecurity interest
12 Oct 2026TodayWithin its term
30 Jul 2031Term endsEstimated, includes 638 days of adjustment

Thermal reduction through activity based thermal targeting to enhance heating system efficiency

Life of this patent

Thermal reduction through activity based thermal targeting to enhance heating system efficiency

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims22

Description6,848 words

Drawings

Classification15 codes

Life of this patent

Description6,848 words