GB2540639A - A method of controlling temperature within a heating system - Google Patents
A method of controlling temperature within a heating system Download PDFInfo
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- GB2540639A GB2540639A GB1520796.2A GB201520796A GB2540639A GB 2540639 A GB2540639 A GB 2540639A GB 201520796 A GB201520796 A GB 201520796A GB 2540639 A GB2540639 A GB 2540639A
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- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 52
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 41
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 19
- 238000010304 firing Methods 0.000 claims description 22
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 claims description 11
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 claims description 10
- 230000001276 controlling effect Effects 0.000 claims description 10
- 230000000875 corresponding effect Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 230000001351 cycling effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005265 energy consumption Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003303 reheating Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006467 substitution reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010200 validation analysis Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
- F24D19/00—Details
- F24D19/10—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
- F24D19/1006—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heating systems
- F24D19/1009—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heating systems for central heating
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
- F24D3/00—Hot-water central heating systems
- F24D3/02—Hot-water central heating systems with forced circulation, e.g. by pumps
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H9/00—Details
- F24H9/20—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
- F24H9/2007—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heaters
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
- F24D2200/00—Heat sources or energy sources
- F24D2200/04—Gas or oil fired boiler
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Steam Or Hot-Water Central Heating Systems (AREA)
Abstract
A boiler (12, Fig. 1) is controlled by a heating control device which has on and off states. A temperature difference ΔT between a sensed ambient temperature and a target temperature, and a return flow temperature RFT in a heating fluid are sensed. The value of ΔT relative to a lower ΔT threshold LTDT and an upper ΔT threshold HTDT is determined; and the value of RFT relative to a lower RFT threshold LRFTT and an upper RFT threshold HRFTT is determined. A pump 16 of the boiler 12 is activated, or the boiler is fired in an economy or a normal mode depending on the condition of ΔT relative to the thresholds LTDT and HTDT, and the condition of RFT relative to the thresholds LRFTT and HRFTT. A controller comprising a processor for determining where ΔT and RFT are relative to their respective thresholds is also claimed.
Description
A Method of Controlling Temperature Within a Heating System
The present invention relates to a method of controlling temperature within a heating system, particularly, but not exclusively, a fluid based central heating system where central heating fluid is heated by a boiler arrangement and is pumped around a central heating circuit in order to radiate heat through radiators provided on the central heating circuit before returning to the boiler for subsequent reheating and recirculation within the circuit. Corresponding heating control apparatus is also provided.
The use of central heating circuits having pipes which circulate central heating fluid around the central heating circuit and which can also provide a source of hot water is widespread.
In recent years, increasing fuel costs and socio-political pressure to reduce carbon emissions has created a desire, and in some cases a requirement, to increase the efficiency of such systems.
Many such systems utilise a simplistic thermostatic control where a room thermostat has an upper and lower temperature setting which is set by the user. When the room temperature reaches the upper setting, the thermostat will send a signal to switch off the boiler and when the room temperature reaches the lower setting it will send a signal to switch the boiler on. However, such simplistic control results in the boiler being on all of the time that the room thermostat is demanding heat, and off all of the time when the room thermostat is not demanding heat which can result in “standing loss” and other inefficiencies in the overall heat exchange process.
One way of improving the efficiency of such systems is described in UK Patent Publication No. 2489017A. In this system a boiler is provided with a modulating programmer which utilises a primary, secondary and tertiary thermostat each having different ranges of operation. The ranges of operation of the secondary and tertiary thermostats are within the range of operation of the primary thermostat and the ranges of operation of the secondary thermostat are lower than those of the tertiary thermostat. An intermittency timer is also provided which allows selective intermittent firing of the boiler. In this way, the boiler is actuated continuously when the primary and secondary thermostat demands heat, and is actuated intermittently (by way of the intermittency timer) when the primary and ieri/ary thermostats demand heat. A problem with the timer based system described in UK Patent Publication No. 2489017A is that the intermittent firing of the boiler is forced and random. In other words, intermittent firing of the boiler will occur if the primary and tertiary thermostats demand heat regardless of whether that is the most appropriate action to take based on other factors. For this reason, unnecessary wear and tear of the system can occur due to unnecessary on and off cycles of the boiler.
Another problem with the above described prior art is that the fixed on-time periods dictated by the intermittency may be too long or too short depending upon the conditions. This is sub optimal in terms of energy efficiency and user comfort levels.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of controlling temperature within a heating system, the method comprising:- controlling operation of a boiler unit by way of a heating control device having an off state and on state; sensing an ambient room temperature differential ΔΤ being the difference between sensed actual ambient room temperature and a set target temperature; sensing a return flow temperature (RFT) in a heating fluid; determining whether ΔΤ is either less than a lower ΔΤ threshold (LTDT) value, between the lower ΔΤ threshold value and an upper ΔΤ threshold (FITDT) value, or greater than the upper ΔΤ threshold value; and
determining whether the RFT is either less than a lower RFT threshold (LRFTT) value, between the lower RFT threshold value and an upper RFT threshold (HRFTT) value, or greater than the upper RFT threshold value; and depending upon said determined ΔΤ and RFT conditions either activating only a pump of the boiler or firing the boiler in an economy or normal mode.
The above methodology allows the system to take the most appropriate course of action dependent upon both the heat demand (ΔΤ) detected in a room or other heating zone and the return flow temperature (RFT) of the central heating fluid returning to the boiler.
When it is determined that ΔΤ is less than said LTDT value and RFT is less than said LRFTT value then the boiler may be fired in economy mode.
When it is determined that ΔΤ is less than said LTDT value and RFT is between said LRFTT value and said FIRFTT value then the boiler may be switched off and a central heating pump arrangement activated.
When it is determined that ΔΤ is less than said LTDT value and RFT is greater than said FIRFTT value then the boiler and central heating pump arrangement may be switched off.
When it is determined that ΔΤ is between said LTDT value and said FITDT value and said RFT is less than said LRFTT value, then the boiler may be fired in economy mode.
When it is determined that ΔΤ is between said LTDT value and said FITDT value and said RFT is between said LRFTT value and said FIRFTT value, then the boiler may be fired in economy mode.
When it is determined that ΔΤ is between said LTDT value and said FITDT value and said RFT is greater than said FIRFTT value, then the boiler may be switched off and the pump arrangement of the central heating system activated.
When it is determined that ΔΤ is greater than said HTDT value and said RFT is less than said LRFTT value, then the boiler may be fired in normal mode.
When it is determined that ΔΤ is greater than said FITDT value and said RFT is between said LRFTT value and said FIRFTT value, then the boiler may be fired in normal mode.
When it is determined that ΔΤ is greater than said FITDT value and said RFT is greater than said FIRFTT, then the boiler may be fired in economy mode.
The method may also include the step of selectively switching the boiler between its on and off states when firing the boiler in economy mode.
The method may also comprise the steps of sensing the RFT value in a circuit of fluid within the central heating system, and providing a memory having a stored lookup table of temperature values and corresponding actions, and retrieving an action corresponding to the sensed RFT and then performing the action.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fluid based heating system comprising:- a boiler unit having a controller to switch the boiler between an off state and on state; at least an ambient room temperature sensor for sensing an ambient room temperature differential ΔΤ being the difference between sensed actual ambient room temperature and a set target temperature; at least a return flow temperature (RFT) sensor for sensing the RFT in a heating fluid circulating within the system; a processor for determining whether ΔΤ is either less than a lower ΔΤ threshold (LTDT) value, between the lower ΔΤ threshold value and an upper ΔΤ threshold (FITDT) value, or greater than the upper ΔΤ threshold value; and for determining whether the RFT is either less than a lower RFT threshold (LRFTT) value, between the lower RFT threshold value and an upper RFT threshold (HRFTT) value, or greater than the upper RFT threshold value; and wherein depending upon said determined ΔΤ and RFT condition the processor is adapted to either activate only a pump of the boiler or fire the boiler in an economy or normal mode.
Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the accompany description.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams, in which:-
Fig. 1 is a schematic block circuit diagram illustrating control of a heating system by way of the method and apparatus of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a schematic block circuit diagram illustrating a method using control wiring of the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating certain logic based operation of the invention;
Fig. 4A is a schematic illustration of example temperature differential threshold parameters;
Fig. 4B is a schematic illustration of example return flow temperature threshold parameters;
Figs. 5 and 6 are schematic graphs illustrating temperature versus time of day fluctuations in selected typical example scenarios.
With reference to Fig. 1 a method of controlling temperature in a heating system, in conjunction with an existing Building Energy Management System (BEMS) 10 which, in the illustrated example is connected to a central heating boiler(s) 12, hot water tank(s) 14 and pump 16 will be described. A Low Temperature Hot Water (LTHW) flow pipe 18 passes from the boiler 12 to the pump 16, past a LTHW flow pipe temperature sensor 20 and then to LTHW valves 22 before passing around the heat transfer system radiators of first and second zones Z1, Z2. A LTHW return pipe 24 passes from the zones Z1, Z2 to the boiler 12 past a LTHW return pipe temperature sensor 26. A first room temperature sensor 28 is provided in the first zone Z1 and a second room temperature sensor 30 is provided in the second zone Z2 both of these sensors being connected to a load compensator module 32 discussed subsequently.
In the present invention the control method (described subsequently) is facilitated by a load compensator module 32 attached to a user input device in the form of a control keypad 34. A user can utilise the control keypad 34 to control e.g. applications or pre-prepared software packages of control mode functions from an on-board controller memory to match any specific user / site specific requirements. The load compensator module 32 includes a comparator module which is able to compare the sensed actual ambient temperature within a zone relative to a set desired target temperature in order to determine a temperature differential therebetween.
The system is also set up with pre-set high and low Temperature Differential Thresholds (TDTs). The purpose of these TDT’s is to determine which action to take dependent upon the magnitude of the temperature differentials detected (i.e. whether a large, medium or small heat demand is detected). For example, and with reference to Fig. 4A, a Fligh TDT (FITDT) might be pre-set to be, say, 10 degrees Celsius, whereas a Low TDT (LTDT) might be pre-set to be, say, 6 degrees Celsius.
During boiler firing, the LTFIW return pipe temperature sensor 26 is utilised to monitor the Return Flow Temperature (RFT) in the LTFIW return pipe 24. With reference to Fig. 4B the system may be set up with an example RFT low threshold (LRFTT) of 45 degrees Celsius and an example RFT high threshold (FIRFTT) of 65 degrees Celsius.
The values of the respective TDTs, and RFT thresholds may be automatically or manually set up prior to or after installation of the system as desired.
The system may also be set up to repeatedly switch the boiler(s) 12 on and off while the detected temperature differential in a zone is greater than zero and maintain the boiler on for a longer time than that at which it is maintained off when the magnitude of the temperature differential is greater than the HTDT.
With reference to the flow diagram of Fig. 3, an example of the stepwise logic followed by the load compensator module 32 of the invention is illustrated. In the illustrated example, the LTDT has been preset at 6 degrees Celsius, the HTDT at 10 degrees Celsius, the LRFTT at 45 degrees Celsius, and the HRFTT at 65 degrees Celsius; however, the reader will appreciate that these values are utilised purely for the purposes of illustration and other values may be selected without affecting the logic followed.
Firstly, the Heat Demand, ΔΤ is determined. This is essentially the difference between the heating Set Point, e.g. the temperature the user would like the interior of a zone within a building to be, and the actual temperature in that zone. For instance, in a cold zone where the temperature is say 10 degrees Celsius, and the desired set point temperature is set by a user (or pre-programmed event) to be 22 degrees Celsius in that zone then the determined ΔΤ (Heat Demand) is 12 degrees Celsius. A tolerance of e.g. 0.5 to 1 degrees Celsius may be accounted for in this assessment of ΔΤ.
The RFT is also gathered by the sensor 26 and the detected RFT temperature logged accordingly.
With reference to Figs. 3, 4A and 4B, several different example scenarios will now be described depending upon the detected ΔΤ and RFT values. Prior to controlling the boiler dependent upon detected ΔΤ and RFT values a validation step is initially conducted where ΔΤ is compared to an Overriding Temperature Threshold (which in the illustrated example is set at 1 degree Celsius) in order to determine whether any true heat demand is present. If for example the ΔΤ is determined to be less than 1 degree Celsius the system will equate this to no heat demand and will not fire the boiler or activate the pump. However, if the ΔΤ is determined to be any more than the OTT then the following steps of Fig. 3 are followed depending upon the RFT and ΔΤ values:-
ΔΤ < LTDT and RFT < LRFTT
Where the detected ΔΤ is less than or equal to LTDT and RFT is less than or equal to LRFTT (logic terminator 1 in Fig. 3), the boiler will fire in Economy Mode. Economy mode may involve cycling the boiler on and off periodically or other means of reducing the heat output of the boiler.
ΔΤ < LTDT and LRFTT < RFT < HRFTT
Where the detected ΔΤ is less than or equal to LTDT and RFT is greater than LRFTT but less than HRFTT (logic terminator 2 in Fig. 3), the boiler is shut down and only the pump of the central heating system is activated. This ensures that any residual heat in the central heating fluid is circulated around the system for distribution.
ΔΤ < LTDT and RFT > HRFTT
Where the detected ΔΤ is less than or equal to LTDT and RFT is greater than or equal to HRFTT (logic terminator 3 in Fig. 3), the boiler is shut down and the central heating pump is activated.
LTDT < ΔΤ < HTDT and RFT < LRFTT
Where the detected ΔΤ is between the LTDT value and the HTDT value and RFT is less than or equal to LRFTT (logic terminator 4 in Fig. 3), the boiler is fired in economy mode.
LTDT < ΔΤ < HTDT and LRFTT < RFT < HRFTT
Where the detected ΔΤ is between the LTDT value and the HTDT value and the RFT is between LRFTT and FIRFTT (logic terminator 5 in Fig. 3), the boiler is fired in economy mode.
LTDT < AT < HTDT and RFT > HRFTT
Where the detected AT is between the LTDT value and the FITDT value and the RFT is greater than or equal to FIRFTT (logic terminator 6 in Fig. 3), the boiler is switched off and only the pump is actuated.
AT > HTDT and RFT < LRFTT
Where the detected ΔΤ is greater than the FITDT and RFT is less than or equal to LRFTT (logic terminator 7 in Fig. 3), the boiler is fired in normal mode.
AT > HTDT and LRFTT < RFT < HRFTT
Where the detected AT is greater than the FITDT and RFT is between LRFTT and FIRFTT (logic terminator 8 in Fig. 3), the boiler is fired in normal mode.
AT > HTDT and RFT > HRFTT
Where the detected AT is greater than or equal to the FITDT and RFT is greater than or equal to FIRFTT (logic terminator 9 in Fig. 3), the boiler is fired in normal mode.
As the logic of the above methodology arrives at any of logic terminators 1 to 9, the logic returns to the first step to begin the steps again such that the system is continually monitoring said parameters and accounting therefor by said combination of boiler firing / pump actuation conditions. Such monitoring may take place on a continuing one minute loop.
The described methodology and associated system improves the overall system energy efficiency by compensating for otherwise inherent “oversizing” of boilers for all but initial start-up and cold weather operation. High and low temperature differential control also helps to eliminate boiler dry cycling and helps to prevent heating overshoot (where latent heat within the system continues to heat a zone past the set temperature despite no boiler firing).
Since the system also allows the temperature of fluids within the LTHW return pipe 24 to be sensed by sensor 26, the load compensator module 32 can be provided with a stored lookup table of temperature values and corresponding actions, such that actions can be retrieved and acted upon depending upon the sensed return flow temperature. A plurality of load compensation channels can also be provided which are programmable to measure and compare the differences between e.g. actual area temperatures, target control programme set points, LTHW flow and return pipe temperatures etc.
The described system therefore significantly reduces energy consumption, associated costs and carbon emissions.
Although particular embodiments of the invention have been disclosed herein in detail, this has been done by way of example and for the purposes of illustration only. The aforementioned embodiments are not intended to be limiting with respect to the scope of the appended claims.
It is contemplated by the inventors that various substitutions, alterations, and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Examples of these include the following:-
Although the specific embodiment of the invention is described as having only a full on heat demand and an economy mode heat demand (i.e. where the temperature differential is either above the HTDT or the LTDT the system may be provided with a third “medium” mode. In such a mode, where any temperature differential is detected as being between the HTDT and LTDT pre-sets, the system will deem this to be a “medium heat demand” and may choose to fire the boiler(s) 12 in a reduced output capacity.
CLAIMS 1. A method of controlling temperature within a heating system, the method comprising:- controlling operation of a boiler unit by way of a heating control device having an off state and on state; sensing an ambient room temperature differential ΔΤ being the difference between sensed actual ambient room temperature and a set target temperature; sensing a return flow temperature (RFT) in a heating fluid; determining whether ΔΤ is either less than a lower ΔΤ threshold (LTDT) value, between the lower ΔΤ threshold value and an upper ΔΤ threshold (HTDT) value, or greater than the upper ΔΤ threshold value; and determining whether the RFT is either less than a lower RFT threshold (LRFTT) value, between the lower RFT threshold value and an upper RFT threshold (FIRFTT) value, or greater than the upper RFT threshold value; and depending upon said determined ΔΤ and RFT condition either activating only a pump of the boiler or firing the boiler in an economy or normal mode. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that ΔΤ is less than said LTDT value and RFT is less than said LRFTT value then firing the boiler in economy mode. 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that ΔΤ is less than said LTDT value and RFT is between said LRFTT value and said FIRFTT value then switching off the boiler and activating only a central heating pump arrangement. 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that ΔΤ is less than said LTDT value and RFT is greater than said FIRFTT value then switching off the boiler and activating the central heating pump arrangement. 5. A method according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that ΔΤ is between said LTDT value and said HTDT value and said RFT is less than said LRFTT value, then firing the boiler in economy mode. 6. A method according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that ΔΤ is between said LTDT value and said FITDT value and said RFT is between said LRFTT value and said FIRFTT value, then firing the boiler in economy mode. 7. A method according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that ΔΤ is between said LTDT value and said FITDT value and said RFT is greater than said FIRFTT value, then switching off the boiler and activating a pump arrangement of the central heating system. 8. A method according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that ΔΤ is greater than said FITDT value and said RFT is less than said LRFTT value, then firing the boiler in normal mode. 9. A method according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that ΔΤ is greater than said FITDT value and said RFT is between said LRFTT value and said FIRFTT value, then firing the boiler in normal mode. 10. A method according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that ΔΤ is greater than said FITDT value and said RFT is greater than said FIRFTT, then activating the pump arrangement of the central heating system. 11. A method according to any preceding claim, further comprising the step of selectively switching the boiler between its on and off states when firing the boiler in economy mode. 12. A method according to any preceding claim, further comprising sensing the RFT value in a circuit of fluid within the central heating system, and providing a memory having a stored lookup table of temperature values and corresponding actions, and retrieving an action corresponding to the sensed RFT and then performing the action. 13. A fluid based heating system comprising:- a boiler unit having a controller to switch the boiler between an off state and on state; at least an ambient room temperature sensor for sensing an ambient room temperature differential ΔΤ being the difference between sensed actual ambient room temperature and a set target temperature; at least a return flow temperature (RFT) sensor for sensing the RFT in a heating fluid circulating within the system; a processor for determining whether ΔΤ is either less than a lower ΔΤ threshold (LTDT) value, between the lower ΔΤ threshold value and an upper ΔΤ threshold (FITDT) value, or greater than the upper ΔΤ threshold value; and for determining whether the RFT is either less than a lower RFT threshold (LRFTT) value, between the lower RFT threshold value and an upper RFT threshold (FIRFTT) value, or greater than the upper RFT threshold value; and wherein depending upon said determined ΔΤ and RFT condition the processor is adapted to either activate only a pump of the boiler or fire the boiler in an economy or normal mode.
Claims (13)
1. A method of controlling temperature within a heating system, the method comprising:- controlling operation of a boiler unit by way of a heating control device having an off state and on state; sensing an ambient room temperature differential ΔΤ being the difference between sensed actual ambient room temperature and a set target temperature; sensing a return flow temperature (RFT) in a heating fluid; determining whether ΔΤ is either less than a lower ΔΤ threshold (LTDT) value, between the lower ΔΤ threshold value and an upper ΔΤ threshold (HTDT) value, or greater than the upper ΔΤ threshold value; and determining whether the RFT is either less than a lower RFT threshold (LRFTT) value, between the lower RFT threshold value and an upper RFT threshold (FIRFTT) value, or greater than the upper RFT threshold value; and depending upon said determined ΔΤ and RFT condition either activating only a pump of the boiler or firing the boiler in an economy or normal mode.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that ΔΤ is less than said LTDT value and RFT is less than said LRFTT value then firing the boiler in economy mode.
3. A method according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that ΔΤ is less than said LTDT value and RFT is between said LRFTT value and said FIRFTT value then switching off the boiler and activating only a central heating pump arrangement.
4. A method according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that ΔΤ is less than said LTDT value and RFT is greater than said FIRFTT value then switching off the boiler and activating the central heating pump arrangement.
5. A method according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that ΔΤ is between said LTDT value and said HTDT value and said RFT is less than said LRFTT value, then firing the boiler in economy mode.
6. A method according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that ΔΤ is between said LTDT value and said FITDT value and said RFT is between said LRFTT value and said FIRFTT value, then firing the boiler in economy mode.
7. A method according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that ΔΤ is between said LTDT value and said FITDT value and said RFT is greater than said FIRFTT value, then switching off the boiler and activating a pump arrangement of the central heating system.
8. A method according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that ΔΤ is greater than said FITDT value and said RFT is less than said LRFTT value, then firing the boiler in normal mode.
9. A method according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that ΔΤ is greater than said FITDT value and said RFT is between said LRFTT value and said FIRFTT value, then firing the boiler in normal mode.
10. A method according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that ΔΤ is greater than said FITDT value and said RFT is greater than said FIRFTT, then activating the pump arrangement of the central heating system.
11. A method according to any preceding claim, further comprising the step of selectively switching the boiler between its on and off states when firing the boiler in economy mode.
12. A method according to any preceding claim, further comprising sensing the RFT value in a circuit of fluid within the central heating system, and providing a memory having a stored lookup table of temperature values and corresponding actions, and retrieving an action corresponding to the sensed RFT and then performing the action.
13. A fluid based heating system comprising:- a boiler unit having a controller to switch the boiler between an off state and on state; at least an ambient room temperature sensor for sensing an ambient room temperature differential ΔΤ being the difference between sensed actual ambient room temperature and a set target temperature; at least a return flow temperature (RFT) sensor for sensing the RFT in a heating fluid circulating within the system; a processor for determining whether ΔΤ is either less than a lower ΔΤ threshold (LTDT) value, between the lower ΔΤ threshold value and an upper ΔΤ threshold (FITDT) value, or greater than the upper ΔΤ threshold value; and for determining whether the RFT is either less than a lower RFT threshold (LRFTT) value, between the lower RFT threshold value and an upper RFT threshold (FIRFTT) value, or greater than the upper RFT threshold value; and wherein depending upon said determined ΔΤ and RFT condition the processor is adapted to either activate only a pump of the boiler or fire the boiler in an economy or normal mode.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB1512798.8A GB201512798D0 (en) | 2015-07-21 | 2015-07-21 | Method and apparatus for controlling temperature in a heat transfer system |
| GBGB1516097.1A GB201516097D0 (en) | 2015-09-11 | 2015-09-11 | A method of controlling temperature within an heating system |
Publications (4)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB201520796D0 GB201520796D0 (en) | 2016-01-06 |
| GB2540639A true GB2540639A (en) | 2017-01-25 |
| GB2540639B GB2540639B (en) | 2017-07-12 |
| GB2540639C GB2540639C (en) | 2017-08-16 |
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Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1520796.2A Expired - Fee Related GB2540639C (en) | 2015-07-21 | 2015-11-25 | A method of controlling temperature within a heating system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2540639C (en) |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2222006A (en) * | 1988-08-15 | 1990-02-21 | British Gas Plc | Space heating control |
| ES2340127A1 (en) * | 2008-10-27 | 2010-05-28 | Industrias Royal Termic, S.L | Procedure for the management of a total energy consumption of a set of at least two radiators (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) |
| US20120230661A1 (en) * | 2008-11-11 | 2012-09-13 | Emerson Electric Co. | Apparatus and Method for Control of a Thermostat |
| US20130334330A1 (en) * | 2012-06-14 | 2013-12-19 | Jin Seok Moon | Method of controlling boiler |
-
2015
- 2015-11-25 GB GB1520796.2A patent/GB2540639C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2222006A (en) * | 1988-08-15 | 1990-02-21 | British Gas Plc | Space heating control |
| ES2340127A1 (en) * | 2008-10-27 | 2010-05-28 | Industrias Royal Termic, S.L | Procedure for the management of a total energy consumption of a set of at least two radiators (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) |
| US20120230661A1 (en) * | 2008-11-11 | 2012-09-13 | Emerson Electric Co. | Apparatus and Method for Control of a Thermostat |
| US20130334330A1 (en) * | 2012-06-14 | 2013-12-19 | Jin Seok Moon | Method of controlling boiler |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2540639B (en) | 2017-07-12 |
| GB2540639C (en) | 2017-08-16 |
| GB201520796D0 (en) | 2016-01-06 |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 732E | Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977) |
Free format text: REGISTERED BETWEEN 20200903 AND 20200910 |
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| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20201125 |