U.S. patent application number 15/847163 was filed with the patent office on 2018-06-28 for temperature synchronization in a smart thermal management system.
This patent application is currently assigned to NETATMO. The applicant listed for this patent is NETATMO. Invention is credited to Chadi GABRIEL, Romain PAOLI, Frederic POTTER.
Application Number | 20180180301 15/847163 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57777479 |
Filed Date | 2018-06-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180180301 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
GABRIEL; Chadi ; et
al. |
June 28, 2018 |
TEMPERATURE SYNCHRONIZATION IN A SMART THERMAL MANAGEMENT
SYSTEM
Abstract
The invention concerns a thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) the
TRV comprising: a communication link to one or more other TRVs in
the room (9); an input interface configured to allow a user to
enter a defined temperature setpoint (T1) or acquire the defined
temperature setpoint (T1) from the one or more other TRVs; wherein
the TRV is further configured to synchronize the defined
temperature setpoint (T1) with the one or more other TRVs defined
in a synchronization list.
Inventors: |
GABRIEL; Chadi; (ANTONY,
FR) ; POTTER; Frederic; (NEUILLY-SUR-SEINE, FR)
; PAOLI; Romain; (MEUDON, FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NETATMO |
BOULOGNE-BILLANCOURT |
|
FR |
|
|
Assignee: |
NETATMO
BOULOGNE-BILLANCOURT
FR
|
Family ID: |
57777479 |
Appl. No.: |
15/847163 |
Filed: |
December 19, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24D 2220/042 20130101;
F24D 19/008 20130101; Y02B 30/70 20130101; F24D 19/1018 20130101;
Y02B 30/762 20130101; F24D 2220/02 20130101; F24D 3/02 20130101;
G05D 23/1932 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24D 19/10 20060101
F24D019/10; F24D 3/02 20060101 F24D003/02; F24D 19/00 20060101
F24D019/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 22, 2016 |
EP |
16306795.2 |
Claims
1. A thermostatic radiator valve (TRV)-, the TRV comprising: a
communication link configured to link the TRV to one or more other
TRVs; an input interface configured to allow a user to enter a
defined temperature setpoint (T1) or acquire the defined
temperature setpoint (T1) from the one or more other TRVs; wherein
the TRV is further configured to synchronize the defined
temperature setpoint (T1) with the one or more other TRVs defined
in a synchronization list.
2. The TRV of claim 1, wherein the synchronization list is stored
in the TRV.
3. The TRV of claim 1, further configured to send to the one or
more other TRVs via its communication link a second temperature
setpoint (T2) imposed to the one or more other TRVs so as to send
the second temperature setpoint (T2) to the one or more other
TRVs.
4. The TRV of claim 1, further connected to an internet network and
configured to receive a third temperature setpoint (T3) from an
internet web application or a smartphone application.
5. The TRV of claim 1, further configured to read a time schedule
of temperature setpoints stored in the synchronization list and the
time schedule of temperature setpoints is the same for the one or
more other TRVs.
6. The TRV of claim 1, further configured to detect a temperature
drop and the TRV is further configured to stop a flow of heat
transfer fluid from a thermal energy generator entering a heat
exchanger to which it is connected and to communicate to the one or
more TRVs the order to stop the flow of heat transfer fluid from
the thermal energy generator entering the heat exchangers to which
they are connected.
7. The TRV of claim 1, further comprising an aperture to adjust the
flow of heat transfer fluid depending on a thermostat temperature
setpoint (T4) received from a thermostat in the same room so as to
avoid any conflict between the defined temperature setpoint of the
TRV and the thermostat temperature setpoint (T4).
8. The TRV of claim 1, further comprising an aperture to adjust the
flow of heat transfer fluid corresponding to control parameters
calculated by a control algorithm based on environmental parameters
and a thermostat temperature setpoint (T4).
9. A server comprising: a communication link configured to link one
or more TRVs of a network; a memory having stored thereon: computer
code instructions configured to generate control commands of one or
more TRVs connected to the network; a database of values of
temporal sequences of environmental parameters captured from the
one or more TRVs; the one or more TRVs comprising an input
interface configured to allow a user to enter a defined temperature
setpoint, or acquire the defined temperature setpoint, or acquire a
measured temperature or detect opening of the TRV from the one or
more TRVs and being further configured to: synchronize the defined
temperature setpoint with one or more other TRVs defined in a
synchronization list; receive a temperature setpoint from a
thermostat connected to the one or more TRVs; wherein the computer
code instructions are based on a model comprising control
parameters which are determined by a learning module receiving as
input at least some of the values of temporal sequences of
environmental parameters captured from the one or more TRV stored
in the database.
10. A method for temperature synchronizing between a plurality of
thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) configured to adjust a flow of
heat transfer fluid from a thermal energy generator entering a heat
exchanger based on a temperature setpoint, the TRVs comprising a
communication link configured to link the one or more TRVs and an
input interface configured to allow a user to enter a defined
temperature setpoint or acquire the defined temperature setpoint
from the one or more TRVs comprising synchronizing the defined
temperature setpoint to the one or more other TRVs defined in a
synchronization list.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to the field of smart thermal
management of household consumer devices and, in particular, the
thermal control within a room or a house. The invention concerns a
system and method for synchronizing temperature within a room.
Although many of the features of this invention will be described
in relation to a residential home environment, it is understood
that they are generally applicable to many office and industrial
building applications or the like as well.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Over the last decades, many products have been introduced in
order to control heat emitters within a room or a house. A
traditional solution, still widespread, is to perform a room per
room heat management inside a house. Each heat emitter is equipped
with a valve that regulates the heat flux inside the heat emitter.
The valve is either a mechanical valve or a thermostatic valve.
[0003] In the case of a mechanical valve, the user adjusts its
position depending on the ambient heat he wishes inside the room.
If the room comprises a plurality of heat emitters, the user has to
adjust the position of each valve. This often leads to incorrect
settings and additional energy costs.
[0004] A thermostatic valve, also called thermostatic radiator
valve, is a self-regulating valve fitted to a hot water heating
system radiator, to control the temperature of a room by changing
the flow of hot water to the radiator. Such a valve gradually
closes as the temperature of the surrounding area increases,
limiting the amount of hot water entering the radiator.
[0005] A thermostatic valve allows a better thermal management
within a room without a need of manually adapting the position of
the valve. It is also possible to program various time schedules
each corresponding to a temperature setpoint in the room. For
example, the temperature setpoint of each valve may be set at
20.degree. C. from 7 am to 11 pm and at 18.degree. C. during the
night, so as to save energy. To this end, a thermostat can be used
to control operation of a central heating system, for example a
boiler or more generally a heat generator, and regulate the
temperature of one or more rooms by setting a temperature setpoint
and monitoring the temperature within the home. If the room
temperature falls under the temperature setpoint, the thermostat
sends an appropriate signal to start the boiler.
[0006] Nevertheless, depending on the configuration of the house
and the room positioning compared to each other, as well as the
positioning of the thermostat itself, it may result in a
non-adapted thermal regulation: a temperature setpoint may be
reached in the vicinity of a heat emitter in a room but not in the
vicinity of another heat emitter. Hence one of the heat emitters is
activated whereas another is not. There is also a need for an
adapted thermal regulation within a room. The temperature can be
measured either in the thermostatic radiator valve or in the center
of the room using an additional sensor or by estimating it. A
temperature setpoint may be reached by one thermostatic valve in a
room but not by another one in the same room.
[0007] It is known today to use, in combination with thermostatic
valves, a variety of communication media to enable the thermal
control within a room or a house, using for example power lines,
cabled or wireless connections. The user may operate this thermal
control with a connection via the Internet allowing a further
degree of remote control. Such a connection can be realized thanks
to a relay which can be driven by the user via a web application
from a PC connected to the internet or directly via a smartphone
application. Doing so, the user can remotely check the temperature
of each room and decide to modify it on demand. For example, he or
she can remotely modify the temperature setpoint in the living-room
initially set at 18.degree. C. to a new setpoint at 20.degree. C.
when leaving his or her office, so that the living-room temperature
might be 20.degree. C. when he or she arrives at home.
[0008] When modifying the temperature setpoint of a heat emitter,
this new temperature setpoint may be inconsistent with another
temperature setpoint of another heat emitter in the same room.
Therefore, there is a need for a better thermal control within a
room taking room configuration and temperature setpoints into
account.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The invention aims to provide a system and method for
grouping all valves within a room and synchronizing the operation
of heat emitters, thus enabling a better thermal management within
a room.
[0010] To this end, the subject of the invention is a thermostatic
radiator valve (TRV), the TRV comprising a communication link
configured to link the TRV to one or more other TRVs; an input
interface configured to allow a user to enter a defined temperature
setpoint or acquire the defined temperature setpoint from the one
or more other TRVs; wherein the TRV is further configured to
synchronize the defined temperature setpoint with the one or more
other TRVs defined in a synchronization list.
[0011] According to the invention, the synchronization list may be
stored in the TRV.
[0012] The TRV according to the invention may be further configured
to send to the one or more other TRVs via its communication link a
second temperature setpoint imposed to the one or more other TRVs
so as to send the second temperature setpoint to the one or more
other TRVs.
[0013] The TRV according to the invention may be further connected
to an internet network and configured to receive a third
temperature setpoint from an internet web application or a
smartphone application.
[0014] The TRV according to the invention may be further configured
to read a time schedule of temperature setpoints stored in the
synchronization list and the time schedule of temperature setpoints
is the same for the one or more other TRVs.
[0015] The TRV according to the invention may be further configured
to detect a temperature drop and the TRV is further configured to
stop a flow of heat transfer fluid from a thermal energy generator
entering a heat exchanger to which it is connected and to
communicate to the one or more TRVs the order to stop the flow of
heat transfer fluid from the thermal energy generator entering the
heat exchangers to which they are connected.
[0016] The TRV according to the invention may further comprise an
aperture to adjust the flow of heat transfer fluid depending on a
thermostat temperature setpoint received from a thermostat in the
same room so as to avoid any conflict between the defined
temperature setpoint of the TRV and the thermostat temperature
setpoint.
[0017] The TRV according to the invention may further comprise an
aperture to adjust the flow of heat transfer fluid corresponding to
control parameters calculated by a control algorithm based on
environmental parameters and a thermostat temperature setpoint.
[0018] The invention also relates to a server comprising a
communication link configured to link one or more TRVs of a
network; a memory having stored thereon computer code instructions
configured to generate control commands of one or more TRVs
connected to the network; a database of values of temporal
sequences of environmental parameters captured from the one or more
TRVs; the one or more TRVs comprising an input interface configured
to allow a user to enter a defined temperature setpoint, or acquire
the defined temperature setpoint, or acquire a measured temperature
or detect opening of the TRV from the one or more TRVs and being
further configured to synchronize the defined temperature setpoint
with one or more other TRVs defined in a synchronization list;
receive a temperature setpoint from a thermostat connected to the
one or more TRVs; wherein the computer code instructions are based
on a model comprising control parameters which are determined by a
learning module receiving as input at least some of the values of
temporal sequences of environmental parameters captured from the
one or more TRV stored in the database.
[0019] The invention also relates to a method for temperature
synchronizing between a plurality of thermostatic radiator valves
(TRVs) configured to adjust a flow of heat transfer fluid from a
thermal energy generator entering a heat exchanger based on a
temperature setpoint, the TRVs comprising a communication link
configured to link the one or more TRVs and an input interface
configured to allow a user to enter a defined temperature setpoint
or acquire the defined temperature setpoint from the one or more
TRVs comprising the step of synchronizing the defined temperature
setpoint to the one or more other TRVs defined in a synchronization
list.
[0020] The technical effect of such a TRV is that it is
interconnected to other TRVs and can be connected to the internet.
The advantage is that it can be piloted remotely.
[0021] The TRV according to the invention may access its defined
temperature setpoint(s) and also those of other TRVs.
[0022] Each new temperature setpoint imposed to one TRV is
transferred to the other TRVs in the same list, possibly in the
same room. From this, it follows that all the TRVs in the same room
have the same temperature setpoint.
[0023] The TRV according to the invention can be connected to the
internet via a relay and a new temperature setpoint can be
transmitted to the TRV via a web application.
[0024] Moreover TRVs which are in the same list, possibly in the
same room, have all the same time schedule and all TRVs in the same
room consider the same temperature setpoint.
[0025] Furthermore, the TRV according to the invention communicates
to the other TRVs in the same room the order to stop heat flow
because the window is opened. All TRVs in the same room stop
heating when a window opening is detected, thus leading to energy
savings.
[0026] The thermostat may force the temperature setpoints of the
TRVs in the same room if they differ from the thermostat
temperature setpoint.
[0027] The TRVs are programmed in such a way that they are
installed in the same room as the connected thermostat and are
configured to work accordingly to enable an appropriate temperature
balancing depending on environmental parameters.
[0028] The TRVs may be connected to a server, thus enabling the
user to control the TRVs from a distance and, possibly, a third
party service provider to gather data on their behavior to
build/train a model and disseminate this to a population of
subscribers/users.
[0029] The method according to the invention enables the TRVs to be
interconnected and synchronized, so that they may be remotely
piloted.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] The accompanying drawings illustrate various non-limiting,
example, innovative aspects in accordance with the present
descriptions:
[0031] FIG. 1 schematically represents a thermostatic radiator
valve according to the invention;
[0032] FIG. 2 schematically represents an embodiment of the
thermostatic radiator valve for synchronizing the defined
temperature setpoint with one or more other TRVs defined in a
synchronization list according to the invention;
[0033] FIG. 3 schematically represents a variation of the previous
embodiment of the thermostatic radiator valve for synchronizing the
defined temperature setpoint with one or more other TRVs defined in
a synchronization list according to the invention;
[0034] FIG. 4 schematically represents another embodiment of the
thermostatic radiator valve for temperature synchronizing
configured to send to the one or more TRVs a temperature setpoint
imposed to the one or more other TRVs according to the
invention;
[0035] FIG. 5 schematically represents another embodiment of the
thermostatic radiator valve for temperature synchronizing
configured to receive a temperature setpoint from an internet web
application or a smartphone application according to the
invention;
[0036] FIG. 6 schematically represents another embodiment of the
thermostatic radiator valve for temperature synchronizing
configured to store a time schedule of temperature setpoints
according to the invention;
[0037] FIG. 7 schematically represents another embodiment of the
thermostatic radiator valve for temperature synchronizing
configured to detect a temperature drop due to aeration by window
opening and stop the flow of hot medium coming from the heat
generator according to the invention;
[0038] FIG. 8 schematically represents another embodiment of the
thermostatic radiator valve for temperature synchronizing
configured to adjust the flow of heating fluid depending on a
thermostat temperature setpoint according to the invention;
[0039] FIG. 9 schematically represents another embodiment of the
thermostatic radiator valve for temperature synchronizing
configured to receive a new temperature setpoint corresponding to
control parameters calculated by a control algorithm based on
environmental parameters and a thermostat temperature setpoint
according to the invention;
[0040] FIG. 10 represents a block diagram with possible
combinations of steps of a method for temperature synchronizing
according to the invention;
[0041] FIG. 11 represents a block diagram with other possible
combinations of steps of a method for temperature synchronizing
according to the invention.
[0042] For the sake of clarity, the same elements have the same
references in the various figures.
[0043] The invention is described with self-regulating valves
fitted to a hot water heating system radiator and a boiler but it
may also be applied by analogy to any heating system comprising a
central generator (from thermal, geothermal energy) and a plurality
of radiators-with corresponding regulating devices.
[0044] Moreover the invention is described with a thermostatic
radiator valve 21 in the field of heating but relates more
generally to a thermostatic radiator valve TRV configured to adjust
a flow of heat transfer fluid from a thermal energy generator
entering a heat exchanger based on a temperature setpoint, the
thermal energy generator and the heat exchanger configured to heat
or cool a room with a room temperature, the TRV comprising a
communication link configured to link the TRV to one or more other
TRVs; an input interface configured to allow a user to enter a
defined temperature setpoint or acquire the defined temperature
setpoint from the one or more other TRVs; wherein the TRV is
further configured to synchronize the defined temperature setpoint
with the one or more other TRVs defined in a synchronization
list.
[0045] In the following, the invention will be described with the
heat transfer fluid being a heating fluid, the heat exchanger being
a heat emitter and the thermal energy generator being a heat
generator. But the heat transfer fluid can also be a cooling fluid,
the heat exchanger a cooling emitter and the thermal energy
generator a cooling generator.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0046] As previously mentioned, although many of the features of
this invention are described in relation to a residential home
environment, it is understood that they are generally applicable to
many office and industrial building applications as well.
[0047] FIG. 1 schematically represents a thermostatic radiator
valve (TRV, 21) according to the invention. The TRV 21 comprises a
motor 81, an electronic board 82. In a preferred embodiment, the
TRV 21 may comprise one or more temperature sensor(s) 83. The motor
81 can be replaced by any other system to reduce the fluid flow in
the heat emitter.
[0048] The TRV 21 is a self-regulating valve fitted to a heating
fluid conduit from a heat generator entering a heat emitter (or
radiator) to which the TRV 21 is connected. The TRV 21 may include
a memory to store some data such as a temperature setpoint.
Depending on the surrounding temperature, for example measured by
the TRV 21, and a temperature setpoint of the TRV 21, an electronic
board 82 comprising a calculator may activate the motor 81 to
mechanically adapt the aperture 5 of the TRV 21. Such a TRV 21
gradually closes as the temperature of the surrounding area
increases, limiting the amount of heating fluid entering the heat
emitter.
[0049] FIG. 2 schematically represents an embodiment of the
thermostatic radiator valve TRV for synchronizing the defined
temperature setpoint with one or more other TRVs defined in a
synchronization list according to the invention. The TRV 22 in a
room 9 is configured to adjust a flow of heating fluid from a heat
generator 10 entering a heat emitter 12 based on a temperature
setpoint T1. The TRV 22 comprises a communication link 32
configured to link one or more other TRVs in the list, that may be
situated in a same room 9, and an input interface configured to one
or more of allow a user to enter a defined temperature setpoint T1
or acquire the defined temperature setpoint T1 from the one or more
other TRVs, or measured temperature or opening of the TRV.
According to the invention, the TRV 22 is further configured to
synchronize the defined temperature setpoint T1 with the one or
more other TRVs defined in the synchronization list. The TRVs in
the room 9 may also use the same temperature in order to regulate
the temperature setpoint T1.
[0050] In some embodiments, the TRVs in the synchronization list
are situated in the same room as the synchronizing TRV. In some
other embodiments, the TRVs in the synchronization list are a
subgroup of the TRVs in a large room that has different
orientations. In further embodiments, the TRVs in the
synchronization list are situated in different rooms, but have a
feature in common, e.g. to be allocated to members of a family who
have different temperature preferences or to be situated on
different sides of a building with different exposures, etc. . .
.
[0051] The synchronization list may be stored in the TRV. Each of
the one or more TRVs may contain the synchronization list.
[0052] In the room 9 represented in FIG. 2, there are two heat
emitters 12, 13 to which two TRVs 22, 23 are respectively
connected, for illustration purposes only. The TRVs 22, 23 are
defined in a synchronization list to be in the same room 9.
Therefore, since a defined temperature setpoint T1 was input to the
TRV 22, the TRV 23 in the same room should have the same defined
temperature setpoint T1. The TRV 22 transmits the defined
temperature setpoint T1 to the TRV 23 via the communication link.
The communication link 32 may be performed through a wired or radio
connection 14 such as Zigbee, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth.TM.. The
synchronization of the defined temperature setpoint T1 works from
the TRV 22 to the TRV 23 but it also works inversely from the TRV
23 to the TRV 22. In this example, there are two heat emitters 12,
13 and two associated TRVs 22, 23. It is obvious that the invention
applies in the same way to more than two TRVs.
[0053] FIG. 3 schematically represents another illustration of an
embodiment of the thermostatic radiator valve for synchronizing the
defined temperature setpoint with one or more other TRVs defined in
a synchronization list according to the invention. In this example,
the communication link 32 may include a relay 11 that may be
connected to the TRVs through a wired or radio connection 14
(Zigbee, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth . . . ). The relay 11 may be coupled to a
gateway that enables the reception of external commands. The
synchronization list may also be stored in the gateway.
[0054] In the following, the invention will be described with
embodiments comprising a relay 11. Nevertheless, such a relay 11 is
not compulsory to apply the invention to a plurality of TRVs. As
explained above, the TRVs may synchronize with the one or more
other TRVs defined in the synchronization list via their
communication link, without any relay, using only a pair-to-pair
communication mode.
[0055] FIG. 4 schematically represents another embodiment of the
thermostatic radiator valve for temperature synchronizing
configured to send to the one or more other TRVs a temperature
setpoint imposed to the one or more other TRVs according to the
invention. The TRV 22 is further configured to send to the one or
more other TRVs 23 via its communication link 32 a second
temperature setpoint T2 imposed to the one or more other TRVs so as
to send the second temperature setpoint T2 to the one or more other
TRVs. For example, a second temperature setpoint T2 is imposed to
the TRV 22. The TRV 22 sends to the TRV 23, defined in the
synchronization list, this second temperature setpoint T2.
Therefore all new temperature setpoints imposed to one TRV is
transmitted to the other TRV(s) in the list. It follows a
uniformity of temperature setpoints between all TRVs in the
synchronization list, notably when they are in the same room 9.
[0056] The synchronization of the defined temperature setpoint T2
operates from the TRV 22 to the TRV 23 but it also operates
inversely from the TRV 23 to the TRV 22. In this example, there are
two heat emitters 12, 13 and two associated TRVs 22, 23. It is
obvious that the invention applies in the same way to more than two
TRVs.
[0057] In the case of a relay 11, the TRV 22 may send the new
temperature setpoint T2 to the network coordinator through the
dedicated network 14. The network coordinator may then send the new
temperature setpoint T2 to the other TRV(s) of the same room. The
network coordinator has the role of concentrating and dispatching
data from and to all TRVs.
[0058] FIG. 5 schematically represents another embodiment of the
thermostatic radiator valve 22 for temperature synchronizing
configured to receive a temperature setpoint T3 from an internet
web application or a smartphone application according to the
invention. The TRV 22 is further connected to an internet network
15 through a relay 11 and configured to receive a third temperature
setpoint T3 from an internet web application or a smartphone
application 16. The advantage of this feature is that each new
defined temperature setpoint may be transmitted to one or more TRVs
from outside.
[0059] The TRV 23 may also be connected to the internet network 15
through the same relay 11 and configured to receive the third
temperature setpoint T3. But it is also possible not to connect all
the TRVs of the room 9 to the internet network 15. In this case,
the TRV connected to the internet network 15 would be the TRV
receiving the third temperature setpoint and would send the third
temperature setpoint T3 to the other TRVs in the same room 9,
defined in the synchronization list, as previously explained.
[0060] FIG. 6 schematically represents another embodiment of the
thermostatic radiator valve 22 for temperature synchronizing
configured to store a time schedule 17 of temperature setpoints
according to the invention. The TRV 22 is further configured to
read a time schedule 17 of temperature setpoints stored in the
synchronization list or in the TRV 22 and the time schedule 17 of
temperature setpoints is the same for the one or more other TRVs.
All TRVs in the same room have the same time schedule 17, so as to
avoid any inconsistencies of the thermal management within a
room.
[0061] FIG. 7 schematically represents another embodiment of the
thermostatic radiator valve 22 for temperature synchronizing
configured to detect a rapid temperature drop due to aeration by
window opening and stop the flow of hot medium coming from the heat
generator 10 according to the invention. The TRV 22 is further
configured to detect a temperature drop due to aeration and the TRV
22 is configured to stop the flow of heating fluid from the heat
generator 10 entering the heat emitter 12 to which it is connected
and to communicate to the one or more TRVs 23 the order to stop the
flow of heating fluid from the heat generator 10 entering the heat
emitters 13 to which they are connected.
[0062] The TRV 22 may detect a temperature drop by various means.
The TRV 22 may for instance comprise a temperature sensor 52 and
measure the temperature in its vicinity so that it is able to
detect a temperature drop, or a temperature sensor may be installed
in the room and connected to the TRV 22 through a communication
link. Also, the temperature used to regulate and detect the
temperature drop can be an estimated temperature that is computed
using a mathematic method and the temperature(s) measured within
the TRV 22.
[0063] The TRV 22 communicates to the other TRV (in the example the
TRV 23) in the same room 9 the order to stop heat flow because the
window is opened. The order may take into account the state of the
window or contain a time loop defining the duration of the stop.
This duration can be previously defined by the user or be
predetermined and set for example to 20 minutes. In this example,
it would mean that 20 minutes after having detecting a temperature
drop, the TRVs enables the heating fluid to enter the heat emitters
again, according to their time schedule.
[0064] This feature avoids the heating up of the room when a window
is opened. It enables the user not to care about the thermal
regulation within the room when he/she wants to open the window.
Indeed, he/she does not have to turn off the TRVs before opening
the window and turn them on after closing the window.
[0065] FIG. 8 schematically represents another embodiment of the
thermostatic radiator valve 22 for temperature synchronizing
configured to adjust the flow of heating fluid depending on a
thermostat temperature setpoint. The TRV comprises an aperture 5 to
adjust the flow of heating fluid depending on a thermostat
temperature setpoint T4 received from a thermostat 60 in the same
room 9 so as to avoid any conflict between the defined temperature
setpoint of the TRV 22, 23 and the thermostat temperature setpoint
T4. This feature enables the thermostat 60 located in the same room
9 as the TRV 22 to control the temperature setpoints of the TRV 22
if the temperature setpoint of the TRV 22 is different from the
thermostat temperature setpoint. In other words, the thermostat 60
controls the temperature setpoints of the TRVs located in the same
room as the thermostat if their temperature setpoints differ from
the thermostat temperature setpoint.
[0066] FIG. 9 schematically represents another embodiment of the
thermostatic radiator valve 22 for temperature synchronizing
further comprising an aperture 5 to adjust the flow of heating
fluid corresponding to control parameters 75 calculated by a
control algorithm 73 based on environmental parameters 74 and a
thermostat temperature setpoint T4 according to the invention.
[0067] The invention also concerns a server 70 comprising a
communication link configured to link one or more TRVs of a network
and a memory or an access to a memory having stored thereon
computer code instructions 73 configured to generate control
commands 75 of one or more TRVs connected to the network and a
database of values of temporal sequences of environmental
parameters captured from the one or more TRVs. The one or more TRVs
comprise an input interface configured to allow a user to enter a
defined temperature setpoint or acquire the defined temperature
setpoint from the one or more TRVs and being further configured to
synchronize the defined temperature setpoint with one or more TRVs
defined in a synchronization list; receive a temperature setpoint
from a thermostat 60 connected to the one or more TRVs. According
to the invention, the computer code instructions are based on a
model comprising control parameters which are determined by a
learning module receiving as input at least some of the values of
temporal sequences of environmental parameters 75 captured from the
one or more TRV stored in the database.
[0068] The TRVs 22, 23 may capture and store information like
ambient temperatures and temperature setpoints. The thermostat 60
may send this data to the server 70. Note that the expression
"server" may designate one or more virtual machines that are
executed on a plurality of physical machines located locally and/or
anywhere "in the cloud".
[0069] The server 70 may comprise a communication link 71
configured to receive and send data from/to the thermostat 60
through the internet network 15, a memory 72 configured to store
data, a control algorithm 73 configured to perform calculations.
The room 9 is in an environment with real environmental parameters
74 and a thermostat temperature setpoint T4 is being set in the
room. The control algorithm 73 is configured to receive through the
internet network 15 the real environmental parameters 74, calculate
control parameters 75 based on the environmental parameters 74, the
measured temperature of the thermostat and the TRV and the
thermostat temperature setpoint T4, send the control parameters 75
to the thermostat 60 corresponding to a new temperature setpoint to
impose to the plurality of TRVs 22, 23 so as to regulate the room
temperature 9 to the thermostat temperature setpoint T4.
[0070] Furthermore, the memory 72 of the server 70 may be
configured to store a history 76 of the real environmental
parameters and the control parameters calculated by the control
algorithm in relation with the real environmental parameters. The
control algorithm 73 may comprise a learning module 77 configured
to adapt the calculation of the control parameters by taking into
account the history 76.
[0071] As an example, the control algorithm 73 may include a
thermal model taking into account the heat capacity C of the room
and the heat transfert coefficient K between the inside and the
outside of the room for a plurality of outdoor temperatures. Other
elements could be added or removed from the model, provided that
the model allows controlling an indoor temperature of the room,
based at least on predictions of a setpoint temperature, outdoor
temperature, and eventually other parameters like the percentage of
aperture of the TRV.
[0072] Each TRV has for example a different heat capacity, heat
transfer coefficients of the walls, etc. . . . Thus, the parameters
of a model prepared for a room cannot be used directly for another
room. There is thus the need to tailor the values of the parameters
of a model for an a priori unknown room, in order to get the best
temperature control possible.
[0073] All or a subset of the values of the parameters can be
calculated based on the characteristics of the room, for example
its size, the size of the windows. For example, a heat transfer
coefficient K can be calculated for a wall based on the surface,
the material and the width of the wall. Similarly, a heat capacity
C of the room can be calculated based on the volume of the room,
and predicted radiation coefficients R based on a surface of a
window. Textures or materials inside the room can also be used to
calculate radiation coefficients R. Indeed, the amount of heat
absorbed by radiations by the room may depend on how the solar
radiations are absorbed by the surfaces inside the room.
[0074] The all or a subset of the values of the parameters may be
calculated by a learning module during a training phase. This
solution presents the advantage of allowing a user to put a device
for controlling the temperature of the room, as a temperature
sensor of the TRV, and the model that best suits the room is
automatically calculated, without needing to perform any
measurement of the room.
[0075] The parameters of the model can be calculated by the server
70. The server is then configured to receive at least measurements
of indoor temperature of the room from the temperature sensors of
the TRVs or any other temperature sensor inside the room, and,
optionally, values of the outdoor temperature of the room. The
server is then configured to calculate parameters of the room model
based on received data, and send the parameters to control the
temperature of the room. The TRV of the room then receives relevant
values of parameters of the model to control the indoor temperature
of the room. This solution has the advantage of letting a server
with a lot of computing power perform complex calculations of the
parameters of the model. Transfer of data from the TRVs/thermostat
through the relay may be executed at different frequencies. The
frequencies may vary over time, since it may be necessary for the
server to gather more data when put in service than in regular
on-going service. The data may need to be cleaned or preprocessed
prior to being input in the learning module of the server, so as to
filter abnormal or erroneous data as well as outliers that may
pollute the learning phase. Different learning algorithms may be
used for this calibration phase. As example, a possibility is to
compare the house to an electronic circuit RC with C being the heat
capacity and R an image of the isolation and study afterward the
charge and discharge of the capacity to compute R and C.
[0076] FIG. 10 represents a block diagram with possible
combinations of steps of a method for temperature synchronizing
according to the invention. The method comprises the step 501 of
synchronizing the defined temperature setpoint T1 to the one or
more other TRVs 22, 23 defined in a synchronization list.
[0077] The method may comprise the step 502 of sending to the TRVs
a second temperature setpoint T2 imposed to the one or more other
TRVs.
[0078] The method may comprise the step 503 of receiving a third
temperature setpoint T3 from an internet web application possibly
commanded from a smartphone 16 connected to an internet network
15.
[0079] The method may comprise the step 504 of storing a time
schedule 17 of temperature setpoints, the time schedule of
temperature setpoints being the same for the one or more other
TRVs.
[0080] Moreover, the method may comprise the step 505 of detecting
a temperature drop and the step 506 of stopping the flow of hot
medium coming from the heat generator 10 circulating through the
heat emitter 12, 13 to which it is connected.
[0081] FIG. 11 represents a block diagram with others possible
combinations of steps of a method for temperature synchronizing
according to the invention.
[0082] The method may further comprise the step 507 of setting the
opening of the TRV to adjust the flow fixed so as to avoid any
conflict between the defined temperature setpoint of the TRV 22, 23
and a thermostat temperature setpoint T4 received from a thermostat
60.
[0083] The method according to the invention may comprise the step
508 of receiving a new temperature setpoint from a thermostat 60
corresponding to control parameters 75 calculated by a control
algorithm 73 in a server 70 based on environmental parameters 74
and a thermostat temperature setpoint T4.
[0084] Furthermore, the method may comprise the step 509 of storing
in a memory a history 76 of real environmental parameters and
control parameters 75 calculated by a control algorithm 73 in the
server 70 in relation with the real environmental parameters.
[0085] Optionally, according to the invention, either as a
by-product of the execution of the control algorithm or in a manner
that is not performed at the time of executing the control
algorithm, there may be a step 510 of adapting the calculation of
the control parameters 75 by taking into account the history 76 by
use of a learning module of the control algorithm 73.
[0086] The examples disclosed in this specification are only
illustrative of some embodiments of the invention. They do not in
any way limit the scope of said invention which is defined by the
appended claims.
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