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Title:
DEVICE AND METHOD FOR THE TEMPERATURE ADJUSTMENT OF A HEATING ELEMENT
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2019/145873
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a device (1) for the temperature adjustment of a heating element, comprising a body (2), provided with an interception zone (3) destined to be placed in fluid communication with a conduit (50) carrying fluid to the inlet of the heating element, and a valve element operatively active in the interception zone and capable of operating in a plurality of configurations to vary the flow rate of fluid crossing the interception zone. The valve element comprises a thermostatic valve (10) provided with a shutter (15) that is axially movable and configured to move closer and further away, along a translation direction (X), with respect to a passage section defined in the interception zone (3), so as to vary the flow rate of fluid crossing the interception zone. The thermostatic valve comprises a thermostat (11) configured to vary its size according to the temperature perceived thereby; the thermostat is associated with or constrained to the shutter (15) for moving it along the translation direction (X). The device also comprises an actuator (20), operatively arranged upstream of the thermostatic valve (10) and in series with respect thereto, active on the thermostat (11) for moving it selectively along the translation direction, determining a corresponding movement of the shutter (15).

Inventors:
BERTOLOTTI MR STEFANO (IT)
Application Number:
PCT/IB2019/050570
Publication Date:
August 01, 2019
Filing Date:
January 23, 2019
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
IVAR SPA (IT)
International Classes:
G05D23/275; G05D23/19; F24D19/10
Foreign References:
EP0676683A11995-10-11
EP2910860A12015-08-26
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
ROSA, Daniele (IT)
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Claims:
CLAIMS

1. A device (1) for the temperature adjustment of a heating element, comprising:

- a body (2) of the device, configured to be associated with or mounted on a conduit (50) carrying fluid to the inlet of a heating element, in particular a radiator, the body being provided with an interception zone (3) destined to be placed in fluid communication with said conduit, so that the device can adjust the flow of fluid passing inside said conduit;

- a valve element at least partially housed inside the body (2) and operatively active in said interception zone (3), said valve element being configured to operate in a plurality of operating configurations to vary the flow rate of fluid crossing said interception zone (3);

wherein said valve element comprises a thermostatic valve (10) equipped with a shutter (15) being axially movable and configured to move closer and further away, along a translation direction (X), with respect to a passage section defined in said interception zone (3) so as to vary said flow rate of fluid crossing said interception zone according to said plurality of operating configurations,

and wherein said thermostatic valve (10) comprises a temperature-sensitive thermostat (11), said thermostat (11) being configured to vary its size according to the temperature perceived thereby, said thermostat (11) being associated with or constrained to said shutter (15), for moving it along said translation direction (X), the device further comprising an actuator (20), operatively arranged upstream of said thermostatic valve (10) and in series with respect thereto, said actuator (20) being active on said thermostat (11) for moving it selectively along said translation direction, determining a corresponding movement of said shutter (15).

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the actuator (20) is active on the thermostat (11) for moving it selectively, along the translation direction (X), based on the value of a reference temperature at which the device can be configured, and/or wherein the thermostat (11) is associated with or constrained to said shutter (15), for moving it, along said translation direction (X), so that the variation in flow rate determined by the movement of the shutter is a function of the temperature difference between the temperature perceived by the thermostat and the reference temperature at which the device can be configured, and/or wherein the device provides a series arrangement of the elements, in accordance with the following sequence: actuator (20), thermostat (11), shutter (15), and/or in which said actuator (20) is an electric motor, of the rotary or linear type, or a solenoid actuator, said actuator (20) being configured to impart a translation to the thermostat (11) along the translation direction (X).

3. The device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the selective activation of said actuator (20) determines a movement of the thermostat (11) along said translation direction (X), and a corresponding movement of the shutter (15), by a value equal to a first translation along said translation direction, said first translation being able to be towards, or away from, said passage section, the value of said first translation being a function of the value of said reference temperature, and wherein the variation of the size of the thermostat (11) determines a movement of the shutter (15) by a value equal to a second translation along said translation direction, said second translation being able to be towards, or away from, said passage section, and/or wherein the position of the shutter (15) with respect to the passage section is a combination of the contribution of the movement imparted by the actuator (20) to the thermostat (11), equal to said first translation, and of the contribution of the movement imparted by the thermostat (11) to the shutter (15), equal to said second translation, and/or wherein the position of the shutter (15) with respect to the passage section is determined by the algebraic sum of the values of said first translation and said second translation, and/or wherein the variation of the size of the thermostat and the selective activation of the actuator are independent from each other.

4. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device comprises a processing unit (30) configured at least to manage the operation of said actuator (20) and to set the value of said reference temperature, wherein the processing unit (30) is configured to activate the actuator (20) so as to position the thermostat (11) in a determined reference position along said translation direction (X), determining a corresponding movement of the shutter (15) by a value equal to said first translation, said reference position being a function of said reference temperature, and wherein the processing unit is configured to selectively activate the actuator (20) at each change of said reference temperature, consequently modifying said reference position of the thermostat (11) along said translation direction (X), and/or wherein said thermostat (11) is configured to vary its size, determining a corresponding movement of the shutter (15) by a value equal to said second translation, starting from said reference position into which it is brought by the actuator based on the reference temperature, and/or wherein the thermostat (11) is configured to vary its size, adjusting and modulating the position of the shutter, so as to track and/or maintain constant said reference temperature.

5. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one temperature sensor (35) configured to detect the real temperature in the environment in which the device is installed and to communicate with said processing unit (30) and make available to the processing unit the value of said real temperature, and wherein the processing unit is configured to modify said reference position so as to minimize, or cancel, the difference between the value of said reference temperature and the value of said real temperature, and/or wherein the processing unit (30) comprises a storage medium on which a series of pairs of reference temperature-reference position values is stored, wherein each pair of values defines the reference position attributed by the actuator (20) to the thermostat (11), along said translation direction (X), i.e. the movement of the shutter (15) equal to said first translation, based on a specific reference temperature, and/or wherein the processing unit (30) is configured to modify the value of the reference position in one or more of said pairs of reference temperature-reference position values based on the difference between the reference temperature value, determined once the thermostat (11) is positioned in the reference position and once a thermostatic balance has been reached, and the real temperature value, detected by said temperature sensor (35), wherein the reference position is displaced closer to said passage section by an amount proportional to said difference, if the difference is a value with a negative sign, or away from said passage section by an amount proportional to said difference, if the difference is a value with a positive sign.

6. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processing unit (30) is configured to allow the setting and storing, on said storage medium, of a time-temperature curve, comprising a desired trend, over time, of the value of the reference temperature, and wherein said time-temperature curve comprises a series of pairs of time-reference temperature values, and said processing unit is configured to activate said actuator, at each time, so as to bring the thermostat (11) into the reference position corresponding to the respective reference temperature, and/or wherein the device comprises data entry members (40), configured to communicate with said processing unit and for setting at least said reference temperature, or also said time-temperature curve, wherein:

- said data entry members comprise a display and/or a keyboard associated with said body of the device, or wherein

- said data entry members are distinct and separate from the body of the device and are configured for communicating remotely with the processing unit, and/or wherein

- said data entry members comprise a wireless communication means, for example a radio, wireless or Bluetooth communication module, and/or wherein

- said data entry members comprise software configured to communicate remotely with said processing unit, e.g. software configured to operate on a remote communication device, such as a mobile phone.

7. A method for the temperature adjustment of a heating element, comprising the steps of:

- providing a heating element, e.g. a radiator, a heater or a convector heater, provided with a heating body destined to be placed in an environment for performing the heating of such environment, said heating body being provided with an inlet conduit (50), destined to be fluidly connected with a source of high temperature fluid for receiving high temperature fluid therefrom;

- providing at least a device (1) for the temperature adjustment of a heating element according to any one of the preceding claims;

- installing said device (1) on the heating element, by mounting the body (2) of the device on said inlet conduit (50) so that said interception zone (3) is placed in fluid communication with said conduit;

- continuously adjusting the flow rate of fluid entering said heating body, wherein said step of adjusting comprises the steps of:

- selectively activating the actuator (20) for determining a movement of the thermostat (11) along the translation direction (X), and a corresponding movement of the shutter (15), by a value equal to a first translation along the translation direction, said first translation being able to be towards, or away from, said passage section;

- varying the size of the thermostat (11) according to the temperature perceived thereby, to determine a movement of the shutter (15), by a value equal to a second translation along the translation direction (X), said second translation being able to be towards, or away from, said passage section;

wherein the position of the shutter (15) with respect to the passage section is a combination of the contribution of the movement imparted by the actuator (20) to the thermostat (11), equal to said first translation, and the contribution of the movement imparted by the thermostat (11) to the shutter (15), equal to said second translation.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein, in said step of continuously adjusting the fluid flow rate, the position of the shutter (15) with respect to the passage section is determined by the algebraic sum of the values of said first translation and said second translation, and/or wherein the steps of selectively activating said actuator (20) and varying the size of the thermostat (11) are independent from each other and can take place simultaneously or at different moments, and/or wherein the step of varying the size of the thermostat (11) takes place as a result of the physical characteristics of the thermostat, i.e. autonomously according to the temperature perceived thereby, and/or wherein the movement of the shutter (15) by the thermostat (11) and the movement of the thermostat (11) by the actuator (20) are independent from each other, and/or wherein the step of selectively activating the actuator takes place, at each setting or modification of the reference temperature, prior to the step of varying the size of the thermostat, and/or wherein the method comprises a step of setting the value of the reference temperature in said processing unit (30).

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8 wherein, in said step of selectively activating said actuator (20), the processing unit (30) is configured to activate the actuator so as to position the thermostat (11) in a determined reference position along said translation direction (X), determining a corresponding movement of the shutter (15) by a value equal to said first translation, said reference position being a function of the value of said reference temperature, and wherein said step of selectively activating said actuator (20) is performed at each change of the value of said reference temperature, so that the processing unit (30) selectively activates the actuator (20) for consequently modifying the reference position of the thermostat (11) along the translation direction (X) according to the new reference temperature, and/or wherein, in said step of varying the size of the thermostat (11), the thermostat is configured to vary its size, determining a corresponding movement of the shutter (15) by a value equal to said second translation, starting from said reference position into which it is brought by the actuator (20) based on said reference temperature, and wherein said step of varying the size of the thermostat (11) provides the thermostat changing its size, by adjusting and modulating the position of the shutter, so as to track and/or maintain constant said reference temperature, and/or wherein said step of varying the size of the thermostat (11) takes place continuously so as to find a balance point that minimizes, or cancels, the difference between the temperature perceived by the thermostat and the aforementioned reference temperature.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, comprising a step of detecting the real temperature in the environment in which the device is installed, through a temperature sensor (35), and communicating with said processing unit (30) and making available to the processing unit the value of said real temperature, and/or wherein the method comprises a self-learning or self-calibration step, wherein the processing unit modifies said reference position so as to minimize, or cancel, the difference between the value of said reference temperature and the value of said real temperature, and/or wherein the processing unit (30) comprises a storage medium on which a series of pairs of reference temperature-reference position values is stored, wherein each pair of values defines the reference position attributed by the actuator (20) to the thermostat (11), along said translation direction (X), i.e. the movement of the shutter (15) equal to said first translation, based on a specific reference temperature, and the self-learning or self-calibration step comprises a step of modifying, through the processing unit, the value of the reference position in one or more of said pairs of reference temperature-reference position values based on the difference between the value of the reference temperature, determined once the thermostat (11) has been positioned in the reference position and once a thermostatic balance has been reached, and the value of the real temperature, detected by said temperature sensor (35), wherein the reference position is displaced - along said translation direction - towards said passage section by an amount proportional to said difference, if the difference is a value with a negative sign, or away from said passage section by an amount proportional to said difference, if the difference is a value with a positive sign, and/or wherein said series of pairs of reference temperature- reference position values, stored on said storage medium, defines a predefined curve of the reference positions according to the reference temperatures, and the self-learning or self-calibration step comprises a step of rescaling, through the processing unit, the values of the reference positions, of said predefined curve, by a correction factor proportional to the difference between the value of the reference temperature, determined once the thermostat (11) has been positioned in the reference position and once a thermostatic balance has been reached, and the value of the real temperature, detected by said temperature sensor (35), wherein the correction factor is greater than one if said difference is a value with a negative sign, or less than one if the difference is a value with a positive sign, wherein the rescaling corresponds to a multiplication operation of each reference position value by said correction factor.

Description:
DESCRIPTION

“DEVICE AND METHOD FOR THE TEMPERATURE ADJUSTMENT OF A HEATING ELEMENT”

The object of the present invention is a device for the temperature adjustment of a heating element placed in an environment or room of a building. In addition, the invention regards a method for the temperature adjustment of a heating element, in particular of radiant type.

The invention has advantageous application for the thermoregulation in rooms of buildings of residential or commercial type provided with radiant heating elements, but it could also be advantageously employed in other types of plants.

The present invention is situated in the technical field of heating plants and regards in particular the temperature adjustment part.

The heating plants, in particular high-temperature heating plants, typically comprise a boiler, a series of heating elements (such as radiators, heaters, convector heaters, etc.) arranged in the various rooms of the factory and a plurality of manifolds and connection piping between the boiler and the heating elements, which allow providing the latter with the necessary heating fluid, in general hot water heated by the boiler.

In the field, various types of devices are known for controlling the operation of the heating elements.

First of all, it is known to apply, to each radiator, a thermoregulating element which allows defining and differentiating the temperature desired for such specific radiator, and hence for the relative room of installation. Such thermoregulating elements are constituted by thermostatic heads, which comprise a thermostat that acts on an interception valve for the fluid that flows into the heating plant for adjusting the amount of fluid that can enter into a single radiator, thus modifying the temperature of the radiator itself and the amount of heat provided to the room of installation. Each thermostatic head generally allows a manual adjustment of an initial setting position, generally indicated with a number of simply indicative type, which allows approximately varying the temperature of the specific room.

One example of a device of such type is described in the public document EP 1 595 188, in the name of the same Applicant, which shows a thermostatic head provided with a rotatable knob for the selection of the maximum flow rate to the inlet of the radiator, and hence of the level of heating to attribute to the single radiator.

It is also known to combine the thermostatic heads, active on the different radiators, with a central thermostat that comprises a sensor adapted to receive the ambient temperature and which can be set in order to define a desired temperature. The thermostat controls, in a centralized manner, the operation of the heating plant for defining the amount of heat that is provided by a boiler to the heating elements by means of hot water transport pipes, in order to bring the actual temperature of the environment towards the temperature set on the thermostat, while the single thermostatic heads allow defining and further differentiating the temperature desired for each specific radiator, and hence for the relative room of installation, with respect to the temperature defined by the thermostat. For example, this allows completely closing the flow of hot water to a single radiator if it is not necessary to heat a particular environment (e.g. a specific room), while still maintaining the entire plant active.

It is also known to use timed thermostats, which allow a time programming of the temperature in the environment and which control the operation of the heating plant in accordance with such programming.

A second type of known thermoregulating elements, alternative to the aforesaid thermostatic heads with manual control, is constituted by electronic or electrothermal devices which comprise a motorized actuator active on the interception valve. Such electric actuator is controlled on the basis of a sensor, which can be mounted in the actuator itself or positioned inside the room where the radiator is placed, which detects the temperature in the room and consequently controls the opening and closing movement of the motor and hence of the interception valve. Also these electronic devices are provided with an adjustment of an initial setting position that can be remotely controlled directly by a thermostat or timed thermostat.

An example of such electronic system for thermoregulation, and of a relative use method, is described in the public document EP 2 548091 , in the name of the same Applicant.

The Applicant has verified that the above-described known solutions do not lack drawbacks and can be improved with regard to various aspects.

First of all, the manual thermostatic heads have clear limits in managing the temperature adjustment. Indeed, even if they are efficient in reaching and maintaining a specific set-point (i.e. the objective value, established by the position of the knob), due to the mechanical-analog operation of the thermostat placed therein, it is known that the manual thermostatic heads do not allow any type of programming. This signifies that a change of set-point, in order to increase or decrease the temperature in the environment, for example for comfort and/or energy savings reasons, necessarily requires a manual intervention, i.e. the rotation of the knob that acts on the position of the thermostat and determines an increase or a decrease of the flow rate of hot water in the heating element. This is inconvenient or difficult for example during the night, and impossible if the user is not physically situated to be able to act on the thermostatic head. In addition, even if one is able to act on the knob, the variation desired for the temperature in the environment is only obtainable after a certain time interval; in general, the dynamics obtainable by means of thermostatic heads are rather slow.

In addition, the manual thermostatic heads do not allow an actual selection of the desired temperature value, but only a setting of the approximate number placed on the knob, to which a more or less high temperature can correspond. Therefore, a determined position of the knob leads to the attainment of a set-point which might not correspond with the temperature actually desired by the user.

Some of the above-listed drawbacks are the objective of the electronic devices for thermoregulation, which due to the presence of an actuator in place of the knob and of a control unit allow varying, in an automatic and programmable manner, the flow rate of hot water to the inlet of the heating element, and consequently the temperature in the environment. Such "intelligent” devices allow, in particular, a time programming of the desired temperatures, i.e. they take on the role of timed thermostat: in such a manner, the device is actuated at the suitable moment in order to vary the flow rate based on the set values, without the physical presence or the manual intervention of the user being necessary. In addition, the electronic devices can be interfaced with temperature sensors that provide a measure of the real temperature present in the environment, due to which the device can modify its operation and that of the heating element in order to precisely adjust the temperature.

Nevertheless, the operating mode of an electronic device and its functions involve a certain energy consumption (typically such energy stored in the internal battery, since it is complex for each single device to reach the power grid), in particular since the actuator is actuated numerous times during the day. It is considered that the actuator continuously intervenes in order to modify the flow rate of hot water to the heating element, by varying the position of a stem active on a valve, both based on the different temperature values established by the user based on the times, and due to the small and frequent movements for tracking and maintaining the temperature that are necessary for compensating for possible undesired decreases or increases of the temperature in the environment with respect to that set (e.g. following the opening of a window).

In addition, the electronic devices, in order to perform the operations of changing the set temperature and for tracking and maintaining the temperature, require a control algorithm, electronic components and a software that are rather complex, which allow managing the intervention of the actuator in the best possible manner in the different operating conditions. This ensures that the known electronic devices are characterized by a complex structure and by a high production cost.

In this situation, the object underlying the present invention, in its various aspects and/or embodiments, is to provide a device and a method for the temperature adjustment of a heating element that can be capable of overcoming one or more of the abovementioned drawbacks.

Further object of the present invention is to provide a device and a method capable of precisely and efficiently adjusting the temperature of a heating element.

Further object of the present invention is to provide a device and a method for the temperature adjustment of a heating element which allow the user to set and obtain the desired temperature inside the environment in which the heating element is present.

Further object of the present invention is to provide a device and a method for the temperature adjustment of a heating element characterized by a high versatility and capable of being adapted to a high number and type of different heating elements and environments.

Further object of the present invention is to provide a device for the temperature adjustment of a heating element characterized by a high operating reliability and/or by a lower predisposition to failures and malfunctions and/or capable of being maintained in a simple and quick manner.

Further object of the present invention is to provide a device for the temperature adjustment of a heating element characterized by a simple and rational structure.

Further object of the present invention is to provide a device for the temperature adjustment of a heating element characterized by an attainment cost that is limited with respect to the offered performances and qualities. Further object of the present invention is to create alternative solutions, with respect to the prior art, in making devices and methods for the temperature adjustment of a heating element, and/or opening new design fields. Such objects, and possible other ones, which will be clearer in the course of the following description, are substantially reached by a device for the temperature adjustment of a heating element and a method for the temperature adjustment of a heating element according to one or more of the enclosed claims, each of which taken separately (without the relative dependences) or in any combination with the other claims, as well as according to the following aspects and/or embodiments, combined in various ways, also with the aforesaid claims.

In a first aspect thereof, the invention relates to a device for the temperature adjustment of a heating element, comprising:

- a body of the device, configured to be associated with or mounted on a conduit carrying fluid to the inlet of a heating element, in particular of a radiator, the body being provided with an interception zone (3) destined to be placed in fluid communication with said conduit, so that the device can adjust the flow of fluid passing inside said conduit;

- a valve element at least partially housed inside the body and operatively active in said interception zone, said valve element being configured to operate in a plurality of operating configurations to vary the flow rate of fluid crossing said interception zone.

In one aspect, said valve element comprises a thermostatic valve (or "thermostatically-controlled” valve, in accordance with the terminology employed in the technical field of reference) provided with a shutter that is axially movable and configured to move closer and further away, along a translation direction, with respect to a passage section defined in said interception zone, so as to vary said flow rate of fluid crossing said interception zone according to said plurality of operating configurations.

In one aspect the thermostatic valve, or more generally the device, comprises a temperature-sensitive thermostat, said thermostat being configured to vary its size according to the temperature perceived thereby, said thermostat being associated with or constrained to said shutter for moving it along said translation direction.

In one aspect the device comprises an actuator, operatively arranged upstream of said thermostatic valve and in series with respect thereto, said actuator being active on said thermostat for moving it selectively along said translation direction, determining a corresponding movement of said shutter.

In one aspect, the actuator is active on the thermostat for moving it selectively, along the translation direction, based on the value of a reference temperature at which the device can be configured.

According to a different formulation, the present invention relates to a device for the temperature adjustment of a heating element, comprising:

- a body of the device, configured for being associated with a conduit carrying fluid to the inlet of a heating element, the body being provided with an interception zone destined to be placed in fluid communication with said conduit;

- a valve element at least partially housed inside the body and operatively active in said interception zone; in which the valve element comprises a thermostatic valve (or thermostatically-controlled valve) provided with a shutter that is axially movable and configured to move closer and further away, along a translation direction, with respect to a passage section defined in the interception zone, so as to vary the flow rate of fluid crossing the interception zone according to a plurality of operating configurations,

and in which the thermostatic valve comprises a temperature-sensitive thermostat, said thermostat being configured to vary its size according to the temperature perceived thereby, said thermostat being associated with or constrained to the shutter for moving it along said translation direction,

the device further comprising an actuator, operatively arranged upstream of the thermostatic valve and in series with respect thereto, said actuator being active on the thermostat for moving it selectively along the translation direction, determining a corresponding movement of said shutter.

According to a further formulation, the present invention relates to a device for the temperature adjustment of a heating element, comprising:

- a body of the device, to be associated with a conduit carrying fluid to the inlet of a heating element;

- a valve element at least partially housed inside the body and comprises a thermostatic valve (or thermostatically-controlled valve) provided with a shutter that is axially movable along a translation direction to vary the flow rate of fluid in the conduit;

- a thermostat, capable of varying its size according to the temperature perceived thereby, associated with or constrained to the shutter for moving it along said translation direction;

- an actuator, arranged upstream of the thermostatic valve and in series with respect to the thermostat, said actuator being active on the thermostat for moving it selectively along the translation direction, determining a corresponding movement of said shutter.

In substance, the device of the present invention is characterized by a structure in which an actuator and a thermostat, arranged in series so that the actuator is active on the thermostat, are mounted on a thermostatically-controlled valve, in turn mountable on the heating element.

In one aspect the actuator is at least partially housed inside the body or associated with the body.

In one aspect the thermostat is directly active on said shutter for moving it along said translation direction.

In one aspect the actuator is directly active on said thermostat for moving it entirely and integrally along said translation direction.

In one aspect the selective activation of said actuator determines a movement of the thermostat along said translation direction, and a corresponding movement of the shutter, by a value equal to a first translation along said translation direction, said first translation being able to be towards, or away from, said passage section.

In one aspect the variation of the size of the thermostat determines a movement of the shutter by a value equal to a second translation along said translation direction, said second translation being able to be towards, or away from, said passage section.

In one aspect the position of the shutter with respect to the passage section is a combination of the contribution of the movement imparted by the actuator to the thermostat, equal to said first translation, and of the contribution of the movement imparted by the thermostat to the shutter, equal to said second translation. In one aspect the position of the shutter with respect to the passage section is determined by the algebraic sum (i.e. with sign) of the values of said first translation and said second translation.

In one aspect the values of said first translation and said second translation are independent from each other. In one aspect the movement of the shutter by the thermostat and the movement of the thermostat by the actuator are independent from each other.

In one aspect the device comprises a processing unit configured at least to manage the operation of said actuator and for setting the value of said reference temperature.

In one aspect the processing unit is configured to activate the actuator so as to position the thermostat in a determined reference position along said translation direction, determining a corresponding movement of the shutter by a value equal to said first translation, said reference position being a function of the value of said reference temperature.

In one aspect the processing unit is configured to selectively activate the actuator at each change of said reference temperature, consequently modifying said reference position of the thermostat along said translation direction.

In one aspect said thermostat is configured to vary its size, determining a corresponding movement of the shutter by a value equal to said second translation, starting from said reference position into which it is brought by the actuator based on said reference temperature.

In one aspect the thermostat is configured to vary its size, adjusting and modulating the position of the shutter, so as to track and/or maintain constant said reference temperature.

In one aspect the thermostat is configured to continuously vary its size so as to find a balance point that minimizes, or cancels, the difference between the temperature perceived by the thermostat and the aforesaid reference temperature and/or the flow rate of fluid crossing the interception zone.

In one aspect the device comprises at least one temperature sensor configured to detect the real temperature in the environment in which the device is installed and to communicate with said processing unit and make available to the processing unit the value of said real temperature.

In one aspect the processing unit is configured to modify said reference position (i.e. the value of said first translation) so as to minimize, or cancel, the difference between the value of said reference temperature and the value of said real temperature (detected by said temperature sensor).

In one aspect the device comprises data entry members, configured to communicate with said processing unit and for selecting at least said reference temperature.

In an independent aspect thereof, the present invention regards a heating element, for example a radiator, comprising at least one device for the temperature adjustment according to one or more of the above aspects and/or one or more of the claims.

In one aspect the heating element comprises a heating body destined to be placed in an environment for performing the heating of such environment, said heating body being provided with an inlet conduit, destined to be fluidically connected with a source of high-temperature fluid in order to receive high-temperature fluid therefrom. In one aspect the body of the device is mounted on said inlet conduit so that said interception zone is placed in fluid communication with said conduit, and the device can adjust the flow rate of fluid entering into said heating body.

In an independent aspect thereof, the present invention relates to a thermal plant comprising a device according to one or more of the above aspects.

In an independent aspect thereof, the present invention relates to a method for the adjustment of a heating element, comprising the steps of:

- arranging a heating element, e.g. a radiator, a heater or a convector heater, provided with a heating body destined to be placed in an environment for performing the heating of such environment, said heating body being provided with an inlet conduit, destined to be fluidically connected with a source of high-temperature fluid in order to receive high-temperature fluid therefrom;

- arranging at least one device for the temperature adjustment of a heating element according to one or more of the above aspects and/or one or more of the claims.

In one aspect the method comprises the step of installing said device on the heating element, by mounting the body of the device on said inlet conduit, so that said interception zone is placed in fluid communication with said conduit.

In one aspect the method comprises the step of continuously adjusting the flow rate of fluid entering into said heating body.

In one aspect, said step of adjusting comprises the step of selectively activating said actuator in order to determine a movement of the thermostat along the translation direction, and a corresponding movement of the shutter, by a value equal to a first translation along the translation direction, said first translation being able to be towards, or away from, said passage section.

In one aspect, said step of adjusting comprises the step of varying the size of the thermostat, according to the temperature perceived thereby, in order to determine a movement of the shutter by a value equal to a second translation along the translation direction, said second translation being able to be towards, or away from, said passage section.

In one aspect, in said step of adjusting, the position of the shutter with respect to the passage section is a combination of the contribution of the movement imparted by the actuator to the thermostat, equal to said first translation, and of the contribution of the movement imparted by the thermostat to the shutter, equal to said second translation.

In one aspect, in said step of continuously adjusting the flow rate of fluid, the position of the shutter with respect to the passage section is determined by the algebraic sum (i.e. with sign) of the values of said first translation and said second translation.

In one aspect, in said step of selectively activating said actuator, the processing unit is configured to activate the actuator so as to position the thermostat in a determined reference position along said translation direction, determining a corresponding movement of the shutter by a value equal to said first translation, said reference position being a function of the value of said reference temperature. In one aspect said step of selectively activating said actuator is performed at each change of the value of said reference temperature, so that the processing unit selectively activates the actuator in order to consequently modify, as a function of the new reference temperature, the reference position of the thermostat along the translation direction.

In one aspect, in said step of varying the size of the thermostat, the thermostat is configured to vary its size, determining a corresponding movement of the shutter by a value equal to said second translation, starting from said reference position into which it is brought by the actuator based on said reference temperature.

In one aspect, said step of varying the size of the thermostat provides that the thermostat varies its size, adjusting and modulating the position of the shutter, so as to track and/or maintain constant said reference temperature.

In one aspect, said step of varying the size of the thermostat occurs continuously so as to find a balance point that minimizes, or cancels, the difference between the temperature perceived by the thermostat and the aforesaid reference temperature.

In one aspect the method comprises a step of detecting the real temperature in the environment in which the device is installed, by means of a temperature sensor, and communicating with said processing unit and make available to the processing unit the value of said real temperature.

In one aspect the method comprises a step of setting and storing, on a storage medium of the device, a time- temperature curve, comprising a desired trend, over time, of the value of the reference temperature, in which said time-temperature curve is defined by a series of pairs of reference temperature-time values, and in which said step of selectively activating said actuator is performed, at each time, so as to bring the thermostat into the reference position corresponding to the respective reference temperature.

In one aspect said step of setting the value of said reference temperature and/or said step of setting and storing one or more pairs of reference temperature-time values (defining said time-temperature curve) are performed by means of data entry members configured to communicate with said processing unit.

In one aspect the step of setting and storing, on a storage medium of the device, a series of pairs of reference temperature-time values, determines the operation of the device as timed thermostat.

In one aspect said step of setting the value of said reference temperature and/or said step of setting and storing one or more pairs of reference temperature-time values is remotely performed.

Each of the aforesaid aspects of the invention can be taken separately or in combination with any one of the claims or of the other described aspects.

Further characteristics and advantages will be clearer from the detailed description of several embodiments, also including a preferred embodiment, which are given as a non-limiting example of a device and a method for the temperature adjustment of a heating element in accordance with the present invention. Such description will be set forth hereinbelow with reference to the enclosed drawings, provided only as a non limiting example, in which:

- figure 1 schematically illustrates the structure of a possible embodiment of a device for the temperature adjustment of a heating element according to the present invention; - figure 2 illustrates, by means of a schematic diagram, a possible embodiment of a method for the temperature adjustment of a heating element according to the present invention.

With reference to the abovementioned figures, reference number 1 overall indicates a device for the temperature adjustment of a heating element in accordance with the present invention. In general, the same reference number is used for equivalent or similar elements, possibly in embodiment variants thereof.

Figure 1 schematically shows the structure, or architecture, of a possible embodiment of a device 1 in accordance with the present invention, destined to be associated with a heating element forming part of a heating plant and placed in a room or setting.

First of all, the heating element (not shown, since of known type) - to which the device 1 is destined to be mounted - can be a radiator, a heater, a convector heater, or the like.

In figure 1 the device 1 is schematically illustrated, with its components represented as functional blocks. Preferably such components are - separately - per se known in the technical field of the present invention, and therefore are not depicted or described in a detailed manner.

The device 1 first of all comprises a body 2, configured to be associated with or mounted on a conduit (schematically indicated with the number 50) carrying fluid to the inlet of a heating element; the body is provided with an interception zone 3 destined to be placed in fluid communication with the conduit, so that the device can adjust the flow of fluid passing inside the conduit.

In general, in the scope of the present description, with the term "fluid” it is identified high-temperature water, i.e. water provided by a boiler or the like or circulating in a high-temperature plant (e.g. at a temperature on the order of about 60-80 degrees centigrade).

The device comprises a valve element housed inside the body 2 and operatively active in the interception zone 3; such valve element can operate in a plurality of operating configurations in order to vary the flow rate of fluid crossing the interception zone 3.

The valve element comprises a thermostatic valve (or "thermostatically-controlled” valve) 10 provided with a shutter 15 that is axially movable and capable of moving closer and away, along a translation direction "X”, with respect to a passage section defined in the interception zone 3, so as to vary said flow rate of fluid crossing the interception zone according to the aforesaid plurality of operating configurations. The shape and the size of the interception zone 3 and of the passage section, as well as of the shutter 15, can vary based on the requirements and on the plant type, as usually occurs in the field of valves for water or thermosanitary plants.

The thermostatic valve 10 comprises a temperature-sensitive thermostat 11, configured to vary its size according to the temperature perceived thereby. Such thermostat 11 is associated with or constrained (preferably rendering it integral) to the shutter 15 for moving it along the translation direction X. Such movement of the shutter is a consequence of the size variation of the thermostat, with which the shutter is associated. The device 1 also comprises an actuator 20, operatively arranged upstream of the thermostatic valve 10 and in series with respect thereto. Such actuator 20 is active on the thermostat 11 in order to move it selectively along the translation direction X, determining a corresponding movement of the shutter 15.

Preferably the thermostat 11 is associated with the shutter 15 in order to move it, along the translation direction X, so that the variation of the flow rate determined by the movement of the shutter is a function of the temperature difference between the temperature perceived by the thermostat and a reference temperature at which the device can be configured.

Preferably also the actuator 20 is active on the thermostat for moving it selectively, along the translation direction, based on the value of the aforesaid reference temperature at which the device can be configured. The technical significance and the role of the configuration of the "reference temperature” will be explained in detail hereinbelow.

It is observed that with the actuator "operatively arranged upstream” of the thermostatic valve it is intended to signify that the actuator is arranged, with respect to the thermostatic valve and to the thermostat, on the opposite side with respect to the shutter and to the interception zone.

It is also observed that with the actuator "in series” with the thermostatic valve it is intended to signify that the actuator is arranged along a serial chain of elements that comprises the actuator 20, the thermostat 11, the shutter 15, the interception zone 3. In other words, the device provides for a series arrangement of the elements, in accordance with the following sequence of elements: actuator, thermostat, shutter.

Preferably the actuator 20 is at least partially housed inside the body 2 or is associated with the body.

Preferably the thermostat 11 is directly active on the shutter 15 for moving it along the translation direction X. Preferably the actuator 20 is, in turn, directly active on the thermostat 11 in order to move it entirely and integrally along the translation direction X.

The device 1 is configured so that the selective activation of the actuator 20 determines a movement of the thermostat along the translation direction X, and a corresponding movement of the shutter 15, by a value equal to a "first translation” along the translation direction X; such first translation can be towards, or away from, said passage section.

Preferably the value of the first translation is a function of the value of said reference temperature.

In the scope of the present invention, with the expression "as a function of it can be intended "proportionally to” or "in a manner correlated to”.

Preferably, the variation of the size of the thermostat 11 determines a movement of the shutter 15 by a value equal to a "second translation” along the translation direction X; such second translation can be - in turn - towards or away from said passage section.

Therefore, the position of the shutter 15 with respect to the passage section is preferably a combination of the contribution of the movement imparted by the actuator 20 to the thermostatl 1 , equal to said first translation, and of the contribution of the movement imparted by the thermostat 11 to the shutter 15, equal to said second translation. It is observed that the contribution of the first translation, determined by the actuator, is of indirect type, since the actuator acts on the thermostat which in turn acts on the shutter, while the contribution of the second translation, determined by the thermostat, is of direct type, since the thermostat is directly active on the shutter. Preferably, by virtue of the aforesaid series arrangement of the elements, there is no contact or direct interaction between the actuator 20 and the shutter 15.

Preferably the position of the shutter 15 with respect to the passage section is determined by the algebraic sum (i.e. the sum with sign) of the values of the first translation and of the second translation. Preferably the values of the first translation and of the second translation are independent from each other.

Preferably the variation of the size of the thermostat and the selective activation of the actuator are independent from each other (as will be further illustrated hereinbelow). Preferably the movement of the shutter by the thermostat and the movement of the thermostat by the actuator are independent from each other.

Preferably the actuator 20 is an electric motor or a solenoid actuator, configured to impart a translation to the thermostat 11 along the translation direction X.

In a possible embodiment, the electric motor is of rotary type and comprises a transmission from rotary motion to translational motion connected to the thermostat; the rotary electric motor is configured so that a rotation thereof corresponds with a translation of the thermostat.

In an alternative embodiment, the electric motor is of linear type and is configured so that an actuation thereof corresponds with a translation of the thermostat.

Preferably the aforesaid plurality of operating configurations comprises at least one maximum opening configuration, in which the flow rate of fluid passing inside the conduit is maximum, and a closed configuration, corresponding to a condition in which the temperature detected or perceived by the thermostat is equal to or greater than the aforesaid reference temperature.

In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a processing unit 30 configured at least to manage the operation of the actuator and for setting the value of the reference temperature. More preferably, the processing unit is configured for managing the operation of the entire device.

Preferably the processing unit 30 is configured to activate the actuator 20 so as to position the thermostat 11 in a determined reference position along the translation direction X, determining a corresponding movement of the shutter 15 by a value equal to the first translation; the reference position is a function of the value of the reference temperature.

Preferably the processing unit 30 is configured to selectively activate the actuator at each change of the value of the reference temperature, consequently modifying the reference position of the thermostat along the translation direction X.

Preferably the thermostat 11 is configured to vary its size, determining a corresponding movement of the shutter by a value equal to the second translation, starting from the reference position into which it is brought by the actuator based on the reference temperature.

In substance, in addition to the action of the actuator, which constitutes a first contribution to the positioning of the shutter decided by the processing unit, the thermostat intervenes to add - or subtract - a second contribution to the positioning of the shutter, based on the temperature detected by the thermostat. Preferably the thermostat 11 is configured to vary its size, adjusting and modulating the position of the shutter 15, so as to track and/or maintain constant the reference temperature.

In other words, the thermostat is configured to continuously vary its size (i.e. in an analog manner) so as to find a balance point that minimizes, or better yet cancels, the difference between the temperature perceived by the thermostat and the aforesaid reference temperature and/or the flow rate of fluid crossing the interception zone.

Preferably the shutter 15, by virtue of the operation of the thermostat, moves closer to the passage section as the difference between the temperature perceived by the thermostat and the reference temperature decreases, decreasing the flow rate, and moves away from the passage section as the difference between the temperature perceived by the thermostat and the reference temperature increases, increasing the flow rate. Preferably, the device comprises at least one temperature sensor 35 configured to detect the real temperature in the environment in which the device is installed and to communicate with the processing unit 30 and make available to the processing unit the value of said real temperature.

Preferably the aforesaid reference temperature (based on which the operation of the device is set) corresponds with the temperature desired for the environment in which the device is installed (and the relative radiant element on which the device is mounted).

Preferably the processing unit 30 is configured to modify the aforesaid reference position (i.e. the value of the first translation) so as to minimize, or cancel, the difference between the value of said reference temperature and the value of said real temperature (detected by the temperature sensor).

Preferably the processing unit 30 comprises a storage medium on which a series of pairs of "reference temperature-reference position” values is stored, wherein each pair of values defines the reference position attributed by the actuator to the thermostat, along the translation direction X, i.e. the movement of the shutter 15 equal to the first translation, based on a specific reference temperature.

Preferably the processing unit 30 is configured to modify the value of the reference position in one or more of the pairs of reference temperature-reference position values based on the difference between the value of the reference temperature, determined once the thermostat 11 is positioned in the reference position and once a thermostatic balance is attained, and the value of the real temperature, detected by the temperature sensor 35, in which the reference position is displaced - along the translation direction X - closer to the passage section by an amount proportional to the aforesaid difference, if the difference is a value with a negative sign, or away from the passage section by an amount proportional to the aforesaid difference, if the difference is a value with a positive sign.

Preferably the series of pairs of reference temperature-reference position values, stored on the storage medium, defines a curve of the reference positions as a function of the reference temperatures.

Preferably the processing unit 30 is configured for rescaling the values of the reference positions, of the curve of the reference positions as a function of the reference temperature, of a correction factor proportional to the difference between the value of the reference temperature, determined once the thermostat 11 is positioned in the reference position and once a thermostatic balance is reached, and the value of the real temperature, detected by the temperature sensor 35, in which the correction factor is greater than one if said difference is a value with a negative sign, or smaller than one if the difference is a value with a positive sign, in which the rescaling corresponds with a multiplication operation of each value of reference position for the correction factor. The rescaling can consist of a "translation” of the entire curve of the reference positions as a function of the reference temperatures.

In substance the processing unit 30 is configured for correcting the values of the reference positions based on the variance between the reference temperatures and the real temperatures measured during use, attaining a self-learning or self-calibration function.

It is in any case observed that the device is capable of operating even without a temperature sensor (i.e. even without knowing the real temperature), only on the basis of the reference temperature.

Preferably the processing unit 30 is configured to allow the setting and the storing, on the storage medium of the device, of a "time-temperature” curve, comprising a desired trend, over time, of the value of the reference temperature.

Preferably the time-temperature curve comprises a series of pairs of "reference temperature-time” values, and the processing unit 30 is configured to activate the actuator 20, at each time, so as to bring the thermostat 11 into the reference position corresponding with the respective reference temperature.

Preferably the device comprises data entry members 40, configured to communicate with the processing unit and to select at least the reference temperature, or possibly also for setting the aforesaid "time-temperature” curve.

Preferably the data entry members 40 comprise a display and/or a keyboard associated with the body of the device.

Preferably the keyboard is configured to allow a user to manage the operation of the device, for example in order to insert data relative to the thermoregulation and/or for displaying information on the display.

Alternatively, the data entry members 40 can be distinct and separated from the body of the device and are configured for communicating remotely with the processing unit. In such case, the data entry members comprise wireless communication means, e.g. a radio, wireless or Bluetooth communication module.

In one possible embodiment, the data entry members comprise a software configured for remotely communicating with the processing unit, e.g. a software configured to operate on a remote communication device such as a mobile phone.

Preferably the processing unit comprises means for communicating with an external programming unit of the device, e.g. a thermostat or a timed thermostat.

Preferably the temperature sensor 35 is a temperature probe of resistive type or a thermocouple.

The temperature sensor 35 is provided with connection means which allow the communication thereof with the processing unit. Such connection means can comprise a wire or a communication unit of wireless type. Preferably the device comprises a battery, which allows the autonomous electrical power supply thereof without requiring a connection to the power grid. Preferably the battery is configured for power supplying the processing unit 30 and the actuator 20, and possibly also the temperature sensor 35 and/or the data entry members 40. Preferably the battery is of replaceable and/or rechargeable type.

Preferably the thermostat 11 is of liquid, wax, gas or plate type.

With regard to the operation of only the thermostat 11 , this - in accordance with types of thermostats known in the technical field - is lengthened with the increase of the perceived temperature, bringing the shutter closer to the passage section, and is shortened with the decrease of the perceived temperature, bringing the shutter away from the passage section.

Preferably the shutter is abutted against the passage section when the valve element is brought into closed configuration.

Preferably the shutter has a substantially discoid or annular shape.

Preferably the shutter has a lower surface, directed towards the passage section defined in the interception zone and preferably having a circular crown shape, and an upper surface, opposite the lower surface.

Preferably the lower surface moves away from the passage section during shortening of the thermostat, it moves closer to the passage section during the lengthening of the thermostat, and it abuts against a perimeter surface, preferably with annular shape, of the passage section when the valve element is brought into closed configuration.

Hereinbelow, the method is described for adjusting a heating element according to the present invention. Such method can preferably but not exclusively be implemented by means of a device 1 of the above- described type. In such case, the method can coincide with the operating mode of the device 1.

The schematic diagram of figure 2 is observed, in which the various steps of the method are indicated (with suitable reference letters) as well as the interactions with the different components of the device 1 which allow the execution of the method.

The method of the present invention comprises the steps of:

- (step A) arranging a heating element, provided with a heating body, destined to be placed in an environment for performing the heating of such environment, where the heating body is provided with an inlet conduit, destined to be fluidically connected with a source of heating fluid in order to receive therefrom a flow of heating fluid;

- (step B) arranging a device 1 , preferably of the above-described type;

- (step C) installing the device 1 on the heating element, by mounting the body 2 of the device on the inlet conduit 50 so that the interception zone 3 is placed in fluid communication with the conduit 50;

- (step D) continuously adjusting the flow rate of fluid entering into the heating body.

In more detail, the adjusting step (D) comprises the steps of:

- selectively activating the actuator 20 in order to determine a movement of the thermostat 11 along the translation direction X, and a corresponding movement of the shutter 15, by a value equal to a first translation along the translation direction, such first translation being able to be towards, or away from, said passage section; - varying the size of the thermostat 11, according to the temperature perceived thereby, in order to determine a movement of the shutter 15 by a value equal to a second translation along the translation direction, such second translation being able to be towards, or away from, said passage section.

Preferably, as already illustrated above, the position of the shutter 15 with respect to the passage section is a combination of the contribution of the movement imparted by the actuator 20 to the thermostat 11, equal to the first translation, and of the contribution of the movement imparted by the thermostat 11 to the shutter 15, equal to the second translation.

Preferably, in the step of continuously adjusting the flow rate of fluid, the position of the shutter 15 with respect to the passage section is determined by the algebraic sum (i.e. with sign) of the values of the first translation and of the second translation.

Preferably the steps of selectively activating the actuator 20 and varying the size of the thermostat 11 are independent from each other and can occur simultaneously or at different moments.

Preferably the step of varying the size of the thermostat 11 occurs as a consequence of the physical characteristics of the thermostat, i.e. autonomously according to the temperature perceived thereby.

Preferably the movement of the shutter 15 by the thermostat 11 and the movement of the thermostat 11 by the actuator 20 are independent from each other.

Preferably the method comprises a step of setting the value of the reference temperature in the processing unit.

Preferably, in the step of selectively activating the actuator 20, the processing unit 30 is configured to activate the actuator so as to position the thermostat 11 in a determined reference position along the translation direction X, determining a corresponding movement of the shutter 15 by a value equal to the first translation, such reference position being a function of the value of the reference temperature.

Preferably the step of selectively activating the actuator 20 is performed at each modification of the value of the reference temperature, so that the processing unit 30 selectively activates the actuator 20 in order to consequently modify, as a function of the new reference temperature, the reference position of the thermostat 11 along the translation direction X.

Preferably, in the step of varying the size of the thermostat, the thermostat 11 is configured to vary its size, determining a corresponding movement of the shutter 15 by a value equal to the second translation, starting from the reference position into which it is brought by the actuator 20 based on the reference temperature. Preferably, the step of varying the size of the thermostat 11 provides that the thermostat varies its size, adjusting and modulating the position of the shutter 15, so as to track and/or maintain constant the reference temperature.

Preferably, the step of varying the size of the thermostat 11 continuously occurs (i.e. in an analog manner) so as to find a balance point that minimizes, or better yet cancels, the difference between the temperature perceived by the thermostat and the aforesaid reference temperature.

In substance, the processing unit 30 acts on the actuator 20, actuating it so as to move the thermostat 11 in a controlled manner, while the thermostat 11 autonomously functions with regard to the variation of its size. Preferably the step of selectively activating the actuator occurs, at each setting or modification of the reference temperature, prior to the step of varying the size of the thermostat.

Preferably the method comprises a step of detecting the real temperature in the environment in which the device is installed, by means of a temperature sensor 35, and communicating with the processing unit 30 and making available to the processing unit the value of the real temperature.

Preferably the method comprises a step of self-learning (or self-calibration), in which the processing unit 30 modifies the reference position (i.e. the value of the first translation) so as to minimize, or cancel, the difference between the value of the reference temperature and the value of the real temperature (detected by the temperature sensor).

Preferably the processing unit 30 comprises a storage medium on which a series of pairs of "reference temperature-reference position” values are stored, in which each pair of values defines the reference position attributed by the actuator to the thermostat, along the translation direction, i.e. the movement of the shutter equal to the first translation, based on a specific reference temperature, and the self-learning (or self calibration) step comprises a step of modifying, by means of the processing unit, the value of the reference position in one or more of said pairs of reference temperature-reference position values based on the difference between the value of the reference temperature, determined once the thermostat is positioned in the reference position and a thermostatic balance has been reached, and the value of the real temperature, detected by the temperature sensor, in which the reference position is moved - along the translation direction - closer to the passage section by an amount proportional to the aforesaid difference, if the difference is a value with a negative sign, or away from the passage section by an amount proportional to the aforesaid difference, if the difference is a value with a positive sign.

Preferably the series of pairs of "reference temperature-reference position” values, stored on the storage medium, defines a predefined curve of the reference positions as a function of the reference temperatures, and the self-learning (or self-calibration) step comprises a step of rescaling, by means of the processing unit, the values of the reference positions, of the predefined curve, by a correction factor proportional to the difference between the reference temperature value, determined once the thermostat is positioned in the reference position and a thermostatic balance is attained, and the real temperature value, detected by the temperature sensor, in which the correction factor is greater than one if the difference is a value with a negative sign, or smaller than one if the difference is a value with a positive sign, in which the rescaling corresponds with a multiplication operation of each value of reference position for said correction factor. Preferably the method comprises a step of setting and storing, on a storage medium of the device, a "time- temperature curve”, comprising a desired trend, over time, of the value of the reference temperature, in which the time-temperature curve is defined by a series of pairs of values "reference temperature-time”, and in which the step of selectively activating the actuator is performed, at each time, so as to bring the thermostat into the reference position corresponding to the respective reference temperature. Preferably the step of setting the value of the reference temperature and/or the step of setting and storing one or more pairs of reference temperature-time values (defining the time-temperature curve) are performed by means of the aforesaid data entry members.

It is observed that the step of setting and storing, on a storage medium of the device, a series of pairs of reference temperature-time values, determines the operation of the device as a timed thermostat.

The step of setting the value of the reference temperature and/or the step of setting and storing one or more pairs of reference temperature-time values can be remotely performed.

From the above description, it is possible to state that the device of the present invention is capable of coupling and combining together the function performed by the thermostat and the function performed by the actuator, so as to obtain a valve device capable of adjusting, with modes more evolved/improved with respect to the prior art, the temperature of a heating element.

The device 1, which provides for the use of a "motorized" thermostat upstream of an actuator, operates - in substance - in the following manner:

- the reference temperature is set, typically corresponding to the temperature desired for the environment where the heating element is situated;

- the actuator brings the thermostat into a determined reference position (correlated with the value set for the reference temperature); in such position the thermostat in turn brings the shutter to be situated in a position, with respect to the passage section, close to a correct position which allows obtaining, in the environment, the desired temperature;

- at this point the thermostat, already moved by the actuator, autonomously varies its size according to the temperature perceived thereby, further moving the shutter, in order to reach - in operating conditions - a situation of thermodynamic equilibrium that minimizes, or cancels, the difference between the temperature perceived thereby and the reference temperature.

Typically, the size of the movement imparted by the actuator (to the thermostat) at each setting of the reference temperature - i.e. the first translation - has a greater amplitude with respect to the movement imparted by the thermostat to the shutter - i.e. the second translation - for reaching the balance point.

In summary, a first "set” function, i.e. the first positioning of the actuator, which occurs with each setting or change of the reference temperature, is carried out by the actuator, while a second function of modulation/control/maintenance of the temperature is performed by the thermostat.

The first function, performed by the actuator, is activated at each change of reference temperature (change of set-point), at the setting of a temperature step at a determined time and, more generally, at each programming time of the device as a timed thermostat.

This allows using the actuator at each "temperature transition”, i.e. at each passage from a reference temperature to a new - different - reference temperature; this occurs for example in passing from day to night, in passing from the "eco” operation (i.e. energy-savings mode) to "comfort” operation (higher temperature at times in which the users are present in the environment). The entire remaining adjusting part (i.e. if temperature changes are not requested) is preferably entirely performed by only the thermostat, in an autonomous manner.

Preferably the actuator is exclusively activated in the changes of reference temperature (changes of set- point), while it does not intervene in the fine adjusting part of the position of the shutter (managed by the thermostat).

In other words, the device of the present invention allows "motorizing” the part of setting the reference temperature, and of managing in an analog manner, through a thermostat, the fine adjustment and the maintenance/tracking of the set temperature.

This allows obtaining a device in which, in normal use conditions - e.g. in a home - the actuator is activated a discrete number of times per day (e.g. only 3 or 4), at the changes of temperature set in the device as timed thermostat. Notwithstanding the limited work of the actuator, the intervention - in synergy - of the thermostat allows obtaining high performances in terms of precision of the temperature adjustment.

From the standpoint of the programming of the processing unit, it is observed that - for the purposes of the correct operation of the device - it is sufficient that a predefined curve of the reference positions is stored as a function of the reference temperatures, so that, based on the set temperature value, the processing unit knows how to activate the actuator and, hence, where to position the thermostat.

In order to make a practical example, it is assumed to set the reference temperature at 23°C: such temperature is made to correspond with a determined position of the thermostat (i.e. a determined "first translation” corresponds therewith) by the processing unit, based on the rules with which it was programmed,. From such position the thermostat starts to modulate (determining the "second translation” of the shutter) up to reaching the equilibrium.

In substance, the actuator can be controlled based on theoretical settings, with which the device is programmed, which bring the thermostat to operate starting from a determined position, i.e. starting from a determined distance from the passage opening of the interception zone of the fluid. From such position the thermostat can vary its size and hence modulate the position of the shutter. This determines, typically following a transient, the attainment of a balance position, which corresponds to a balance temperature (as close as possible to the set reference temperature).

At this point, if a temperature sensor (e.g. a temperature probe placed in the environment) is present, it is possible to obtain a measurement of the real temperature. Returning to the above example, the real temperature could for example be 24°C, i.e. a value different from the set reference temperature. In such case, the device can be configured to operate a "self-calibration”, or "self-learning”: in substance, the processing unit detects the difference between reference temperature and real temperature, and consequently operates a correction of the programmed "reference position” value, i.e. default, for the particular reference temperature (in the example 23°C). This signifies that the processing unit learns that in order to bring the particular environment in which it is installed to the temperature of 23°C, it must bring the thermostat into a reference position (associated with the 23°C reference temperature value) different from the previously set position, but corrected based on the real conditions (represented by the measured real temperature). The modification of the reference position to be attributed to a determined reference temperature corresponds with a modification of the value of "first translation” associated with such temperature, according to the above-described modes.

This characteristic of the device renders it suitable for autonomously correcting its operation based on the real operating conditions, i.e. based on the type of plant, on the type of heating element, on the environment characteristics (size, shape), etc..

The correction operated by the processing unit, based on the real temperature value made available by the temperature sensor, also allows overcoming proximity errors, typical of the prior art, due to the detection of a temperature close to the heating element, not representative of the actual conditions of heating attained in the installation environment.

It is observed that the (second) adjustment/modulation function is carried out autonomously by the thermostat (typically of analog type). Such function affects the typical operations of: slow approaching to the set temperature, reopening of the passage section if the temperature falls with respect to the set value (e.g. due to the opening of a window), maintenance of the temperature with suitable entrance of new hot water into the heating element, etc..

The operation of the device is schematized in the diagram of figure 2, in which is shown that the step D (continuously adjusting the flow rate of fluid) comprises the step of selectively activating the actuator (20) and the step of varying the size of the thermostat (11), where the step indicated with 20 is managed by the processing unit (30) which receives the setting data (reference temperature or pairs of time-temperature values, defining the "time-temperature curve”) from the data entry members (40) and the value of the real temperature from the temperature sensor (35).

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept, and the abovementioned components can be substituted by other technically equivalent elements.

The invention attains important advantages. First of all, as clearly emerges from the abovementioned description, the invention allows overcoming at least some of the drawbacks of the prior art.

The device of the present invention allows efficiently and precisely adjusting the temperature of a heating element, due to the combined action of the actuator and of the thermostat. In addition, the device allows adjusting the operation of the heating element so that the real temperature obtained in the installation environment is substantially equal to the temperature set by the user.

In addition, the device of the present invention is characterized by a control part and by an electronics that are considerably simplified with respect to the known prior art solutions. The device is capable of efficiently operating also with a structurally simple processing unit and a non-complex programming code.

This allows considerably reducing the structural and manufacturing complexity and production costs of the device, and this represents a great advantage and improvement with respect to the known solutions.

In addition, due to the division of the functions between actuator and thermostat, it is possible to operate - as explained above - with a limited intervention of the actuator (preferably only at the setting or at the change of the reference temperature); this allows considerably reducing the energy consumption of the device, since the most costly part from an energy standpoint (i.e. the actuation of the actuator) is performed a limited number of times. Indeed the device operates so that, once the value of set point has been set for the temperature and once the position of the thermostat has been set (with a single movement imparted by the actuator), the fine adjustment and the maintenance occur autonomously by the thermostat.

Therefore, the device of the present invention allows considerably lengthening the duration of the device battery, in particular with respect to the known solutions, typically afflicted by problems tied to the high energy consumption, with consequent continuous request of substitution of the batteries, recharging and personnel intervention. The device of the present invention thus requires less frequent substitution interventions or battery recharging.

In addition, the device of the present invention is characterized by a high operating reliability, by a lower predisposition to failure and malfunction and it can be maintained in a simple and quick manner.

In addition, the device of the present invention is also characterized by a high versatility and is capable of being adapted to a high number and type of different heating elements and environments.

Finally, the device of the present invention is characterized by a competitive cost and by a simple and rational structure.




 
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