The invention relates to the processing and energy storage system, which converts the energy from the so-called ground energy source, basing on the Carnot's circulation cycle, and stores it in a specifically designed energy storage called the Geo Battery.

In recent years, there has been an increased interest in heat pumps. This is caused by several reasons - rising prices of energy resources, reduction of harmful emissions and the environmentally friendly policy introduced by the provisions of the European Union. The rapid development in the field of renewable energy sources has resulted in the formation of new technologies. The recovery in the field of heat pumps has also been observed due to the relatively low cost of their utilisation.

The ground heat source may constitute any unit with relevant heat capacity and temperature enabling the coolant evaporation and constant operation. Such a unit, in the case of a refrigerator, is found in domestic refrigerator or air- condition systems in cars. There are many solutions to obtain ground heat source, among others and most commonly used are:

- the water-water systems

The use of surface or groundwater water ensures stable heat source for the heating systems based on the water-water heat pumps. Groundwater cannot be placed more than 20 m below the surface, cannot be stagnant and also must have an appropriate chemical composition providing good heat conduction. The temperature of ground water usually represents a steady range of 8-10°C, which ensures the pump being an efficient heat carrier.

The operation of such a pump requires two wells (or sometimes more), of which one enables an intake and the other one - the outlet. The heat pump intakes low-temperature water from the inlet well, compresses it, and subsequently distributes it throughout the heating system. Cooled water is pumped to the outlet well. It is possible to draw heat from surface waters available near buildings, with no need for special wells. However, such solution needs purification filters to clean the input water of contained impurities.

- The brine- water systems

"Earth heat" present in ground water is pumped by the heat pump. The heat pump distributes the heat present in ground waters. Even at the level of 1,5 m (ground freezing level) the soil maintains constant temperature of 0-8°C. While at the depth of 10m solar heat is stored. Interestingly, the temperature at this level is virtually constant, regardless of the season and amounts to approximately 10°C. However, at the depth of 20 m, the available heat comes from both the sun and from the internal earth warmth which makes it more stable. The heat pump extracts the available heat from the ground, using appropriate installations and compressors, and distributes it throughout heating systems. The heat pump can draw the heat from both shallow soil layers (with a horizontal or helical collector), as well as from deep layers (via vertically drilled wells). In both cases, the systems employ pipes filled with brine which maintains its liquid state and constant underground temperature between -2°C and +5°C The brine is a solution of water and glycol, so the ground pump is named - brine-water pump. Horizontal collectors comprise few hundred meters of PE pipes of 1 inch diameter, placed flatwise or in spirals at a depth of approx. 1.5 m-2 m below the ground surface (i.e. the ground freezing point). In total, the collector area should be several times larger than the housing area. Vertical loops are preferred for limited spaces and environments with unstable temperatures. Drilled wells take less space, however they reach between several dozen to 200m deep (depending on the number of wells). Vertical loops provide for better temperature stability - but they are more expensive. It is difficult to select the more beneficial solution. The decisive factor is the kind of soil in the available lot. The most efficient are wet, clay soils, the least efficient are dry sands. Clay soils represent better heat flux density. Dry sands are not recommended for geo-thermal systems as they represent three times worse heat flux density which demands more piping.

- The air-water systems

Air systems are not only easier to install but also the cheapest. They may be installed inside or outside a building. Ambient heat from air is blown via fan coil units inside a building or transferred into the CH system (radiators or underfloor heating systems). Regretfully, most of such pumps operate without support only down to the temperature of -15/ 20°C. Below such range, the pump must be supported with additional heating sources, such as an electric heater or an external heating boiler, as its efficiency diminishes over time. With even lower temperatures, the supportive sources overtake the function and the heat pump is automatically switched off. There are also air pumps which utilise the heat available inside a building. However, they have some limitations and are compatible only with air conditioning and DHW cylinders. The most important elements of heat pump systems operation and efficiency are type of pump, type of project and the ground heat source installation. Poor adjustment of ground heat source may result in the pump malfunctioning and, as a consequence, poor efficiency and low economy of energy consumption. The ground source should represent good of temperature stability and availability (the greatest problem for air systems in our climate).

Additionally, heat pumps are classified as follows:

- Compressor-type: the most common. They employ mechanical compressor as an operating device. Such solutions have advantages, such as simple design, high efficiency and portability. The disadvantage are their dependency on electricity and fast wearing of compressors parts.

- Absorption-type: using thermal compressors powered with heat. Absorption pumps are used in places where cheap heat sources are available or electricity is unavailable. They are mostly used in cooling systems. They represent lower efficiency in comparison with compressor-type pumps, but employ no mechanical elements which makes them more reliable.

- Thermo-electrical: they utilise the Seebeck phenomena. They are rarely used due to low efficiency. However, in certain environments, they are indispensable as they have many advantages. They are light-weight, operate noiselessly in all positions, can be designed in different sizes and do not require intermediary components.

Fig. 1 presents the operation of heat pump.

Scheme on Fig. 1 presents the operation of the heat pump. Operating medium is a chemical compound of normal boiling temperature between -50°C and +10°C - > coolant (refrigerant). Such pumps may operate under very low temperatures - provided that the heat volume from ground heat source (Qd) is sufficient to evaporate the chemical compound used (such process results in cooling the ground source which is used in refrigerators). The medium contained in overheated vapours is directed to the compressor, where its pressure and temperature are increased mechanically (Ls). Then, the medium is directed to the condenser and contacts the air heat source. It is most often the water in the CH system. As the water has a lower temperature, the heat is overtaken by the coolant (Qg) which results in condensation of moisture. The whole process occurs in constant temperature of the operating medium ( with temperature gain in the CH system). The cooled medium that returns to dryer and next to expansion valve, obtains the initial pressure and temperature values. Thermodynamic circuits are shown in T-s graphs (Temperature - specific entropy) or P-h (pressure - specific enthalpy).

The heat pump/cooler is a heat device operating under the principles of Carnot's ideal circulation. Comparing with fuel engine, it represents counterclockwise circulation. The circulation cycle involves the following sequence of processes:

• Isothermal expansion - the working medium takes the heat from heat source and is isothermally expanded in TH temperature.

· Adiabatic expansion - the working medium does not exchange the heat with environment, but it is expanded until reaching the cooler temperature(TL).

• Isothermal Compression - the working medium comes in contact with the cooler, exchanges the heat and is subjected to compression process under the obtained temperature(TL). The working medium exchanges the heat with the cooler.

• Adiabatic compression - the working medium does not exchange the heat with the environment, it is subjected to compression until reaching the temperature of the heat source(TH). Fig. 2 presents counter-clockwise Carnot circulation in the form of a T-s graph for the heat pump with dual, parallel circulations - cooling and heating ones. Each of them relates to relevant cooling and working mediums. Energy supplied to each of those circulations is the same - which is represented by Fig 2 field equal for both heating and cooling cycles. Such property makes the heat pumps, along with the accumulated energy, perfect for both air-condition and heating systems of buildings.

Fig. 2 applies the following symbols:

To - Boiling temperature of working medium

Tk - Condensation temperature of working medium

Qd - The heat exchanged in evaporator

Ls - Compressor energy

Qg - Qd+Ls - The heat exchanged in condenser

Efficiency of counter-clockwise circulations in heat-exchangers is calculated using the COP coefficient. Its values are different for the heat pump and refrigerator:

• £CH = Qd / Ls = To / (Tk-To) - refrigerator

• and: £PC = Qg / Ls = Tk / (Tk-To) = 1 + £CH - heat pump According to the above formulas, for theoretic Carnot circulation applies the proportionality of the energy and temperature Q ~ T. The smaller the difference is, the higher is the efficiency of devices. However, the temperature of the air hearing source must not be too high due to the requirements of oil used by mechanical compressors. For real devices, COP coefficient is 50% smaller, comparing with calculations of Carnot circulation. As a basic comparable, circulation for cooling devices/heat pumps, Linde circulation is taken into account. Linde circulation takes into account the properties of the cooling medium used.

Linde circulation in T-s and P-h version is shown in fig. 3, where:

1-2: Isentropic compression of steam (in fact, entropy increases slightly, which is shown as 2' in the graph).

2- 3: Cooling the overheated steam (at the constant Pk pressure in the condenser).

3- 4: Condensing of steam (at constant Pk pressure and constant temperature in the condenser). 4- 5: Isentropic throttling.

5- 1: Boiling (at constant Po pressure of steaming and constant To temperature).

The designed device substantially increases the efficiency of heat pumps. By storing the energy generated under the favourable conditions, the installation can be continuously used with benefits (without any additional external energy sources such as electric heaters or boilers).

The specific difference of the analysed structure is the connection used in heating installation between the buffer container and another container with energy storage space and. The entire system is supported by an innovative control system directing the refrigerant, depending on the existing temperature differences in the buffer tank and storage tank. The greatest efficiency is obtained when the buffer container is filled with water, while the storage container is filled with water or paraffin.

The aim of the control system operation is to obtain relevant energy/time ratio by generating devices as compared with power consumption in the generation process under a given load. Power gain is the difference between the generated and consumed power. In other words, it depends on the amount of energy generated in comparison to the energy employed. Additionally, the different control methods employed result in different volumes of energy obtained, enabling energy/time savings.

The control system triggers the energy transfer from the Geo Battery when energy cost is higher than predetermined value of the first limit by activating the reverse energy transfer. When the efficiency of the heat pump is less or equal to the value of the first limit and higher than the second limit, the heat pump is made to minimise the use of additional power.

The Control System sets such control parameters to allow for consuming less energy within a particular time span. The first condition is met when energy surplus is higher than predetermined limit for particular time. For this purpose, the Control System recognises the heat volume in the buffer container. The second condition is met when the heat volume in the buffer container is maintained within the set span.

Another vital factor for the Geo Battery is the ambient temperature, which influences the heat pump operation with the outlet temperature of hot water flowing from the buffer container through the heat exchanger and heating the cold water coming from the outside source or from the circulating water reservoir;

Control System tracks the ambient temperature changes and, depending on the differences between the ambient and buffer temperatures, triggers the circulation of water in the system. The Control System verifies the pre-set parameters of intake volume of energy used, the ambient temperature, the intake water temperature and the temperature of heated water. Input data is analysed along with the discrete algorithm values stored in the control table. The control parameters depend on the obtained intake information of linear interpolation compared with many parameters taken from the control table.

Cooling medium pipes connected to the steam pipe, situated under the surface, form the outside layer of geo-thermal heat exchanger.

The designed heating/cooling set-up enables keeping the higher heat level comparing to traditional solutions by the value of 3 to 7 degrees of Celsius. However, it needs an accumulator in the form of a specifically insulated underground container. The transfer of cooling medium to the energy storage container is performed via a specifically designed pipe system, with two compressor settings enabling optimal flow rate. The patent solution is aimed for small or large businesses like hotels, motels, office buildings etc. The universal value of the solution is the exceptional use of the ground heat source. No limitations. Any solution is acceptable. The installation demands sufficient space for accumulation container of the size adjusted to the target building size. Details: Energy demand

Efficiency

Type and kind of heating devices used.

Type of ground heat source

· Type of cooling medium

Apart from the device elements, the project employs innovative programming solutions enabling the control of measurement elements, readings and calculations of the input data. Employed software takes care of optimal use of available heat sources to minimise electric energy consumption necessary for the generation of necessary heat. It should be noted that the employed system of heat energy storage minimises the number of devices otherwise necessary in a building or its surrounding. It means saving space and costs in case of a heating system. Such a solution also minimises the size of necessary devices to generate the heat from the ground heat source. The heating system can be divided into the following elements representing specific function of the Geo Battery System:

Source heat may be freely used as per the description.

Steamer

Condenser

· Expansion Valve

Compressor

Buffer container

Ground heat source accumulator

Control System

· Piping system

Set-up, as per the patent, has been shown on execution examples on fig. 4-17. Fig 4 shows the operation scheme of the device. The energy processing and storing set-up includes several basic solutions. The accumulation container (8), buffer container (3), control element (4), for the control of pumps and valves. Further set-up elements are the expansion valve (7), compressor (6), heat exchanger (5) and heat source (9). The whole processing and storing set-up supplies the heating system (CH) (2) and hot water system. (1)

The whole system can be divided into two parts of different functions, shown in fig. 5

The principle of the heat pump - supply system set-up.

The heat pump (6) delivers hot water via the switching valve. The valve is controlled by a computer system. Depending on the control signal, the valve directs the hot water to the buffer container (3) or into the heater coil of the buffer container. The temperature inside the buffer container is measured in several zones:

• Upper buffer zone (10)

• Bottom buffer zone (11)

· Upper zone of heated water (13)

• Bottom zone of heated water (12)

Fig. 6 shows the zones of temperature measurements. Temperature sensors contain special resistors (A)

The heated water is pumped to CH system and hot water system. The hot water volume is controlled and measured by volume sensor.

The buffer container stores the heat which is not immediately required. Regardless of the storage tank temperature, the heating system obtains as much heat as is required in the heated rooms. Apart from the storage function, the container is functions as a hydraulic coupling at the same time. It maintains the required min. level of pump flow and proper system circulation. During no demand periods, the container eliminates the frequent use of pump, prolonging its usage lifetime.

The buffer container is loaded during CH surplus periods and unloaded during increased heat demand. The effective heat generation period is separated from the period of use. Required volume of heat is used at required times. The buffer container (of a required size) can be supplied by any heat source operating with optimal parameters. On the other hand, the heating system uses the heat as required. Example:

• The heat pump operates normally during cheaper tariff times: between 13:00 and 15:00 or 22:00 to 06:00. The heat surplus is stored in heat container and used as required during the normal tariff time.

• About 70% of the required heat comes from natural environment of soil (underground water), and in 30% it is delivered by electricity.

Long periods of pump inactivity and low frequency of compressor use prolong the life of such devices even to 50 years The installation is easy to handle. Control adjustment enables setting the required parameters

· Additional heaters may be easy included into the system; solar collectors or additional solid fuel burner.

Several conditions must be met to enable proper operation of buffer type installation:

• It must be properly designed and configured.

· The size of container must relate to the building size and the pump employed.

• The buffer container must enable storing the water of the highest temperature. • It must be properly insulated and placed in the a thermally insulated room.

• CH installation should be properly pressurised.

• CH installation with buffer container should be perfectly controlled (low heat inertia)

• CH radiators should be fully operative in a wide range of the heating water temperature.

The container is made of a steel cylinder closed on both sides. The central parts of side closings have G-2" connectors (the bottom one is for draining). The buffer container body may have several threaded connectors to connect other heat sources. Additional connectors are for thermometer, manometer and temperature sensors placed in different parts of the container (Fig. 6).

The principle of operation (ground heat source - heat pump)

As mentioned above, the heat source may be used in any way. Below are given the most efficient solutions:

• the air-water systems

• the ground-water systems

Intake pump continuously supplies the heat obtained from the source. The heat pump transfers the heat. Computer algorithms calculate the required heat volume and cumulate the required heat in the heat container with the use of special valves. The container should allow for relevant energy storage capacity to enable reaching the expected targets in respect of:

• building size

• the fife-time of heat pump. To enable greater efficiency of the solution, the proper piping system was designed for heat container. Fig. 7 presents the interior of the cumulative container - Geo Battery. Fig. 7) description: where:

8 - Geo Battery 14 - Heat control valve 15 - Cooled medium outlet

16 - The heat transfer piping

17 - Source heat outlet

18 - The piping system enabling Geo Battery loading.

The process of loading cumulative container shown in Fig. 8 · includes the phase of loading the cumulative container (Geo-Battery). • includes the phase of loading the cumulative container (Geo-Battery). includes the phase of loading the cumulative container (Geo-Battery).

If the current conditions result in heat surplus obtained with classic method, the computer control switches the system into the mode of loading the cumulative container. Part of the energy in this mode is directed to the cumulative container. It may be possible by opening and partial closing the control valves. The valve position controls the volume of heat. With known temperature and pressure, it is possible to calculate the amount of energy transferred. Fig. 9 presents the system of closed/open valves during loading. Fig. 9) description is presented below: where:

6 - heat pump

7 - expansion valve

8 - cumulative container - Geo Battery 9 - ground heat source 14 - The heat control valve

19 - mixing valve enabling closing the outlet

20 - mixing valve enabling closing the outlet 21 - throttle valve

22 - straightway valve

The heat pump (6) produces the heat. The computer system closes the throttle valve(21) partially and opens the straightway valve (22). This causes the surplus heat to be sent to the cumulative container (8). Lower container piping sends the heat to Geo-Battery. Through the mixing valve(19), used coolant is being mixed with the medium coming from the expansion valve (7) and passed to the standard ground heat source (9). The heated medium returns to heat pump. The whole cycle starts again.

The loading process is considered finished when particular condition of the container are met. When the heat surplus is accumulated while the heat container is fully loaded, the heat pump is switched off.

Unloading phase of cumulative container (Geo Battery).

It may occur that the volume of energy used in the process of heat production rises above the predetermined level of profitability. In such case, the computer switches the process into the mode of unloading the heat cumulated in Geo Battery. With the use of automatic valves, the ground heat source is partially transferred to the cumulative container. In such case, the heat from this source is added to the cumulated amount. Fig.10 presents the mechanism of heat flow through the devices of offered solution, Fig. 10) description: where: 6 - The heat pump

7 - Expansion valve

8 - Cumulative container - Geo Battery

9 - Ground heat source 14 - The heat control valve

19 - Mixing valve enabling closing the outlet

20 - Mixing valve enabling closing the outlet

21 - Throttle valve

22 - Straightway valve The used coolant is expanded in the expansion valve (7) . Next, it is transported to the mixing valve (19). Within the mixing valve, the coolant is divided into and forwarded along two paths

• the one leading to the ground heat source (9)

• and another leading to the cumulative container (8) Numerical Analysis (by means of computer) controls the volume of coolant directed into each path. After heating, the ground heating source paths are connected in the mixing valve (20). Cumulative container valves (14) are closed automatically which results in feeding the piping of upper part in the cumulative container. Due to the fact that the heat is gathered at the top of the container, the coolant effectively collects the heat cumulated there. The heated medium is directed towards the mixing valve (20) via the upper outlet. It should be noted that the medium is transported through the Geo Battery partially from the outlet of the whole pumping system. The volume of such flow is controlled by computer by controlling the following factors: · The heat demand • The heating potential of the standard ground heating source

• The ability to recover heat from the Geo Battery.

• Forecast of lower heat potential periods expected in the ground heating source.

5 The process of unloading is considered finished, when the heat recovery from the Geo Battery is not efficient. Another factor is the change in heat efficiency of the ground heating source. It may be possible, that within a particular period, the ground heating source efficiency is higher. In such cases, the mode is changed and the cumulative container is partially loaded.

10 The Geo Battery loading and unloading process is the dynamic one and changes in time, depending on the following factors:

• The heat demand regarding the designed structure

• Electric energy prices - tariff dependency. During the night tariff, the loading process is possible to be resumed

15 · The possibility of heat gain from all available ground heat sources.

Fig. 11 presents the arrangement of piping of loading and unloading systems in the Geo Battery. Fig. 11) description presented below: where:

8 - Cumulative container - the Geo Battery

20 14 - The valve controlling the type of container operation - Geo Battery unloading and loading phase

15 - Cooled (used) medium outlet

16 - Heat exchanging piping supply

17 - Ground heating source outlet

25 18 - The piping system enabling Geo Battery loading. 23 - The piping system enabling unloading the Geo Battery.

The control device components may be divided into three groups: sensor set, management module and control system. The management module (computer) performs a series of complex operations, like analysing, processing and calculating the functioning of devices reacting to provided external parameters delivered from the sensors and construction parameters of the building for which the system has been designed. Such tasks can be divided into three groups: a) Analysis and processing of external signals delivered from the temperature sensors for the coolant.

b) Analysis and processing of external signals delivered from the heat requirement sensors in the building.

c) Analysis of intake parameters, including the calculation of conditions to obtain the expected results.

d) The heat pump operation control.

e) Control of valves responsible for the phases of the system.

This five-parts process involves a series of highly innovative computer algorithms and efficiency of the solutions employed.

It should be noted that the process must be each time calibrated in respect of different requirements of particular buildings. Public buildings, hotels, motels or family houses represent different requirements.

The scheme (Fig. 12) of communication between particular algorithms of the management module, including classification, is shown in the information flow scheme below.

Analysis and processing of external signals and conversion of average measurements into module parameters.

The vital part of the whole Geo Battery system is the measuring systems. A measuring system is combined of several elements. The basic role in the measurement process is played by the sensor. It constitutes a physical system, where the selected y value is calculated by the function of the measured x value. The function may be shown in the form of a simple y = f(x) formula. The y property should be suitable for further processing into a useful measurement signal, while the f function should be, if possible, a linear one. The measurement sensor constitutes a primary transducer, which processes the measured value into another value suitable for direct determination (direct measurement) or transformation within the secondary transducer into another value (indirect measurement). The secondary signal transformations are required by all parameter sensors, however, most of the generating sensors must be supported with input signal amplifiers or (i) devices transforming the signal into, e.g. a standardised value. For this reason, practically all measurement sensors used for remote and automatic measurement are connected to the secondary transformation system and an indicator to form a measuring unit often called a measuring system. The measurement system placed in a single cover (possibly with external sensor) is called the measurement device.

The example of measurement unit is presented in Fig. 13.

The sensor (thermo-resistor) is placed in fluid duct chamber (measured medium) in the T temperature. Its Rx resistance is set according to R = f(T) measurement characteristics. The value of the resistance forms the primary signal which is subsequently transformed within the transducer into U Voltage - secondary measurement signal. After amplifying, the signal can be sent remotely to trigger the interior primary measurement device. The measured value is the function of temperature in the fluid duct. The measurement unit may be more complex in case of the necessity for changing the secondary signal (e.g. from electrical into pneumatic and vice versa), the changes of the signal (e.g. modulation or de-modulation, analogue- digital or digital- analogue processing), or performing mathematical calculation. Measurement systems (units) are combined of elements sending different signals to each other. In this case, the measurement signal constitutes a certain physical value, being the function of time and being a carrier of information on measured values. The signal with encoded information may be sent remotely and used to trigger an additional indicator of the value measured (remotely) or (i) automatic control system. The necessity of taking simultaneous measurements of multiple physical values found in modem technologies, fast information processing, analysing and correlating of signals, simplification of complex measurement units, and often remote corrections of measured processes (automation), were the grounds for development of so called measurement and regulation systems. Measurement and regulation system is the set of combined and mutually cooperating supportive measurement devices with predetermined functions, designed to collect, compare, register and process the information on measured physical values. Depending on the kind of energy used for sending measurement signals and being the carrier of signal, and depending on the kind of such signals, different block measurement and regulation systems are developed: sensor compounds, measurement transducers, amplifiers, mathematical elements, room units, regulators, actuators, indicators, DVRs etc. Standard signal use enables any combination of system elements to obtain very complicated measurement and regulation compounds. Cooperation of different systems is enabled by inter- system transducers.

In Analogue Systems the transformation of signals does not affect their continuous character, and measurement results are shown in the form of read or saved (most often including time) analogue signals. In digital systems, analogue signal is discreet (analogue-digital processing), where measurement results are shown in a digital form.

At present the following three measurement and regulation systems have obtained the greatest popularity: the analogue electrical system, the analogue pneumatic system and the digital electrical system. To a lesser degree, the mechanical signals, where forces are moved within limited distances with help of rods and levers, are used. Where substantial power is required (cranes and construction machinery, etc.) hydraulic solutions are employed with the use of hydraulic liquids. Future seems to favour the modulated, discreet optical signals - where very distant transfer is possible with very capacitive (and resistant to interferences) optic waveguides.

In case of measurement and regulation device for Geo Battery, the measurement and regulating analogue-electrical system has been employed. Analogue-electrical system uses DC voltage or current signals. Such signals may be easily sent to great distances, amplified, modulated, and mathematically transformed. The transfer is cheap. The use of modern, semiconducting integrated circuits enables great accuracy and reliability. The disadvantages of such system are: difficulties in case of powerful signals, interference sensitivity and possibility of sparking which poses an explosion hazard under certain circumstances. The most modern solutions in electrical systems are protected from sparking. Standardised and standard voltage and current signals of analogue-electrical systems represent the following ranges:

0... 5 mA O... 5 V, 0...20 mA 0...10 ,

4...20 mA l... 5 V. 4

The attention should be focused on the recommended and presently most commonly used 4...20 mA current signal, where it is possible to detect faulty condition in measurement devices or transferral lines, basing on the bottom range of changes in such signal.

The comparison of results with the table of optimal device management. Simulation of use the calculated output data. The management system of the sensor reading as well as based on other external information features the self-learning method. At the beginning, the system is parametrically optimised in relation to the building requirements, but it is obvious that such requirements may differ from those initially presumed. In relation to this, an innovative learning system has been implemented, basing on optimising the required energy used for the production of heat. Such a system is based on relatively new developments of science related to artificial neurone networks. Neurone networks are similar in their structure to the biological neurone networks. The principle of operation is shown in fig. 14 Adopting the relevant activation and its usefulness for particular purpose are vital for properties of the artificial neurone. The most often used activation method presently employs sigmoidal and tangensoidal functions. Also, the stepwise or radial functions, based on calculation the distance of the function argument in case of the distance from the remote Control Centre, are used. The following (fig. 15) presents the examples of activation USED for calculations of the optimal approach, where: a) Linear function,

b) Binary step,

c) Bipolar step,

d) Sigmoid (logistic function),

e) Tangensoide,

f) Radial function (Gaussian).

Neurone with linear activation functions, supplemented with weight change processor and error detector to enable learning, is named Adaline (ADAptive LINear Element) in the subject literature. Networks made of such neurones are linear and named Madaline in the relevant literature. Neurone networks of that type are often used as adoptive filters e.g. for elimination of "echo" in telephone lines or typical upper or lower transmission filters. Their capacities are, however, limited: they can support only linear mapping. The limitation of linear network are not present in perceptron, that is a neural network with non-linear activation function and neuron potential supplemented with a component called bias. Perceptron linear network of at least three layers are suitable for any mappings combining in any selected way of the input signals x with y outputs.

The type of the network employed in our solution software is the single-direction one, with reverse error propagation. The essence of such network is the method of calculating the weights involving the reverse propagation of error. Such networks belong to multilayer network group of standard structure (are constructed of neurones located in different layers, where each neurone is connected to all neurones of neighbouring layer but not connected to neurones of its own layer). Fig. 16 presents the model of three-layered network. The model, as the one of many possible models, will be investigated in respect of adaptability to the issues of the project (susceptibility of node, geo-technical issues, reinforced concrete structure issues).

Network parameters, being weight and bias values, are interactively calculated during the learning process. The technique of learning is the basic element of the project. Learning process utilizes the set of L learning patterns including known p pairs of input and output values, creating input x(p) and t(p) output vectors. On finalization of learning, the whole network is tested with the set of T testing patterns. The sets may be put as:

L = { x(p), t(p)}Lp=l,

T = { x(p), t(p)}Tp=l

The capabilities of thought networks may be evaluated with relevant patterns showing particular properties of the network. Apart from accuracy measured with adopted error measurement, tested are the capabilities of prediction and generalization. In such respect, the learning and validating sets are considered.

The learning process is going to continue during the operation of Geo Battery. During the analysis, the information on optimal patterns will be gathered. Gathered information will form the structure named the result table and will be used to stimulate the whole system in the relevant external cases.

It should be noted that the learning process will be conducted each time for selected conditions, as different from internally averaged, constantly changing standards. Such approach will enable more effective use of the control device.

Launching the regulation process for particular devices of Geo Battery

Process of regulation is facilitated by the use of solenoid valves. Such valves represent good operational performance and are highly accurate.

Solenoid valves of combined action do not require pressure differences for opening and closing of the main closing element. They operate under the pressure of 0 and higher values, according to the relevant pressure diagrams.

Membrane rod is connected to membrane which fits pilot opening. Pulling the rod results in opening of pilot opening, further resulting in the pressure lifting the membrane; such action if further amplified with rod opening step. Therefore, the combined action of indirect element (rod) and direct one (membrane) enables full flow, even at low pressure operations, with gasket maintaining regular shape even at zero pressure.

In case of use or surface differences, this type of solenoids enables the support of big size valves under high pressure, with help of actuators being much smaller comparing to direct action solenoids.

Actuator operation range must be at least of the size of the opening obtained by the direct valve. Its strengths must be relevant to support pilot opening and the main closing element, as compared with spring strength.

Fig. 17 represents sample cross-sections of solenoid valve, including the description of its basic elements, where:

24 - Closing spring 25 - Armature

26 - Valve plate

27 - Valve socket 28 - Coil Short description of valve operation:

• No voltage in coil (valve closed). Disconnecting the voltage from coil (28) and the action of spring (24) additionally supported with medium pressure, force the armature (25) to stay in lower position with fitted valve plate (26) being pressed against the valve socket (27), totally closing the flow. The valve is closed as long as no voltage is present in coil.

• Voltage in coil (valve open): Connecting voltage to the coil (28) results in armature (25) lifting, pulling the valve plate (26) from socket (27) and fully opening the flow. The valve stays fully open as long as voltage is present in coil.