RADIATOR VALVE CONTROLLERS

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[01] This Application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 15/254042 filed September 1, 2016. Said prior U.S. application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[02] A thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) controller typically operates in a standalone manner by measuring the surrounding temperature close to the associated radiator and regulates the temperature by adjusting the valve opening. However, the temperature close to the radiator is usually hotter than the actual room temperature. With the current RF technology, the TRV controller can work with a remote thermostat to regulate the room temperature based on the temperature measured with a thermostat mounted on the wall.

[03] However, for larger rooms, there is usually more than one radiator, requiring multiple TRV controllers to control the room. Even with current RF technology, each TRV controller often requires an associated thermostat to operate properly, thus increasing the cost and also complicated the setup of the system.

[04] Consequently, there is a need for a single thermostat in a room to control multiple TRV controllers in the market. However, with the typical tolerance of the valve's pin length, rubber hardness, and mechanical structure, it is very difficult to adjust the correct opening point for the valve through a TRV controller to have synchronized control of the system when multiple TRV controllers are used in one room. SUMMARY

[05] With an aspect, a heating system includes a single thermostat that controls multiple thermostatic radiator valve controllers that control heat transfer to radiators in a room. The thermostat includes a microcontroller, radio frequency (RF) module or integrated RF circuitry, temperature sensor to sense the room temperature. Each thermostatic radiator valve controller includes a microcontroller, RF module or integrated RF circuitry, and temperature sensor to sense the temperature around radiator and is controlled by the thermostat through a wireless channel.

[06] With another aspect of the invention, the thermostat senses the room temperature and sends room temperature, set point temperature, and/or differential of set point temperature and room temperature to thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) controllers.

[07] With another aspect of the invention, the thermostat senses the room temperature and sends a determined valve pin position percentage to the TRV controllers.

[08] With another aspect of the invention, the TRV controller has the ability to automatically detect the open/closing point of the valve of a radiator by sensing the temperature turning point and register the position as the open/closing point. All further determined pin positions refer to this open/closing point as the start point of calculation.

[09] With another aspect of the invention, the automatic detection of open/closing point is performed soon after installation or initiated by an RF command or by an entered command through a keypad in which a sequence of keys represents the entered command entered through a user interface.

[10] With another aspect of the invention, if auto detection fails during summer operation, the TRV controller automatically detects winter operation by checking a signature indicative of a call for heat in order to initiate the auto detection again.

[11] With another aspect of the invention, the TRV controller detects the maximum power output point by checking the rate of temperature rising of the radiator. By acquiring the pin position for maximum heat transfer from the radiator, the TRV controller registers the point as the 100% opening for all subsequent calculations rather than using the fully pin open position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[12] The foregoing summary of the invention, as well as the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, is better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are included by way of example, and not by way of limitation with regard to the claimed invention.

[13] Figure 1 shows a heating system for heating a room with multiple thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) controllers and a single thermostat in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[14] Figure 2 shows a flowchart for controlling a heating system with a single thermostat and at least one thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) controller in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[15] Figure 3 shows a flowchart during normal operation in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[16] Figure 4 shows a thermostat in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[17] Figure 5 shows a thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) controller in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[18] When heating a larger room, there is usually more than one radiator requiring multiple controllers to control the heating of the room. With traditional systems, each controller often requires an associated thermostat thus increasing the cost and also complicating system setup. [19] Figure 1 shows a heating system for heating room 100 with multiple thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) controllers 109-111 and single thermostat 112 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Each TRV controller 109-111 controls a corresponding valve 106-108, which in turn controls the heat transfer through heat conduit 105 (e.g., heated water pipe from heat source 101) to radiators 102-104, respectively.

[20] Different components (e.g., single thermostat 112, TRV controllers 109-111, and heat source 101) may communicate with each other through wireless communication channels via antennas 120-124 or through wired connections. Wireless communications may utilize different frequency spectra, including radio frequency (RF), light, and infrared.

[21] With traditional heating systems, it is typically difficult to adjust the correct opening point of the valve in order to have synchronized control of the system with multiple valve controllers in one room.

[22] TRV controller 109-111 uses an internal temperature sensor 130-132 to detect the opening point (minimum opening position where the valve begins to open from the closed position) so that all TRV controller 109-111 of room 100 can be operated with the correct opening point when instructed by single thermostat 112. Temperature sensor 130-132 is situated in close proximity of associated radiator 102-104 to properly measure the radiator's temperature. The temperature sensor 130-132 may be housed within the TRV controller 109-111 which is close to the radiator 102-104 or connected via wires to the radiator itself 102-104.

[23] TRV controller 109-111 also detects the maximum power output point by checking the rate of temperature rising of the radiator as measured through temperature sensors 130-132. By acquiring the maximum power pin position, the TRV controller 109-111 registers the pin position as 100% opening for all subsequent calculations rather than using the fully pin open position. [24] Each TRV controller 109-111 adjusts heat transfer to associated radiator 102-104 by controlling the pin position of valve 106-108. The amount of the pin movement determines how much the corresponding valve 106-108 is open and consequently the amount of heat transfer from heat conduit 105 to radiator 102-104. However, with the tolerance of the valve pin length and rubber hardness and mechanical structure of the valve, each TRV controller 109-111 calibrates operation to the actual dimensions of valve 106-108. As will be discussed, TRV controller 109-111 detects the minimum opening position and maximum opening position of the valve pin.

[25] During normal operation (as will discussed with Figure 3), single thermostat 112 senses room temperature and sends a calculated pin position percentage to TRV controller 109-111, where the percentage is in relation to the open/closed position (0 percentage) to the maximum opening position (100 percentage). Because of characteristic differences among valves 106-108, the associated minimum opening and maximum opening position vary among valves 106-108. However, by providing the calculated pin position percentage by thermostat 112, operation is normalized among TRV controllers 109-111. With an embodiment, the pin percentage sent by the single thermostat 112 does not vary as the TRV controllers 109-111 all receive the same pin percentage.

[26] While Figure 1 shows a system for heating room 100, some embodiments may be directed to cooling room 100 by cold water rather than hot water being transported by conduit 105.

[27] Figure 2 shows process 200 for controlling a heating system with single thermostat 112 and at least one thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) controller 109-111 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. With some embodiments, process 200 may be performed by each TRV controller 109-111, where processing device 501, as shown in Figure 5, executes process 200.

[28] TRV controller 109-111 starts process 212 (e.g., electrical power is applied after installation) at block 201 and initializes at block 202. [29] At block 203, TRV controller 109-111 determines if it is calibrated. For example, as will be discussed, calibration includes the determination of the minimum opening and maximum opening position for associated valve 106-108. If not calibrated, TRV controller executes blocks 204-211 as will be discussed.

[30] At block 204, process 200 determines whether the winter flag is set denoting winter mode. While winter mode is typically activated during the winter season, winter mode may be activated during the summer so that TRV controller 109-111 can be calibrated at a desired time. If the winter flag is not set, process 200 continues to block 205. Otherwise, process 200 continues to block 208.

[31] At block 205, process determines whether there is a call for heat from the single thermostat 112. If not, process 200 returns to block 203. Otherwise, process 200 continues to block 206.

[32] At block 206, TRV controller 109-111 determines whether the temperature has increased by comparing the room temperature as provided by single thermostat 112 from the temperature sensor 403 and the measured temperature from temperature sensor 503 as shown in Figure 5. If so, process 200 sets the winter flag at block 207 and continues to block 208; otherwise, process 200 returns to block 203.

[33] At block 208, process 200 determines whether there is a call for heat. If so, process 200 automatically detects the maximum power point (maximum opening position) at block 211 by associated valve 106-108. With some embodiments, TRV controller 109-111 detects the maximum power output point by checking the rate of temperature rising of the radiator as measured by temperature sensor 503 as shown in Figure 5. By acquiring the maximum power pin position, TRV controller 109-111 registers the point as the 100 percentage opening for all future calculation rather than using the fully pin open position.

[34] At block 208, if process 200 determines that there is no call for heat, TRV controller 109-111 determines if the sensor temperature is near room temperature, which is indicative that the pin position is approximately at the opening/closing point of valve 106-108. All further expecting pin position will refer to this open/closing point as the start point of calculation.

[35] If during summer operation automatic detection fails, the process 200 automatically detects winter operation by checking a signature indicative of a call for heat in order to initiate the auto detection again. For example, if there is no call for heat for x days, the winter flag is cleared at block 213 and blocks 204-211 are repeated.

[36] The automatic detection of the open/closing point (minimum pin position) and the maximum power point (maximum opening position) is executed at blocks 210 and 211, respectively, soon after installation, or through a RF command, or through a keypad in which a sequence of keys representing a corresponding command is entered through user interface 505 as shown in Figure 5.

[37] Figure 3 shows process 212 performed during normal operation in accordance with an embodiment. Step 301 may be performed with or without step 302 and step 302 may be performed with or without step 301.

[38] At block 301, single thermostat 112 senses the room temperature and sends room temperature, set point temperature and/or differential of set point temperature and room temperature to TRV controllers 109-111. From this data the TRV controllers 109-11 can decide to open or close the valve 106-108.

[39] At block 302, single thermostat 112 senses the room temperature and sends a calculated pin position percentage to TRV controller 109, where 0 percentage corresponds to the open/closed position and 100 percentage corresponds to the maximum opening position. From this data the TRV controllers 109-111 can move the valve to the correct position.

[40] Figure 4 shows single thermostat 112 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Single thermostat 112 comprises processing device 401, wireless module 402 or integrated circuitry, and temperature sensor 403. Processing device 401 may assume different forms such as a microcontroller (or MCU, short for microcontroller unit) that may comprise a small computer (SoC) on a single integrated circuit containing a processor core, memory, and programmable input/output peripherals.

[41] Single thermostat 112 may communicate with TRV controllers 109-111 via wireless module 402 via a wireless channel in order to convey information (e.g., a pin position percentage). However, with some embodiments, thermostat 112 and TRV controller 109-111 may communication via a wired configuration.

[42] The heating system may comprise single thermostat 112 with a microcontroller, radio frequency (RF) module or integrated RF circuitry, and temperature sensor to sense the room temperature.

[43] Thermostat 112 senses the room temperature utilizing temperature sensor 403 and sends the room temperature, the pin position percentage, set point temperature and/or differential of set point temperature and room temperature to TRV controllers 109-111.

[44] Figure 5 shows thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) controller 109 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. TRV controller comprises processing device 501, wireless module 502 or integrated circuitry, temperature sensor 503, radiator valve interface 504, and user interface 505.

[45] TRV controller 109 may execute in a standalone-mode by measuring the surrounding temperature close to the radiator through temperature sensor 503 and may regulate the temperature by adjusting the valve opening through valve interface 504.

[46] With some embodiments, valve interface 504 comprises a servo motor that moves the valve pin to a desired position and circuitry to control the servo motor. The servo motor enables TRV controller 109 to control the linear position of the pin within a desired amount of preciseness.

[47] Because temperature sensor 503 is typically close to associated radiator 102-104 (as shown in Figure 1), the measured temperature is typically hotter than the actual room temperature when the valve 106 - 108 is open. By communicating with thermostat 112 through wireless module 502, TRV controller 109 can regulate the room temperature based on the temperature measured with thermostat 112 mounted, for example, on a wall or table within the room. The TRV controller 109 now has the room temperature reading from thermostat 112 and can therefore adjust the radiator valve 108 correctly.

[48] The automatic detection of the open/closing point (minimum pin position) and the maximum power point (maximum opening position) as executed at blocks 210 and 211 shown in Figure 2, respectively, may be initiated soon after installation, through a command from wireless module 502, or through a keypad in which is sequence of keys are pressed that is indicative of a command via user interface 505. While the keypad may be directly associated with TRV controller 109-111, some embodiments may support a keypad at thermostat 112. In such a case, the entered command may be sent over wireless module 402 to TRV controller 109-111.

[49] With reference to Figures 4 and 5, the computing system environment may include a computing device wherein the processes (e.g., shown in Figures 2 and 3) discussed herein may be implemented. The computing device may have a processor for controlling overall operation of the computing device and its associated components, including RAM, ROM, communications module, and memory device. The computing device typically includes a variety of computer readable media. Computer readable media may be any available media that may be accessed by computing device and include both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation, computer readable media may comprise a combination of computer storage media and communication media.

[50] Computer storage media may include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media include, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electronically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store the desired information and that can be accessed by the computing device.

[51] Communication media typically embodies computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. Modulated data signal is a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.

[52] As can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, a computer system with an associated computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling the computer system can be utilized to implement the exemplary embodiments that are disclosed herein. The computer system may include at least one computer such as a microprocessor, digital signal processor, and associated peripheral electronic circuitry.

[53] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.