Hydronic Temperature Control System with Bypass Valve

Abstract

A hydronic system for regulating a temperature of a room can comprise a common fluid storage tank, a pump, a series of hydronic piping, an automated three-way valve, a circuit of room piping, a bypass pipe, a control panel, and a temperature sensor. When a temperature of the room reaches a desired temperature as determined by a user, the control panel actuates the three-way valve to divert the flow of the fluid away from the circuit of room piping such that the fluid flows through the bypass valve and directly to a subsequent room, saving thermal energy stored within the fluid.

Description

FIELD

Embodiments of the invention relate to hydronic temperature regulating systems, and more particularly, relate to hydronic temperature regulating systems having a three-way valve.

BACKGROUND

Hydronics is the use of a fluid, such as liquid water or gaseous water (ie. steam), as a heat transfer medium for heating and/or cooling systems. Most often, hydronics can be found in large scale commercial buildings and can include both cold and hot water loops to provide both air conditioning and heating.

In its most simplest form, a boiler heats water, which is then piped through a series of interconnected pipes to one or more radiators. The heated water then travels through the radiators where the heated water releases the heat trapped therein and condenses back to liquid water. The released heat then is radiated into the room while the condensed water is then piped back to the boiler to be reheated. A skilled person will understand that the radiator functions as a typical heat exchanger and any heat exchanger can be used. In embodiments, the heat exchanger can cool a given area, instead of heating it by replacing the heated fluid with a chilled fluid or refrigerant.

In modern versions, such systems can be installed within a subfloor of a building, and thus provide radiant in-floor heating.

Typically, buildings are organized into several zones, with each zone being fluidly connected to a boiler and piping systems to deliver a heated medium or fluid (ie. water) to each zone. Each zone can further be adapted to control the temperature of several rooms. Unfortunately, in many older buildings, each zone and the associated piping therewith are controlled by a single hydronic control panel (ie. thermostat), and have a single continuous pipe that fluidly connects each of the rooms with one another. The disadvantage of such a system is the difficulty in controlling a desired temperature of each of the rooms in the same zone, independent of one another. Applicant has found that rooms of larger size require more heat and with a limited amount of heat available from the heated water source, and the amount of heat remaining and available to heat rooms that are located near an end of the piping circuit for each zone, often times rooms may not be able to reach a desired temperature.

Simply, rooms closest to the boiler or a beginning of the piping circuit receive or have available more heat than those rooms near an end of the piping circuit. Thus, it is difficult to make each room in a particular zone reach the desired temperature due to the differences in size of each of the rooms in that particular zone.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention related to in-floor heating systems or hydronic systems for heating rooms in a particular zone. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to a by-pass valve for controlling a direction of water flowing through piping in a hydronic system and a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature in each of the rooms of a particular zone.

In a broad aspect of the invention, a system for regulating a temperature of a room is disclosed. The system can comprise a common fluid storage tank for storing a fluid therein, a pump fluidly connecting the common fluid storage tank to a series of hydronic piping, for pumping the fluid from the common storage tank throughout the system through the series of hydronic piping, an automated three-way valve fluidly connected to the series of hydronic piping, for diverting and redirecting a flow of the fluid flowing through the hydronic piping, a circuit of room piping fluidly connected to the automated three-way valve for receiving a portion of the flow of the fluid flowing through the hydronic piping, a bypass pipe fluidly connected to the automated three-way valve for receiving another portion of the flow of the fluid flowing through the hydronic piping, a control panel operatively connected to the three-way valve for actuating the three-way valve, and a temperature sensor operatively connected to the control panel for determining a temperature in the room. In embodiments, when a temperature of the room reaches a desired temperature as determined by a user, the control panel actuates the three-way valve to divert the flow of the fluid away from the circuit of room piping such that the fluid flows through the bypass valve and directly to a subsequent room.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a radiant hydronic temperature control system for installation into new construction;

FIG. 2 is schematic representation of the embodiment in accordance to FIG. 1, illustrating the installation of the radiant piping system within or underneath flooring for the room;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic representations of a method of operation of the three-way valve in accordance to FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the wireless and wired connectivity between the control panel, the zone pump and the temperature sensor in accordance to FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a replacement radiant hydronic temperature control system for deployment in situations where there is a pre-existing hydronic piping system;

FIG. 6 is schematic representation of the embodiment in accordance to FIG. 4, illustrating the installation of the replacement baseboard piping system;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic representations of a method of operation of the three-way valve in accordance to FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the wireless and wired connectivity between the control panel, temperature sensors, and the zone pump; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating use of a chiller and an evaporator to cool a temperature of a room.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention encompasses a hydronic temperature system having a bypass valve and can be applied generally to two situations: 1) applied to new hydronic floor heating system; and 2) applied to existing hydronic heating systems.

In first broad aspect of the invention, embodiments can be deployed in situations where a new hydronic heating system can be incorporated into a new construction of a new facility, such as a commercial building or a residential building.

With reference to FIG. 1, when deploying embodiments of the invention in a new construction project, the system 10 can be employed in a building environment having one or more desired zones, with each desired zone having a plurality of rooms that are adapted to independently and individually control a temperature using the system 10.

In embodiments, the system 10 can comprises an associated hydronic piping system 20 for each of the plurality of rooms, the hydronic piping system 20 including an automated three-way valve 30, a bypass pipe 40, an independently controlled hydronic control panel 50 operatively connected to a temperature sensor 60, and a series of room piping 70 for permitting a fluid to flow therethrough. In embodiments, the independently controlled hydronic control panel 50 can incorporate the temperature sensor 60 therein, or in embodiments, the temperature sensor 60 can be remotely connected to control panel 50, allowing the temperature sensor 60 to be positioned away from the control panel 50 in a desirous location. In further embodiments, each of the associated hydronic piping system 20 can include underfloor radiant piping system 80 for permitting a fluid to flow therethrough, thereby providing radiant heating and/or cooling, for each room of the desired zone.

As shown in FIG. 1, and in embodiments, a common fluid storage tank, such as a boiler 90, can be used to heat a fluid F to a desired temperature. An outlet manifold 100 can used to split, diverge and direct portions of the heated fluid F into the one or more desired zones Z. As shown, and for the purposes of this application and as an example only, the manifold 100 can split, diverge and direct portions of the heated fluid F into three (3) desired zones, Z1, Z2 and Z3 through various piping.

As shown, each of the desired zones Z1, Z2, and Z3 each have their own associated hydronic piping system 20 which fluidly connects a plurality of rooms to the boiler 90. The associated hydronic piping system allows the heated fluid F to flow therethrough, thereby transporting heat in the form of the heated fluid F to each of the plurality of rooms. Each of the associated hydronic system 20 can be a circuit, having a unidirectional fluid flow, leading from an outlet of the outlet manifold 100, passing through each of the plurality of rooms, and returning to the boiler 90 through an inlet manifold 110. Further, as shown, a dedicated pump 120 for each desired zone can be used to pumped the heated fluid F from the boiler 90 to each of the desired zones, Z1, Z2, and Z3. In embodiments, it is possible that a single pump can be used to pump the heated fluid F to each of the desired zones, although this is not an ideal situation.

In greater detail, the heated fluid F is pumped from the outlet manifold 100 to the associated hydronic piping system 20. As the heated fluid F travels through the associated hydronic piping system 20, the heated fluid F enters a first room 150 of the plurality of rooms. As shown, the heated fluid F first encounters the automated three-way valve 30. This three way valve 30 is temperature controlled, and is operatively connected to the control panel 40. The temperature sensor 50, which is operatively connected to the control panel 40. In embodiments, the temperature sensor 50 can be incorporated directly into the control panel 40, and in other embodiments, the temperature sensor 50 can be operatively connected to the control panel 40, and be positioned away from the control panel 40.

A user of the system 20 can enter a desired temperature setting for the first room 150 using the control panel 40. The three-way valve 30, based on the desired temperature setting entered by the user can divert and redirect a portion of the heated fluid F flowing through the associated hydronic piping system 20 to either increase or maintain a temperature of the first room 150. A remainder of the heated fluid F is redirected to flow directly to a subsequent room (second room 160) by the three-way valve 30, using the bypass pipe 40 associated with the first room 150. In embodiments, the three-way valve 30 can be a T-port three-way ball valve.

The portion of the heated fluid F that is redirected into the first room 150 enters the room piping 70 associated with the first room 150. The heated fluid F travels through the room piping 70 and then exits the first room 150 via an outlet 170 that is fluidly connected to the bypass pipe 40, and rejoins the heated fluid F from the bypass pipe 40. Once the fluid from the first room 150 joins the heated fluid F from the bypass pipe 40, the combined fluid then travels onto the second or subsequent room, where the process starts over again. That is, the combined fluid comes into contact with an automated three-way valve 30 for the second room 160 and a portion of it is directed into the room piping 70 for the second room 160 while a portion of it enters the bypass pipe 40 of the second room 160. As in the first room 150, the amount of heated fluid entering the second room 160 is dependent on a temperature of the second room 160, as determined by the temperature sensor 60 for the second room 160, which may or may not be located within the control panel 50 for the second room 160. The two streams of heated fluid are then combined as the fluid from the second room 160 leaves the second room 160 via the outlet 170 for the second room 160 and combines with the heated fluid F in the bypass pipe 40 of the second room 160.

As a desired temperature is set for each of the plurality of rooms, the temperature sensor 60, in conjunction with the control panel 50 can actuate or otherwise control the three-way valve 30 to direct heated fluid F into the appropriate room (as required) or divert the heated fluid F away from the room to a subsequent room to provide therein through the bypass pipe 40. Heated fluid F diverted away from the room can fluidly travel through the bypass pipe 40 to the subsequent room. The diversion of the heated fluid F from the room to a subsequent room reduces an amount of heat that can be lost when compared to the amount of heat lost if the heated fluid F travels through the entire piping system for the room.

With reference to FIG. 2, in embodiments, the room piping 70 can be disposed within heat exchangers (such as in radiators) or underneath a flooring 180 for each room (such as radiant piping 80), and be centralized therein. As shown, the bypass pipe 40 can be positioned along a side of the room to reduce the loss of heat as the heated fluid F travels from a room to a subsequent room in the same zone.

Shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the three-way valve 30, actuated by the control panel 50, can redirect heated fluid F entering into a room. With reference to FIG. 3A, in a first position, the three-way valve 30 can redirect and divert heated fluid away from the room piping 70 and into a subsequent room via the bypass pipe 40, and in a second position, the three-way valve 30 can direct heated fluid into the room piping 70. In embodiments, the three-way valve 30 can be automated by operatively connecting the control panel 50 to the temperature sensor 60 and the three-way valve 30, such that when the temperature sensor 60 determines that the ambient temperature in the room is at a desired temperature setting, the three-way valve 30 will actuate to divert heated fluid F away from the room piping 70 in the room and to the subsequent room.

As shown in FIG. 4, and in embodiments, the control panel 50, the three-way valve 30, and the zone pump 120 can be connected wirelessly or can be connected via a wire connection.

With reference to FIG. 5, in a second broad aspect of the invention, embodiments can be deployed in existing buildings with a pre-existing hydronic heating system. As shown in FIG. 5, in embodiments, the system 10 can replace the pre-existing hydronic heating system. As shown, the system 10 can be in the form of a replacement baseboard hydronic heating system 220 that can be inserted and fluidly connected to the piping system of a pre-existing hydronic heating system. In embodiments, the replacement baseboard piping system will have all of the features, including the bypass pipe 40 and the three-way valve 30. The replacement baseboard piping system can be operatively connected to the control panel 50 and in embodiments, to a temperatures sensor 60 if the temperature sensor 60 is not incorporated into the control panel 50, as shown in FIG. 6.

The operation of the three-way valve is shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B hereinbelow. As shown in FIG. 7A, and in a first position, the three-way valve 30 can redirect and divert heated fluid away from the room piping 70 and into a subsequent room via the bypass pipe 40. In FIG. 7B, in a second position, the three-way valve 30 can direct heated fluid into the room piping 70.

With reference to FIG. 8, in embodiments, a method of operation of this second aspect would be similar to the method of operation of the first broad aspect. In further embodiments, the control panel 50 can be connected to the three-way valve and/or the zone pump 120 wirelessly or by a wired connection.

With reference to FIG. 9, and in embodiments, instead of a heated fluid F, a cooling fluid, such as a refrigerant R, can be circulated in the same manner in order to provide cooling to each of the plurality of rooms. As shown, the common storage tank can be a chiller 210 and the heat exchanger can be an evaporator 190. As shown, a fan 200 can be included with the evaporator 190 to distribute cooled air within the room.

Claims

1. A system for regulating a temperature of a room, the system comprising: a common fluid storage tank for storing a fluid therein;a pump fluidly connecting the common fluid storage tank to a series of hydronic piping, for pumping the fluid from the common storage tank throughout the system through the series of hydronic piping;an automated three-way valve fluidly connected to the series of hydronic piping, for diverting and redirecting a flow of the fluid flowing through the hydronic piping;a circuit of room piping fluidly connected to the automated three-way valve for receiving a portion of the flow of the fluid flowing through the hydronic piping;a bypass pipe fluidly connected to the automated three-way valve for receiving another portion of the flow of the fluid flowing through the hydronic piping;a control panel operatively connected to the three-way valve for actuating the three-way valve; anda temperature sensor operatively connected to the control panel for determining a temperature in the room,wherein when a temperature of the room reaches a desired temperature as determined by a user, the control panel actuates the three-way valve to divert the flow of the fluid away from the circuit of room piping such that the fluid flows through the bypass valve and directly to a subsequent room.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the common storage tank is a boiler for heating the fluid for increasing a thermal energy stored within the heated fluid.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the circuit of room piping further comprises a heat exchanger.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the heat exchanger is a radiator.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein the circuit of room piping further comprises in-floor radiant piping.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the common storage tank is a chiller for decreasing a thermal energy stored in the fluid.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the circuit of room piping further comprises an evaporator.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the evaporator further comprises a fan.

9. A method for regulating a temperature of a room, the method comprising: providing a hydronic temperature regulation system of claim 1;controlling a temperature of the fluid;pumping the fluid towards a first room;determining a temperature of the first room;diverting and redirecting a portion of the fluid into the circuit of room piping in the first room;diverting a redirecting a remaining portion of the fluid into the bypass pipe of the first room;circulating the portion of the fluid directed into the circuit of room piping in the first room;combining the circulated fluid from the circuit of the room piping in the first room with the remaining portion of the fluid in the bypass pipe of the first room at an outlet of the first room; andflowing the combined fluid to a subsequent room and repeating the above steps.