Method for operating a water circulation system

Abstract

A method for operating a water circulation system having at least one valve and at least one temperature sensor; determining a first temperature and a second temperature; determining a period of time; detecting the water temperature using at least one temperature sensor; detecting the opening time during which the at least one valve is at least partially open at least partially opening the at least one valve if the detected water temperature exceeds the value of the first temperature or if the opening time reaches the period of time; and completely closing the at least one valve if the detected water temperature reaches the value of the second temperature.

1 . A method for operating a water circulation system comprising the steps of:
 providing the water circulation system, comprising:   at least one supply line ( 1 ),   at least one return line ( 2 ),   at least one strand ( 3 ) which connects the supply line ( 1 ) with the return line ( 2 ),   at least one temperature control unit ( 4 ), which connects the supply line ( 1 ) with the return line ( 2 ),   whereby water can circulate in a flow direction from the at least one supply line ( 1 ), via the at least one strand ( 3 ), the at least one return line ( 2 ) and the temperature control unit ( 4 ) back to the supply line ( 1 ),   at least one consumer ( 5 ), which is arranged along the at least one line ( 3 ) and with which water can be drawn from the circulation system,   at least one valve ( 6 ) with which the flow rate of the water in the circulation system can be changed,   at least one temperature sensor ( 60 , 61 , 62 ) with which the water temperature can be detected in a line section,   at least one control unit with which the data from the temperature sensors ( 60 ,  61 ,  62 ) can be processed and with which the at least one valve ( 6 ) can be actuated;   defining a first temperature (T 1 );   defining a second temperature (T 2 );   defining a time duration (Z D );   detecting the water temperature with the at least one temperature sensor ( 60 , 61 , 62 );   detecting the opening time during which the at least one valve ( 6 ) is at least partially open;   opening the at least one valve ( 6 ) at least partially when the detected water temperature reaches the value of the first temperature (T 1 ) or when the opening time reaches the time duration (Z D );   completely closing the at least one valve ( 6 ) when the detected water temperature reaches the value of the second temperature (T 2 ).   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising the step of:
 recording the course of the recorded temperature.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , comprising the steps of:
 determining the gradient of the recorded temperature profile;   changing the opening of the valve ( 6 ) based on the determined temperature gradient.   
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2 , comprising the steps of:
 assigning the recorded temperature profile to a specific consumption (V 1,2,3 );   changing the opening of the valve ( 6 ) based on the specific consumption.   
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 2 , comprising the steps of:
 defining at least one trigger threshold;   detecting a time interval (I 1,2,3 ) during which the at least one trigger threshold is exceeded;   assigning a specific consumption (V 1,2,3 ) to the recorded time interval (I 1,2,3 ).   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising the steps of:
 defining at least one time window (Z F );   executing the method within the at least one time window (Z F );   opening the at least one valve ( 6 ) at least partially outside of the at least one time window (Z F ).   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising the steps of:
 extending the time duration (Z D ) if the water temperature detected at the beginning of the at least partial valve opening is above the value of the first temperature (T 1 );   shortening the time duration (ZD) if the water temperature detected at the beginning of the at least partial valve opening is below the value of the first temperature (T 1 ).   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one temperature sensor ( 61 ) is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the at least one valve ( 6 ) or wherein the at least one temperature sensor ( 61 ) is arranged in the at least one valve ( 6 ). 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the water circulation system comprises a temperature sensor ( 60 ) on the supply line ( 1 ) in the area of the temperature control unit ( 4 ), with which the supply temperature (T V ) can be detected and/or wherein the water circulation system comprises a temperature sensor ( 62 ) in the area of the temperature control unit ( 4 ) with which the return temperature (T R ) can be detected. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the water circulation system comprises two or more strands ( 3 ) each with at least one consumer ( 5 ), at least one valve ( 6 ) and at least one temperature sensor ( 60 , 61 , 62 ), wherein each of the strands ( 3 ) comprises its own control unit or wherein all strands ( 3 ) comprise a common control unit. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the water circulation system comprises a pump ( 7 ), a non-return valve ( 8 ) and a filter ( 9 ). 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one temperature control unit ( 4 ) comprises a heating unit or a cooling unit. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the water circulation system comprises at least one hot water circulation system with a heating unit and a cold water circulation system with a cooling unit.