Smart Manifold

FLUID CONVEYANCE MANIFOLD AND OPERATION THEREOF 

FOR DIVERTING FLOWS THROUGH MULTIPLE HEAT EXCHANGE OPTIONS

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a routing and diverting multi-circuit fluid closed loop piping conveyance system providing fluid access to available energy sources for energy transfer. The disclosure includes a novel application of multiple 3-way 2-position 90° flow actuatable valves controlled by intelligent software within the multi-circuit system. The valves by their position create activated and de-activated fluid channels. The system with at least one pump has multiple single directional circuits depending on number of valves providing multiple levels of operational modes. Applications may include energy fluid exchange with water, air, two-phase refrigerants, two-phase materials (PCMs), solar gain, earth, night sky heat dissipation, and other energy sources and sinks. Energy exchange may also include utilizing a domestic water heating system for charging a PCM storage system. The present invention includes predictive and self-learning software to select a priority circuit to maximize efficiency of heating and cooling processes for building environmental control.

US Patent Pending

The purpose of the above manifold mockup is to demonstrate the compactness of the piping system for multiple heat exchange methods. There are many different piping arrangements possible to achieve the multi-directional flows. Note that some of the piping runs behind the support panel in order to maintain access to the pump and valve actuators.