A hydronic distribution system includes self-regulating valves networked together and operable to share valve temperature and valve position information with a microprocessor or other type of controller. The microprocessor runs one or more algorithms that process the temperatures and positions of the valves and then computes a desired speed for one or more variable speed pumps within the system. Controlling the pumps to operate at the desired speed and still maintain the correct amount of process fluid flow needed by the system reduces the overall energy use of the hydronic distribution system, saves on the operational lives of the pumps, and increases system efficiency.

An electronic converter unit for retrofitting to an external part of a housing of a pump unit is described. The housing comprises a light source for emitting light to display an operating status of the pump unit. The electronic converter unit comprises: a photo detector for measuring light emitted from the light source of the pump unit, a converter unit for converting optical signals to electrical signals, and transmitting means for wirelessly transmitting the electrical signals to an external communication unit.

A system, apparatus, and method for a differential temperature managed integral, free standing, hydronic heating appliance uses a high-mass heat source coupled to a single, highly-efficient, variable speed, Electronically Commutated Motor (ECM)-driven Delta-T stand-alone system circulator which feeds one or more zone valves governing flow to one or more hydronic zones. Components are integrated into simplified, compact, assemblies. Zone valve packaging of a compact header improves hydronic performance (head pressure reduction and increased flow), complementing zone valve performance and reducing zone valve wiring labor and material content. Returns have full port valves and the boiler includes isolation valves. All manually activated valves are full port. This can include full port boiler isolation valves, circulator isolation valves and return valves. Paralleled, ganged, alignment of state-indicating-lamped zone valves provides rapid, functional indication of component and system performance while the need for a zone valve panel commonly found on hydronic heating systems is negated.

A valve for use in a heating or cooling water circuit includes a housing that forms a feed line and a discharge line, and an adjusting unit that is formed separate from the housing and penetrates into the housing for adjusting a flow rate through the valve. The adjusting unit has a valve closing body which is operatively connected to a valve tappet in such a way that the valve closing body together with a valve seat body that in the intended operation is stationary in relation to the housing, forms a valve gap which is adjustable by axially moving the valve tappet. The valve is designed such that the valve gap in the intended operation, when the valve tappet is not actuated, is closed by closing forces and when the valve tappet is actuated in order to open the valve gap, these closing forces have to be overcome.

A valve having a balancing function for a fluid distribution system. A valve closing member is movable between a closed position and a fully opened position. An actuation device is provided for changing the position of the valve closing member. A control unit is provided and includes an electronic memory adapted to receive and store an opening limitation value, the opening limitation value being representative of a selected intermediate position between the closed position and the fully opened position of the valve closing member, wherein the control unit controls the actuation device to limit the movement of the valve closing member to positions from the closed position to the selected intermediate position. Also, a valve system and to a method of operating a valve.

A hydronic distribution system includes self-regulating valves networked together and operable to share valve temperature and valve position information with a microprocessor or other type of controller. The microprocessor runs one or more algorithms that process the temperatures and positions of the valves and then computes a desired speed for one or more variable speed pumps within the system. Controlling the pumps to operate at the desired speed and still maintain the correct amount of process fluid flow needed by the system reduces the overall energy use of the hydronic distribution system, saves on the operational lives of the pumps, and increases system efficiency.

Refilling device (11) for a hydronic heating system, having a monolithic housing (21) providing an inlet port (22), an outlet port (23), a middle section (24) providing a flow channel for water extending between the inlet port (22) and the outlet port (23) and a connection socket (25) for a softening and/or demineralization cartridge (26), having an inlet shut-off-valve (27) accommodated within said monolithic housing (21) downstream of said inlet port (22), having an automatically actuated outlet shut-off-valve (28) accommodated within said monolithic housing (21) upstream of said outlet port (23), having a system separator (29) with backflow preventers (30, 31) accommodated within said monolithic housing (21), having a conductivity or TDS sensor (32, 33) accommodated within said monolithic housing (21), having a flow meter (35) accommodated within said monolithic housing (21), and having a controller (37) mounted to said monolithic housing (21), wherein the controller (37) receives signals from the conductivity or TDS sensor (32, 33) and from the flow meter (35), wherein the controller (37) processes said signals received from said sensors to automatically control the operation of the refilling device (11).

Refilling device for a hydronic heating system, having a monolithic housing providing an inlet port, an outlet port, a middle section providing a flow channel for water extending between the inlet port and the outlet port and a connection socket for a softening and/or demineralization cartridge, having an inlet shut-off-valve accommodated within said monolithic housing downstream of said inlet port, having an automatically actuated outlet shut-off-valve accommodated within said monolithic housing upstream of said outlet port, having a system separator with backflow preventers, a conductivity or TDS sensor and a flow meter accommodated within said monolithic housing, and having a controller mounted to said monolithic housing, wherein the controller receives signals from the conductivity or TDS sensor and from the flow meter, wherein the controller processes said signals received from said sensors to automatically control the operation of the refilling device.

A regulating flap reduction gear for an electrically driven regulating flap for regulating a gas or liquid volume flow includes two parallel bearing plates between which gear parts are rotatably arranged. A plurality of spacers keep the two bearing plates at a distance from one another. The plurality of spacers are designed as tabs of one, first bearing plate, which are bent by 90? from the plane of the first bearing plate and have at least one lateral projection. The tabs are inserted with their free tab ends into plug-in openings of the other second bearing plate until their at least one lateral projection rests against the second bearing plate.

A heating system includes a water heater configured to heat water, a water recirculation loop configured to receive a first portion of hot water from the water heater and to provide the first portion of hot water back to the water heater, an air handler loop configured to receive a second portion of hot water from the water heater and to provide cooled water back to the water heater, and a controllable valve configured prevent the air handler from receiving the second portion of the hot water.