A heating system includes a single thermostat that controls multiple thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) controllers that control heat transfer to radiators in a room. Each TRV controller has the capability to automatically detect the open/closing point and maximum heating point and to register corresponding pin positions of the valve. Each TRV controller is subsequently instructed by the thermostat to adjust the valve in relation to a determined percentage of the registered pin positions, thus accounting for the varying characteristics among the valves in the system. The TRV controller detects the maximum heating point by checking the rate of temperature rising and the open/closing point by sensing the temperature turning point through a temperature sensor situated appropriately in relation to the associated radiator.

A control system may be configured to learn a heating schedule at a first location according to an automated schedule learning algorithm that processes inputs including user inputs and occupancy sensing inputs and derives schedule-affecting parameters therefrom that are processed to compute the control schedule. The control system may also be configured to determine whether a thermostat has been moved to a new location, and if it is determined that the thermostat has been moved to the new location, then determine one or more parameters associated with the new location and establish a new control schedule for the new location, where zero or more of the schedule-affecting parameters are re-used based on the one or more parameters associated with the new location.

A radiator thermostat (1) to be fitted onto a radiator valve (4) is provided. The radiator thermostat (1) has a transmission element (5, 105, 205) that transmits a compressive force to the valve pin (8) of the radiator valve. An electric motor (12) is provided to drive the transmission element (5, 105, 205). The transmission element (5, 105, 205) is preloaded with a counter force (F2) that acts in opposition to the valve force (F1) using a spring (18; 20; 32). Thus, when moving the transmission element (5, 105, 205), the motor (12) has only to overcome the differential force (df).

A system for heating an indoor environment comprising: a primary heat source for heating a heat transfer fluid; at least one remotely actuatable valve for stepped or continuous control of the flow rate of a heat transfer fluid through a return pipe outlet of a heat emitter; a pipe temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of a return pipe outlet of a heat emitter; an optional room temperature sensor for measuring the ambient temperature of an indoor environment; an optional user interface for receiving instructions from a user including at least one target ambient temperature; an electronic controller configured to receive temperature measurement information from each of the pipe temperature sensors and (optionally) temperature measurement information from each of the room temperature sensors, and further configured to provide control instructions to each of the remotely actuatable valves relating to flow rate control; wherein the electronic controller comprises a processor configured to determine the control instructions based at least in part on the temperature measurement information.

Some embodiments include a method of limiting a rate of exchange of thermal energy via a thermal energy exchanger including a flow sensor, and an actuator coupled to the valve member, a first sensor to sense a temperature at the inlet port and a second sensor to sense a temperature at the outlet port, wherein the valve member is selectively movable between a closed position to block the fluid path and an open position. An example includes: determining a time series of temperature; determining a time series of flow rates; determining a third time series of rates of thermal energy exchange; determining a maximum rate of thermal energy exchange by applying a maximum filter; using a maximum rate to limit the set point signal; and transmitting a limitation signal to the actuator causing the actuator to limit the position of the valve member.

Various embodiments include a control valve comprising: a valve body having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and an inner cavity between them; a flow rate presetting assembly; and an indicator. The rate setting assembly includes: an adjusting rod having a first end projecting from the body and a second end extending into the cavity, and rotating around an axis; a control component disposed at a bottom side of the body and connected to the first end to rotate the adjusting rod; and an adjusting component disposed in the inner cavity connected to the adjusting rod, rotating between a first position and a second position under the action of the adjusting rod to set a maximum degree of opening of the control valve. The deviation of the indicating part relative to a reference position indicates a maximum flow rate corresponding to a position of the adjusting component.