Air Heating Apparatus with Integrated Hot Water Loop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air heating systems are limited to interior heating and require separate hot water heating apparatuses, leading to increased spatial occupancy and installation costs due to the need for separate ducts.
Innovation Solution
An air heating apparatus that integrates an expansion tank, water heater, heating heat exchanger, fan, circulation supply passage, circulation recovery passage, and hot water heating passage, allowing for both interior heating and hot water heating functions, with a controller managing valve operations for efficient heat distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate hot water heating apparatus is provided in addition to the air heating apparatus, then hot water heating function is achieved, but occupied space and installation costs increase due to separate ducts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the air heating apparatus and hot water heating apparatus into a single integrated system. The combustion chamber generates heat that is simultaneously transferred to air through the heating heat exchanger and to water through the hot water heat exchanger, eliminating the need for separate apparatuses and reducing occupied space
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated heating system serves multiple functions: it provides both air heating for interior spaces and hot water heating, allowing a single apparatus to perform what previously required two separate systems, thereby improving versatility while reducing space requirements
2Adaptability or versatility
If a separate hot water heating apparatus is provided in addition to the air heating apparatus, then hot water heating function is achieved, but installation costs increase due to separate ducts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the air heating and hot water heating systems into one integrated apparatus with a shared combustion chamber and heat distribution system, reducing the number of components that need to be installed and connected, thereby lowering installation costs
3Productivity
If the water flow rate to the heating heat exchanger is increased for efficient air heating, then air heating efficiency is improved, but hot water supply temperature decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the water circulation into two separate loops: one loop directs water to the heating heat exchanger for air heating, and another loop directs water to the hot water heat exchanger for hot water supply. This segmentation allows independent control of water flow rates to each heat exchanger, enabling optimal air heating efficiency without compromising hot water temperature
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts water flow distribution between the heating heat exchanger and hot water heat exchanger based on operational requirements. The control unit can modify flow rates in real-time to balance air heating efficiency and hot water temperature maintenance, allowing the system to adapt to different operational modes
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables simultaneous interior heating and hot water heating, reducing spatial requirements and installation costs by integrating both functions into a single system.
Implementation Method 1
a water heater that receives heat from a combustion gas generated through a combustion reaction to heat the water
Implementation Method 2
a water heater that receives heat from a combustion gas generated through a combustion reaction to heat the water
Implementation Method 3
a heating heat exchanger that receives the water heated by the water heater and exchanges heat with air that is to be discharged for heating
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an air heating apparatus including an expansion tank that preserves water, a water heater that receives heat from a combustion gas generated through a combustion reaction to heat the water, a heating heat exchanger that receives the water heated by the water heater and exchange heat with air that is to be discharged for heating, a fan that sends the air to the heating heat exchanger, a circulation supply passage that connects the expansion tank, the water heater, and the heating heat exchanger to guide the water in the expansion tank to the heating heat exchanger via the water heater, a circulation recovery passage formed to connect the heating heat exchanger and the expansion tank to guide the water that exchanged heat with the air to the expansion tank, and a hot water heating passage.