An arrangement and a method for changing the temperature of a first and a second fluid located in two separate receptacles

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing systems for heating consumer water and water-borne heat in modern dwellings are complex and costly to install and maintain, requiring separate receptacles and multiple temperature sensors for heat pump control, which complicates adjustments and increases energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A dual-receptacle arrangement with interconnected piping and energy exchange elements, where a heat source, such as a heat pump, is controlled by a single setpoint sensor, allowing energy transfer between the receptacles to optimize temperature control and reduce installation and maintenance costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate receptacles and multiple temperature sensors are used for heat pump control, then temperature control of consumer water and water-borne heat is achieved, but device complexity and installation costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the control of two separate receptacles (consumer water heater and water-borne heat system) into a single heat pump system controlled by one temperature sensor. The heat pump's compressor is controlled based on the temperature reading from a single sensor, merging what would traditionally require separate control systems into one unified control mechanism, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining temperature control reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat pump system is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously - heating consumer water and providing water-borne heat - through a single controlled system. The universal control mechanism using one temperature sensor manages both receptacles, eliminating the need for separate specialized control systems for each function and reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If multiple temperature sensors and complex control systems are installed, then precise temperature control is achieved, but installation and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature sensing accuracyVSAvoidinstallation and maintenance cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the unnecessary temperature sensors and complex control mechanisms from the system. By determining that only one temperature sensor is needed to control the heat pump for both receptacles, the design removes redundant sensing and control components, thereby reducing installation and maintenance costs while preserving the necessary measurement precision through the single sensor

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system adopts a simpler, more cost-effective control approach using a single temperature sensor and basic heat pump control logic, replacing expensive and complex multi-sensor control systems. This simplification reduces both initial installation costs and ongoing maintenance expenses while maintaining adequate temperature control precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of operation

If separate heating systems for consumer water and water-borne heat are used, then independent temperature control is achieved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent temperature controlVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the heating functions for consumer water and water-borne heat into a single heat pump system. By combining these separate heating operations into one unified system controlled by a single temperature sensor, the system optimizes energy usage through coordinated operation, reducing total energy consumption compared to running separate independent heating systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This solution simplifies the temperature control of both consumer water and water-borne heat systems, reducing energy consumption and costs by allowing for efficient energy transfer and preheating of water, enabling the heat pump to operate efficiently with a single control point.

Implementation Method 1

a first receptacle provided with a first energy exchange element arranged to be able to change the temperature of a first fluid located in the first receptacle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

energy from the energy source available, via an energy carrier, firstly to the first energy exchange element for exchanging energy with the first fluid, and then making it available to the second energy exchange element for exchanging energy with the second fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal energy transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

an outlet portion of the piping arrangement in the first receptacle is connected to an inlet portion of the piping arrangement in the second receptacle, and that the outlet portion of the piping arrangement in the first receptacle is placed higher than the inlet portion of the piping arrangement in the second receptacle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitational flow: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2041496B1An arrangement and a method for changing the temperature of a first and a second fluid located in two separate receptacles
Publication Date: 2017.05.31 HANSEN INC
  • EP2041496B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The present invention relates to an arrangement (1) for changing the temperature of a fluid, the arrangement including a first fluid receptacle (3) having at least one first energy exchange element (5) arranged to be able to change the temperature of a first fluid located in the fluid receptacle (3); a second fluid receptacle (7) having at least one second energy exchange element (9) arranged to be able to change the temperature of a second fluid located in the fluid receptacle (7), wherein each of said first fluid receptacle (3) and said second fluid receptacle (7) is provided with an inlet portion (11, 11') and an outlet portion (13, 13') for communicating fluid into and out of the receptacles (3, 7), and wherein the energy exchange elements (5, 9) are influenced by at least one energy source (15), wherein a piping system (17) is placed in a portion of the second receptacle (7), the piping system (17) being surrounded by the second fluid and being arranged to be able to conduct the first fluid from a fluid source (19), via the second fluid receptacle (7) and onto the first fluid receptacle (3), whereby the temperature of the second fluid may be influenced by the fluid source temperature of the first fluid. The invention also relates to a method for carrying out the invention.