Biased Sensor Mounting Bracket for Accurate Water Heater Tank Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-immersion type temperature sensors used in enclosed tanks, such as water heaters, often require precise mounting to accurately measure fluid temperature but lack a reliable method to maintain consistent positioning, especially with variations in equipment.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly with a biasing element that secures the temperature sensor relative to the tank, ensuring proper positioning and enhancing measurement accuracy by maintaining physical contact with the tank's outer wall, thereby improving thermal conduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a non-immersion type temperature sensor is placed adjacent to the outer wall of the water heater tank, then the sensor can be removed and replaced without draining the water from the tank, but the sensor often needs to be placed relatively precisely with respect to the water heater tank in order to provide an accurate and reliable calculation of the water temperature inside the tank
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket is pre-configured with a biasing element that automatically positions the temperature sensor at the correct distance from the tank outer wall upon installation. This preliminary positioning action ensures measurement accuracy is achieved without requiring precise manual placement during sensor replacement operations.
Solution Approach 2:
A mounting bracket serves as an intermediary device between the temperature sensor and the water heater tank. The bracket includes a biasing element that mediates the positioning relationship, maintaining a predetermined distance between the sensor and tank wall, thereby ensuring accurate temperature measurements while allowing easy sensor replacement.
2Loss of time
If a non-immersion type temperature sensor is used, then water drainage is not required during sensor replacement, but the sensor placement must be relatively precise to ensure accurate temperature measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket is pre-configured with a biasing element that automatically positions the temperature sensor at the correct distance from the tank outer wall upon installation. This preliminary positioning action ensures measurement accuracy is achieved without requiring precise manual placement during sensor replacement operations.
Solution Approach 2:
A mounting bracket serves as an intermediary device between the temperature sensor and the water heater tank. The bracket includes a biasing element that mediates the positioning relationship, maintaining a predetermined distance between the sensor and tank wall, thereby ensuring accurate temperature measurements while allowing easy sensor replacement.
3Measurement precision
If the temperature sensor is thermally coupled to the water in the water heater tank, then accurate temperature measurement is achieved, but the sensor requires a waterproof seal and water must be drained for replacement
Solution Approach 1:
A mounting bracket serves as an intermediary device between the temperature sensor and the water heater tank. The bracket includes a biasing element that mediates the positioning relationship, maintaining a predetermined distance between the sensor and tank wall, thereby ensuring accurate temperature measurements while allowing easy sensor replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature sensor is extracted from direct immersion in the water and repositioned to contact only the outer wall of the tank. This extraction eliminates the waterproof sealing requirement while maintaining measurement capability through thermal conduction from the tank wall.
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
The solution allows for precise and reliable temperature measurement of fluids within enclosed tanks, accommodating equipment variations and ensuring consistent sensor placement without the need for frequent recalibration or water drainage during sensor replacement.
Implementation Method 1
enhancing measurement accuracy by maintaining physical contact with the tank's outer wall, thereby improving thermal conduction
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system to position a non-immersion temperature sensor relative to a water heater tank is disclosed. An illustrative but non-limiting example may be found in a mounting bracket that includes a body that has a sensor portion configured to receive at least a portion of a temperature sensor assembly. When installed, the mounting bracket may include a biasing element to bias the temperature sensor assembly towards the water heater tank. The bias element may help the temperature sensor assume a proper position relative to the water heater tank, despite variations in equipment that may exist in the field.