Bladder Expansion Tank With Self-Cleaning Surge Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hot water systems face inefficiencies due to uncontrolled pressure relief and water hammer issues, leading to potential damage and health hazards from stagnant water accumulation in secondary tanks designed to manage thermal expansion and surging.
Innovation Solution
A thermal expansion/surge reduction water tank with a hollow housing and a bladder forming two compartments, utilizing compressed air for bladder expansion and non-laminar water flow to accommodate thermal expansion and reduce surging, while protuberances on the bladder prevent sealing and ensure fluid flow, preventing stagnant water accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pressure relief valve is used to prevent excessive pressure buildup, then safety is improved, but uncontrolled water release causes damage to surrounding structure and continuous leaking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a controlled release valve as an intermediary device between the pressure source and the environment. This valve provides regulated water release through a restricted opening, mediating the pressure relief process to prevent uncontrolled dumping while maintaining safety. The controlled release valve acts as a mediator that balances safety requirements with structural protection.
2Reliability
If stand pipes or secondary tanks with air compartments are used to accommodate thermal expansion and water hammer, then thermal expansion and surge reduction are improved, but stagnant water accumulation causes health and safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-cleaning mechanism where the system uses its own operational water flow to flush and clean the tank interior. During normal operation, water flow through the tank serves dual purposes: accommodating thermal expansion/surge reduction and automatically cleaning the tank to prevent stagnant water accumulation. The system serves itself by utilizing operational flow for maintenance functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous useful action by maintaining constant water flow through the tank during operational cycles. This continuous flow serves multiple functions simultaneously: absorbing thermal expansion, reducing water hammer effects, and preventing stagnant water accumulation through ongoing flushing action. The useful action of water flow is continuous rather than intermittent.
3Reliability
If bladder is allowed to seal against housing inside to accommodate expansion, then thermal expansion accommodation is improved, but sealing restricts flow of small amounts of water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different functional zones on the bladder surface. The bladder features a sealed portion for thermal expansion accommodation and a unsealed portion with protrusions for maintaining water flow pathways. This local differentiation allows the bladder to perform sealing functions where needed while maintaining open channels for water flow in other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the bladder structure into distinct functional regions: a sealed area for expansion accommodation and a unsealed area with protrusions for flow maintenance. This segmentation allows different portions of the bladder to perform different functions simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between sealing for expansion and maintaining flow pathways.
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 effectively manages thermal expansion and water hammer, preventing damage and health hazards by ensuring continuous fluid flow and self-cleaning of the tank, reducing the risk of piping noise and rupture.
Implementation Method 1
A compressed air inlet is provided in communication with a first of the compartments for expanding the first compartment by forcing a bladder into an abutting relationship with the housing inside
Implementation Method 2
A water inlet and a water outlet are provided in communication with a second of the compartments and disposed for causing non-laminar flow of water through the second compartment for both expanding the second compartment by forcing the bladder into the first compartment
Implementation Method 3
causing non-laminar flow of water through the second compartment for both expanding the second compartment by forcing the bladder into the first compartment and flushing the second compartment to effect self-cleaning thereof
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal expansion/surge reduction water tank includes a hollow housing with a bladder sealed to an inside of the housing forming two compartments therein. A compressed air inlet in communication with a first of the compartments is provided for expanding the first compartment by focusing the bladder into an abutting relationship with the housing inside. A water inlet and a water outlet in communication with a second of the compartments is provided and disposed for causing non-laminar flow of water through the second compartment for both expanding the second compartment by forcing said bladder into the first compartment and flushing the second compartment to effect self-cleaning thereof. A plurality of protuberances disposed on a side of said bladder facing the second compartment are provided for preventing sealing of the bladder in an area of abutment with the housing inside between the water inlet and outlet thereby enabling fluid flow between the water inlet and outlet with said bladder abutting the housing inside.