Circulating hot water system and or appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circulating hot water systems experience a drop in hot water pressure and temperature during high demand, leading to inadequate delivery at user outlets, as the system struggles to maintain pressure when flow rates exceed the capacity of individual water heaters.
Innovation Solution
A supplemental path with a pressure-activated device is introduced, allowing unheated water from the mains supply to enter the hot water delivery pipe when pressure differential exceeds a predetermined value, maintaining pressure by blending with heated water from the water heaters, and a storage tank is used to maintain temperature during low demand periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the flow rate through water heaters exceeds the maximum capacity, then the water heater cannot heat the water to the required temperature, but increasing the number of water heaters increases system complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
A supplemental path with a flow control device is introduced as an intermediary element between the cold water supply and the hot water delivery pipe. This supplemental path allows unheated cold water to mix with heated water, providing temperature control without requiring additional water heaters. The flow control device mediates the mixing process, enabling temperature adjustment while maintaining system simplicity.
2Reliability
If the pump circulates water continuously to maintain temperature, then hot water is immediately available at user outlets, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operation of the pump and water heaters based on real-time flow detection and temperature requirements. Rather than continuous operation, the pump and heaters are activated only when hot water demand is detected, optimizing the balance between reliability and energy consumption. The flow control device in the supplemental path also dynamically adjusts mixing ratios based on demand conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms through flow sensors and temperature sensors that monitor system conditions and adjust operation accordingly. When hot water is drawn, the system detects the flow and activates the appropriate number of water heaters and adjusts the supplemental path flow control device to maintain required temperature. This feedback-based control ensures hot water availability while minimizing energy waste during periods of no demand.
3Temperature
If flow control means are used to limit flow through water heaters to maintain temperature, then the required temperature is achieved, but pressure drop across the water heaters increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supplemental path with its flow control device acts as an intermediary that relieves pressure constraints on the main water heater path. By allowing additional cold water to mix in the supplemental path, the system can maintain higher flow rates through the water heaters without exceeding their temperature capacity, thereby reducing the pressure drop across the water heaters while still achieving the required outlet temperature.
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 ensures consistent hot water pressure and temperature delivery during high demand by blending unheated and heated water, and maintains temperature through efficient circulation and storage, preventing excessive pressure loss and temperature drops.
Implementation Method 1
a supplemental path connecting the system inlet to the delivery outlet; the supplemental path including a flow control device adapted to permit flow from the system inlet to the delivery outlet when the pressure at the delivery outlet is lower than the pressure at the system inlet by a predetermined pressure differential
Implementation Method 2
Each water heater can have a controllable gas valve and ignition means. The ignition means can be any suitable ignition means such as a pilot flame. The ignition means can be a controllable ignition means such as a spark generator.
Data Source
AI summary
A water heating system having a system inlet pipe (1.002), a hot water delivery pipe (1.003) and a hot water return pipe (1.006) connected to a building hot water distribution network (1.024); the water heating system including one or more water heaters (1.001), the or each water heater having a heater inlet (1.022) and a heater outlet (1.023), a hot water return pipe (1.006) connected between the system inlet and delivery outlet via the building hot water distribution network to form a close loop hot water supply-return circuit; a pump (1.005) connected to circulate water through the hot water supply-return circuit whereby the pump can circulate water through one or more of the water heaters;a valve means (1.007) [a first non-return valve] adapted to prevent inlet water (water delivered to the system inlet) from flowing into the hot water return pipe or the building hot water distribution network.