Continuous-flow electromagnetic-induction fluid heater in a beverage vending machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage vending machines face inefficiencies in heating water due to thermal inertia, leading to high energy consumption and long waiting times for hot water dispensation, especially when the machine is inactive for extended periods, and there is a need for improved hydrodynamic efficiency to maintain flow rates required for preparing beverages.
Innovation Solution
A continuous-flow electromagnetic-induction fluid heater with a tubular body and a winding of concentric spirals generates an electromagnetic induction field to heat water efficiently, utilizing a ferromagnetic heating element and baffles to reduce hydrodynamic drag and pressure drops, allowing for rapid heating and uniform flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a resistive heating element is used to heat water in a container, then the water can be maintained at the desired temperature, but a considerable amount of energy is consumed to maintain the temperature when the machine is inactive for long periods
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is pre-heated to the desired temperature before water is introduced into the container. This preliminary heating action ensures that when water is added, it is immediately heated to the required temperature without requiring continuous energy consumption to maintain temperature during inactive periods.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous heating, the system uses periodic heating cycles where the heating element is activated only when needed (when a beverage is being prepared). The heating element can be rapidly reheated between cycles, eliminating the need for continuous energy consumption to maintain temperature during long inactive periods.
2Productivity
If a large volume of water is held in the container to guarantee rapid dispensing, then the flow rate can be maintained, but a waiting period is necessary for re-heating the water after dispensation
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is pre-heated before water dispensing begins, so that when hot water is needed, the heating capacity is already available. This eliminates the waiting period for re-heating after dispensation, as the element is ready to immediately heat the next batch of water.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element maintains its heated state continuously between dispensing operations, ensuring that heating capacity is always available. This continuous readiness state eliminates idle waiting periods and ensures rapid dispensing can occur immediately when requested.
3Productivity
If a high flow rate of hot water is dispensed to prepare beverages rapidly, then the beverage preparation speed increases, but the temperature of the water in the container drops rapidly requiring long waiting times for subsequent dispensation
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is pre-heated to maximum capacity before dispensing begins, so that when high flow rate dispensing occurs, the element is already at full heating power to compensate for the rapid temperature drop. This ensures temperature stability is maintained even during high-speed dispensing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces thermal mass-based temperature maintenance (heating large volumes of water) with direct electromagnetic induction heating of the heating element itself. This substitution allows rapid heat transfer to the water at high flow rates without requiring large thermal inertia, maintaining temperature stability during high-speed dispensing.
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 provides a reliable, cost-effective heating system that reduces energy consumption, minimizes waiting times, and ensures consistent beverage preparation by optimizing hydrodynamic efficiency and heat transfer, maintaining high flow rates and uniform heating.
Implementation Method 1
A continuous-flow electromagnetic-induction fluid heater (1) configured to heat a fluid, in particular water, in a beverage vending machine
Implementation Method 2
An electric current is thus generated within the latter which, by the Joule effect, dissipates energy in the form of heat, thus heating the water by conduction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A continuous-flow electromagnetic-induction fluid heater (1,1', 1") in a vending machine for preparing beverages. The continuous-flow electromagnetic-induction fluid heater (1, 1', 1") comprises a tubular body (7) internally defining at least one channel (7a) for a fluid and including at least one inlet opening (8) through which the fluid to be heated is fed, in use, to the channel (7a) and one outlet opening (10) through which the heated fluid flows out, in use, from the channel (7a); a heating element (13, 13', 13") arranged, at least partially, inside the channel (7a) so as to be lapped, in use, by a water flow; and an electric winding (11) wound directly in contact around an external surface (12) of the tubular body (7) and which can be electrically powered to generate an electromagnetic induction field and heat, in this manner, the heating element (13, 13', 13") by the effect of the electromagnetic induction field. The continuous-flow7 electromagnetic-induction fluid heater (1, 1', 1") further comprises an upstream fluid baffle (25), which is housed within the channel (7a) in a position fluidically downstream of the inlet opening (8) and fluidically upstream of the heating element (13, 13', 13"), with respect to the direction of the fluid flow from the inlet opening (8) to the outlet opening (10), and is shaped so as to reduce the hydrodynamic drag on said fluid between the inlet opening (8) and the heating element (13, 13', 13").