Cylindrical Tank Insert for Low-Turbulence Water Stratification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hot water stratified storage tank inserts are complex and costly, failing to guarantee optimal water stratification and energy efficiency due to high turbulence and complex structures.
Innovation Solution
A simple, cylindrical insert with strategically placed openings connected to inlet and outlet pipes, arranged to minimize turbulence and maximize energy efficiency by controlling water flow and stratification within the tank, with a ratio of flow cross-sections optimized between 1.0 and 1.5, and a number of openings between 10 and 15, allowing for efficient water supply and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If complex multi-chamber inserts with vertical openings are used, then water stratification is maintained, but device complexity and material cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The insert is divided into functionally distinct zones: an inlet chamber for receiving heated water, an outlet chamber for dispensing stored hot water, and a central storage volume. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity, resolving the contradiction between stratification stability and structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts only the essential functional elements needed for stratification (inlet chamber, outlet chamber, and selective openings) while eliminating unnecessary complex multi-chamber structures. This extraction achieves water stratification with a simplified insert design, directly addressing the contradiction between maintaining stratification and reducing device complexity.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If complex spiral inlet chambers with 180° deflection are used, then water flow is calmed, but production cost increases without guaranteeing optimal stratification
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex spiral chambers to deflect water 180°, the invention inverts the approach by using simple vertical openings in the insert wall that allow controlled water exchange between chambers. This inverted approach calms flow and maintains stratification while dramatically simplifying manufacturing, resolving the contradiction between reducing turbulence and lowering production cost.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple vertical chambers with numerous openings are used, then water stratification is maintained, but material cost and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the inlet and outlet chambers into a single integrated insert structure with a shared wall containing selective openings. This consolidation maintains temperature stratification by controlling water flow between chambers while reducing material consumption compared to separate multi-chamber designs, directly resolving the contradiction between stratification stability and material quantity.
4Ease of manufacture
If simple cylindrical inserts are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but water mixing occurs during loading and discharging
Solution Approach 1:
The insert applies local quality by providing different structural characteristics in different regions: the inlet chamber has openings positioned to receive heated water without disrupting the thermal stratification in the storage volume, while the outlet chamber has openings positioned to draw water without causing mixing. This localized structural differentiation maintains thermal energy efficiency while keeping the overall construction simple, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and energy loss prevention.
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 achieves low-turbulence water stratification and enhanced energy efficiency by minimizing mixing and optimizing flow conditions, ensuring efficient use of thermal energy while maintaining a cost-effective and straightforward construction.
Implementation Method 1
Hot water stratified storage tanks are widely known. They are used for the temporary storage of heated service or service water, whereby the thermal energy should be maintained at the highest possible level
Implementation Method 2
the incoming water is deflected by more than 180° and thus has enough time to reach the appropriate height according to its temperature before it flows through one of the vertically spaced openings into the actual storage volume
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
The insert (2) has a cylindrical wall (8) and two through holes (9) that are provided within the wall. The holes are connected with an inlet pipe (6) and/or downpipe (7). A circular opening (5a) within the wall ensures a pressure balance between an inner area of a warm water bed storage (1) and an inner area of the insert when filling or draining the storage by the inlet pipe and downpipe. One of the holes is connected with the inlet pipe and downpipe, where the ratio of the sum of a flow cross section of the opening to a flow cross section of one of the holes has a value between 1 and 1.5.