Electrode Water Heater with Vibrating Electrodes for Fast Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric hot water heating systems, including storage tank and tankless systems, face inefficiencies in heating speed and energy consumption, with tankless systems using resistance type heating elements being slow and complex electrode water heaters being difficult to implement compactly.
Innovation Solution
A compact electrode water heater design featuring a housing with vibrating electrodes connected to AC electrical power, allowing for efficient heating of water or steam by passing electrical current through the water between electrodes, optimizing heating speed and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If resistance type electrical heating elements are used in tankless water heater systems, then energy efficiency is improved by heating water only when needed, but heating speed is reduced due to substantial thermal mass and thermal resistance of the elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces resistance type electrical heating elements with an electrode-based direct electrical resistance heating system. This substitution eliminates the thermal mass and thermal resistance issues of conventional heating elements by using electrodes that pass electrical current directly through the water, enabling faster heating while maintaining on-demand energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the heating mechanism from thermal conduction through heating elements to direct electrical resistance heating through electrodes. This parameter change in the heating method allows for significantly reduced thermal mass and thermal resistance, thereby increasing heating speed while maintaining energy efficiency.
2Productivity
If electrode water heaters are designed with complex configurations, then heating efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases making them expensive to manufacture and difficult to implement compactly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrode structure with the housing, where the housing itself serves as one electrode and the other electrode is positioned within it. This integration eliminates the need for separate electrode mounting structures and complex insulation systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining compact design and high heating efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing serves multiple functions: it contains water, provides structural support, and acts as one of the heating electrodes. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining effective electrode heating.
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 hot water or steam at a high speed and efficiency, addressing the inefficiencies of existing systems while being simple and compact, suitable for residential and industrial applications.
Implementation Method 1
pass an electrical current through the water by passing it between two electrodes between which an AC voltage exists, known as Direct Electrical Resistance (DER) heating
Implementation Method 2
At least two electrodes are disposed inside the housing and secured thereto such that at least one of the electrodes is enabled to vibrate during provision of AC electrical power
Data Source
AI summary
An electrode water heater/steam generator is provided. The electrode water heater/steam generator comprises a housing for containing water therein. The housing has at least an opening for transmission of water therethrough. At least two electrodes are disposed inside the housing and secured thereto such that at least one of the electrodes is enabled to vibrate during provision of AC electrical power. Electrical circuitry connects at least one of the electrodes to a live wire of an AC electrical power supply and at least another of the electrodes to a neutral wire of the AC electrical power supply.