Continuous-flow electromagnetic-induction fluid heater in a beverage vending machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage vending machines with resistive heating elements face inefficiencies due to thermal inertia, leading to high energy consumption and long waiting times for hot water dispensation, especially when a high flow rate is required.
Innovation Solution
A continuous-flow electromagnetic-induction fluid heater is designed to improve hydrodynamic efficiency, featuring a tubular body with a winding that generates an electromagnetic induction field to heat the fluid, and includes baffles to reduce hydrodynamic drag and ensure uniform heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a resistive heating element is used to heat water in a tank, then the water can be maintained at desired temperature, but considerable energy is consumed and long waiting times occur when the machine is inactive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the resistive heating element (Joule heating) with an electromagnetic induction heating system. The induction heater generates an electromagnetic field that induces eddy currents in a conductive heating element, which then heats the water through resistive heating. This substitution allows for faster heating rates and better energy efficiency, particularly during idle periods, as the induction system can be rapidly activated and deactivated without the thermal inertia problems of traditional heating elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements periodic heating cycles where the induction heater is activated only when hot water is requested, rather than continuously maintaining temperature. The system includes a control unit that detects user requests and activates the induction heater accordingly, reducing energy consumption during inactive periods while ensuring rapid heating when needed.
2Productivity
If a high flow rate of hot water is dispensed, then rapid beverage preparation is enabled, but the temperature of water in the container drops rapidly requiring long waiting times for re-heating
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic induction heating system provides significantly faster heating rates compared to traditional resistive heaters. When a high flow rate is requested, the induction heater can rapidly compensate for the temperature drop by inducing strong eddy currents in the heating element, generating heat much faster than conventional systems. This eliminates the long waiting times that would otherwise be required to reheat the water after high-volume dispensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary heating by maintaining a higher baseline temperature in the water tank before a dispensing request occurs. The control unit anticipates potential high-flow requests and pre-heats the water to a higher temperature, so that even when large volumes are dispensed, the water remains sufficiently hot without requiring extended re-heating periods.
3Speed
If electromagnetic induction heating is used to rapidly heat water, then heating speed is improved, but hydrodynamic drag and non-uniform heating occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates baffles with specific geometric features (inclined surfaces and varying cross-sections) that create localized flow patterns within the water tank. These baffles are strategically positioned to generate controlled turbulence in specific regions, enhancing heat transfer between the induction heater and water. The inclined surfaces and varying cross-sections of the baffles optimize fluid circulation patterns, reducing hydrodynamic drag while ensuring uniform heat distribution throughout the water volume, thus maintaining rapid heating speed without the harmful effects of poor flow distribution.
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 rapid and efficient heating with reduced energy consumption and shorter waiting times, while maintaining a consistent flow rate and beverage quality, even during periods of inactivity.
Implementation Method 1
a winding (11) defined by a plurality of concentric spirals (11a) wound directly in contact onto an external surface (12) of the tubular body (7)... configured to be supplied with an alternating electric current and to generate, in this manner, an electromagnetic induction field
Implementation Method 2
The parasitic currents dissipate energy, by the Joule effect, in the form of heat, thus heating the duct and, consequently, the water that flows in contact with the same
Implementation Method 3
an upstream baffle (25)... and a downstream baffle (26)... said baffles (25, 26) being arranged inside said channel (7a) and being configured to reduce an overall hydrodynamic drag of said channel (7a)
Data Source
AI summary
A continuous-flow electromagnetic-induction fluid heater in a beverage vending machine. The continuous-flow electromagnetic-induction fluid heater comprises a tubular body internally defining at least one channel and including at least one inlet opening and one outlet opening; a heating element; and an electric winding wound directly in contact around an external surface of the tubular body and which can be electrically powered to generate an electromagnetic induction field and heat, in this manner, the heating element by the effect of the electromagnetic induction field. The continuous-flow electromagnetic-induction fluid heater further comprises an upstream fluid baffle, housed within the channel in a position fluidically downstream of the inlet opening and fluidically upstream of the heating element, and is shaped so as to reduce the hydrodynamic drag on said fluid between the inlet opening and the heating element.