Fluid heating apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hot water supply devices face challenges such as long recovery times, large installation requirements, energy loss, and risk of cracks and limescale buildup due to local overheating in fire tube-type heat exchangers, especially when dealing with small water volumes.
Innovation Solution
A fluid heating apparatus with a burner, heat exchanger, flow rate sensors, temperature sensors, and a controller that manages the internal circulation pump and burner operation to maintain a constant flow rate and temperature, reducing the need for external tanks and minimizing heat loss, while protecting the heat exchanger from small flow rate issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a fire tube-type heat exchanger is used to heat fluid, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but local overheating occurs causing cracks and limescale buildup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flow rate sensor and controller to create localized flow management at critical sections of the heat exchanger. The controller adjusts the flow rate dynamically based on detected conditions, ensuring adequate fluid velocity at the fire tube section where direct flame heating occurs, thereby preventing local overheating and limescale deposition while maintaining high heat exchange efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system using a flow rate sensor to monitor fluid flow through the heat exchanger and a controller to adjust the pump or valve accordingly. This closed-loop feedback ensures the flow rate remains within the optimal range to prevent overheating and limescale buildup, resolving the contradiction between efficient heating and equipment durability.
2Quantity of substance
If external hot water tank is installed to ensure hot water supply, then hot water availability is improved, but installation space and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hot water storage function into the heat exchanger system itself by implementing an internal circulation loop with a pump and flow rate control. This integration eliminates the need for separate external hot water tanks and associated piping, providing adequate hot water supply while reducing installation space and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger system is designed to perform multiple functions: primary heating, internal hot water storage through circulation, and flow rate management. This multi-functionality allows the system to provide sufficient hot water availability without requiring additional external storage tanks, thereby reducing installation requirements.
3Use of energy by moving object
If flow rate is reduced for small water volume heating, then energy consumption is improved, but limescale deposition and overheating occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic flow rate control through a controller that adjusts the pump or valve based on real-time detection by the flow rate sensor. This dynamic adjustment ensures the flow rate remains above the minimum threshold required to prevent limescale deposition and overheating, even when heating small volumes of water, thereby eliminating the harmful effects associated with reduced flow rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the flow rate parameter dynamically based on detection signals from the flow rate sensor. By maintaining the flow rate within an optimal range through active control, the system prevents limescale deposition and overheating while still achieving energy-efficient heating of small water volumes.
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
Enables instantaneous hot water supply without external tanks, reduces installation space and cost, ensures constant temperature delivery, and prevents overheating and limescale buildup, enhancing durability and heat exchange efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a burner
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
a pump provided in an internal circulation flow path
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid heating apparatus according to an embodiment disclosed herein may include a burner, a heat exchanger, a first flow rate sensor that detects a flow rate of a fluid supplied to the heat exchanger, a temperature sensor that detects a temperature of a fluid discharged from the heat exchanger, and a controller that controls a first pump provided in an internal circulation flow path on the basis of the flow rate detected by the first flow rate sensor to manage the flow rate of the fluid supplied to the heat exchanger and controls an operation of the burner on the basis of the temperature detected by the temperature sensor.