Heated water delivery system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heated water delivery systems face challenges in meeting high demand and maintaining sufficient water pressure, particularly in scenarios where multiple users require hot water simultaneously, and they often require complex and expensive valve configurations or electronic switching methods.
Innovation Solution
A heated water delivery system with parallel fluidly coupled primary and secondary flow paths, utilizing a thermo-restrictive valve to switch between sources based on temperature and pressure drop, ensuring uninterrupted hot water supply by selecting the source with the lowest pressure drop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional boiler with hot water tank is used, then high demand and good water pressure are met, but waiting time is required when hot water is depleted
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the hot water supply into two separate sources: a primary source (storage tank) for high demand scenarios and a secondary source (combi boiler) for on-demand scenarios. This segmentation allows the system to leverage the strengths of both approaches without the drawbacks of either alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters by switching between two different heating modes based on temperature conditions. When the primary source temperature drops below a threshold, the system transitions to using the secondary source, thereby eliminating waiting time while maintaining supply capacity.
2Loss of time
If a combi boiler is used, then hot water is provided on demand, but water pressure is insufficient at distant outlets and high demand cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the water supply function by location and demand type: the primary source (storage tank) serves distant outlets and high demand scenarios where pressure is critical, while the secondary source (combi boiler) handles immediate on-demand requirements. This resolves the pressure deficiency at distant outlets while preserving on-demand capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If storage combi boilers are used, then advantages of both conventional and combi boilers are utilized, but cost and size increase and tank capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than consolidating all functions into a single complex storage combi boiler, the system segments the functionality across two separate, simpler units: a conventional storage boiler and a combi boiler. This segmentation maintains versatility while reducing individual component complexity and overall system cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves multi-functionality through two specialized units working in parallel: the storage tank provides high-capacity supply for multiple outlets, while the combi boiler provides on-demand heating. Together they deliver universal coverage for all hot water scenarios without requiring a single oversized complex unit.
4Adaptability or versatility
If external water tank is connected to combi boiler with three-port valve, then hot water sources can be switched, but valve cost increases and configuration is limited to two sources
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the flow control function by placing independent thermostatic mixing valves at each outlet rather than using a complex central three-port valve. This segmentation simplifies the overall valve configuration while maintaining the ability to select between hot water sources, and allows easy extension to additional sources.
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
This configuration provides a cost-effective, efficient, and reliable solution that maintains hot water supply by automatically switching between sources, reducing the need for complex valves and electronic methods, and allowing for flexible system design and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a thermo-restrictive valve which is reconfigurable between an open state and a restrictive state in dependence on the temperature of the water at the primary source
Implementation Method 2
in dependence on heat conducted or transferred from the primary source into the valve by water flow or heat transfer
Data Source
AI summary
A heated water delivery system comprising: a system inlet and a system outlet, with a primary flow path and a secondary flow path in a parallel configuration in between; the primary flow path comprising a primary source of heated water; the secondary flow path comprising a secondary source of heated water; the system further comprising switching means comprising a valve disposed within the primary flow path, the switching means being arranged to deliver heated water from the primary source when a temperature of the water from the primary source is greater than a threshold temperature, and being arranged to selectively deliver heated water from the at least one secondary source when the temperature of the water from the primary source is less than a threshold temperature. The switching from one source to another is determined by the relative change in pressure drop of the flow paths.