Heated water supply system and methods thereto
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water heating systems experience delays in providing heated water due to standby losses, and existing point-of-use reheating systems are difficult to install, requiring specialized technicians and infrastructure modifications.
Innovation Solution
A point-of-use heated water device with a cold water tank, hot water tank, thermoelectric generator, and controller that utilizes a water temperature differential to generate electrical energy, allowing for immediate hot water supply without external power sources and minimal plumbing retrofitting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a central water heating device is used to heat water and store it in pipes, then heated water can be supplied to multiple points, but standby losses cause water to cool in pipes and create delays until newly heated water reaches the point of use
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the water heating function by installing separate small-scale heating units at individual point-of-use locations rather than relying on a single central heating device. This allows each location to have its own supply of heated water, eliminating the delay caused by cold water in pipes from the central heater.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-heating water and storing it in a local tank at the point of use before it is needed. This ensures that heated water is already available in the pipes when the user opens the faucet, eliminating the waiting period for hot water to arrive.
2Loss of time
If electric point-of-use reheating systems are installed to eliminate standby losses, then hot water can be provided immediately at the point of use, but installation becomes difficult requiring 240V electrical lines and specialized technicians
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs self-service by using a thermoelectric generator to convert the temperature differential between hot and cold water directly into electrical energy at the point of use. This eliminates the need for external 240V electrical connections or specialized installation, as the unit generates its own power from the water temperature difference.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical/electrical heating system with a thermoelectric conversion system. Instead of using electrical resistive heating elements requiring 240V power, the system uses the Seebeck effect to generate electricity from the temperature gradient, simplifying installation to only require cold and hot water line connections.
3Loss of time
If gas-fired systems are used for point-of-use heating, then hot water can be generated locally, but installation requires fuel lines and exhaust vents which increases installation complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the combustion and exhaust components from the heating system entirely. By using thermoelectric generation instead of gas combustion, the system eliminates the need for fuel lines and exhaust vents, leaving only the essential water heating function with simplified plumbing requirements.
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
Provides a substantially immediate and convenient supply of hot water at the point of use, reducing installation complexity and eliminating the need for external power or electrical modifications.
Implementation Method 1
a thermoelectric generator (TEG) configured to convert the water temperature differential to electrical energy
Data Source
AI summary
A heated water device is disclosed. The heated water device includes a cold water tank configured to receive cold water from a cold water source and a hot water tank configured to receive water from a hot water source and discharge water to the cold water source. The heated water device includes a pump configured to selectively pump water from the hot water source and to the hot water tank and a valve configured to selectively permit water to flow from the hot water tank to the cold water source. The heated water device includes a thermoelectric generator configured to generate electrical energy from a water temperature differential between cold water in the cold water tank and heated water in the hot water tank.