Systems and methods for preventing freeze damage to heating system pipes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Heating system pipes, especially those located far from the boiler, are prone to freezing due to inadequate insulation and thermostat placement, leading to pipe cracks and water damage, with existing prevention methods being costly and energy-intensive.

Innovation Solution

A hardware controller is used to override thermostat settings, causing hot water to circulate through heating system pipes at pre-programmed intervals, regardless of indoor air temperature, to prevent freezing, which can be easily installed in existing systems and adjusted based on outdoor temperature and insulation effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electric heating wire is wrapped around the pipe to prevent freezing, then pipe freeze protection is improved, but installation difficulty and electrical energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepipe freeze protectionVSAvoidelectrical energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electrical heating wire system with a mechanical circulation system that uses the existing heating boiler to pump hot water through the vulnerable pipes. This substitution eliminates the need for separate electrical heating elements and reduces electrical energy consumption by utilizing the existing thermal energy infrastructure of the heating system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the heating boiler's own hot water to protect the pipes from freezing, making the heating system self-protecting. The circulation pump draws hot water from the boiler and routes it through the vulnerable pipe sections, allowing the system to protect itself using its own thermal resources without requiring external electrical heating assistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If special valves and mechanical plumbing devices are installed to prevent pipe freezing, then pipe freeze protection is improved, but device cost and installation complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepipe freeze protectionVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The circulation pump serves multiple functions: it normally circulates hot water throughout the heating system for space heating, and it also protects vulnerable pipes from freezing by routing hot water through them. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate freeze-protection valves and devices, reducing overall system complexity and installation requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the freeze protection function with the existing heating water circulation system. By integrating the pipe protection function into the normal heating operations, the system eliminates the need for separate mechanical plumbing devices and special valves, thereby reducing device complexity and installation burden.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If hot water is circulated continuously through the heating system to prevent pipe freezing, then pipe freeze protection is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepipe freeze protectionVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic circulation cycles controlled by a timer or temperature sensor instead of continuous circulation. Hot water is pumped through the vulnerable pipes at scheduled intervals or when freezing conditions are detected, providing adequate freeze protection while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption during periods when protection is not required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system circulates hot water through only the vulnerable pipe sections rather than the entire heating system continuously. By targeting only the specific pipes at risk of freezing and using intermittent circulation, the system provides sufficient protection with minimal energy loss, avoiding the excessive energy consumption that would result from continuous full-system circulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 method effectively prevents pipe freezing with minimal energy consumption and installation costs, allowing for customizable protection levels and reduced environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

causing the liquid to be circulated through the heating system pipes irrespective of the air temperature in the heated space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal energy transfer: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS10415837B2Systems and methods for preventing freeze damage to heating system pipes

Publication Date: 2019.09.17 BOROVINOV VALENTIN

AI summary

Systems and methods for preventing freeze damage to heating system pipes are provided. In some embodiments, systems for preventing freeze damage to heating system pipes that carry a liquid used to heat a heated space and that are exposed to freezing temperatures outside of the heated space are provided, the systems comprising: a hardware controller that causes the liquid to be circulated through the heating system pipes irrespective of the air temperature in the heated space.