Hot Water Recirculation Control for Instant Stable Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hot water heating systems fail to provide instantaneous and temperature-controlled hot water delivery, leading to delays and temperature fluctuations, which can be problematic for real-time user interactions and pose safety concerns, especially for vulnerable individuals.
Innovation Solution
A user-activated hot water heater and control system that utilizes internal and external recirculation loops, along with temperature-based water flow detection, to anticipate and prepare hot water delivery based on user-specific preferences and physical attributes, reducing delays and temperature fluctuations, and incorporating adjustable valves for dynamic recirculation management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If conventional hot water heating systems are used, then hot water can be supplied to users, but there are delays in obtaining hot water at the desired temperature and temperature fluctuations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-heats water in storage tanks before it is needed, and uses recirculation loops to maintain hot water ready for immediate delivery. This preliminary preparation eliminates delays and temperature fluctuations when hot water is demanded at fixtures.
Solution Approach 2:
The recirculation loops continuously circulate hot water through the plumbing system, maintaining a continuous supply of hot water ready for immediate use. This continuous circulation ensures both instantaneous delivery and temperature stability without requiring constant heating.
2Productivity
If hot water temperature is increased to meet instantaneous demand, then hot water availability improves, but safety concerns arise for vulnerable individuals
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the hot water supply into different temperature zones using multiple storage tanks - a primary tank for high-temperature storage and a secondary tank for lower-temperature mixing. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high-temperature reservoirs for efficiency while delivering safer, mixed-temperature water to users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces cold water as an intermediary substance to mix with hot water from the primary tank, creating a tempered water supply at the secondary tank. This intermediary mixing process reduces the temperature to safe levels while maintaining instantaneous hot water availability.
3Speed
If recirculation loops are added to reduce delays, then hot water delivery speed improves, but energy wastage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-heats water in storage tanks before it is needed, reducing the need for continuous energy-intensive recirculation. By having hot water ready in advance in insulated tanks, the system achieves fast delivery without the continuous energy consumption of active recirculation loops.
Solution Approach 2:
The recirculation pumps operate periodically or on-demand rather than continuously, activating only when hot water is needed or when tanks require replenishment. This periodic operation maintains fast hot water delivery capability while significantly reducing energy wastage compared to continuous circulation.
4Quantity of substance
If high temperature hot water is stored, then hot water supply capacity improves, but scale formation occurs in the system
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the hot water storage into a primary high-temperature tank and a secondary lower-temperature mixing tank. By maintaining the primary tank at higher temperatures for capacity and efficiency while using the secondary tank for user delivery at lower temperatures, the system prevents scale formation in delivery lines while preserving hot water supply capacity.
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 system achieves substantially instantaneous hot water delivery, reduces energy wastage, and ensures safety by dynamically adjusting temperature settings, providing continuous low flow levels and preventing scale formation, while being economically viable.
Implementation Method 1
The water that emanates from the hot water output location is thermally conditioned by a hot water heating system having both an internal and an external recirculation loops or flow lines
Implementation Method 2
hot water heating system (common hot water heating systems utilize: gas or electrically powered hot water tanks, as well as tank-less or on-demand type systems)
Implementation Method 3
temperature-based water flow detection, to anticipate and prepare hot water delivery
Implementation Method 4
potential scale deposits due to overheating of water are eliminated by starting internal recirculation upon demand cessation. Internal recirculation causes a portion of unheated fluid in the internal recirculation line to be mixed with heated water
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a user activated hot water heater and control system for processing hot water to hot water output locations, e.g. faucet, shower, or the like, such that temperature fluctuations and delays in hot water delivery are reduced. The present invention provides energy savings resulting from smart activation of internal and/or external recirculation systems. Additionally, trickle flow is detected and responded to based on temperature responses at various points in the main flow line of the present configuration. Simultaneous internal and external recirculations are made possible with advantageous placement of a pump within internal and external recirculation loops and a solenoid valve within the internal recirculation loop. The present system further comprises a means for adjusting the pump action in response to a thermostatic valve, temperature sensors advantageously placed in the main flow line to reduce dead heading.