Hot water storage device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hot water storage tanks made of metal corrode quickly, leading to premature failure, are energy-intensive to produce, and pose environmental concerns, while polymer tanks are not suitable for high-temperature and pressurized conditions, resulting in frequent replacements and waste.
Innovation Solution
A hot water storage device with a vessel formed from moulded fibre reinforced polyphthalamide resin, featuring a modular design with apertures located on the body portion proximal to the tangent line between the cylindrical and dome-shaped sections, and an annular elastomeric seal for sealing, reducing stress concentrations and enhancing durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal tanks are used for hot water storage, then strength characteristics are improved, but corrosion resistance deteriorates leading to premature failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure consisting of a metal tank body with an integrated polymer liner. The metal provides the required strength characteristics to withstand pressure and mechanical loads, while the polymer liner provides corrosion resistance and prevents water contamination. This composite approach allows both materials to contribute their advantageous properties without the disadvantages of either material alone.
2Strength
If metal tanks are used for hot water storage, then strength characteristics are improved, but weight increases making them cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The composite design allows the use of thinner metal walls since the polymer liner contributes to the overall structural integrity. This reduces the metal content and weight while maintaining the required strength characteristics for pressure containment.
3Strength
If metal tanks are used for hot water storage, then strength characteristics are improved, but heat conduction increases leading to greater heat loss
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer liner acts as a thermal barrier between the water and the metal tank wall, reducing heat conduction losses. While the metal provides structural strength, the polymer layer interrupts the thermal pathway, improving thermal insulation performance.
4Weight of stationary object
If polymer tanks are used for hot water storage, then weight is reduced making them lightweight, but temperature and pressure resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure combines the lightweight advantage of polymer with the high temperature and pressure resistance of metal. The polymer liner provides the lightweight characteristic while the metal tank body withstands the thermal and mechanical stresses of hot water storage conditions.
5Reliability
If vitreous enamel lining is applied to steel tanks, then corrosion resistance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a polymer liner instead of vitreous enamel coating. The polymer can be applied as a seamless molded component that integrates with the tank structure, eliminating the complex multi-step enamelling process while providing equivalent or superior corrosion protection.
6Reliability
If vitreous enamel lining is applied to steel tanks, then corrosion resistance is improved, but cracking occurs under cyclic stress
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer liner is inherently more flexible and better accommodates cyclic thermal and mechanical stresses without cracking. The polymer material can elastically deform with the tank expansion and contraction, maintaining integrity under operational conditions where rigid enamel coatings would fail.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a hot water storage device (10) having a vessel (20) including a first section (100) formed from a moulded material and a second section (200) formed from a moulded material. An open end (104) of the first section (100) is sealingly engaged with an opposing open end (204) of the second section (200) to form the vessel (20). The first and second sections (100, 200) each have a generally cylindrical body portion (102, 202) and a closed end, comprising a head portion (106, 206). The vessel (20) includes a water inlet aperture (54) moulded into the first or second section (100, 200) and a water outlet aperture (52) moulded into the first or second section (100, 200) and wherein the inlet and outlet apertures (54, 52) are located on the body portion (102, 202) proximal to a tangent line between the body portion (102, 202) and the head portion (106, 206).