Hybrid Tankless Heater With Unified Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pool and spa heating systems require multiple energy source heaters and separate controllers, leading to increased space requirements and user complexity in managing energy efficiency across varying environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid tankless water heater system incorporating both an electric heat pump and a gas-fired heat exchanger within a single housing, controlled by a programmable controller that directs water flow between the two heating units based on temperature and environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate energy source heaters are installed to provide flexibility for different environmental conditions, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple energy source heaters (gas heater and electric heater) into a single integrated housing unit with a unified control system. This merging approach maintains the adaptability benefits of having multiple heating sources while reducing the complexity of managing separate installations and controllers, as all components are coordinated through one control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed to universally manage multiple types of heating sources within a single unit. The controller can selectively activate either the gas heater, electric heater, or both simultaneously based on environmental conditions, providing multi-functional capability while maintaining a single integrated device structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate energy source heaters are installed to provide flexibility for different environmental conditions, then adaptability is improved, but installation space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple energy source heaters (gas heater and electric heater) into a single integrated housing unit with a unified control system. This merging approach maintains the adaptability benefits of having multiple heating sources while reducing the complexity of managing separate installations and controllers, as all components are coordinated through one control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent places one heater unit inside the housing of another heater unit, creating a nested configuration. For example, the electric heater can be positioned within the housing structure of the gas heater, allowing both heating sources to occupy overlapping or adjacent spatial volumes. This nesting strategy significantly reduces the total installation footprint while maintaining access to both heating technologies.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate controllers are used for multiple heaters, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is designed to universally manage multiple types of heating sources within a single unit. The controller can selectively activate either the gas heater, electric heater, or both simultaneously based on environmental conditions, providing multi-functional capability while maintaining a single integrated device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system automatically monitors environmental conditions and autonomously determines which heating source to activate without requiring user intervention. The system self-adjusts between gas heating, electric heating, or combined operation based on temperature sensors and environmental inputs, eliminating the need for users to manually manage multiple controllers while maintaining full adaptability.
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 hybrid system reduces installation space, enhances energy efficiency, and improves response time by allowing flexible operation of multiple heating sources with a single controller, optimizing energy consumption and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
the first tankless heater is an electric heat pump
Implementation Method 2
the second tankless heater is a gas fired heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
the second tankless heater is a gas fired heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
A heater including a housing, a first tankless heater, a second tankless heater, a first and second flow directing elements, the first flow directing element in communication with the first tankless heater and the second flow directing element and the second flow directing element in communication with the second tankless heater, and a controller in communication with the first and second tankless heaters and the first and second flow directing elements, the controller configured to control the first and second flow directing elements to control flow to one or both of the first and second tankless heaters.