Ice Thermal Storage Tank Circulation Without a Stirrer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ice thermal storage tanks with stirrers suffer from noise generation, ineffective ice convection, incomplete melting of ice on the evaporator surface, and increased device size, which hinder efficient cold water production and energy savings.
Innovation Solution
A micro-ice thermal storage tank employing a circulation system without a stirrer, utilizing a pump and jetting unit with spiral injection nozzles to circulate ice storage liquid directly to the evaporator's surface for enhanced heat transfer and cold water generation, controlled by a temperature sensor for efficient cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a stirrer is installed in the ice thermal storage tank to circulate ice storage liquid, then ice convection is enhanced, but noise is generated and device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the stirrer component from the ice thermal storage tank, extracting the noise-generating mechanical element while maintaining ice convection through alternative means (natural convection and tank geometry design), thereby eliminating noise without completely sacrificing convection efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical stirrer system is replaced with a passive circulation approach using natural convection currents and optimized tank geometry, substituting active mechanical agitation with passive thermal-fluid dynamics to achieve ice storage liquid circulation without noise
2Productivity
If a stirrer is installed in the ice thermal storage tank, then ice storage liquid circulation is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stirrer mechanism is completely removed from the device, eliminating the need for motors, propellers, and associated mounting structures, thereby reducing device size while maintaining circulation functionality through natural convection and tank design
Solution Approach 2:
The ice thermal storage tank is designed to utilize natural convection currents generated by temperature differences within the tank itself, allowing the system to self-circulate ice storage liquid without external mechanical assistance, thereby reducing device size
3Productivity
If a stirrer is used to melt ice on the evaporator surface, then ice melting is enhanced, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The expensive mechanical stirrer system is removed, eliminating manufacturing costs associated with motors, control systems, and mechanical components, while ice melting is achieved through optimized thermal contact between the evaporator and ice storage liquid
Solution Approach 2:
Mechanical ice melting via stirrer is replaced with thermal conduction and natural convection processes, substituting expensive mechanical systems with simpler thermal transfer mechanisms that reduce manufacturing costs
4Productivity
If a stirrer is installed to improve heat exchange, then ice convection is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex stirrer mechanism with motors, control systems, and mechanical components is removed, simplifying the device structure while maintaining heat exchange efficiency through optimized tank geometry and natural convection processes
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes natural convection currents that arise automatically from temperature differences within the tank, requiring no external control systems or mechanical actuation, thereby reducing device complexity
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 design reduces noise, enhances cold water generation efficiency, minimizes device size, and lowers manufacturing costs while effectively controlling the cooling system to achieve desired cold water temperatures and conserve energy.
Implementation Method 1
a pump pumping the ice storage liquid to the jetting unit
Implementation Method 2
The jetting unit may include: a body having an inlet through which the ice storage liquid is introduced; and a plurality of injection nozzles formed on the body. The plurality of injection nozzles may provide the ice storage liquid to the cooling device connected to the tank body to cool the ice storage liquid
Implementation Method 3
a cold water line is installed to pass through an ice storage tank in which ice or a cold fluid is stored to allow the cooled heat transmission material accommodated within the ice storage tank to be heat-exchanged with room temperature water
Implementation Method 4
ice formed on the surface of the evaporator 30 is melted, it absorbs latent heat
Implementation Method 5
ice formed on the surface of the evaporator 30 is melted, it absorbs latent heat to potentially lower a temperature of the ice storage liquid
Data Source
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AI summary
There are provided an ice thermal storage tank having excellent cold water generation efficiency and having a considerably reduced size, and a water cooler having the same. The ice thermal storage tank includes: a tank body accommodating an ice storage liquid cooled according to an ice thermal storage scheme; a cold water generation unit heat-exchanging introduced water with the cooled ice storage liquid to generate cold water; and a circulation unit extracting the ice storage liquid accommodated in the tank body to circulate it within the tank body. The water cooler includes: the thermal storage tank cooling water supplied from the outside; and a water dispensing unit dispensing cooled water from the ice thermal storage tank. Since an ice storage liquid is circulated without using a stirrer, the size of an ice thermal storage tank can be remarkably reduced, and thus, a water cooler is reduced in size.