Indirect Water Heating Apparatus with Dynamic Pump Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing indirect water heating apparatuses have a low heat supplying capacity, leading to prolonged time for water temperature to reach the target in the hot water supply tank, causing user discomfort due to the depletion of hot water.
Innovation Solution
A water heating apparatus with a heat source circuit and a hot water supply circuit connected by pumps and heat exchangers, controlled by a unit that compares temperatures and adjusts the second circulation pump's flow rate based on temperature changes to efficiently maintain the target temperature and prevent hot water depletion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the heat pump's heat supplying capacity is increased, then the water heating speed improves and hot water depletion is prevented, but the operating cost increases and economic efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the circulation pump's flow rate variable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically adjusts the pump's flow rate based on real-time temperature measurements from multiple sensors, allowing the system to optimize between heating speed and energy consumption according to actual conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by using temperature sensors to continuously monitor water temperature at different locations in the tank. The control unit receives this feedback and adjusts the circulation pump's flow rate accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents both overheating and insufficient heating.
2Speed
If the circulation pump's flow rate is increased, then the water temperature reaches target faster, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation pump's flow rate is made dynamic through variable speed control. The control unit adjusts the pump speed based on temperature differential measurements, using higher speeds when rapid heating is needed and lower speeds when temperature is sufficient, thereby optimizing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the flow rate parameter of the circulation pump based on temperature conditions. By monitoring temperature at different tank locations and calculating temperature differences, the system adjusts the flow rate parameter to achieve optimal heating efficiency at each moment.
3Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors are installed to accurately detect water temperature distribution, then temperature control precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by installing temperature sensors at specific strategic locations within the water tank rather than uniformly throughout. The sensors are positioned to detect temperature at the heat exchanger location and at representative points in the tank, providing sufficient temperature distribution information without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that processes temperature data from multiple sensors and translates it into pump control decisions. This intermediary function simplifies the overall system by centralizing the complexity of multi-sensor data interpretation in a dedicated control unit rather than requiring complex distributed control logic.
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 solution enables efficient operation and user comfort by ensuring the hot water supply tank temperature reaches the target efficiently and preventing hot water depletion by dynamically controlling the flow rate of the second circulation pump.
Implementation Method 1
indirect water heating-type water heating apparatus configured to exchange heat between refrigerant from a heat pump and water
Implementation Method 2
heat pump, and a heat source side of a hot water supply tank heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
hot water supply circuit including a second circulation pump
Implementation Method 4
control a flow rate of the second circulation pump based on change in temperature in the hot water supply tank
Data Source
AI summary
A water heating apparatus, including: a heat source circuit including a first circulation pump, a heat pump, and a heat source side of a hot water supply tank heat exchanger that are connected to each other by a pipe, the heat source circuit being configured to allow water to circulate therethrough; a hot water supply circuit including a second circulation pump, a use side of the hot water supply tank-use heat exchanger, and a hot water supply tank that are connected to each other by a pipe, the hot water supply circuit being configured to allow water to circulate therethrough; and a control unit configured to perform, when the hot water supply tank temperature falls below the reheating tank temperature, reheating, and control a flow rate of the second circulation pump.