Induction Flow Heater Layout for Fast Beverage Water Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage vending machines with traditional resistive heaters face inefficiencies due to thermal inertia, leading to high energy consumption and long waiting times for hot water dispensation, especially when the machine is inactive, and struggle with maintaining high flow rates without temperature drops or lumps in beverages.
Innovation Solution
A continuous-flow electromagnetic-induction fluid heater with a tubular body and a winding of concentric spirals generates an electromagnetic induction field to heat the fluid efficiently, using a ferromagnetic heating element and a logic unit for closed-loop temperature control, optimizing heat exchange through a vortex flow and increased surface area of the heating element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional resistive heaters are used to heat water in beverage vending machines, then the heating element can be permanently immersed in water and heat it by conduction, but the machine consumes considerable energy to maintain water temperature during inactive periods and requires long waiting times to reheat water after dispensation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional resistive heating element with an electromagnetic induction heating system. The induction heater uses a magnetic field generated by a coil to induce eddy currents in a conductive heating element (such as a metal duct or plate), which then heats the water through resistive heating. This substitution eliminates the need for a permanently immersed resistive heating element and allows for rapid heating on demand, significantly reducing energy consumption during inactive periods while maintaining the ability to heat water to required temperatures.
2Temperature
If traditional resistive heaters are used to heat water, then the water can be held in a container and heated to desired temperature, but long waiting periods are necessary for re-heating water after dispensation, depending on the quantity of hot water dispensed
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic induction heating system enables rapid heating of water by directly inducing currents in the heating element, which transfers heat to water much faster than traditional resistive heaters. This reduces the thermal inertia issue and allows the system to quickly restore water temperature after dispensation, minimizing waiting periods while maintaining consistent temperature for subsequent beverages.
3Productivity
If high flow rate of hot water is dispensed to prepare beverages rapidly, then the beverage preparation speed increases, but the temperature of water in the container drops rapidly requiring long waiting times for subsequent dispensation
Solution Approach 1:
The induction heating system provides rapid heat input that can compensate for the temperature drop caused by high flow rate dispensing. The electromagnetic induction mechanism allows for quick heating cycles that restore water temperature almost immediately after high-volume dispensation, enabling the system to maintain both high productivity and consistent water temperature for continuous beverage preparation.
4Ease of operation
If traditional heaters are used to maintain water at desired temperature above 85°C, then rapid dispensing can be guaranteed, but considerable energy is consumed when the machine remains inactive for long periods
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic induction heating system operates on a periodic or on-demand basis rather than continuously maintaining high temperature. The system can quickly heat water to the required temperature above 85°C when dispensing is requested, then enter a low-power state during inactive periods. This periodic operation mode maintains the rapid dispensing capability while dramatically reducing energy consumption during idle times compared to continuous heating.
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 solution provides a reliable, cost-effective heating system that rapidly heats fluids with improved efficiency, reducing energy consumption and waiting times, while maintaining high flow rates and preventing lumps in beverages.
Implementation Method 1
a winding (11) defined by a plurality of concentric spirals wound around an external surface (12) of the tubular body (7), the winding (11) being configured to be supplied with an alternating electric current and to generate, in this manner, an electromagnetic induction field
Implementation Method 2
The parasitic currents dissipate energy, by the Joule effect, in the form of heat, thus heating the duct and, consequently, the water that flows in contact with the same
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A continuous-flow electromagnetic -induction fluid heater (1, 1', 1") in a vending machine for preparing beverages. The continuous -flow electromagnetic-induction fluid heater (1, 1', 1") comprises a tubular body (7) having a longitudinal axis (A), internally defining at least one channel (7a) for a fluid, and including at least one inlet opening (8) through which the fluid to be heated is fed, in use, to the channel (7a), and one outlet opening (10) through which the heated fluid flows out, in use, from the channel (7a); a heating element (13, 13', 13") arranged, at least partially, inside the channel (7a) so as to be lapped, in use, by the fluid; and an electric winding (11) which is wound directly in contact around an external surface (12) of the tubular body (7) and which can be electrically powered to generate an electromagnetic induction field and heat, in this manner, the heating element (13, 13', 13") by the effect of said electromagnetic induction field. The inlet and outlet openings (8, 10) are arranged at respective opposite axial ends of the tubular body (7) in respective eccentric positions with respect to the longitudinal axis (A).