Instant hot water delivery system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional hot water delivery systems waste water and are inconvenient due to cooled-down water in pipes, and existing solutions require complex and costly electrical installations for recirculation pumps.
Innovation Solution
An instant hot water delivery system using a thermal storage bin with a phase change material and a crossover valve for thermosiphon-based recirculation, eliminating the need for electrical power and allowing plug-and-play installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional hot water recirculation units are used, then hot water temperature is improved, but installation complexity increases due to recirculation piping and electrical requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the recirculation function from complex electrical pump systems and implements it through a purely mechanical thermosiphon effect. The recirculation loop is simplified to basic piping without pumps, controllers, or electrical components, eliminating installation complexity while maintaining temperature control functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces electrical pump-based recirculation systems with a passive thermosiphon mechanical system. The recirculation is achieved through natural convection currents driven by temperature differences, substituting complex electrical-mechanical systems with a simpler thermal-mechanical system that requires no power supply or control electronics
2Productivity
If recirculation pumps are used, then hot water delivery is improved, but energy consumption increases due to electrical power requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service recirculation through the thermosiphon effect, where the system automatically circulates hot water without external energy input. The temperature difference between hot and cold water creates natural convection currents that drive recirculation, eliminating the need for electrical pumps and reducing energy consumption to zero for the recirculation function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes hydraulic principles of natural convection and density differences to achieve recirculation. Hot water, being less dense, rises and flows toward the demand point, while cooler water sinks and returns to the heater, creating a continuous passive hydraulic loop without mechanical pumps or electrical energy input
3Device complexity
If traditional hot water systems are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but water waste increases due to draining cooled water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes continuous recirculation of hot water through the thermosiphon loop, ensuring that hot water is constantly replenished in the distribution pipes. This continuous action eliminates the need to drain cooled water before use, as fresh hot water is always available at the demand point, thereby preventing water waste while maintaining system simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by continuously circulating hot water through the distribution system before demand occurs. The thermosiphon recirculation ensures that hot water is pre-positioned in the pipes, eliminating the need for users to drain cooled water and wait for hot water to arrive, thus preventing water waste while keeping the system simple
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 system provides instant hot water without electrical power, conserves water, and simplifies installation by using natural thermosiphon flow for recirculation, reducing energy usage and installation complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The heat exchanger panel includes a phase change material that is encapsulated therein
Implementation Method 2
The heat exchanger panel includes a phase change material that is encapsulated therein
Implementation Method 3
a heat exchanger panel that is disposed in the inner chamber such the heat exchanger panel defines flow channels within the inner chamber
Implementation Method 4
a crossover valve that is configured to recirculate the hot water from the thermal storage bin to the water heater via a cold water supply conduit based on a temperature of the hot water stored in the thermal storage bin
Implementation Method 5
using natural thermosiphon flow for recirculation
Data Source
AI summary
An instant hot water delivery system includes a thermal storage bin that receives hot water from a water heater via a hot water supply conduit and stores the hot water therein. The thermal storage bin is disposed adjacent a point of demand to deliver the hot water instantly to the point of demand responsive to a demand. The thermal storage bin is configured to retain a thermal energy of the hot water for a prolonged period using a phase change material. When the hot water stored in the thermal storage bin cools down below a threshold temperature, the cooled down hot water is recirculated to the water heater via a cold water supply conduit using a crossover valve. The recirculation is based on thermosiphon. Fresh hot water from the water heater replaces the cooled down hot water that is displaced from the thermal storage bin.