Integrated Water Tank Heating for Boiler-Free Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heating systems require a boiler, which is inefficient, costly to install and maintain, and poses environmental concerns, especially in smaller dwellings where access for gas supplies and ventilation is limited, with significant energy losses during heat transfer to water cylinders.
Innovation Solution
A heating system comprising a water storage tank with integrated electrical heating elements and a heat exchanger that eliminates the need for a conventional boiler by directly heating water within the tank, using a secondary heat source and a master controller to manage heating circuits, allowing for efficient heat transfer to both hot water and central heating systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a conventional boiler is used to heat water in the cylinder, then hot water can be supplied, but significant energy losses occur during heat transfer especially when the boiler is sited some way from the cylinder
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heating function from the remote boiler and relocates it directly into the water cylinder through integrated heating elements. This eliminates the intermediate heat transfer process through pipes and removes the boiler from the energy loss pathway, allowing the heating function to be performed at the point of water storage where it is most efficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary heat exchanger system where electrical heating elements heat water directly in the cylinder, and this heated water then transfers thermal energy to the central heating circuit through the heat exchanger. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for direct boiler-to-cylinder heat transfer through long pipes, reducing energy losses.
2Area of stationary object
If a boiler is installed in a location away from the cylinder, then space can be freed in smaller dwellings, but heating efficiency decreases due to energy losses in conveying heat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the water storage function and the heating function into a single integrated unit. The heating elements are mounted directly within the water cylinder, combining what were previously separate functions (boiler heating and water storage) into one compact system that eliminates space requirements for a separate boiler room while maintaining high heating efficiency.
3Ease of manufacture
If a conventional boiler system is installed, then hot water and central heating can be provided, but installation costs are high due to gas supply, flue, and substantial pipe-work requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical combustion-based heating system (boiler requiring gas supply, flue, and complex pipe-work) with an electrical heating system. This substitution eliminates the need for gas infrastructure, flue installations, and substantial water pipe-work, significantly reducing installation complexity and costs while providing the same hot water and central heating functions.
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 reduces installation and maintenance costs, minimizes environmental impact, and provides a more efficient and controllable heating system without the need for a boiler, suitable for smaller spaces and renewable energy integration.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of electrical heating elements, the electrical heating elements being controllable to heat water within the water storage tank
Implementation Method 2
the heat exchanger being arranged to be coupled to a central heating circuit for transferring heat from the water in the storage tank to heat the central heating circuit
Data Source
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AI summary
A heating system is disclosed. The heating system includes a water storage tank, a heat exchanger and a plurality of electrical heating elements, the heat exchanger and electrical heating elements being mounted substantially within the water storage tank. The electrical heating elements are controllable to heat water within the water storage tank and the heat exchanger is arranged to be coupled to a central heating circuit for transferring heat from the water in the storage tank to heat the central heating circuit. The electrical heating elements are arranged into a plurality of circuits, each circuit being independently powered and controllable to selectively heat water within the water storage tank.