Kettle apparatus and method thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electric kettles for beer brewing face limitations with single voltage designs, leading to either excessively long heating times and low boil intensity at 120V or high watt density that can scorch sugars at 240V, resulting in undesirable flavor changes.
Innovation Solution
A dual voltage capable boiler apparatus with a removably couplable heating element assembly that includes multiple resistive coils with adjustable resistance, allowing for voltage switching between 120V and 240V, and a control panel with a switch to manage the heating elements, along with insulation and a thermostat for temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single voltage design (120V) is used, then safety and availability are improved, but heating time increases excessively and boil intensity becomes very low
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element assembly is designed with adjustable resistance through selectable coil configurations, allowing the system to dynamically adapt its heating characteristics. The control panel enables switching between different resistance settings to optimize heating speed while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The resistance of the heating element is made variable through the selection of different coil configurations (single coil, parallel coils, series coils). This parameter change allows the system to achieve different power levels and heating rates while operating at the same voltage, resolving the contradiction between safety and heating efficiency
2Productivity
If high voltage (240V) is used, then heating time is reduced and boil intensity is excellent, but watt density becomes too high causing scorching and flavor alteration
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the resistance parameter of the heating element by selecting different coil configurations. At 240V operation, higher resistance settings are selected to reduce current and watt density, preventing scorching while maintaining fast heating and high boil intensity
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable resistance allows the system to dynamically control watt density based on operating conditions. The control panel enables real-time adjustment of heating element characteristics to optimize the balance between heating speed and prevention of harmful scorching effects
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed resistance heating elements are used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different voltage requirements is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is segmented into multiple independent coils that can be selectively connected. This segmentation allows the same physical component to provide different resistance values by changing the electrical connection configuration, achieving voltage adaptability without complicating manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element assembly is designed to perform multiple functions through a single component structure. The same set of coils can be configured for different resistance values and voltage requirements, making the heating element universal across different operating conditions while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
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
Enables efficient heating with adjustable watt density, reducing the risk of scorching and allowing for easy replacement of heating elements, while maintaining consistent flavor profiles by optimizing heating times and intensity.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element assembly comprising a first coil having a first diameter and a first resistance
Data Source
AI summary
An improved boiler apparatus having a removably couplable heating element that can have resistive heating elements are provided with fixed resistances that can be rewired to allow variable wattage usage of the heating element. Some heating element assemblies can include more than one heating coils or heating element. The heating elements can be wired in series, or parallel thereby creating a low watt density but high wattage heater.