Method for controlling a temperature of a liquid in a liquid container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature control methods in liquid containers are inefficient during the filling process with cold liquid, leading to slower heating and longer wait times for achieving desired water temperature.
Innovation Solution
A dual-control method is employed, where the heating device is permanently activated during partial filling with cold liquid, and the liquid volume flow rate is adjusted to control temperature, switching to traditional heat output control upon full filling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the heating device is controlled using traditional two-step control during filling with cold liquid, then the heating device operates intermittently, but the heating process slows down and hot water becomes available later
Solution Approach 1:
The control method dynamically adjusts the heating device operation based on the liquid level in the container. During the filling phase when liquid level is below a threshold, the heating device operates continuously at full power. When the liquid level exceeds the threshold, the system switches to traditional two-step control. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by ensuring full heating power is available during filling to minimize wait time, while maintaining energy efficiency during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the heating device based on the liquid level parameter. By monitoring the liquid level and adjusting the heating power accordingly (full power during filling, intermittent power during normal operation), the system optimizes both heating speed and energy utilization, resolving the contradiction between fast heating and energy efficiency.
2Productivity
If the heating device is permanently activated during partial filling with cool liquid, then the full heating power is utilized and heating speed increases, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system uses feedback from the liquid level sensor to automatically adjust the heating device operation. When the liquid level is detected to be below the threshold during filling, the system automatically activates full heating power. This feedback mechanism simplifies the control logic by using automatic level-based switching rather than complex manual control, resolving the contradiction between heating speed and control complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control process is segmented into distinct phases: a filling phase (when liquid level is below threshold) where full heating power is applied, and a normal operation phase (when liquid level exceeds threshold) where two-step control is used. This segmentation allows the system to optimize for heating speed during filling without permanently maintaining complex control logic, as the system automatically transitions between simple and complex control modes based on liquid level.
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
Faster heating of liquid to desired temperature is achieved by utilizing full heating power during partial filling, reducing wait times and ensuring efficient temperature regulation.
Implementation Method 1
heating device for heating the liquid in the liquid container
Implementation Method 2
The liquid reservoir advantageously provides the liquid under pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a temperature of a liquid in a liquid container filled with at least a first predetermined amount of the liquid using a heating device. The temperature of the liquid in the liquid container is measured and controlled by adjusting the heat output of the heating device. If the liquid container is filled with less than the first predetermined amount of liquid until the liquid container is filled with a second predetermined amount of the liquid, wherein the second predetermined amount of the liquid is equal to or greater than the first predetermined amount of the liquid, cool liquid is fed into the liquid container from a liquid reservoir, the heating device is permanently activated, and the temperature of the liquid in the partially filled liquid container is controlled.