Method and a liquid distribution system for saving liquid and thermal energy
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid distribution systems experience thermal energy loss and liquid wastage due to retained hot or cold liquids in feeding conduits when tap units are not in use, and prior methods require elevated pressures or complex gas valve systems.
Innovation Solution
A liquid distribution system that operates at low pressure during evacuation and high pressure during refilling, using a dampening chamber to separate gas from the liquid, allowing liquid to flow through the conduit while pushing gas into the chamber, and employing a separate evacuation pump to ensure efficient refilling and minimize gas discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If liquid is retained stationary in feeding conduits when tap units are not in use, then the system is ready for immediate use, but thermal energy is lost and liquid is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary evacuation of liquid from feeding conduits when not in use, and maintains a ready state through rapid refilling capability when needed, rather than continuously retaining liquid
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic refilling operations triggered by tap unit activation, with the feeding conduits being refilled on-demand rather than maintaining continuous liquid presence
2Duration of action of moving object
If liquid is retained in feeding conduits, then immediate supply is available, but liquid wastage occurs when consumers let liquid flow until desired temperature is attained
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares for immediate supply by maintaining the liquid distribution infrastructure ready, but evacuates liquid from conduits to prevent wastage, refilling only when actually needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-service through automatic refilling when tap units are activated, eliminating the need for continuous liquid retention and reducing wastage from temperature adjustment flushing
3Loss of substance
If gas valve units are used to replace liquid with gas after tapping operations, then liquid evacuation is achieved, but the system requires elevated pressures and complex valve systems
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the complex gas valve units from the system, replacing them with a simpler pump-based evacuation system that achieves the same liquid removal function without requiring gas introduction
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses hydraulic principles with a pump to create pressure differential for liquid evacuation, replacing the pneumatic approach of using gas valves to push liquid back
4Productivity
If pump-based evacuation is used, then liquid can be evacuated efficiently, but the system requires additional pumping equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The pump serves multiple functions: evacuating liquid from feeding conduits, creating pressure differential for controlled refilling, and potentially serving as a circulation pump, eliminating the need for separate dedicated evacuation equipment
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 approach enables faster refilling with reduced thermal loss, eliminates the need for elevated pressures, and simplifies the system design, ensuring reliable operation and lower installation costs by minimizing gas discharge and avoiding ambient air contamination.
Implementation Method 1
evacuating the liquid from the associated feeding conduit after completion of a tapping operation at an associated liquid tap unit, by generating a backward pressure gradient in said associated feeding conduit, so that the liquid flows backwards towards said liquid source
Implementation Method 2
refilling, upon activating said liquid tap unit, said associated feeding conduit with liquid by generating a forward pressure gradient in said associated feeding conduit and to permit liquid to flow from said liquid source to said associated liquid tap unit, while pushing the remaining gas in the feeding conduit towards said associated liquid tap unit at an operating pressure exceeding an ambient air pressure level
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a system for saving liquid and thermal energy, where a centrally located source of liquid is connected via separate feeding conduits to a plurality of liquid tap units. Each feeding conduit (FC1) is connected to a dampening chamber (D1) via a passage (OP1) containing an inlet (INi) to a liquid valve (VI) adapted to open when liquid reaches the inlet, so that liquid will flow from the feeding conduit to the associated liquid tap unit (LT1). Each feeding conduit is also connected to an evacuation pump (EP) via an evacuation valve (EV), which pump empties the feeding conduit after supply of the respective tap unit.