A device for heating a liquid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for heating liquids, such as service water, often result in temperature layering within tanks, leading to inefficient heating and potential mixing of different temperature layers.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising an energy unit, a heat exchanger, and a tank with an introducing device and an internal distributor, which guides the heated liquid through the internal distributor before it enters the main tank, minimizing temperature mixing and ensuring better layering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If heated liquid is introduced directly into the tank, then the heating process is simple, but temperature layers mix and thermal energy is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an internal distributor as an intermediary component between the liquid inlet and the tank interior. This distributor receives heated liquid from the introducing device and distributes it in a controlled manner, preventing direct mixing with cold liquid layers. The intermediary structure maintains thermal energy by controlling the interaction between hot and cold layers while adding manageable structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the liquid flow path into distinct zones: the introducing device inlet, the internal distributor interior space, and the tank interior space. This segmentation allows controlled thermal interaction at each stage, preventing premature mixing of temperature layers and reducing energy loss while organizing the tank internal structure into functional segments.
2Productivity
If the liquid is allowed to flow freely in the tank, then the device operation is simple, but temperature layers mix and heating efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The internal distributor performs preliminary distribution of heated liquid before it enters the main tank interior. By pre-organizing the flow pattern and creating controlled entry points, the distributor ensures that heated liquid is deposited in a manner that maintains thermal layers, thereby improving heating efficiency without requiring complex continuous control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal distributor acts as a mediator between the introducing device and the tank interior, controlling the flow transition. This intermediary structure manages the complexity of flow control by providing a fixed geometric pattern that naturally guides liquid flow, improving heating efficiency while avoiding the need for active control systems.
3Temperature
If heated liquid is introduced directly into the tank interior, then the heating process is fast, but thermal layers mix and temperature integrity is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the thermal interaction into controlled stages within the internal distributor. The interior space of the distributor allows heated liquid to maintain its temperature integrity during the transition phase, preventing premature mixing with cold layers. This segmented approach preserves temperature integrity while the streamlined geometry minimizes time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal distributor introduces a spatial dimension to the flow control by creating a three-dimensional interior space that guides liquid flow patterns. This dimensional approach allows heated liquid to maintain temperature integrity through controlled spatial distribution rather than relying solely on temporal sequencing, thus preserving temperature while minimizing time loss.
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 device effectively prevents the mixing of different temperature layers within the tank, ensuring that the heated liquid maintains its temperature integrity and is distributed efficiently throughout the tank.
Implementation Method 1
the heat exchanger device transfers the thermal energy generated by the energy unit to the liquid
Implementation Method 2
the introducing device and the internal distributor are configured and arranged relative to each other such that liquid flows from the introducing device into an interior space of the internal distributor, and from the interior space of the internal distributor into the interior space of the tank
Data Source
AI summary
Example embodiments relate to a device for heating a liquid. A heat exchanger device transfers thermal energy generated by an energy unit to the liquid. The liquid flows into an interior space of an internal distributor via an introducing device, and from there into the interior space of a tank.