Livewell Temperature Control Using Dual Sensors and Heat Exchanger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing livewell systems struggle to maintain a consistent temperature for aquatic life, often relying on inefficient cooling methods or assuming that filling the tank with fresh water will lower the temperature.
Innovation Solution
A livewell system that includes a tank, fill and recirculation pumps, temperature sensors, and a controller that operates the pumps based on temperature comparisons between the tank water and external water, using a heat exchanger to cool the water when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If water is withdrawn from the livewell and conveyed through a heat exchange conduit in an auxiliary ice chest, then the water temperature is reduced to induce slowed metabolism of gamefish, but the device complexity increases due to additional cooling systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cooling function from the main livewell system by using a separate auxiliary ice chest as the heat exchange medium. This allows temperature reduction without integrating a complex active cooling system into the livewell, simplifying the overall device while achieving the desired temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces water from the auxiliary ice chest as an intermediary cooling medium between the livewell water and the heat exchange conduit. This intermediary approach enables heat transfer and temperature control without direct contact between the livewell water and the ice chest, simplifying the system architecture.
2Temperature
If water is circulated through a refrigerant based heat exchanger means, then the water temperature is controlled to sustain fish life, but the device complexity increases due to refrigeration components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the refrigeration function into a separate, removable filtration unit that houses the heat exchanger means. This allows the refrigeration components to be isolated from the main livewell system, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining temperature control capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the filtration unit and its integrated heat exchanger removable and relocatable, allowing the system to dynamically adapt between different operating modes. The refrigeration components can be engaged or disengaged based on temperature requirements, reducing complexity during normal operation while maintaining control capability.
3Loss of energy
If water is pumped through a serpentine contour water passageway surrounding a refrigerant conduit, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases due to complex piping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the filtration function and heat exchange function into a single integrated filtration unit. The serpentine water passageway is combined with the refrigerant conduit within the same housing, eliminating the need for separate filtration and cooling systems and reducing overall piping complexity while maintaining heat exchange efficiency.
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 system effectively maintains the water temperature within a predetermined range by dynamically adjusting pump operations and using a heat exchanger, thereby improving the health and survival of aquatic life.
Implementation Method 1
using a heat exchanger to cool the water when necessary
Data Source
AI summary
A livewell system for a marine vessel includes a tank configured to hold water, a fill pump configured to pump water into the tank from a body of water in which the marine vessel is located, and a recirculation pump configured to pump water out of the tank and subsequently back into the tank. A first temperature sensor senses a temperature of the water in the body of water, and a second temperature sensor senses a temperature of the water in the tank. A controller is provided in signal communication with the fill pump, the recirculation pump, and the first and second temperature sensors. The controller operates the fill pump and the recirculation pump based on information from the first and second temperature sensors to maintain the temperature of the water in the tank within a predetermined temperature range. A method for maintaining livewell water temperature is also provided.