Method and apparatus for single pipe instant warm water supply in buildings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plumbing systems in buildings face delays and inefficiencies in providing hot water on demand, leading to wasted time and resources, and existing solutions either require additional infrastructure or result in energy and water wastage.
Innovation Solution
A smart system that heats water locally on demand using a closed-loop control and integrates microwaves and thermoelectric materials to adjust temperature and flow rate, harvesting wastewater heat for efficient warm water supply without a hot water tank or separate pipes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If conventional hot water supply systems are used with separate hot and cold water pipes, then hot water can be supplied to building occupants, but significant amounts of time and water are wasted while consumers wait for hot water to arrive at remotely located faucets
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the water heating function into two parts: central water heating at the water heater, and local instant heating at the faucet. This segmentation allows cold water to be supplied immediately through the cold water line while adding heat only when and where needed, eliminating the need to flush hot water through long pipes.
Solution Approach 2:
The faucet system performs self-heating of cold water at the point of consumption. The heater integrated in the faucet automatically heats cold water as it flows through, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating dependency on pre-heated water circulating through pipes.
2Productivity
If hot water circulating systems or steady drainage of hot water are used to make hot water available without delay, then hot water availability is improved, but extra costs and energy and water wasting occur
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous hot water circulation or steady drainage, the system uses periodic action by heating water only when the faucet is actually in use. The heater activates on-demand based on user demand, converting continuous energy waste into intermittent, purposeful heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter dynamically - cold water is supplied during non-use periods, and heating is applied only during active use. This parameter change from continuous hot water supply to on-demand heating significantly reduces energy consumption while maintaining productivity.
3Temperature
If water is heated in a water heater and transmitted in a separate pipe, then hot water can be delivered to consumption points, but the system overheats water and then mixes it with cold water, resulting in energy inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is extracted from the central water heater and placed directly at the faucet. This extraction eliminates the unnecessary step of heating water centrally and transporting it, allowing cold water to be heated only to the exact temperature needed at the point of use.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of the conventional approach of heating water centrally and then cooling it through mixing, the system inverts the process by supplying cold water and heating it locally to the desired temperature. This inversion eliminates energy waste from overheating and subsequent cooling through mixing.
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
Provides instant, adjustable warm water at the point of consumption, reducing plumbing costs and energy consumption while enhancing user comfort and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The apparatus further comprises a water chamber (7) with a built-in magnetron as the heating body (8) generating microwaves
Implementation Method 2
a water chamber (7) with a built-in magnetron as the heating body (8) generating microwaves, an outside body from thermoelectric material generating heat using electricity
Implementation Method 3
an outside body from thermoelectric material generating heat using electricity
Implementation Method 4
an outside body from thermoelectric material generating heat using electricity
Implementation Method 5
Harvesting the heat energy of drained wastewater and using it right away for the water being warmed is another feature of this solution
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an apparatus are provided for on-demand and instant warm water supply at the point of consumption. In this method, only cold water is distributed and supplied to different places within a building through a single piping system. The apparatus has only a single input pipe for cold water and heats water in a heating unit just as needed on demand at the point of consumption after harvesting the heat energy of wastewater from drainage. The heating unit alternatives are a magnetron for generating microwaves or a thermoelectric body that heats the input water instantly and as needed and no more through a closed-loop controller. No hot and cold-water mixer is used. The method and apparatus help the building industry save on plumbing costs and consumed energy and water while bringing more comfort to users through direct and local heating of water on demand and as adjusted instantly.