Method for managing, in a tank, a volume of water in which the temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water storage tanks lack effective management systems to prevent a lack of hot water and do not account for financial aspects when reheating water, leading to potential shortages and inefficient energy use.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that monitor and manage water temperature in tanks by introducing water at a lower temperature to maintain stratification, determining flow rates and volumes, and controlling heating outside predetermined times to ensure adequate hot water supply while optimizing energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If water is heated periodically in a predetermined time range to reach set temperature, then energy costs are reduced through off-peak heating, but hot water may be insufficient when demand occurs outside heating periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating actions during off-peak periods to prepare hot water in advance before demand occurs. By predicting future hot water needs and heating water during low-cost periods, the system ensures hot water availability while reducing energy costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the volume and temperature of water layers in the tank, providing feedback to adjust heating schedules. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain adequate hot water reserves while optimizing heating timing based on actual tank conditions and predicted demand.
2Stability of the object's composition
If water is drawn from the tank and replaced with low temperature water forming separate layers, then thermal stratification is maintained, but the volume of hot water decreases requiring more frequent heating
Solution Approach 1:
The system predicts future hot water consumption patterns and performs heating actions in advance during off-peak periods. This preliminary action ensures that sufficient hot water is available in the tank before demand occurs, maintaining both stratification and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts heating schedules based on real-time monitoring of tank conditions (water volume, temperature distribution) and predicted demand. This dynamic approach optimizes the balance between maintaining thermal stratification and ensuring adequate hot water availability.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If the thermostat is linked to a timer to release power during the day, then energy costs are reduced, but the ability to respond to sudden hot water demand is diminished
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating during off-peak periods to pre-prepare hot water before demand occurs. This advance preparation reduces the need for immediate heating responses while ensuring hot water availability, thus maintaining both cost efficiency and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from flow rate sensors and temperature monitoring to detect actual hot water usage patterns. This feedback enables the system to adapt its heating schedule and predict future demand more accurately, maintaining responsiveness despite timer-based off-peak heating.
4Device complexity
If no system monitors remaining hot water capacity, then device complexity is reduced, but hot water shortages cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms using flow rate sensors and temperature monitoring to continuously track hot water consumption and tank conditions. This feedback enables the system to predict when hot water reserves will be depleted and trigger appropriate heating actions to prevent shortages.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-monitoring of hot water capacity and automatically manages heating schedules based on detected conditions. By autonomously tracking its own state and making decisions, the system ensures continuous hot water supply without requiring complex external monitoring infrastructure.
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
Prevents hot water shortages by anticipating demand and optimizing heating schedules based on remaining water volume and temperature, ensuring a consistent supply while minimizing energy costs.
Implementation Method 1
the water in the tank being heated periodically in a predetermined time range by at least one resistor to reach a set temperature
Implementation Method 2
the volume of water introduced into the tank each time water is drawn from the tank forming a layer of water at the low temperature and not mixing with at least one other layer of water in the tank whose temperature is different
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a device and a method for managing, in a tank (20), a volume of water whose temperature is above a predetermined temperature, the water in the tank being heated periodically within a predetermined time range, at each withdrawal of water from the tank, the water introduced into the tank at each withdrawal of water forming a layer of water at the lower temperature not mixing with at least one other layer whose temperature is different.According to the invention: - the volume of water drawn off is determined (10), - the volume of water contained in at least one layer of the tank is updated (10), - the layers of the tank are updated (10) when the water in the tank is heated, - the volume of water in the tank whose temperature is greater than or equal to the predetermined temperature is determined (10), - the heating of at least a part of the water in the tank is controlled (10) outside the predetermined time range if the determined volume of water is less than a threshold.