Multiple pillar liquid heater
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for heating liquids, such as breastmilk, are often inefficient and can lead to excessive heating, causing nutrient degradation, bacterial pasteurization, and the development of dangerous hotspots, making them impractical for precise temperature control.
Innovation Solution
A propulsion heater system integrated within a liquid holding vessel, featuring multiple heater pillars with resistive wire coils and a thermal sensor, along with a mixing element and computing system, which applies heat evenly and ceases heating once a target temperature is reached, minimizing temperature gradients and hotspots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional water pot heating method is used, then heating capability is achieved, but temperature control precision deteriorates causing hotspots and excessive heating
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is divided into multiple independent heating zones with separate heating elements positioned at different locations within the liquid volume. This segmentation allows each zone to be controlled independently, preventing hotspots by distributing heat more evenly throughout the liquid rather than concentrating it in one area.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the heating system have different heating characteristics - the heating elements are designed with varying power outputs and thermal conductivities to match the specific thermal requirements of different liquid volumes and container geometries, enabling precise local temperature control.
2Productivity
If heating power is increased to reduce heating time, then productivity improves, but temperature control precision deteriorates causing nutrient degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system operates in periodic cycles, alternating between high-power heating phases and lower-power maintenance phases. During high-power phases, heat is rapidly applied to achieve target temperature quickly; during maintenance phases, power is reduced to prevent overheating, thus maintaining both high productivity and precise temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature sensors continuously monitor the liquid temperature and provide real-time feedback to the control system. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts the power output of heating elements, increasing power when temperature is below target and reducing power when approaching target, enabling fast yet precise heating.
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 efficiently heats liquids to a target temperature while preventing excessive heating, ensuring nutrient preservation and safety by maintaining even heat distribution and precise temperature control.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the at least two heater pillars can be configured to comprise a heating element configured to transfer heat to a liquid in a liquid-holding volume
Implementation Method 2
In some embodiments, the heating elements comprise respective resistive wire coils
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and apparatuses for heating a liquid are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a heater includes a base comprising a generally planar surface and at least two heater pillars and a sensor pillar configured on the base. The at least two heater pillars each comprise heating elements. The sensor pillar includes a thermal sensor. A mixing element is configured on the generally planar surface of the base and is coupled to a mixing motor. When powered, the heating elements of the heater pillars are configured to generate heat and the mixing motor is configured to cause the mixing element to rotate.