Nested Heat Exchanger in Water Tank for Compact Vehicle Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating apparatuses for vehicles and mobile structures are often bulky and inefficient, requiring a more compact and efficient design to optimize space usage while maintaining effective water heating and space heating capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A compact heating apparatus design featuring a heat exchanger with a U-shaped internal fluid path, a burner device with a fan housing and air flow detection system, and a thermostatic mixing valve, all integrated within a housing that allows for underfloor mounting and efficient insulation, reducing the overall height and enhancing heating efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional water heating apparatus is used in vehicles, then heating function is provided, but the apparatus occupies excessive space
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is positioned inside the water tank, with the burner located within the heat exchanger structure. This nested arrangement allows multiple functional components to occupy the same spatial envelope, dramatically reducing the overall apparatus volume while maintaining all necessary heating functions
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger utilizes the vertical dimension by extending downward into the water tank, with heat transfer surfaces positioned at multiple depths. This three-dimensional heat exchange approach maximizes heating efficiency within a compact footprint by utilizing vertical space that would otherwise be unused
2Volume of moving object
If the heat exchanger is positioned inside the water tank, then compact design is achieved, but access for maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is designed as a separable component that can be removed from the water tank as a complete assembly. The burner, heat exchanger, and associated piping form a modular unit that can be installed and maintained without draining the tank or disassembling the entire water heating system
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger assembly is designed to be extractable from the water tank through a dedicated access opening. This allows the heat exchanger to be positioned inside the tank for compactness during operation, while enabling easy removal for maintenance by extracting the entire assembly through the tank opening
3Loss of energy
If insulation is provided around the tank, then heat loss is reduced, but the overall apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger and water tank are integrated into a single compact assembly where the heat exchanger occupies the central volume of the tank. This merging of components eliminates the need for separate insulation chambers and allows insulation to be applied only to the external tank surface, minimizing overall volume increase
Solution Approach 2:
Insulation is applied selectively to the tank exterior surfaces where heat loss occurs, rather than providing uniform insulation around the entire apparatus. The insulation thickness and placement are optimized for thermal efficiency while minimizing the increase in overall apparatus dimensions
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 solution provides a compact, efficient heating system that optimizes space usage, allows for higher water temperatures, and reduces insulation costs, while maintaining effective heating performance, making it suitable for vehicles and mobile structures.
Implementation Method 1
A compact heating apparatus design featuring a heat exchanger with a U-shaped internal fluid path
Implementation Method 2
the body is configured to define at least one substantially U-shaped internal fluid path between the mouth and the flue outlet
Implementation Method 3
The heat exchanger inlet and heat exchanger outlet are preferably located in a common face of the tank
Implementation Method 4
said burner device includes a body for supplying a mixture of combustible gas and air to said burner head
Implementation Method 5
said burner device includes a body for supplying a mixture of combustible gas and air to said burner head
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A heating apparatus comprising a tank having a tank inlet, a tank outlet, a heat exchanger inlet and heat exchanger outlet. A heat exchanger is located in the tank and comprises a hollow body having a mouth coupled to the heat exchanger inlet and a flue outlet coupled to the heat exchanger outlet. A burner device has a burner head that is located at least partly located in the mouth inside said hollow body.