Shared Water Coil Heating Layout for Space and Water Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional space conditioning and water heating systems are inefficient due to redundant components and high energy consumption, as they operate as discrete units with no shared heat transfer mechanisms, leading to excessive energy use and space requirements.
Innovation Solution
A combined space conditioning and water heating system utilizing a single heating source with a main fluid conductor, a water coil, and a supplementary fluid conductor, where a temperature regulator splits the fluid output into high and low temperature streams, allowing for efficient heat transfer and reduced load on air conditioning coils.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional discrete space conditioning and water heating systems are used, then each system can independently perform its function, but redundant components and high energy consumption result
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines space conditioning and water heating systems into a single integrated system that shares common components including heat exchangers, fluid conductors, and controllers. This merging eliminates redundant components and enables heat transfer between the two systems, significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining independent operational capability of each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system design allows single components to serve multiple functions. For example, the shared heat exchangers and fluid conductors perform both space conditioning and water heating tasks, making the system universally applicable to multiple thermal needs simultaneously or independently.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional discrete space conditioning and water heating systems are used, then each system can independently perform its function, but redundant components and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines space conditioning and water heating systems into a single integrated system that shares common components including heat exchangers, fluid conductors, and controllers. This merging eliminates redundant components and enables heat transfer between the two systems, significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining independent operational capability of each function.
3Temperature
If purpose-built air conditioning coils are used for entire cooling load, then cooling function is achieved, but tremendous energy is required to run compressors
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the cold water flow from the water heater as a free cooling source for space conditioning. The cold water circulating through the water coil absorbs heat from the air conditioning coil, providing cooling without requiring compressor operation. This self-service approach uses the system's own water heating function to provide free cooling capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers the cooling potential from cold water that would otherwise be wasted. By routing cold water through the air conditioning coil, the system recovers thermal energy that would be lost, converting it into useful cooling capacity and eliminating the need for energy-intensive compressor operation.
4Temperature
If conventional air conditioning coils handle entire cooling load, then cooling is achieved, but the system lacks integration with water heating functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines space conditioning and water heating systems into a single integrated system that shares common components including heat exchangers, fluid conductors, and controllers. This merging eliminates redundant components and enables heat transfer between the two systems, significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining independent operational capability of each function.
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
This system reduces energy consumption by sharing heat transfer components, eliminates the need for redundant units, and enhances efficiency in both space heating and water heating, while minimizing the risk of Legionella pneumophila growth through frequent water circulation.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature regulator configured to thermally split a water output into the high temperature output and the low temperature output
Implementation Method 2
a water coil having an inlet and an outlet... the inlet of the main fluid conductor is adapted for connection with the outlet of the coil
Implementation Method 3
a supplementary fluid conductor having a fluid mover and a directional valve
Data Source
AI summary
A combined space conditioning or heating and fluid heating system includes a main fluid conductor having an inlet and an outlet; a single heating source configured for producing low and high temperature fluid outputs of a fluid input received at the main fluid conductor inlet; a coil comprising an inlet and an outlet; and a supplementary fluid conductor comprising a fluid mover and a directional valve, an inlet and an outlet. The inlet of the main fluid conductor is adapted for connection with the coil outlet. The high temperature fluid output is adapted for connection with the supplementary fluid conductor inlet, the supplementary fluid conductor outlet is adapted for connection with the coil inlet. The low temperature water output is adapted for connection with a fluid delivery point. The water coil inlet is adapted for connection with a raw fluid supply.