Multi-temperature output fluid heating system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heating systems require separate equipment and control systems for domestic water and space heating, leading to inefficiencies and increased maintenance due to the need for dual systems to meet different temperature requirements.
Innovation Solution
A multi-temperature output fluid heating system with a single heating source, a first output for domestic water, a second output for space heating, and a bypass path, controlled by modulating and on-off valves, along with a temperature regulator to prevent overheating, allowing for simultaneous operation of both systems using a single set of fluid conductors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate heating systems are used for domestic water and space heating, then each system can be optimized for its specific temperature requirements, but the device complexity and maintenance requirements increase due to having multiple systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines domestic water heating and space heating functions into a single heating system with one boiler and heat exchanger. The system uses a single heat source that can simultaneously or separately provide heated water for both domestic use and space heating, eliminating the need for two separate heating systems while maintaining the ability to meet different temperature requirements through a shared hydraulic circuit with controlled mixing
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system is designed to perform multiple functions: it can provide domestic hot water, space heating, or both simultaneously through a single boiler and heat exchanger assembly. The system's universality is achieved through a shared primary heating circuit that can be distributed to multiple endpoints with different temperature requirements, reducing the number of heating sources needed while maintaining functional versatility
2Ease of operation
If separate heating systems are used for domestic water and space heating, then each system can be independently controlled, but the loss of time and resources increases due to maintaining multiple systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges domestic water heating and space heating into a single system, reducing maintenance activities from multiple systems to one unified system. The shared boiler, heat exchanger, and hydraulic circuit eliminate the need to maintain separate equipment, reducing maintenance time and resource allocation while preserving independent control through separate valves and mixing circuits
3Device complexity
If a single heating system is used for both domestic water and space heating, then the device complexity is reduced, but the temperature control precision deteriorates due to the need to meet diverse temperature requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different water temperatures to different outlets from the same heating system. The system uses separate control valves and mixing circuits at each outlet (domestic water and space heating) to independently adjust temperatures according to local requirements, allowing the single heating system to maintain precise temperature control for each application while reducing overall system complexity
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 enables the efficient provision of both domestic hot water at 120 degrees F and space heating fluid at 180 degrees F using a single heating source, reducing the need for multiple systems and enhancing maintenance efficiency by anticipating heating demands based on weather data.
Implementation Method 1
a single heating source, a first output adapted for control by a first control device and to receive heat from the single heating source to achieve a first temperature at the first output
Implementation Method 2
a pump disposed upstream of the first output and configured for pushing an output of the first output through a heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
pushing an output of the first output through a heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-temperature output fluid heating system including an input for receiving a fluid supply, a single heating source, a first output, a second output and a bypass path. The first output is fluidly connected to the input, where the first output is adapted for control by a first control device and to receive heat from the single heating source to achieve a first temperature at the first output. The bypass path fluidly connects the input and the second output. The input is adapted to empty a first portion of the fluid supply into the first output and a second portion of the input into the bypass path. The second output is adapted to receive an output from the first output and an output from the bypass path to achieve a second temperature.