System and method for heating up water for a consumer unit in an aircraft
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft water systems face challenges in maintaining hygienic water quality and energy efficiency, as existing systems heat water to high temperatures for disinfection, leading to germ formation and contamination, and require additional equipment like mixer taps for temperature adjustment.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a water reservoir with a heating device and control unit that heats water to a consumer temperature for immediate use, and temporarily to a disinfection temperature during non-use flight phases to eliminate germs, eliminating the need for mixer taps and optimizing energy usage by avoiding excessive heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water is heated to high temperatures for disinfection, then germ formation is eliminated, but energy consumption increases and water quality deteriorates due to overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs disinfection heating to high temperature (e.g., 95°C) in advance during flight phases when consumer units are not in use, then allows water to cool to consumption temperature (e.g., 23°C) before use. This preliminary disinfection action eliminates germs while avoiding energy waste from continuous heating, as the heating device operates only during non-consumption periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating device operates periodically based on flight phases - heating to high temperature during non-use phases (disinfection mode) and maintaining lower temperature during use phases (consumption mode). The control unit switches between these modes based on detected consumer unit usage, creating a periodic heating pattern that reduces overall energy consumption while ensuring hygienic quality.
2Reliability
If water is heated to high temperatures for disinfection, then germs are eliminated, but heat losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
Disinfection heating is performed in advance during non-consumption flight phases, and the system allows water to cool naturally or actively before consumption. This eliminates the need for continuous heating and reduces heat losses from prolonged high-temperature maintenance, while still achieving hygienic disinfection when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts water temperature based on operational requirements - high temperature (95°C) during non-use phases for disinfection, and lower temperature (23°C) during use phases for consumption. The control unit monitors consumer unit status and adjusts heating accordingly, optimizing the balance between hygienic quality and heat loss prevention.
3Ease of operation
If water is heated to consumer temperature for immediate use, then mixer taps are eliminated, but germ formation occurs in the water reservoir
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary disinfection heating to high temperature (e.g., 95°C) during flight phases when consumer units are not in use, before water is supplied to consumers. This eliminates germs in advance, allowing the system to maintain lower consumption temperature (e.g., 23°C) without mixer taps while still ensuring hygienic water quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating device alternates between disinfection mode (high temperature during non-use phases) and consumption mode (lower temperature during use phases). The control unit detects consumer unit status and switches heating modes periodically, ensuring germ elimination during non-use while providing safe water during use, thus maintaining both operational simplicity and water hygiene.
4Reliability
If heating device operates continuously at high temperature, then water is disinfected, but energy consumption and equipment complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heating device operates periodically based on flight phases and consumer unit usage status - high temperature during non-use phases for disinfection, lower temperature during use phases for consumption. The control unit implements this periodic switching based on simple status detection, achieving effective disinfection without requiring complex continuous control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit automatically detects consumer unit usage status and adjusts heating mode accordingly without manual intervention. The system self-regulates between disinfection and consumption modes based on operational conditions, simplifying the control system while maintaining effective disinfection and energy efficiency.
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 provides hygienically safe water at the consumer temperature while minimizing germ formation and energy consumption, ensuring the water reservoir remains germ-free and reducing equipment weight and heat losses.
Implementation Method 1
a heating device (11) by which water (13) held in the water reservoir (7) can be heated to a consumer temperature
Implementation Method 2
water held in the water reservoir is automatically heated to a disinfection temperature at which germ formation and colonisation in the water reservoir and on its internal surfaces is eliminated or suppressed by thermal treatment
Data Source
AI summary
A system for heating up water for a consumer unit in an aircraft, having a water reservoir and a control unit. The water reservoir has a heating device to heat water held in the water reservoir to a consumer temperature. The control unit controls the heating device so water in the water reservoir is automatically heated to or above a disinfection temperature at which germ formation in the water reservoir is eliminated or suppressed, and a temperature of the water in the water reservoir is maintained at or above the disinfection temperature for a disinfection period, the heating to the disinfection temperature being effected only during flight phases or portions of flight phases of the aircraft during which use of the consumer unit by a user is not to be expected. A corresponding method and an aircraft having such a system are disclosed.