Tankless Fluid Heating for Consistent Near-Boiling Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid heating devices suffer from inconsistent temperature delivery, standby heat loss, and require time to reheat fluid, posing safety risks and inefficiencies in providing fluid at a desired temperature.
Innovation Solution
A tankless fluid heating system with a compact design that uses multiple heat sources, a flow sensor, and a controller to deliver fluid at a consistent high temperature on demand, ensuring the entire volume of fluid is at the same temperature each time, without the need for a storage tank.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional fluid heating devices heat fluid in a storage tank, then fluid can be stored and dispensed later, but the fluid is subject to standby heat loss and temperature becomes inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the storage tank from the system entirely, extracting the source of standby heat loss. Instead of heating fluid in advance and storing it, the system heats fluid instantly on-demand as it flows through the heating element, eliminating the period where heated fluid sits unused and loses heat.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic activation of the heating element based on flow detection. When fluid flow is detected, the heating element activates; when flow stops, it deactivates. This periodic operation ensures fluid is heated only when needed, avoiding continuous operation and associated energy waste.
2Use of energy by moving object
If conventional fluid heating devices heat fluid slowly in a tank, then energy consumption is reduced, but the device requires time to reheat fluid between discharges
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating action by pre-heating the heating element itself before fluid flow begins. The controller activates the heating element in advance, so when fluid starts flowing, the heating element is already at operating temperature and can immediately heat the fluid to the desired temperature without delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static tank heating to dynamic flow-based heating. The heating element operates dynamically based on real-time flow conditions, adjusting its operation to match demand. This allows rapid response to changing conditions and eliminates the fixed, slow heating cycle of tank systems.
3Speed
If conventional fluid heating devices dispense fluid from storage tank, then fluid is available immediately, but the discharged fluid is not fully heated and temperature is inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses temperature sensors to continuously monitor fluid temperature and provides feedback to the controller. The controller adjusts the heating element operation based on this feedback, ensuring the fluid reaches and maintains the desired temperature. This closed-loop control guarantees consistent temperature output regardless of flow rate variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operating parameters including heating element power level, flow rate, and activation timing based on real-time conditions. By adjusting these parameters, the system optimizes both the speed of dispensing and the temperature consistency of the output fluid.
4Measurement precision
If users test fluid temperature by touch to ensure desired temperature, then temperature control is achieved, but safety risk increases due to potential burns
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs temperature measurement and control automatically through integrated temperature sensors and controller. The device monitors its own output temperature and self-regulates the heating element to maintain the desired temperature, eliminating the need for user intervention and exposure to hot fluid.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual temperature testing method (touching the fluid) with an electronic sensing system. Temperature sensors continuously measure fluid temperature, and the controller processes this data to adjust heating, substituting electronic measurement and control for human sensory evaluation.
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 a limitless supply of fluid at a user-specified temperature, reducing standby power consumption and eliminating temperature inconsistencies, enhancing safety and efficiency by ensuring consistent high-temperature delivery without the limitations of traditional tank-based systems.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element connected to a power supply
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid heating system may be installed for residential and commercial use, and may deliver fluid at consistent high temperatures for cooking, sterilizing tools or utensils, hot beverages and the like, without a limit on the number of consecutive discharges of fluid. The fluid heating system is installed with a tankless fluid heating that includes an inlet port, an outlet port, a drain port, at least one heat source connected with the inlet port, and a valve manifold connected to the at least one heat source, the drain port, and the outlet port. A temperature sensor is downstream of the at least one heat source and connected to the valve manifold. The valve manifold is operated so that an entire volume of a fluid discharge from the fluid heating system is delivered at a user-specified temperature (including near boiling fluid) on demand, for every demand occurring over a short period of time.