Tankless Water Heater Recovery Control for Pump Cycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tankless water heater systems require users to set temperatures at both the controller and the tankless unit, leading to potential incorrect settings and continuous pump operation, resulting in inefficiency and energy wastage due to continuous heating and unnecessary water purging.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a tankless water heater with a pump, storage tank, and thermistors for temperature measurement, where a controller compares default and measured temperatures to activate or deactivate the pump, ensuring efficient temperature matching and reducing energy consumption by optimizing water circulation based on temperature differentials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users set temperatures at both the controller and the tankless unit, then the system allows flexible temperature control, but the possibility of incorrect settings and continuous pump operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses temperature sensors to continuously monitor the storage tank temperature and feeds this information back to the controller. The controller automatically adjusts pump operation based on the actual temperature, eliminating the need for manual temperature setting at both locations and preventing continuous operation due to mismatched settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-regulation by automatically monitoring its own temperature state and adjusting pump operation accordingly. The controller reads temperature from sensors and autonomously decides when to activate or deactivate the pump, making the system self-sufficient and removing the burden of manual temperature configuration.
2Temperature
If the pump runs continuously to maintain temperature, then the desired temperature is maintained, but energy consumption and water wastage increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous operation, the pump operates periodically based on temperature thresholds. The controller monitors temperature and activates the pump only when the storage tank temperature falls below a predetermined threshold, allowing the system to maintain temperature efficiently through intermittent rather than continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous temperature monitoring and ensures the storage tank remains at the desired temperature through timely pump activation. By continuously sensing temperature and responding immediately when thresholds are breached, the system maintains thermal continuity without requiring continuous mechanical operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the storage tank is positioned at a distance from the point of use, then installation flexibility is improved, but water wastage during purging increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors storage tank temperature and ensures hot water is available at the point of use by activating the pump when temperature drops. This continuous temperature maintenance eliminates the need for purging cold water from distant pipes, as the stored hot water remains ready for immediate use regardless of distance.
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature sensors provide continuous feedback on storage tank temperature, allowing the controller to activate the pump before the tank cools down. This predictive feedback mechanism ensures hot water is always available in the storage tank, eliminating the need to purge cold water from distribution pipes.
4Temperature
If a storage tank is used to maintain temperature, then hot water is always available, but heat loss through radiation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous heating to compensate for heat loss, the system uses periodic pump operation to restore temperature only when needed. The controller monitors temperature and activates the pump intermittently to maintain the storage tank at the desired temperature, significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The system self-regulates by monitoring its own temperature state and activating heating only when the storage tank temperature drops below the threshold. This on-demand temperature restoration eliminates the need for continuous energy input and minimizes heat loss through radiation by maintaining temperature through intelligent control rather than constant heating.
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 ensures efficient temperature control by optimizing pump operation based on temperature differentials, reducing energy wastage and maintaining user-set temperatures without continuous heating, thus enhancing energy efficiency and water conservation.
Implementation Method 1
a first thermistor in thermal communication with said outlet of said tankless, said first thermistor measures a first temperature of所述outlet of所述tankless when所述pump is active; a second thermistor in thermal communication with所述storage tank, said second thermistor measures a second temperature of所述storage tank
Implementation Method 2
incoming ground water passes through a component generally known as a heat exchanger and is instantaneously heated by heating elements (or gas burner) within the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
heating elements (or gas burner) within the heat exchanger until the temperature of the water leaving the heat exchanger matches a desired temperature
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a system for tank recovery comprising a tankless having an outlet and a storage tank that is operatively connected to the tankless. A pump is operatively connected to the tankless and the pump is operatively connected to the storage tank. A first thermistor is in thermal communication with the outlet of the tankless. The first thermistor measures a first temperature of the outlet of the tankless when the pump is active. A second thermistor is in thermal communication with the storage tank. The second thermistor measures a second temperature of the storage tank. A controller has a stored default temperature for the tankless. The controller receives the measured second temperature from the second thermistor. The controller compares the stored default temperature for the tankless to the measured second temperature from the second thermistor. The controller sends a first signal to activate the pump when the difference between the stored temperature and the measured second temperature is greater than a first set temperature.