Tankless Fluid Heating With Sensor Feedback for Stable Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid heating devices suffer from inconsistent temperature delivery, requiring time to heat fluid and resulting in standby heat losses, posing safety risks due to temperature uncertainty and inefficiency in consecutive fluid dispensing.
Innovation Solution
A tankless fluid heating system with temperature sensors and a programmable control unit that monitors and adjusts heat sources to deliver fluid at a consistent, user-defined temperature on demand, eliminating the need for a storage tank and minimizing standby power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional fluid heating devices heat fluid slowly and store it in a tank, then a finite amount of heated fluid is available, but standby heat losses occur and temperature consistency deteriorates with consecutive discharges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the storage tank from the system, extracting the source of standby heat losses. Instead of heating and storing fluid in advance, the system heats fluid instantly on demand, eliminating the period when heated fluid sits in the tank losing heat to the surroundings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary heating actions by maintaining the heating element in a ready state and pre-heating fluid in the heating chamber before dispensing. This ensures that when fluid is requested, it is already at the desired temperature, eliminating both standby losses and wait time.
2Use of energy by moving object
If conventional fluid heating devices heat fluid slowly, then energy consumption is reduced, but the time required to heat fluid increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic or intermittent heating cycles rather than continuous slow heating. The heating element operates in bursts or cycles, rapidly heating small amounts of fluid in the heating chamber, which is more energy-efficient and faster than continuously heating large volumes.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of heating large volumes of fluid uniformly, the system concentrates heating energy locally in a small heating chamber, rapidly heating only the amount of fluid needed immediately. This localized heating approach is both faster and more energy-efficient than bulk heating.
3Productivity
If conventional fluid heating devices dispense fluid from a storage tank, then fluid is available, but temperature consistency deteriorates with consecutive discharges
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element maintains continuous or near-continuous heating action, ensuring that fluid in the heating chamber is constantly being heated to the target temperature. This continuous heating action ensures that every discharge, whether first or consecutive, delivers fluid at the same consistent temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts heating based on real-time temperature feedback from sensors. The heating element modulates its output to maintain precise temperature control, adapting to changing conditions during consecutive discharges to ensure temperature consistency.
4Measurement precision
If users test fluid temperature by touch to ensure desired temperature, then temperature accuracy is verified, but safety risks increase due to potential burns
Solution Approach 1:
Temperature sensors provide continuous feedback to the control system, which automatically monitors and adjusts heating to maintain the desired temperature. This automated feedback loop replaces manual touch-testing, providing accurate temperature verification without exposing users to burn risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-monitoring and self-adjustment of temperature through integrated sensors and control circuitry. The device serves itself by automatically verifying and maintaining temperature, eliminating the need for users to manually test the fluid.
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 continuous supply of fluid at a consistent high temperature, reducing energy waste and enhancing safety by ensuring precise temperature control and efficient operation, even with frequent consecutive dispensing.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element positioned within the heating chamber
Implementation Method 2
The controller may be an microprocessor or microcontroller that controls the operation of the fluid heating device
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 device that includes an inlet port, an outlet port, at least one heat source connected with the inlet port, and a valve connecting the at least one heat source to the outlet port. A temperature sensor is downstream of the at least one heat source and connected to the valve. Another temperature sensor is on the heat source to enable it to be kept at an elevated temperature. The valve is operated so that an entire volume of a fluid discharge from the fluid heating system is delivered at a user-specified temperature on demand, for every demand.