Tankless Water Heating Systems and Methods that Include a First Energy Source and a Battery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Tankless water heating systems face installation challenges in facilities with fewer than three available circuit breakers, and they cannot operate during utility energy disruptions, limiting their applicability and reliability.

Innovation Solution

A tankless water heating system that includes a controller to manage energy usage by switching between three operation modes: using only the utility energy source, combining utility and battery energy, and relying solely on battery power, allowing installation with fewer circuit breakers and maintaining functionality during energy disruptions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If tankless water heating systems use only utility energy source via circuit breakers, then system operation is reliable during normal conditions, but installation is not possible when fewer than three circuit breakers are available

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation feasibilityVSAvoidadaptability to facilities with limited circuit breakers

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines utility energy source and battery energy source into a hybrid power system. The controller merges power from both sources to operate the water heating system, enabling installation in facilities with limited circuit breakers while maintaining reliable operation during both normal conditions and utility outages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system achieves multi-functionality by operating in multiple modes: using only utility power during normal conditions, using combined utility and battery power during high demand, and using only battery power during utility outages. This universal operation across different power availability scenarios resolves the contradiction between installation feasibility and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If tankless water heating systems rely solely on utility energy source, then system design is simple, but system cannot operate during utility energy disruptions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operation during utility outagesVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by charging the battery in advance during normal utility operation. The controller accumulates energy in the battery when utility power is available, preparing the system to operate during upcoming utility outages without requiring complex real-time decision-making during disruptions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The battery serves as an intermediary energy storage device between the utility power source and the water heating system. It mediates power supply during utility outages, absorbing complexity of energy management while ensuring continuous reliable operation of the heating system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If additional circuit breakers are installed to enable tankless water heating in facilities with limited breakers, then installation becomes possible, but economic practicality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation feasibilityVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The battery system provides self-service by supplying power during utility outages and high-demand periods without requiring additional utility circuit infrastructure. This eliminates the need for expensive additional circuit breaker installations while enabling feasible installation in facilities with limited electrical capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables installation and operation of tankless water heating systems in facilities with limited circuit breakers and ensures continuous water heating even during utility energy outages by utilizing a battery to supplement or replace utility energy.

Implementation Method 1

draw electric power from a utility energy source and/or a battery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 2

heat water by using energy drawn from a first energy source (e.g., a utility) and/or a second energy source (e.g., a battery)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20240271826A1Tankless Water Heating Systems and Methods that Include a First Energy Source and a Battery

Publication Date: 2024.08.15 RHEEM MFG CO

AI summary

A water heating system is disclosed. The system may include a water heater connected with a utility energy source via one or more circuit breakers. The system may further include a battery and a detection unit. The battery may provide energy to the water heater, and the detection unit may detect water demand associated with the system. The system may additionally include a controller configured to activate the water heater in a first operation mode when the water demand is less than a predefined threshold. The water heater may heat water by using energy drawn from the utility energy source in the first operation mode. The controller may further activate the water heater in a second operation mode when the water demand is greater than the predefined threshold. The water heater may draw energy from the utility energy source and the battery in the second operation mode.