Temperature sensor, heating system and controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water heating systems face challenges in accurately measuring and monitoring the temperature distribution within vessels, particularly in hot water tanks, due to the need for multiple signal lines which increase material costs and complexity, making it difficult to retrofit sensors for vessels of varying sizes.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system with a cascaded array of latches and a shared signal line allows for individual addressability of sensing elements, enabling temperature distribution measurement without increasing the number of lines or tracks, and can be extended by coupling identical sensors, facilitating retrofitting and reduced material costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple signal lines are used for each sensing element, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and material cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensing elements are electrically connected in parallel to a single shared signal line, merging multiple measurement functions into one communication channel. This eliminates the need for separate signal lines for each sensor, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to measure temperature distribution across multiple points simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The shared signal line serves multiple sensing elements, making it a universal communication channel that handles data from all temperature sensors. This multi-functional approach allows the same physical infrastructure to support numerous measurement points, reducing overall system complexity
2Measurement precision
If the number of sensing elements is increased to cover larger vessels, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to more tracks or lines
Solution Approach 1:
Sensing elements are connected in parallel configuration to a shared signal line, merging multiple measurement functions into a single communication channel. This allows the system to scale to larger vessels with more sensing elements without proportionally increasing the number of signal lines required
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional arrangement where each sensor needs its own line to a two-dimensional matrix arrangement where multiple sensors share common lines. This dimensional change allows scaling to larger vessels with more sensors while maintaining a manageable number of connection lines
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensor variants are created to match different vessel sizes, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single universal sensor design with parallel-connected elements and shared signal lines can be adapted to vessels of various sizes by simply changing the number of sensing elements activated or the physical arrangement, rather than manufacturing completely different sensor variants. This universality simplifies production while maintaining adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor array is segmented into individual addressable sensing elements that can be selectively activated or deactivated based on vessel size requirements. This segmentation allows a single manufactured sensor unit to serve multiple vessel configurations by enabling or disabling specific elements, eliminating the need to manufacture different sensor variants
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
This solution simplifies sensor manufacturing and installation, reduces electromagnetic interference, and allows for accurate temperature distribution monitoring in vessels of different sizes, improving energy recovery and safety through a modular and flexible design.
Implementation Method 1
an array of sensing elements, each element having a temperature dependent parameter
Data Source
AI summary
A water heating system is described. The water heating system comprises a vessel for holding water and for receiving heat from one or more heat sources for heating water in the vessel. The water heating system comprises a sensor comprising a plurality of temperature sensing elements for sensing a distribution of temperatures in the vessel. The water heating system comprises a connector for connecting the sensor to a retrofittable tank controller. The water heating system is configured to provide one or more characteristics of the water heating system to a retrofittable tank controller such that a retrofittable tank controller connected to the sensor and in receipt of the characteristics of the water heating system can determine from the distribution of temperatures in the vessel a quantity of useable heat stored in the vessel. A retrofittable tank controller for controlling a water heating system is also described. A sensor for measuring a temperature distribution of fluid within a vessel is also described.