Heating apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

In typical thermal storage and exchange heating apparatuses, residual heat medium in the circulation channel and heat exchanger after heating stops leads to energy waste, superheating of the heating object, and subsequent scaling issues, causing performance degradation and reduced lifetime of the heat exchanger.

Innovation Solution

A thermal storage and exchange heating apparatus with a circulation direction switching mechanism that reverses the flow of the heat medium after heating stops, reducing heat transfer and superheating, thereby enhancing energy efficiency and extending the life of the heat exchanger.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the heat medium continues to circulate in the forward direction after heating stops, then the heating object can be quickly reheated, but energy is wasted due to heat transfer from residual hot heat medium and superheating occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereheating speedVSAvoidenergy waste

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the inversion principle by reversing the circulation direction of the heat medium after heating stops. Instead of continuing forward circulation which causes energy waste, the system switches to backward circulation to eliminate residual heat from the heat exchanger, thereby preventing energy loss while enabling quick reheating when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic action by alternating between forward circulation during heating operation and backward circulation after heating stops. This periodic switching of circulation direction optimizes both energy efficiency and reheating performance by adapting the flow pattern to the operational phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If the heat medium remains in the heat exchanger after heating stops, then the system is ready for quick restart, but scales generate on the heating object leading to performance degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem readinessVSAvoidscale generation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the inversion principle to reverse the circulation direction after heating stops, causing the heat medium to flow backward through the heat exchanger. This backward flow eliminates residual hot water that would otherwise cause superheating and scale formation, thereby preventing harmful effects while maintaining system readiness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful residual heat in the heat exchanger into a beneficial flushing action. By reversing the circulation direction, the residual hot heat medium is used to flush out and replace the heated object in the heat exchanger, preventing scale generation while utilizing the existing thermal energy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 reduces energy waste and prevents scaling, leading to improved energy saving performance and extended equipment lifespan by effectively managing residual heat and minimizing superheating in the heat exchanger.

Implementation Method 1

a heat exchanger provided to the circulation channel and configured to exchange heat between the heat medium and a heating object and to heat the heating object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

circulation direction switching means configured to switch circulation of the heat medium in the circulation channel between a forward direction from the high-temperature side of the thermal storage tank to the low-temperature side of the thermal storage tank and a backward direction from the low-temperature side of the thermal storage tank to the high-temperature side of the thermal storage tank

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid circulation: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS9766017B2Heating apparatus

Publication Date: 2017.09.19 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

A thermal storage and exchange heating apparatus includes: a thermal storage tank that stores a heated heat medium; a circulation channel connected to high and low temperature sides of the thermal storage tank, and through which the heat medium circulates; a heat exchanger provided to the circulation channel and configured to exchange heat between the heat medium and a heating object, to heat the heating object; a circulation direction switch configured to switch circulation of the heat medium in the circulation channel between a forward direction from the high-temperature side to the low-temperature side and a reversed backward direction; and a controller configured to cause the heat medium to circulate in the forward direction by switching the circulation direction switch in a heating operation and causing the heat medium to circulate in the backward direction by switching the circulation direction switch after a stop of the heating operation.