Variable power water heater, control system therefor and control method thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Water heaters with fixed hardware power requirements necessitate replacement when installed in facilities like aircraft or vehicles that do not meet these requirements, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A software-controlled variable power water heater system that adjusts its duty cycle using a controller and PWM scheme to match selected power requirements, incorporating a power supply circuit, switch, and heating element, allowing for flexible power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed power requirement hardware is used in water heaters, then the heating performance is stable and reliable, but the water heater cannot be installed in facilities with varying power budgets (such as aircraft or vehicles)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the power delivery variable through software control. The controller dynamically adjusts the duty cycle of the power signal sent to the heating element, allowing the water heater to adapt to different power budgets without changing the physical hardware. This transforms a static system into a dynamic one that can respond to varying power availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the heating system by implementing pulse width modulation (PWM) control. Instead of changing hardware specifications, the system varies the duty cycle parameter of the power signal to adjust power delivery. This allows the same hardware to operate across a range of power budgets by simply changing control parameters.
2Power
If the water heater is designed for high power requirements, then it provides sufficient heating capacity, but it cannot operate in facilities with limited power budgets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by delivering only the necessary portion of maximum power at any given time. The controller adjusts the duty cycle to provide exactly the power needed based on the facility's power budget and heating requirements, rather than always operating at maximum capacity. This allows the heater to maintain high power capability when needed while adapting to lower power budgets when available.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic PWM signaling to control power delivery. The controller applies power in periodic pulses with variable duty cycles, allowing the heating element to receive intermittent power that averages out to the desired power level. This periodic action enables the system to deliver full power when needed while operating at reduced average power for facilities with limited budgets.
3Adaptability or versatility
If hardware changes are made to accommodate different power budgets, then the water heater can be installed in various facilities, but the cost and complexity of deployment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by designing a single water heater model that can function across multiple power budgets. The controller is programmed to detect or receive information about the facility's power budget and automatically adjust operation accordingly. This multi-functional capability eliminates the need for multiple hardware variants, reducing manufacturing complexity and deployment costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses software copying instead of hardware replication. Rather than creating multiple physical versions of the water heater for different power budgets, the system copies the appropriate control parameters and duty cycle settings into the controller's memory. This software-based adaptation is much cheaper and simpler than manufacturing different hardware configurations.
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 the water heater to operate within varying power budgets, reducing the need for hardware changes and enhancing adaptability across different settings, such as aircraft and buildings, by dynamically controlling power delivery to the heating element.
Implementation Method 1
a power supply circuit configured to generate a power signal for the heating element
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A variable power water heater is disclosed. In embodiments, the variable power water heater includes a water tank, a heating element, a power supply circuit (106), a switch (110), and a controller (112). The heating element may be disposed within or coupled to the water tank. The power supply circuit may be configured to generate a power signal for the heating element. The switch may be configured to couple the power supply circuit to the heating element, and the controller may be configured to toggle the switch according to a pulse width modulation (PWM) scheme to control a duty cycle of the power signal transmitted from the power supply circuit to the heating element.