Water heater for heating water using various power sources and enhancing energy savings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water heaters are inefficient in reducing energy costs for both end users and suppliers, as they primarily rely on traditional grid power and lack effective integration of renewable energy sources.
Innovation Solution
A water heater system with multiple heating elements powered by different energy sources, including utility, solar, and battery power, to optimize energy usage and maintain consistent water temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional grid power is used to heat water, then water temperature can be maintained, but energy costs increase for both end users and suppliers
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is divided into multiple independent heating elements, each capable of operating on different power sources (grid power, solar power, battery power). This segmentation allows selective use of energy sources based on availability and cost, reducing overall energy costs while maintaining water temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The water heater is designed with multi-functionality to accept and process multiple types of power inputs (AC grid power, DC solar power, DC battery power). The system can universally adapt to different energy sources and automatically select the most efficient combination to heat water, thereby reducing energy costs while maintaining temperature.
2Use of energy by moving object
If multiple heating elements with different power sources are integrated, then energy costs are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple heating elements and power sources are merged into a single integrated water heating system. The controller unifies the management of AC power, DC power, and battery power inputs, coordinating their operation to reduce overall system complexity despite the presence of multiple components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automatic control logic that independently manages the selection and coordination of different power sources based on their availability and the heating requirements. The controller automatically balances the operation of multiple heating elements without requiring external intervention, simplifying the user interface while handling the complexity internally.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple power sources are used, then reliance on traditional power grids is reduced, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors the status of different power sources (availability, output levels) and the water temperature, using this feedback to dynamically adjust the operation of heating elements. This feedback mechanism simplifies the control logic by automatically making decisions based on real-time conditions, reducing the perceived control complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operation of different heating elements based on real-time power source availability and heating demands. The controller can switch between AC power, DC power, and battery power operations, and can simultaneously operate multiple heating elements at different power levels, providing dynamic adaptability without requiring complex manual control.
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 reduces energy costs by utilizing renewable energy sources and optimizing heating elements to maintain water temperature efficiently, minimizing energy consumption and reliance on traditional power grids.
Implementation Method 1
The first heating element draws energy from a first power source to heat water to a first temperature
Implementation Method 2
The second heating element draws power from a second power source to heat water from the first temperature to a second temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A water heater and a method for heating water using various power sources and enhancing energy savings are disclosed. The water heater includes a first heating element within an inlet pipe. The first heating element draws energy from a first power source to heat water to a first temperature. The water heater further includes a second heating element within an outlet pipe. The second heating element draws power from a second power source to heat water from the first temperature to a second temperature. Optionally, when the second power source is unavailable or insufficient, then the second heating element draws power from a third power source to heat water from the first temperature to the second temperature.