Water Heater Guide Pipe Geometry to Prevent Cold-Hot Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In water heaters, the high flow rate of cold water introduced through the inlet at the base of the tank often causes it to mix with the hot water stored in the upper part, leading to inefficient use of stored hot water.
Innovation Solution
A water guide system that slows down the cold water flow rate by using an outlet pipe with a widening diameter and directs it parallel to the side wall, preventing mixing with hot water through a single flow passage and radial movement around the heating apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If cold water is introduced through the water inlet at the base of the water tank, then the water tank can be refilled efficiently, but the cold water mixes with the hot water stored in the upper part due to high flow rate
Solution Approach 1:
A water guide component is introduced as an intermediary device between the water inlet and the water tank interior. The water guide includes an inlet portion connected to the water inlet and an outlet portion that directs water along the side wall, mediating the water flow to prevent direct mixing with stored hot water while maintaining refilling efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The water guide changes the flow dimension from vertical (direct upward) to horizontal (along the side wall). By directing cold water to flow horizontally along the side wall before entering the tank, the system utilizes a different spatial dimension to avoid mixing with hot water in the upper portion
2Ease of manufacture
If the water inlet is located at the base of the water tank, then installation is simplified, but cold water flows upward and mixes with hot water
Solution Approach 1:
The water guide serves as a mediating structure that connects the base-mounted water inlet to the tank interior without requiring inlet relocation. It transforms the problematic vertical upward flow into a controlled horizontal flow along the side wall, maintaining installation simplicity while achieving water separation
3Speed
If cold water is introduced with high flow rate, then refilling speed is improved, but mixing with hot water increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water guide redirects high-speed water flow from the vertical dimension into the horizontal dimension along the side wall. This dimensional transformation allows rapid refilling while the water flows parallel to the tank wall, preventing mixing with hot water in the upper region
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
Effectively separates cold and hot water, reducing mixing and allowing for more efficient use of stored hot water by directing cold water to the base of the tank, maintaining its separation from hot water.
Implementation Method 1
an outlet pipe (6c) comprising a second inlet opening and a second outlet opening (6e), wherein diameter of the second outlet opening (6e) is higher than the second inlet opening and thus the outlet pipe (6c) enables the water introduced through the second inlet opening and passing through the outlet pipe (6c) to exit through the second outlet opening (6e) such that its flow rate is reduced
Implementation Method 2
at least one neck (6b) which connects the first outlet opening and second inlet opening to each other such that a first angle (10) less than 90° is provided between the inlet pipe (6a) and the outlet pipe (6c), and thus, enables the water from the water inlet (2) to be directed to the base (1a) of the water tank (1)
Implementation Method 3
the water guide enables the cold water received into the water tank to perform a radial movement around the heater provided in the water tank, thus preventing the cold water from moving upwards
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A water guide (6) suitable for use in a water heater which comprises a water tank (1); a water inlet (2) located at the base (1a) of the water tank (1) and introducing cold water at a first flow rate; a heating apparatus (5) for heating cold water received into the water tank (1), which is mounted to the base (1a) of the water tank (1); and a water outlet (3) for receiving water from an upper part (8) of the water tank (1) so that the water is discharged, the water guide (6) comprising an inlet pipe (6a) comprising a first inlet opening (6d) and a first outlet opening whose diameters are equal to each other, and suitable for being connected to the water inlet (2) through the first inlet opening (6d) so as to extend perpendicularly from the base (1a) towards the inner side of the water tank (1); an outlet pipe (6c) comprising a second inlet opening and a second outlet opening (6e) whose diameter is higher than the second inlet opening, and thus enabling the flow rate of water passing through the outlet pipe (6c) to be reduced; and a neck (6b) which connects the first outlet opening and second inlet opening to each other such that a first angle (10) less than 90° is provided between the inlet pipe (6a) and the outlet pipe (6c), and thus, enables the water from the water inlet (2) to be directed to the base (1a) of the water tank (1) at a second flow rate lower than first flow rate.