Integrated Water Heater Tank Layout for High-Demand Hot Water
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing integrated water heating systems face challenges in providing a large demand of hot water efficiently and cost-effectively, particularly with tankless water heaters, which require multiple units, extensive space, and costly framing for installation.
Innovation Solution
An integrated water heating system featuring a hot water holding tank with an outer jacket and insulating space, a removably secured tankless water heater, a pump and conduit system for water circulation, and a temperature control module, allowing for self-supporting transport and simplified installation by connecting to domestic and hot water supplies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple tankless water heaters are used to supply large demand of hot water, then hot water supply capacity is improved, but system cost and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the water heating function into two separate components: a tankless water heater for on-demand heating and a storage tank for holding hot water. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to provide large quantities of hot water without requiring multiple tankless units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the tankless water heater and storage tank into a single integrated unit with a unified exterior casing. This merging eliminates the need for separate installations and complex interconnections between multiple tankless heaters, reducing system complexity while maintaining the ability to supply large volumes of hot water.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple tankless water heaters are installed to meet large hot water demand, then hot water supply capacity is improved, but installation space and structural requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tankless water heater is positioned inside the storage tank's exterior casing, with the heating element nested within the insulated chamber. This nesting arrangement allows the system to provide large hot water capacity (equivalent to multiple tankless units) while occupying the space of a single standard water heater installation.
3Strength
If tankless water heaters are supported on a frame, then structural support is provided, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates and assembly cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is merged with the storage tank's exterior casing, which serves both as the structural framework and the aesthetic outer shell. This eliminates the need for visible external frames while maintaining structural integrity and providing a clean, conventional water heater appearance.
4Adaptability or versatility
If tankless water heaters are assembled on site with framing, then installation flexibility is achieved, but installation time and labor cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tankless water heater and storage tank are merged into a pre-assembled integrated unit that arrives ready-installed. This eliminates on-site framing and complex assembly operations, reducing installation time and labor costs while maintaining the ability to adapt to different installation locations through standard connection interfaces.
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 provides efficient and cost-effective hot water supply by integrating a tankless water heater with a conventional hot water holding tank, offering thermal insulation and support, while reducing installation complexity and costs, enabling on-demand hot water delivery.
Implementation Method 1
A thermal insulating material is disposed in insulating space and about the connecting bracket
Implementation Method 2
A pump and conduit means is provided to circulate water from a bottom portion of the hot water holding tank, through the water heating device and into the hot water holding tank
Implementation Method 3
Control means is provided to regulate the temperature of the water in the hot water holding tank
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated water heating system is comprised of a hot water holding tank having an outer jacket secured in spaced relationship therearound. An insulating space is defined about the hot water holding tank and the outer jacket. A connecting bracket is secured to an outer surface of the hot water holding tank and has a projecting formation provided with an arcuate connecting wall spaced a predetermined distance from the outer surface for close fit adjacent an inner surface of the outer jacket and disposed for alignment with an external support bracket adapted to be secured thereto through the outer jacket. Thermal insulating material is disposed in the insulating space and about the connecting bracket. An external water heating device is removably supported by the external support bracket. A pump circulates water through the water heating device and through the hot water holding tank.