Water heater with upstream water heater detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water heater appliances face inefficiencies in energy consumption due to varying hot water demand, as they often maintain high tank temperatures even during periods of low usage, especially when connected downstream of another water heater.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for a water heater appliance that includes a controller capable of detecting an upstream water heater and predicting its capacity, allowing it to adjust the tank temperature setpoint based on the predicted capacity, thereby optimizing energy usage and reducing unnecessary heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the tank temperature is increased to expand hot water capacity, then the hot water capacity is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the tank temperature setpoint based on real-time detection of upstream water heater presence and prediction of its capacity. When an upstream water heater is detected, the system lowers the tank temperature setpoint from the default high value to an optimized value, making the temperature configuration adaptive to changing conditions rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter of the water heater based on detected conditions. By modifying the tank temperature setpoint parameter from a fixed high value to a variable value that adjusts according to upstream water heater capacity, the system optimizes the balance between hot water capacity and energy consumption.
2Reliability
If the tank temperature is maintained at high levels, then the hot water supply reliability is improved, but the energy waste increases during low demand periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from detecting upstream water heater presence and predicting its capacity to adjust the tank temperature setpoint. This closed-loop control ensures that the tank temperature is optimized based on actual hot water demand conditions, preventing energy waste during low demand periods while maintaining sufficient hot water supply reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of upstream water heater presence and prediction of its capacity before finalizing the tank temperature setpoint. This advance preparation allows the system to configure the optimal temperature in advance, ensuring hot water supply reliability is maintained while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the system detects and responds to upstream water heater capacity, then the energy efficiency is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-detection of upstream water heater presence and self-prediction of upstream capacity using its own sensors and processing capabilities. This self-service approach eliminates the need for additional external detection devices or complex communication infrastructure, achieving improved energy efficiency while minimizing the increase in system complexity.
4Use of energy by moving object
If the tank temperature setpoint is adjusted dynamically, then the energy consumption is optimized, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs preliminary detection of upstream water heater presence and prediction of its capacity before adjusting the tank temperature setpoint. This advance preparation allows the system to make informed temperature adjustments without requiring complex real-time control algorithms, optimizing energy consumption while keeping the control system relatively simple.
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 approach enhances energy efficiency by adjusting the tank temperature setpoint in response to the upstream water heater's capacity, reducing energy consumption during low demand periods while maintaining effective hot water supply.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element within the tank... The method also includes activating one or more heating elements of the water heater appliance in response to the optimized setpoint
Implementation Method 2
a hot water conduit extending from the tank to a mixing valve, a mixed water conduit downstream of the mixing valve... mixing the hot water flow from the hot water tank with cold water in a mixing valve
Data Source
AI summary
A water heater and methods of operating the water heater are provided. The water heater appliance includes a tank, a cold water inlet conduit extending into the tank, a heating element within the tank, a hot water conduit extending from the tank to a mixing valve, a mixed water conduit downstream of the mixing valve, and a user interface. The method includes and/or the water heater is operable for receiving, from the user interface, a user value for a tank temperature setpoint. An upstream water heater is detected and a capacity thereof is predicted. The tank temperature setpoint is then adjusted based on the predicted capacity of the upstream water heater.