Water heater usage profiling utilizing energy meter and attachable sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water heating systems face challenges in accurately and cost-effectively monitoring thermal energy output and reducing energy consumption, as they rely on expensive and difficult-to-install flow rate meters and temperature sensors, leading to inefficiencies and high energy losses.
Innovation Solution
A controller system that uses external temperature sensors to measure temperature differentials between cold and heated water pipes, allowing for indirect measurement of thermal energy output and standby loss without the need for plumbed-in sensors, and adjusts water heating operations based on energy demand patterns to minimize energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If flow rate meters and temperature sensors are installed to monitor thermal energy output, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the temperature sensing function from the water flow itself and places external temperature sensors on the pipe surfaces. This separates the measurement function from the fluid flow path, eliminating the need for intrusive flow rate meters while still enabling thermal energy calculation through external temperature differential measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces external temperature sensors as intermediary devices that measure pipe surface temperature as a proxy for water temperature. These sensors act as mediators between the water flow and the measurement system, allowing indirect temperature measurement without direct water contact or flow interruption.
2Measurement precision
If flow rate meters are installed in line with plumbing to measure hot water usage, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation and maintenance difficulty worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the flow rate meter from the plumbing line and replaces it with external temperature sensors mounted on pipe surfaces. This extraction eliminates the need to cut into existing plumbing, making installation straightforward while maintaining measurement capability through temperature-based thermal energy calculation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical flow rate meter with an electronic temperature sensing system. Instead of mechanically measuring water flow through the pipe, the system uses electronic sensors to measure temperature differentials, substituting a mechanical measurement approach with an electronic field-based approach that is easier to install and maintain.
3Ease of operation
If heated water is maintained at desired temperature at all times for convenience, then ease of operation is improved, but energy loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system that continuously monitors temperature differentials and water usage patterns. The controller uses this feedback information to dynamically adjust heating operations, maintaining water temperature only when needed rather than continuously, thereby reducing standby energy loss while ensuring hot water availability when demanded.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from continuous heating maintenance to periodic heating action. The system heats water periodically based on detected usage patterns and demand signals rather than maintaining constant temperature, reducing energy consumption while preserving convenience through on-demand heating capability.
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 solution provides a cost-effective, accurate, and easy-to-install method for monitoring thermal energy output, reducing energy consumption by minimizing standby losses and optimizing water heating system operations according to user demand patterns.
Implementation Method 1
external temperature sensors to measure temperature differentials between cold and heated water pipes
Implementation Method 2
Heating elements such as immersed electric resistance elements within the reservoir heat the stored water to a desired temperature by converting electrical energy to thermal energy
Implementation Method 3
insulation material can be placed between the reservoir and the surrounding environment to reduce heat loss
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relate to a controller system and method for use in storage-style water heating systems that offers significant opportunities for energy saving. The controller system can adjust the water heating system in response to energy demand patterns of user fixtures. The controller system can detect quantity of heated water usage and produce a heated water usage profile. The controller system can determine the quantity or volume of the used heated water without a mechanical flow meter. The controller system can include a cost-effective, accurate, and easy-to-install water temperature sensors that provide measurements of the differentials between water temperatures without direct contact with the water. The water temperature sensors can be cost-effective and easy-to-install sensors that are attached to the water pipes through a strap or other attachment methods.