Managed Water Heating Control for Faster, Lower-Energy Warm-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
The heating duration and cost of controlled bodies of water, such as swimming pools and spas, are often prolonged and inefficient due to lack of optimization in heating systems and equipment usage.
Innovation Solution
A managed water system that includes sensors to measure parameters, a circulation system, and a controller using algorithms to optimize heating processes, control equipment, and communicate results, ensuring efficient and cost-effective temperature management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If heating capacity is increased to reduce heating time, then productivity improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts heating power based on real-time water temperature measurements and predicted heating curves. The controller continuously monitors temperature sensors and modulates the heating element output to maintain optimal heating efficiency, preventing both overheating and unnecessary energy consumption while achieving target temperatures in minimal time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a closed-loop feedback mechanism where temperature sensors continuously measure water temperature and feed this data back to the controller. The controller compares actual temperature against the predicted heating curve and adjusts heating power accordingly, optimizing the balance between heating speed and energy consumption by preventing overheating and unnecessary energy use.
2Reliability
If equipment operates continuously to maintain temperature, then reliability improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous operation, the system uses periodic heating cycles based on predicted temperature drops and actual sensor data. The controller activates heating only when and when the water temperature approaches the lower threshold of the acceptable range, maintaining reliable temperature control while minimizing energy consumption through intermittent rather than continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own temperature sensors and control algorithms to autonomously determine when heating is necessary. By continuously monitoring water temperature and comparing it against the predicted heating curve and acceptable ranges, the system self-regulates heating operations, maintaining temperature reliability while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption from continuous operation.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are deployed to improve measurement accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system integrates multiple sensor measurements into a unified temperature reading through the controller's algorithm. Rather than treating each sensor independently, the system combines data from multiple temperature sensors (when present) to generate a single, more accurate water temperature measurement, improving precision while avoiding the complexity of managing multiple independent sensor systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller serves multiple functions: it processes data from various sensors (temperature, flow, etc.), executes heating algorithms, monitors equipment status, and controls heating elements. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve high measurement precision through integrated sensor processing without proportionally increasing overall system complexity, as the controller handles diverse tasks within a single device.
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 determines the time and cost required to heat water to a specific temperature, optimizes equipment usage, and recommends chemical treatments, thereby reducing heating time and costs while maintaining water quality.
Implementation Method 1
a circulation system that circulates the body of water relative to the vessel
Implementation Method 2
The heat up duration of a spa, swimming pool, or other controlled body of water varies, depending on a number of factors (e.g., heating capacity, the volume/mass of water)
Data Source
AI summary
A managed water system can include a first body of water contained in a vessel. The managed water system can also include at least one sensor device that measures at least one parameter associated with the first body of water. The managed water system can further include a circulation system that circulates the body of water relative to the vessel. The managed water system can also include a controller communicably coupled to the at least one sensor device and the circulation system. The controller can control the circulation system, and receive measurements of the at least one parameter made by the at least one sensor device. The controller can also evaluate the measurements using multiple algorithms, and communicate a result of evaluating the measurements.