Selective Water Temperature Component With Bypass Heating Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water heating systems for treated water are energy-inefficient, particularly when only a portion of heated water is needed, as they typically involve heating the entire volume of water to a high temperature in a batch process, leading to intermittent output and high energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A selective water temperature component that includes an inlet for untreated water, supply and return lines for a water treatment system, and an output for dispensing heated water, featuring a fluid flow path with a heating element and a bypass channel, allowing for user-designated temperature settings and efficient heating control through power cycling and flow regulation, along with optional pre-heating and a backup reservoir for maintaining water pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If batch heating process is used to heat treated water in a reservoir, then water can be heated to elevated temperature, but energy efficiency deteriorates when less than entire volume is desired
Solution Approach 1:
The water flow path is segmented into multiple channels (first channel with heating element, second channel bypassing heating element) allowing selective heating of only the required portion of water. This enables precise control over the volume of heated water, improving energy efficiency by avoiding heating of excess water that would be wasted in a batch process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial heating action by allowing water to bypass the heating element through the second channel when full heating is not required. This partial action approach enables the system to heat only the necessary amount of water to the desired temperature, rather than heating the entire reservoir volume, thus improving energy efficiency.
2Use of energy by moving object
If smaller heating reservoirs are used to improve energy efficiency, then energy consumption is reduced, but output becomes intermittent
Solution Approach 1:
The system ensures continuous useful action by providing uninterrupted water flow through the heating element via the first channel while simultaneously allowing bypass flow through the second channel. This continuous flow mechanism eliminates the intermittent output problem associated with smaller batch heating reservoirs, as heated water is continuously available without waiting for complete heating cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary heating action as water flows continuously through the heating element in the first channel. By pre-heating water in transit rather than waiting for batch heating to complete, the system ensures heated water is ready immediately when needed, maintaining continuous output while improving energy efficiency through controlled volume heating.
3Productivity
If heating element is continuously powered to provide ready supply of heated water, then output availability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies dynamic control by adjusting the flow distribution between the first channel (through heating element) and second channel (bypassing heating element) based on demand. This dynamic flow regulation allows the system to optimize the balance between heated water availability and energy consumption, heating only the necessary volume at any given time rather than continuously heating a fixed reservoir volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by controlling the flow rate and distribution of water through different channels. By adjusting these parameters, the system can optimize energy consumption while maintaining adequate heated water supply, varying the heated volume dynamically rather than maintaining constant heating of a fixed reservoir.
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 heating of treated water to user-designated temperatures while minimizing energy consumption, offering a ready supply of heated water and incorporating features like pre-heating, remote failure detection, and adaptability to various water treatment systems.
Implementation Method 1
The first channel includes a heating element while the second channel bypasses the heating element. Operation of the water temperature component includes selectively directing a flow rate of treated water to the first channel to heat the treated water
Implementation Method 2
a heat sink interposed between the electrical element and the conduit to preheat. The heat sink can include a block formed of a thermally-conductive metallic material. In operation, water flowing through the conduit is pre-heated with heat generated from the TRIAC
Data Source
AI summary
A water heating system is provided. The water heating system includes an inlet connectable to a supply of untreated water, supply and return lines connectable to a point-of-use water treatment system, and an output for dispensing a supply of treated and optionally heated water. An internal heating element is adapted to heat the treated water to one of a plurality of pre-selected temperature settings. Temperature control can be achieved by cycling the power applied to the heating element and/or controlling the flow rate of treated water through the heating element. The water heating system includes additional improvements in electrical compatibility, energy consumption, and remote failure detection.