EP0592222B1 - Réchauffeur d'eau - Google Patents

Réchauffeur d'eau Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0592222B1
EP0592222B1 EP93307992A EP93307992A EP0592222B1 EP 0592222 B1 EP0592222 B1 EP 0592222B1 EP 93307992 A EP93307992 A EP 93307992A EP 93307992 A EP93307992 A EP 93307992A EP 0592222 B1 EP0592222 B1 EP 0592222B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
water
tank
baffle
outlet pipe
water heater
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP93307992A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0592222A1 (fr
Inventor
Michael Roy c/o Fabdec Limited Hales
Henrik c/o DEK International Moe
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
FABDEC Ltd
Original Assignee
FABDEC Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB929221161A external-priority patent/GB9221161D0/en
Application filed by FABDEC Ltd filed Critical FABDEC Ltd
Publication of EP0592222A1 publication Critical patent/EP0592222A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0592222B1 publication Critical patent/EP0592222B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
    • F24H1/00—Water heaters, e.g. boilers, continuous-flow heaters or water-storage heaters
    • F24H1/18—Water-storage heaters
    • F24H1/188—Water-storage heaters with means for compensating water expansion
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
    • F24H9/00—Details
    • F24H9/12—Arrangements for connecting heaters to circulation pipes
    • F24H9/13—Arrangements for connecting heaters to circulation pipes for water heaters
    • F24H9/133—Storage heaters
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
    • F28D20/00—Heat storage plants or apparatus in general; Regenerative heat-exchange apparatus not covered by groups F28D17/00 or F28D19/00
    • F28D20/0034—Heat storage plants or apparatus in general; Regenerative heat-exchange apparatus not covered by groups F28D17/00 or F28D19/00 using liquid heat storage material
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
    • F28D20/00—Heat storage plants or apparatus in general; Regenerative heat-exchange apparatus not covered by groups F28D17/00 or F28D19/00
    • F28D2020/0065—Details, e.g. particular heat storage tanks, auxiliary members within tanks
    • F28D2020/0086—Partitions
    • F28D2020/0095—Partitions movable or floating

Definitions

  • This invention relates to unvented water heaters.
  • the invention relates to unvented water heaters of the kind comprising a tank, means for heating water in the tank, a cold water inlet through which water is supplied to the tank at a predetermined pressure and a hot water outlet comprising a pipe opening into the tank at a location spaced from the top of the tank, the arrangement being such that, in use, the water level in the tank is above the location of the outlet pipe opening but below the top of the tank, a volume of air being maintained between the water level and the top of the tank to accommodate expansion of the water in the tank as it is heated, see GB-A-2 238 104.
  • Such an unvented heater has the advantage that it does not require an external expansion tank.
  • This invention consists in an unvented water heater comprising a tank, means for heating water in the tank, a cold water inlet through which water is supplied to the tank at a predetermined pressure, and a hot water outlet comprising a pipe opening into the tank at a location spaced from the top of the tank, the arrangement being such that, in use, the water level in the tank is above the location of the outlet pipe opening and a volume of air is maintained above the water level and below the top of the tank to accommodate expansion of the water in the tank as it is heated, characterised in that a baffle is provided adjacent the opening of the hot water outlet or at the surface of the water, said baffle reducing or eliminating the absorbtion or entrainment of said air by the water in the tank.
  • the baffle is fixed in position in the tank.
  • the baffle comprises a horizontal plate.
  • the baffle floats on the surface of the water in the tank.
  • the baffle is preferably shaped so that it covers almost all the surface of the water in the tank.
  • the baffle preferably comprises a horizontal plate surrounding the pipe.
  • the baffle may be a disc with a diameter smaller than that of the tank.
  • the disc is mounted adjacent the lower end of the pipe.
  • the disc has an aperture through which the pipe extends, and can move vertically relative to the pipe.
  • the floating baffle may be a solid disc, of material lighter than water, or may be of a hollow construction.
  • the hot water outlet pipe usually extends through the top wall of the tank, but may alternatively be arranged to enter the tank through its side wall or bottom wall.
  • a baffle in accordance with the invention inhibits the formation of the vortices, and also acts to reduce the rate at which air dissolves in water in the tank, by inhibiting the circulation of water above the plate generated by heating the water, in the case of a fixed baffle, or by covering a large part of the surface of the water, in the case of a floating baffle.
  • the baffle thus reduces considerably the rate of loss of air from the tank.
  • a water heater consists of a cylindrical tank 10 surrounded by an insulating jacket 12.
  • a cold water inlet pipe 14 opens into the bottom wall 16 of the tank.
  • the inlet pipe 14 is connected in use to a source of cold water, through a limiting valve (not shown) which reduces the pressure at which water is supplied to the tank to a predetermined value (typically three bar) and also acts as a non-return valve.
  • a hot water outlet pipe 20 extends through the upper wall 18 of the tank to an open lower end 22 spaced from the top of the tank.
  • a temperature and pressure relief valve 24 is connected to the cylindrical side wall 26 of the tank.
  • Two ports 28 are provided in the side wall 26 to enable electric immersion heaters to be fitted.
  • the tank could be provided with pipework to enable hot water to be circulated within the tank, to provide indirect heating of water in the tank.
  • the water heater as described thus far corresponds to known unvented water heaters, and operates as follows.
  • Cold water is supplied to the tank 10 through the inlet 14.
  • Air trapped in the space 30 between the top of the tank and the surface 32 of water 34 in the tank is compressed so that its pressure balances the pressure at which water is supplied to the inlet 14.
  • the air in space 30 is further compressed to accommodate the expansion of the water.
  • a baffle 40 is provided, surrounding the opening at the lower end 22 of the hot water outlet pipe 20.
  • the baffle 40 consists of a disc, for example of stainless steel, having a central opening through which the pipe 20 fits, so that the disc can be secured to the pipe near to its lower end 22.
  • the disc 40 has a diameter somewhat less than the inside diameter of the tank 10, so that the periphery of the disc is spaced from the cylindrical wall of the tank. In use, the baffle is immersed in the water in the tank, a short distance below the water level 32.
  • baffle may be varied to suit the water heater to which the baffle is to be fitted.
  • the baffle may be made of any suitable material, such as stainless steel.
  • FIG 3 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention.
  • the embodiment of Figure 3 has a baffle 140 in the form of a flat plate of material lighter than water, which floats on the surface 32 of water in the tank 10.
  • the baffle 140 has a central aperture 142 of diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of the outlet pipe 20, so that the baffle 140 can slide up and down on the pipe 20 as the water level in the tank changes.
  • An enlargement 120 is formed near the mouth 22 of the outlet pipe 20, for example by fixing a small disc to the pipe, to ensure that the baffle 140 does not become disengaged from the pipe if the water level falls below the mouth 22 of the pipe 20, for example if the tank is drained for any reason.
  • the baffle 140 may be made of any suitable material enabling the baffle to float on the surface of the water, for example of polyethylene or polypropylene, or of closed cell expanded polyethylene.
  • the baffle 140 increases the distance between the mouth of the outlet pipe 20 and that part of the surface 32 of water in the tank which is open to air 30 in the tank. As with the embodiment of Figure 1, this inhibits the formation of vortex pools.
  • the baffle reduces considerably the area of the surface of the water which is open to the air in the tank, and so reduces considerably the rate at which air dissolves in the water and the rate of loss of air from the tank.
  • the baffle may have an outside diameter only slightly less than that of the inner diameter of the tank, leaving only sufficient clearance to enable the baffle to move freely up and down. The baffle will then effectively cover almost all the surface of the water.
  • the shape and dimensions of the baffle 140 can be varied or suit the tank in which the baffle is installed. If the outlet pipe extends into the tank through the side wall or bottom wall of the tank, the baffle 140 need not have a central aperture.
  • FIG 4 shows an embodiment similar to that of Figure 3, having a baffle 240 which floats on the surface of water in the tank 10.
  • the baffle 240 is hollow, having a flat bottom wall 242, a frusto-conical top wall 244, and a central cylindrical wall 246 which surrounds the outlet pipe 20 so that the baffle 240 can move vertically in relation to the pipe.
  • One or more holes 248 are provided in the top wall 242 of the baffle to equalise the pressure in the air space 30 in the tank 10 and the pressure in the space 230 inside the hollow baffle 240.
  • An annular plate 220 is fixed to the lower end of the outlet pipe 20 to prevent the baffle 240 becoming disengaged from the pipe if the water level falls too low.
  • the baffle 240 may be made of plastics as in the embodiment of Figure 3. Alternatively, since the baffle is hollow, it may be made of a material heavier than water, e.g. of metal.
  • the baffle 240 operates in the same way as the floating baffle of the embodiment of Figure 3.
  • the shape of the upper wall 244 of the baffle 240 allows any droplets of water which might condense from the airspace 30 at the top of the tank to drain from the baffle.
  • the baffle could be made in other shapes, for example with a flat upper wall so that the baffle is generally disc shaped. If the outlet pipe 20 extends into the tank through the side wall or bottom wall of the tank, the baffle need not be provided with a through bore to receive the pipe.
  • the disc or plate (120 or 220) fixed to the lower end of outlet pipe 20 to retain the floating baffle may also have the effect of acting as secondary anti-vortex baffle, preventing the formation of local vortices at the opening 22 of the outlet pipe 20, further reducing the risk of air being drawn into the pipe.
  • the size of the disc or plate may be chosen to provide optimum effect in reducing the formation of vortices.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Details Of Fluid Heaters (AREA)

Claims (11)

  1. Chauffe-eau sans évent, comprenant une cuve (10), des moyens pour chauffer l'eau dans la cuve, un tuyau d'entrée d'eau froide (14) par lequel de l'eau est amenée à la cuve à une pression prédéterminée, et un tuyau de sortie d'eau chaude (20), ce tuyau de sortie comprenant un orifice(22) à l'intérieur de la cuve (10) en un emplacement distant du haut de la cuve (10), l'agencement étant tel que, en service, le niveau (32) de l'eau dans la cuve (10) soit situé au-dessus de l'orifice (22) du tuyau de sortie et qu'un volume d'air (30) soit maintenu au-dessus du niveau de l'eau et au-dessous du haut de la cuve (10) pour permettre la dilatation de l'eau dans la cuve (10) lors de son chauffage, caractérisé en ce qu'il est prévu une chicane (40, 140, 240) adjacente à l'orifice (22) du tuyau de sortie d'eau chaude (20) ou au niveau de la surface (32) de l'eau, ladite chicane réduisant ou éliminant l'absorption ou l'entraînement dudit air (30) par l'eau (34) présente dans la cuve (10).
  2. Chauffe-eau selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la chicane (40, 140, 240) empêche la formation de tourbillons creux (36) au niveau de la surface libre (32) de l'eau dans la cuve (10).
  3. Chauffe-eau selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que la chicane (40) est fixée en place dans la cuve (10).
  4. Chauffe-eau selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que la chicane (40) comprend une plaque horizontale.
  5. Chauffe-eau selon la revendication 4, dans lequel le tuyau de sortie d'eau chaude (20) descend verticalement jusqu'à l'orifice (22) au-dessous du niveau de l'eau, et caractérisé en ce que la chicane (40) comprend une plaque horizontale entourant l'orifice (22) du tuyau de sortie d'eau chaude(20).
  6. Chauffe-eau selon la revendication 5, dans lequel la cuve (10) est une cuve cylindrique, et caractérisé en ce que la chicane (40) est un disque dont le diamètre est plus petit que celui de la cuve (10), et qui est monté adjacent à l'extrémité inférieure du tuyau de sortie d'eau chaude (20).
  7. Chauffe-eau selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la chicane (140, 240) est propre à flotter sur la surface (32) de l'eau dans la cuve (10).
  8. Chauffe-eau selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que la chicane (140) est une plaque plate en un matériau plus léger que l'eau.
  9. Chauffe-eau selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que la chicane (240) est un corps creux ayant une paroi inférieure plate qui est en contact avec la surface (32) de l'eau dans la cuve (10).
  10. Chauffe-eau selon l'une quelconque des revendications 7 à 9, dans lequel le tuyau de sortie d'eau chaude (20) descend verticalement jusqu'à un orifice (22) au-dessous du niveau (32) de l'eau, et caractérisé en ce que la chicane (140, 240) présente une ouverture (142) dont la section transversale horizontale est légèrement plus grande que ledit tuyau de sortie d'eau chaude (20), de telle manière que la chicane (140, 240) puisse se déplacer verticalement par rapport audit tuyau de sortie d'eau chaude (20).
  11. Chauffe-eau selon l'une quelconque des revendications 7 à 10, caractérisé en ce que la chicane (140, 240) est conformée de manière à recouvrir à peu près toute la surface de l'eau dans la cuve (10).
EP93307992A 1992-10-08 1993-10-07 Réchauffeur d'eau Expired - Lifetime EP0592222B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB929221161A GB9221161D0 (en) 1992-10-08 1992-10-08 Water heaters
GB9221161 1992-10-08
GB9313996 1993-07-07
GB939313996A GB9313996D0 (en) 1992-10-08 1993-07-07 Water heaters

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0592222A1 EP0592222A1 (fr) 1994-04-13
EP0592222B1 true EP0592222B1 (fr) 1997-03-05

Family

ID=26301755

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP93307992A Expired - Lifetime EP0592222B1 (fr) 1992-10-08 1993-10-07 Réchauffeur d'eau

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0592222B1 (fr)
DE (1) DE69308453D1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2415487B (en) * 2004-06-24 2009-07-15 Fabdec Ltd Water heaters
GB0722816D0 (en) * 2007-11-21 2008-01-02 Pringle David L Improved fluid container
GB0724975D0 (en) * 2007-12-21 2008-01-30 Baxi Heating Uk Ltd An improved water heater
WO2010097566A1 (fr) * 2009-02-24 2010-09-02 David Luke Pringle Réceptacle de fluide amélioré

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AT370507B (de) * 1979-09-25 1983-04-11 Waagner Biro Ag Heisswasserspeicher
GB2238104A (en) * 1989-11-14 1991-05-22 Vold Johansen Arne Hot water heater with expansion space

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69308453D1 (de) 1997-04-10
EP0592222A1 (fr) 1994-04-13

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