EP1290380B1 - Heating unit for heat-conveying medium for central heating installation - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a heating unit comprising a tubular wall (1) and first and second end walls (2, 3). A first annular space (6) is located between the tubular wall (1) and a first tubular partition (4). A second annular space (7) is located between the first partition (4) and a second tubular partition (5) inside the first partition (4). An immersion heater (25) is mounted in the central channel (8) formed by the second partition (5). The second space (7) communicates with the central channel (8) near the first end wall (2) and with the first space (6) near the second end wall (3). An intake orifice (13) emerges into the first space (6) near the first end wall (2) and an outlet (14), in the second end wall (3) emerges into the central channel (8).

Description

The invention relates to a heating fluid heating unit for central heating installation.

In general, a central heating installation includes a circuit of pipes in which one or several radiators or convectors, at least one expansion device and at least one heating station adapted to heat the coolant that we circulate in the circuit. Heating stations for a central heating installation are already known in the state of the art, for example in FR-A-990 616, US-A-3,968,346 and US-A-4,469,935.

The heating station of the installation can notably be a coal, gas or oil boiler, and there are also electric heating stations.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an installation central heating system in which the heating station consists of in one or more electric heating units of simple structure and compact, and allowing an efficient and flexible operation of installation.

The present invention relates to a heating unit heat transfer fluid of central heating. This heating unit consists of a tank having a tubular outer wall, a first end wall and a second end wall, these walls delimiting a substantially cylindrical space. A first partition tubular interior and a second tubular inner partition, concentric substance with the tubular outer wall, are mounted in the reservoir, the second inner partition having a larger diameter small than that of the first tubular partition. A first space ring is located between the tubular outer wall and the first partition indoor; a second annular space is located between the first partition interior and the second interior partition; a central canal is located at inside the second interior partition. The second annular space is in communication with the central channel near the first end wall and in communication with the first annular space at near the second end wall. The tank is equipped with a inlet opening into the first annular space nearby of the first end wall and an exit port, in the second end wall, opening out of the central channel. At least one thermopung electric is mounted in the central channel. At least one probe Thermostatic is mounted in the tank.

The constituent elements of the heating unit are preferably made of metal.

In particular, the tubular outer wall, the first and second end walls and the first inner partition can especially be made of steel.

The second interior partition can also be made in steel. According to another embodiment, this second interior partition is made of copper.

In a preferred embodiment, the heating unit comprises, in said second annular space, transfer elements of heat integral with said second outer wall.

These heat transfer elements can in particular consist of two rings spaced apart from one another, in solidarity with the said second internal partition and arranged perpendicular to the axis of this one, these two rings being pierced with several holes and being interconnected by means of several spaced apart metal bars one from the other.

In order to have a large contact area with the heat transfer fluid that surrounds them, these metal bars present advantageously a ribbed outer surface. For the same reason, these metal bars can also wear fins.

Said heat transfer elements are made in one material with good conductivity. The two rings between which are mounted the metal bars can be made of steel, but they are advantageously made of copper. The metal bars themselves are preferably made of copper.

As already mentioned above, at least one probe Thermostatic is mounted in the tank. To ensure a more great security of operation, it may be desirable that two Thermostatic probes are mounted in the tank.

According to a particular embodiment, this probe or these thermostatic probes are mounted in the second space annular.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first space ring is communicated with the second annulus thanks to several openings distributed around the periphery of said first inner partition, near the second end wall.

The expression "near the second end wall" here means that the distance between these openings and the second wall endpoint is significantly smaller (for example, at least four times smaller) than the distance of these openings and the first wall end.

Advantageously, a ring can be mounted in the first annular space, between the tubular outer wall and the first interior partition. This ring which (in the axial direction) is pierced of several holes distributed along its periphery, is located at one level intermediate between the tank inlet and the openings that are arranged in said first intermediate partition.

The communication of the second annular space with the central channel, is advantageously ensured by the fact that a spacing is provided between the second inner partition and the first end wall.

According to a particular embodiment, the inlet orifice tank is formed in the tubular outer wall, close to the first end wall. This orifice thus opens radially into the first annular space.

The reservoir is preferably provided with means allowing to fix it on a support.

According to an advantageous embodiment, two immersion heaters electrical devices are mounted in the central channel of the heater.

When operating the central heating system in which is connected the heating unit, only one of these immersion heaters or both immersion heaters can be operated, according to the circumstances and needs.

The present invention also relates to an installation central heating fluid with heat transfer fluid, comprising a circuit of pipelines in which are connected one or more radiators or convectors, at least one circulation pump, at least one device an expansion unit and at least one heating unit, this installation comprising at least one room thermostat. In the circuit of this installation is connected to at least one heating unit according to the invention, the installation including, in addition, an automated control station adapted to receive the signals of the room thermostats and the or thermostatic probes of the heating unit or units, and order the start and stop of operation of the circulation pumps and the immersion heater (s) of the heating units.

The heating system according to the invention can optionally include two or more heating units next the invention, these heating units then being connected in parallel in the circuit.

The heat transfer fluid circulating in the installation is preferably of the oil and more particularly a mineral oil especially designed for transferring calories.

The heating unit (s) connected to the circuit are preferably capable of heating the heat transfer fluid to a temperature greater than 100 ° C.

The installation can be set in such a way the temperature of the coolant (in particular, the oil) is limited at a temperature between 105 ° and 110 ° C, at the exit of the heating units.

la Fig. 1 est une vue en coupe axiale de l'unité de chauffage;

la Fig. 2 est une coupe transversale de l'unité de chauffage suivant la ligne II-II de la Fig. 1; et

la Fig. 3 est une coupe transversale de l'unité de chauffage suivant la ligne III-III de la Fig. 1.

Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description of a heating unit according to the invention, given by way of non-limiting example, reference being made to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an axial sectional view of the heating unit;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section of the heating unit along line II-II of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the heating unit along line III-III of FIG. 1.

The heating unit consists of a tank comprising a tubular outer wall 1, a first end wall 2 and a second end wall 3.

A first tubular inner partition 4, concentric with the outer wall 1, is mounted in the tank. A second tubular interior partition 5, also concentric with the outer wall 1, is mounted inside the first partition 4.

A first annular space 6 is thus located between the wall 1 and the first interior partition 4 and a second space 4 and the second interior partition 5. A central channel 8 is located inside the second internal tubular partition 5.

It will be noted that the first end wall 2 is in is formed, essentially, by a ring 9 welded between the elements tubular which respectively form the outer wall 1 and the first internal partition 4 and a ring 10 welded between the tubular elements which respectively form the first interior partition 4 and the second interior partition 5.

Similarly, the second end wall is formed, essentially, by a ring 11 welded between the elements tubular which respectively form the outer wall 1 and the first internal partition 4 and a ring 12 welded between the elements tubular which respectively form the first partition 4 and the second interior partition 5.

The tank is equipped with an inlet which consists of a pipe 13 welded to the outer wall 1 and opening into the first annular space 6, near the first wall end 2.

The tank is also provided with an outlet orifice which opens out of the central channel 8 and which consists of a welded pipe 14 in the ring 12 (which is a constituent element of the second wall end 3).

The second interior partition 5 carries three externally rings 15, 16, 17, whose outer diameter is equal (or slightly lower) than the inside diameter of the first inner partition 4. The ring 15, which is located closest to the second end wall 3, is connected to the ring 12 by two fingers-of-glove 18. Two probes thermostatic devices 19 passing through orifices provided for this purpose in the ring 12, and by said fingers-of-glove 18, are mounted in the second annular space 7. The electrical connectors and wires which allow to connect these thermostatic probes 19 to a station of command are not represented.

The other two rings 16 and 17 are spaced one from the other and interconnected by means of twelve copper bars 20 regularly spaced from each other. The rings 16 and 17 are each pierced with twelve holes 21 which are angularly offset by relative to bars 20, as can be seen in FIG. 3.

Twelve holes 22 are formed in the first partition 4, near the second end wall 3. These holes 22 which are regularly distributed around the perimeter of the first partition tubular interior 4, port the first space ring 6 with the second annular space 7.

A ring 23 pierced with eight holes 24 is mounted between the outer wall 1 and the first inner partition 4, at one level intermediate between the inlet pipe 13 and the holes 22 which are arranged in the first inner partition 4. During the operation of the heating unit, this ring 23 pierced with holes 24 regulates the flow of heat transfer fluid which enters through the tubing 13 and which rises towards the holes 22.

It will be noted that a space is provided between the second inner partition 5 and the first end wall 2, which puts the second annular space 7 in communication with the central channel 8.

Two electric immersion heaters 25 are located in the central channel 8. These immersion heaters 25 are fixed in a base 26 which is screwed into the ring 10, a bridge 27 sealing the mounting.

Connectors 28 make it possible to connect the immersion heaters 25 to power cables.

Shoulders 29, 30 are intended for fixing the unit heating on a suitable support.

When operating the heating unit, a thermo-plunger Or both heaters 25 are operated. Meanwhile, the heat transfer fluid circulates in the unit of heating entering through the entrance 13, going back in the first annular space 6, penetrating through the holes 22 in the second space ring 7, descending into the second annular space 7 and going up the central canal 8 to exit 14.

During its crossing of the central channel 8, the heat transfer fluid is in direct contact with immersion heaters which carry it to the desired temperature. However, thanks to the thermal conductivity of internal partitions 4 and 5, the coolant is already preheated course of its passage in the first annular space 6 and then especially during its passage in the second annular space 7 in which it comes into contact not only with the second partition intermediate 5 but also with the transfer elements of heat 16, 17 and 20.

A heating unit as described is intended to be connected to the piping system of a heating system central. In the pipe circuit of such an installation are generally connected several radiators, at least one unit of heating, at least one circulation pump and at least one device expansion. The installation further comprises at least one thermostat room and an automated control station capable of receiving signals from the room thermostats and thermostatic probes of the heating unit (or heating units), and to control the start-up and shutdown of the pump circulation (or circulation pumps) and the immersion heater (s) of the heating unit (or heating units).

The heating capacity of a heating unit depends obviously the power of the or immersion heaters mounted in unit. The choice of suitable power immersion heaters allows you to meet a desired heating capacity.

It may be desirable to connect two or more units heating, in parallel, in the circuit of a heating installation central. It is furthermore advantageous if two immersion heaters are mounted in each heating unit.

The control station of the installation can then be programmed so that, depending on the need for heating, one or two heaters of one or more heating units are The control station is also programmed to that the heating unit (s) can only operate when the or the circulation pumps are working.

The heating units according to the invention are very few bulky, are of very simple construction, and allow a great flexibility of operation of the installation in which they are connected.

The heat transfer fluid that is circulated in the installation is preferably mineral oil for transferring calories. this allows in particular to heat the heat transfer fluid to a higher temperature at 100 ° C, and it remains possible, without problem, even at high altitude, in mountainous regions.

A heating unit according to the invention is a device compact which contains only a small volume of coolant and which, therefore, has a low thermal inertia.

If radiators or convectors mounted in the installation are of the type with large radiation surface and low internal volume, the installation as a whole will have a low thermal inertia, which is a real advantage.

Claims (21)

1. Heating unit for heat-transfer fluid for a central heating installation, characterised in that it consists of a reservoir having a tubular external wall (1), a first end wall (2) and a second end wall (3), these walls (1, 2, 3) delimiting a substantially cylindrical space, a first tubular internal partition (4) and a second tubular internal partition (5), substantially concentric with the tubular external wall (1) being mounted in the reservoir, the second internal partition (5) having a diameter smaller than that of the first internal partition (4), a first annular space (5) being situated between the tubular external wall (1) and the first internal partition (4), a second annular space (7) being situated between the first internal partition (4) and the second internal partition (5), a central pipe (8) being situated inside the second internal partition (5), the second annular space (7) being in communication with the central channel (8) close to the first end wall (2) and in communication with the first annular space (6) close to the second end wall (3), the reservoir being provided with an inlet orifice (13) opening out in the first annular space (6) close to the first end wall (2), and an orifice (14), in the second end wall (3), opening out from the central pipe (8), at least one electric immersion heater (25) being mounted in the central pipe (8), at least one thermostatic sensor (19) being mounted in the reservoir.
2. Heating unit according to Claim 1, characterised in that the tubular external wall (1), the first and second end walls (2, 3) and the first internal partition (4) are made from steel.
3. Heating unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the second internal partition (5) is made from steel.
4. Heating unit according to either one of Claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the second internal partition (5) is made from copper.
5. Heating unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises heat transfer elements situated in the said second annular space (7) and fixed to the said second internal partition (5).
6. Heating unit according to Claim 5, characterised in that the said heat transfer elements consist of two rings (16, 17) spaced apart from one another, fixed to the said second internal partition (5) and disposed perpendicular to the axis thereof, these two rings (16, 17) having several holes (21) in them and being connected together by means of several metallic bars (20), spaced apart from each other.
7. Heating unit according to Claim 6, characterised in that the said metallic bars (20) have a ribbed external surface.
8. Heating unit according to either one of Claims 6 and 7, characterised in that the said two rings (16, 17) fixed to the second internal partition (5) are made from steel.
9. Heating unit according to either of one of Claims 6 and 7, characterised in that the said two rings (16, 17) fixed to the second internal partition (5) are made from copper.
10. Heating unit according to any one of Claims 6 to 9, characterised in that the said metallic bars (20) are made from copper.
11. Heating unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises at least one thermostatic sensor (19) mounted in the said second annular space (7).
12. Heating unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that several openings (22) distributed over the periphery of the said first internal partition (4), close to the second end wall (3), put the first annular space (6) and the second annular space (7) in communication.
13. Heating unit according to Claim 12, characterised in that, perpendicular to the axis of the reservoir, a ring (23) is mounted between the tubular external wall (1) and the said first internal partition (4), this ring (23), with several holes (24) in it distributed along its periphery, being situated at a level intermediate between the inlet orifice (13) of the reservoir and the openings (22) which are provided in the said first internal partition (4).
14. Heating unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a space is provided between the said second internal partition (5) and the first end wall (2), thus putting the second annular space (7) and the central pipe (8) in communication.
15. Heating unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the said inlet orifice (13) of the reservoir is provided in the tubular external wall (1).
16. Heating unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the reservoir is provided with means (29, 30) enabling it to be fixed to a support.
17. Heating unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that two electric immersion heaters (25) are mounted in the said central pipe (8).
18. Central heating installation with a heat-transfer fluid, comprising a pipework circuit in which there are connected one or more radiators or convectors, at least one circulation pump, at least one expansion device and at least one heating unit, the installation including at least one room thermostat, characterised in that at least one heating unit according to any one of the preceding claims is connected in the said circuit, the installation comprising an automated control station able to receive the signals from the room thermostat or thermostats and from the thermostatic sensor or sensors (19) of the heating unit or units and to control the start-up and stoppage of operation of the circulation pump or pumps and of the immersion heater or heaters of the heating unit or units.
19. Central heating installation according to Claim 18, characterised in that two or more heating units according to any one of Claims 1 to 17 are connected in parallel in the said circuit.
20. Central heating installation according to either one of Claims 18 and 19, characterised in that the heat-transfer fluid is oil.
21. Central heating installation according to Claim 20, characterised in that the heating unit or units are able to heat the heat-transfer fluid to a temperature above 100°C.

Images