EP2233858A2 - Warm water reservoir with sensor system - Google Patents

Abstract

The tank (1) has a sensor system (2) provided with temperature sensors connected in series in a sensor chain. A connection of one temperature sensor is attached to a connection of the other temperature sensor. The connection of the former temperature sensor and the connection of the latter temperature sensor of the sensor chain are connectable to a selection unit. The temperature sensors of the sensor chain are arranged in a sensor pipe. The sensor system is arranged at a heating flange (12).

Description

description Background of the invention

The present invention relates to a hot water tank for heating water, with a sensor system for measuring temperature, which has at least two temperature sensors.

State of the art

For example, the German Offenlegungsschrift is known from the prior art DE 851 99 21 U1 in which a temperature sensor of a water heater with two inserted into a single protective tube from the open end of temperature sensor cartridges is disclosed. Through the one temperature sensor cartridge, a temperature controller is switched. The other temperature sensor cartridge switches a temperature limiter. The cartridges are arranged one above the other in the protective tube.

Next is from the German patent DE 44 01 539 C2 a detection device for the usable state of charge of a hot water storage heater with a temperature measurement over the height of the storage container is known. Over the height of the storage container several temperature sensors are distributed, the top is switched off during loading and the bottom when unloading. In or on the storage container connected to the control circuit, elongated temperature sensor is arranged, which is constructed in the manner of a tubular heater, wherein a metal jacket tube, a resistance wire with temperature-dependent resistance is embedded. Another temperature sensor is located near the hot water outlet.

The problem underlying the invention

The invention has for its object to provide a comparison with the prior art improved hot water tank for heating water by means of electrical energy. In particular, a sensor system for temperature measurement is to be provided, which should enable both the measurement of an averaged temperature of the hot water storage tank contents and the measurement of the temperatures of partial volumes of the hot water storage tank contents. In addition, the sensor system should be easily adaptable to hot water storage tanks with different capacities.

Inventive solution

The reference numbers in all claims have no limiting effect, but are only intended to improve their readability.

The solution of the problem is achieved by a hot water tank with the features of claim 1.

Under a hot water tank for heating water by means of electrical energy is a device to understand in which water can be heated and stored, for example, under-table, over-table and wall units are included. For this purpose, the hot water tank can have at least one water tank. An inventive hot water tank can be designed both pressure-resistant and non-pressure. A sensor system for temperature measurement means a system of temperature sensors that can be used to determine a water temperature. If temperature sensors in a sensor chain are connected in series, this is to be understood as meaning a series of temperature sensors in which at least one first and one last temperature sensor can be connected to a readout unit, and the temperature sensors are connected to one another in a series connection.

The invention is particularly suitable for the heating of fresh water. However, for example, embodiments of the invention for the use of service water are conceivable. The heated water can be used, for example, for body cleansing, dishwashing or drinking water. The invention is suitable in particular for hot water storage tanks, which can heat water to a temperature of at least 15 ° C (degrees Celsius), particularly preferably at least 50 ° C, particularly preferably at least 60 ° C. The invention is particularly suitable for hot water storage, which can heat water to a temperature of not more than 100 ° C, more preferably not more than 75 ° C, particularly preferably not more than 65 ° C.

It is an achievable advantage of the hot water tank according to the invention that an overall temperature of the water contained in the hot water tank can be determined. This can be done via the temperature sensors, which are arranged in different areas within the water tank of the hot water tank, and which are connected in series in a sensor chain starting with a first temperature sensor to a last temperature sensor of the sensor chain in series. In this case, a mean value of the individual temperatures can be determined by serial readout of the temperatures.

The solution according to the invention also makes it possible to determine the temperature of the water from the areas in which at least one temperature sensor is arranged. For this purpose, the temperature determined by a single sensor, which can also be arranged in the sensor chain, can be read out. The reading of the individual temperature sensors can also be referred to as a parallel readout of the temperature sensors. Advantageously, for this purpose, a connection of the temperature sensor, e.g. the first connection can be used. Thus, in particular, the water temperature at the water outlet or the water inlet can be output, whereby an improved control of the heating elements can be made possible.

Next is an achievable advantage of the invention that the sensor system for hot water tank with different capacities can be used, since the temperature sensors of the sensor chain can be adapted to a wide variety of geometric specifications of the hot water tank. This requires only an adjustment of the mechanical attachment of the temperature sensors, with constant connection of the sensor system.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

Advantageous embodiments and developments, which can be used individually or in combination with each other, are the subject of the dependent claims.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sensor system has at least three temperature sensors. Particularly preferably, the sensor system has at least four, five or six temperature sensors. The temperature sensors of a preferred embodiment of the invention are connected in series in a sensor chain, wherein the first and the last temperature sensor can be connected to a readout unit. For this purpose, the sensor system has connections outside the water tank via which the readout unit, which can be arranged outside the water tank, can be connected to the temperature sensors. In particular, the temperature sensors of the sensor chain are arranged so that the sensor chain has no ring shape. In the sensor chain, it is possible with particular preference for any desired number of temperature sensors to be arranged. Through the sensor chain an adaptation to different tank shapes and / or tank volumes of a hot water tank is possible. Advantageously, different temperature zones of the hot water tank can be achieved. Thus, the sensor system can also extend vertically in a vertical extension of the hot water tank. Under a vertical extension of a hot water tank, a hot water tank is to be understood with a water tank that is higher than wide. In such an arrangement, heated water may be at a higher elevation than cold water, which may result in water layers of different temperature that may be detected by individual temperature sensors of the sensor chain. In a hot water tank according to the invention, the temperature sensors of the sensor system may be arranged in the interior of the water tank of the hot water tank, but it is also conceivable that the temperature sensors are arranged on the outside of the water tank.

Particularly preferably, the sensor system can have further temperature sensors which are not arranged in the sensor chain. This can advantageously be achieved that the sensor system can be adapted to a wide variety of configurations of the water tank of the hot water tank.

So could e.g. the water temperature in a bulge of the water tank by further additional temperature sensors, which may be arranged at any point of the sensor chain, are detected. Other temperature sensors that are not part of the sensor chain can advantageously expand the functionality of the sensor system. For example, temperature sensors could be used for a safety shutdown, which can prevent overheating when the tank drains due to leakage.

According to the invention, at least the temperature sensors of the sensor chain are preferably arranged in a sensor tube. Particularly preferably, the sensor tube is closed. In a hot water storage according to the invention also all temperature sensors of the sensor system can be arranged in the sensor tube. Through the sensor tube, the temperature sensors can be protected from external influences. The sensor tube can protect the temperature sensors from, for example, mechanical stress that may occur during installation in the hot water storage tank during installation or from corrosion by the water in the hot water storage tank. For this purpose, the sensor tube is advantageously designed mechanically stable and waterproof.

Particularly preferably, the temperature sensors are connected to one another within the sensor tube. Particularly preferably, the temperature sensors of the sensor chain are connected together in series within the sensor tube. In this way, the interconnection of the sensors can be made possible without leading out of connections from the sensor tube, which enables a minimization of the connections of the sensor system.

Preferably, the temperature sensors of the sensor chain are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the sensor tube. In this case, the sensor chain advantageously extends along the sensor tube, so that the points at which a water temperature can be determined can be determined by the shape of the sensor tube. Particularly preferably, the sensor tube in the form of a straight rod. As a result, the sensor system can also be used for existing hot water storage. Furthermore, a sensor tube with a straight shape allows easy manufacture and assembly, since the temperature sensors are inserted, for example, only in the sensor tube or the sensor tube with included temperature sensors can be easily integrated into a commercial hot water tank. Embodiments of the invention are also conceivable in which the sensor tube can assume any geometry.

In a further preferred embodiment, the first terminal of each temperature sensor of the sensor chain can be connected to a readout unit. This advantageously makes it possible for each temperature sensor to be individually readable, as a result of which the temperature detected by each temperature sensor can be determined. Embodiments are also conceivable in which only a subset of the first terminals of temperature sensors of the sensor chain can be connected to a readout unit. Particularly preferably, the terminals of the temperature sensors can be connected to a read-out unit by being led out of the water tank through a line to a connection. If only the first and the last sensor of the sensor chain can be connected to a readout unit, then only one measurement of a total temperature can be made possible. The determined temperature of this measurement may correspond to an averaging of the temperatures detected by the individual temperature sensors. By further connections of temperature sensors, which are arranged between the first and the last temperature sensor of the sensor chain, can be connected to a read-out unit, it can advantageously be made possible for the temperatures determined by individual temperature sensors to be read out. Advantageously, this can be used to measure the temperature of partial volumes of the water contained in the hot water storage tank, e.g. be made possible by layers of water. Thus, for example, the temperature at the water outlet of the water tank can be determined in order to be able to conclude a comparison with the averaged water temperature on the available amount of hot water. For example, if the temperature at the water outlet is high, but the average temperature is low, it can be concluded that there is less available hot water than at high water temperature at the water outlet and high average total temperature.

In a sensor system according to the invention, the number of temperature sensors can be increased without increasing the number of connections. This can be achieved that the sensor system for different hot water tanks with the same Readout unit is used. If, however, each temperature sensor is to be individually readable, advantageously only one connection to the already existing connections of the sensor system must be added when inserting a temperature sensor into the sensor chain. Advantageously, each temperature sensor can optionally be used for control and / or display functions.

In a further preferred embodiment, the path, are arranged at the temperature sensors, from a first half of a water tank of the hot water tank in a second half of the water tank. Particularly preferably, the distance, are arranged at the temperature sensors, from a first third, preferably quarter, preferably eighth to a last third, preferably quarter, preferably eighth of the height of the water tank of the hot water tank. The height of the water tank is to be understood as the longest extent of the interior of the hot water tank. Under the route, are arranged at the temperature sensors, the route is to be understood, which begins with the first temperature sensor of the sensor chain and ends with the last temperature sensor of the sensor chain. Advantageously, the distances between the temperature sensors of the sensor chain can be selected so that the distance at which temperature sensors are arranged can be adapted for hot water storage tanks with different capacities.

In a sensor system with three temperature sensors, which are connected in series in the sensor chain, the middle sensor is particularly preferably in the middle of the hot water tank, the first sensor particularly preferably at the water inlet, and the last sensor is particularly preferably arranged at the water outlet, e.g. the water inlet in the first quarter and the water outlet in the last quarter of the water tank can be arranged. Advantageously, an extension of the sensor chain of the sensor system is easily possible.

Temperature sensors preferred according to the invention are manufactured from a resistance wire with temperature-dependent resistance. Particularly preferably, the temperature sensors of PTC resistors, so-called PCT resistors, made in which the resistance increases with increasing temperature. There are also embodiments of the invention are conceivable in which the temperature sensors Thermistor resistors, so-called NTC resistors, are made, in which the resistance decreases with increasing temperature. When using a temperature-dependent resistor, a temperature measurement by means of an electrical measurement can advantageously be made possible, which can allow the further processing of the determined measurement results in an electronic system.

According to the invention, it is preferably provided that the sensor system is arranged separately from a heating element on the hot water tank. In this way, a necessary safety distance between the sensor system and a heating element can be maintained so that overheating of the sensor system can be avoided. Furthermore, the temperature sensors of the sensor system can be arranged independently of the heating element on the hot water tank.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the hot water tank on a Heizflansch on which the sensor system is arranged. This allows the advantageous use of the sensor system for already available on the market hot water tank. In addition, the use in an assembly is made possible, which allows a cost-effective production and easy installation.

The present invention makes it possible to detect the water temperature of a hot water storage tank with simple structural and cost-effective means, whereby both an overall temperature and temperatures of partial volumes can be detected. In this way, a sensor system can be provided that can be used for hot water storage tanks with different capacities.

Brief description of the drawings

Further advantageous embodiments will be described in more detail below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings, to which the invention is not limited.

Fig. 1

einen Warmwasserspeicher in einer Schnittansicht von einer Seite;
und

Fig. 2

ein Sensorsystem für einen Warmwasserspeicher gemäß Fig. 1 in einer Schnittansicht.

They show schematically:

Fig. 1

a hot water tank in a sectional view from one side;
and

Fig. 2

a sensor system for a hot water tank according to Fig. 1 in a sectional view.

Detailed description based on one embodiment

In the following description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, like reference characters designate like or similar components.

The embodiment will be described below with reference to the Fig. 1 and 2 explained. In Fig. 1 a hot water tank 1 is shown for heating water in a sectional view from one side. Fig. 2 shows a sensor system 2 for temperature measurement for the hot water tank 1 from Fig. 1 in a sectional view. The sensor system 2 is arranged on a heating flange 12 of the hot water tank 1 separated from the heating element 11, so that between the heating element 11 and sensor system 2 a safety distance is maintained in order to avoid overheating of the sensor system 2. The sensor system 2 has three temperature sensors 5, 6, 14 made of a resistance wire with temperature-dependent resistance. The three temperature sensors 5, 6, 14 are connected in series in a sensor chain and are arranged in a sensor tube 7, wherein they are interconnected within the sensor tube 7 and arranged in the longitudinal direction of the sensor tube 7. The sensor tube 7 has the shape of a straight rod.

The first terminal 3 of the first temperature sensor 5 is, like all other terminals connectable via the terminal contacts 13 of the sensor system 2 to a reading unit, not shown for reasons of representation. The second terminal 4 of the first temperature sensor 5 is connected to the first terminal 3 of the next, so the second temperature sensor 14, which also to the not shown Readout unit is connectable. Similarly, the second terminal 4 of the second temperature sensor 14 is connected to the first terminal 3 of the next, so the last temperature sensor 6, which is connectable to the readout unit, not shown. The second terminal 4 of the last temperature sensor 6 can also be connected to the reading unit, not shown. Thus, the sensors can be read both serially and in parallel. During the serial reading of the sensors, a temperature can be determined which corresponds to the averaging of the temperatures which are detected by the individual temperature sensors. For this purpose, the resistance of the entire sensors connected in series can be determined. In the parallel readout of the sensors, the temperature detected by the individual temperature sensors can be determined. For this purpose, the resistance of each individual temperature sensor can be determined.

The temperature sensors 5, 6, 14 of the sensor chain define a path that starts with the first temperature sensor 5 and ends with the last temperature sensor 6. This distance extends from the first half 8 of the water tank 9 to the second half 10 of the water tank 9. The first temperature sensor 5 is at the water inlet 15 in the first quarter 16 of the water tank, the last temperature sensor 6 is at the water outlet 17 in the water tank last quarter 18 of the water tank 9 arranged. By this arrangement can be concluded by comparing the averaged water temperatures on the available amount of warm water. For example, if the temperature at the water outlet 17 is high, but the average temperature is low, it can be concluded that a smaller amount of available hot water than at high temperature of the water at the water outlet 17 and high average total temperature. In addition, the heating element 11 can be controlled via the first temperature sensor 5.

The present invention makes it possible to detect the water temperature of a hot water storage tank with simple structural and cost-effective means, whereby both an overall temperature and temperatures of partial volumes can be detected. In this way, a sensor system can be provided that can be used for hot water storage tanks with different capacities.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the claims and the drawings may be of importance both individually and in any combination for the realization of the invention in its various forms.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Hot water storage

2

sensor system

3

first connection

4

second connection

5

first temperature sensor

6

last temperature sensor

7

sensor tube

8th

first half

9

water tank

10

second half

11

heating element

12

heating flange

13

terminals

14

second temperature sensor

15

water inlet

16

first quarter

17

water outlet

18

last quarter

Claims (11)

Hot water tank (1) for heating water, with a sensor system (2) for temperature measurement, comprising at least two temperature sensors, characterized in that at least a subset of the temperature sensors in a sensor chain are connected in series, each temperature sensor having a first (3) and a second terminal (4), and between the first (5) and the last temperature sensor (6) of the sensor chain, the first terminal (3) of a temperature sensor is connected to the second terminal (4) of a next temperature sensor, and at least the first terminal (3) of the first temperature sensor (5) and the second terminal (4) of the last temperature sensor (6) of the sensor chain can be connected to a read-out unit. Hot water tank (1) for heating water, according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor system (2) has at least three temperature sensors. Hot water tank (1) for heating water, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least the temperature sensors of the sensor chain in a sensor tube (7) are arranged. Hot water tank (1) for heating water, according to claim 3, characterized in that the temperature sensors within the sensor tube (7) are interconnected. Hot water tank (1) for heating water, according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the temperature sensors of the sensor chain in the longitudinal direction of the sensor tube (7) are arranged. Hot water tank (1) for heating water, according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the sensor tube (7) has the shape of a straight bar. Hot water tank (1) for heating water, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first terminal (3) of each temperature sensor of the sensor chain can be connected to a read-out unit. Hot water tank (1) for heating water, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance at which temperature sensors are arranged, from a first half (8) of a water tank (9) of the hot water tank (1) in a second half (10) of the water tank (9). Hot water tank (1) for heating water, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the temperature sensors are made of a resistance wire with temperature-dependent resistance. Hot water tank (1) for heating water, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor system (2) is arranged separately from a heating element (11) on the hot water tank (1). Hot water tank (1) for heating water, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hot water tank (1) has a heating flange (12) on which the sensor system (2) is arranged.

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