EP2603744A2

EP2603744A2 - Apparatus and method for heating water

Info

Publication number: EP2603744A2
Application number: EP11749254.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Zvi Shtilerman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-08-09
Filing date: 2011-08-08
Publication date: 2013-06-19
Also published as: US20130161404A1; BR112013003123A2; AU2011288113B2; CN103124880A; AU2011288113A1; WO2012020404A2; WO2012020404A3

Abstract

It is an object of the subject matter to disclose a water heating device, comprising a vaporizer for vaporizing refrigerant and a compressor for compressing them vaporized refrigerant. The device also comprises a shell; such as a condenser and a volume reducing member positioned within the shell. The member is configured to reduce the cross section area of the volume in which water is heated in the shell. The device may also contain a refrigerant coil positioned adjacent to the volume in which water is heated in the shell; the refrigerant coil contains a refrigerant material received from the compressor, said refrigerant material heats the water in the volume in which water is heated in the shell.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR HEATING WATER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter relates generally to water heating and more specifically to a method and apparatus for heating water using refrigerant materials

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Effective and efficient production of hot water has become increasingly important, particularly since non-renewal resources are often used to heat water.

Heat pumps are well known for heating fluids and comprise a vaporizer where a refrigerant in vaporized, typically by heat from air blown over vaporizer coils; a heat exchanger or condenser, where relatively cool fluid is heated upon thermal contact with the relatively hot refrigerant, the refrigerant condensing in the condenser and passing that heat energy to the heated fluid. Heat pumps are efficient because the energy required to condense the refrigerant is only about one third of the energy required to vaporize the (liquid) refrigerant. The energy used to condense the refrigerant (gas) is typically electrical energy while the energy to vaporize the liquid comes from the thermal energy in the (ambient) air.

Figure 1 A shows a prior art integrated air-to-water heat pump system, wherein a condenser and a storage tank are built as one unit 10, typically called a "combo" heat pump or an "all in one" heat pump. The main unit 10 is provided with cold-water inlet 18 and hot water outlet 16. The integrated air-to-water heat-pump comprises a compressor 12 for compressing a refrigerant material into a refrigerant coil 22 surrounding the shell 24 of the condenser and an evaporator 14 for evaporating fluid. The main advantage of an integrated heat pump is that there is no need for a circulation pump, as the shell 24 of is the shell of the storage tank. Energy from the condenser coil is transferred to the water to be heated. A disadvantage of an integrated heat pump is that it is required to operate a long time before it heats all the water in the tank to the required temperature for a "first shower". A cross section of the integrated heat-pump discloses a shell 24 in which the water is stored and heated and a refrigerant coil 22 containing a refrigerant material used to heat the water in the shell 24. The refrigerant coil 22 is used to heat the entire amount of water in the shell 24. Figure IB shows a prior art split-type air-to- water heat pump. The prior art split- type air-to-water heat pump comprises a compressor 505, a vaporizer 525, a condenser 500 and a pump 502. The compressor 505 provides compressed refrigerant in the gaseous state via a tube 550 to the condensation space 555, said refrigerant is outputted at outlet 536. The liquid refrigerant is condensed by thermal contact with relatively cool water; the relatively cool water is heated during the process. Condensed refrigerant exiting the condensation space 555 is vaporized by the vaporizer 525 via heat provided from ambient air blown over coils of the vaporizer 525; and from the vaporizer 525 the refrigerant re-enters the compressor 505 for another cycle. The pump 502 pumps the water through the tube 555 where the water is heated mainly by the latent heat of the condensing refrigerant. The water is heated at a tube 510 of the condenser 500. Hot water then flows to a hot water storage tank 520 via a tube 530. Water flow from the hot water storage tank 520 to the condenser 500 for further heating, via tube 532 and pumped by the pump 502, as required. Thus, hot water is produced and stored in the hot water storage tank 520, and is available for various uses. Split-type air-to-water heat pumps require frequent maintenance, shorten the life span and reduce the reliability of the heat pump.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the subject matter to disclose a water heating device, comprising a vaporizer for vaporizing refrigerant and a compressor for compressing the vaporized refrigerant. The device comprises condenser having a water inlet, a water outlet a refrigerant coil and a shell. The condenser also comprises a volume reducing member positioned within the shell, said member is configured to reduce the cross section area of the volume in which water is heated in the shell. The device also comprises a refrigerant coil positioned adjacent to the volume in which water is heated in the shell; the refrigerant coil contains a refrigerant material received from the compressor, said refrigerant material heats the water in the volume in which water is heated in the shell.

In some cases, the volume in which water is heated in the shell is a volume between the shell and the member positioned within the shell. In some cases, the heated water flows in a siphon-like flow between the water heating device and a water storage tank. In some cases, the siphon-like flow is achieved by determining a rate of flow between the volume in which water is heated in the shell.

In some cases, the device is a part of an integrated water heating device. In some cases, the device is a part of a split-type water heating device. In some cases, the shell is a sidewall of a condenser. In some cases, the member positioned within the shell provides for local heating of water in a volume adjacent to the side wall of the condenser, said local heating creates a density difference that enables the a siphon flow between the heating device and the water storage tank.

In some cases, the device is pump-less. In some cases, the refrigerant coil surrounds the shell.

It is another object of the subject matter to disclose a method of producing hot water, comprising obtaining a heat pump system comprising a condenser with a water inlet, a water outlet and a refrigerant coil: disposing a member positioned within the condenser, said member is configured to reduce the cross section area of the volume in which water is heated in the condenser; creating a siphon flow between the condenser and a water storage tank.

In some cases, the method comprises allowing the water being heated and rising along the refrigerant coil in the condenser to rise in a siphon-like manner. It is another object of the subject matter to disclose a method for heating water at a heat-pump condenser, the method comprising:

obtaining a data related to a temperature; regulating the flow rate of water entering the heat-pump condenser according to a desired temperature; providing water at the desired temperature from the heat-pump condenser to the water storage tank.

In some cases, the water flow between the heat pump and the water storage tank using a siphon flow. In some cases, regulating the flow rate of water is performed inside the water storage tank.

It is another object of the subject matter to disclose a system for heating water at a heat-pump condenser, comprising: a sensor unit for obtaining information related to a temperature; a regulator for regulating the amount of water entering the heat pump according to a desired temperature; an output tube for providing water at the desired temperature from the heat pump to the water storage tank. In some cases, the regulator is a valve. In some cases, the regulator is a pump.

It is another object of the subject matter to disclose a water heating device, comprising: a condenser; a volume reducing member positioned within the shell, said member is configured to reduce the cross section area of the volume in which water is heated in the condenser.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary non-limited embodiments of the disclosed subject matter will be described, with reference to the following description of the embodiments, in conjunction with the figures. The figures are generally not shown to scale and any sizes are only meant to be exemplary and not necessarily limiting. Corresponding or like elements are optionally designated by the same numerals or letters.

Figure 1 A shows a prior art integrated air-to-water heat pump system;

Figure IB shows a prior art split-type air-to-water heat pump;

Figure 2 shows a split type system for heating water, according to exemplary embodiments of the subject matter;

Figure 3 shows a condenser in a split-type heating system, according to exemplary embodiments of the subject matter;

Figure 4 shows a condenser having an annular space, according to exemplary embodiments of the subject matter;

Figure 5 shows an integrated system for heating water according to exemplary embodiments of the subject matter;

Figure 6 shows a cross-section of an integrated water heating device having the refrigerant coil inside the shell, according to exemplary embodiments of the subject matter; and,

Figure 7 shows a cross-section of an integrated water heating device, according to exemplary embodiments of the subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One technical challenge disadvantage of known heat-pumps is the requirement of to heat all the water at the water storage tank of home use. Another technical challenge is to avoid the use of a pump to transfer water from condenser heating water to the water storage tank and vice- versa.

One technical solution of the disclosed subject matter is an air-to-water heat pump that comprises a condenser communicating with a water storage tank. The condenser comprises a shell and a volume reducing member for reducing a volume in which water is heated in the condenser. The volume reducing member reduces the cross section area of the volume in which the water is heated. The volume reducing member is located within the shell. In some exemplary cases, water is heated in a volume created between the shell sidewalls and the volume reducing member. In some cases, water flowing in the volume created between the shell and the volume reducing member flow in a siphon flow between the water storage tank and the water heating device of the subject matter, for example a condenser of the water heating device.

The air-to- water heat pump and the condenser of the subject matter increase the efficiency of hot water production and reduce the time to a "first shower". The time for the first shower may be defined as heating a suitable, but not necessarily large, amount of water to an appropriate temperature for showering.

Figure 2 shows a split-type system for heating fluid, according to exemplary embodiments of the subject matter. The system 100 is connected to a water storage tank 150. The system may provide water to the water storage tank 150 using natural flow or siphon slow between the system 100 and the water storage tank 150. The water storage tank 150 may be a residential water tank. The system 100 comprises a condenser 105 that enables natural flow of water from the condenser 105 to the water storage tank 150 for usage. In some exemplary cases, flow from the condenser to the water storage tank 150 may be performed using a pump (not shown). In a split-type system, the condenser 105 comprises the shell 170 and a volume reducing member 160. In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of figure 2, water is heated at a volume 165 between the shell 170 and the volume reducing member 160, for example within the condenser 105. The shell 170 may be the sidewalls of the condenser 105. In some exemplary cases, the length of the shell 170 is larger than the length of the volume reducing member 160. Heated water is outputted from the volume 165 between the shell 170 and the volume reducing member 160 to the water storage tank 150 via a first tube 130.

The system 100 further comprises a compressor 110 providing compressed refrigerant. The compressed refrigerant flows from the compressor 110 to a refrigerant coil 120 via compressor tube 108. The refrigerant coil 120 may surround the condenser 105. The refrigerant coil 120 receives the refrigerant from the compressor 110, said refrigerant heats water in the condenser 105. The refrigerant coil 120 may reside between the shell 170 and the volume reducing member 160. The refrigerant coil 120 may reside on the internal wall or the external wall of the volume reducing member 160. The volume reducing member 160 provides for local heating of water in a volume adjacent to the sidewall of the condenser 105. Said local heating creates a density difference that enables a siphon flow between the system 100 and the water storage tank 150.

The system 100 further comprises a vaporizer 140. The vaporizer 140 receives the outlet of the refrigerant coil 120, which is outputted as liquid. The vaporizer vaporizes the liquid outputted from the refrigerant coil 120 via tube 134 to the compressor 110 that sucks the gas from the vaporizer 140. It can be seen that the system 100 is a closed system in terms of the air and liquid flow in the system 100.

The system 100 is connected to the water storage tank 150 using two tubes. The first tube 130 contains fluid outgoing from the system 100 to the fluid dispensing block 150. A second tube 132 contains fluid outgoing from the water storage tank 150 to the system 100.

Figure 3 shows a condenser in a natural flow heating system, according to exemplary embodiments of the subject matter. The condenser 200 comprises an inlet 220 in which fluid, such as water, enter the condenser 200, for example, from a water storage tank. The condenser 200 further comprises an outlet 230 from which fluid exit the condenser 200, for example to the water storage tank.

The condenser 200 further comprises a shell and a volume reducing member. Sidewalls 224 and 234 define the shell. Sidewalls 226 and 236 define the volume reducing member. In some exemplary cases, water flows at the condenser 200 at a volume created between the shell and the volume reducing member, for example at a first volume 222 defined between a sidewall 226 of the volume reducing member and sidewall 224 of the shell. Water in the condenser 200 may also flow at a second volume 222 defined between a sidewall 236 of the volume reducing member and a sidewall 234 of the shell. In some other cases, water may flow inside the volume reducing member.

In some exemplary cases, the water flows at a siphon flow between the condenser 200 and the water storage tank. The water storage tank may be the water storage tank 150. When water flows at a siphon flow, the condenser 200 of the disclosed subject matter enables a siphon flow.

In some cases, the volume in which water is heated is positioned adjacent to a refrigerant coil 250 containing refrigerant material. The refrigerant material in the refrigerant coil 250 is hotter than the water in the condenser and provides thermal contact onto the water.

In some exemplary cases, the condenser 200 of the water heating device of the disclosed subject matter enables water heating without a pump, as the thermo siphon flow created by the volume reducing member makes the pump unnecessary. It should be noted that the water heating device may also operate using a pump in case of regulating the water flow rate between the heating device and the water storage tank.

Figure 4 shows a condenser having an annular space, according to exemplary embodiments of the subject matter. The condenser comprises an inlet 410 from which water flow at inlet tube 405 from the water storage tank. The condenser comprises a base 430 near the inlet 410 and a lower portion 420 near the inlet 410 to which water flows from the inlet tube 405. The condenser 400 comprises a refrigerant coil 422 containing refrigerant material. The condenser further comprises an outlet 460 from which water flow at outlet tube 465 from the condenser to the water storage tank. The condenser includes a shell 440 and a volume reducing member 425. The volume reducing member 425 is located inside the shell 440. The shell 440 and the volume reducing member 425 may be concentric. The length of the volume reducing member 425 is smaller than the length of the shell 440, as the length is defined in the axis between the inlet 410 and the outlet 460. In some cases, the shell is the condenser's sidewalls. In some exemplary cases, the top portion of the volume reducing member 425 is sealed.

In some exemplary cases, water at the condenser 400 flows at the volume defined between the shell 440 and the volume reducing member 425. Such flow may be a siphon flow between the condenser and the water storage tank. In some exemplary cases, a pump may be used to regulate the rate flow of water between the condenser and the water storage tank, when the water heating device is a split-type heat-pump.

The condenser 400 enables a siphon flow between the water heating device and the water storage tank. In some cases, such siphon flow is enabled by the annular space of the volume between shell 440 and the volume reducing member 425. The annular space that creates flow between the condenser 400 and the water storage tank enables heat convection of the water inside the condenser 400 instead of heat conduction.

The volume reducing member 425 may be made of plastic, to decrease the cross- sectional area of the water flow path in the volume between the shell 440 and the volume reducing member 425. The volume reducing member 425 provides an increased water flow convection that improves the heat transfer from the refrigerant coil 422 to the water at the volume between shell 440 and the volume reducing member 425. The improved heat transfer ensures a full condensation of the refrigerant that ensures a relatively low back pressure on the compressor.

Figure 5 shows a cross-section of an integrated water heating device, according to exemplary embodiments of the subject matter. The water heating device comprises an external cover 600, 607 for housing the condenser and other elements of the water heating device. A shell is positioned in the housing. The shell is defined by sidewalls 615, 616. In the integrated heating device, the shell functions as the water storage tank. The water-heating device further comprises a volume reducing member. The volume reducing member is defined by sidewalls 620, 622. Sidewalls 620, 622 of the volume reducing member may be connected to the sidewalls 615, 616 of the shell using lateral connections, as the sidewalls 620, 622 are not connected to the base or ceiling of a main volume 666. In the exemplary case of figure 6, a refrigerant coil 610, 612 surrounds the shell.

Cold water from the main volume 666 enters volumes 640, 642 as illustrated by arrows 630, 633. Volumes 640, 642 are defined between the shell and the volume reducing member. In some exemplary cases, the sidewalls 620, 622 of the volume reducing member of an integrated heating device form a barrier between the volumes 640, 642 and the main volume 666. Water is heated in the volumes 640, 642 using the refrigerant coil 610, 612 and is outputted to the upper section 682 of the main volume 666. The upper section 682 contains water at a higher temperature than the water in the main volume 666, as heated water is accumulated in the upper section 682 of the main volume 666. Water flows upwards as they are heated and their density is reduced. Barriers 662, 664, limit the water flow in the upper section of the volumes 640, 642.

In some exemplary cases, in an integrated heating device water flows out of the volumes 640, 642 via a tube to a regulator and from the regulator to the upper section 682 via a tube. The regulator may be positioned inside the external cover 600, 607, for example regulator 671. Water flows from volumes 640, 642 to regulator 671 via tube 673 and from regulator 671 via tube 675 to the upper section 682. The regulator may be positioned outside the external cover 600, 607 for example regulator 650. Water flows from volumes 640, 642 to regulator 650 via tube 655 and from regulator 650 via tube 653 to the upper section 682. The regulator may be a valve or a pump. The valve may be used to reduce flow rate of water from the volumes 640, 642 to the upper section 682, while the pump may be used to increase flow rate of water through the same. The regulator may also be positioned within the external cover 600, 607 and outside the main volume 666.

Figure 6 shows a cross-section of an integrated water heating device having the refrigerant coil inside the shell, according to exemplary embodiments of the subject matter. The heating device of figure 6 comprises an external cover 700. According to the exemplary embodiment disclosed in figure 6, the volume in which water is heated is defined between the shell and the member used to reduce the cross section area of the volume in which the water is heated. The water storage tank is defined by sidewalls 710, 712. The volume in which water is heated is defined between sidewalls 710, 712 and sidewalls 740, 742. The sidewalls 740, 742 are a part of a member used for reducing the cross sectional area of the volume in which water is heated. For example, the water is heated in volume 730 defined between sidewall 710 of the shell and sidewall 740 of the member for reducing the cross section area of the volume in which water is heated. In the exemplary embodiment disclosed in figure 6, the refrigerant coil 720 is positioned in volume 730. The water is heated along the refrigerant coil 720 in volume 730 and exits the volume 730 to the storage tank via an outlet tube 743. The outlet tube 743 is connected to a regulator 745 for regulating water flow rate between the volume 730 and the storage tank. The regulator is connected to the storage tank via a regulator tube 748. Similarly, the water is heated in volume 732 defined between sidewall 712 of the shell and sidewall 742 of the member for reducing the cross section area of the volume in which water is heated. In the exemplary embodiment disclosed in figure 6, the refrigerant coil 722 is positioned in volume 732. The water is heated along the refrigerant coil 722 in volume 732 and its flow is limited by barrier 752. As a result, water from volume 732 exits the volume 732 via outlet tube 743 of volume 730. The heating device of figure 7 further comprises a vaporizer and a compressor at a zone 770 separated from the water storage tank.

Figure 7 shows a cross-section of an integrated water heating device, according to exemplary embodiments of the subject matter. The heating device of figure 7 comprises an external cover 800. According to the exemplary embodiment disclosed in figure 7, the volume in which water is heated is defined inside the member defined by sidewalls 835, 833 used to reduce the cross section area of the volume 820 in which the water is heated. The water storage tank has a central volume 840 from which water enter the volume 820, for example as shown in arrows 810, 812. In the exemplary embodiment disclosed in figure 7, the refrigerant coil 815 is positioned in the volume 820. The water is heated along the refrigerant coil 815 in volume 820 and exits the volume 820 to the storage tank via an outlet tube 830. The outlet tube 830 may be connected to a regulator (not shown).

The subject matter further discloses a method and system for regulating flow between a heating system and a water storage tank, according to exemplary embodiments of the subject matter. The system and method of the subject matter allow heating a reduced amount of water, for example a "first shower" amount, at a reduced period of time, without the requirement to heat the entire water storage tank. The method for regulating flow in a heating system comprises obtaining data related to temperature. Such data may be obtained by a thermometer. The data related to temperature may be, for example, the temperature in the water storage tank, the temperature outside the water heating device and the like. In some cases, the desired temperature is a constant value and the system only detects the temperature of the water at the storage tank. In some other cases, the system detects the air temperature outside the water storage tank.

The method further comprises a step of regulating the flow rate of water entering the heat-pump condenser according to the data related to temperature. Alternatively, the method may regulate the flow rate of water outputted from the condenser to the water storage tank. A regulator may regulate the flow rate. Regulation may be increasing or decreasing the flow rate, according to the desired temperature. The regulator may be positioned inside or outside the condenser. The regulator may be a valve, a pump or another mechanical module used to regulate fluid flow desired by a person skilled in the art. The valve may be a solenoid valve.

While the disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the subject matter. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosed subject matter not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this subject matter, but only by the claims that follow.

Claims

A water heating device, comprising:

a vaporizer for vaporizing refrigerant;

a compressor for compressing the vaporized refrigerant;

a condenser comprising an inlet, an outlet, a shell and a refrigerant coil containing a refrigerant material;

a volume reducing member positioned within the shell, said volume reducing member is configured to reduce the cross section area in which the water flows when the water is heated in the condenser.

The device according to claim 1 , wherein the water is heated in the condenser in a volume between the shell and the volume reducing member.

The device according to claim 1, wherein the heated water flows in a siphonlike flow between the water heating device and a water storage tank.

The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is a part of an integrated water heating device.

The device according to claim 1 , wherein the device is a part of a split-type water heating device.

The device according to claim 1, wherein the volume reducing member is positioned within the shell to provide for local heating of water in a volume adjacent to side walls of the condenser.

The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is pump-less.

A method of producing hot water, comprising:

obtaining a heat pump system comprising a condenser having a water inlet, a water outlet, a shell and a refrigerant coil:

disposing a member positioned within the condenser, said member is configured to reduce the cross section area in which water is heated in the condenser;

creating a siphon flow between the condenser and a water storage tank.

The method according to claim 8, comprising allowing the water being heated and rising along the refrigerant coil in the condenser to rise in a siphon-like manner.

A method for heating water at a heat-pump condenser, the method comprising: obtaining information related to temperature;

regulating the flow rate of water entering the heat-pump condenser according to the information related to temperature;

providing water at a desired temperature from the heat-pump condenser to a water storage tank according to the regulated flow rate.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the water flow between the heat pump and the water storage tank using a siphon flow.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein regulating the flow rate of water is performed at the outlet of the water storage tank.

13. A system for heating water at a heat-pump condenser, comprising:

a sensor unit for obtaining information related to a temperature;

a regulator for regulating the amount of water flowing in the heat-pump condenser according to the information sensed by the sensor;

an output tube for providing water at a desired temperature from the heat pump to the water storage tank.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the regulator is a valve.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the regulator is a pump.

16. A water heating device, comprising:

a condenser;

a volume reducing member positioned within the shell, said member is configured to reduce the cross section area in which water flows when heated in the condenser.