EP2947398A1 - Water heater including one or more thermoelectric generators - Google Patents

Water heater including one or more thermoelectric generators Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2947398A1
EP2947398A1 EP15166357.2A EP15166357A EP2947398A1 EP 2947398 A1 EP2947398 A1 EP 2947398A1 EP 15166357 A EP15166357 A EP 15166357A EP 2947398 A1 EP2947398 A1 EP 2947398A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
inner vessel
water heater
wall
water
thermoelectric generator
Prior art date
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Granted
Application number
EP15166357.2A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2947398B1 (en
Inventor
Yves Bony
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.)
Atlantic Industrie SAS
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Atlantic Industrie SAS
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Atlantic Industrie SAS filed Critical Atlantic Industrie SAS
Priority to PL15166357T priority Critical patent/PL2947398T3/en
Publication of EP2947398A1 publication Critical patent/EP2947398A1/en
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Publication of EP2947398B1 publication Critical patent/EP2947398B1/en
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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
    • F24H1/20—Water-storage heaters with immersed heating elements, e.g. electric elements or furnace tubes
    • F24H1/201—Water-storage heaters with immersed heating elements, e.g. electric elements or furnace tubes using electric energy supply
    • F24H1/202—Water-storage heaters with immersed heating elements, e.g. electric elements or furnace tubes using electric energy supply with resistances
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D18/00—Small-scale combined heat and power [CHP] generation systems specially adapted for domestic heating, space heating or domestic hot-water supply
    • 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
    • F24H9/40—Arrangements for preventing corrosion
    • F24H9/45—Arrangements for preventing corrosion for preventing galvanic corrosion, e.g. cathodic or electrolytic means
    • 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
    • F24H9/40—Arrangements for preventing corrosion
    • F24H9/45—Arrangements for preventing corrosion for preventing galvanic corrosion, e.g. cathodic or electrolytic means
    • F24H9/455—Arrangements for preventing corrosion for preventing galvanic corrosion, e.g. cathodic or electrolytic means for water heaters
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D2101/00—Electric generators of small-scale CHP systems
    • F24D2101/60—Thermoelectric generators, e.g. Peltier or Seebeck elements
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D2103/00—Thermal aspects of small-scale CHP systems
    • F24D2103/10—Small-scale CHP systems characterised by their heat recovery units
    • F24D2103/17—Storage tanks
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D2105/00—Constructional aspects of small-scale CHP systems
    • 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
    • F24H2250/00—Electrical heat generating means
    • F24H2250/06—Peltier

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of energy recovery, for water heaters, and relates more particularly to a water heater comprising one or more thermoelectric generators, capable in particular of supplying an anodic protection means.
  • a water heater In normal operation, a water heater produces domestic hot water (DHW) by heating, by means of a built-in heating device, water in the tank of the water heater.
  • DHW domestic hot water
  • the heater operates during off-peak hours and is switched off during peak hours (unless there is a need for hot water). So there is cold water on one side and an active power source on off-peak hours and on the other side hot water and an idle power source during peak hours.
  • a first solution is the sacrificial magnesium anode, placed in the tank of the water heater, and which dissolves slowly in the tank.
  • This first solution does not require any power supply, but on the other hand its life much lower than that of a water heater necessitates its replacement by a specialized after-sales service.
  • its performance is not homogeneous (the sacrificial magnesium anode being less effective end of life) and it is difficult for the user to know exactly when it is necessary to change it.
  • Another solution is to generate current in the tank by an independent electric battery attached to the tank.
  • This solution has the disadvantage of slightly increasing the overall volume of the water heater, the volume of the battery increasing with the desired protection time.
  • the number of charging / discharging cycles of the battery being limited, it is necessary to change the battery during the life of the water heater. It is also necessary to provide a suitable compartment within the water heater to receive the battery.
  • the performances are heterogeneous between the beginning and the end of the life of the battery.
  • Cigar utility model demand CN202303960 discloses a self-generating high efficiency water heating device which comprises a thermoelectric cell element disposed on an inner wall of a connection collection pipe near a water outlet, the thermoelectric cell element generating a thermo-electromotive force to control a water pump that adjusts the speed of the water flow in the connection collection pipe by temperature difference between the water in the pipe and the air outside the pipe.
  • this device is adapted to be installed on a pipe that heats water but is not suitable for installation inside a domestic water heater tank.
  • this device does not include anodic protection means and therefore does not protect the tank of a water heater against corrosion.
  • the present invention aims to solve the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a water heater comprising one or more thermoelectric generators capable in particular of independently feeding an anodic protection means to protect the tank of the heater. water against corrosion, the thermoelectric generator or generators being disposed inside the water heater between the inner vessel and the metal wall of the water heater and allowing to generate a current without any connection to a power supply by difference temperature between the inner vessel and the outer metal wall of the water heater, thereby generating power autonomously by recovering a thermal energy without increasing the dimensions of the water heater.
  • the present invention also makes it possible to supply power to an anticorrosive anode, for example made of titanium, disposed inside the internal tank of the water heater via the thermoelectric generator or generators, thus making it possible to supply an electrical energy of corrosion-resistant anode protection at peak times, to save power from a grid power supply and to achieve homogeneous performance of the anode protection of the water heater tank over the life of the heater water.
  • an anticorrosive anode for example made of titanium
  • the present invention also makes it possible to dispense with the replacement or maintenance of the anode protection in the tank of the water heater, the service life of the thermoelectric generator and anode assembly. corrosion resistant titanium being greater than or equal to the service life of the water heater.
  • the present invention therefore relates to a water heater, comprising an inner vessel adapted to contain a volume of water to be heated, said volume of water being heated by a heating means disposed inside the inner vessel to heat the water, said inner vessel being further wrapped with an insulator itself wrapped with a metal cladding wall, characterized in that it comprises one or more thermoelectric generators, each comprising a hot side, a side cold and electrical connection means, arranged inside the water heater between the inner vessel and the metal cladding wall, the hot side of the thermoelectric generator or generators being disposed against the outer wall of the inner vessel and the side cold or thermoelectric generators being configured to be in thermal contact with a cold source, the electrical connection means of the thermoelectric generator (s) etan t connected to one or more loads consuming the current generated by the thermoelectric generator (s).
  • thermoelectric generator or generators make it possible to generate one or more autonomous voltage / current sources via a temperature difference between the external wall of the internal tank of the water heater and the cold source, the source or sources. of autonomous current / voltage being connected to one or more loads disposed inside or outside the water heater.
  • thermoelectric generator or generators being integrated in the water heater (that is to say, arranged between the inner vessel and metal cladding wall), the dimensions of the water heater remain unchanged.
  • the water heater according to the present invention makes it possible to supply power to one or more charges without these being connected to an electrical source of the network or battery type, thereby enabling energy savings and the realization of an insulation. functional electric compared to the electrical network.
  • thermoelectric generator (s) are located.
  • the cold source is a heat sink having a part in thermal contact with the cold side of the thermoelectric generator (s) and a part in thermal contact with the metal cladding wall, in order to create a flow heat sink in the heat sink between a hot part formed by the part in contact with the thermoelectric generator (s) and a cold part constituted by the part in contact with the metal cladding wall.
  • thermoelectric generator or generators is in thermal contact with the metal cladding wall which is substantially at ambient temperature, which makes it possible to create a greater temperature difference between the hot and cold sides of the generator (s). thermoelectric and thus provide more current to the loads.
  • thermoelectric generator in order to increase the thermal contact between the heat sink and the thermoelectric generator or generators and the metal cladding wall, a thermal paste that promotes heat flow by virtue of its good thermal conductivity can be arranged between the heat sink and the thermoelectric generator (s) and between the heat sink and the cladding metal wall.
  • the heat sink is a radiator, in particular a finned radiator.
  • the efficiency of the heat sink is improved through the fins of the radiator, the fins to increase the contact surface of the radiator with the ambient air.
  • the radiator is preferably made of a metal having good thermal conduction properties, the metal being, for example, aluminum.
  • the cold source is the metal cladding wall stamped so that it is in thermal contact with the cold side of each thermoelectric generator, the cladding metal wall being substantially at room temperature .
  • thermoelectric generator or generators are directly in thermal contact with the metal cladding wall which is substantially at ambient temperature, which makes it possible to dispense with the cost and the installation of the heat sink on the thermoelectric generator, the extruded profile finned radiators being relatively expensive.
  • thermoelectric generator s
  • cladding wall may be disposed between the cold side of the thermoelectric generator (s) and the cladding wall to increase thermal contact therebetween.
  • the water heater further comprises an aluminum interface strip disposed between the cold side of each thermoelectric generator and the metal cladding wall in order to improve the heat transfer.
  • thermoelectric generator or generators are arranged on the hottest part of the external wall of the internal tank at the end of a complete heating cycle of the volume of water in the internal tank, the complete heating cycle of the volume of water in the inner vessel being the cycle necessary for the heating means to heat to a desired minimum temperature the entire volume of water in the inner vessel (without hot water draw until the minimum temperature is reached).
  • the hottest part of the inner tank is the highest part of the inner tank, that is to say the part where the hot water is the longest present in the inner tank .
  • thermoelectric generator (s) the temperature difference between the hot and cold sides of the thermoelectric generator (s) is greater, which makes it possible to obtain a power delivered by the thermoelectric generator (s) towards the greater load (s).
  • thermoelectric generator the temperature difference between the hot and cold sides of the thermoelectric generator (s) persists for a longer time, until all the hot water present in the water heater is withdrawn, if the thermoelectric generator or generators are arranged at the same level. from the highest part of the inner tank.
  • the water heater comprises several thermoelectric generators arranged on the same isotherm on the outer wall of the inner vessel or on different isotherms on the outer wall of the inner vessel, at least one said thermoelectric generators being preferably disposed on the higher isotherm temperature at the end of the cycle of complete heating of the volume of water in the inner vessel, an isotherm being a line on the outer wall of the inner vessel connecting all the points of the outer wall of the inner vessel at the same temperature.
  • thermoelectric generators can all be arranged on the same isotherm, preferably the isotherm having the highest temperature to provide a maximum current, that is to say the highest isotherm on the inner vessel, or the thermoelectric generators can be arranged at different heights on the inner vessel to, for example, be closer to their respective loads: a load consuming more current will be connected to a thermoelectric generator on an isotherm of higher temperature than a load consuming less current, which can be connected to a thermoelectric generator on a lower temperature isotherm.
  • the isotherms in traditional water heaters where the temperature gradient is vertical, correspond to the same height on the tank. Each isotherm corresponds to a height of the tank.
  • thermoelectric generators can signal the level of hot water in the inner vessel, the presence of a voltage at the output of a thermoelectric generator indicating that the water is hot at the height where the thermoelectric generator is located and the absence of a voltage at the output of a thermoelectric generator indicating that the water is cold at the height where the thermoelectric generator.
  • the water heater further comprises an electronic card for processing the current generated by the thermoelectric generator (s) to supply the charge (s).
  • the electronic card can be used to process the power generated by the thermoelectric generator (s) in order to put said generated power in a desired form and then deliver it to one or more loads.
  • the electronic card comprises a DC-DC voltage booster and optionally a pulse generator.
  • the electronic card can be used to raise the voltage of the thermoelectric generator (s), and / or chop the current with an adequate duty cycle (by creating high voltage pulses) so that the size and thus the cost of the generator (s) thermoelectric properties are minimal.
  • the charge or loads connected to the thermoelectric generator or generators are one or more of a corrosion protection device in the inner vessel, a control device, a display device (for example, a light or a display) and a communication device.
  • the corrosion protection device protects the inner tank of the water heater full of hot liquid against corrosion with an autonomous power supply generated by the thermoelectric generator or generators, no connection to an electrical network or a battery to the limited shelf life necessary to supply power to the corrosion protection device.
  • thermoelectric generators can power one or more other devices autonomously, for example, to light a light or a display on the water heater or to transmit by radio frequency (RF) information about the water heater (filling level, liquid temperature, pressure ...) to a remote display, no connection to a power grid or a battery with limited life is necessary to power these devices.
  • RF radio frequency
  • an accumulator or supercapacity could be used to temporarily power the corrosion protection device and / or one or more other devices in order to compensate for short calls of strong current, without departing of the scope of the present invention.
  • the corrosion protection device is an anticorrosion anode, the anticorrosion anode preferably being of titanium.
  • anticorrosion anode could also be steel, cast iron, graphite, metal oxides or platinum, or other metal, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
  • the anticorrosion anode is disposed at the highest part of the inner tank of the water heater, near the thermoelectric generator or generators.
  • thermoelectric generators can be associated to obtain the voltage and current required for the size of the inner tank of the water heater to be protected.
  • the water heater 1 comprises an inner vessel 2 adapted to contain a volume of water 3 being heated by a heating means 4 disposed inside the inner vessel 2 to heat the water, said inner vessel 2 being furthermore wrapped with an insulator 5 itself wrapped with a metal cladding wall 6.
  • the inner vessel 2 is, without limitation, of cylindrical shape with two ends in the longitudinal direction in the form of cap and is sealed, the height of the inner vessel 2 promoting the formation of stable water layers of different temperatures.
  • the inner vessel 2 could also be of parallelepipedal shape, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
  • the inner vessel 2 is made of metal such as steel but could also be plastic.
  • the insulation 5 is an insulating foam such as polyurethane enveloping the entire outer wall of the inner vessel 2.
  • insulation 5 could also be expanded polystyrene, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
  • the thickness of the insulator 5 is preferably between 20 mm and 60 mm, in order to obtain an effective thermal insulation.
  • the cladding metal wall 6 surrounding the insulator 5 has substantially the same shape as the inner tank 2 of the water heater 1 and is also sealed substantially sealingly.
  • the cladding metal wall 6 is made of metal such as painted steel.
  • the water heater 1 also comprises a cold water supply pipe 7 and a hot water outlet pipe 8, the cold water supply pipe 7 and the hot water outlet pipe 8 penetrating into the water pipe.
  • the inner tank 2 of the water heater 1 through respectively two holes 9, 10 formed in the lower wall of the metal cladding wall 6, the lower layer of the insulator 5 and the bottom wall of the inner vessel 2.
  • the inlet end 11 of the hot water outlet pipe 8 is located at the upper part of the inner vessel 2 and the outlet end 12 of the cold water supply pipe 7 is located at the lower part of the inner vessel 2.
  • the heating means 4 consists of a heating resistor 4a disposed at the lower part of the inner vessel 2, near the outlet end 12 of the cold water supply pipe 7, and penetrating into the the inner vessel 2 through a hole 13 formed in the lower wall of the metal cladding wall 6, the lower layer of the insulator 5 and the lower wall of the inner vessel 2, and a feed 4b electrical connected to the heating resistor 4a and disposed under the lower wall of the cladding metal wall 6, the power supply 4b is connected to a domestic electrical network.
  • the heating resistor 4a of the heating means 4 is preferably a steatite resistance, but can also be a shielded heating body directly in contact with the water.
  • the water heater 1 further comprises a thermoelectric generator 14 disposed between the outer wall of the inner vessel 2 and the metal cladding wall 6, the water heater 1 having no insulator 5 at the location of the thermoelectric generator. 14.
  • thermoelectric generator 14 has a hot side 14a, a cold side 14b and electrical connection means 14c.
  • the water heater 1 also comprises a heat sink 15 which is a finned radiator and which is arranged between the thermoelectric generator 14 and the metal cladding wall 6, the water heater 1 having no insulation 5 to the location of heat sink 15.
  • a heat sink 15 which is a finned radiator and which is arranged between the thermoelectric generator 14 and the metal cladding wall 6, the water heater 1 having no insulation 5 to the location of heat sink 15.
  • heat sink 15 could also be a sheet aluminum interface strip or a cold water circulation tube, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
  • the hot side 14a of the thermoelectric generator 14 is disposed against the outer wall of the inner vessel 2, at the upper part of the inner vessel 2 which is the hottest part of the outer wall of the inner vessel 2 at the end. a complete heating cycle of the volume of water 3 in the inner vessel 2, the complete heating cycle of the volume of water 3 in the inner vessel 2 being the cycle necessary for the heating means 4 to heat to a temperature the minimum desired total water volume 3 in the inner vessel 2, without drawing hot water until the minimum temperature is reached.
  • the heat sink 15 has a portion in thermal contact with the cold side 14b of the thermoelectric generator 14 and a portion in thermal contact with the metal cladding wall 6, in order to create a heat flux in the heat sink 15 between a hot part constituted by the part in contact with the thermoelectric generator 14 and a cold part constituted by the part in contact with the cladding metal wall 6, the cladding metal wall 6 being substantially at the ambient temperature of the room where the heater is located water 1.
  • the water heater 1 could comprise several thermoelectric generators 14, arranged on the same isotherm (that is to say, a line on the outer wall of the inner vessel 2 connecting all the points of the outer wall of the inner vessel 2 at the same temperature) on the outer wall of the inner vessel 2 or on different isotherms on the outer wall of the inner vessel 2, at least one of said thermoelectric generators 14 being preferably disposed on the isotherm of higher temperature at the end of the complete heating cycle of the volume of water 3 in the inner vessel 2, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
  • the water heater 1 could comprise a heat sink 15 for all the thermoelectric generators 14 or several heat sinks 15 respectively for each thermoelectric generator 14.
  • thermoelectric generator 14 By temperature difference between the outer wall of the inner vessel 2 and the isotherm on which the thermoelectric generator 14 and the metal cladding wall 6 are located, the thermoelectric generator 14 generates a current, the current being conveyed to a load consuming it through the electrical connection means 14c of the thermoelectric generator 14 which connect said load to the thermoelectric generator 14.
  • the water heater 1 further comprises an anticorrosive titanium anode 16 as a corrosion protection device in the inner vessel 2, the anticorrosion titanium anode 16 being disposed inside the inner vessel 2, in the upper part of the inner vessel 2, near the thermoelectric generator 14, and being connected to the thermoelectric generator 14 via the electrical connection means 14c of the thermoelectric generator 14, the electrical connection means 14c passing through a hole 17 formed in a sealed manner in the inner vessel 2 in order to connect the anticorrosive titanium anode 16 to the thermoelectric generator 14.
  • an anticorrosive titanium anode 16 as a corrosion protection device in the inner vessel 2
  • the anticorrosion titanium anode 16 being disposed inside the inner vessel 2, in the upper part of the inner vessel 2, near the thermoelectric generator 14, and being connected to the thermoelectric generator 14 via the electrical connection means 14c of the thermoelectric generator 14, the electrical connection means 14c passing through a hole 17 formed in a sealed manner in the inner vessel 2 in order to connect the anticorrosive titanium anode 16 to the thermoelectric generator 14.
  • thermoelectric generator 14 a current is generated between the anticorrosive titanium anode 16 and the inner tank 2 of the water heater 1 in order to protect the internal tank 2 from corrosion via the thermoelectric generator 14, this solution being almost indestructible and without maintenance, unlike a sacrificial anode.
  • anticorrosive anode 16 could also be made of a material different from titanium, such as, for example, steel, cast iron, graphite, metal oxides or platinum, or another metal, without depart from the scope of the present invention.
  • a display device such as a light or a display and / or to a communication device
  • RF radio frequency
  • thermoelectric generator 14 of the water heater 1 it can be seen that there is shown the part comprising the thermoelectric generator 14 of the water heater 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • thermoelectric generator 14 comprises a hot side 14a, a cold side 14b and electrical connection means 14c, and is arranged between the inner vessel 2 and the metal cladding wall 6 of the water heater 1 the hot side 14a of the thermoelectric generator 14 being disposed against the outer wall of the inner vessel 2.
  • the heat sink 15 which is a finned radiator, is disposed between the thermoelectric generator 14 and the metal cladding wall 6.
  • the portion of the water heater 1, between the inner vessel 2 and the cladding metal wall 6, comprising the thermoelectric generator 14 and the heat sink 15 does not include insulation 5.
  • the heat sink 15 which is a finned radiator, has a portion in thermal contact with the cold side 14b of the thermoelectric generator 14 and a portion 18 in thermal contact with the metal cladding wall 6, a thermal paste 19 being disposed between the heat sink 15 and the cold side 14b of the thermoelectric generator 14 and between the heat sink 15 and the cladding metal wall 6 to increase the thermal contact therebetween.
  • a thermal paste 19 is also to be disposed between the outer wall of the inner vessel 2 and the hot side 14a of the thermoelectric generator 14.
  • the thermal paste may be, for example, a contact grease of the registered trademark DOW CORNING type 340 Heat Sink Compound.
  • the heat sink 15 further comprises a plurality of fins 20 arranged in parallel from the portion of the heat sink 15 in thermal contact with the cold side 14b of the thermoelectric generator 14 towards the metal cladding wall 6, making it possible to increase the surface of the heat sink. heat sink 15 thermal contact with the ambient air, thereby improving the efficiency of the heat sink 15.
  • the finned radiator is preferably made of a metal having good thermal conduction properties, the metal being, for example, anodized aluminum.
  • thermoelectric generator 14 of a water heater 1 it can be seen that there is shown the part comprising the thermoelectric generator 14 of a water heater 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • the water heater 1 has no heat sink 15 and the cold side 14b of the thermoelectric generator 14 is directly in thermal contact with the metal cladding wall 6, the cladding metal wall 6 being pressed at the location of the thermoelectric generator 14 to come into contact with the cold side 14b of the thermoelectric generator 14, the wall cladding metal 6 being substantially at room temperature.
  • a thermal paste 19 is disposed between the cold side 14b of the thermoelectric generator 14 and the embossed metal cladding wall 6 in order to increase the thermal contact therebetween.
  • thermoelectric generator set a thermoelectric generator set, electronic card and anticorrosive titanium anode according to the present invention.
  • the water heater 1 may also comprise an electronic card 21 for processing the current generated by the thermoelectric generator 14 for supplying the anticorrosion titanium anode 16, the electronic card 21 being disposed near the thermoelectric generator 14 between the inner tank 2 and the metal cladding wall 6 of the water heater 1 or in a clipped plastic case.
  • the electronic card 21 comprises a DC-DC voltage booster 22 and a pulse generator 23, the DC-DC voltage booster 22 making it possible to raise the voltage generated by the thermoelectric generator 14 and the pulse generator 23 enabling then chopping the current with an adequate duty cycle (by creating high voltage pulses) to minimize the size and therefore the cost of the thermoelectric generator 14, the anti-corrosion titanium anode 16 needing to receive pulses of strong tension in order to be effective.
  • thermoelectric generator 14 The voltage generated by the thermoelectric generator 14 is injected at the input of the DC-DC voltage booster 22 of the electronic card 21, the high voltage at the output of the voltage booster continuous-DC 22 is then injected at the input of the pulse generator 23 of the electronic card 21, then the high-voltage pulses at the output of the pulse generator 23 are injected at the inlet of the titanium anode anticorrosion 16 to protect the inner tank 2 of the water heater 1 against corrosion.
  • the voltage at the output of the thermoelectric generator 14 is equal to 350 mV
  • the voltage at the output of the DC-DC voltage booster 22 is 1.5 V
  • the voltage of the pulses at the output of the pulse generator 23 is 10 V.
  • the electronic card 21 of the water heater 1 could comprise only a DC-DC voltage booster 22, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
  • the electronic card 21 could comprise other electronic processing circuits such as Harvesting Integrated Circuits, without departing from the scope of this document. invention.
  • thermoelectric generators 14 each comprising an electronic card 21, each electronic card 21 being designed to deliver a voltage / current adapted to the consumption of the charge to which the thermoelectric generator is connected. 14 associate.
  • thermoelectric generators 14 could also be associated in order to obtain the voltage and the current necessary for the size the inner tank 2 of the water heater 1 to protect against corrosion.
  • the present invention can be applied by anyone wishing to protect a tank or metal container full of liquid against corrosion, or anyone who would like to light by a light (eg, illuminating red to indicate that the liquid is hot), or anyone who would like to transmit by radio frequency (RF) information specific to the container (filling level, liquid temperature, pressure %) towards for example a remote display, without any connection to a source of electricity type EDT network, battery, accumulator or battery.
  • RF radio frequency

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Heat-Pump Type And Storage Water Heaters (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention a pour objet un chauffe-eau (1), comprenant une cuve interne (2) apte à contenir un volume d'eau (3) à réchauffer, ledit volume d'eau (3) étant chauffé par un moyen de chauffage (4) disposé à l'intérieur de la cuve interne (2) pour chauffer l'eau, ladite cuve interne (2) étant en outre enveloppée d'un isolant (5) lui-même enveloppé d'une paroi métallique d'habillage (6), caractérisé par le fait qu'il comprend un ou plusieurs générateurs thermoélectriques (14), comprenant chacun un côté chaud (14a), un côté froid (14b) et des moyens de connexion électrique (14c), disposés à l'intérieur du chauffe-eau (1) entre la cuve interne (2) et la paroi métallique d'habillage (6), le côté chaud (14a) du ou des générateurs thermoélectriques (14) étant disposé contre la paroi externe de la cuve interne (2) et le côté froid (14b) du ou des générateurs thermoélectriques (14) étant configuré pour être en contact thermique avec une source froide, les moyens de connexion électrique (14c) du ou des générateurs thermoélectriques (14) étant connectés à une ou plusieurs charges consommant le courant généré par le ou les générateurs thermoélectriques (14).The present invention relates to a water heater (1), comprising an inner vessel (2) adapted to contain a volume of water (3) to be heated, said volume of water (3) being heated by a heating means (4) disposed within the inner vessel (2) for heating the water, said inner vessel (2) being further wrapped with an insulator (5) itself wrapped with a metal cladding wall (6), characterized in that it comprises one or more thermoelectric generators (14), each comprising a hot side (14a), a cold side (14b) and electrical connection means (14c) arranged at the interior of the water heater (1) between the inner vessel (2) and the metal cladding wall (6), the hot side (14a) of the thermoelectric generator (s) (14) being disposed against the outer wall of the inner vessel (2) and the cold side (14b) of the one or more thermoelectric generators (14) being configured to be in thermal contact with a source f rigid, the electrical connection means (14c) of the thermoelectric generator (s) (14) being connected to one or more charges consuming the current generated by the thermoelectric generator (s) (14).

Description

La présente invention concerne le domaine de la récupération d'énergie, pour des chauffe-eau, et porte plus particulièrement sur un chauffe-eau comportant un ou plusieurs générateurs thermoélectriques, capables notamment d'alimenter un moyen de protection anodique.The present invention relates to the field of energy recovery, for water heaters, and relates more particularly to a water heater comprising one or more thermoelectric generators, capable in particular of supplying an anodic protection means.

En fonctionnement normal, un chauffe-eau produit de l'eau chaude sanitaire (ECS) par chauffage, au moyen d'un dispositif de chauffage intégré, d'eau dans la cuve du chauffe-eau. Pour des raisons d'économie, le dispositif de chauffage fonctionne pendant les heures creuses et est coupé pendant les heures pleines (sauf s'il existe un besoin en eau chaude). Il y a donc d'un côté de l'eau froide et une source électrique de secteur active aux heures creuses et de l'autre côté de l'eau chaude et une source électrique inactive aux heures pleines.In normal operation, a water heater produces domestic hot water (DHW) by heating, by means of a built-in heating device, water in the tank of the water heater. For reasons of economy, the heater operates during off-peak hours and is switched off during peak hours (unless there is a need for hot water). So there is cold water on one side and an active power source on off-peak hours and on the other side hot water and an idle power source during peak hours.

Or, les phénomènes de corrosion à l'intérieur de la cuve du chauffe-eau augmentent avec la température de l'eau.However, the corrosion phenomena inside the tank of the water heater increase with the temperature of the water.

Lorsque la source électrique est coupée et que l'eau est chaude, il est donc nécessaire d'avoir un dispositif permettant de limiter la corrosion à l'intérieur de la cuve du chauffe-eau.When the power source is cut and the water is hot, it is necessary to have a device to limit corrosion inside the tank of the water heater.

Une première solution est l'anode sacrificielle en magnésium, placée dans la cuve du chauffe-eau, et qui se dissout lentement dans la cuve. Cette première solution ne nécessite aucune alimentation électrique, mais en revanche sa durée de vie très inférieure à celle d'un chauffe-eau rend nécessaire son remplacement par un service après-vente spécialisé. En outre, ses performances ne sont pas homogènes (l'anode sacrificielle en magnésium étant moins efficace en fin de durée de vie) et il est difficile pour l'utilisateur de savoir exactement quand il est nécessaire de la changer.A first solution is the sacrificial magnesium anode, placed in the tank of the water heater, and which dissolves slowly in the tank. This first solution does not require any power supply, but on the other hand its life much lower than that of a water heater necessitates its replacement by a specialized after-sales service. In addition, its performance is not homogeneous (the sacrificial magnesium anode being less effective end of life) and it is difficult for the user to know exactly when it is necessary to change it.

Une autre solution consiste à générer du courant dans la cuve par une batterie électrique autonome rattachée à la cuve. Cette solution présente l'inconvénient d'augmenter légèrement le volume global du chauffe-eau, le volume de la batterie augmentant avec la durée de protection souhaitée. En outre, comme pour la solution précédente, le nombre de cycles de charge/décharge de la batterie étant limité, il est nécessaire de changer la batterie durant la durée de vie du chauffe-eau. Il est également nécessaire de prévoir un compartiment adapté au sein de chauffe-eau pour recevoir la batterie. Enfin, comme pour la solution précédente, les performances sont hétérogènes entre le début et la fin de la durée de vie de la batterie.Another solution is to generate current in the tank by an independent electric battery attached to the tank. This solution has the disadvantage of slightly increasing the overall volume of the water heater, the volume of the battery increasing with the desired protection time. In addition, as for the previous solution, the number of charging / discharging cycles of the battery being limited, it is necessary to change the battery during the life of the water heater. It is also necessary to provide a suitable compartment within the water heater to receive the battery. Finally, as for the previous solution, the performances are heterogeneous between the beginning and the end of the life of the battery.

La demande de modèle d'utilité chinois CN202303960 décrit un dispositif de chauffage d'eau à efficacité élevée à auto-génération qui comprend un élément de cellule thermoélectrique disposé sur une paroi interne d'un tuyau de collecte de connexion proche d'une sortie d'eau, l'élément de cellule thermoélectrique générant une force thermo-électromotrice pour commander une pompe à eau qui ajuste la vitesse du débit d'eau dans le tuyau de collecte de connexion par différence de température entre l'eau dans le tuyau et l'air à l'extérieur du tuyau. Cependant ce dispositif est adapté pour être installé sur un tuyau qui permet de chauffer de l'eau mais n'est pas adapté pour être installé à l'intérieur d'une cuve de chauffe-eau domestique. De plus, ce dispositif ne comporte pas de moyen de protection anodique et ne permet donc pas de protéger la cuve d'un chauffe-eau contre une corrosion.Chinese utility model demand CN202303960 discloses a self-generating high efficiency water heating device which comprises a thermoelectric cell element disposed on an inner wall of a connection collection pipe near a water outlet, the thermoelectric cell element generating a thermo-electromotive force to control a water pump that adjusts the speed of the water flow in the connection collection pipe by temperature difference between the water in the pipe and the air outside the pipe. However, this device is adapted to be installed on a pipe that heats water but is not suitable for installation inside a domestic water heater tank. In addition, this device does not include anodic protection means and therefore does not protect the tank of a water heater against corrosion.

La demande de brevet américain US 4 790 290 A et la demande internationale PCT WO2011/051379 A2 décrivent des chauffe-eau selon l'état antérieur de la technique.The US patent application US 4,790,290 A and international demand PCT WO2011 / 051379 A2 describe water heaters according to the prior art.

La présente invention vise à résoudre les inconvénients de l'état antérieur de la technique, en proposant un chauffe-eau comprenant un ou plusieurs générateurs thermoélectriques capables notamment d'alimenter de manière autonome un moyen de protection anodique afin de protéger la cuve du chauffe-eau contre une corrosion, le ou les générateurs thermoélectriques étant disposés à l'intérieur du chauffe-eau entre la cuve interne et la paroi métallique d'habillage du chauffe-eau et permettant de générer un courant sans aucune connexion à une alimentation électrique par différence de température entre la cuve interne et la paroi métallique externe du chauffe-eau, permettant ainsi de générer une puissance de manière autonome par récupération d'une énergie thermique sans augmenter les dimensions du chauffe-eau.The present invention aims to solve the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a water heater comprising one or more thermoelectric generators capable in particular of independently feeding an anodic protection means to protect the tank of the heater. water against corrosion, the thermoelectric generator or generators being disposed inside the water heater between the inner vessel and the metal wall of the water heater and allowing to generate a current without any connection to a power supply by difference temperature between the inner vessel and the outer metal wall of the water heater, thereby generating power autonomously by recovering a thermal energy without increasing the dimensions of the water heater.

La présente invention permet également d'alimenter en puissance une anode anticorrosion, par exemple en titane, disposée à l'intérieur de la cuve interne du chauffe-eau par l'intermédiaire du ou des générateurs thermoélectriques, permettant ainsi de fournir une énergie électrique de protection d'anode anticorrosion aux heures pleines, d'économiser une puissance provenant d'une alimentation électrique de réseau et d'obtenir des performances homogènes de la protection anodique de la cuve du chauffe-eau au cours de la durée de vie du chauffe-eau.The present invention also makes it possible to supply power to an anticorrosive anode, for example made of titanium, disposed inside the internal tank of the water heater via the thermoelectric generator or generators, thus making it possible to supply an electrical energy of corrosion-resistant anode protection at peak times, to save power from a grid power supply and to achieve homogeneous performance of the anode protection of the water heater tank over the life of the heater water.

La présente invention permet aussi de s'affranchir du remplacement ou de la maintenance de la protection anodique dans la cuve du chauffe-eau, la durée de vie de l'ensemble générateur thermoélectrique et anode en titane anticorrosion étant supérieure ou égale à la durée de vie du chauffe-eau.The present invention also makes it possible to dispense with the replacement or maintenance of the anode protection in the tank of the water heater, the service life of the thermoelectric generator and anode assembly. corrosion resistant titanium being greater than or equal to the service life of the water heater.

La présente invention a donc pour objet un chauffe-eau, comprenant une cuve interne apte à contenir un volume d'eau à réchauffer, ledit volume d'eau étant chauffé par un moyen de chauffage disposé à l'intérieur de la cuve interne pour chauffer l'eau, ladite cuve interne étant en outre enveloppée d'un isolant lui-même enveloppé d'une paroi métallique d'habillage, caractérisé par le fait qu'il comprend un ou plusieurs générateurs thermoélectriques, comprenant chacun un côté chaud, un côté froid et des moyens de connexion électrique, disposés à l'intérieur du chauffe-eau entre la cuve interne et la paroi métallique d'habillage, le côté chaud du ou des générateurs thermoélectriques étant disposé contre la paroi externe de la cuve interne et le côté froid du ou des générateurs thermoélectriques étant configurés pour être en contact thermique avec une source froide, les moyens de connexion électrique du ou des générateurs thermoélectriques étant connectés à une ou plusieurs charges consommant le courant généré par le ou les générateurs thermoélectriques.The present invention therefore relates to a water heater, comprising an inner vessel adapted to contain a volume of water to be heated, said volume of water being heated by a heating means disposed inside the inner vessel to heat the water, said inner vessel being further wrapped with an insulator itself wrapped with a metal cladding wall, characterized in that it comprises one or more thermoelectric generators, each comprising a hot side, a side cold and electrical connection means, arranged inside the water heater between the inner vessel and the metal cladding wall, the hot side of the thermoelectric generator or generators being disposed against the outer wall of the inner vessel and the side cold or thermoelectric generators being configured to be in thermal contact with a cold source, the electrical connection means of the thermoelectric generator (s) etan t connected to one or more loads consuming the current generated by the thermoelectric generator (s).

Ainsi, le ou les générateurs thermoélectriques permettent de générer une ou plusieurs sources de tension/courant autonomes par l'intermédiaire d'une différence de température entre la paroi externe de la cuve interne du chauffe-eau et la source froide, la ou les sources de courant/tension autonomes étant connectées à une ou plusieurs charges disposées à l'intérieur ou à l'extérieur du chauffe-eau.Thus, the thermoelectric generator or generators make it possible to generate one or more autonomous voltage / current sources via a temperature difference between the external wall of the internal tank of the water heater and the cold source, the source or sources. of autonomous current / voltage being connected to one or more loads disposed inside or outside the water heater.

De plus, le ou les générateurs thermoélectriques étant intégrés dans le chauffe-eau (c'est-à-dire, disposés entre la cuve interne et paroi métallique d'habillage), les dimensions du chauffe-eau restent inchangées.In addition, the thermoelectric generator or generators being integrated in the water heater (that is to say, arranged between the inner vessel and metal cladding wall), the dimensions of the water heater remain unchanged.

Le chauffe-eau selon la présente invention permet d'alimenter en puissance une ou plusieurs charges sans que celles-ci ne soient connectées à une source électrique de type réseau ou batterie, permettant ainsi des économies d'énergie et la réalisation d'une isolation électrique fonctionnelle par rapport au réseau électrique.The water heater according to the present invention makes it possible to supply power to one or more charges without these being connected to an electrical source of the network or battery type, thereby enabling energy savings and the realization of an insulation. functional electric compared to the electrical network.

L'isolant est avantageusement absent là où sont disposés le ou les générateurs thermoélectriques.Insulation is advantageously absent where the thermoelectric generator (s) are located.

Selon une caractéristique particulière de l'invention, la source froide est un dissipateur thermique ayant une partie en contact thermique avec le côté froid du ou des générateurs thermoélectriques et une partie en contact thermique avec la paroi métallique d'habillage, afin de créer un flux thermique dans le dissipateur thermique entre une partie chaude constituée par la partie en contact avec le ou les générateurs thermoélectriques et une partie froide constituée par la partie en contact avec la paroi métallique d'habillage.According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the cold source is a heat sink having a part in thermal contact with the cold side of the thermoelectric generator (s) and a part in thermal contact with the metal cladding wall, in order to create a flow heat sink in the heat sink between a hot part formed by the part in contact with the thermoelectric generator (s) and a cold part constituted by the part in contact with the metal cladding wall.

Ainsi, le côté froid du ou des générateurs thermoélectriques est en contact thermique avec la paroi métallique d'habillage qui est sensiblement à la température ambiante, ce qui permet de créer une différence de température plus importante entre les côtés chaud et froid du ou des générateurs thermoélectriques et ainsi de fournir plus de courant aux charges.Thus, the cold side of the thermoelectric generator or generators is in thermal contact with the metal cladding wall which is substantially at ambient temperature, which makes it possible to create a greater temperature difference between the hot and cold sides of the generator (s). thermoelectric and thus provide more current to the loads.

Il est à noter qu'afin d'augmenter le contact thermique entre le dissipateur thermique et le ou les générateurs thermoélectriques et la paroi métallique d'habillage, une pâte thermique favorisant le flux thermique par sa bonne conductivité thermique peut être disposée entre le dissipateur thermique et le ou les générateurs thermoélectriques et entre le dissipateur thermique et la paroi métallique d'habillage.It should be noted that in order to increase the thermal contact between the heat sink and the thermoelectric generator or generators and the metal cladding wall, a thermal paste that promotes heat flow by virtue of its good thermal conductivity can be arranged between the heat sink and the thermoelectric generator (s) and between the heat sink and the cladding metal wall.

Selon une caractéristique particulière de l'invention, le dissipateur thermique est un radiateur, notamment un radiateur à ailettes.According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the heat sink is a radiator, in particular a finned radiator.

Ainsi, l'efficacité du dissipateur thermique est améliorée par l'intermédiaire des ailettes du radiateur, les ailettes permettant d'augmenter la surface de contact du radiateur avec l'air ambiant.Thus, the efficiency of the heat sink is improved through the fins of the radiator, the fins to increase the contact surface of the radiator with the ambient air.

Le radiateur est de préférence fait d'un métal ayant de bonnes propriétés de conduction thermique, le métal pouvant être par exemple de l'aluminium.The radiator is preferably made of a metal having good thermal conduction properties, the metal being, for example, aluminum.

Selon une caractéristique particulière de l'invention, la source froide est la paroi métallique d'habillage emboutie de telle sorte qu'elle est en contact thermique avec le côté froid de chaque générateur thermoélectrique, la paroi métallique d'habillage étant sensiblement à température ambiante.According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the cold source is the metal cladding wall stamped so that it is in thermal contact with the cold side of each thermoelectric generator, the cladding metal wall being substantially at room temperature .

Ainsi, le côté froid du ou des générateurs thermoélectriques est directement en contact thermique avec la paroi métallique d'habillage qui est sensiblement à température ambiante, ce qui permet de s'affranchir du coût et de l'installation du radiateur sur le générateur thermoélectrique, les radiateurs à ailettes à profil extrudé étant relativement chers.Thus, the cold side of the thermoelectric generator or generators is directly in thermal contact with the metal cladding wall which is substantially at ambient temperature, which makes it possible to dispense with the cost and the installation of the heat sink on the thermoelectric generator, the extruded profile finned radiators being relatively expensive.

De manière facultative, une pâte thermique peut être disposée entre le côté froid du ou des générateurs thermoélectriques et la paroi métallique d'habillage afin d'augmenter le contact thermique entre ceux-ci.Optionally, a thermal paste may be disposed between the cold side of the thermoelectric generator (s) and the cladding wall to increase thermal contact therebetween.

Selon une caractéristique particulière de l'invention, le chauffe-eau comporte en outre une bande d'interface d'aluminium disposée entre le côté froid de chaque générateur thermoélectrique et la paroi métallique d'habillage afin d'améliorer le transfert de chaleur.According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the water heater further comprises an aluminum interface strip disposed between the cold side of each thermoelectric generator and the metal cladding wall in order to improve the heat transfer.

Selon une caractéristique particulière de l'invention, le ou les générateurs thermoélectriques sont disposés sur la partie la plus chaude de la paroi externe de la cuve interne à la fin d'un cycle de chauffage complet du volume d'eau dans la cuve interne, le cycle de chauffage complet du volume d'eau dans la cuve interne étant le cycle nécessaire pour que le moyen de chauffage chauffe à une température minimale souhaitée la totalité du volume d'eau dans la cuve interne (sans tirage d'eau chaude jusqu'à ce que la température minimale soit atteinte).According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the thermoelectric generator or generators are arranged on the hottest part of the external wall of the internal tank at the end of a complete heating cycle of the volume of water in the internal tank, the complete heating cycle of the volume of water in the inner vessel being the cycle necessary for the heating means to heat to a desired minimum temperature the entire volume of water in the inner vessel (without hot water draw until the minimum temperature is reached).

Dans les chauffe-eau traditionnels, la partie la plus chaude de la cuve interne est la partie la plus haute de la cuve interne, c'est-à-dire la partie où l'eau chaude est la plus longtemps présente dans la cuve interne.In traditional water heaters, the hottest part of the inner tank is the highest part of the inner tank, that is to say the part where the hot water is the longest present in the inner tank .

Ainsi, la différence de température entre les côtés chaud et froid du ou des générateurs thermoélectriques est plus importante, ce qui permet d'obtenir une puissance délivrée par le ou les générateurs thermoélectriques vers la ou les charges plus importante.Thus, the temperature difference between the hot and cold sides of the thermoelectric generator (s) is greater, which makes it possible to obtain a power delivered by the thermoelectric generator (s) towards the greater load (s).

De plus, la différence de température entre les côtés chaud et froid du ou des générateurs thermoélectriques persiste plus longtemps, jusqu'à soutirage de la totalité d'eau chaude présente dans le chauffe-eau, si le ou les générateurs thermoélectriques sont disposés au niveau de la partie la plus haute de la cuve interne.In addition, the temperature difference between the hot and cold sides of the thermoelectric generator (s) persists for a longer time, until all the hot water present in the water heater is withdrawn, if the thermoelectric generator or generators are arranged at the same level. from the highest part of the inner tank.

Selon une caractéristique particulière de l'invention, le chauffe-eau comprend plusieurs générateurs thermoélectriques, disposés sur une même isotherme sur la paroi externe de la cuve interne ou sur des isothermes différentes sur la paroi externe de la cuve interne, au moins l'un desdits générateurs thermoélectriques étant, de préférence, disposé sur l'isotherme de plus haute température à la fin du cycle de chauffage complet du volume d'eau dans la cuve interne, une isotherme étant une ligne sur la paroi externe de la cuve interne reliant tous les points de la paroi externe de la cuve interne à une même température.According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the water heater comprises several thermoelectric generators arranged on the same isotherm on the outer wall of the inner vessel or on different isotherms on the outer wall of the inner vessel, at least one said thermoelectric generators being preferably disposed on the higher isotherm temperature at the end of the cycle of complete heating of the volume of water in the inner vessel, an isotherm being a line on the outer wall of the inner vessel connecting all the points of the outer wall of the inner vessel at the same temperature.

Ainsi, les générateurs thermoélectriques peuvent être tous disposés sur une même isotherme, de préférence l'isotherme ayant la plus haute température afin de fournir un courant maximal, c'est-à-dire l'isotherme la plus haute sur la cuve interne, ou les générateurs thermoélectriques peuvent être disposés à différentes hauteurs sur la cuve interne afin, par exemple, d'être au plus près de leurs charges respectives : une charge consommant plus de courant sera ainsi connectée à un générateur thermoélectrique sur une isotherme de plus haute température qu'une charge consommant moins de courant, qui pourra elle être connectée à un générateur thermoélectrique sur une isotherme de plus basse température.Thus, the thermoelectric generators can all be arranged on the same isotherm, preferably the isotherm having the highest temperature to provide a maximum current, that is to say the highest isotherm on the inner vessel, or the thermoelectric generators can be arranged at different heights on the inner vessel to, for example, be closer to their respective loads: a load consuming more current will be connected to a thermoelectric generator on an isotherm of higher temperature than a load consuming less current, which can be connected to a thermoelectric generator on a lower temperature isotherm.

Les isothermes, dans les chauffe-eau traditionnels où le gradient de température est vertical, correspondent à une même hauteur sur la cuve. Chaque isotherme correspond donc à une hauteur de la cuve.The isotherms, in traditional water heaters where the temperature gradient is vertical, correspond to the same height on the tank. Each isotherm corresponds to a height of the tank.

De plus, dans le cas où les générateurs thermoélectriques sont disposés à différentes hauteurs sur la cuve interne, les générateurs thermoélectriques peuvent signaler le niveau d'eau chaude dans la cuve interne, la présence d'une tension à la sortie d'un générateur thermoélectrique indiquant que l'eau est chaude au niveau de la hauteur où est disposé le générateur thermoélectrique et l'absence d'une tension à la sortie d'un générateur thermoélectrique indiquant que l'eau est froide au niveau de la hauteur où est disposé le générateur thermoélectrique.In addition, in the case where the thermoelectric generators are arranged at different heights on the inner vessel, the thermoelectric generators can signal the level of hot water in the inner vessel, the presence of a voltage at the output of a thermoelectric generator indicating that the water is hot at the height where the thermoelectric generator is located and the absence of a voltage at the output of a thermoelectric generator indicating that the water is cold at the height where the thermoelectric generator.

Selon une caractéristique particulière de l'invention, le chauffe-eau comprend en outre une carte électronique de traitement du courant généré par le ou les générateurs thermoélectriques pour alimenter la ou les charges.According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the water heater further comprises an electronic card for processing the current generated by the thermoelectric generator (s) to supply the charge (s).

Ainsi, la carte électronique peut être utilisée pour traiter la puissance générée par le ou les générateurs thermoélectriques, afin de mettre ladite puissance générée sous une forme souhaitée pour ensuite la délivrer à une ou plusieurs charges.Thus, the electronic card can be used to process the power generated by the thermoelectric generator (s) in order to put said generated power in a desired form and then deliver it to one or more loads.

Selon une caractéristique particulière de l'invention, la carte électronique comprend un élévateur de tension continu-continu et facultativement un générateur d'impulsions.According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the electronic card comprises a DC-DC voltage booster and optionally a pulse generator.

Ainsi, la carte électronique peut être utilisée pour élever la tension du ou des générateurs thermoélectriques, et/ou hacher le courant avec un rapport cyclique adéquat (en créant des impulsions de forte tension) afin que la taille et donc le coût du ou des générateurs thermoélectriques soient minimaux.Thus, the electronic card can be used to raise the voltage of the thermoelectric generator (s), and / or chop the current with an adequate duty cycle (by creating high voltage pulses) so that the size and thus the cost of the generator (s) thermoelectric properties are minimal.

Selon une caractéristique particulière de l'invention, la ou les charges reliées au ou aux générateurs thermoélectriques sont un ou plusieurs parmi un dispositif de protection contre la corrosion dans la cuve interne, un dispositif de commande, un dispositif d'affichage (par exemple, un voyant ou un afficheur) et un dispositif de communication.According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the charge or loads connected to the thermoelectric generator or generators are one or more of a corrosion protection device in the inner vessel, a control device, a display device (for example, a light or a display) and a communication device.

Ainsi, le dispositif de protection contre la corrosion permet de protéger la cuve interne du chauffe-eau pleine de liquide chaud contre la corrosion avec une alimentation autonome générée par le ou les générateurs thermoélectriques, aucune connexion à un réseau électrique ou à une batterie à la durée de vie limitée n'étant nécessaire pour alimenter en puissance le dispositif de protection contre la corrosion.Thus, the corrosion protection device protects the inner tank of the water heater full of hot liquid against corrosion with an autonomous power supply generated by the thermoelectric generator or generators, no connection to an electrical network or a battery to the limited shelf life necessary to supply power to the corrosion protection device.

De plus, le ou les générateurs thermoélectriques peuvent permettre d'alimenter en puissance un ou plusieurs autres dispositifs de manière autonome afin, par exemple, d'allumer un voyant ou un afficheur sur le chauffe-eau ou de transmettre par radio fréquence (RF) des informations concernant le chauffe-eau (niveau de remplissage, température du liquide, pression ...) à un afficheur distant, aucune connexion à un réseau électrique ou à une batterie à la durée de vie limitée n'étant nécessaire pour alimenter en puissance ces dispositifs.In addition, the one or more thermoelectric generators can power one or more other devices autonomously, for example, to light a light or a display on the water heater or to transmit by radio frequency (RF) information about the water heater (filling level, liquid temperature, pressure ...) to a remote display, no connection to a power grid or a battery with limited life is necessary to power these devices.

Il est à noter qu'un accumulateur ou une supercapacité pourrait être utilisé(e) pour alimenter temporairement le dispositif de protection contre la corrosion et/ou un ou plusieurs autres dispositifs afin de palier à de courts appels de courant fort, sans s'écarter du cadre de la présente invention.It should be noted that an accumulator or supercapacity could be used to temporarily power the corrosion protection device and / or one or more other devices in order to compensate for short calls of strong current, without departing of the scope of the present invention.

Selon une caractéristique particulière de l'invention, le dispositif de protection contre la corrosion est une anode anticorrosion, l'anode anticorrosion étant, de préférence, en titane.According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the corrosion protection device is an anticorrosion anode, the anticorrosion anode preferably being of titanium.

Il est à noter que l'anode anticorrosion pourrait également être en acier, fonte, graphite, oxydes métalliques ou platine, ou autre métal, sans s'écarter du cadre de la présente invention.It should be noted that the anticorrosion anode could also be steel, cast iron, graphite, metal oxides or platinum, or other metal, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Ainsi, un courant est généré entre l'anode anticorrosion et la cuve interne du chauffe-eau afin de protéger la cuve interne de la corrosion par l'intermédiaire du ou des générateurs thermoélectriques, cette solution étant quasi inusable et sans entretien, contrairement à une anode sacrificielle.Thus, a current is generated between the anticorrosion anode and the inner tank of the water heater to protect the inner vessel from corrosion through the thermoelectric generator or generators, this solution being almost indestructible and maintenance-free, unlike a sacrificial anode.

De préférence, l'anode anticorrosion est disposée au niveau de la partie la plus haute de la cuve interne du chauffe-eau, à proximité du ou des générateurs thermoélectriques.Preferably, the anticorrosion anode is disposed at the highest part of the inner tank of the water heater, near the thermoelectric generator or generators.

Il est à noter que plusieurs générateurs thermoélectriques peuvent être associés afin d'obtenir la tension et le courant nécessaires à la taille de la cuve interne du chauffe-eau à protéger.It should be noted that several thermoelectric generators can be associated to obtain the voltage and current required for the size of the inner tank of the water heater to be protected.

Pour mieux illustrer l'objet de la présente invention, on va en décrire ci-après, à titre illustratif et non limitatif, des modes de réalisation préférés, avec référence aux dessins annexés.To better illustrate the object of the present invention, will be described below, by way of illustration and not limited to, preferred embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Sur ces dessins :

  • la Figure 1 est une vue en coupe transversale d'un chauffe-eau selon un premier mode de réalisation de la présente invention ;
  • la Figure 2 est une vue de détail de la partie comportant un générateur thermoélectrique du chauffe-eau de la Figure 1 ;
  • la Figure 3 est une vue analogue à la Figure 2 selon un deuxième mode de réalisation de la présente invention ; et
  • la Figure 4 est un schéma-bloc de l'ensemble générateur thermoélectrique, carte électronique et anode en titane anticorrosion selon la présente invention.
On these drawings:
  • the Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a water heater according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
  • the Figure 2 is a detailed view of the part comprising a thermoelectric generator of the water heater of the Figure 1 ;
  • the Figure 3 is a view similar to the Figure 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and
  • the Figure 4 is a block diagram of the thermoelectric generator set, electronic card and anticorrosive titanium anode according to the present invention.

Si l'on se réfère à la Figure 1, on peut voir qu'il y est représenté un chauffe-eau 1 selon un premier mode de réalisation de la présente invention.If we refer to the Figure 1 it can be seen that there is shown a water heater 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Le chauffe-eau 1 comporte une cuve interne 2 apte à contenir un volume d'eau 3 étant chauffé par un moyen de chauffage 4 disposé à l'intérieur de la cuve interne 2 pour chauffer l'eau, ladite cuve interne 2 étant en outre enveloppée d'un isolant 5 lui-même enveloppé d'une paroi métallique d'habillage 6.The water heater 1 comprises an inner vessel 2 adapted to contain a volume of water 3 being heated by a heating means 4 disposed inside the inner vessel 2 to heat the water, said inner vessel 2 being furthermore wrapped with an insulator 5 itself wrapped with a metal cladding wall 6.

La cuve interne 2 est, sans que cela soit limitatif, de forme cylindrique avec deux extrémités dans la direction longitudinale en forme de calotte et est scellée de manière étanche, la hauteur de la cuve interne 2 favorisant la formation de couches d'eau stables de différentes températures.The inner vessel 2 is, without limitation, of cylindrical shape with two ends in the longitudinal direction in the form of cap and is sealed, the height of the inner vessel 2 promoting the formation of stable water layers of different temperatures.

Il est à noter que la cuve interne 2 pourrait également être de forme parallélépipédique, sans s'éloigner du cadre de la présente invention.It should be noted that the inner vessel 2 could also be of parallelepipedal shape, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

La cuve interne 2 est en métal tel que de l'acier mais pourrait également être en matière plastique.The inner vessel 2 is made of metal such as steel but could also be plastic.

L'isolant 5 est une mousse isolante telle que du polyuréthane enveloppant la totalité de la paroi externe de la cuve interne 2.The insulation 5 is an insulating foam such as polyurethane enveloping the entire outer wall of the inner vessel 2.

Il est à noter que l'isolant 5 pourrait également être du polystyrène expansé, sans s'écarter du cadre de la présente invention.It should be noted that the insulation 5 could also be expanded polystyrene, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

L'épaisseur de l'isolant 5 est, de préférence, compris entre 20 mm et 60 mm, afin d'obtenir une isolation thermique efficace.The thickness of the insulator 5 is preferably between 20 mm and 60 mm, in order to obtain an effective thermal insulation.

La paroi métallique d'habillage 6 enveloppant l'isolant 5 a sensiblement la même forme que la cuve interne 2 du chauffe-eau 1 et est également scellée de manière sensiblement étanche.The cladding metal wall 6 surrounding the insulator 5 has substantially the same shape as the inner tank 2 of the water heater 1 and is also sealed substantially sealingly.

La paroi métallique d'habillage 6 est en métal tel que de l'acier peint.The cladding metal wall 6 is made of metal such as painted steel.

Le chauffe-eau 1 comporte également une conduite d'amenée d'eau froide 7 et une conduite de sortie d'eau chaude 8, la conduite d'amenée d'eau froide 7 et la conduite de sortie d'eau chaude 8 pénétrant dans la cuve interne 2 du chauffe-eau 1 par l'intermédiaire respectivement de deux trous 9, 10 formés dans la paroi inférieure de la paroi métallique d'habillage 6, la couche inférieure de l'isolant 5 et la paroi inférieure de la cuve interne 2.The water heater 1 also comprises a cold water supply pipe 7 and a hot water outlet pipe 8, the cold water supply pipe 7 and the hot water outlet pipe 8 penetrating into the water pipe. the inner tank 2 of the water heater 1 through respectively two holes 9, 10 formed in the lower wall of the metal cladding wall 6, the lower layer of the insulator 5 and the bottom wall of the inner vessel 2.

Dans un chauffe-eau 1 traditionnel, l'eau la plus chaude étant située dans la partie la plus haute de la cuve interne 2, l'extrémité d'entrée 11 de la conduite de sortie d'eau chaude 8 est située au niveau de la partie haute de la cuve interne 2 et l'extrémité de sortie 12 de la conduite d'amenée d'eau froide 7 est située au niveau de la partie basse de la cuve interne 2.In a traditional water heater 1, the hottest water being located in the highest part of the inner tank 2, the inlet end 11 of the hot water outlet pipe 8 is located at the upper part of the inner vessel 2 and the outlet end 12 of the cold water supply pipe 7 is located at the lower part of the inner vessel 2.

Le moyen de chauffage 4 se compose d'une résistance chauffante 4a disposée au niveau de la partie basse de la cuve interne 2, à proximité de l'extrémité de sortie 12 de la conduite d'amenée d'eau froide 7, et pénétrant dans la cuve interne 2 par l'intermédiaire d'un trou 13 formé dans la paroi inférieure de la paroi métallique d'habillage 6, la couche inférieure de l'isolant 5 et la paroi inférieure de la cuve interne 2, et d'une alimentation électrique 4b connectée à la résistance chauffante 4a et disposée sous la paroi inférieure de la paroi métallique d'habillage 6, l'alimentation électrique 4b étant reliée à un réseau électrique domestique.The heating means 4 consists of a heating resistor 4a disposed at the lower part of the inner vessel 2, near the outlet end 12 of the cold water supply pipe 7, and penetrating into the the inner vessel 2 through a hole 13 formed in the lower wall of the metal cladding wall 6, the lower layer of the insulator 5 and the lower wall of the inner vessel 2, and a feed 4b electrical connected to the heating resistor 4a and disposed under the lower wall of the cladding metal wall 6, the power supply 4b is connected to a domestic electrical network.

La résistance de chauffage 4a du moyen de chauffage 4 est, de préférence, une résistance stéatite, mais peut également être un corps de chauffe blindé directement en contact avec l'eau.The heating resistor 4a of the heating means 4 is preferably a steatite resistance, but can also be a shielded heating body directly in contact with the water.

Le chauffe-eau 1 comporte en outre un générateur thermoélectrique 14 disposé entre la paroi externe de la cuve interne 2 et la paroi métallique d'habillage 6, le chauffe-eau 1 ne comportant pas d'isolant 5 à l'emplacement du générateur thermoélectrique 14.The water heater 1 further comprises a thermoelectric generator 14 disposed between the outer wall of the inner vessel 2 and the metal cladding wall 6, the water heater 1 having no insulator 5 at the location of the thermoelectric generator. 14.

Le générateur thermoélectrique 14 comporte un côté chaud 14a, un côté froid 14b et des moyens de connexion électrique 14c.The thermoelectric generator 14 has a hot side 14a, a cold side 14b and electrical connection means 14c.

Le chauffe-eau 1 comporte également un dissipateur thermique 15 qui est un radiateur à ailettes et qui est disposé entre le générateur thermoélectrique 14 et la paroi métallique d'habillage 6, le chauffe-eau 1 ne comportant pas d'isolant 5 à l'emplacement du dissipateur thermique 15.The water heater 1 also comprises a heat sink 15 which is a finned radiator and which is arranged between the thermoelectric generator 14 and the metal cladding wall 6, the water heater 1 having no insulation 5 to the location of heat sink 15.

Il est à noter que le dissipateur thermique 15 pourrait également être une bande d'interface d'aluminium en feuille ou un tube de circulation d'eau froide, sans s'écarter du cadre de la présente invention.It should be noted that the heat sink 15 could also be a sheet aluminum interface strip or a cold water circulation tube, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Le côté chaud 14a du générateur thermoélectrique 14 est disposé contre la paroi externe de la cuve interne 2, au niveau de la partie supérieure de la cuve interne 2 qui est la partie la plus chaude de la paroi externe de la cuve interne 2 à la fin d'un cycle de chauffage complet du volume d'eau 3 dans la cuve interne 2, le cycle de chauffage complet du volume d'eau 3 dans la cuve interne 2 étant le cycle nécessaire pour que le moyen de chauffage 4 chauffe à une température minimale souhaitée la totalité du volume d'eau 3 dans la cuve interne 2, sans tirage d'eau chaude jusqu'à ce que la température minimale soit atteinte.The hot side 14a of the thermoelectric generator 14 is disposed against the outer wall of the inner vessel 2, at the upper part of the inner vessel 2 which is the hottest part of the outer wall of the inner vessel 2 at the end. a complete heating cycle of the volume of water 3 in the inner vessel 2, the complete heating cycle of the volume of water 3 in the inner vessel 2 being the cycle necessary for the heating means 4 to heat to a temperature the minimum desired total water volume 3 in the inner vessel 2, without drawing hot water until the minimum temperature is reached.

Le dissipateur thermique 15 possède une partie en contact thermique avec le côté froid 14b du générateur thermoélectrique 14 et une partie en contact thermique avec la paroi métallique d'habillage 6, afin de créer un flux thermique dans le dissipateur thermique 15 entre une partie chaude constituée par la partie en contact avec le générateur thermoélectrique 14 et une partie froide constituée par la partie en contact avec la paroi métallique d'habillage 6, la paroi métallique d'habillage 6 étant sensiblement à la température ambiante de la pièce où se situe le chauffe-eau 1.The heat sink 15 has a portion in thermal contact with the cold side 14b of the thermoelectric generator 14 and a portion in thermal contact with the metal cladding wall 6, in order to create a heat flux in the heat sink 15 between a hot part constituted by the part in contact with the thermoelectric generator 14 and a cold part constituted by the part in contact with the cladding metal wall 6, the cladding metal wall 6 being substantially at the ambient temperature of the room where the heater is located water 1.

Il est à noter que le chauffe-eau 1 pourrait comprendre plusieurs générateurs thermoélectriques 14, disposés sur une même isotherme (c'est-à-dire, une ligne sur la paroi externe de la cuve interne 2 reliant tous les points de la paroi externe de la cuve interne 2 à une même température) sur la paroi externe de la cuve interne 2 ou sur des isothermes différentes sur la paroi externe de la cuve interne 2, au moins l'un desdits générateurs thermoélectriques 14 étant, de préférence, disposé sur l'isotherme de plus haute température à la fin du cycle de chauffage complet du volume d'eau 3 dans la cuve interne 2, sans s'écarter du cadre de la présente invention.It should be noted that the water heater 1 could comprise several thermoelectric generators 14, arranged on the same isotherm (that is to say, a line on the outer wall of the inner vessel 2 connecting all the points of the outer wall of the inner vessel 2 at the same temperature) on the outer wall of the inner vessel 2 or on different isotherms on the outer wall of the inner vessel 2, at least one of said thermoelectric generators 14 being preferably disposed on the isotherm of higher temperature at the end of the complete heating cycle of the volume of water 3 in the inner vessel 2, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

De même, le chauffe-eau 1 pourrait comprendre un dissipateur thermique 15 pour l'ensemble des générateurs thermoélectriques 14 ou plusieurs dissipateurs thermiques 15 respectivement pour chaque générateur thermoélectrique 14.Similarly, the water heater 1 could comprise a heat sink 15 for all the thermoelectric generators 14 or several heat sinks 15 respectively for each thermoelectric generator 14.

Par différence de température entre la paroi externe de la cuve interne 2 à l'isotherme sur laquelle est situé le générateur thermoélectrique 14 et la paroi métallique d'habillage 6, le générateur thermoélectrique 14 génère un courant, ledit courant étant transporté vers une charge consommant celui-ci par l'intermédiaire des moyens de connexion électrique 14c du générateur thermoélectrique 14 qui connectent ladite charge au générateur thermoélectrique 14.By temperature difference between the outer wall of the inner vessel 2 and the isotherm on which the thermoelectric generator 14 and the metal cladding wall 6 are located, the thermoelectric generator 14 generates a current, the current being conveyed to a load consuming it through the electrical connection means 14c of the thermoelectric generator 14 which connect said load to the thermoelectric generator 14.

Le chauffe-eau 1 comporte en outre une anode en titane anticorrosion 16 en tant que dispositif de protection contre la corrosion dans la cuve interne 2, l'anode en titane anticorrosion 16 étant disposée à l'intérieur de la cuve interne 2, dans la partie haute de la cuve interne 2, à proximité du générateur thermoélectrique 14, et étant reliée au générateur thermoélectrique 14 par l'intermédiaire des moyens de connexion électrique 14c du générateur thermoélectrique 14, les moyens de connexion électrique 14c passant à travers un trou 17 formé de manière étanche dans la cuve interne 2 afin de connecter l'anode en titane anticorrosion 16 au générateur thermoélectrique 14.The water heater 1 further comprises an anticorrosive titanium anode 16 as a corrosion protection device in the inner vessel 2, the anticorrosion titanium anode 16 being disposed inside the inner vessel 2, in the upper part of the inner vessel 2, near the thermoelectric generator 14, and being connected to the thermoelectric generator 14 via the electrical connection means 14c of the thermoelectric generator 14, the electrical connection means 14c passing through a hole 17 formed in a sealed manner in the inner vessel 2 in order to connect the anticorrosive titanium anode 16 to the thermoelectric generator 14.

Ainsi, un courant est généré entre l'anode en titane anticorrosion 16 et la cuve interne 2 du chauffe-eau 1 afin de protéger la cuve interne 2 de la corrosion par l'intermédiaire du générateur thermoélectrique 14, cette solution étant quasi inusable et sans entretien, contrairement à une anode sacrificielle.Thus, a current is generated between the anticorrosive titanium anode 16 and the inner tank 2 of the water heater 1 in order to protect the internal tank 2 from corrosion via the thermoelectric generator 14, this solution being almost indestructible and without maintenance, unlike a sacrificial anode.

Il est à noter que l'anode anticorrosion 16 pourrait également être en un matériau différent du titane, tel que par exemple de l'acier, de la fonte, du graphite, des oxydes métalliques ou du platine, ou un autre métal, sans s'écarter du cadre de la présente invention.It should be noted that the anticorrosive anode 16 could also be made of a material different from titanium, such as, for example, steel, cast iron, graphite, metal oxides or platinum, or another metal, without depart from the scope of the present invention.

Il est à noter que le générateur thermoélectrique 14 pourrait également être connecté, par l'intermédiaire des moyens de connexion électrique 14c, à un dispositif de commande tel qu'un dispositif de relance de chauffage si la tension aux bornes du générateur thermoélectrique Vteg = 0, à un dispositif d'affichage tel qu'un voyant ou un afficheur et/ou à un dispositif de communication tel qu'une carte électronique de transmission radio RF, Bluetooth Low Energy, Wifi ou 868 MHz afin de transmettre par radio fréquence (RF) des informations concernant le chauffe-eau 1 (niveau de remplissage, température du liquide, pression ...) à un afficheur distant, sans s'écarter du cadre de la présente.It should be noted that the thermoelectric generator 14 could also be connected, via the electrical connection means 14c, to a control device such as a heating restart device if the voltage across the thermoelectric generator Vteg = 0 , to a display device such as a light or a display and / or to a communication device such as an electronic radio transmission card RF, Bluetooth Low Energy, Wifi or 868 MHz in order to transmit by radio frequency (RF) information about the water heater 1 (filling level, liquid temperature, pressure ...) to a remote display, without departing from the scope of this.

Si l'on se réfère à la Figure 2, on peut voir qu'il y est représenté la partie comportant le générateur thermoélectrique 14 du chauffe-eau 1 selon le premier mode de réalisation de la présente invention.If we refer to the Figure 2 it can be seen that there is shown the part comprising the thermoelectric generator 14 of the water heater 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Tel que mentionné ci-dessus, le générateur thermoélectrique 14 comporte un côté chaud 14a, un côté froid 14b et des moyens de connexion électrique 14c, et est disposé entre la cuve interne 2 et la paroi métallique d'habillage 6 du chauffe-eau 1, le côté chaud 14a du générateur thermoélectrique 14 étant disposé contre la paroi externe de la cuve interne 2.As mentioned above, the thermoelectric generator 14 comprises a hot side 14a, a cold side 14b and electrical connection means 14c, and is arranged between the inner vessel 2 and the metal cladding wall 6 of the water heater 1 the hot side 14a of the thermoelectric generator 14 being disposed against the outer wall of the inner vessel 2.

Le dissipateur thermique 15, qui est un radiateur à ailettes, est disposé entre le générateur thermoélectrique 14 et la paroi métallique d'habillage 6.The heat sink 15, which is a finned radiator, is disposed between the thermoelectric generator 14 and the metal cladding wall 6.

Il est à noter que la partie du chauffe-eau 1, entre la cuve interne 2 et la paroi métallique d'habillage 6, comportant le générateur thermoélectrique 14 et le dissipateur thermique 15 ne comporte pas d'isolant 5.It should be noted that the portion of the water heater 1, between the inner vessel 2 and the cladding metal wall 6, comprising the thermoelectric generator 14 and the heat sink 15 does not include insulation 5.

Le dissipateur thermique 15, qui est un radiateur à ailettes, comporte une partie en contact thermique avec le côté froid 14b du générateur thermoélectrique 14 et une partie 18 en contact thermique avec la paroi métallique d'habillage 6, une pâte thermique 19 étant disposée entre le dissipateur thermique 15 et le côté froid 14b du générateur thermoélectrique 14 ainsi qu'entre le dissipateur thermique 15 et la paroi métallique d'habillage 6 afin d'augmenter le contact thermique entre ceux-ci.The heat sink 15, which is a finned radiator, has a portion in thermal contact with the cold side 14b of the thermoelectric generator 14 and a portion 18 in thermal contact with the metal cladding wall 6, a thermal paste 19 being disposed between the heat sink 15 and the cold side 14b of the thermoelectric generator 14 and between the heat sink 15 and the cladding metal wall 6 to increase the thermal contact therebetween.

Une pâte thermique 19 est également être disposée entre la paroi externe de la cuve interne 2 et le côté chaud 14a du générateur thermoélectrique 14.A thermal paste 19 is also to be disposed between the outer wall of the inner vessel 2 and the hot side 14a of the thermoelectric generator 14.

La pâte thermique peut être, par exemple, une graisse de contact de la marque enregistrée DOW CORNING de type 340 Heat Sink Compound.The thermal paste may be, for example, a contact grease of the registered trademark DOW CORNING type 340 Heat Sink Compound.

Le dissipateur thermique 15 comporte en outre plusieurs ailettes 20 disposées en parallèle depuis la partie du dissipateur thermique 15 en contact thermique avec le côté froid 14b du générateur thermoélectrique 14 en direction de la paroi métallique d'habillage 6, permettant d'augmenter la surface de contact thermique du dissipateur thermique 15 avec l'air ambiant, améliorant ainsi l'efficacité du dissipateur thermique 15.The heat sink 15 further comprises a plurality of fins 20 arranged in parallel from the portion of the heat sink 15 in thermal contact with the cold side 14b of the thermoelectric generator 14 towards the metal cladding wall 6, making it possible to increase the surface of the heat sink. heat sink 15 thermal contact with the ambient air, thereby improving the efficiency of the heat sink 15.

Le radiateur à ailettes est de préférence fait d'un métal ayant de bonnes propriétés de conduction thermique, le métal pouvant être par exemple de l'aluminium anodisé.The finned radiator is preferably made of a metal having good thermal conduction properties, the metal being, for example, anodized aluminum.

Si l'on se réfère à la Figure 3, on peut voir qu'il y est représenté la partie comportant le générateur thermoélectrique 14 d'un chauffe-eau 1 selon un second mode de réalisation de la présente invention.If we refer to the Figure 3 it can be seen that there is shown the part comprising the thermoelectric generator 14 of a water heater 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Dans ce second mode de réalisation, le chauffe-eau 1 ne comporte pas de dissipateur thermique 15 et le côté froid 14b du générateur thermoélectrique 14 est directement en contact thermique avec la paroi métallique d'habillage 6, la paroi métallique d'habillage 6 étant emboutie au niveau de l'emplacement du générateur thermoélectrique 14 afin de venir en contact avec le côté froid 14b du générateur thermoélectrique 14, la paroi métallique d'habillage 6 étant sensiblement à température ambiante.In this second embodiment, the water heater 1 has no heat sink 15 and the cold side 14b of the thermoelectric generator 14 is directly in thermal contact with the metal cladding wall 6, the cladding metal wall 6 being pressed at the location of the thermoelectric generator 14 to come into contact with the cold side 14b of the thermoelectric generator 14, the wall cladding metal 6 being substantially at room temperature.

Une pâte thermique 19 est disposée entre le côté froid 14b du générateur thermoélectrique 14 et la paroi métallique d'habillage 6 emboutie afin d'augmenter le contact thermique entre ceux-ci.A thermal paste 19 is disposed between the cold side 14b of the thermoelectric generator 14 and the embossed metal cladding wall 6 in order to increase the thermal contact therebetween.

Si l'on se réfère à la Figure 4, on peut voir qu'il y est représenté un ensemble générateur thermoélectrique, carte électronique et anode en titane anticorrosion selon la présente invention.If we refer to the Figure 4 it can be seen that there is shown a thermoelectric generator set, electronic card and anticorrosive titanium anode according to the present invention.

Le chauffe-eau 1 selon la présente invention peut également comprendre une carte électronique 21 de traitement du courant généré par le générateur thermoélectrique 14 pour alimenter l'anode en titane anticorrosion 16, la carte électronique 21 étant disposée à proximité du générateur thermoélectrique 14 entre la cuve interne 2 et la paroi métallique d'habillage 6 du chauffe-eau 1 ou dans un boîtier en plastique clippé.The water heater 1 according to the present invention may also comprise an electronic card 21 for processing the current generated by the thermoelectric generator 14 for supplying the anticorrosion titanium anode 16, the electronic card 21 being disposed near the thermoelectric generator 14 between the inner tank 2 and the metal cladding wall 6 of the water heater 1 or in a clipped plastic case.

La carte électronique 21 comprend un élévateur de tension continu-continu 22 et un générateur d'impulsions 23, l'élévateur de tension continu-continu 22 permettant d'élever la tension générée par le générateur thermoélectrique 14 et le générateur d'impulsions 23 permettant ensuite de hacher le courant avec un rapport cyclique adéquat (par création d'impulsions de forte tension) afin de minimiser au maximum la taille et donc le coût du générateur thermoélectrique 14, l'anode en titane anticorrosion 16 ayant besoin de recevoir des impulsions de forte tension afin d'être efficace.The electronic card 21 comprises a DC-DC voltage booster 22 and a pulse generator 23, the DC-DC voltage booster 22 making it possible to raise the voltage generated by the thermoelectric generator 14 and the pulse generator 23 enabling then chopping the current with an adequate duty cycle (by creating high voltage pulses) to minimize the size and therefore the cost of the thermoelectric generator 14, the anti-corrosion titanium anode 16 needing to receive pulses of strong tension in order to be effective.

La tension générée par le générateur thermoélectrique 14 est injectée à l'entrée de l'élévateur de tension continu-continu 22 de la carte électronique 21, la tension élevée à la sortie de l'élévateur de tension continu-continu 22 est ensuite injectée à l'entrée du générateur d'impulsions 23 de la carte électronique 21, puis les impulsions à tension élevée à la sortie du générateur d'impulsions 23 sont injectées à l'entrée de l'anode en titane anticorrosion 16 afin de protéger la cuve interne 2 du chauffe-eau 1 contre la corrosion.The voltage generated by the thermoelectric generator 14 is injected at the input of the DC-DC voltage booster 22 of the electronic card 21, the high voltage at the output of the voltage booster continuous-DC 22 is then injected at the input of the pulse generator 23 of the electronic card 21, then the high-voltage pulses at the output of the pulse generator 23 are injected at the inlet of the titanium anode anticorrosion 16 to protect the inner tank 2 of the water heater 1 against corrosion.

A titre indicatif et non limitatif, selon un exemple, la tension à la sortie du générateur thermoélectrique 14 vaut 350 mV, la tension à la sortie de l'élévateur de tension continu-continu 22 vaut 1,5 V, et la tension des impulsions à la sortie du générateur d'impulsions 23 vaut 10 V.By way of nonlimiting indication, according to one example, the voltage at the output of the thermoelectric generator 14 is equal to 350 mV, the voltage at the output of the DC-DC voltage booster 22 is 1.5 V, and the voltage of the pulses at the output of the pulse generator 23 is 10 V.

Il est à noter que la carte électronique 21 du chauffe-eau 1 pourrait comporter seulement un élévateur de tension continu-continu 22, sans s'écarter du cadre de la présente invention.It should be noted that the electronic card 21 of the water heater 1 could comprise only a DC-DC voltage booster 22, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Il est à noter que la carte électronique 21 pourrait comporter d'autres circuits électroniques de traitement tels que des circuits intégrés de gestion du point de fonctionnement à l'optimum de rendement (Harvesting Integrated Circuits), sans s'écarter du cadre de la présente invention.It should be noted that the electronic card 21 could comprise other electronic processing circuits such as Harvesting Integrated Circuits, without departing from the scope of this document. invention.

Il est également à noter que le chauffe-eau 1 pourrait comporter plusieurs générateurs thermoélectriques 14 comportant chacun une carte électronique 21, chaque carte électronique 21 étant conçue pour délivrer une tension/courant adaptée à la consommation de la charge à laquelle est connecté le générateur thermoélectrique 14 associé.It should also be noted that the water heater 1 could comprise several thermoelectric generators 14 each comprising an electronic card 21, each electronic card 21 being designed to deliver a voltage / current adapted to the consumption of the charge to which the thermoelectric generator is connected. 14 associate.

Il est à noter que plusieurs générateurs thermoélectriques 14 pourraient aussi être associés afin d'obtenir la tension et le courant nécessaires à la taille de la cuve interne 2 du chauffe-eau 1 à protéger contre la corrosion.It should be noted that several thermoelectric generators 14 could also be associated in order to obtain the voltage and the current necessary for the size the inner tank 2 of the water heater 1 to protect against corrosion.

La présente invention peut être appliquée par toute personne voulant protéger une cuve ou un récipient métallique plein(e) de liquide contre la corrosion, ou toute personne qui voudrait allumer par un voyant (par exemple, s'allumant en rouge pour indiquer que le liquide est chaud), ou toute personne qui voudrait transmettre par radio fréquence (RF) des informations propre au contenant (niveau de remplissage, température du liquide, pression ...) vers par exemple un affichage distant, sans aucune connexion à une source d'électricité de type réseau EDT, pile, accumulateur ou batterie.The present invention can be applied by anyone wishing to protect a tank or metal container full of liquid against corrosion, or anyone who would like to light by a light (eg, illuminating red to indicate that the liquid is hot), or anyone who would like to transmit by radio frequency (RF) information specific to the container (filling level, liquid temperature, pressure ...) towards for example a remote display, without any connection to a source of electricity type EDT network, battery, accumulator or battery.

Claims (11)

Chauffe-eau (1), comprenant une cuve interne (2) apte à contenir un volume d'eau (3) à réchauffer, ledit volume d'eau (3) étant chauffé par un moyen de chauffage (4) disposé à l'intérieur de la cuve interne (2) pour chauffer l'eau, ladite cuve interne (2) étant en outre enveloppée d'un isolant (5) lui-même enveloppé d'une paroi métallique d'habillage (6), caractérisé par le fait qu'il comprend un ou plusieurs générateurs thermoélectriques (14), comprenant chacun un côté chaud (14a), un côté froid (14b) et des moyens de connexion électrique (14c), disposés à l'intérieur du chauffe-eau (1) entre la cuve interne (2) et la paroi métallique d'habillage (6), le côté chaud (14a) du ou des générateurs thermoélectriques (14) étant disposé contre la paroi externe de la cuve interne (2) et le côté froid (14b) du ou des générateurs thermoélectriques (14) étant configurés pour être en contact thermique avec une source froide, les moyens de connexion électrique (14c) du ou des générateurs thermoélectriques (14) étant connectés à une ou plusieurs charges consommant le courant généré par le ou les générateurs thermoélectriques (14).Water heater (1), comprising an inner vessel (2) adapted to contain a volume of water (3) to be heated, said volume of water (3) being heated by a heating means (4) disposed at interior of the inner vessel (2) for heating the water, said inner vessel (2) being further wrapped with an insulator (5) itself wrapped with a metal cladding wall (6), characterized by the in that it comprises one or more thermoelectric generators (14) each comprising a hot side (14a), a cold side (14b) and electrical connection means (14c) arranged inside the boiler (1 ) between the inner vessel (2) and the metal cladding wall (6), the hot side (14a) of the thermoelectric generator (s) (14) being disposed against the outer wall of the inner vessel (2) and the cold side (14b) of the thermoelectric generator or generators (14) being configured to be in thermal contact with a cold source, the electrical connection means 14 or 14 thermoelectric generators (14) being connected to one or more charges consuming the current generated by the thermoelectric generator (s) (14). Chauffe-eau (1) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé par le fait que la source froide est un dissipateur thermique (15) ayant une partie en contact thermique avec le côté froid (14b) du ou des générateurs thermoélectriques (14) et une partie en contact thermique avec la paroi métallique d'habillage (6), afin de créer un flux thermique dans le dissipateur thermique (15) entre une partie chaude constituée par la partie en contact avec le ou les générateurs thermoélectriques (14) et une partie froide constituée par la partie en contact avec la paroi métallique d'habillage (6).Water heater (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cold source is a heat sink (15) having a part in thermal contact with the cold side (14b) of the thermoelectric generator (s) (14) and a part in thermal contact with the metal cladding wall (6), in order to create a thermal flux in the heat sink (15) between a hot part constituted by the part in contact with the thermoelectric generator (s) (14) and a cold part constituted by the part in contact with the metal cladding wall (6). Chauffe-eau (1) selon la revendication 2, caractérisé par le fait que le dissipateur thermique (15) est un radiateur, notamment un radiateur à ailettes.Water heater (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the heat sink (15) is a radiator, including a finned radiator. Chauffe-eau (1) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé par le fait que la source froide est la paroi métallique d'habillage (6) emboutie de telle sorte qu'elle est en contact thermique avec le côté froid (14b) de chaque générateur thermoélectrique (14), la paroi métallique d'habillage (6) étant sensiblement à température ambiante.Water heater (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cold source is the metal cladding wall (6) pressed so that it is in thermal contact with the cold side (14b) of each generator thermoelectric device (14), the cladding metal wall (6) being substantially at ambient temperature. Chauffe-eau (1) selon la revendication 4, caractérisé par le fait qu'il comporte en outre une bande d'interface d'aluminium disposée entre le côté froid (14d) de chaque générateur thermoélectrique (14) et la paroi métallique d'habillage (6) afin d'améliorer le transfert de chaleur.Water heater (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that it further comprises an aluminum interface strip disposed between the cold side (14d) of each thermoelectric generator (14) and the metal wall of cladding (6) to improve heat transfer. Chauffe-eau (1) selon l'une des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé par le fait que le ou les générateurs thermoélectriques (14) sont disposés sur la partie la plus chaude de la paroi externe de la cuve interne (2) à la fin d'un cycle de chauffage complet du volume d'eau (3) dans la cuve interne (2), le cycle de chauffage complet du volume d'eau (3) dans la cuve interne (2) étant le cycle nécessaire pour que le moyen de chauffage (4) chauffe à une température minimale souhaitée la totalité du volume d'eau (3) dans la cuve interne (2).Water heater (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the thermoelectric generator or generators (14) are arranged on the hottest part of the outer wall of the inner vessel (2) at the end of a complete heating cycle of the volume of water (3) in the inner vessel (2), the complete heating cycle of the volume of water (3) in the inner vessel (2) being the cycle necessary for the heating means (4) heat to a desired minimum temperature the entire volume of water (3) in the inner vessel (2). Chauffe-eau (1) selon l'une des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé par le fait qu'il comprend plusieurs générateurs thermoélectriques (14), disposés sur une même isotherme sur la paroi externe de la cuve interne (2) ou sur des isothermes différentes sur la paroi externe de la cuve interne (2), au moins l'un desdits générateurs thermoélectriques (14) étant, de préférence, disposé sur l'isotherme de plus haute température à la fin du cycle de chauffage complet du volume d'eau (3) dans la cuve interne (2), une isotherme étant une ligne sur la paroi externe de la cuve interne (2) à la même température.Water heater (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises several thermoelectric generators (14), arranged on the same isotherm on the outer wall of the inner vessel (2) or on different isotherms on the outer wall of the inner vessel (2), at least one of said thermoelectric generators (14) being preferably arranged on the isotherm of higher temperature at the end of the complete heating cycle of the volume of water (3) in the inner vessel (2), an isotherm being a line on the outer wall of the inner vessel (2) at the same temperature. Chauffe-eau (1) selon l'une des revendications 1 à 7, caractérisé par le fait qu'il comprend en outre une carte électronique (21) de traitement du courant généré par le ou les générateurs thermoélectriques (14) pour alimenter la ou les charges.Water heater (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it further comprises an electronic card (21) for processing the current generated by the thermoelectric generator (s) (14) to feed the or the charges. Chauffe-eau (1) selon la revendication 8, caractérisé par le fait que la carte électronique (21) comprend un élévateur de tension continu-continu (22) et facultativement un générateur d'impulsions (23).Water heater (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the electronic card (21) comprises a DC-DC voltage booster (22) and optionally a pulse generator (23). Chauffe-eau (1) selon l'une des revendications 1 à 9, caractérisé par le fait que la ou les charges sont un ou plusieurs parmi un dispositif de protection contre la corrosion dans la cuve interne (2), un dispositif de commande, un dispositif d'affichage (par exemple, un voyant ou un afficheur) et un dispositif de communication.Water heater (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the charge or charges are one or more of a corrosion protection device in the inner vessel (2), a control device, a display device (for example, a light or a display) and a communication device. Chauffe-eau (1) selon la revendication 10, caractérisé par le fait que le dispositif de protection contre la corrosion est une anode anticorrosion (16), l'anode anticorrosion (16) étant de préférence en titane.Water heater (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the corrosion protection device is an anticorrosive anode (16), the anticorrosive anode (16) preferably being made of titanium.
EP15166357.2A 2014-05-20 2015-05-05 Water heater including one or more thermoelectric generators Active EP2947398B1 (en)

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FR1454536A FR3021397B1 (en) 2014-05-20 2014-05-20 WATER HEATER COMPRISING ONE OR MORE THERMOELECTRIC GENERATORS

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CN107581890A (en) * 2017-09-25 2018-01-16 中山市韩盈电器有限公司 Intelligent control energy-saving electric cooker
CN107726602A (en) * 2017-10-24 2018-02-23 九阳股份有限公司 A kind of electric heater of gas collection discharge
IT201900007587A1 (en) * 2019-05-30 2020-11-30 Luca Tomasini HYBRID HOT WATER PRODUCTION SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH STATIC HEAT PUMP
CN113251657A (en) * 2020-02-12 2021-08-13 青岛海尔新能源电器有限公司 Heat pump water heater and control method thereof
WO2021164774A1 (en) * 2020-02-20 2021-08-26 芜湖美的厨卫电器制造有限公司 Inner container structure and water-storage-type water heater

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US12096693B2 (en) 2022-03-28 2024-09-17 International Business Machines Corporation Temperature indicator powered by thermoelectric generator

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107581890A (en) * 2017-09-25 2018-01-16 中山市韩盈电器有限公司 Intelligent control energy-saving electric cooker
CN107581890B (en) * 2017-09-25 2022-07-08 中山市斯乐得电器有限公司 Intelligent control energy-saving electric cooker
CN107726602A (en) * 2017-10-24 2018-02-23 九阳股份有限公司 A kind of electric heater of gas collection discharge
CN107726602B (en) * 2017-10-24 2020-08-18 杭州九阳小家电有限公司 Electric water heater with gas collection and discharge functions
IT201900007587A1 (en) * 2019-05-30 2020-11-30 Luca Tomasini HYBRID HOT WATER PRODUCTION SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH STATIC HEAT PUMP
CN113251657A (en) * 2020-02-12 2021-08-13 青岛海尔新能源电器有限公司 Heat pump water heater and control method thereof
WO2021164774A1 (en) * 2020-02-20 2021-08-26 芜湖美的厨卫电器制造有限公司 Inner container structure and water-storage-type water heater

Also Published As

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PT2947398T (en) 2017-06-02
ES2630808T3 (en) 2017-08-24
EP2947398B1 (en) 2017-03-22
PL2947398T3 (en) 2017-07-31
FR3021397B1 (en) 2016-06-10
FR3021397A1 (en) 2015-11-27

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