EP3141843B1 - Procédé de commande pour un appareil de chauffage rapide de liquides et appareil de chauffage rapide correspondant - Google Patents

Procédé de commande pour un appareil de chauffage rapide de liquides et appareil de chauffage rapide correspondant Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3141843B1
EP3141843B1 EP16188206.3A EP16188206A EP3141843B1 EP 3141843 B1 EP3141843 B1 EP 3141843B1 EP 16188206 A EP16188206 A EP 16188206A EP 3141843 B1 EP3141843 B1 EP 3141843B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
proximity
signal
turbine
proximity signal
rapid heating
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EP16188206.3A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP3141843A1 (fr
Inventor
Pasquale Di Lorenzo
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Robertshaw SRL
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Robertshaw SRL
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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
    • F24H9/00—Details
    • F24H9/20—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F24H9/2007—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heaters
    • F24H9/2014—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heaters using electrical energy supply
    • F24H9/2028—Continuous-flow heaters
    • 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
    • F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
    • F24H15/20—Control of fluid heaters characterised by control inputs
    • F24H15/238—Flow rate
    • 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
    • F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
    • F24H15/20—Control of fluid heaters characterised by control inputs
    • F24H15/281—Input from user
    • 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
    • F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
    • F24H15/30—Control of fluid heaters characterised by control outputs; characterised by the components to be controlled
    • F24H15/355—Control of heat-generating means in heaters
    • F24H15/37—Control of heat-generating means in heaters of electric heaters
    • 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
    • F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
    • F24H15/30—Control of fluid heaters characterised by control outputs; characterised by the components to be controlled
    • F24H15/395—Information to users, e.g. alarms
    • 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
    • F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
    • F24H15/40—Control of fluid heaters characterised by the type of controllers
    • F24H15/414—Control of fluid heaters characterised by the type of controllers using electronic processing, e.g. computer-based
    • F24H15/421—Control of fluid heaters characterised by the type of controllers using electronic processing, e.g. computer-based using pre-stored data

Definitions

  • Embodiments described here concern a control method for a rapid heating apparatus for liquids, and corresponding rapid heating apparatus.
  • Rapid heating apparatuses for liquids are known, used for example in domestic appliances, or in swimming pools, to supply domestic hot water in short times, for example for shower systems but also wash basins or similar bathroom fixtures.
  • these rapid heating apparatuses can be gas-powered, like boilers, or electric heaters, which typically use electric resistances.
  • the electric resistances are generally housed in plastic casings where the water to be instantaneously heated flows.
  • a flowmeter with a turbine coated with a conductive material to monitor the flow of water, which operates in combination with a device to convert an inductance-digital signal which generates a signal with a frequency based on the position of the turbine with respect to a coil that is excited.
  • Document DE-A-10231692 describes a method to detect air bubbles inside a water heater apparatus.
  • the apparatus provides that, after the tap has been opened at time t0, the heater is not activated until the flow of water has reached a set value. Rapid fluctuations in the fluid that drives the flowmeter, due to the possible presence of air bubbles, induce a characteristic development of the flow shaped like a segmented tooth.
  • a microprocessor analyzes the resultant wave forms to determine whether the difference between the maximum and minimum peaks of the wave form indicates absence of air and hence whether to continue using the apparatus is safe.
  • the method is based in particular on the analysis of a signal arriving from the rotor of the flowmeter, evaluating the sudden variations of the signal in the determinate period Ts, observing the slope of the signal.
  • the known method provides to verify if the flow of water measured varies suddenly and frequently in a determinate period of time in an anomalous manner, using reference thresholds, such as to impute the variations to the presence of air bubbles and not to a normal variation in the flow of water. Therefore, this known solution too is unable to detect whether the rotor of a turbine associated with the flowmeter is malfunctioning or damaged, with all the disadvantages described above.
  • one purpose of the present invention is to obtain a control method for a rapid heating apparatus for liquids and a corresponding rapid heating apparatus for liquids which implements said method, which can be used to detect the flow of liquid in cooperation with a flowmeter and recognize, simply, practically and precisely, possible malfunctions or damage of the rotor of the turbine in the flowmeter.
  • Another purpose of the present invention is to obtain a rapid heating apparatus for liquids that is long-lasting, reliable and economical.
  • the Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.
  • Embodiments described here concern a control method for a rapid heating apparatus for liquids.
  • the control method includes:
  • analyzing the proximity signal provides to sample the proximity signal with a suitable sampling frequency.
  • defining the low peaks and the high peaks provides to detect the points of relative maximum of the proximity signal at entrance and to recognize, among the points of relative maximum, the primary points of maximum as the relative maximums of the proximity signal at entrance each time the upper threshold is exceeded, associating them with the high peaks, and secondary points of maximum as the relative maximums of the proximity signal at entrance when this falls below the lower threshold, associating them with the low peaks.
  • the generation of the proximity signal occurs by exciting a coil of the sensor element, producing a magnetic field that induces eddy currents in a conductive coating of the turbine and detecting the variations of the eddy currents due to the rotation of the turbine.
  • defining the lower threshold and the upper threshold comprises processing the proximity signal, setting the lower threshold and the upper threshold comprised between the minimum value and the maximum value of the proximity signal at entrance, wherein a suitable value is attributed to the upper threshold, greater than that of the lower threshold.
  • the method provides to detect when the proximity signal at entrance increases above the value of the upper threshold and when it decreases below the value of the lower threshold, and to generate a correlated output signal in the form of a square wave.
  • the flowmeter as a function of the indication of malfunctioning or damage of the flowmeter, it comprises supplying an alarm signal, or adjusting or interrupting the functioning of the heating unit.
  • the rapid heating apparatus for liquids comprises:
  • the turbine is coated with a conductive material and the detection and control device comprises at least a sensor element configured to cooperate with the turbine so as to generate the proximity signal, at least a signal converter device and at least a signal processing and control unit.
  • Still other embodiments described here concern a computer program memorizable in a computer-readable mean that contains the instructions which, once carried out by an apparatus as in the embodiments described here, determine the execution of the method in accordance with the present description.
  • Embodiments described here concern a control method for a rapid heating apparatus 10 for liquids. According to the present description, the method provides:
  • Fig. 1 is used to describe example embodiments of the rapid heating apparatus 10 for liquids usable in association with a control method according to the present description.
  • the rapid heating apparatus 10 is configured to heat a liquid rapidly, or instantaneously, such as for example water, although it is not excluded that it can be used to heat other types of liquid.
  • a liquid we mean any type of liquid or mixture of one or more types of liquid suitable to be heated, merely by way of example a liquid could possibly be water.
  • the rapid heating apparatus 10 can comprise for example electric resistances to heat a liquid rapidly, such as for example water, which by way of example can be supplied by a traditional water supply network.
  • a liquid rapidly such as for example water
  • the rapid heating apparatus 10 is suitable to heat, for example water, supplied at a temperature for example from about 11°C to 21°C from the water mains, to a temperature for example of about 30-50°C in a few seconds. It is understood that the rapid heating apparatus 10 can also be kept temporarily inactive and hence not change the temperature of the liquid flowing through it.
  • the rapid heating apparatus 10 comprises a containing body 11 provided with a liquid entrance zone 12 and at least one liquid exit zone 14.
  • the rapid heating apparatus 10 can be defined by walls inside which a liquid flows.
  • the rapid heating apparatus 10 for liquids can be associated, by means of the entrance zone 12, with a pipe, located upstream in the direction of the arrow F, which allows the liquid to be heated to enter into the rapid heating apparatus 10.
  • the rapid heating apparatus 10 for liquids can be associated by means of the exit zone 14 with a pipe, located downstream in the direction of the arrow F, which allows the heated liquid to exit from the rapid heating apparatus 10.
  • the flowmeter 15 is configured to measure the flow of the liquid entering into the rapid heating apparatus 10.
  • the flowmeter 15 can include at least the turbine 16.
  • the turbine 16 can be coated with a conductive coating, suitable to supply a signal that can be detected by the detection and control device 20.
  • the turbine 16 comprises a rotor provided peripherally with a plurality of blades 17, disposed radially and preferably equidistant from each other, so as to separate the passage of liquid regularly.
  • the rapid heating unit 18 is configured to raise the temperature of the liquid that passes through the flowmeter 15 and therefore the rapid heating apparatus 10, supplying the liquid to the users at the desired temperature.
  • the flowmeter 15 is situated upstream of the rapid heating unit 18, according to arrow F, so that the flow of liquid is detected before the liquid passes through the rapid heating unit 18, so as to anticipate the regulation and/or de-activation of the latter by the detection and control device 20 if a regulation signal is detected, supplied for example by a user, or an anomalous signal or malfunction signal.
  • the detection and control device 20 can be provided with at least a sensor element 22 configured to cooperate with the turbine 16, so as to generate the proximity signal 34.
  • the detection and control device 20 can be provided with at least one signal convertor device 24.
  • the detection and control device 20 can be provided with at least a signal processing and control unit 26, configured to perform analysis and processing of the signal of the method according to the present description.
  • the signal processing and control unit 26 can include a microcontroller, or system controller.
  • the signal processing and control unit 26 can include a central processing unit or CPU 28, an electronic memory 30, an electronic data base 32 and auxiliary circuits (or I/O) (not shown).
  • the CPU 28 can be any form of computer processor used in the IT and/or automation field.
  • the electronic memory 30 can be connected to the CPU and can be one of those commercially available, such as a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), floppy disk, hard disk, mass memory or any other form of digital archive, local or remote.
  • the software instructions and data can be for example encoded and memorized in the electronic memory 30 to command the CPU 28.
  • the auxiliary circuits can also be connected to the CPU 28 to assist the processor in a conventional manner.
  • the auxiliary circuits can include for example at least one of: cache circuits, feed circuits, clock circuits, input/output circuits, subsystems and suchlike.
  • Parameters and data usable to implement the embodiments described here of the method according to the present description can be memorized in the electronic data base 32.
  • the values of the lower threshold 42 and upper threshold 44 can be memorized in the electronic data base 32, and possibly also the value of the margin of tolerance.
  • a computer-readable program (or computer instructions) can determine which tasks can be done in accordance with the method according to the present description.
  • the program is a computer-readable software.
  • the computer includes a code to generate and memorize information and data introduced or generated during the course of the method according to the present description.
  • the signal processing and control unit 26 can be configured to perform the analysis and processing of the signal of the method according to the present description partly by means of software, on a programmable platform, and partly by means of hardware, with discreet electronic devices.
  • a programmable platform are an electronic device with field programmable logic, known in the field as FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a digital signal processor, also known in the field as DSP (Digital Signal Processor).
  • the sensor element 22 can be configured to be associated with the flowmeter 15, in particular with the turbine 16 so as to collaborate in generating a signal to be sent to the signal converter device 24.
  • the sensor element 22 can be a coil for example, or electric coil (inductance).
  • the coil of the sensor element 22 can be excited by a current sent by the signal converter device 24.
  • the sensor element 22 is suitable to generate a magnetic field.
  • the turbine 16 is positioned in proximity to the sensor element 22, and in this way is immersed in the magnetic field induced by the coil.
  • the turbine 16 is suitable to be made to rotate by the flow of liquid which hits it and, being coated with a conductive coating material, behaves like a conductor body immersed in a magnetic field, thus generating eddy currents in the coating of the turbine 16. In this way, a signal can be generated, based on the position of the turbine 16, which signal can be sent to the signal converter device 24.
  • the turbine 16 can be considered an inductance in series with a resistance, therefore from the coupling of the inductance of the sensor element 22 and the turbine 16 a device equivalent to a transformer is defined.
  • the entity of the coupling depends on the reciprocal distance between the sensor element 22, which can advantageously be kept fixed, and the turbine 16, on the geometric characteristics and on the form of the conductive coating. Due to the continuous modification of the reciprocal distance between these elements, essentially due to the rotation of the turbine 16 during functioning, the value of inductance of the coil of the sensor element 22 is increased or decreased by a variable inductance value, based on the distance. By detecting these variations it is possible to obtain a signal to be sent to the signal converter device 24 and to the signal processing and control unit 26.
  • the capacitor in order to reduce energy consumption caused by a variable magnetic field generated only by an inductance, it is possible to add a capacitor in parallel to the coil of the sensor element 22.
  • the capacitor is of a value suitable to make the LC (inductance-capacity) circuit resonate, in order to save energy.
  • the signal converter device 24 can act as a proximity sensor. Furthermore, the signal converter device 24 can be configured to have a programmable hysteresis.
  • the signal converter device 24 can be an LDC (Inductance to Digital Converter) device, configured to measure the impedance and resonance frequency of the resonator circuit LC.
  • LDC Inductance to Digital Converter
  • the signal converter device 24 is configured to generate a signal with a frequency that depends on the relative position of the turbine 16 and the sensor element 22. The frequency also depends on the speed of rotation of the turbine 16 and hence on the flow of liquid.
  • a possible signal converter device 24 can be the integrated circuit LDC1000, available on the market from Texas Instruments.
  • the coating on the turbine 16 is kept integral, without wear, cuts or lacerations, otherwise there could be anomalies in the detection of the flow of liquid.
  • the signal is monitored at exit from the sensor element 22, analyzing the development over time and, from this analysis, taking the necessary information on the functioning of the rapid heating apparatus 10.
  • it is detected if there are unexpected variations in the signal to understand if there are cuts, lacerations or worn or consumed parts on the conductive coating material on the turbine 16, since these situations could cause a different flow of liquid to be measured, even greatly different, compared with the real flow, and thus understand that the rapid heating apparatus is working abnormally.
  • a flow of liquid could be detected that is less than that really passing through the rapid heating apparatus 10.
  • the flow of liquid measured could be half the actual flow, for example.
  • the signal converter device 24 can be configured to detect an input signal that represents the proximity signal 34, and the respective wave form that describes it, cited above with reference to the embodiments of the method according to the present description. Furthermore, the signal converter device 24 can be configured to generate an output signal 36.
  • the input signal that represents the proximity signal 34 can be sent from the sensor element 22 to the signal converter device 24 and, after a suitable transformation, the output signal 36 can be sent from the signal converter device 24 to the signal processing and control unit 26.
  • the signal converter device 24 can comprise an inductance-digital converter 46, a feed module 48, a threshold detector 50, a module to register the proximity data 52, a module to register the data of the frequency meter 54, a frequency meter 56 and an interface 58.
  • the interface 58 can be, for example but not restrictively, a serial interface.
  • the inductance-digital converter 46 is configured to detect the proximity signal 34 supplied by the sensor element 22 and make it subsequently processable.
  • the proximity signal 34 detected by the inductance-digital converter 46 can be processed by the threshold detector 50 on the basis of the lower 42 and upper 44 thresholds, to transform it into an output signal 36 with a square wave for example.
  • the generation of the square wave form makes the signal more manageable, which for example can be advantageously used for commutation operations, such as for example operations to command a regulation of a functioning parameter, such as for example the temperature of the hot water produced by the apparatus 10.
  • the proximity signal 34 can be transformed into the output signal 36 by carrying out the following operations:
  • the output signal 36 can be for example a square wave with a frequency depending on the speed of rotation of the turbine 16, on the number of blades 17 and therefore corresponding to a determinate flow of liquid.
  • the frequency of the output signal 36 can be the same as the proximity signal 34.
  • the wave form of the output signal 36 can be defined as "high” from the moment when the proximity signal 34 at entrance rises above the value of the upper threshold 44, while it can be defined as “low” from the moment the proximity signal 34 goes below the value of the lower threshold 42, or vice versa.
  • the values of the lower threshold 42 and the upper threshold 44 influence the duty cycle of the output signal 36.
  • the module to register the proximity data 52 is configured to memorize suitable data of the proximity signal 34, collaborating in timing with the frequency meter 56 and the module to register the data of the frequency meter 54.
  • the interface 58 can be configured to receive the data processed and make the output signal 36 available.
  • the output signal 36 can be further processed by the signal processing and control unit 26.
  • the feed module 48 can be configured to receive the necessary power to feed and make at least the signal converter device 24 function.
  • the signal processing and control unit 26 is configured to be associated at least with the signal converter device 24 and the rapid heating unit 18.
  • the output signal 36 can be sent to the signal processing and control unit 26, which depending on this signal manages the rapid heating unit 18, for example.
  • the signal converter device 24 can include the signal processing and control unit 26.
  • the signal processing and control unit 26 is configured to be connected also to the sensor element 22.
  • the proximity signal 34 can be sent not only to the signal converter device 24 but also to the signal processing and control unit 26, to be processed.
  • the detection and control device 20 can comprise a user interface 33 configured to allow a user to send a signal to regulate the temperature of the liquid to the rapid heating unit 18.
  • the user interface 33 can comprise, in particular, buttons and/or keys (not shown), which allow to set at least an increase or a decrease in the value of the temperature of the liquid.
  • the user interface 33 can allow to set a desired exit temperature of the liquid from the rapid heating apparatus 10.
  • the signal processing and control unit 26 detects the value set. Based on this, and at least on the output signal 36, the signal processing and control unit 26 is configured to signal to the rapid heating unit 18 the entity of the increase or decrease in heat energy required to be supplied to the liquid.
  • This signal to the rapid heating unit 18 can be carried out for example by varying the duty cycle and/or frequency of the signal sent.
  • the input signal that represents the proximity signal 34 sent by the sensor element 22 to the signal converter device 24 is an "ideal" signal, such as a regular wave that has a succession of peaks with maximum primary points 38 all of the same value and equidistant from each other.
  • ideal signal we mean a signal characterized by a wave form of a given period that is repeated exactly the same, given the same flow of liquid, and is noiseless and/or without distortions. This wave could easily be processed by the signal converter device 24 without any possibility of errors in detection. However, as will be explained in more detail hereafter, this does not occur in practice.
  • the frequency at which the maximum primary points 38 are repeated can typically depend on the speed of rotation of the turbine 16 and/or on the number of blades 17 of the turbine 16.
  • the proximity signal 34 in real conditions, could have a succession of peaks with maximum primary points, some of which, for example alternately, have different values from each other, that is, a divergence from ideal conditions can have the effect of modifying some peaks, generating a succession of high peaks and low peaks, as defined hereafter.
  • the proximity signal 34 detected by the sensor element 22 and sent to the signal converter device 24, when the turbine 16 is integral is not “ideal” but has a wave form that is not constant and not clean, having maximum secondary points 40, associated with the low peaks, as well as the maximum primary points 38 associated with the high peaks.
  • Applicant has found that it is better if the value of the maximum secondary points 40 is lower than the value set for the lower threshold 42, and that the value of the maximum primary points 38 is greater than the value set for the higher threshold 44.
  • the number of maximum primary points 38 and the number of maximum secondary points 40 are in a defined numerical ratio with each other, for example, as described using fig. 4 , the number of maximum primary points 38 and the number of maximum secondary points 40 could be in a ratio of 1:1.
  • Applicant has found in experiments that, when the coating of the turbine 16 is damaged and/or cut, analyzing a period T or a whole multiple of periods of the proximity signal 34, the number of maximum secondary points 40, that is, of low peaks, is higher than the number of maximum primary points 38, that is, of high peaks, as shown for example in fig. 5 .
  • the flowmeter 15 due for example to damage of the coating of the turbine 16, by analyzing the proximity signal 34 received from the signal converter device 24.
  • the proximity signal 34 can be analyzed for example by the signal processing and control unit 26, comparing the number of maximum secondary points 40, or low peaks, with the number of maximum primary points 38, or high peaks.
  • the pre-set margin of tolerance can depend for example on the specific proximity signal 34 produced by different turbines 16 and detected by the sensor element 22.
  • the proximity signal 34 could be produced by a damaged and/or cut and/or worn turbine 16, and then there could be an above normal ratio between the number of maximum secondary points 40, or low peaks, and the number of maximum primary points 38, or high peaks: as we explained above, this is an indication of malfunctioning or damage of the turbine 16.
  • this above normal ratio can lead to a variation in the frequency of the output signal 36.
  • the variation in frequency of the output signal 36 can correspond to a reduction, for example by half. If this variation were not interpreted correctly, and were associated with a hypothetical variation in the flow and not, in reality, with a malfunction or damage of the turbine 16, then the temperature control would also be wrong.
  • control method can therefore provide:
  • Some embodiments can provide the execution of various steps, passages and operations, as described above.
  • the steps, passages and operations can be done with instructions performed by a machine which cause the execution of certain steps by a general-purpose or special-purpose processor.
  • these steps, passages and operations can be performed by specific hardware components that contain hardware logic to perform the steps, or by any combination of components for programmed computers and personalized hardware components.
  • Embodiments of the method in accordance with the present description can be included in a program for computers that can be memorized in a computer-readable mean that includes the instructions that, once performed by a rapid heating apparatus 10, determine the execution of the method discussed here.
  • elements according to the present invention can be given as machine-readable means to memorize the instructions which can be carried out by the machine.
  • the machine-readable means can include, without being limited to, floppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROM, optical-magnetic disks, ROM, RAM, EPROM, EEPROM, optical or magnetic cards, propagation means or other types of machine-readable means suitable to memorize electronic information.
  • at least parts of the present invention can be downloaded as a computer program that can be transferred from a remote computer (for example a server) to a requesting computer (for example a client), by means of data signals received with carrier waves or other propagation means, via a communication connection (for example a modem or a network connection).
  • the embodiments described here allow to detect the malfunctioning or damage of the rotor of the turbine. It is therefore possible to detect the malfunctioning or damage of the rotor of the turbine 16 based on conditions detected in the specific functioning environment, where by environment we mean the whole chain, including for example also the signal converter device 24, which leads to the generation of the proximity signal 34 analyzed.
  • the embodiments described here therefore achieve the set purposes of obtaining a control method for a rapid heating apparatus for liquids and a corresponding rapid heating apparatus for liquids that implements the method, which are usable to detect the flow of liquid in cooperation with a flowmeter and to recognize possible malfunctions or damage of the rotor of the turbine provided in the flowmeter, simply, practically and precisely. Furthermore, a rapid heating apparatus for liquids is obtained that is long-lasting, reliable and economical.

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  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
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  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
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Claims (9)

  1. Méthode de commande pour un appareil de chauffage rapide (10) pour de liquides, caractérisée en ce que ladite méthode de commande comprend les étapes consistant à :
    - détecter, à l'aide d'un dispositif de détection et de commande (20), un signal de proximité (34) en corrélation avec un débitmètre (15) capable de mesurer un écoulement de liquide dans une unité de chauffage rapide (18) de l'appareil de chauffage rapide (10), et pourvu d'une turbine (16) avec un rotor, dans laquelle ledit signal de proximité (34) est un signal généré par une coopération de proximité entre un élément capteur (22) et la turbine (16) dudit débitmètre (15) ;
    - analyser un développement temporel de la forme d'onde de proximité du signal de proximité (34) ;
    - définir un seuil inférieur (42) et un seuil supérieur (44) dans le développement temporel de ladite forme d'onde de proximité ;
    - définir, dans le développement temporel de ladite forme d'onde de proximité, comme pic bas un pic dont le maximum est inférieur au seuil inférieur (42) et comme pic haut un pic dont le maximum est supérieur au seuil supérieur (44), dans laquelle la définition des pics bas et des pics hauts prévoit de détecter les points de maximum relatif du signal de proximité (34) et de reconnaître, parmi lesdits points de maximum relatif, des points primaires de maximum (38) en tant que maximums relatifs du signal de proximité (34) chaque fois que ledit seuil supérieur (44) est dépassé, en les associant auxdits pics hauts, et en des points de maximum secondaires (40) en tant que maximums relatifs du signal de proximité (34) lorsque celui-ci tombe en dessous dudit seuil inférieur (42), en les associant avec lesdits pics bas ;
    - détecter et compter le nombre de pics hauts et le nombre de pics bas à l'intérieur d'une période (T), ou d'un multiple entier de ladite période (T), du développement temporel de la forme d'onde de proximité du signal de proximité (34) ;
    - si le nombre de pics bas dans la période (T) est supérieur, éventuellement d'une marge de tolérance définie, au nombre de pics hauts, fournir une indication d'un dysfonctionnement ou d'une détérioration du rotor de la turbine (16) du débitmètre (15).
  2. Méthode selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que l'analyse dudit signal de proximité (34) prévoit d'échantillonner ledit signal de proximité (34) avec une fréquence d'échantillonnage adéquate.
  3. Méthode selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisée en ce que la génération du signal de proximité (34) se produit en excitant une bobine dudit élément capteur (22), en produisant un champ magnétique qui induit des courants de Foucault dans un revêtement conducteur de ladite turbine (16) et en détectant les variations des courants de Foucault dues à la rotation de ladite turbine (16).
  4. Méthode selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que la définition du seuil inférieur (42) et du seuil supérieur (44) comprend le traitement dudit signal de proximité (34), l'établissement dudit seuil inférieur (42) et dudit seuil supérieur (44) entre la valeur minimum et la valeur maximum du signal de proximité (34), dans laquelle une valeur appropriée est attribuée audit seuil supérieur (44), supérieure à celle dudit seuil inférieur (42).
  5. Méthode selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce qu'elle prévoit de détecter le moment où le signal de proximité (34) augmente au-dessus de la valeur dudit seuil supérieur (44) et le moment où il diminue en dessous de la valeur dudit seuil inférieur (42), et de générer un signal de sortie corrélé (36) sous la forme d'une onde carrée.
  6. Méthode selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que, en fonction de l'indication de dysfonctionnement ou de détérioration du débitmètre (15), elle comprend la fourniture d'un signal d'alarme, ou l'ajustement ou l'interruption du fonctionnement de ladite unité de chauffage (18).
  7. Appareil de chauffage rapide de liquides, caractérisé en ce que ledit appareil de chauffage rapide de liquides comprend :
    - une unité de chauffage rapide (18),
    - un débitmètre (15) capable de mesurer un débit de liquide dans l'unité de chauffage rapide (18) et muni d'une turbine (16) avec un rotor ;
    - un dispositif de détection et de commande (20) comprenant au moins un élément capteur (22) configuré pour coopérer à proximité de la turbine (16) du débitmètre (15) afin de générer un signal de proximité (34), ledit dispositif de détection et de commande (20) étant configuré pour :
    - détecter le signal de proximité (34) en corrélation avec ledit débitmètre (15) par rapport audit dispositif de détection et de commande (20),
    - analyser un développement temporel de la forme d'onde de proximité du signal de proximité (34),
    - détecter et compter à l'intérieur d'une période (T), ou d'un multiple entier de ladite période (T), du développement temporel de la forme d'onde de proximité dudit signal de proximité (34), le nombre de pics hauts et le nombre de pics bas, où dans le développement temporel de ladite forme d'onde de proximité, un pic dont le maximum est inférieur à un seuil inférieur (42) est défini comme un pic bas, et un pic dont le maximum est supérieur à un seuil supérieur (44) est défini comme un pic haut, dans lequel ledit seuil inférieur (42) et ledit seuil supérieur (44) sont définis dans le développement temporel de ladite forme d'onde de proximité ;
    dans lequel la définition des pics bas et des pics hauts permet de détecter les points de maximum relatif du signal de proximité (34) et de reconnaître, parmi lesdits points de maximum relatif, des points de maximum primaires (38) comme maximums relatifs du signal de proximité (34) chaque fois que ledit seuil supérieur (44) est dépassé, en les associant auxdits pics hauts, et des points de maximum secondaires (40) en tant que maximums relatifs du signal de proximité (34) lorsque celui-ci tombe en dessous dudit seuil inférieur (42), en les associant auxdits pics bas.
    - fournir une indication de dysfonctionnement ou de détérioration du rotor de la turbine (16) du débitmètre (15), si le nombre de pics bas dans la période (T) considérée est supérieur, éventuellement avec une marge de tolérance définie, au nombre de pics hauts.
  8. Appareil selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que ladite turbine (16) est revêtue d'un matériau conducteur et ledit dispositif de détection et de commande (20) comprend au moins un élément capteur (22) configuré pour coopérer avec ladite turbine (16) afin de générer ledit signal de proximité (34), au moins un dispositif convertisseur de signal (24) et au moins une unité de traitement et de commande de signal (26).
  9. Programme informatique mémorisable dans un support lisible par ordinateur qui contient les instructions qui, une fois exécutées par un appareil selon la revendication 7 ou 8, déterminent l'exécution de la méthode selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6.
EP16188206.3A 2015-09-11 2016-09-09 Procédé de commande pour un appareil de chauffage rapide de liquides et appareil de chauffage rapide correspondant Active EP3141843B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITUB2015A003585A ITUB20153585A1 (it) 2015-09-11 2015-09-11 Metodo di controllo per un apparato di riscaldamento rapido di liquidi e relativo apparato di riscaldamento rapido

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EP3141843B1 true EP3141843B1 (fr) 2019-12-11

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EP (1) EP3141843B1 (fr)
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Family Cites Families (7)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5953450B2 (ja) * 1978-10-05 1984-12-25 東京電機工業株式会社 電気瞬間湯沸器
DE4401670C2 (de) * 1994-01-21 1995-11-30 Kulmbacher Klimageraete Anordnung zum Steuern der Heizenergiezufuhr zu den Heizwicklungen eines elektrischen Durchlauferhitzers
DE19725977C2 (de) * 1997-06-19 2001-11-29 Kulmbacher Klimageraete Elektrischer Durchlauferhitzer und Verfahren zum Überwachen des Wasserzulaufs
DE10231692B4 (de) * 2002-07-13 2013-06-06 Stiebel Eltron Gmbh & Co. Kg Verfahren zur Lufterkennung in einem Durchlauferhitzer
US8498523B2 (en) * 2009-02-03 2013-07-30 Intellihot, Inc. Apparatus and control method for a hybrid tankless water heater
KR20110011944A (ko) * 2009-07-29 2011-02-09 삼성에스디아이 주식회사 연료전지 시스템
CN204329335U (zh) * 2014-10-31 2015-05-13 广东康宝电器股份有限公司 带出水断电保护装置的电热水器

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EP3141843A1 (fr) 2017-03-15
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