EP4124803A1 - Regulation method of a storage and thermodynamic heating system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention proposes a method for regulating a sanitary water storage and heating system for a sanitary water distribution installation, said sanitary water storage and heating system comprising:- a storage tank of sanitary water (14) comprising a sanitary water inlet and an outlet intended to be connected to a sanitary water circuit, - a heat exchanger (44) of a thermodynamic heating device (13) for heating sanitary water present in the storage tank, - at least one temperature measurement device (54), - a device (58) for determining information relating to the volume of sanitary water entering or leaving the storage tank, - a controller (60) configured to control the heating of the sanitary water by the thermodynamic heating device according to the temperature of the sanitary water and the information representative of the volume of sanitary water entering the storage tank.

Description

The present invention relates to a sanitary water storage and heating system for a sanitary water distribution installation.

In particular, the invention relates to a storage and heating system comprising a thermodynamic heating device for heating sanitary water present in the storage tank. This storage and heating system is, for example, a combined device for heating sanitary water and heating water for a room, commonly called a “dual-service heat pump”.

A thermodynamic heating device is a device whose operation is based on a thermodynamic loop, in which a compressor is connected to a condenser itself connected to an expansion valve, itself connected to an evaporator, which is connected to the compressor, which close the loop. In this loop, a working fluid circulates which is set in motion and compressed in the compressor, then undergoes condensation in the condenser before being expanded in the expansion valve and finally undergoes evaporation in the evaporator. The evaporator and the condenser are heat exchangers, in each of which the working fluid partially exchanges its thermal energy with another fluid. The evaporator allows heat exchange between the working fluid and a cold source. This cold source is for example outside air in a so-called “air/water” heat pump. Outside air means air outside the building in which the heating appliance is installed or air from an unheated technical room inside this building.

In a sanitary water storage and heating system, the water is heated by means of the condenser by the condensation of the working fluid which gives it its thermal energy. The sanitary water can be heated directly by the condenser or indirectly via a fluid circuit between the condenser and a heat exchanger heating the sanitary water. In this last example, the fluid circuit can be a circuit of heating water heated by the condenser and then heating the sanitary water of the storage system and heating. This heat exchanger of the storage and heating system is for example arranged outside or inside a water storage tank intended to supply hot water to a room.

A temperature sensor is generally placed in the tank and makes it possible to determine the level of hot sanitary water. For this, the temperature sensor is generally arranged in a middle position so as to be close to the interface between the volume of hot sanitary water and the volume of cold sanitary water. The exact position of the temperature sensor depends on the exact configuration of the storage and heating system.

To meet the needs of local users, it is important that the water inside the tank is at a sufficient temperature to meet user demand. This request can be made for example in the form of a withdrawal of hot water to take a bath. Regulating the temperature of the water inside the storage tank is therefore an important issue in order to meet the needs of users.

Conversely, the efficiency of the thermodynamic loop of the thermodynamic heating device is all the more important as the temperature of the volume of water present in the tank is low. Thus, the colder the water inside the tank, the better the efficiency of the heating device.

However, the start of the thermodynamic heating device causes a mixing of sanitary water over the entire height of the heat exchanger. If this volume of sanitary water is partially hot when the thermodynamic heating device starts up, this mixing will cause a rise in the temperature of the sanitary water in contact with the heat exchanger. The performance of the thermodynamic loop will therefore deteriorate. This degradation in performance leads to an increase in energy consumption and therefore in cost for users.

It is thus difficult to guarantee the needs of the users, in particular by anticipation, while benefiting from satisfactory performance of the thermodynamic heating device. The ideal way to guarantee user comfort would be to maintain the entire capacity of the tank at the set temperature in order to have a maximum reserve of hot sanitary water. Nevertheless, this solution leads to high energy consumption and would require the thermodynamic loop to operate under conditions in which it performs poorly.

There is therefore a need for a sanitary water storage and heating system capable of meeting the needs of users with lower energy consumption.

• un ballon de stockage d'eau sanitaire (14) comprenant une entrée et une sortie d'eau sanitaire destinées à être raccordées à un circuit d'eau sanitaire,
• un échangeur de chaleur d'un dispositif de chauffage thermodynamique pour chauffer de l'eau sanitaire présente dans le ballon de stockage,
• au moins un organe de mesure de température configuré pour déterminer la température d'eau sanitaire à l'intérieur du ballon de stockage,
• un organe de détermination d'une information relative au volume d'eau sanitaire entrant ou sortant du ballon de stockage,
• un contrôleur configuré pour piloter le chauffage de l'eau sanitaire par le dispositif de chauffage thermodynamique en fonction de la température d'eau sanitaire et de l'information représentative du volume d'eau sanitaire entrant dans le ballon de stockage.

For this, the invention provides a sanitary water storage and heating system for a sanitary water distribution installation, said sanitary water storage and heating system comprising:

• a sanitary water storage tank (14) comprising a sanitary water inlet and an outlet intended to be connected to a sanitary water circuit,
• a heat exchanger of a thermodynamic heating device for heating sanitary water present in the storage tank,
• at least one temperature measuring device configured to determine the domestic water temperature inside the storage tank,
• a device for determining information relating to the volume of sanitary water entering or leaving the storage tank,
• a controller configured to control the heating of the sanitary water by the thermodynamic heating device according to the temperature of the sanitary water and the information representative of the volume of sanitary water entering the storage tank.

The member for determining information relating to the volume of sanitary water entering the storage tank makes it possible to know precisely the volume of sanitary water drawn in and therefore the volume of hot sanitary water remaining in the storage tank. The heating of the sanitary water, therefore the starting of the thermodynamic heating device, can thus be triggered only when the needs of the users so require.

The information determined by the determination member can be either relative to the volume of sanitary water entering or leaving the storage tank because these two volumes of sanitary water are identical.

The temperature measuring device no longer has the function of detecting the level of hot sanitary water, as in the state of the art, but to indicate the temperature of the remaining volume of domestic hot water. This modification of the function of the temperature measuring device releases the constraints associated with its position in the storage tank. It is thus possible to move this temperature measuring member to improve the temperature measurement. The more the temperature measuring device is arranged in the upper part of the storage tank, the more the temperature measuring device is able to indicate precisely the temperature of the volume of hot sanitary water remaining. This is obtained because the temperature measuring device is closer to the draw-off point and further away from the hot water/cold water gradient which can falsify the temperature measurement.

Consequently, the association of the information relating to the volume of sanitary water entering or leaving the storage tank with the temperature of the sanitary water makes it possible to know exactly the quantity of energy remaining in the storage tank. Indeed, it is possible to know if a remaining volume of sanitary water is at 40°C or at 55°C. For example, it is more advantageous to have a remaining domestic water volume of 100L at 55°C than 100L at 40°C.

• le dispositif de chauffage de l'eau chaude sanitaire comprend un échangeur de chaleur disposé à l'extérieur du ballon de stockage d'eau sanitaire ;
• le contrôleur est configuré pour déterminer un moment de chauffage optimum en fonction de la température d'eau sanitaire et de l'information représentative du volume d'eau sanitaire injectée dans le ballon de stockage ;
• le dispositif de chauffage thermodynamique comprend un compresseur à vitesse variable, le contrôleur étant configuré pour piloter le chauffage de l'eau sanitaire selon au moins deux modes de chauffage : un mode de chauffage rapide et un mode de chauffage allongé ;
• l'organe de détermination d'une information relative au volume d'eau sanitaire injectée dans le ballon de stockage est un débitmètre configuré pour déterminer le débit d'eau sanitaire circulant entre l'entrée et la sortie d'eau sanitaire;
• le débitmètre est disposé au niveau de l'entrée d'eau sanitaire du ballon de stockage ;
• le débitmètre est disposé au niveau de la sortie d'eau sanitaire du ballon de stockage ;
• l'organe de mesure de température est configuré pour mesurer la température d'eau sanitaire présente en partie supérieure du ballon de stockage ;
• le ballon de stockage définissant en position de fonctionnement une hauteur de stockage le long d'un axe vertical, dans lequel l'organe de mesure de température est disposé entre 50 et 100% de la hauteur de stockage, de préférence entre 60 et 100% de la hauteur de stockage, de manière encore préférée entre 80 et 100% de la hauteur de stockage
• le dispositif de chauffage thermodynamique comprend un échangeur de chaleur disposé autour ou à l'intérieur du ballon de stockage pour chauffer de l'eau sanitaire dans le ballon de stockage, l'organe de mesure de température étant disposé au-dessus de l'échangeur de chaleur.

According to particular embodiments:

• the domestic hot water heating device comprises a heat exchanger disposed outside the domestic water storage tank;
• the controller is configured to determine an optimum heating time as a function of the sanitary water temperature and the information representative of the volume of sanitary water injected into the storage tank;
• the thermodynamic heating device comprises a variable-speed compressor, the controller being configured to control the heating of the sanitary water according to at least two heating modes: a rapid heating mode and an extended heating mode;
• the member for determining information relating to the volume of sanitary water injected into the storage tank is a flow meter configured to determine the flow rate of sanitary water circulating between the sanitary water inlet and outlet;
• the flow meter is placed at the sanitary water inlet of the storage tank;
• the flowmeter is placed at the sanitary water outlet of the storage tank;
• the temperature measuring device is configured to measure the temperature of the sanitary water present in the upper part of the storage tank;
• the storage tank defining in the operating position a storage height along a vertical axis, in which the temperature measuring device is placed between 50 and 100% of the storage height, preferably between 60 and 100% of the storage height, more preferably between 80 and 100% of the storage height
• the thermodynamic heating device comprises a heat exchanger arranged around or inside the storage tank for heating sanitary water in the storage tank, the temperature measuring member being arranged above the exchanger heat.

• mesurer la température d'eau sanitaire présente dans le ballon de stockage,
• déterminer une information relative au volume d'eau sanitaire injectée dans le ballon de stockage
• réguler la température de l'eau sanitaire dans le ballon de stockage en fonction de la température d'eau sanitaire et de l'information représentative du volume d'eau sanitaire injectée dans le ballon de stockage.

The invention also provides a method for regulating a sanitary water storage and heating system as described above, comprising the following steps:

• measure the temperature of the domestic water present in the storage tank,
• determining information relating to the volume of sanitary water injected into the storage tank
• regulating the temperature of the sanitary water in the storage tank according to the temperature of the sanitary water and the information representative of the volume of sanitary water injected into the storage tank.

• le volume d'eau sanitaire injectée dans le ballon de stockage atteint une valeur seuil de volume injectée, et/ou
• la température d'eau sanitaire présente dans le ballon de stockage atteint une valeur seuil de température d'eau sanitaire.

According to one embodiment of the method, the latter further comprises the determination of a need for heating the domestic water when:

• the volume of sanitary water injected into the storage tank reaches an injected volume threshold value, and/or
• the domestic water temperature present in the storage tank reaches a domestic water temperature threshold value.

According to one embodiment of the method, the latter further comprises the determination of an air temperature outside the sanitary water storage and heating system, the heating of the sanitary water being controlled by the controller also in function of said outside air temperature.

• déclencher un mode de chauffage rapide de l'eau sanitaire lorsque la température d'air extérieur et/ou la vitesse du compresseur atteint un seuil critique pour l'optimisation du chauffage de l'eau sanitaire,
• déclencher un mode de chauffage allongé de l'eau sanitaire lorsque la température d'air extérieur et/ou la vitesse du compresseur atteint un seuil d'optimisation.

According to one embodiment of the method, the thermodynamic heating device comprises a variable-speed compressor, said regulation method further comprising the following steps when a need for heating is determined:

• trigger a rapid domestic water heating mode when the outdoor air temperature and/or the compressor speed reaches a critical threshold for optimizing domestic water heating,
• trigger an extended domestic water heating mode when the outside air temperature and/or the compressor speed reaches an optimization threshold.

More generally, the rapid domestic water heating mode can be triggered when the need for heating is reduced.

• déclencher un mode de chauffage progressif de l'eau sanitaire lorsque la température d'air extérieur et/ou la vitesse du compresseur se situe entre les seuils critique et d'optimisation, la fréquence de rotation du compresseur à vitesse variable étant augmentée progressivement durant ce mode de chauffage jusqu'à ce que l'eau sanitaire atteigne une température de consigne.

According to one embodiment of the method, the latter further comprises the following step when a need for heating is determined:

• trigger a progressive domestic water heating mode when the outdoor air temperature and/or the compressor speed is between the critical and optimization thresholds, the frequency of rotation of the variable-speed compressor being gradually increased during this heating mode until the domestic hot water reaches a set temperature.

• déterminer un état de fonctionnement du circuit de fluide de chauffage et/ou de rafraîchissement d'un local,
• déclencher le mode de chauffage allongé de l'eau sanitaire si aucune commande de chauffage ou de rafraîchissement n'est en cours et qu'un besoin de chauffage de l'eau chaude sanitaire est déterminé.

According to one embodiment of the method, the sanitary water storage and heating system comprises a fluid circuit for heating and/or cooling a room, said regulation method further comprising the following steps:

• determine an operating state of the heating and/or cooling fluid circuit of a room,
• trigger extended domestic water heating mode if no heating or cooling command is in progress and a need for domestic hot water heating is determined.

Brief description of the drawings

• [Fig. 1] représente schématiquement un exemple d'installation de distribution d'eau sanitaire comprenant un système de stockage et de chauffage.
• [Fig. 2] représente schématiquement une vue détaillée d'un système de stockage et de chauffage.
• [Fig. 3] représente un logigramme illustrant un processus de détermination du déclenchement d'un chauffe d'eau sanitaire pour un système de stockage et de chauffage.
• [Fig. 4] représente un logigramme illustrant un processus de détermination d'un mode de chauffage de l'eau sanitaire pour un système de stockage et de chauffage.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention:

• [ Fig. 1 ] schematically represents an example of a sanitary water distribution installation comprising a storage and heating system.
• [ Fig. 2 ] schematically represents a detailed view of a storage and heating system.
• [ Fig. 3 ] shows a flowchart illustrating a process for determining the tripping of a sanitary water heater for a storage and heating system.
• [ Fig. 4 ] is a flowchart illustrating a process for determining a sanitary water heating mode for a storage and heating system.

Description of embodiment(s)

The inventive concept is described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the inventive concept are shown. In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of the elements may be exaggerated for purposes of clarity. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the drawings. However, this concept of the invention can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Instead, these embodiments are provided so that this description is complete, and communicates the scope of the inventive concept to those skilled in the art.

Reference throughout the specification to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or feature described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrase "in one embodiment" at various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Further, the particular functionalities, structures, or features may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Further, the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps.

A storage and heating system for a sanitary water distribution installation is proposed. The storage and heating system can be any type of system comprising a thermodynamic heating device and a sanitary water storage tank. By way of example, the storage and heating system can be a thermodynamic water heater or else a combined device for heating sanitary water and heating water for a room, commonly called a "heat pump". dual duty”.

The storage tank comprises a sanitary water inlet and an outlet intended to be connected to a sanitary water circuit.

The thermodynamic heating device is a heating device comprising a refrigeration circuit, i.e. a heat pump. Thus, the thermodynamic heating device comprises a compressor, a condenser, an expander and an evaporator connected in series in a closed loop in which a working fluid circulates.

Condensers and evaporators are heat exchangers. In the evaporator, the working fluid receives its thermal energy with a cold source, for example the outside air. In the condenser, the working fluid provides its thermal energy with a hot source, here the sanitary water present in the tank or intended to enter it. Indeed, the condenser can heat the sanitary water directly present in the storage tank or heat the sanitary water upstream of the storage tank to then heat the sanitary water. In addition, the heating of the domestic water in the storage tank can be carried out directly by the working fluid circulating in the heat pump or indirectly by using an intermediate fluid, eg heating water from a heating circuit. heating water. The latter case is illustrated in the installation example of the figure 1 in which the heating water is used to heat the sanitary water present in the tank.

The condenser can be placed inside or outside the storage tank. The condenser can have different geometries, in particular a plate heat exchanger or a helicoidal heat exchanger.

An example of a sanitary water distribution installation comprising such a storage and heating system 11 is illustrated in figure 1 .

The storage and heating system 11 is here a combined device 10 for heating sanitary water and heating water for a room, commonly called a “dual service heat pump”. This type of device is called a “pump”. heat dual service” because the heating of the domestic water as well as the heating water is carried out via a single heat pump comprising a module intended to be placed outside the room. This heat pump corresponds to a thermodynamic heating device 13.

The combined device 10 comprises a heating water circuit 18 connected to heating elements 20 of a room L, such as radiators. The combined device 10 also comprises a first heat exchanger 22 capable of exchanging heat between a heat transfer fluid circuit 24 and the heating water circuit 18. In particular, the heat transfer fluid circuit 24 exchanges heat between a external environment E to the room L and the heating water circuit 18 present inside the room L. To do this, an outdoor unit 25 is placed at the level of the external environment E and configured to exchange heat with the circuit heat transfer fluid 24. The outdoor unit 25, the heat transfer fluid circuit 24 and the first heat exchanger 22 form a heat pump capable of regulating the temperature of the heating water present in the heating water circuit 18 This heat pump forms the thermodynamic heater 13.

To allow the supply of domestic hot water in the room L, the combined device 10 also comprises a domestic water storage tank 14 and a domestic water circuit 12 in fluid communication with the storage tank 14. The circuit sanitary water 12 is connected to sanitary water distribution devices 16, such as taps. The storage tank 14 used in the combined device 10 forms an internal volume of 190 L, ie 190 dm3.

The combined device 10 further comprises a domestic water heating circuit 26 connected to the heating water circuit 18 in the form of a bypass. Thus, it is the heating water from the heating water circuit 18 which circulates in the domestic water heating circuit 26. This domestic water heating circuit 26 comprises a second heat exchanger 28 arranged inside the storage tank 14 to exchange heat with the sanitary water present in the storage tank 14. This second heat exchanger 28 is a coil exchanger extending inside the storage tank 14 in the form of a helix.

The configuration of this type of combined device 10 makes it possible to regulate the temperature of the heating water directly via the first exchanger 22. A three-way valve 30 arranged at a junction between the domestic water heating circuit 26 and the heating water circuit 18 makes it possible to selectively divert the heating water inside the domestic hot water heating circuit 26 to heat the domestic water present in the storage tank 14. Thus, the configuration of this type of combined device 10 makes it possible to regulate the temperature of the sanitary water indirectly via the heating water.

This indirect domestic water heating configuration involves selective or alternating operation between domestic water heating and domestic water heating. Indeed, under the action of the three-way valve 30 and a circulator 32, the heating water circulates either inside the heating water circuit 18 between the first heat exchanger 22 and the heater 20 is inside the sanitary water heating circuit 26 between the first 22 and the second 28 heat exchangers.

There picture 2 presents a detailed example of a sanitary water storage and heating system 11 in accordance with the invention and which can be used in a combined device 10 in accordance with the figure 1 or in another sanitary water distribution installation.

The storage tank 42 comprises a sanitary water inlet 50 and a sanitary water outlet 52. The sanitary water inlet 50 is intended to be connected to a sanitary water distribution network to bring in cold sanitary water inside the storage tank 42. The sanitary water outlet 52 is intended to be connected to a sanitary water circuit similar to the sanitary water circuit 12 of the figure 1 to distribute hot domestic water to distribution points in a room. The sanitary water inlet 50 comprises an inlet orifice arranged inside and in the lower part of the storage tank 42. The sanitary water outlet comprises a sanitary water outlet orifice arranged inside and in the upper part of the storage tank 42. The sanitary water inlet 50 and outlet 52 comprise for example at least two cannulas whose ends respectively form the inlet and outlet orifices.

A heat exchanger 40 is configured to heat the sanitary water from the storage tank 42. The heat exchanger 40 comprises an exchange body 44 connected to an exchanger inlet 46 and an exchanger outlet 48 to allow a fluid (here heating water) to circulate inside the exchange body 44 to transmit thermal energy to the sanitary water present in the storage tank 42. The heat exchanger 40 extends over a portion of the height of the storage tank 42. The exchange body 44 is here arranged inside the storage tank 42 and has a helical shape. Alternatively, the exchange body 44 could be placed outside the storage tank 42 and/or be of another shape.

The storage and heating system 11 further comprises at least one temperature measuring device 54 for determining the temperature of the sanitary water inside the storage tank 42. The temperature measuring device 54 is for example a temperature sensor or a thermostat. The temperature measuring device 54 can be placed inside the storage tank 42. In this case, the temperature measuring device 54 can be placed in contact with the sanitary water or even without contact with the sanitary water, for example by being placed in a glove finger. Alternatively, the temperature measuring device 54 can be placed outside the storage tank 42, for example in contact with a wall of the storage tank 42 or else in contact with the sanitary water outlet 52.

The temperature measuring device 54 is preferably configured to measure the temperature of domestic water present in the upper part of the storage tank 42. Thus, the temperature measuring device 54 makes it possible to determine more precisely the temperature of sanitary water close to the sanitary water outlet 52, therefore the sanitary water temperature delivered to the sanitary water circuit for the users.

The upper part of the storage tank 42 can be defined as follows. With reference to the figure 2 , the storage tank 42 defines in the operating position a storage height Hs along a vertical axis Y. The storage tank 42, in particular the internal cavity receiving the sanitary water, extends between a lower end Einf located at 0% of the storage height Hs and an upper end Esup located at 100% of the storage height Hs.

The temperature measuring device 54 is placed between 50 and 100% of the storage height Hs, preferably between 60 and 100% of the storage height Hs, more preferably between 80 and 100% of the storage height hs. When the temperature measuring device 54 is placed at the level of an upper wall of the storage tank 42, even outside, or else at the level of the sanitary water outlet 52, it is considered that the measuring device is placed at 100% of the storage height Hs.

The temperature measurement device 54 is also preferably arranged above the heat exchanger 40. Thus, the measurement device 54 is arranged above a stirring zone 56 corresponding to the internal volume of the heat exchanger. storage over the entire height of the heat exchanger 40 along the vertical axis Y. The measurement of the temperature measuring device 54 is thus more reliable and therefore more representative of the temperature of the sanitary water exiting through the sanitary water outlet 52.

The storage and heating system 11 may comprise a plurality of temperature measurement devices 54. At least one of the temperature measurement devices 54 is preferably arranged in the upper part of the storage tank 42 as described above. . Another temperature device 54 can for example be arranged at the level of a middle part of the storage tank 42 to determine the level of hot sanitary water. Determining the hot water level corresponds to determining an interface 55 between the volume of cold sanitary water 56 located in the lower part of the storage tank 42 and the volume of hot sanitary water located in the upper part of this storage tank 42.

The storage and heating system 11 further comprises a device for determining information relating to the volume of sanitary water entering the storage tank 42. This determination device is for example a flow meter 58 configured to determine the flow rate of the water. sanitary water circulating between the sanitary water inlet and outlet. It is thus possible to determine the volume of sanitary water present in the storage tank 42 at any time.

This flowmeter can be arranged at the sanitary water outlet 52. To limit the temperature of the sanitary water circulating through the flowmeter and therefore to improve its longevity, it is advantageous to place the flowmeter at the level of the sanitary water inlet 50.

The storage and heating system 11 further comprises a controller 60 configured to control the heating of sanitary water by the thermodynamic heating device 13. The controller 60 is connected to the thermodynamic heating device 13 so as to be able to exchange information control. In particular, controller 60 is connected to at least one compressor of thermodynamic heating device 13 to control starting or stopping of the compressor.

The controller 60 is also connected to the determination device so as to receive information relating to the volume of sanitary water entering the storage tank 42. The controller 60 is also connected to at least one temperature measurement device 54 so as to exchange information relating to the temperature of the sanitary water.

The controller 60 is in particular configured to control the heating of the sanitary water by the thermodynamic heating device 13 according to the temperature of the sanitary water and the information representative of the volume of sanitary water entering the storage tank. . The heating of the sanitary water is thus controlled by the controller according to the temperature of the sanitary water and the volume of water in the storage tank 42. It is thus possible to know precisely the volume of hot sanitary water remaining and its temperature in the storage tank 42. This makes it possible not to relaunch a heating of the sanitary water too quickly as it occurs when only the information relating to the temperature of the sanitary water is used. This has the advantage of not mixing the water present in the storage tank, and therefore of reducing the performance of the thermodynamic heating device 13, while the volume of hot sanitary water is still satisfactory. Heating is thus required only when it is really necessary to meet the needs of the users, and not in anticipation because of too imprecise information (temperature alone).

This control is all the more precise, and therefore optimizes the performance of the thermodynamic heating device 13, that the temperature measuring device 54 is arranged in the upper part of the storage tank 42.

To carry out this control, the controller 60 is configured to determine an optimum heating moment according to the temperature of the sanitary water present in the storage tank and the information representative of the volume of sanitary water entering the storage tank. . It is thus possible to anticipate the moment when heating is necessary to meet the needs of users. Control can thus be predictive and determined according to a future need of a user. This future need can be information received by the controller 60 or else determined by the latter according to the previous operation of the storage and heating system 11. Thus, the controller 60 can be configured to determine a future user need, by a schedule, for example, and control the heating of the sanitary water so as to be able to supply a volume of sanitary water at a predetermined setpoint temperature for this schedule.

The controller 60 can also be configured to determine the volume of sanitary water remaining in the storage tank 42 as well as the temperature of this sanitary water. In other words, controller 60 can be configured to determine the amount of energy remaining in storage tank 42. Controller 60 can also be configured to display or communicate this information to the user, for example in the form a gauge representing the state of charge of the storage tank 42 or else an indicator providing information on the number of possible operations using domestic hot water (e.g. a number of showers).

According to an improved embodiment, the controller 60 is configured to receive information relating to the temperature of the air outside the room. The control of the heating is in this case determined according to this outside temperature to optimize the performance of the thermodynamic heating device 13. Thus, when the outside air is the cold source of the refrigeration circuit of the thermodynamic heating device 13, the heating can be achieved by taking into consideration the outside air temperature. The higher the temperature of the front air, the more the performance of the refrigeration circuit will be improved.

The compressor of the thermodynamic heater can also be variable speed. Thus, the control of the thermodynamic heating device 13 does not only concern the stopping or the starting of the compressor but also the regulation of its rotation frequency. It is thus possible to more finely control the heating of the sanitary water to benefit from better performance of the thermodynamic heating device 13. The controller 60 can thus be configured to control the heating of the sanitary water according to at least two heating modes. : a fast heating mode and a long heating mode.

The rapid heating mode can be chosen when the outdoor air temperature and/or the compressor speed reaches a critical threshold for the optimization of the domestic water heating. This critical threshold value for the optimization of domestic water heating can be 2°C for the outdoor air temperature. In this rapid heating mode, the speed of the compressor is preferably high to accelerate the heating of the sanitary water. A high compressor speed is for example greater than or equal to 80% of the maximum compressor power. The maximum rotational frequency of the compressor is preferably chosen.

Conversely, an extended heating mode can be chosen when the outside air temperature and/or the speed of the compressor reaches an optimization threshold. This optimization threshold value can be 10°C for the outside air temperature. In this slow heating mode, the compressor speed can be chosen low to benefit from the increased performance of the refrigeration circuit in these conditions. A low compressor speed is for example less than or equal to 60% of the maximum compressor power.

The use of these rapid and extended heating modes ensures that the storage and heating system will be able to deliver the quantity of domestic water at the set temperature desired by the users, while benefiting from the best energy performance. of thermodynamic heating device 13 when the external conditions allow it.

When the storage and heating system 11 is coupled to a heating installation of a room,

The storage and heating system 11 can also comprise or be coupled to a fluid circuit for heating and/or cooling a room. This heating and/or cooling circuit is for example similar to the heating water circuit 18 of the figure 1 . In this case, the controller 60 can also be configured to determine an operating state of the room's heating and/or cooling fluid circuit. This operating state corresponds for example to an operating state of a circulator of the heating and/or cooling circuit, to the state of a valve or even to setpoint information transmitted by a user. In other words, the controller 60 is here configured to determine whether a heating or cooling mode of the premises is in progress or is about to be engaged.

The controller 60 is also configured to control the thermodynamic heating device 13 according to the operating state of the heating and/or cooling circuit. In particular, the controller 60 is configured to trigger the extended domestic water heating mode depending on the operating state of the heating and/or cooling circuit. If no heating or cooling command is in progress and a need for heating is determined, the extended domestic water heating mode is requested by the controller 60. Indeed, if there is no no heating or cooling of the room in progress, it is possible to achieve fully optimized domestic water heating, i.e. with a low compressor speed. Alternatively, only a heating command in progress can be determined, either because the thermodynamic heating device 13 does not include a cooling function or because it is accepted to reduce the cooling comfort of the cooling function for meet the domestic hot water requirement.

The controller 60 can further be configured to provide a third sanitary water heating mode: the gradual heating mode. This third heating mode is triggered when the outdoor air temperature and/or the compressor speed is between the critical and optimization threshold values, for example between 2°C and 10°C for the outdoor air temperature in using the examples above. This progressive heating mode includes the regulation of the rotation frequency of the compressor according to the temperature of the outside air. Thus, the rotation frequency of the compressor is increased until the sanitary water reaches a set temperature. This makes it possible to control the speed of the compressor as accurately as possible to benefit from the best performance of the refrigeration circuit. In fact, the domestic water is at a low or average temperature at the start of heating, which makes it possible to start heating at a low rotation frequency to reduce energy consumption. Then, the more the sanitary water temperature increases, the more the rotation frequency of the compressor is increased to ensure that the sanitary water temperature reaches the set value.

An example of storage and heating system control is shown in the figure 3 And 4 . There picture 3 represents a flowchart illustrating an example of triggering a domestic water heater. There figure 4 represents a flowchart illustrating an example of determination of the mode of heating of the sanitary water following a triggering of a heating of the sanitary water.

The volume of sanitary water in the storage tank 42 is determined 100 by means of information relating to the volume of sanitary water in the storage tank 42.

Controller 60 then determines 110 whether the sanitary water volume has reached a sanitary water volume threshold value. This water volume threshold value is for example set at 140L for a storage tank 42 having a capacity of 190L.

If the volume of sanitary water is greater than or equal to this water volume threshold value, then the controller 60 triggers 120 the heating of the sanitary water. Indeed, reaching the water volume threshold value indicates that a large quantity of cold water has entered the storage tank 42.

If the sanitary water volume is less than the water volume threshold value, the controller 60 determines 130 the sanitary water temperature in the storage tank. storage tank 42 by means of at least one temperature measuring device 54. Preferably, this temperature is the domestic water temperature in the upper part of the storage tank 42 so as to have more precise information on the water temperature delivered to the sanitary water circuit.

Following the determination 130 of the sanitary water temperature, the controller 60 determines 140 whether the sanitary water temperature has reached a sanitary water temperature threshold value. This temperature threshold value is for example greater than or equal to 40° C. This temperature threshold value is preferably defined as a function of the position of the temperature member 54 considered for triggering the heating. Thus, the lower the temperature measuring device is in the storage tank 42, the lower the temperature threshold value is to estimate the actual temperature value delivered to the domestic water circuit. Conversely, the higher the position of the temperature measuring device, the closer the temperature measurement is to the actual temperature of the sanitary water delivered. In the latter case, the temperature threshold value can thus be defined as close to the setpoint domestic water temperature desired by the users.

If the temperature of the sanitary water is less than or equal to this temperature threshold value, the controller 60 triggers 120 the heating of the sanitary water. Indeed, if the temperature threshold value has been reached, this means that the domestic water temperature is not satisfactory with respect to the domestic water temperature setpoint.

If the domestic water temperature is higher than the temperature threshold value, the domestic water heating is not triggered and the trigger determination process is reset. Indeed, if the temperature threshold value is not reached, this means that the temperature of the domestic water is satisfactory with respect to the setpoint domestic water temperature.

At the same time, programmed or manual triggering of a domestic water heater can occur. A programmed trigger is for example a trigger scheduled at a day or night time. A manual trigger corresponds to a command from the user. Programmed or manual triggering replaces the process of determination of the triggering of the domestic water heater described in connection with the picture 3 , even if the conditions for triggering a domestic water heater are not met.

There figure 4 represents a second determination process, here determination of the domestic water heating mode. The heating modes that can be triggered by the controller 60 are an extended heating mode 230, a rapid heating mode 240 and a gradual heating mode 250.

This process is preferably implemented by the controller 60 following the triggering 120 of a sanitary water heater. This triggering 120 can either come from the process of determining the picture 3 either a programmed or manual trigger.

The controller 60 first begins by determining 200 whether the heating and/or cooling fluid circuit is in operation.

If the heating and/or cooling circuit is not in operation, the rapid heating mode is triggered.

If the heating and/or cooling circuit is in operation, the outdoor air temperature is determined 205.

Following the determination 205 of the outside air temperature, the controller 60 determines 210 if the outside air temperature is above the optimization threshold value.

If the outdoor air temperature is above the optimization threshold value, the controller 60 triggers 230 the extended heating mode. Indeed, if the outside air temperature is greater than or equal to this optimization threshold value, the outside temperature conditions make it possible to benefit from good performance of the thermodynamic heating device 13. The speed of the compressor can be chosen as low to benefit from the increased performance of the refrigeration circuit under these conditions.

If the outdoor air temperature is below the optimization threshold value, the controller 60 determines 220 whether the outdoor air temperature has reached the critical threshold value for optimization.

If the outdoor air temperature is less than or equal to the critical threshold value for optimization, the controller 60 triggers 240 a rapid heating mode. The speed of the compressor is preferably high to speed up the heating of the sanitary water.

If the outside air temperature is higher than the critical threshold value for the optimization, the controller 60 triggers 250 the progressive heating mode.

Alternatively, the process for determining the domestic water heating mode can be devoid of the determination step 200 when the storage and heating system does not have or is not coupled to a heating circuit and/ or cooling. In this case, the determination process begins directly with the determination of the outside air temperature. The three extended, rapid and progressive heating modes can also be implemented.

The invention provides the following items:

• Item 1: Sanitary water storage and heating system for a sanitary water distribution installation, said sanitary water storage and heating system comprising:
  • a sanitary water storage tank (14) comprising a sanitary water inlet and an outlet intended to be connected to a sanitary water circuit,
  • a heat exchanger (22, 44) of a thermodynamic heating device (13) for heating sanitary water present in the storage tank,
  • at least one temperature measuring device (54) configured to determine the temperature of domestic water inside the storage tank,
  • a device (58) for determining information relating to the volume of sanitary water entering or leaving the storage tank,
  • a controller (60) configured to control the heating of the sanitary water by the thermodynamic heating device according to the temperature of the sanitary water and the information representative of the volume of sanitary water entering the storage tank.
• Item 2: Sanitary water storage and heating system according to item 1, in which the heat exchanger is placed outside the sanitary water storage tank.
• Item 3: Sanitary water storage and heating system according to item 1 or 2, in which the controller is configured to determine an optimum heating moment according to the sanitary water temperature present in the storage tank and information representative of the volume of sanitary water entering the storage tank.
• Item 4: Sanitary water heating and storage system according to one of items 1 to 3, in which the thermodynamic heating device comprises a variable-speed compressor, the controller being configured to control the heating of the sanitary water according to at least two heating modes: a rapid heating mode and an extended heating mode.
• Item 5: Sanitary water storage and heating system according to any one of the preceding items, in which the device for determining information relating to the volume of sanitary water injected into the storage tank is a flow meter configured to determine the sanitary water flow circulating between the sanitary water inlet and outlet.
• Item 6: Sanitary water storage and heating system according to item 5, in which the flow meter is placed at the level of the sanitary water inlet or outlet of the storage tank.
• Item 7: Sanitary water storage and heating system according to any one of the preceding items, in which the temperature measuring device is configured to measure the temperature of the sanitary water present in the upper part of the storage tank.
• Item 8: Sanitary water storage and heating system according to any one of the preceding items, the storage tank defining in the operating position a storage height along a vertical axis, in which the measuring device temperature is placed between 50 and 100% of the storage height, preferably between 60 and 100% of the storage height, more preferably between 80 and 100% of the storage height.
• Item 9: Sanitary water storage and heating system according to any one of the preceding items, in which the thermodynamic heating device comprises a heat exchanger arranged around or inside the storage tank to heat sanitary water in the storage tank, the temperature measuring device being arranged above the heat exchanger.
• Item 10: Process for regulating a sanitary water storage and heating system according to any one of the preceding items, comprising the following steps:
  • measure the domestic water temperature in the storage tank,
  • determining information relating to the volume of sanitary water in the storage tank
  • regulating the temperature of the sanitary water in the storage tank according to the sanitary water temperature and to the information representative of the volume of sanitary water entering the storage tank.
• Item 11: Regulation method according to item 10, further comprising the determination of a need for heating the domestic water when:
  • the volume of sanitary water in the storage tank reaches an injected volume threshold value, and/or
  • the domestic water temperature in the storage tank reaches a domestic water temperature threshold value.
• Item 12: Regulation method according to item 11, further comprising the determination of an air temperature outside the sanitary water storage and heating system, the heating of the sanitary water being also controlled by the controller depending on said outside air temperature.
• Item 13: Regulation method according to item 12, in which the thermodynamic heating device comprises a variable-speed compressor, said regulation method further comprising the following steps when a need for heating is determined:
  • trigger a rapid domestic water heating mode when the outdoor air temperature and/or the compressor speed reaches a critical threshold for optimizing domestic water heating,
  • trigger an extended domestic water heating mode when the outside air temperature and/or the compressor speed reaches an optimization threshold.
• Item 14: Regulation method according to item 13, further comprising the following step when a need for heating is determined:
  • triggering a progressive domestic water heating mode when the outdoor air temperature and/or the speed of the compressor reaches a threshold that is between the critical and optimization thresholds, the frequency of rotation of the variable speed compressor being increased gradually during this heating mode until the domestic hot water reaches a set temperature.
• Item 15: Regulation method according to item 13 or 14, in which the sanitary water storage and heating system comprises a fluid circuit for heating and/or cooling a room, said regulation method comprising besides the following steps:
  • determine an operating state of the heating and/or cooling fluid circuit of a room,
  • trigger extended domestic water heating mode if no heating or cooling command is in progress and a need for domestic hot water heating is determined.

Claims (11)

A method of controlling a sanitary water storage and heating system for a sanitary water distribution installation, said sanitary water storage and heating system comprising: - a sanitary water storage tank (14) comprising a sanitary water inlet and an outlet intended to be connected to a sanitary water circuit, - a thermodynamic heating device (13) comprising a heat exchanger (22, 44) for heating sanitary water present in the storage tank, said thermodynamic heating device further comprising a variable speed compressor, - at least one temperature measuring device (54) configured to determine the domestic water temperature inside the storage tank, - a device (58) for determining information relating to the volume of sanitary water entering or leaving the storage tank, - a controller (60) configured to control the heating of the sanitary water by the thermodynamic heating device according to the temperature of the sanitary water and the information representative of the volume of sanitary water entering the storage tank, said method comprising the following steps: - measure the domestic water temperature in the storage tank, - determining information relating to the volume of sanitary water in the storage tank - determine an air temperature outside the sanitary water storage and heating system, - regulate the temperature of the sanitary water in the storage tank according to the sanitary water temperature, information representative of the volume of sanitary water entering the storage tank and the outside air temperature, said method also comprising determining a need for heating the sanitary water when: * the volume of sanitary water in the storage tank reaches an injected volume threshold value, and/or * the domestic water temperature in the storage tank reaches a value domestic water temperature threshold, said method further comprising, when a need for heating is determined, the following steps: - trigger a rapid domestic water heating mode when the outdoor air temperature and/or the compressor speed reaches a critical threshold for optimizing domestic water heating, - trigger an extended domestic water heating mode when the outside air temperature and/or the compressor speed reaches an optimization threshold. Control method according to Claim 1, in which the heat exchanger is arranged outside the sanitary water storage tank. Regulation method according to claim 1 or 2, in which the controller is configured to determine an optimum heating time as a function of the temperature of sanitary water present in the storage tank and of the information representative of the volume of sanitary water entering the storage tank. Regulation method according to one of Claims 1 to 3, in which the thermodynamic heating device comprises a variable-speed compressor, the controller being configured to control the heating of the domestic water according to at least two heating modes: a mode rapid heating and an extended heating mode. Regulation method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the member for determining information relating to the volume of sanitary water injected into the storage tank is a flow meter configured to determine the flow rate of sanitary water circulating between sanitary water inlet and outlet. Regulation method according to claim 5, in which the flow meter is arranged at the level of the sanitary water inlet or outlet of the storage tank. Regulation method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the temperature measuring device is configured to measure the temperature of the sanitary water present in the upper part of the storage tank. Regulation method according to any one of the preceding claims, the storage tank defining in the operating position a storage height along a vertical axis, in which the temperature measuring member is placed between 50 and 100% of the storage height, preferably between 60 and 100% of the storage height, more preferably between 80 and 100% of the storage height. Control method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the thermodynamic heating device comprises a heat exchanger arranged around or inside the storage tank for heating sanitary water in the storage tank, the temperature measuring device being disposed above the heat exchanger. A control method according to any preceding claim, further comprising the following step when a need for heating is determined: - trigger a gradual domestic water heating mode when the outdoor air temperature and/or the compressor speed is between the critical and optimization thresholds, the frequency of rotation of the variable-speed compressor being gradually increased during this heating mode until the domestic hot water reaches a set temperature. Regulation method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the sanitary water storage and heating system comprises a fluid circuit for heating and/or cooling a room, said regulation method further comprising the following steps : - determine an operating state of the heating and/or cooling fluid circuit of a room, - trigger extended domestic water heating mode if no heating or cooling command is in progress and a need for domestic hot water heating is determined.

Images