ES2941309T3 - Water heater fitted with an anti-dry heating safety system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention refers to a water heater (1) comprising a tank (2) intended to contain water and means (5) for heating the water stored in said tank (2). , the water heater (1) comprises a safety device (20, 30) capable of detecting the presence of water in the tank (2), said device (20, 30) comprising an electrical circuit (21, 31) equipped with a power source (22, 32) and an element (23, 33) to detect the presence of water in the tank (2), electrically closing the water present in the tank (2) said circuit (21, 31) and activating said detection element (23, 33). (Automatic translation with Google Translate, without legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Water heater fitted with an anti-dry heating safety system

The invention relates to a water heater provided with an anti-dry heating safety system according to the preamble of claim 1. DE 10145575 A1 describes such a water heater.

Typically, a water heater contains a tank and a heating element to heat the water that is stored in the tank. For various reasons, it may happen that there is no more water in said tank, such as, for example, when it is put into service, after emptying it or during a leak. In this situation, there is no information available from outside the water heater that the tank is empty or that no automatic system is blocking operation. Then, it is possible to activate a heating phase in the tank, when there is no water in it. The consequences of such an event are that the heating element can deteriorate or even be completely destroyed or even damage the water heater more seriously.

Currently, the main solutions put into practice to avoid degradation of the heating element in such circumstances are the following:

- Activation of a safety fuse or thermal short circuit,

- Measurement of the absence of current between an anode and a cathode,

- Implementation of a water flow detector.

However, these solutions have a number of drawbacks, including:

- Significant additional costs,

- Operation not adaptable to all types of heating elements,

- Random results for some solutions.

A water heater, according to the invention, is provided with an anti-dry heating safety system that makes it possible to prevent activation of the heating element in the absence of water in the tank.

The invention relates to a water heater comprising a tank for containing water and means for heating the water stored in said tank.

According to the invention, the water heater comprises a safety device capable of detecting the presence of water in the tank, and characterized in that said device comprises an electrical circuit provided with an energy source and an element to detect the presence of water in the tank. tank, closing the water present in the tank said circuit and activating said element. In this way, the water present in the tank of the water heater makes it possible to close, directly or indirectly, an electrical circuit comprising a detection element capable of attesting to the presence of water in said tank. The expression "directly" means that the water will be introduced into the electrical circuit to participate directly in the electrical circulation thanks to its electrical conduction properties. The expression "indirectly" means that the water will act, for example, by gravity, on a component of the electrical circuit in order to close said circuit and allow electrical circulation through it. The detection element of the circuit that makes it possible to detect the presence of water in the tank can be constituted, for example, by a light indicator or an audible device for informing the user who can then manually stop the heating. It can also consist of a relay in connection with the heating element, and capable of activating or closing the power supply to the heating element to allow the heating of the water in the tank, or not, within the framework of an automatic system. The purpose of the safety device is to guarantee the presence of water in the tank and to prevent the heating element from being activated dry, that is to say, in the absence of water in the tank. Preferably, the electrical circuit used to detect the presence of water in the tank is compact and is located in contact with or in the immediate vicinity, preferably within a few centimeters, of the water tank. Since the water participates in the safety device, the absence of water in the tank inactivates said circuit.

According to a preferred embodiment of a water heater according to the invention, the water is introduced into the electrical circuit and allows the passage of current thanks to its electrical conduction properties. The term "introduces" means that the water will form an element of the electrical circuit. By this configuration, the water constitutes a conduction element of the electrical current and forms an integral part of the electrical circuit.

According to another preferred embodiment of a water heater, according to the invention, the circuit comprises a contactor, the water present in the tank actuating said contactor by gravity. For this configuration, the water will act by gravity on a contactor, which is an integral part of the electrical circuit, to close said electrical circuit.

Advantageously, the detection element is a warning element detectable from the outside of said water heater. Preferably, this warning element is activated as soon as the heating element is activated and allows to know immediately if there is water, or not, in the tank.

Preferably, the detection element is a light source. This light source can be of any type and can consist, for example, of a light window.

According to another preferred embodiment of a water heater according to the invention, the detection element is a sound source.

Advantageously, the detection element controls a relay that makes it possible to supply the heating medium. For this configuration, when trying to activate the heating element to heat the water that would be present inside the tank, either nothing happens because there is no water in said tank, or the heating element reacts by raising the temperature of the water present in the tank. The deposit.

Advantageously, the heating means is a heating resistance.

A water heater, according to the invention, comprises an inner tube coming out of the tank, the safety device being placed outside the tank. In this way, said tube makes it possible to conduct the water present in the tank to the safety device. It is the water present in the tube that will interact with the safety device. According to the invention, the tube is a tube inside the tank that makes it possible to detect a complete filling of said tank with water, the safety device being placed under the tank at an outlet of said inner tube. The part of the tube that emerges from the tank can be rectilinear, or comprise a plurality of rectilinear segments that form angles with one another.

Preferably, the anti-dry heating safety device is inserted into a support to be chosen between a sleeve or a dielectric connection. Said support makes it possible to isolate the electrical circuit from the outside and, therefore, protect it from any external event that could degrade or damage it, protecting the user from electrical contact. Such a sleeve or said dielectric fitting is usually already present in existing water heaters.

A water heater according to the invention has the advantage of having an anti-dry heating safety device thanks to the implementation of an electrical circuit, which is safe and reliable, as well as being compact. In fact, the sources of error at the level of said safety device are almost non-existent, and the heating element can only be activated in the presence of water in the tank. It also has the advantage of having an anti-dry heating safety device that directly involves the water in the tank, which greatly reduces the risk of activation of the heating element in the absence of water in the tank.

A detailed description of a preferred embodiment of a water heater according to the invention is given below, with reference to the following figures:

- Figures 1A, 1B and 1C are three side views of a water heater according to the invention, respectively, before heating the water, in use and at the end of heating the water.

- Figures 2A and 2B are two schematic views of a first preferred embodiment of an anti-dry heating safety circuit of a water heater according to the invention, respectively, in the absence and in the presence of water (manual system),

- Figures 3A and 3B are two schematic views of a second preferred embodiment of an anti-dry heating safety circuit of a water heater according to the invention, respectively, in the absence and in the presence of water (automatic system),

- Figures 4A and 4B are two schematic views of a third preferred embodiment of an anti-dry heating safety circuit of a water heater according to the invention involving a contactor, respectively, in the absence and presence of water ( manual system),

- Figures 5A and 5B are two schematic views of a fourth preferred embodiment of an anti-dry heating safety circuit of a water heater according to the invention involving a contactor, respectively, in the absence and presence of water ( Automatic system).

Figures 1A, 1B and 1C describe the normal use of a water heater 1. Referring to these figures, the water heater 1 schematically comprises a tank 2, an internal tube 3, a cold water inlet 4 , a means of heating 5, a dielectric connection or a standard sleeve 6 comprising the anti-dry heating safety system, and a hot water outlet 7. The tank 2 is elongated and preferably extends in a vertical direction . The cold water inlet 4 opens at the level of a lower wall 10 of said tank 2. The inner tube 3 has a much smaller diameter than the dimensions of the tank 2, and has a lower main segment 11 that is extended by a secondary segment 12 inclined top. The main segment 11 has a lower end which crosses the lower wall 10 of the tank 2 and which ends in the dielectric connection or in the sleeve 6 placed under the tank 2, said main segment 11 having an upper end, extended by the secondary segment 12. The hot water outlet 7 is located at the level of the dielectric connection or the sleeve 6. The tank 2 is fed with cold water by the cold water inlet 4, until it is completely filled, as shown in Figure 1A. Once the tank 2 is full, the heating means 5, which can advantageously be represented by a heating resistance, is activated to heat the water present in the tank 2. In use, the water has a cold zone 8 and a hot zone 9, as shown in Figure 1B. When the heating continues long enough, the water present in the tank 2 is uniformly hot, as illustrated in Figure 1C. The hot water outlet 7 can then be opened according to the hot water supply needs of different equipment external to the water heater 1, such as, for example, the equipment of a kitchen or a bathroom.

A problem that is often found with this type of water heater 1 is that the tank 2 can end up empty, at start-up, after intentional emptying or a leak, or for any other reason, and that there is no way to easy to know the status of tank 2, empty or full. The heating means 5 can then be activated when there is no more water in the tank 2, with the consequence of a deterioration of the water heater 1 or its heating means 5.

In order to prevent said situation from occurring, a water heater 1, according to the invention, is provided with an anti-dry heating safety device that makes it possible to detect the presence of water in the tank 2. Said anti-dry heating safety device -dry heating is advantageously housed in the dielectric connection or in the sleeve 6, placed under the tank 2 of the water heater 1.

With reference to Figures 2A and 2B, a first preferred embodiment of a safety device 20 against dry heating of a water heater 1, according to the invention, is manual and comprises an electrical circuit 21 provided with a power supply. 22 for electrical current which may preferably be a battery, a warning light 23 and two separate terminals 24, 25, placing the electrical circuit 21 in an open configuration by default. The term "separated" means that there is no electrical connection between said two terminals 24, 25. The inner tube 3 opens into the dielectric connection or sleeve 6, at the level of the two separated terminals 24, 25 of the electrical circuit 21. The The term "manual" means that the user, realizing that there is no water in the tank 2, will not activate the heating element 5. It should be noted that the light window 23 could be replaced by an audible warning means, informing the user that the tank is full of water.

Thus, with reference to Figure 2A, in the absence of water in the inner tube 3, the electrical circuit 21 of the safety device is open and no electrical current flows through it. The luminous window 23 indicates that there is no water in the tank 2 of the water heater 1. The user will be warned of the absence of water.

On the contrary, with reference to Figure 2B, if there is water present in the inner tube 3, it will be placed between the two separate terminals 24, 25 of the electrical circuit 21, which will then be immersed in said water. Since water has electrically conductive properties, it will then electrically connect the two terminals 24, 25 of said electrical circuit 21, which will therefore be in a closed configuration. The electrical power supply 22 is then able to supply electrical current to the light window 23 which will turn on instantly, thus indicating the presence of water in the tank 2 of the water heater 1. The heating means 5 can then be activated. knowingly, in order to heat the water present in said water heater 1.

With reference to Figures 3A and 3B, a second preferred embodiment of a safety device 30 of a water heater 1, according to the invention, is automatic and comprises an electrical circuit 31 provided with a power supply 32 of electrical current which may preferably be a battery, a relay 33 which is connected to the heating medium 5, and two separate terminals 34, 35, placing the electrical circuit 31 in an open configuration by default. The term "separated" means that there is no electrical connection between said two terminals 34, 35. The inner tube 3 opens into the dielectric connection or sleeve 6, at the level of the two separated terminals 34, 35 of the electrical circuit 31.

Thus, with reference to Figure 3A, in the absence of water in the inner tube 3, the electrical circuit 31 of the safety device is open and no electrical current flows through it. The relay 33 remains inactive and the heating means 5 cannot be activated.

On the contrary, with reference to Figure 3B, if there is water present in the inner tube 3, it will be placed between the two separate terminals 34, 35 of the electrical circuit 31, which will then be immersed in said water. Since water has electrically conductive properties, it will then electrically connect the two terminals 34, 35 of said electrical circuit 21, which will therefore be in a closed configuration. The electrical power source 32 is then capable of supplying electrical current to the relay 33, which will instantly activate the heating means 5 to raise the temperature of the water present in the tank 2 of the water heater 1. The fact that the means heater 5 can be activated, it indicates the presence of water in tank 2 of water heater 1.

With reference to Figures 4A and 4B, a third preferred embodiment of a safety device 40 against dry heating of a water heater 1, according to the invention, is manual and comprises an electrical circuit 41 provided with a power source 42 of electric current that can preferably be a battery, a warning light 43 and a mobile electric contactor 44. By default, the electric contactor 44 is separated from the electric circuit 41, placing said circuit electric 41 in an open configuration. The inner tube 3 opens into the dielectric connection or into the sleeve 6, being separated from the electrical circuit 41 by the contactor 44. The term "manual" means that the user, realizing that there is no water in the tank 2, does not it will activate the heating element 5. For this embodiment, it should be noted that the light window 43 could also be replaced by an audible warning means, informing a user that the tank is full of water.

Thus, with reference to Figure 4A, in the absence of water in the inner tube 3, the electrical circuit 41 of the safety device is open and no electrical current flows through it. The light window 43 indicates that there is no water in the tank 2 of the water heater 1. The user will be warned of the absence of water.

On the contrary, with reference to Figure 4B, if there is water present in the inner tube 3, it will move the electric contactor 44 by gravity as indicated by the arrows 45, until said contactor 44 closes the electric circuit 41. The source of power supply 42 is then capable of supplying power to light window 43 which will turn on instantly, thus indicating the presence of water in tank 2 of water heater 1. Heating means 5 can then be knowingly activated, in order to heat the water present in said water heater 1. The electric contactor 44 is a part capable of conducting electric current and is preferably made of metal.

With reference to Figures 5A and 5B, a fourth preferred embodiment of a safety device 50, of a water heater 1, according to the invention, is automatic and comprises an electrical circuit 51 provided with a current supply source 52 which can preferably be a battery, a relay 53 which is connected to the heating medium 5 and a mobile electric contactor 54. By default, the electric contactor 54 is separated from the electric circuit 51, placing said electric circuit 51 in a configuration open. The inner tube 3 ends in the dielectric connection or in the sleeve 6, being separated from the electrical circuit 51 by the contactor 54.

Thus, with reference to Figure 5A, in the absence of water in the inner tube 3, the electrical circuit 51 of the safety device is open and no electrical current flows through it. The relay 53 remains inactive and the heating means 5 cannot be activated.

On the contrary, with reference to Figure 5B, if there is water present in the inner tube 3, then it will move the electric contactor 54 by gravity as indicated by the arrows 55, until said contactor 54 closes the electric circuit 51. The source power supply 52 is then capable of supplying electrical current to relay 53, which will instantly activate the heating means 5 to raise the temperature of the water present in the tank 2 of the water heater 1. The fact that the heating means 5 can be activated attests to the presence of water in tank 2 of water heater 1.

Claims (9)

1. Water heater (1) comprising a tank (2) intended to contain the water and a means (5) for heating the water stored in said tank (2), said water heater (1) comprising a safety device (20, 30) anti-dry heating, capable of detecting the presence of water in the tank (2), said device (20, 30) including an electrical circuit (21, 31) provided with an energy source (22, 32 ) and a detection element (23, 33) of the presence of water in the tank (2), electrically closing the water present in the tank (2) said circuit (21, 31) and activating said detection element (23 , 33), characterized in that the tank (2) comprises an inner tube (3) that emerges towards the outside of said tank (2) and that allows detecting a complete filling of said tank (2) with water, and why the device safety (20, 30) is placed under the tank (2) at the level of an outlet of said internal tube (3). 2. Water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that the water is introduced into the electrical circuit (21, 31) and allows the flow of current thanks to its electrical conduction properties. Water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical circuit includes a contactor, and in that the water present in the tank (2) activates said contactor by gravity. Water heater according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the detection element is a warning element (23) detectable from outside said water heater (1). Water heater according to claim 4, characterized in that the detection element is a light source (23). Water heater according to claim 4, characterized in that the detection element (23) is a sound source. Water heater according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the detection element (33) controls a relay that allows the heating means (5) to be powered. Water heater according to claim 7, characterized in that the heating means (5) is a resistance heater. Water heater according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the safety device (20, 30) is inserted into a support (6) to be chosen between a sleeve and a dielectric connection.