FR2500135A1 - Heat generator for heating building - has motor driven rotor with stator to agitate and heat liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

The heat generator consists of a motor driven rotor (3) with vanes (10). The rotor runs in an insulated casing (1). A fixed blade stator (4) is also located within the casing in opposition to the rotor. Fluid circulates through the connection (7,8) and transfers the heat, generated by the turbulence created in the fluid within the rotor/stator casing, to a central heating circuit. The heat generator is driven by an electric motor which also drives a pump for the fluid, pumping from a reservoir, through the generator, heating circuit heat exchanger and back to the reservoir.

Description

 The present invention relates generally to an autonomous heat generator intended in particular for space heating, forming a homogeneous and compact assembly comprising at least: a motor member, a receiver member transforming the mechanical energy of the engine into heat by brazing d '' a fluid circulating inside said receiving member, a pump capable of moving this fluid in a heating installation or in a different fluid exchanger, a fluid reservoir forming the support of the assembly and a heat exchanger capable of transmit to another fluid the heat contained in the fluid of said receiving member.

 In the case of small installations the exchanger can advantageously be omitted and in this case it is the fluid of the said generator which circulates in the installation to be heated.

 The energy source which tends to impose itself in the years to come is undoubtedly electricity.

 Whether it comes from nuclear power, solar panels, fuel cells, tidal power plants or wind turbines, its form of distribution means that it penetrates all premises. It is therefore a question of transforming this electrical energy into heat.

 We will therefore start with an electric motor. However, the present invention can be used by taking any type of engine if, where space is heated, the most convenient energy available to use is either fuel oil, gas or any other fuel.

 The receiving organ is a device which heats a fluid by stirring.

It comprises at least two coaxial parts situated inside a sealed envelope enclosing these two said parts as closely as possible. One of the parts is driven by the engine. The other is fixed, so that the mechanical efficiency being permanently zero, all the energy received is transformed into heat.

 Certainly there are such installations, in particular for absorbing the energy developed by a vehicle placed on a test bench.

 The main purpose is not to generate heat continuously, but to balance the energy developed by the vehicle, so that its speed relative to a fixed point placed outside said vehicle, is nothing.

 It is also known to transform electrical energy directly into heat to heat the premises, in particular for new constructions, but the convectors have a low thermal inertia, moreover their functioning being by "all or nothing", their multiplication can have unfortunate implications for the agency responsible for distributing electricity, especially during peak hours.

 On the other hand, in the case of central heating installations with hot water already in place and whose energy source, fuel oil or gas is destined to become scarce, especially by the short, it served quite ridiculous place an electric convector in front of an unused water radiator.

 In addition, there are practically no electric boilers, if not for domestic hot water, due in particular to poor yields in the heat exchange between the immersion heater and the water, due to the presence of a ring of steam around the heating tubes and the inevitable scale deposit.

 There are also generators of the "heat pump" type which are very good transformers of energy into heat, but their operation is relatively complex, their size is large and their range of use reduced, due to the fact that the cycle of this type of appliance is based on a temperature difference between that of evaporation and that of the outside of the room to be heated.

 The object of the present invention is to produce a heat generator, in particular of electrical origin, having a good efficiency, flameless, silent, practically maintenance-free, self-regulating by conventional sensors, safe and compact, so that it can be placed advantageously, either on a new central heating installation or on such an existing installation and supplied by energy sources which tend to become scarce due to their cost. In the latter case, these said sources could be used as basic or auxiliary heating, or purely and simply replaced by the present invention.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows by way of example, with reference to the appended schematic drawings in which
Figure 1 is an elevational view of the assembly according to the invention.

 Figure 2 is a diametrical section of a receiving member adapted to the invention.

 Figure 3 is a diametrical section of a receiving member intended for extended service.

 FIGS. 4 and 5 are views respectively along the arrows F1 and F2 of FIG. 2.

 Figures 6 and 7 are views along the arrows F1 and F2 of Figure 2 alternatively.

 Figure 8 is a central heating installation according to the invention.

 Figure 9 is another form of installation according to the invention.

 Figure 10 is an alternative to the energy usually used on an existing installation by the present invention.

 In general, such a heat generator has two coaxial parts as shown in Figure 1. The drive member 1, drives the receiver member 2 by a coupling 3. A console 4 immobilizes the casing 5 in rotation of the receiving organ.

 On the other side of the motor and driven by it, a pump 6 sucks the fluid to be heated through a strainer 7 in a tank 8 so that the flow and the resulting pressure in the pipes, is capable to evacuate the calories produced to a heating installation or a heat exchanger.

 The pump 6, if necessary, can be driven by an auxiliary motor, the control of which is integrated into the operation of the generator.

 A pipe 9 forces the cooled fluid to penetrate through an orifice 10 in the receiving member.

 The heated fluid emerges from the channel 11 and thus provides the water of the heating circuit 12, through a tubular exchanger 13, for example, the calories generated in the receiving member. The dimensions given in FIG. 1 relate by way of example to a 10 KW motor.

 It is obvious that for a medium or small installation, the water-fluid heat exchanger could be advantageously eliminated. In this case the pump 6 would deliver the fluid to the radiators. The pressure would then be limited to 2 or 3 bars due to the possible deformations of the latter.

 At the outlet 9 of the pump 6 there is at least one solenoid valve 14 intended for regulating the generator as a function of a temperature For example the temperature of the heating circuit at the outlet of the exchanger.

 The role of this valve 14 is to lower the pressure in the receiving member and thus to cavitate it. In practice, this pressure value is close to 1 bar while the cavitation threshold is located around 1.6 bars.

 In this configuration, the torque absorbed by the motor then decreases appreciably and the amount of heat produced does the same, the motor continuing to run under reduced load, but at constant speed in the case of an electric motor.

 Figure 2 is a diametrical section, by way of example, of a receiving member according to the invention.

 The receiving member heats a fluid by stirring. It comprises at least two coaxial parts, placed a few millimeters apart, facing each other and contained in a sealed envelope 1, inside which is a fluid.

 The first part 3 called "pump" is constituted by a circular flange ll driven by a shaft 5, linked to the motor and comprising at least one radial surface 10, or curved called "driving vane" whose point closest to the axis is located at a distance r and the most distant point at a distance R, so that each element of fluid contained in the sealed envelope is accelerated from radius r to radius R in rotation.

 The second part called "turbine" 4 is constituted by a circular flange 12 fixed and comprising at least one radial or curved surface 13 known as "receiving vane" capable of receiving the energy communicated by the pump 3 to a fluid element and to the transform into whining, since the mechanical efficiency of such a system is zero.

 The waterproof envelope 1 passes as close as possible to the pump 3 and the turbine 4 at a distance at most equal to twice the thickness of the waterproof envelope 1. It is made fixed by the insertion in the bearing 14 of console 2.

 The turbine 4 is immobilized by the end of the shaft 6 which is secured to the casing by welding and blocked in the turbine.

 A ball or roller stop 15 receives the internal hydraulic thrusts. The elastic mounting 16 of the bearing 17, 9 by way of example, makes it possible to absorb the expansion of the various constituents.

 The circulation of the fluid intended to evacuate the calories produced in the generator takes place through at least two orifices 7 and 8 placed at the periphery of the envelope.

 The washer 18 is a piece of cyanide steel placed between the rotary stop 15 and the pump 3 possibly obtained by molding an aluminum alloy in particular, and thus avoids the axial incrustation of the hard material on the soft.

The spacer 19 is fixed in rotation, a slight clearance relative to the shaft 5 allows the free rotation of the latter, but prevents too much fluid flow clogging the seal 20, which is discharged by a channel 22 connected to the reservoir.

 Insulation 21 prevents loss of calories to the outside.

 In the example shown, the turbine 4 and the pump 3 come from identical foundries for the purpose of simplification and economy.

 They can be of different shape and materials. In particular the turbine may have blades, radial or inclined, integral with the sealed envelope 1 in particular by brazing or stapling by local perforations and tongues, methods already known per se in particular in torque converters for automobiles.

 Figures 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 show axial views of blades, motors or receivers, suitable for the turbine or the pump.

 FIG. 8 is the diagram of a central heating installation equipped with a generator 1 according to the invention and a water / fluid exchanger 2 with an accelerator 3, water-air convectors 4 and a tank 5.

 FIG. 9 is a simplified variant according to the invention, in particular for small installations in which the fluid of the generator 1 passes directly into the fluid-air convectors 2, advantageously eliminating the accelerator, the exchanger and the tank.

 FIG. 10 is another variant according to the invention of an existing central heating installation, in which all the elements are kept: the burner 1, the boiler 2, the accelerator 3, the tank 4.

 The generator according to the invention is placed in series on the piping, in particular the boiler return 5, so that the burner can possibly be used.

 Figure 3 is a replica of Figure 2 for very hard service except that the stop 15 is mounted in opposition with a second stop 15 bis. A nut 23 braked 24, ensures the adjustment, the pin 25 is there only for safety. All other elements are retained.

 As a variant, and not shown in figures, here are stated different possibilities for regulating the generator according to the invention.

 By all or nothing: a thermo-contact controlled by a temperature stops the engine as soon as this is reached. This means is advantageous for powers less than 5 KW but above frequent starts risk bringing additional consumption.

 By cavitation: already described in the text.

 Using a variable speed motor, especially an electric motor. In this case the regulation is done continuously. The torque absorbed by the receiving member being a function of the speed of the motor, each reduction thereof corresponds to a reduction in the production of heat and absorbed power.

 Using a two-speed electric motor, for example 1,500 rpm and 750 rpm corresponding to normal running and slow running of the generator. The speed reduction being 1/2, the heat production will be appreciably in the ratio 1/4, as well as the power absorbed. A thermo-contact will control the engagement of one or other of the speeds.

 By putting a cut-off member, clutch or clutch between the engine and the receiving member or between the outlet of the receiving member and the fixed point or even between the turbine and the shaft thereof.

 By using a belt variable speed drive between the motor and the receiving device. Which variator having pulley widths controlled by a temperature sensor.

 Of course, the variants represented by FIGS. 2 and 3 are not limiting, in particular, the present invention could be produced by grouping the pump and the receiving member inside the tank, advantageously eliminating the seal and part of the piping, only the engine would be outside as well as possibly the exchanger.

Claims (10)

 1 - Autonomous heat generator comprising at least one driving member (1) a receiving member (2) transforming into heat, by mixing a fluid circulating inside said receiving member, the energy of the engine, characterized in this tool comprises a rupture 6, a fluid reservoir 8 and possibly a heat exchanger (13), thus forming a homogeneous and comract e.se-ble, in which the receiving member co - makes itself at least two tarties, one powered, another fixed receiver, coaxial, located inside z of a fixed sealed envelope, containing the fluid, the engine torn ringed "pump" being constituted by a circular flange comprising at least one capable surface to accelerate the fluid, the receiving nettle, called "turbine", being produced by a flange comprising at least one surface capable of transforming into heat, the energy communicated to the fluid.  2 - Autonomous heat generator according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealed envelope of the receiving member is distant from the turbine and the pump at most twice the thickness of said envelope, over the radial height blades.  3 3 - Heat generator according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that the presence at the periphery of the sealed envelope of the receiving member of at least two orifices serving for the external circulation of the fluid, allows the evacuation calories produced.  4 - Autonomous heat generator according to claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the sealed envelope of the receiving member is fixed.  5 - Autonomous heat generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that at least one thrust ball or roller is provided and intended to receive the hydraulic thrusts inside the sealed envelope of the receiving member .  6 - Autonomous heat generator according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that it is inserted into an existing central heating installation.  7 - Autonomous heat generator according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that it comprises at least one solenoid valve controlled by a temperature caterer and allowing regulation of the heat produced at constant speed of the motor , by cavitating the generator by lowering the internal static pressure.  8 - Autonomous heat generator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it is driven by a variable speed motor, the said motor being controlled rar a temperature booster.  9 - Autonomous heat generator according to a bare conch of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it is driven by a 2-speed electric motor which is controlled by a temperature sensor.  10 - Autonomous heat generator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it has a cut-off member, controlled by a temperature sensor, located either between the engine and the receiving member, or between the turbine and the fixed point of it.