GB2298031A - Gas-fired water heater with remote adjustment - Google Patents
Gas-fired water heater with remote adjustment Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2298031A GB2298031A GB9520596A GB9520596A GB2298031A GB 2298031 A GB2298031 A GB 2298031A GB 9520596 A GB9520596 A GB 9520596A GB 9520596 A GB9520596 A GB 9520596A GB 2298031 A GB2298031 A GB 2298031A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- gas
- water
- heater
- valve
- remote controller
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 74
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims description 11
- 239000003638 chemical reducing agent Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 38
- 241000048246 Gallicrex cinerea Species 0.000 description 3
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000001276 controlling effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- UGFAIRIUMAVXCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon monoxide Chemical compound [O+]#[C-] UGFAIRIUMAVXCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000008033 biological extinction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910002091 carbon monoxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007257 malfunction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 1
- 231100000614 poison Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 230000007096 poisonous effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001360 synchronised effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
- F23N—REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
- F23N1/00—Regulating fuel supply
- F23N1/08—Regulating fuel supply conjointly with another medium, e.g. boiler water
- F23N1/082—Regulating fuel supply conjointly with another medium, e.g. boiler water using electronic means
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
- F24D19/00—Details
- F24D19/10—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
- F24D19/1006—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heating systems
- F24D19/1051—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heating systems for domestic hot water
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
- F24H15/30—Control of fluid heaters characterised by control outputs; characterised by the components to be controlled
- F24H15/305—Control of valves
- F24H15/31—Control of valves of valves having only one inlet port and one outlet port, e.g. flow rate regulating valves
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
- F24H15/40—Control of fluid heaters characterised by the type of controllers
- F24H15/414—Control of fluid heaters characterised by the type of controllers using electronic processing, e.g. computer-based
- F24H15/45—Control of fluid heaters characterised by the type of controllers using electronic processing, e.g. computer-based remotely accessible
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
- F23N—REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
- F23N1/00—Regulating fuel supply
- F23N1/08—Regulating fuel supply conjointly with another medium, e.g. boiler water
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
- F23N—REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
- F23N2223/00—Signal processing; Details thereof
- F23N2223/38—Remote control
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
- F23N—REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
- F23N2235/00—Valves, nozzles or pumps
- F23N2235/12—Fuel valves
- F23N2235/16—Fuel valves variable flow or proportional valves
Abstract
A gas-fired water heater (6, Fig 3) is provided with a remote controller (8) adapted to provide remote adjustment of the gas and water supply through the heater. The remote controller uses a four-stage comparator and transistors, the state variation of which changes the polarity of the power supply to a motor (M, Fig 1) driving the gas and water supply valves, thereby enabling actuation of a respective potentiometer (W1,W2) in the remote controller to result in a corresponding actuation of the gas and/or water supply valves in the heater itself. The remote controller has a gas adjusting knob (9) and a water adjusting knob (10) which each act on their potentiometer to drive the respective motor via gearing and cause a corresponding opening of the respective valve.
Description
AUTOMATIC REMOTE-CONTROL WATER HEATER
The present invention relates to gas appliances, and in particular to gas-fired water heaters.
In conventional gas-fired water heaters, the controls for regulating functions of the heater, such as the gas and water flow rates, are situated on or adjacent to the heater itself. With a conventional water heater, it is inconvenient if it is installed at a location remote from where hot water is required, such as a bathroom. However, it can be dangerous to install a gas-fired water heater in a small space such as a bathroom, since the heater consumes a large volume of oxygen and, in the event of a malfunction, can exhaust poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gas-fired water heater including control means adapted to be located remotely from the water heater, which control means comprises at least one adjustable potentiometer and which water heater includes at least one adjustable valve to regulate the gas and/or the water supply, wherein the at least one valve is provided with drive means actuated directly by adjustment of the at least one potentiometer.
By separating the water heater and the control means, it is possible to overcome the potential dangers associated with known gas-fired water heaters by allowing the heater to be located in a well-ventilated location outside, say, a bathroom, while still permitting control of water flow and temperature from within the bathroom.
The water heater generally comprises a casing, a
DC transformer, a cell box, reducers for the water and gas valves and a main circuit board. The remote controller includes water and gas flow rate control means, such as potentiometers, and may be formed as a sealed case with an indicating light. The remote controller may be electrically connected to the water heater by way of a cable, plug and socket arrangement.
The reducers/gearing mechanisms for controlling the water and gas valves in the heater advantageously comprise a DC motor adapted to operate the gas and water valves, for example by way of turning a valve spindle. In a preferred embodiment, the DC motor or motors include a four-stage variable gear transmission.
Also in a preferred embodiment, the rotation mechanism for the water and gas valve spindles comprises a 17tooth bevel gear with a range of 105 , and the water and gas valve spindles are adapted to have a maximum turning angle of 105 so that it is possible to open and close each valve fully by means of the rotation mechanism.
The remote control circuit may comprise a comparator, for example an LM339 integrated circuit four-potential-comparator, potentiometers, transistors, and power source. The drive circuits for the gas valve and the water valve may have the same structure, and may be supplied with power by a DC transformer or a battery. The body of the water heater may be provided with sockets to receive wires connecting the remote controller.
For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference shall now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGURE 1 is a schematic drawing of a remote control circuit of the present invention;
FIGURE 2 is a block diagram showing the principle of automatic control of water and gas;
FIGURE 3 shows a plan of one embodiment of the present invention; and
FIGURES 4a, 4b and 4c show the structure of the speed reducer/gearing mechanism for the water and gas valve controls.
The operation of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail:
The electronic circuits control the working state of the motor which drives the transmission. The transmission then drives the water valve and/or the gas valve, which means that users do not need to adjust the water valve and the gas valve directly by hand.
Consequently, remote control of the water heater is realised.
The electronic circuit uses mainly LM339 fourpotential comparators and transistors. When their states vary, the polarity of the potential difference across the motor terminals changes, which makes the motor turn backward or forward. Traditional relay switching is not used in this embodiment in order to keep the circuit simple and reliable. As the water valve and the gas valve are controlled by the same principle, reference shall be made only to the operation of the gas valve.
With reference to Figure 1, when the water cock is opened, the water-controlled switch is turned on, which provides the LM339 comparator with a 6V working voltage (from a DC transformer or battery). The potentiometer
W1 in the remote controller and the following potentiometer W2 of the gas valve are also provided with a 3V voltage. At this point, the potentials at the midpoints of W1 and W2 are equal, so Pin 1 and Pin 2 have low potential outputs. Transistors T1, T2, T3 and T4 are all cut off, and the motor M is stopped because it is not supplied with power.
If a higher water temperature is required, W1 is turned clockwise. The midpoint potential of W1 increases, so Pin 2 has a high level output. This makes T1 and T4 conduct, and motor M is provided with a voltage of a- and b+. Motor M turns, driving the gas valve clockwise, so that the gas flame becomes more powerful with increasing gas volume. As a result, the water is heated. At the same time, the midpoint potential of follow-up potentiometer W2 increases.
When the midpoint potential of W2 is equal to the midpoint potential of W1, pin 2 has a low output, T1 and T4 are cut off, and the motor M stops. This means that the gas flow has increased to the desired volume and the temperature has reached the required point.
If a lower water temperature is required, W1 is turned anticlockwise. The midpoint potential of W1 decreases, so P1 has a high level output. This makes
T2 and T3 conduct, and motor M is provided with a voltage of a+ and b-. Motor M turns anticlockwise, and through the transmission drives the gas valve anticlockwise, so that the flame becomes less powerful with decreasing gas volume. As a result, the water temperature is reduced. At the same time, the midpoint potential of w2 decreases. When it is reduced to the potential of W1, T2 and T3 are cut off, the motor stops, and therefore the water is kept at the desired temperature. When reaching the highest or lowest points, the position switches are off, and the motor stops turning. The above-mentioned remote controller which consists of electronic circuits is the command mechanism for the remote control operations, and the speed reducer/gearing mechanism for water and gas valve control is the actuating mechanism. The remote controller installed in a bathroom automatically controls the speed reducers/gearing mechanisms of the water and gas control valves inside the water heater through the main circuit board in the heater, which is installed outside the bathroom. The speed reducers/gearing mechanisms of the water and gas valves adopt mini DC motors and four-stage gear transmissions.
Rotational operation of the valves is realised by the 17-tooth bevel gears in the range of 105" for the water and gas valve spindles. Actuating operations for controlling the water and gas valves are synchronised with commands from the main circuit for remote control.
Turning the water valve spindle by actuation increases or decreases the hot water output, and turning the gas valve spindle makes the gas volume larger or smaller, so that the water temperature can be raised or reduced.
The principle of automatic control of water and gas is shown in Figure 2.
Figure 3 is a configuration plan of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, comprising a water outlet (1), a water inlet (2), a drain cock (3), a power supply socket (4), a DC transformer (5), a main body casing (6), a collection cap (7) for exhaust gas, a remote controller (8), a gas adjusting knob (9), a water adjusting knob (10), an indicator light (11), an installation base (12), a remote controller socket (13), a check window (14), a battery box (15) and a gas inlet (16).
The main body of the water heater can be installed in well-ventilated place outside the bathroom. The plug from the transformer (5) is plugged into the socket at the lower right side of the body, in order to supply power to the remote controller, the main circuit board inside the body and the water and gas valve control reducers/gearing mechanisms. In the event of a failure in the mains electricity supply, the 6V source in the battery box (15) located at the lower part of the body can be used. The remote controller can then be installed inside the bathroom. The plug from the remote controller can be plugged into the socket at the lower left side of the heater body. The water temperature and volume supplied by the heater can be regulated easily through the gas adjusting knob (9) and the water adjusting knob (10) of the remote controller.
As soon as the water cock is opened, the water heater ignites automatically, and hot water is produced. When the water cock is closed, the water heater is extinguished automatically, and the gas is shut off.
This water heater may be provided with safety devices such as overpressure protection, oxygen-shortage protection, accidental extinction protection, and so forth.
Claims (7)
1. A gas-fired water heater including control means adapted to be located remotely from the water heater, which control means comprises at least one adjustable potentiometer and which water heater includes at least one adjustable valve to regulate the gas and/or the water supply, wherein the at least one valve is provided with drive means actuated directly by adjustment of the at least one potentiometer.
2. A heater as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drive means comprises a 17-tooth bevel gear arranged to turn a valve spindle through 105 .
3. A heater as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the control means comprises electronic circuitry adapted to cause the gas valve and/or the water valve to be rotated by the drive means by an angle substantially corresponding to a rotation applied to a control spindle of the at least one potentiometer.
4. A heater as claimed in any preceding claim, the heater comprising a heater body casing, a remote controller, a DC transformer, a battery box, and a speed reducer for controlling the water and gas valves, wherein the remote controller comprises one or more potentiometers provided with knobs for controlling the water and gas valves, an indicating light, and a sealed case, the remote controller being electrically connected to a main circuit board in the heater body casing by way of plugs and sockets; the speed reducer for water and gas control comprises a mini DC motor and all-gear four-stage variable transmission; and the rotation mechanism of the valve spindles is a 17-tooth bevel gear with a range of 105 .
5. A heater as claimed in claim 4, wherein the maximum rotation of angle of the valve spindles in the speed reducers for water and gas control is 105 , the turning angles of spindles being consistent with the turning angles of the potentiometers in the controller.
6. A heater as claimed in claim 4 or 6, wherein the remote controller further comprises an integrated circuit LM339 four-potential comparator, potentiometers, transistors and a power source, and in which the gas valve drive circuit is identical with the water valve drive circuit, the power supply is a DC transformer or a battery box, and the plug from the controller may be plugged into a socket of the heater body.
7. A gas-fired water heater substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN95200888U CN2213296Y (en) | 1995-02-17 | 1995-02-17 | Telecontrol full automatic gas-fired water heater |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9520596D0 GB9520596D0 (en) | 1995-12-13 |
| GB2298031A true GB2298031A (en) | 1996-08-21 |
Family
ID=5084140
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9520596A Withdrawn GB2298031A (en) | 1995-02-17 | 1995-10-09 | Gas-fired water heater with remote adjustment |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CN (1) | CN2213296Y (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2298031A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1999022175A1 (en) * | 1997-10-23 | 1999-05-06 | Mertik Maxitrol Gmbh & Co. Kg | Gas regulating fixture |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN105573799B (en) * | 2015-12-22 | 2018-09-25 | 上海林内有限公司 | Remote controller for gas combustion water heater is aided with main substrate parameter setting method and device |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2048466A (en) * | 1979-04-13 | 1980-12-10 | Diffracto Ltd | Optically controlled plumbing apparatus |
| GB2149895A (en) * | 1983-11-18 | 1985-06-19 | Triton Aquatherm | Improvements in shower installations |
| GB2190990A (en) * | 1986-05-23 | 1987-12-02 | Nuovo Pignone Spa | System for regulating temperature of hot water in wall-hung instantaneous mixed gas heating units |
| DE3721050A1 (en) * | 1986-06-23 | 1988-02-18 | Vaillant Joh Gmbh & Co | Continuous-flow heater |
| GB2194317A (en) * | 1986-08-29 | 1988-03-02 | Redring Electric Ltd | Instantaneous water heaters |
-
1995
- 1995-02-17 CN CN95200888U patent/CN2213296Y/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1995-10-09 GB GB9520596A patent/GB2298031A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2048466A (en) * | 1979-04-13 | 1980-12-10 | Diffracto Ltd | Optically controlled plumbing apparatus |
| GB2149895A (en) * | 1983-11-18 | 1985-06-19 | Triton Aquatherm | Improvements in shower installations |
| GB2190990A (en) * | 1986-05-23 | 1987-12-02 | Nuovo Pignone Spa | System for regulating temperature of hot water in wall-hung instantaneous mixed gas heating units |
| DE3721050A1 (en) * | 1986-06-23 | 1988-02-18 | Vaillant Joh Gmbh & Co | Continuous-flow heater |
| GB2194317A (en) * | 1986-08-29 | 1988-03-02 | Redring Electric Ltd | Instantaneous water heaters |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1999022175A1 (en) * | 1997-10-23 | 1999-05-06 | Mertik Maxitrol Gmbh & Co. Kg | Gas regulating fixture |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CN2213296Y (en) | 1995-11-22 |
| GB9520596D0 (en) | 1995-12-13 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |