GB2375593A - Electric shower correction control - Google Patents
Electric shower correction control Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2375593A GB2375593A GB0211306A GB0211306A GB2375593A GB 2375593 A GB2375593 A GB 2375593A GB 0211306 A GB0211306 A GB 0211306A GB 0211306 A GB0211306 A GB 0211306A GB 2375593 A GB2375593 A GB 2375593A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- heater
- shower
- water
- elements
- temperature
- 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- Withdrawn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 claims abstract description 128
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 29
- 239000008236 heating water Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005485 electric heating Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000012054 meals Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002453 shampoo Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000008400 supply water Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H9/00—Details
- F24H9/20—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
- F24H9/2007—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heaters
- F24H9/2014—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heaters using electrical energy supply
- F24H9/2028—Continuous-flow heaters
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
- F24H15/10—Control of fluid heaters characterised by the purpose of the control
- F24H15/156—Reducing the quantity of energy consumed; Increasing efficiency
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
- F24H15/20—Control of fluid heaters characterised by control inputs
- F24H15/212—Temperature of the water
- F24H15/215—Temperature of the water before heating
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
- F24H15/20—Control of fluid heaters characterised by control inputs
- F24H15/212—Temperature of the water
- F24H15/219—Temperature of the water after heating
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
- F24H15/20—Control of fluid heaters characterised by control inputs
- F24H15/238—Flow rate
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
- F24H15/20—Control of fluid heaters characterised by control inputs
- F24H15/281—Input from user
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
- F24H15/30—Control of fluid heaters characterised by control outputs; characterised by the components to be controlled
- F24H15/355—Control of heat-generating means in heaters
- F24H15/37—Control of heat-generating means in heaters of electric heaters
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
- F24H15/40—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
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05D—SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
- G05D23/00—Control of temperature
- G05D23/19—Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means
- G05D23/1927—Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means using a plurality of sensors
- G05D23/193—Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means using a plurality of sensors sensing the temperaure in different places in thermal relationship with one or more spaces
- G05D23/1931—Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means using a plurality of sensors sensing the temperaure in different places in thermal relationship with one or more spaces to control the temperature of one space
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P80/00—Climate change mitigation technologies for sector-wide applications
- Y02P80/10—Efficient use of energy, e.g. using compressed air or pressurized fluid as energy carrier
- Y02P80/15—On-site combined power, heat or cool generation or distribution, e.g. combined heat and power [CHP] supply
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Remote Sensing (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
- Instantaneous Water Boilers, Portable Hot-Water Supply Apparatuses, And Control Of Portable Hot-Water Supply Apparatuses (AREA)
Abstract
An electric shower comprises a water heater (10) having a water inlet (14), a water outlet (16) and plurality of electrical heating elements (24-30) for heating water flowing through the heater. The shower also has an inlet water temperature sensor (42) and an outlet water temperature sensor (44) and an automatic control means (34, 38, 40) which selects and activates a combination of heater elements required to raise the temperature of the water passing through the heater substantially to a predetermined value, in dependance at least on the inlet water temperature. To improve the predictive accuracy of the control means in selecting the required combination of elements, the control means compares the actual value of the outlet water temperature achieved with an expected value for the outlet water temperature and generates a correction factor based on any differences between the expected and the actual values. The correction factor is stored to memory for subsequent use in determining the combination of elements required to raise the temperature of the water passing through the heater substantially to a predetermined value.
Description
Electric Shower The present invention relates to an electric shower and in
particular to an electric shower having a water heater with a plurality of heating elements.
Electric showers are lcnown which have a water heater with an electric heating element. To 5 heat the water, an electric current is passed through the heating element and the heat thus generated is transferred to the water as it passes through the water heater. The temperature of the water leaving the shower is dependent on a number of factors including the temperature of the water entering the shower, the flow rate of the water passing through the water heater and the power rating of the heating element.
10 Itis also known to provide en electric shower haying wafer treater with two heating elements.
A manual control on the shower allows a user to selectively activate either of the elements on their own or both of the elements together to ensure that a desired water temperature is achieved. Typically, the elements each have a different power rating so that the user is able to select from three available power ratings - high, medium and low.
15 In order to provide for a shower which is capable of automatically compensating for changing conditions, such as sudden changes in inlet water temperature or varying flow conditions, it is known to provide a heater having a plurality of heating elements and an automatic control system for switching the elements on and off to maintain a desired or predetermined outlet water temperature. US 4, 713, 525, for example, discloses a microcomputer controlled 20 electric water heater for a shower, in which the microcomputer operates in response to a user selected desired outlet water temperature to compare the inlet water temperature with the actual outlet water temperature and activates the required number of heater elements to achieve the desired outlet water temperature selected by the user.
The ability of such automatic control systems to accurately select the correct combination of 25 elements depends in part on the accuracy of the algorithms used by the control system but also on the predictability and repeatability of the performance of the heating elements
themselves. Where the elements generate more or less heat than expected, the control system will be incapable of accurately selecting the correct combination of elements to activate.
This can result in poor control of the outlet water temperature. It may also result in the control system having to constantly re-calculate the required combination of elements, 5 leading to an increased switching ofthe elements which can reduce the life expectancy ofthe heater. The object of the present invention is to provide an improved electric shower which overcomes or at least mitigates the problems of the lcuown electric showers.
10 In accordance with the invention, there is provided an electric shower comprising a water heater having a water inlet, a water outlet and a plurality of electrical heating elements for heating water flowing through the heater from the inlet to the outlet during use of the shower, means for sensing the inlet water temperature, means for sensing the outlet water temperature and automatic control means adapted, in use, to determine and activate a combination of 15 heater elements required to raise the temperature of the water passing through the heater substantially to a predetermined value, in dependence at least on the inlet water temperature, the control means being further adapted to compare the actual value of the outlet water temperature achieved With an expected value for the outlet water temperature and to generate a correction factor based on any differences between the expected and the actual values of 20 the outlet water temperature and to store the correction factor for subsequent use in determining the combination of elements required to raise the temperature of the water passing through the heater substantially to a predetermined value.
Preferably, the control means comprises microprocessor circuitry including a memory into which are stored algorithms based on the nominal power ratings of the heating elements for 25 use in determining the combination of heating elements required to raise the temperature of the water passing though the heater substantially to a predetermined value, the correction factor being used to modify or augment the stored algorithms.
Preferably, a correction factor is generated and stored in respect of each of the electric heater
elements. Preferably, the shower further comprises means for sensing the flow rate of the water passing through the shower in use, the control means being adapted, in use, to determine and activate a combination of elements required to raise the temperature of the water passing through the 5 heater substantially to a predetermined value in dependence on both the inlet water temperature and the flow rate.
Where the shower comprises means to sense the flow rate of the water passing through the heater, the shower preferably further comprises means to control the flow rate of the water through the water heater, the control means being adapted to determine an optimum flow rate 10 and combination of elements required to raise the temperature of the water passing though the heater substantially to the predetermined value and to adjust the flow rate and active the elements accordingly.
Preferably, each heating element has a different power rating.
Preferably, there are four heating elements.
1 S Advantageously, means are provided to selectively limit the maximum power consumption of the heater to a pre-determined value which is less than the power consumption of the heater when all the heater elements are activated.
Preferably, the means to selectively limit the maximum power consumption of the heater comprises means which inhibits the activation of combinations of heater elements having a 20 combined power consumption in excess of the pre-determined value.
In a preferred embodiment, the shower further comprises a user interface by means of which a user can select the predetermined outlet water temperature, in which case, the user interface may be adapted to input to the control means a signal indicative of the predetermined outlet water temperature selected by the user.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure l is a schematic drawing showing the water heater of an electric shower in accordance with the invention; and 5 Figure 2 is a perspective view of part of the control means of the water heater of Figure 1.
A water heater l O for an electric shower comprises a heater tube 12 having an inlet 14 and an outlet 16. The tube 12 has an inner tube member 18 and an outer tube member 20. When in use, the tube 12 is arranged so as to be aligned substantially vertically.
Water at ambient temperature from a suitable water supply (not shown) enters the heater tube 10 12 through the inlet 14 from where it flows, via a solenoid controlled valve 22, down through the inner tube member 18. When the water reaches the bottom of the inner tube member, it flows bacl; upwards between the inner tube member and the outer tube member 20 towards the outlet 16. From the outlet, the water is delivered to a shower head (not shown) by means of suitable pipe work (also not shown).
15 Four electrical heating elements 24, 26, 28, 30 are affixed to the external surface of the outer tube member 20. Each heating element is selectively and independently connectable to an electrical power supply 32 by means of a respective relay 34.
Each element when connected to the power supply generates heat which is transferred across the outer tube member 20 to the water as is flows up the tube 12 between the inner tube 20 member 18 and the outer tube member 20.
Each of the elements has a different power rating and so generates a different amount of heat when connected to the power supply. In the present embodiment, a first of the elements 24 has a power rating of 1542W, a second element 26 has a power rating of 2313W, a third element a power rating of 3084W, whilst a fourth element has a power rating of 3 855W. This
arrangement gives a minimum power rating of 1542W if only the first element 24 is activated and a maximum combined power rating for all elements of approximately 10.8kW.
It will be noted that the power ratings of the elements are based on a step value of 771 W. Thus the first element 24 has a power rating of 2 x 771 W. the second element 26 has a power 5 rating of 3 x 771 W. the third element 28 has a power rating of 4 x 771 W and the fourth element 30 has a power rating of 5 x 771 W. As indicated above, each of the elements can be activated independently of the others by closing its respective relay 34 to connect the element to the power supply. By activating the elements either singly or together in various combinations, 12 different power ratings are 10 possible as shown in the table below.
Elements activated Power rating First 1542W Second 2313W Third 3084W 1 Fourth 3855W First & Third 4626W First & Fourth or Second & Third 5397W Second & Fourth 6168W Third & Fourth or First & Second & Third 6939W 20 First & Second & Fourth 7710W First & Third & Fourth 8481 W Second, Third & Fourth 9255W First & Second & Third & Fourth 10794W _ For the avoidance of doubt, it should be noted that throughout this specification, including
25 the claims, terms such as "combination", or "a combination of elements", when used in reference to the heating elements are to be understood as including a single heating element.
The water heater also comprises a control means, indicated generally at 36, which is operative to control the outlet water temperature of the shower and the rate of flow of water through the shower. The control means comprises a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 38 which 30 has microprocessor circuitry including a memory and which is operatively connected to relay
drivers 40 for selectively opening and closing the relays 34 connecting the heating elements to the power supply. The CPU is also operatively connected at 35 to the solenoid valve 22 to control the flow of water through the heater tube 12.
Input data for the control means is provided by an inlet water temperature sensor 42 for 5 sensing the temperature of the water entering the heater, otherwise known as the inlet water temperature; an outlet water temperature sensor 44 for sensing the temperature of the water leaving the heater, otherwise known as the outlet water temperature; and a flow meter 46 for measuring the flow rate of the water. The temperature sensors 42, 44 and the flow meter 46 are all connected to the CPU by suitable cables 43, 45, 47 and the CPU may also have the 10 necessary signal processing circuitry to convert the signals from the sensors into a suitable form for the microprocessor. Such signal processing circuitry may include an analog to digital converter for example.
A user interface 48 is also provided. The user interface 48 has various displays for the user and input devises, such as push buttons, through which the user can select a desired mode of 15 operation for the shower. In particular, the interface provides an input device through which the user can select a desired or predetermined outlet water temperature for the shower. The user interface is connected to the CPU as indicated at 50, so that a signal from the user interface indicative of the predetermined outlet water temperature selected by the use can be input to the CPU.
20 Operation of the shower will now be described.
On first use of the shower, the control means checks the systems ability to supply water by opening the solenoid valve 22 and monitoring the flow rate ofthe water as sensed by the flow meter 46. The maximum flow rate, or flow capacity, of the system is retained in the memory ofthe control means and will be updated each time the shower is operated. This ensures that 25 any changes in flow capacity, due for instance to a build up of deposits in the pipe work supplying the shower, can be taken into account by the control means when selecting the required flow rate and element combination to provide the desired outlet water temperature.
Typically, but not exclusively, an electric shower in accordance with the invention is designed to operate with a flow rate of up to approximately 10 L/m. If the flow capacity of 30 the system exceeds this value, the solenoid valve 22 is operated to limit the maximum flow
rate accordingly.
Subsequently, when a user wishes to take a shower, the user operates the appropriate controls on the user interface. This may include activating a switch to turn the shower on and selecting a desired outlet water temperature.
5 Once the shower has been tuned on, the control means checks the inlet water temperature as sensed by the inlet water temperature sensor 42 and calculates the optimum combination of water flow rate (up to the maximum flow rate for the shower), and heater element power to achieve the desired water temperature. The required combination of elements is then activated by closing the appropriate relay or relays 34 and the flow rate of the water is 10 controlled by means of the solenoid valve 22.
During the shower, the control means will continue to monitor the inlet water temperature and the flow rate of the water. If there are any changes, such as a drop in the temperature of the water entering the shower, then the optimum flow rate and element combination are automatically re-calculated and adjusted to maintain the desired outlet water temperature.
15 The control means will also monitor the actual outlet water temperature as sensed by the outlet water sensor 44 to ensure that the desired outlet water temperature has been achieved.
If the actual outlet water temperature is different from the desired temperature, then the control means will vary the flow rate and/or the element combination until the actual outlet water temperature matches the desired outlet water temperature as selected by the user.
20 In calculating the optimum combination of flow rate and heater element power, the control means is programmed to maximise the flow rate of water through the shower for the selected temperature, up to the maximum flow rate of the heater. The control means will thus determine whether a desired outlet water temperature can be achieved at the maximum flow rate by selecting a particular combination of heating elements. If not, the control means 25 determines the combination of heater elements which it predicts will achieve an outlet water temperature that is closest to, but less than, the desired temperature and will then calculate the amount by which the flow rate needs to be reduced in order to achieve the desired outlet temperature with that combination of elements. The control means then activates the selected combination of elements and adjusts the flow rate accordingly. In effect, the control means 30 uses the selection of heater element combinations as a course temperature control with
adjustment of the flow rate being used to fine tune the outlet water temperature.
At all times the control means will seek to provide the predetermined outlet water temperature at the highest possible flow rate up to the maximum flow rate of the shower. As indicated above, the control means monitors the flow capacity of the shower during use. In 5 the event that the maximum possible flow rate drops, for example due to a build up of deposits in the supply pipe work, the control means uses the new lower maximum flow rate when calculating the optimum combination of flow rate and heater element power.
Where a change in the inlet water temperature is detected during use of the shower, the control means will assess whether the change needs to be compensated for by changing the 10 combination of heater elements which are activated, the flow rate of the water through the heater, or a combination of both. If the change in inlet water temperature is small and a change in the heater element combination would over compensate, the control means may vary the flow rate only. However, the control means will change both the element combination and the flow rate if this enables the desired outlet water temperature to be 15 delivered at a higher flow rate.
Changes in the flow rate of the water through the heater, due for example to a sudden drop in the pressure of the water supply, will be compensated for by adjusting the solenoid valve 22 alone whenever possible. Where the flow rate of the water entering the heater drops, the solenoid valve 22 will be opened to compensate. If, however, the solenoid valve is already 20 fully open or if opening the valve is not sufficient to fully compensate for the drop in flow rate, the control means will recalculate the required combination of heater elements and flow rate to produce the desired outlet water temperature at the highest possible flow rate. If the flow rate should subsequently increase, the control meals will again recalculate the required combination of heater elements and flow rate required to deliver the desired outlet water 25 temperature whilst maximising the flow rate of the water within the limits of the heaters capacity. In certain circumstances, the shower may have an input to allow the user to select a reduced flow rate. For example, the shower may have a low flow rate mode which can be selected by the user when they wish to apply shampoo. Where a user has selected a reduced flow rate 30 mode in this way, the control means will treat the reduced flow rate as if it were the maximum flow rate when controlling the outlet water temperature.
In calculating the optimum combination of heating elements and flow rate to achieve the desired outlet temperature, the microprocessor will use pre-programmed algorithms which are based on the nominal power ratings ofthe heating elements 24, 26, 28, 30. However, due to manufacturing tolerances, the actual power rating of the elements in any particular shower 5 may vary from these nominal values. Thus, any particular element may generate more or less heat than the microprocessor expects. Furthermore, the performance of the elements may vary during the life of the heater.
in order that the control means can more accurately predict and select the optimum combination of elements and flow rate, the microprocessor has a self-calibration facility.
10 During use of the shower, the microprocessor monitors the actual outlet water temperature achieved for any given combination of activated heating elements, flow rate and inlet water temperature and compares this with an expected outlet temperature for those conditions.
Where differences between the values ofthe actual and expected outlet water temperature is detected, this information is used to generate a correction factor or weighting for each 15 element. The correction factors are stored to memory for subsequent use by the control means when calculating the required combination of elements and flow rate. This allows for a progressively more accurate predictive setting of the element and flow rate combinations available. As was discussed earlier, in the embodiment shown, the maximum combined power rating 20 of all the elements is approximately 1 0.8kW. This value has been selected because it utilizes the maximum capability of currently available terminal blocks which is 45A at a voltage of 240V. However, there may be occasions when it is desired to fit the shower as a replacement for a previously fitted shower which had a lower power rating and where the existing cabling cannot be used safely with this load. In order that the shower can be used safely in these 25 circumstances, the shower 10 is provided with a jumper link 52 which can be positioned between any one of a number of pairs ofterminals 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64 to selectively limit the maximum power consumption ofthe shower. Positioning the jumper link on a particular pair of links will cause the control means to disallow any combination of elements having a power consumption above the maximum power consumption selected.
30 In the present embodiment there are six pairs of the links, the first pair 54 is provided as a shipping position and with the link connected across this pair no heating elements can be activated. The remaining five pairs of links allow for maximum power settings of 6.94kW,
- 10 7.71kW, 8.48kW, 9.251cW, and 10.8kW respectively. These values allowing for replacement of existing showers with wiring from 4mm2 to 1 Omrn2.
It will be understood that other methods could be adopted for selecting the maximum permitted power consumption for the shower. For example a multi-position switch could be 5 used rather than the link arrangement. Alternatively the maximum power consumption could be selected by programming the microprocessor.
The ability to selectively limit the maximum power consumption of the shower means that a manufacturer need supply only one shower to meet all the normal power ratings currently in use, rather than having to supply a range of showers each having a different maximum 10 power rating. This considerably reduces manufacturing and marketing costs.
Although the present embodiment has been described as having four heating elements, it should be understood that the invention encompasses a shower having a heater with any number of heating elements from two upwards. Furthermore, tile actual power ratings of the elements can be varied as appropriate to the application. It should also be understood that the 15 invention is not limited to showers having heaters in which the flow rate of the water through the heater is monitored and controlled. In certain applications, the heater can be designed to operate at a constant flow rate, in which case only the inlet and outlet temperatures need be monitored.
Claims (12)
1. An electric shower comprising a water heater having a water inlet, a water outlet and a plurality of electrical heating elements for heating water flowing through the heater À 5 from the inlet to the outlet during use ofthe shower, means for sensing the inlet water temperature, means for sensing the outlet water temperature and automatic control means adapted, in use, to determine and activate a combination of heater elements required to raise the temperature ofthe water passing through the heater substantially to a predetermined value in dependence at least on the inlet water temperature, the 10 control means being further adapted to compare the actual value of the outlet water temperature achieved with an expected value for the outlet water temperature and to generate a correction factor based on any differences between the expected and the actual values of the outlet water temperature and to store the correction factor for subsequent use in determining the combination of elements required to raise the 15 temperature of the water passing through the heater substantially to a predetermined value.
2. An electric shower in accordance with claim 1, in which the control means comprises microprocessor circuitry including a memory into which are stored algorithms based on the nominal power ratings of the heating elements for use in determining the 20 combination of heating elements required to raise the temperature of the water passing though the heater substantially to a predetermined value, the correction factor being used to modify or augment the stored algorithms.
3. An electric shower as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which a correction factor is generated and stored in respect of each of the electric heater elements.
25
4. An electric shower as claimed in and one of claims 1 to 3, in which the shower further comprises means for sensing the flow rate of the water passing through the shower in use, the control means being adapted, in use, to determine and activate a combination of elements required to raise the temperature of the water passing through the heater substantially to a predetermined value in dependence on both the 3 0 inlet water temperature and the flow rate.
5. An electric shower in accordance with claim 4, in which the shower further comprises
means to control the flow rate of the water through the water heater, the control means being adapted to determine an optimum flow rate and combination of elements required to raise the temperature of the water passing though the heater substantially to the predetermined value and to adjust the flow rate and active the elements 5 accordingly.
6. An electric shower in accordance with any previous claim, in which each heating element has a different power rating.
7. An electric shower in accordance with any previous claim, in which there are four heating elements.
10
8. An electric shower in accordance with any previous claim, in which means are provided to selectively limit the maximum power consumption ofthe treater to a pre deter nined value which is less than the power consumption of the heater when all the heater elements are activated.
9. An electric shower in accordance with claim 8, in which the means to selectively 15 limit the maximum power consumption ofthe heater comprises means which inhibits the activation of combinations of heater elements having a combined power consumption in excess of the pre-determined value.
10. An electric shower in accordance with any previous claim, in which the shower further comprises a user interface by means of which a user can select a 20 predetermined outlet water temperature.
An electric shower as claimed in claim 10, in which the user interface is adapted to input to the control means a signal indicative of the predetermined outlet water temperature selected by the user.
12. An electric shower substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as 25 illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB0112097.1A GB0112097D0 (en) | 2001-05-18 | 2001-05-18 | Electric shower |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0211306D0 GB0211306D0 (en) | 2002-06-26 |
| GB2375593A true GB2375593A (en) | 2002-11-20 |
Family
ID=9914831
Family Applications (4)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB0112097.1A Ceased GB0112097D0 (en) | 2001-05-18 | 2001-05-18 | Electric shower |
| GB0211305A Withdrawn GB2375592A (en) | 2001-05-18 | 2002-05-17 | Electric shower with power consumption limit |
| GB0211306A Withdrawn GB2375593A (en) | 2001-05-18 | 2002-05-17 | Electric shower correction control |
| GB0211303A Withdrawn GB2375591A (en) | 2001-05-18 | 2002-05-17 | Electric shower with automatic control |
Family Applications Before (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB0112097.1A Ceased GB0112097D0 (en) | 2001-05-18 | 2001-05-18 | Electric shower |
| GB0211305A Withdrawn GB2375592A (en) | 2001-05-18 | 2002-05-17 | Electric shower with power consumption limit |
Family Applications After (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0211303A Withdrawn GB2375591A (en) | 2001-05-18 | 2002-05-17 | Electric shower with automatic control |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (4) | GB0112097D0 (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2446602A (en) * | 2007-02-13 | 2008-08-20 | Menachem Porat | Thermal regulation of water |
| WO2012089653A2 (en) * | 2010-12-27 | 2012-07-05 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Flow heater |
| EP3559962A4 (en) * | 2016-12-21 | 2020-08-26 | Negrete Hernandez, Joaquin Enrique | Harmonics filters using semi non-magnetic bobbins |
Families Citing this family (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2389890B8 (en) * | 2002-04-30 | 2011-01-05 | Electro Heat Plc | Flow boiler control system |
| GB0325399D0 (en) * | 2003-10-31 | 2003-12-03 | Heatrae Sadia Heating Ltd | An improved electric boiler |
| KR20120111906A (en) | 2011-04-01 | 2012-10-11 | 웅진코웨이주식회사 | Apparatus for supplying warm water and method for supplying warm water |
| GB2496636B (en) * | 2011-11-17 | 2016-08-31 | Applied Energy Products Ltd | Shower Control |
| CN105276824B (en) * | 2015-11-24 | 2017-12-12 | 阿里斯顿热能产品(中国)有限公司 | Compatible EMC Rapid electric water heater method for heating and controlling |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2148467A (en) * | 1983-10-18 | 1985-05-30 | Gainsborough Electrical | Water heaters |
| GB2150716A (en) * | 1983-11-09 | 1985-07-03 | Rl & D Ltd | Electric water heaters |
| GB2184526A (en) * | 1983-10-18 | 1987-06-24 | Gainsborough Electrical | Water heaters |
| GB2204966A (en) * | 1987-05-22 | 1988-11-23 | Heatrae Sadia Heating Ltd | Instantaneous water heater with presets |
| GB2269466A (en) * | 1992-08-08 | 1994-02-09 | Caradon Mira Ltd | Improvements in or relating to instantaneous water heaters |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2102164B (en) * | 1981-06-25 | 1985-09-04 | Woolhouse Limited Norman | Temperature sensing means |
| US4713525A (en) * | 1986-07-23 | 1987-12-15 | Kowah, Inc. | Microcomputer controlled instant electric water heating and delivery system |
| GB2254678B (en) * | 1991-04-10 | 1995-02-15 | Triton Plc | Water heaters |
| GB2317944A (en) * | 1996-10-04 | 1998-04-08 | Andrew Boulton Renfrew | Electrical water heating appliance |
-
2001
- 2001-05-18 GB GBGB0112097.1A patent/GB0112097D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2002
- 2002-05-17 GB GB0211305A patent/GB2375592A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2002-05-17 GB GB0211306A patent/GB2375593A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2002-05-17 GB GB0211303A patent/GB2375591A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2148467A (en) * | 1983-10-18 | 1985-05-30 | Gainsborough Electrical | Water heaters |
| GB2184526A (en) * | 1983-10-18 | 1987-06-24 | Gainsborough Electrical | Water heaters |
| GB2150716A (en) * | 1983-11-09 | 1985-07-03 | Rl & D Ltd | Electric water heaters |
| GB2204966A (en) * | 1987-05-22 | 1988-11-23 | Heatrae Sadia Heating Ltd | Instantaneous water heater with presets |
| GB2269466A (en) * | 1992-08-08 | 1994-02-09 | Caradon Mira Ltd | Improvements in or relating to instantaneous water heaters |
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2446602A (en) * | 2007-02-13 | 2008-08-20 | Menachem Porat | Thermal regulation of water |
| WO2012089653A2 (en) * | 2010-12-27 | 2012-07-05 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Flow heater |
| WO2012089653A3 (en) * | 2010-12-27 | 2013-07-11 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Flow heater |
| CN103270375A (en) * | 2010-12-27 | 2013-08-28 | 罗伯特·博世有限公司 | Flow heater |
| CN103270375B (en) * | 2010-12-27 | 2016-09-14 | 罗伯特·博世有限公司 | Straight-through heater |
| EP3559962A4 (en) * | 2016-12-21 | 2020-08-26 | Negrete Hernandez, Joaquin Enrique | Harmonics filters using semi non-magnetic bobbins |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0211305D0 (en) | 2002-06-26 |
| GB2375591A (en) | 2002-11-20 |
| GB2375592A (en) | 2002-11-20 |
| GB0211303D0 (en) | 2002-06-26 |
| GB0211306D0 (en) | 2002-06-26 |
| GB0112097D0 (en) | 2001-07-11 |
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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) |