GB2465176A - Instantaneous shower unit and controller - Google Patents

Instantaneous shower unit and controller Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2465176A
GB2465176A GB0820373A GB0820373A GB2465176A GB 2465176 A GB2465176 A GB 2465176A GB 0820373 A GB0820373 A GB 0820373A GB 0820373 A GB0820373 A GB 0820373A GB 2465176 A GB2465176 A GB 2465176A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
temperature
water
flow
shower
alarm
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.)
Granted
Application number
GB0820373A
Other versions
GB0820373D0 (en
GB2465176B (en
Inventor
John Robert Brindley
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Applied Energy Products Ltd
Original Assignee
Applied Energy Products Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Applied Energy Products Ltd filed Critical Applied Energy Products Ltd
Priority to GB0820373.9A priority Critical patent/GB2465176B/en
Publication of GB0820373D0 publication Critical patent/GB0820373D0/en
Publication of GB2465176A publication Critical patent/GB2465176A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2465176B publication Critical patent/GB2465176B/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

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
    • F24H1/00—Water heaters, e.g. boilers, continuous-flow heaters or water-storage heaters
    • F24H1/10—Continuous-flow heaters, i.e. heaters in which heat is generated only while the water is flowing, e.g. with direct contact of the water with the heating medium
    • F24H1/101—Continuous-flow heaters, i.e. heaters in which heat is generated only while the water is flowing, e.g. with direct contact of the water with the heating medium using electric energy supply
    • F24H1/102—Continuous-flow heaters, i.e. heaters in which heat is generated only while the water is flowing, e.g. with direct contact of the water with the heating medium using electric energy supply with resistance
    • 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
    • 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
    • F24H1/00—Water heaters, e.g. boilers, continuous-flow heaters or water-storage heaters
    • F24H1/10—Continuous-flow heaters, i.e. heaters in which heat is generated only while the water is flowing, e.g. with direct contact of the water with the heating medium
    • F24H1/101—Continuous-flow heaters, i.e. heaters in which heat is generated only while the water is flowing, e.g. with direct contact of the water with the heating medium using electric energy supply
    • 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
    • F24H15/144—Measuring or calculating energy consumption
    • F24H15/152—Forecasting future energy consumption
    • 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
    • F24H15/174—Supplying heated water with desired temperature or desired range of temperature
    • 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
    • F24H15/30—Control of fluid heaters characterised by control outputs; characterised by the components to be controlled
    • F24H15/395—Information to users, e.g. alarms
    • 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
    • F24H15/421—Control of fluid heaters characterised by the type of controllers using electronic processing, e.g. computer-based using pre-stored data
    • 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
    • F24H15/486—Control of fluid heaters characterised by the type of controllers using timers
    • 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

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Bathtubs, Showers, And Their Attachments (AREA)
  • Control Of Temperature (AREA)

Abstract

The instantaneous shower unit 10 includes a water inlet 12, a water outlet 14, an electrically powered heating element 24, a flow control device 22, a temperature setting device 16 and a control means 26. The control means includes a memory having predictive algorithms stored therein, and a reduce flow alarm 20. The control means receives inputs related to the flow and temperature of the water entering the shower unit 10 and the required outlet water temperature, performs a predictive algorithm using the inputs to determine if the required water temperature can be obtained and, if the required water temperature cannot be obtained, raises a reduce flow alarm 20.

Description

Description
This invention relates to showers, in particular to electric powered instantaneous showers.
Electrically powered showers are well known in the art and typically comprise an electrically powered heat exchanger through which water flows, under pressure, to a hose and hand unit that is usually a separable item. Commonly units will measure the temperature of the water entering and br leaving the shower unit and will have some 1 0 sort of control circuit to in order to maintain a substantially constant temperature. Most units have an internal adjustable flow stabilizer that is used to regulate the flow through the unit so that the water spends sufficient time in the heat exchanger for effective heat transfer to occur. More recently the complexity of controls has increased and increasing numbers of instantaneous electric showers have thermostatic controls whereby a 1 5 specific constant temperature can be set. These units follow the common practice of regulating the flow so as to ensure that the water, even at its highest required temperature, spends sufficient time in the heat exchanger to become heated to its temperature. As the water pressure, and therefore the flow supplied to such showers is often variable, as it is subject to influences from water use elsewhere within the system, the flow is set, internally of the shower unit, so as to match worst case situations. This results in the flow through the shower often being under optimised. Another known problem with thermostatic electric showers is that they may take some time to reach the desired temperature or for the temperature to stabilise if changed.
It is the purpose of the present invention to provide an improved electric shower.
According to the present invention there is provided an instantaneous shower unit comprising a water inlet, a water outlet, an electrically powered heating element, a flow control device, a temperature-setting device, control means comprising a memory having predictive algorithms stored therein, and a reduce flow alarm wherein the control means receives inputs related to the flow and temperature of the water entering the shower unit and the required outlet water temperature, performs a predictive algorithm using said inputs to determine if the required water temperature can be obtained,
I
if the required water temperature can not be obtained, raising a reduce flow alarm.
In this manner, by raising the flow until the alarm is raised, and then reducing it until the point at which the alarm stops, the user can optimise the flow through the shower unit in accordance with the demands on the rest of the water supply system.
Preferably, if the required water temperature can be obtained, the control means outputs a control signal to the heating element indicative of the power required from said heating element to achieve the required temperature. In this way the water flow and power consumption can both be optimised.
The control means may also receive an input indicative of the voltage supply to the heater element and the control means may use said voltage input to determine if the required water temperature can be obtained. In this way the same unit can be used with differing voltage supplies without affecting the actual outlet water temperature output at a set temperature. In addition, if the voltage supply to the unit changes during use, this change is taken into consideration in calculating if the reduce flow alarm is raised.
Preferably, the flow control device is manually operated, but equally it may be electronically operated, via a user interface.
Preferably, in use, when the reduce flow alarm has been raised, it remains in its raised state until an operator manually adjusts the flow control device to reduce the flow to a point at which the control means, by performing the predictive algorithm, predicts that the required temperature can be reached.
The alarm may comprise a light and/or the alarm may comprise an audible alarm.
Preferably the control means receives an input indicative of the outlet water temperature, and more preferably the shower unit further comprises indicator means for indicating when the outlet temperature is at its set temperature.
Preferably when the temperature setting device is set to a specific temperature, and the outlet temperature is not outside of a predetermined band of error of the set temperature, for a predetermined time period, the indicator is activated. The band of error may be in the range of � 0.5°C to � 2°C and the time period may be in the range of 2 to 10 seconds, preferably greater that five seconds.
Preferably, when the temperature-setting device is set to cold (or any other setting indicative of the heater element being turned off, hereinafter cold), the indicator is activated when the outlet water temperature stays constant, within a predetermined band of error, for a predetermined rolling time period. The band of error may be in the range of � 0.5°C to � 2°C and the time period may be in the range of 2 to 10 seconds. When, in use, the temperature setting is adjusted the indicator may turn of for a predetermined time period, preferably for a time period in the range of 8 to 12 seconds. Preferably, indicator turns off if the reduce flow alarm is raised. The indicator may comprise a light.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shower having a reduce flow alarm; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a shower unit having a reduce flow alarm; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a shower having a set temperature indicator; Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a shower having a set temperature indicator; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a shower having a set temperature indicator and a reduce flow alarm; Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a shower having a set temperature indicator and a reduce flow alarm.
Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2, a shower unit lOis shown having a water inlet 12 and a water outlet 14. In use the water outlet would have, connected to it a flexible hose terminating in a hand unit from which a spray of water would emit. The shower unit 10 has a temperature-setter 16 comprising temperature increasing and temperature reducing buttons, and an indicator 18 to indicate the set temperature, or a single digit representation of temperature. Known alternatives, for example a variable knob could of course replace the temperature-setting means 16 illustrated. The shower unit 10 has a reduce flow alarm 20 which lights up if the unit 10 determines that the flow is too high for it to control the outlet water temperature to that set using the temperature-setting means 18. If the alarm 20 lights the user can reduce the flow by turning the flow control knob 22 until the reduce flow alarm 20 goes out. In use, water flows from the inlet 12, through an electrically powered heater 24 and out of the water outlet 14. A controller 26 receives input signals from a flow meter 28, the temperature-setter 16 and the heater 24 indicative of the inlet flow, the required temperature, and the electric voltage respectively. The controller 26 used the input signals in a conjunction with a predictive mathematical algorithm to determine if the required temperature can be obtained. If the required temperature can be obtained, an output signal is sent to the heater 24 to apply the necessary electrical power to heat the water passing therethrough to the desired temperature. If the controller determines that the required water temperature can not be obtained, e.g. because the water flow through the heater 24 is too great for sufficient heat transfer to take place, the reduce flow alarm 20 lights up, indicating to the user that they need to manually reduce the flow by means of flow control knob 22. As the flow reduces the controller 26 continues to receive signals indicative of the reduced flow and, once the algorithm predicts that the required temperature can be met, the reduce flow alarm 20 light switches off. In addition as the controller receives an input from the heater 24, if the voltage of the electric supply to the heater 24 drops for some reason (and therefore so does its power output) to a level at which the required temperature can not be obtained the reduce flow alarm 20 lights up, indicating to the user that they need to manually reduce the flow by means of flow control knob 22. As the flow reduces the controller 26 continues to receive signals indicative of the heater voltage and, once the algorithm predicts that the required temperature can be met, the reduce flow alarm 20 light switches off.
Referring to Figures 3 and 4 a shower unit 30 is shown having a water inlet 32 and a water outlet 34. In use the water outlet would have, connected to it a flexible hose terminating in a hand unit from which a spray of water would emit. The shower unit 30 has a temperature-setter 36 comprising temperature increasing and temperature reducing buttons, and an indicator 38 to indicate the set temperature, or a single digit representation of temperature. Known alternatives, for example a variable knob could of course replace the temperature-setting means 36 illustrated. The shower unit 30 has a "shower ready" indicator 40 that lights up to indicate to the user that the water coming from the shower unit 30 is at the set temperature. In use, water flows from the inlet 32, through an electrically powered heater 44 and out of the water outlet 34. A controller 46 receives input signals from a flow meter 48, the temperature-setter 36 and the heater 44 indicative of the inlet flow, the required temperature, and the electric voltage respectively.
The controller 46 applies a predictive algorithm to predict the required power required from the heater 44 to obtain the required temperature and outputs a signal to the heater 44 to heat the water. Due to the time response and thermal dampening of the heater 44, amongst other factors, a time taken for the outlet temperature to reach the set temperature, either at start up when the shower 30 is turned on, or during use, takes a short time period. The shower unit 30 has a temperature sensor 50, to detect the outlet temperature of the water, which sends a signal to the controller 46 which, in combination with timer 52, monitors the temperature of the outlet water over time. The controller is configured to apply the following logic: On all temperature settings except COLD: Shower ready LED turns ON when the following rule is NOT true: "Outlet Temperature is outside set point by more than �2°C for more than 6 seconds".
When the Temperature setting is set to COLD: Shower Ready LED turns ON when the following rule is true: "Outlet Temperature stays within a 6 second rolling �2°C band'.
In addition to the above rules, the controller 46 applies the following exception: When a user adjustment to the temperature is made, the Ready LED turns OFF for 10 seconds.
In this manner the user can easily see by means of the indicator LED 40 whether the water temperature coming out of the shower is at the desired temperature.
Referring to Figures 5 a shower unit 60 is shown combining the functions of both reduce flow alarm 62 and flow controller 64 and "Shower Ready" indicator 64. The separate functions operate exactly as described above individually and, in addition, the controller (not shown) also applies a further logic rule: "Shower ready LED turns OFF when the Reduce flow alarm is ON".
Alternative embodiments and arrangements of the invention will be obvious to the person skilled in the art, for example any light or other indicator could be used in place of the LED's etc. and are deemed within the scope of the invention.
GB0820373.9A 2008-11-07 2008-11-07 Shower unit having thermostatic control Expired - Fee Related GB2465176B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0820373.9A GB2465176B (en) 2008-11-07 2008-11-07 Shower unit having thermostatic control

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0820373.9A GB2465176B (en) 2008-11-07 2008-11-07 Shower unit having thermostatic control

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0820373D0 GB0820373D0 (en) 2008-12-17
GB2465176A true GB2465176A (en) 2010-05-12
GB2465176B GB2465176B (en) 2014-01-15

Family

ID=40139532

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0820373.9A Expired - Fee Related GB2465176B (en) 2008-11-07 2008-11-07 Shower unit having thermostatic control

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2465176B (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2496636A (en) * 2011-11-17 2013-05-22 Applied Energy Products Ltd Electric shower controller

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5866880A (en) * 1995-10-10 1999-02-02 David Seitz Fluid heater with improved heating elements controller
WO2000077456A1 (en) * 1999-06-16 2000-12-21 David Seitz Fluid heating and control system
US6293471B1 (en) * 2000-04-27 2001-09-25 Daniel R. Stettin Heater control device and method to save energy

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5866880A (en) * 1995-10-10 1999-02-02 David Seitz Fluid heater with improved heating elements controller
WO2000077456A1 (en) * 1999-06-16 2000-12-21 David Seitz Fluid heating and control system
US6293471B1 (en) * 2000-04-27 2001-09-25 Daniel R. Stettin Heater control device and method to save energy

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2496636A (en) * 2011-11-17 2013-05-22 Applied Energy Products Ltd Electric shower controller
GB2496636B (en) * 2011-11-17 2016-08-31 Applied Energy Products Ltd Shower Control

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0820373D0 (en) 2008-12-17
GB2465176B (en) 2014-01-15

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
JP6830339B2 (en) Heat source device
CA2492350C (en) Temperature control system for a bathing unit
KR101977021B1 (en) Apparatus for supplying hot water and method for the same
US20120060772A1 (en) External Gas Controller For Tankless Water Heater
KR101906340B1 (en) Apparatus for supplying hot water and method for the same
GB2465176A (en) Instantaneous shower unit and controller
JP2001200568A (en) Toilet device
JP2011089692A (en) Water heater
GB2375593A (en) Electric shower correction control
JPH09303865A (en) Hot water heater
JP7093510B2 (en) Hot water storage and hot water supply device
JP7016707B2 (en) Immediate hot water discharge device
KR100666130B1 (en) Control device of providing warm water with a instantaneous heating method and method there of
JP6998778B2 (en) Immediate hot water discharge device
JP6622529B2 (en) Water heater
KR101240156B1 (en) Safe controller
GB2496636A (en) Electric shower controller
KR20090040975A (en) Control apparatus for water temperature, level and filter
JP6882432B2 (en) Hot water heater
JPH1019288A (en) Hot water supply controller
JP6998786B2 (en) Immediate hot water discharge device
JP2000287889A (en) Heater toilet seat and sanitary toilet cleaning device
WO2016005745A1 (en) Central-heating system
KR20230034715A (en) Hot water supplying apparatus
KR200366537Y1 (en) Thermo Controller Algorithm

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20191107