GB2617341A

GB2617341A - An ancillary water heating system

Info

Publication number: GB2617341A
Application number: GB2204898.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chamberlain Toby
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-04-04
Filing date: 2022-04-04
Publication date: 2023-10-11
Also published as: GB2619159A; GB202204898D0; GB202304910D0

Abstract

An ancillary water heating system comprises a supplemental heater 30 (e.g. one or more electric heating elements) configured to heat water flowing within a pipe 20 that, in use, transfers water heated by a primary heater 10 (e.g. boiler, heat pump) to a water outlet 50 (e.g. tap). A controller 70 transmits command signals to the supplemental heater based on signals received from a sensor 40 disposed on/in the pipe. In a first aspect, the sensor is a temperature sensor 40A monitoring the temperature of the pipe or water therein, and the controller activates the heater when the detected temperature is below a predetermined value. Conversely, the controller deactivates the heater when the detected temperature is above the value. In a second aspect, the sensor is a flow sensor 40B monitoring water flow within the pipe. When water flow is detected, the controller activates the heater. The heater is deactivated when the sensor determines that a predetermined volume of water has flowed through the pipe (e.g. the volume between the primary heater and the outlet). The two aspects ensure instantaneous hot water at the outlet even when water heated by the primary heater has cooled in the pipe.

Description

An Ancillary Water Heating System

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an ancillary water heating system, in particular an ancillary water heating system to heat water held in a leg of pipe after the main heating source.

Background

Traditional water heating systems transfer water from a water source to a heating means by a pipe and then heated water is transferred to a water outlet by means of a pipe. Water held in the pipe between the water heater and the water outlet is not able to be heated and therefore is typically expelled from the outlet by running a tap, until heated water reaches the outlet. This results in repeated volumes of wasted water that is run down the drain or leads to the requirement for a loop (return pipe) to be installed between the heating means such as a hot water cylinder and the pipe leading to the outlet to enable cold water in the dead leg of pipe to be returned to the heating means.

The present invention addresses these problems.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided an ancillary water heating system comprising: a pipe that transfers water heated by a primary heating means to a water outlet; and a second heating means arranged to heat water flowing towards the water outlet; wherein the second heating means is in communication with a control unit that is operatively connected to at least one temperature sensor arranged on the pipe which monitors temperature of the pipe, or water in the pipe, so that when a temperature below a preset level is detected, a signal is transmitted from the at least one temperature sensor to the control unit which in response transmits a command signal to activate the second heating means to heat water flowing towards the outlet; and wherein when the at least one temperature sensor detects a temperature above a preset level, a signal is transmitted from the at least one temperature sensor to the control unit which in response transmits a command signal that deactivates the second heating means.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided an ancillary water heating system comprising: a pipe that transfers water heated by a primary heating means to a water outlet; and a second heating means arranged to heat water flowing towards the water outlet; wherein the second heating means is in communication with a control unit that is operatively connected to at least one flow sensor arranged on the pipe which monitors flow of water through the pipe so that when flow is detected, a signal is transmitted from the at least one flow sensor to the control unit which in response transmits a command signal to activate the second heating means to heat water flowing towards the outlet; and wherein when the at least one flow sensor detects a preset volume of water has flowed through the pipe, a signal is transmitted from the at least one sensor to the control unit which in response transmits a command signal to deactivate the second heating means.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided an ancillary water heating system comprising; a pipe that transfers water heated by a primary heating means to a water outlet; and a second heating means arranged to heat water flowing towards the water outlet; wherein the second heating means is in communication with a control unit that is operatively connected to at least one temperature sensor and at least one flow sensor. Signals transmitted from the sensors are analysed by the control unit which in response transmits a command signal to activate or deactivate the second heating means when certain conditions are met.

In this way standing water in a leg of pipe between the primary heating means and the water outlet is heated by the second heating means so that expelled water that was held in the dead leg of the pipe is heated before being expelled.

The temperature sensor in the first embodiment, the flow sensor in the second embodiment, or either or both the temperature sensor and flow sensor in the third embodiment provide signals to the control unit which analyses the signals to generate command signals to activate or deactivate the second heating means when certain conditions are met.

This system reduces wastewater that is usually left to run down a drain until a desired temperature of water expelled from the outlet is reached.

Furthermore the ancillary heating system provides a secondary heating system that can be used to boost water temperature when low temperatures are experienced. This can be particularly beneficial in large buildings, such as large blocks of flats, that typically have secondary plant installed to provide additional heating means to get water to the desired temperature in cold conditions and periods of high usage. By not having to install secondary plant, such as back up boiler systems, the initial build costs and continued maintenance costs are significantly reduced.

Advantageously the system may be retrofitted to an existing water heating 20 system, or may be installed as part of an original installation.

The primary heating means is typically the main heating source in a premises, such as a boiler, ground source heat pump, or air source heat pump or other heating means. The primary heating means may incorporate or be associated with a reservoir such as a hot water tank, or may directly heat water flowing through one or more pipes.

The second heating means is preferably an electrically powered heater, such as a heating element or array of heating elements arranged around a pipe.

In some embodiments the second heating means may include a small reservoir for storing heated water that is in fluid communication with the pipe. The reservoir may include a pump to pump heated water from the reservoir into the pipe that mixes with the standing water. It is appreciated that in such an embodiment water pressure may be increased whilst water is pumped into the pipe, or alternatively when the second heating means is turned on water from the pipe may be diverted to the reservoir to replace pumped out water from the reservoir. The reservoir of the second heating means may have a volume that corresponds to the length of pipe in which standing water is held.

The pipe that holds a standing leg of water when water is not flowing is arranged between the primary heating means and the outlet. Preferably the outlet has a 10 valve that opens to allow flow of water and closes to prevent flow of water, such as a tap.

Preferably the second heating means is arranged adjacent to the outlet so as to heat water in the pipe before it leaves through the outlet.

The one or more sensor is arranged on the pipe in order to monitor temperature and/or flow of the water passing through In preferred embodiments the at least one sensor is arranged on an external 20 surface of the pipe so as to be easily fitted and maintained.

In some embodiments the least one sensor is arranged on an inner surface of the pipe or on the inner surface of a connector that joins two pipe ends.

Advantageously by having the sensor as pad of a connector the component can be removed for maintenance and replaced when needed.

In a first embodiment the at least one sensor is a temperature sensor that repeatedly and regularly monitors temperature. The readings are analysed by 30 the control unit and under preset conditions cause the control unit to issue a command signal to activate or deactivate the second heating means.

For example in a preferred embodiment the system includes a temperature sensor to monitor water temperature received into the pipe from the primary heating means. If the temperature detected by the sensor is below 50° a command signal is issued by the control unit to activate the secondary heating 5 means to warm the water in the pipe to 500. If the temperature of the water detected by the sensor is already over 500 when received from the primary heating means, the secondary heating means is not activated and if the secondary heating means is already active a command signal is issued by the control unit to turn off the secondary heating means to prevent heating above 10 the desired temperature.

In some embodiments the command signal to deactivate the second heating means may be triggered once the hot water temperature detected by a temperature sensor at or after the secondary heating means is higher than the temperature of water at or immediately after the first heating means. In this way the secondary heating means will be deactivated upon receipt of a command signal and will remain deactivated until the system is reset, typically by turning the water flow off so that no flow is detected by a flow sensor. In this way the secondary heating means is prevented from overheating.

In a second embodiment the at least one sensor is a flow sensor that repeatedly and regularly monitors flow. The readings are analysed by the control unit and under preset conditions can cause the control unit to issue a command signal to activate or deactivate the second heating means.

For example, when flow is detected the second heating means may be activated and a when a predetermined period of time has passed that corresponds to the time taken for water to flow through the pipe to the outlet, the second heating means may turn off.

It is appreciated that in this embodiment and other embodiments the control unit has a timer or means of recording a time period so that detection of flow activates the second heating means and the second heating means is turned off once the preset time has elapsed.

In this way the second heating means is activated by a flow sensor detecting 5 flow and only remains on to heat standing water that was held in the dead leg of the pipe between the primary heating means and the outlet.

In a preferred embodiment the ancillary heating system may have two or more different sensors, for example a temperature sensor that is operable as described above and a flow sensor that is operable as described above. In this way the sensors send signals to the control unit that analyses the signals and under preset conditions causes the control unit to issue a command signal to activate or deactivate the second heating means. By using different sensors the second heating means can be activated and deactivated in different ways and/or under different combinations of conditions.

Preferably the at least one temperature sensor becomes active upon opening the valve on the outlet. This may be achieved by a sensor on the valve that detects status of the valve as either open or closed. The status sensor sends a signal to the control unit to place the at least one temperature sensor to an active mode when status of the valve is open and into a deactivated mode when status of the valve is closed. In this way, temperature is only monitored when the valve is open and therefore water able to flow from the outlet.

Alternatively or additionally the temperature sensor(s) may become active when a flow sensor detects flow of water through the pipe which generates the sending of a signal to the control unit to place the at least one temperature sensor to an active mode when flow is detected and or deactivated mode when no flow is detected. In this example the ancillary heating system uses both data signals from a temperature sensor and a flow sensor to determine conditions under which the system is operative.

The control unit receives and analyses signals from the different sensors which indicate different parameters such as temperature, status of the valve and/or flow of water through the pipe.

The control unit analyses the signals received from the at least temperature sensor to determine when water in the pipe is below or above a pre preset level of temperature.

When the temperature detected by the at least one temperature sensor is below the preset level, the control unit may send a command signal to turn on the second heating means. Typically the second heating means remains on until a temperature above a present level is detected. When the temperature detected by the at least one temperature sensor is above the preset level, the control unit sends a command signal that turns off the second heating means.

In preferred embodiments of the first and third embodiments, the system has at least two temperature sensors. For example, a first temperature sensor provided on the pipe before the second heating means and a second sensor provided after the second heating means. In this way the temperature of the water passing through the pipe is also checked after water has passed through the second heating means to ensure that the desired output temperature is reached. Advantageously the second sensor acts to prevent overheating that may lead to a user scalding themselves on water expelled from the outlet as a result of heating by the second heating means.

Having two or more temperature sensors may also be used for fault checking, for example for detecting unexpected fluctuations in temperature, or to identify when the secondary heating means is active for a prolonged period of time.

Alternatively or additionally signals from a flow sensor may be used to activate or deactivate the second heating means. For example, when flow is detected the second heating means may be activated and when no flow is detected the second heating means may be deactivated.

The at least one flow sensor detects flow and sends signals to the control unit that identify when flow is detected so that the control unit ensures that the system is only operable when flow is detected. The signals from a flow sensor may also be used to reset the system when no water flow is detected, for example to turn off all sensors. Advantageously the signals from the flow sensor(s) can prevent erroneous activation of the second heating means so that standing water is not heated, and only flowing water is heated.

Typically the at least one flow sensor may only become active upon detection of flow that occurs at opening of the valve at the outlet. The at least one flow sensor may then regularly monitor flow in order to detect when flow ceases. The control unit receives signals from the at least one flow sensor which indicate flow of water through the pipe.

In some embodiments the pipe may include two or more flow sensors to provide redundancy should a flow sensor fail.

It is appreciated that either the temperature sensor or the flow sensor may be used to activate the second heating means and preferably both sensors may be used to determine the preferred conditions under which the second heating means are activated. For example both flow must be detected and a temperature below the preset threshold must be detected in order to activate the second heating means. The second heating means may then be deactivated either when the desired temperature of heated water is detected, or when flow is not detected.

In some embodiments the control unit may also be able to control the power output of the secondary heating means. For example, if the detected temperature is below a preset threshold the secondary heating means may be activated at a higher power output in order to heat the water more quickly so that it is sufficiently heated before the outlet.

It is appreciated that the second heating means may have different power output settings, to enable water to be heated more quickly or more slowly, depending upon the desired output temperature to be reached. For example two or more heating elements of the second heating means may be activated when rapid heating is required, whereas only one heating element may be activated when water temperature only needs to be increased by a small amount. Alternatively the second heating means may have thermostatic control so that heat output is varied depending on temperature detected by the sensor(s) and water temperature to be achieved.

The power output settings are preferably controlled by the control unit upon analysis of temperature data collected from the one or more temperature sensors and the water temperature to be achieved at the outlet.

In some embodiments the second heating means may provide a heating boost function by increasing the temperature of already heated water.

Typically at least one temperature sensor is arranged near to, or at a distal end of the pipe that is before the second heating means and the outlet. In this way 20 the at least one sensor detects temperature of water in the dead leg of the pipe, close to the outlet.

It is appreciated that a plurality of temperature sensors may be arranged along the pipe, so that the control until can analyse temperatures along the pipe and thereby recognise when heated water from the primary heating means is passing through the pipe and send a command signal to turn off the secondary heating means before the already heated water reaches the second heating means. In this way the second heating means is active for only selected periods of time and water is not allowed to become excessively hot, or fluctuate significantly.

Preferably the control unit is able to detect faults, by analysing signals received from the one or more sensor. For example, if no change in temperature is detected by a temperature sensor, or if a temperature above 20°c is not achieved, a fault alert may be generated, such as a flashing light or an alarm to advise a user that either the system is not operating correctly, or the primary heating means is not functioning correctly.

It is appreciated that in some embodiments the secondary heating means may have a separate control interface such a remote control pad or screen that may be installed on a surface or moveable so that a user can change settings such as pre-set temperatures at which the second heating means is activated or deactivated. Preferably the control interface is waterproof.

In some embodiments the control unit includes a transmitter for sending signals to a remote device such as a computer or smartphone, which analyses the signals using computer implemented software. In this way a user can remotely monitor the heating system and optionally if a fault is detected a service engineer may be automatically alerted.

In a preferred embodiment the water heating system is operable under four different function settings.

SETTING 1 -the system operates to heat water that was held in the pipe until heated water from the main heating source, such as a boiler that is more efficient, takes over to provide heated water through the pipe. Once the second heating means is not required it turns off until it is reset. The system may be reset by lack of flow, or detection of the preset temperature.

It is appreciated that as the water heated from the primary source reaches the outlet, the secondary heating means may scale down, for example gradually reducing heat output, or completely switching off so that heated water flowing 30 from the outlet is maintained at a constant desired temperature.

Preferably the ancillary water heating system has at least one flow sensor so that system is only operable when flow is detected and so that the system can be reset when no water flow is detected. Advantageously this can prevent erroneous activation of the second heating means.

SETTING 2 -the system may be operable so that the second heating means 5 acts to boost the temperature of water expelled from the water outlet. In this way water is heated to a higher temperature than it was when it left the primary heating means such as the boiler.

For example in the case of renewable energy sources such as heat pumps or solar energy a desired water temperature may not be reached without additional heating assistance. Or in the case of a system with a hot water storage tank, a hot water supply may be depleted after a period of time when the tank is empty. The top-up heating in these situations may be provided by the second heating means that is activated when water temperature in the pipe is detected to be below the desired output temperature. In these situations the secondary heating means may temporarily become the only heating means. In this way the ancillary heating system is on standby and if water is not detected at the desired temperature, the secondary heating means is activated.

SETTING 3 -the heating system may be operable so that the second heating means is the sole water heating method, for example if the primary heating means is broken or switched off For example the second heating means may heat mains supply water from ambient temperature to a maximum of 60°c.

SETTING 4 -In the fourth position the system is turned off, so that the second heating means is not operable.

The system settings may be selected by a user or may be automatically selected by the control unit when certain conditions are met.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of the Figure

Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic representation of a first embodiment of the system.

Detailed Description of the Figure

Figure 1 shows an ancillary water heating system 100 comprising: a pipe 20 that transfers water heated by a primary heating means 10 to a water outlet 50.

A second heating means 30 is arranged to heat water flowing towards the water outlet 50.

The second heating means 30 has a control unit 70 that is operatively 15 connected to the sensors 40 that are arranged on the pipe 20. The sensors 40 monitor temperature and/or flow of water through the pipe 20.

A first sensor 40A detects temperature of the water. The sensor 40A is externally mounted on the pipe 20 and measures temperature of the pipe 20 to 20 determine temperature of the water flowing through.

The second sensor 40B is flow sensor that detects when water flows through the pipe in order to activate and deactivate the second heating means 30.

When the valve 60, which may be a tap, is opened, water is able to flow from the outlet 50. As water passes the second sensor 40B a signal is transmitted to the control unit 70 to indicate flow. Receipt of a signal from the flow sensor 40B places the second heating device 30 in standby mode so that the second heating device becomes active if the temperature sensed at the first sensor 40A is below the preset level that is intended to be expelled from the outlet 50.

When a temperature below a preset level is detected by the first sensor 40A and transmitted to the control unit 70, the control unit sends a command signal which activates the second heating means to heat water flowing towards the outlet 50.

When the sensor 40A detects a temperature above a preset level, a signal is 5 transmitted from the sensor 40A to the control unit 70 that transmits a command signal that deactivates the second heating means 30.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments 10 without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

Claims 1. An ancillary water heating system comprising: a pipe that transfers water heated by a primary heating means to a water outlet; and a second heating means arranged to heat water flowing towards the water outlet; wherein the second heating means is in communication with a control unit that is operatively connected to at least one temperature sensor arranged on the pipe which monitors temperature of the pipe, or water in the pipe, so that when a temperature below a preset level is detected, a signal is transmitted from the at least one temperature sensor to the control unit which in response transmits a command signal to activate the second heating means to heat water flowing towards the outlet; and wherein when the at least one temperature sensor detects a temperature above a preset level, a signal is transmitted from the at least one temperature sensor to the control unit which in response transmits a command signal that deactivates the second heating means.
2. An ancillary water heating system comprising: a pipe that transfers water heated by a primary heating means to a water outlet; and a second heating means arranged to heat water flowing towards the water outlet; wherein the second heating means is in communication with a control unit that is operatively connected to at least one flow sensor arranged on the pipe which monitors flow of water through the pipe so that when flow is detected, a signal is transmitted from the at least one flow sensor to the control unit which in response transmits a command signal to activate the second heating means to heat water flowing towards the outlet; and wherein when the at least one flow sensor detects a preset volume of water has flowed through the pipe, a signal is transmitted from the at least one sensor to the control unit which in response transmits a command signal to deactivate the second heating means. 3. 4. 5. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.
An ancillary water heating system according to claim 1 including at least one flow sensor.
An ancillary water heating system according to claim 2 including at least one temperature sensor.
An ancillary water heating system according to claim 1 or claim 4 wherein the at least one temperature sensor is arranged at or adjacent to the second heating means.
An ancillary water heating system according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the at least one flow sensor is arranged at or adjacent to the second heating means.
An ancillary water heating system according to any preceding claim wherein the at least one temperature sensor or flow sensor is arranged on an external surface of the pipe.
An ancillary water heating system according to any preceding claim wherein at least one temperature sensor or flow sensor is arranged on an inner surface of the pipe.
An ancillary water heating system according to any preceding claim wherein the control unit has a transmitter to send signals to a remote device.
An ancillary water heating system according to any preceding claim wherein the second heating means has a reservoir.
An ancillary water heating system according to claim 10 wherein the reservoir has a volume that corresponds to the length of pipe between the primary heating means and the outlet.
12. An ancillary water heating system according to any preceding claim wherein the temperature sensor or flow sensor is provided on a connector that joins two pipe ends
13. An ancillary water heating system according to any preceding claim including a sensor to monitor status of a valve at the outlet.15 20 25 30