US20130037019A1 - Water heater with intermittent energy source - Google Patents

Water heater with intermittent energy source Download PDF

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Publication number
US20130037019A1
US20130037019A1 US13/642,614 US201113642614A US2013037019A1 US 20130037019 A1 US20130037019 A1 US 20130037019A1 US 201113642614 A US201113642614 A US 201113642614A US 2013037019 A1 US2013037019 A1 US 2013037019A1
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Prior art keywords
water
compartment
water heater
hot
compartments
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US13/642,614
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English (en)
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Frederick Johannes Bruwer
Frederick Johannes Bruwer, JR.
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Individual
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D19/00—Details
    • F24D19/10—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F24D19/1006—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heating systems
    • F24D19/1051—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heating systems for domestic hot water
    • F24D19/1057—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heating systems for domestic hot water the system uses solar energy
    • 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
    • F24D11/00—Central heating systems using heat accumulated in storage masses
    • F24D11/002—Central heating systems using heat accumulated in storage masses water heating system
    • F24D11/003—Central heating systems using heat accumulated in storage masses water heating system combined with solar energy
    • 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
    • F24D12/00—Other central heating systems
    • F24D12/02—Other central heating systems having more than one heat source
    • 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
    • F24H1/18—Water-storage heaters
    • F24H1/20—Water-storage heaters with immersed heating elements, e.g. electric elements or furnace tubes
    • F24H1/201—Water-storage heaters with immersed heating elements, e.g. electric elements or furnace tubes using electric energy supply
    • F24H1/202—Water-storage heaters with immersed heating elements, e.g. electric elements or furnace tubes using electric energy supply with resistances
    • 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
    • F24H15/223—Temperature of the water in the water storage tank
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
    • F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
    • F24H15/30—Control of fluid heaters characterised by control outputs; characterised by the components to be controlled
    • F24H15/305—Control of valves
    • F24H15/31—Control of valves of valves having only one inlet port and one outlet port, e.g. flow rate regulating valves
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
    • F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
    • F24H15/30—Control of fluid heaters characterised by control outputs; characterised by the components to be controlled
    • F24H15/355—Control of heat-generating means in heaters
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
    • F28D20/00—Heat storage plants or apparatus in general; Regenerative heat-exchange apparatus not covered by groups F28D17/00 or F28D19/00
    • F28D20/0034—Heat storage plants or apparatus in general; Regenerative heat-exchange apparatus not covered by groups F28D17/00 or F28D19/00 using liquid heat storage material
    • F28D20/0039—Heat storage plants or apparatus in general; Regenerative heat-exchange apparatus not covered by groups F28D17/00 or F28D19/00 using liquid heat storage material with stratification of the heat storage material
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
    • F28D20/00—Heat storage plants or apparatus in general; Regenerative heat-exchange apparatus not covered by groups F28D17/00 or F28D19/00
    • F28D2020/0065—Details, e.g. particular heat storage tanks, auxiliary members within tanks
    • F28D2020/0086—Partitions
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
    • F28D20/00—Heat storage plants or apparatus in general; Regenerative heat-exchange apparatus not covered by groups F28D17/00 or F28D19/00
    • F28D2020/0065—Details, e.g. particular heat storage tanks, auxiliary members within tanks
    • F28D2020/0086—Partitions
    • F28D2020/0091—Partitions flexible
    • 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
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B10/00—Integration of renewable energy sources in buildings
    • Y02B10/20—Solar thermal
    • 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
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B10/00—Integration of renewable energy sources in buildings
    • Y02B10/70—Hybrid systems, e.g. uninterruptible or back-up power supplies integrating renewable energies
    • 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
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B30/00—Energy efficient heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC]
    • 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
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/14—Thermal energy storage
    • 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
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E70/00—Other energy conversion or management systems reducing GHG emissions
    • Y02E70/30—Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin

Definitions

  • This invention relates to water heating systems.
  • Well-insulated water heaters can store water preheated by these systems overnight, but when heated water is drained it is immediately replaced by cold water which mixes with and cools the remaining stored hot water. The preheated water is rendered unusable until the preferred heating source is available again or it has to be reheated by an alternative source requiring more energy or more expensive energy.
  • This invention presents methods and means to improve and overcome problems related to water heating systems (e.g. household water heaters or geysers) to keep hot water temperature constant at a high value, especially in a system that has an intermittent energy source or, at least, a preferred, intermittent energy source.
  • water heating systems e.g. household water heaters or geysers
  • Examples are a solar energy water heater, an electric or gas water heater on a timer, and a water heater in an area affected by load shedding or load balancing.
  • the invention provides a water heater with a variable size hot water compartment or section. It is also possible that the full capacity of the water heater may be constant, but the water heater is split into two or more compartments with a divider, e.g. a temperature insulating partition, such as a membrane, between them in order to generally prevent cold water which flows into the water heater from freely mixing with previously heated water, i.e. the hot water inside the heater.
  • a divider e.g. a temperature insulating partition, such as a membrane
  • the objective is simple—when the energy source is absent (e.g. at night for a solar water heater) the hot water compartment is shrunk when hot water is extracted from the water heater rather than, as is the state of the art now, allowing the extracted water to be replaced with cold water flowing in from a main supply and mixing in the same compartment with the remaining hot water.
  • the volume of the hot compartment may be reduced until a minimum size is reached. If this minimum size is reached, cold water will start to flow into the hot water compartment or to an outlet. At this stage another energy source must be engaged for water heating, otherwise the user will no longer be supplied with hot water.
  • the water compartment of the water heater is thus preferably split into sections, e.g. two sections, namely a so-called heated water compartment and an ambient water receiving compartment. These two sections are separated, e.g. by a membrane or separation element which, preferably has insulating properties.
  • the separation element may be flexible or movable or in some way able to vary the sizes of the compartments.
  • the separation element may be of a stretchable nature or may be designed with a concertina, accordion or “show and hide” structure to expand towards the hot or receiving compartment.
  • the total capacity of the water heater may vary, i.e. an aspect of the invention allows for the hot compartment to shrink when hot water flows from the water heater.
  • the hot compartment will expand when cold (new) water is heated to a level at which it is transferred into the hot compartment.
  • the receiving compartment may be non-existent or of a very small fixed size or merely comprise a flow volume around a heating element.
  • Valves used to control water flow may be of a spring or bimetal type, or may be actuated electronically or may be wax pellet, thermostat type valves as found in vehicle radiators. Temperature may also be measured using thermometers of various kinds and the output may be supplied to valves or electronic circuits to interpret the data and to provide information on parameters such as gradient of heating and instant temperature at a point or multiple points in the system.
  • the material forming an insulating layer may typically be chosen to be buoyant neutral, but the design may in fact require it to be slightly positively buoyant or in many cases denser than water. It is preferable that the material should last for the lifetime of the water heater in the hot/cold environment and should not affect the quality of the water, nor should it at any time release poisonous or toxic substances into the water.
  • a denser than water layer is advantageous because it will naturally want to enlarge the lower compartment and this will assist in enlarging the top compartment volume under the correct conditions.
  • the internal cavity of the water heater is divided into multiple compartments, each with fixed total and individual volumes.
  • one is a receiving compartment for water at ambient temperature: one or several are transition compartments; and one is used as a “hot” compartment from which heated water is discharged for normal usage.
  • Water flow between compartments is made possible by (links) ducts running from the top of one compartment to the bottom of a neighbouring one. Under normal standby circumstances water stratification will take place in each compartment. Therefore, when hot water is discharged during normal use, the hottest water from one compartment will flow into the next one and the hottest water will propagate to the “hot” compartment. This mechanism prevents cold water flowing into the water heater receiving compartment from mixing with all the hot water and therefore, over time, lowering the temperature of the hot water.
  • the water in the compartments is heated by circulating colder water from the receiving compartment through the heating source, (e.g. LPG, electrical heating element, solar heater, cyclotron etc.) which can be located internally or externally, and depositing the heated water in the “hot” compartment.
  • the circulation may result due to water stratification principles i.e. hot water rising and cold water falling in a mix, electromechanical force i.e. using an electric motor to pump the water, gravitational pull or system pressure or in fact a combination of forces may play a role in the full design.
  • the heated water entering the “hot” compartment displaces the colder water at the bottom of the compartment and forces it backwards into a neighbouring transitional compartment.
  • the heat source could also be located in the “hot” compartment thereby enabling the user to heat only that compartment; this is especially beneficial for providing a small amount of hot water for e.g. shaving or dishwashing when the preferred energy source is not available.
  • the source could form part of the heating loop with a bypass valve that opens when the specified source is not available.
  • the valve could be an electronic thermostat type valve that opens if the temperature of the water leaving the preferred heating source is too low. If an electric pump is used for circulation its speed can be regulated according to the temperature of the water to be heated so the water entering the hot compartment can be heated to a predefined temperature.
  • the separation layers that form the compartments should preferably have insulating properties.
  • the water heater as described in this invention is ideal to operate with only solar power or where the solar power is augmented with another energy source (i.e. LPG or electricity). By using the key features of the invention the use of the secondary power source can be kept to a minimum.
  • a good example is where household hot water usage is typically at night and in the morning, but in a solar power system the energy source is not available at night. If hot water is used at night the cold water replacing it in the water heater causes the rest of the previously heated water to become much colder. Typically the water heater is then used with a time switch that allows the water to be heated before it is required in the morning. However, this is also directly before the free energy source becomes available.
  • the electricity need not be activated in the morning and will only become necessary during rainy periods when the solar power cannot keep up or when usage is too high.
  • FIG. 1 an example of a water heater with variable compartments
  • FIG. 2 an example of an insulating member construction (top view);
  • FIG. 3 an example of the insulating member construction (side view);
  • FIG. 4 a hot compartment at minimum size
  • FIG. 5 the hot compartment at maximum size
  • FIG. 6 an example of a dual unidirectional valve that becomes operational at minimum and maximum volumes
  • FIG. 7 a simplified valve for unidirectional circulations
  • FIG. 8 a a water heater, with multiple fixed compartments, that is suitable for dual energy source operation.
  • FIG. 8 b the water heater of FIG. 8( a ) with modifications to allow heating of individual compartments;
  • FIG. 8 c special separation of a compartment to provide improved insulation against heat loss
  • FIGS. 9 a and 9 b which respectively show another implementation of variable capacity compartments full of hot water and with minimum hot water.
  • FIG. 1 a water heating unit is diagrammatically displayed in a cut through side view.
  • a wall or casing of the unit is shown as 180 .
  • a cold water inlet ( 100 ) is at the bottom left with a hot water outlet ( 110 ) at the top left.
  • the volume of water contained in the water heater is split into a hot compartment ( 181 ) and a receiving (cold) compartment ( 182 ) by a thermo-insulating membrane or layered structure ( 120 ).
  • One side of the structure is attached to the wall ( 121 ), whereas the other side ( 122 ) is attached to a cover plate/conduit structure ( 190 ) that may also serve to support a thermostat ( 160 ) and a pressure transfer valve ( 170 ).
  • the unit also contains other standard elements of a water heater such as a pressure release valve ( 183 ) and heating element ( 140 ).Other standard elements are not shown but can readily be found in the art (e.g. temperature adjustment mechanism, mounting brackets etc.) and a mechanism for preventing the heating element from being damaged when no water is present.
  • the thermostat ( 160 ) may be of a wax pellet, bimetal or other type, that will open in order to allow rising hot water to flow into the hot compartment 181 from the receiving compartment 182 when the temperature of the water in the section of the receiving compartment area generally defined by member ( 190 ) is above the opening point of the wax pellet thermostat ( 160 ).
  • Other types of valves may be used.
  • the temperature may be sensed electronically and a solenoid type valve may be opened at the defined temperature with the water flowing due to stratification or a propeller mounted on a electric motor (pump action). If the water is not hot enough to cause the thermostat to open, it will circulate in the enclosure generally defined by wall ( 180 ) and member ( 190 ) and gradually build up temperature until a predetermined thermostat opening temperature is reached. If the heating element cannot maintain a constant flow of heated water, the thermostat will close again when surrounded by colder water and the cycle will repeat itself.
  • the pressure transfer valve ( 170 ) is a boundary element and opens when the pressure difference between the receiving compartment (high pressure) ( 182 ) and the hot compartment (low pressure) ( 181 ) becomes higher than a predefined value. This happens, for example, when the receiving compartment reaches its maximum volume (see FIG. 4 ) and cannot expand any more to compensate for water flowing in and water flowing out of the water heater.
  • the receiving compartment is basically at the standard mains water system pressure but, due to the outflow and the fact that the hot compartment is now fixed at the minimum volume, the pressure in the hot compartment will decrease. If the differential is high enough, water will flow through the pressure transfer valve ( 170 ) irrespective of the water temperature. This also happens when the water heater is installed and filled with water for the first time.
  • the separation layer ( 120 ) is preferably denser than the water i.e. it has negative buoyancy and thus has a tendency to want to enlarge the hot compartment and shrink the receiving compartment. Unless the thermostat ( 170 ) opens, this cannot happen due to the balanced pressure between the two compartments. However, should the water be heated by an energy source above the specified temperature and the thermostat opens, water can flow from the receiving compartment into the hot compartment through the thermostat valve. Now the hot compartment will increase in size to accommodate the hot water flowing from the receiving compartment into the hot compartment, and the receiving compartment will shrink by an equivalent volume.
  • the negative buoyancy of the insulating member may also arise from including a circulating valve ( 130 ) structure in the member.
  • the thermostat ( 170 ) is closed, i.e. no hot water is to flow from the receiving compartment to the hot compartment.
  • the pressure in the hot compartment drops and is immediately compensated for by the separation member moving to make the hot compartment volume smaller and the receiving compartment volume larger.
  • the lower pressure in the receiving compartment is compensated for by water flowing in from the system mains supply and when the user closes the tap (faucet) the system pressure is balanced again.
  • the hot compartment size is reduced by the same volume as the water that flowed through the tap.
  • the cold water flowing into the receiving compartment has the same volume and is separated from the hot water in the hot compartment by the member ( 120 ), which preferably has thermal insulating properties.
  • FIG. 2 is a top view
  • FIG. 3 a side view of a specific embodiment of the separation/insulation member or layer 120 A.
  • the layer 120 A is of a concertina/accordion structure with multiple interconnected components A, B, C . . . allowing it to stretch in either direction in a structured manner.
  • the layer includes a mounting frame 310 which carries a pressure valve 320 and a thermostat 330 .
  • a circulation valve 340 is vertically positioned in the component A.
  • FIG. 4 shows the hot and receiving compartments at minimum and maximum size respectively, and vice versa in FIG. 5 .
  • a min/max valve ( 500 ) is used to allow flow from the receiving to the hot compartment at the receiving compartment maximum condition ( FIG. 4 ) and flow from the hot to the receiving compartment at the hot compartment maximum volume condition ( FIG. 5 ).
  • This dual unidirectional valve may be seen as redundant at the receiving compartment maximum condition because the pressure transfer valve ( 170 ) will also operate at this juncture. So one of these mechanisms may be removed or they may both be employed as a redundancy-based safety precaution.
  • the circulation of water is enabled by the min/max valve allowing water to flow from the hot compartment to the receiving compartment. Due to the preferred construction as shown, the coldest water in the hot compartment will be pushed into the receiving compartment.
  • a sensor ( 141 ) may monitor the water temperature at the bottom (lowest temperature water) and if this reaches a certain predefined maximum temperature, further heating would be stopped because all the water in the water heater would have reached the required temperature.
  • the water heater may also have an outlet ( 151 ) to a solar heater panel and an inlet ( 150 ) for the hot water flowing from the solar panel. This is ideally placed in the same generally enclosed volume defined by the wall ( 180 ) and the member ( 120 ) as the heating element ( 140 ) and will operate similarly to allow flow of hot water through the thermostat ( 160 ) into the hot compartment.
  • FIGS. 6 a and 6 b show the implementation of a min/max valve 500 to be used in the construction of separation member or layer 640 .
  • This valve is positioned so that it is automatically actuated at compartment min/max conditions to allow flow from the compartment at maximum volume to the compartment at minimum volume but not the other way around.
  • the valve includes a shaft ( 600 ) that is pressed in a particular direction when a minimum or a maximum volume is reached in the respective compartments.
  • the shaft has flanges ( 610 and 620 ) that act on covering plates ( 611 and 621 ) and prevent them from sealing holes below them.
  • FIG. 6( b ) shows the hot compartment at a minimum value ( FIG. 4) and the shaft being pressed down to force the plate ( 621 ) open. Water pressure will automatically lift the plate 611 to allow flow into the hot compartment as shown. If the shaft did not press down, the water pressure would naturally force the plate 621 to block the flow. Movement of the shaft is restricted by means of apertured retention devices
  • FIG. 7 a simplified structure 730 is shown for a minimum/maximum valve which functions when the hot compartment is receiving hot water through the thermostat ( 160 ), (action one) and when the hot compartment is at maximum to allow circulation of water from the hot to the receiving compartment (action two).
  • action one a separation element 700 has a slightly negative buoyancy so it tends to enlarge the hot compartment and is only prevented from doing so due to the lack of inflow to fill such larger volume. If the thermostat ( 160 ) opens to allow hot water into the hot compartment, the hot compartment will enlarge rather than force water through a piped opening ( 710 ). However, once the hot compartment is at a maximum volume, water will automatically be forced through the opening 710 and allow circulation.
  • the opening is, however, small when compared with outflow from the heater which occurs when a tap or faucet is opened and this, together with the sealing effect of a plate 720 over the piped opening ( 710 ) to block all flow, will force the hot compartment to shrink when a tap is opened. This prevents cold water from the receiving compartment flowing into the hot compartment through the opening 710 rather than, as required, through the thermostat or pressure transfer valves ( 160 and 170 ).
  • the buoyancy can be adjusted through the weight of the valve structure ( 730 ) to achieve negative buoyancy.
  • a slightly negative buoyancy is not a problem for enlarging the receiving compartment due to the ample force available from the mains water pressure in the system.
  • the force available from the water temperature stratification (rising hot water) is usefully aided by the negatively buoyant separation layer.
  • the water heater 900 is divided into several compartments (N).
  • FIGS. 8 a to 8 c show an example with four compartments 993 , 994 , 955 and 996 .
  • the compartments can be fixed in size and are separated by elements 990 , 991 and 992 as shown in FIG. 8( a ). These separation elements preferably offer good heat insulation properties.
  • Each compartment allows water flow from an upper zone to a lower zone of a next compartment through a respective link 902 , 903 , 904 .
  • the link 902 has an entry point ( 906 ) and an exit point ( 907 ).
  • the entry and exit denominations refer to operation when hot water is discharged for normal type use from the water heater. When in heating mode these aspects may be reversed.
  • the benefit of the invention in this respect is that a) if a limited amount of hot water is used, the water in the compartment used for discharging the hot water (discharging compartment ( 996 ) may have water unaffected by the temperature of the replacement water from the main supply (or at least a limited effect), and b) a limited amount of water is needed before the preferred energy source (such as solar 970 for example) becomes available, only a reduced amount of water can be heated with an alternative source such as for example a mains power ( 910 ). This fits the example of a solar water heater where a lot of hot water is used in the evening for bath and shower purposes, but a limited amount of hot water is also needed in the morning for uses like washing and shaving etc.
  • hot water for normal use is discharged through a pipe ( 905 ) and replacement water enters from a main water supply through an entry point ( 901 ).
  • entry point 901
  • the heating element works with electricity.
  • electricity is shown as the heating source ( 910 ), this may be another source such as, but not limited to, LPG (low pressure gas, liquid petroleum gas).
  • LPG low pressure gas, liquid petroleum gas
  • Normal elements that are part of any water heater which are known are not shown such as, for example, a grounding mechanism, a pressure release valve, outer insulation and the like. If the water heater was used vertically mounted the insulation layers and linking pipes would work more or less the same, but the heating element 910 must be positioned closer to the bottom of the cavity, for example close to an outlet 909 .
  • FIG. 8( a ) also shows temperature measurement elements ( 950 , 951 ), a motor 952 to force water flow when required, a valve ( 953 ) to control flow of water through a link ( 912 ), a link ( 913 ) to allow water flow from the receiving compartment( 993 ) to the discharging compartment ( 996 ), and a solar heating mechanism ( 970 ).
  • the position of the motor/pump ( 952 ) may be vertical.
  • an alternative to the construction in FIG. 8( a ) is to put the motor between the solar panel ( 970 ) and the link ( 913 ) with another valve where the motor is shown in FIG. 8( a ).
  • the solar heater may be an alternative source of energy.
  • the alternative source of energy is in some embodiments not available all the time.
  • the operation when the water heater is full of hot water and water is discharged is as follows: water flows through an outlet ( 905 ) on user demand (opening of tap). The water is replaced with ambient temperature (typically much colder) water flowing in through the entry point ( 901 ) into the receiving compartment ( 993 ). At the same time the same amount of the hottest water from the receiving compartment flows through the link ( 902 ) into the next compartment 994 , and so on through all the compartments until water flows through the link ( 904 ) into the discharging compartment 996 to replace the discharged hot water. All of this happens under pressure from the main water supply. In this process the links to the external energy source for heating (or pipes outside the water heater) e.g. 912 , 914 play no part.
  • the solar heater ( 970 ) For heating water: assume the sun is shining brightly and the solar heater ( 970 ) is in operation and delivers heat that is transferred to water passing through it. The availability of solar power is monitored (e.g. using a light detector, a Voltaic solar panel etc.) by a control unit ( 960 ) and the motor ( 952 ) is activated under control of the control unit ( 960 ).
  • the heated water flows into the discharging compartment ( 996 ) through the opening ( 911 ). This water flow forces the coldest water in the compartment 996 through the outlet ( 909 ) into the next compartment 995 and so on until water flows through the opening ( 906 ) into the receiving compartment ( 993 ).
  • control unit 960 monitors the temperature at ( 951 ) and controls the motor ( 952 ) speed in order to make sure the water is heated to a predetermined temperature in the solar heater.
  • This can be done in different ways.
  • a fixed speed motor ( 952 ) is used for the control unit ( 960 ) to control the opening of a valve ( 953 ) to allow circulation through a pipe ( 912 ) back through the solar heater ( 970 ). In this case the motor must be moved to between the solar heater and the pipe ( 912 ) in the link ( 914 ).
  • a temperature sensor at a location ( 957 ) may deliver a more direct metric as it is responsive to the coldest water from the receiving compartment.
  • the control unit monitors the temperature sensor ( 950 ) and if the temperature is too low, it activates element ( 910 ) to heat the water.
  • the control unit can also heat all the water in the water heater by activating the heater element ( 910 ) and the motor ( 952 ) to force water to circulate through all the compartments. Again the temperature sensors can be monitored to determine when to stop.
  • the link ( 912 ) and the valve ( 953 ) are not required. Otherwise the valve can be opened to ensure flow of almost all water from the compartment ( 993 ) through a pipe ( 913 ) goes through the link ( 912 ) past the motor ( 952 ) into the compartment ( 996 ).
  • the speed of the motor can be controlled by the control unit to be optimized for heating the water in compartment ( 996 ) such that the water flowing back through the link ( 904 ) is at a desired temperature. Flow may be stopped if the heating is not enough or if heat is being lost.
  • the temperature sensors can be monitored by the control unit to ensure the water heater is filled with water at a pre-determined temperature. This will allow the control unit to check the water temperature at the end of the sun day and, for example, decide to provide additional heating on a cloudy day when solar power is inadequate to heat the required amount of water to a predetermined temperature.
  • valves 954 , 955 , 956 ) are installed. These can be controlled to heat the compartments 995 and 996 , or three components etc. This will allow a sophisticated control unit to optimize energy usage and hot water availability.
  • a control unit may actually be programmed to learn usage patterns at a particular installation (so called artificial intelligence) in order to offer the best energy usage for each household, business etc. For business usage, weekends may for example be targeted so that only a single compartment is heated. During the week, more compartments may be heated.
  • auxiliary heat source such as for example electricity or LPG heating
  • a decision taken during early evening may be to heat several compartments to a predetermined heat level, but in early morning it will typically be decided to heat the minimum volume of water.
  • the water heater ( 900 ) may also be installed vertically with the cold inlet at the bottom.
  • the electricity heat element ( 910 ) should then preferably be closer to the bottom.
  • the invention also offers power savings for office blocks where reduced usage of hot water is expected over weekends or holidays. In this case a reduced number of compartments in the water heater are heated.
  • the last separation layer ( 992 ) is made thicker to offer more heat insulation for the situation when only the last compartment is heated. This method can be used with or without a solar panel i.e. a regular water heater operating with gas or electricity can be used in this way to reduce energy usage.
  • the water heater may be adapted to use only the water heat stratification principle to cycle water through the water heater and the solar panel and not require any electric or other motorized pump to force the flow. This will require a link from the cold area of the water heater (see pipe 913 in FIG. 8( c )) to the hot side of the solar heater, and a link from the hot compartment to the cold (inlet) side of the solar heater.
  • FIGS. 9( a ) and 9 ( b ) are side views of a horizontal container 1000 which is divided by a movable separator 1002 in a hot compartment 1004 and a cold compartment 1006 .
  • the separator is movable, in accordance with the principles which have been described, between limiting positions determined by stops 1012 and 1013 (maximum hot water compartment) and 1010 and 1011 (minimum hot water compartment).

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Heat-Pump Type And Storage Water Heaters (AREA)
US13/642,614 2010-04-21 2011-04-21 Water heater with intermittent energy source Abandoned US20130037019A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA2010/02827 2010-04-22
ZA201002827 2010-04-22
ZA2010/05107 2010-07-19
ZA201005107 2010-07-19
PCT/ZA2011/000026 WO2011133987A1 (fr) 2010-04-22 2011-04-21 Chauffe-eau à source d'énergie intermittente

Publications (1)

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US20130037019A1 true US20130037019A1 (en) 2013-02-14

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US13/642,614 Abandoned US20130037019A1 (en) 2010-04-21 2011-04-21 Water heater with intermittent energy source

Country Status (5)

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US (1) US20130037019A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP2561281A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU2011242488B2 (fr)
WO (1) WO2011133987A1 (fr)
ZA (1) ZA201208320B (fr)

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US20130104814A1 (en) * 2011-10-28 2013-05-02 Mark Reyman Hot water heater with self-powered automatic pilot light
US20150027659A1 (en) * 2012-06-14 2015-01-29 João Paulo Marques Dias Pinto Controllable variable inertia fluid heating and storage system
US20150276234A1 (en) * 2013-01-23 2015-10-01 Panasonic intellectual property Management co., Ltd Thermal storage control system and thermal storage body used in same

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EP2820357A2 (fr) * 2012-02-13 2015-01-07 João Paulo Marques Dias Pinto Système de chauffage et de stockage de fluide à inertie variable pouvant être commandé
MX2012015010A (es) * 2012-12-18 2013-03-06 Juan Alberto De Jesus Orozco Perez Aparato para eficientar yeconomizar energia y agua para usuarios de agua caliente.
CN104110512B (zh) * 2013-04-22 2018-04-27 海尔集团公司 组合阀、热水系统及热水系统控制方法
JP6342145B2 (ja) * 2013-12-05 2018-06-13 三菱重工サーマルシステムズ株式会社 貯湯式給湯システム
EP3143351A1 (fr) * 2014-05-15 2017-03-22 Basf Se Dispositif de stockage de liquide
CN103983024A (zh) * 2014-05-30 2014-08-13 赖代忠 可双排空的分仓盘管式承压太阳能热水器

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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EP2561281A1 (fr) 2013-02-27
ZA201208320B (en) 2014-05-28
AU2011242488B2 (en) 2014-01-30
AU2011242488A1 (en) 2012-12-06
WO2011133987A1 (fr) 2011-10-27

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