US20140084073A1 - Hot Water Appliance - Google Patents
Hot Water Appliance Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20140084073A1 US20140084073A1 US13/984,424 US201213984424A US2014084073A1 US 20140084073 A1 US20140084073 A1 US 20140084073A1 US 201213984424 A US201213984424 A US 201213984424A US 2014084073 A1 US2014084073 A1 US 2014084073A1
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- Prior art keywords
- hot water
- water appliance
- temperature
- control unit
- input
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Images
Classifications
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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
- F24D19/1009—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heating systems for central 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
- F24H1/00—Water heaters, e.g. boilers, continuous-flow heaters or water-storage heaters
-
- 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
-
- 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
- F24D3/00—Hot-water central 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
- 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
- F24H15/281—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
- F24H15/335—Control of pumps, e.g. on-off control
-
- 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
- F24H15/36—Control of heat-generating means in heaters of burners
-
- 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
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
- F24H15/40—Control of fluid heaters characterised by the type of controllers
- F24H15/414—Control of fluid heaters characterised by the type of controllers using electronic processing, e.g. computer-based
- F24H15/45—Control of fluid heaters characterised by the type of controllers using electronic processing, e.g. computer-based remotely accessible
- F24H15/457—Control of fluid heaters characterised by the type of controllers using electronic processing, e.g. computer-based remotely accessible using telephone networks or Internet communication
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
- F24H15/40—Control of fluid heaters characterised by the type of controllers
- F24H15/414—Control of fluid heaters characterised by the type of controllers using electronic processing, e.g. computer-based
- F24H15/45—Control of fluid heaters characterised by the type of controllers using electronic processing, e.g. computer-based remotely accessible
- F24H15/464—Control of fluid heaters characterised by the type of controllers using electronic processing, e.g. computer-based remotely accessible using local wireless communication
-
- 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
-
- 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
- F24H9/2035—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heaters using fluid fuel
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a hot water appliance.
- Conventional systems for central heating (CH) of buildings comprise a central boiler in which a burner combusts gas. The heat released during combustion is transferred to water using a heat exchanger.
- a pump in the boiler pumps the heated water through a pipe system in the building to radiators, which radiators transfer the heat of the water, mainly through radiation and convection, to the room in which the radiator is disposed. Via return conduits the cooled water once again reaches the boiler where the water is heated.
- the boiler is controlled from a thermostat.
- the thermostat is arranged in one of the rooms to be heated.
- the thermostat comprises a temperature sensor and an operating member for setting a desired temperature.
- the thermostat originally consisted of a bimetal switch or mercury switch which sent an on/off signal to the boiler. Temperature-dependent electronic components are used nowadays as temperature sensor. Modern thermostats further no longer generate an on/off signal but transmit a modulated signal to the boiler to enable indication of a variable heat demand. Modern thermostats are further often provided with a clock so that the thermostat can also follow a time-dependent program. For historical reasons these thermostats do however still communicate with the boiler over a two-wire connection. Although this is not an insurmountable problem, it does impose a number of limitations. For reasons of compatibility the thermostat has to have its own power supply (generally a battery) and transmitting additional information, in addition to the heat demand, over the two-wire connection entails overhead and costs.
- US 2010/045470A1 describes a steam distribution system for heating a building with different dwellings.
- This system is based on remote-controlled steam valves on the radiators in the dwellings. The operation takes place on the basis of the temperatures measured in the dwellings and set temperatures which can optionally be entered via a thermostat in the dwelling.
- There is a central control system which, in addition to controlling the steam valves, also remotely controls switching on and off of a steam boiler. This central control communicates wirelessly with the valves and with the steam boiler via a local network.
- a central control of technical equipment in a dwelling or other building is also described in WO01/13577 A2.
- the control makes use of networks in the building. Few specific details are described in respect of the heating and hot water supply. There is however a central thermostat which communicates with a hot water appliance via the network.
- the present invention has for its object to take a subsequent step in the development of heating boilers which provides a new range of functionalities.
- a hot water appliance comprising: a heating member for heating water; a control unit for controlling the heating member, the control unit comprising a memory for storing a desired temperature of a space to be heated, and an input/output unit connected to the control unit; wherein the input/output unit is adapted to receive a signal representative of a measured temperature; and wherein the control unit controls the heating member on the basis of the desired temperature and the measured temperature.
- the present invention is based on the insight that the control unit, i.e. the controller in terms of control engineering, does not belong at the location of the temperature sensor but at the location of the boiler. This has of course developed historically in this way because the temperature sensor and the controller were a single physical component in conventional thermostats.
- thermostats with separate components on the one hand for detecting the temperature and on the other for determining the control action.
- the controller Compared to a conventional CH-installation the controller therefore has to be removed from the thermostat and displaced to the CH boiler.
- the conventional thermostat is hereby relegated to being a temperature sensor and operating device.
- the “thermostat” determines a deviation on the basis of the measured temperature and the set temperature, and transmits this to the boiler.
- the control unit determines the control action associated with the deviation for the purpose of driving the heating member. (In most cases, the heating member is controlled by controlling the rotation speed of a fan which draws in the air with which gas is combusted in a burner.)
- control unit in the housing of the hot water appliance, this is recommended.
- the space to be heated is not necessarily limited to a single room.
- Traditionally present in for instance dwellings is only a single thermostat, with which the temperature is measured in a single room and on which only a single desired temperature can be set. In these cases the CH installation however heats more than one room.
- the temperature of the room in which the thermostat is hung is probably the temperature closest to the set desired temperature most of the time, the same thermostat is used to “control” the temperature in the other rooms.
- the term space in the present invention must not be understood as being limited to a single room.
- a space can comprise one or more rooms. In some cases a space can even comprise only a part of a room, for instance in the case of a long hallway with much heat loss, wherein the two ends of the hallway are heated by their own radiator with their own control circuit.
- the measured temperature need not necessarily be the temperature in a room.
- weather-dependent temperature controls use is made of an outdoor thermometer and a feed forward controller.
- the feed forward controller determines the control action on the basis of the outside temperature, a (presumed) known effect of the interference (outside temperature) and a (presumed) known effect of the control action (the operation of the heating member).
- a hot water appliance wherein the input/output unit is adapted to receive operating instructions from at least one operating device connected to the input/output unit, and the control unit is adapted to control the heating member on the basis of the received operating instructions.
- the operating instructions on the basis of which the device is controlled by a user can thus be generated remotely of the hot water appliance.
- control unit can be adapted to store the received operating instructions in the memory.
- a program of temperatures desired over a determined period can for instance thus be stored.
- control unit In order to prevent the hot water appliance switching off in the unlikely event of the connection between the input/output unit and the operating device being broken, it is recommended that a preset desired temperature or a predefined program for a desired temperature is stored in the memory and that the control unit is adapted to control the heating member on the basis of respectively the preset temperature or the predefined program when no operating instructions have been respectively received or stored.
- the control unit thus has a configurable control algorithm, whereby the hot water appliance can function independently on the basis of stored standard settings (default), although the configuration of the of the control can be modified via an operating device which communicates with the input/output unit.
- the input/output unit comprises a two-contact inlet/outlet for two-way communication with an operating device with integrated temperature sensor.
- the input/output unit is adapted to send and receive messages via the two-contact inlet/outlet according to a protocol suitable for two-way communication on a two-wire connection and for multiplexing messages from the operating device and the temperature sensor.
- the input/output unit is adapted such that use is made of two physically separated one-way connections.
- the input/output unit is adapted such that use is made of two physically separated connections for the temperature sensor and the operating device.
- the input/output unit is adapted such that use is made of three physically separated one-way connections: one for input of messages from the temperature sensor, one for input of messages from the operating device and one for output of messages from the operating device.
- a hot water appliance wherein the input/output unit further comprises a network coupling unit for exchanging data over a network.
- a network coupling unit for exchanging data over a network.
- components such as for instance the temperature sensor or the operating device
- a network connection for instance a pre-existing home LAN or office LAN.
- a LAN is preferably based on TCP, UDP and IP protocols over Ethernet.
- the present invention provides a hot water appliance, further comprising a web server for making a user interface available via the network coupling unit for the purpose of operating the hot water appliance.
- the invention provides a hot water device, wherein the user interface made available by the web server is accessible via the network coupling unit.
- the invention provides a hot water appliance, wherein the user interface is adapted to allow the user to perform at least one of the following actions: entering a desired temperature; entering a program for a desired temperature; viewing a measured temperature; viewing status information relating to the hot water appliance; viewing maintenance information; viewing error messages; viewing performance data; and adjusting the hot water appliance.
- the incorporated web server it is possible to navigate to the web server of the hot water appliance using for instance the browser of a smartphone.
- the user is then shown a user interface with which the user can operate or program the hot water appliance or view information. It is thus possible for instance to view the temperature measured by the connected temperature sensors, enter or change a desired temperature for a space, enter or change a program for the temperature variation during the day or week, set or activate a holiday program, read status information or maintenance information.
- a further embodiment according to the invention provides a hot water appliance, wherein the input/output unit comprises a wireless communication device.
- the communication device makes use of one of the WiFi protocols.
- the communication device can serve as a WiFi access point.
- the communication device is however a WiFi client which connects to an existing WiFi access point.
- the hot water appliance forms part of the LAN with which the WiFi access point is associated, and temperature sensors and operating devices can be connected via the existing LAN to the hot water appliance.
- use is made of WiFi Ad Hoc or Direct WiFi to connect the temperature sensors and operating devices.
- the invention provides a hot water appliance, wherein the operating device can be connected via the wireless communication device to the control unit.
- the operating device is not limited here to specialized dedicated operating devices, but mobile phones with a dedicated application installed, mobile phones which, as described above, make contact via their web browser with a web server incorporated into the hot water appliance, and personal computers which make contact via a web browser with the web server can also be envisaged.
- the invention further provides a hot water appliance, wherein: the memory is adapted to store a desired temperature for two or more spaces to be heated; and the control unit is adapted to control the heating member on the basis of the desired temperature in the two or more spaces to be heated and the measured temperature.
- the control unit has two or more target temperatures (the desired temperatures) and a single measured temperature and a single measured value.
- the single measured value can be the temperature in one of the spaces for which a desired temperature is stipulated, although it is also possible for the measured temperature to be a different temperature, such as for instance an outside temperature in the case of a weather-dependent temperature control.
- the hot water appliance has a plurality of independent hot water circuits and each of the desired temperatures substantially corresponds to an individual hot water circuit, it is then relatively easy to control each hot water circuit separately in order to realize the different desired temperatures. If this is not the case, the control unit will have to reach a form of compromise, for instance by allowing a tolerance at the desired temperature or by using desired temperature ranges instead of desired temperatures. Alternatively, a weighting can be used to indicate a preference between the desired temperatures. If there are more desired temperatures than measured temperatures, it is in addition necessary for the control unit to be able to estimate with a certain degree of reliability the actual temperature of the spaces for which the desired temperature is entered but for which no measured temperature is available.
- the invention provides a hot water appliance, wherein: the input/output unit is adapted to receive two or more signals which are each representative of a measured temperature; and the control unit is adapted to control the heating member on the basis of the desired temperature in the space to be heated or the desired temperatures in the two or more spaces to be heated, and the two or more measured temperatures.
- the temperature signals are provided to the input/output unit via a wired connection.
- the temperature signals are provided wirelessly to the input/output unit.
- the temperature signals are provided via both wired and wireless connections.
- a hot water appliance wherein: the control unit determines a deviation between a desired temperature in the space to be heated or the two or more spaces to be heated and the measured temperature or temperatures and applies a weighting to the deviations for the purpose of controlling the heating member. This is particularly recommended when there are more spaces with associated desired temperatures than there are independent hot water circuits. Through the weighting it is possible to give priority to specific desired temperatures, since the actually realized temperatures in the spaces with a corresponding temperature are not independent of each other.
- the invention provides a hot water appliance, further comprising a notification member for sending a notification via the communication device.
- the notification can for instance comprise a error message.
- the notification for instance comprises an e-mail message or an SMS message.
- a hot water appliance comprising a CH boiler or a combi-boiler.
- FIG. 1 shows a hot water appliance with thermostat according to the prior art
- FIG. 2 shows an alternative hot water appliance with thermostat according to the prior art
- FIG. 3 shows a hot water appliance according to the present invention
- FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of a hot water appliance according to the present invention.
- FIG. 5 shows yet another embodiment of a hot water appliance according to the present invention
- FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of a hot water appliance according to the present invention
- FIG. 7 shows a further alternative embodiment of a hot water appliance according to the present invention.
- FIG. 8 shows yet another alternative embodiment of a hot water appliance according to the present invention.
- FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of the control unit and the heating member of the hot water appliance of FIG. 8 ;
- FIG. 10 is a flow diagram indicating how the hot water appliance is controlled.
- a hot water appliance 10 ( FIG. 1 ) according to the prior art comprises a feed conduit 22 for water.
- the water is circulated in the hot water circuit by a pump 24 .
- the water is pumped through a heat exchanger 26 , where it is heated.
- the hot water leaves hot water appliance 10 via water outlet 28 .
- the water in heat exchanger 26 is heated by a burner 30 .
- Burner 30 comprises an air/gas mixture from a mixer 32 (for instance a venturi). Air is drawn in by a fan 34 via an air feed 36 and blown into mixer 32 . Gas from a gas feed 38 reaches mixer 32 via a gas block 39 .
- Fan 34 and pump 24 are controlled from an external thermostat 50 located elsewhere.
- Thermostat 50 is connected via a cable 42 to hot water appliance 10 .
- Cable 42 is typically a two-wire connection.
- Thermostat 50 comprises a temperature sensor 52 which generates a signal to a controller 54 .
- Controller 54 is further connected to a control panel 56 .
- a desired temperature can be entered and programs set via the control panel.
- the control panel is generally provided with a display screen on which the measured temperature is shown. The display screen usually also shows information for the purpose of facilitating input of a desired temperature or a program.
- Hot water circuit 10 of FIG. 2 shows a first water feed 22 a in which the water is pumped by a first pump 24 a , after which the water runs via a first heat exchanger 26 a to water discharge 28 a.
- the first hot water circuit is hereby provided with hot water.
- the second hot water circuit feeds water to the second water feed 22 b .
- the water is pumped by second pump 24 b and runs via second heat exchanger 26 b to second water discharge 28 b.
- Two separated hot water circuits are realized in this way. It is otherwise advantageous to integrate the first and second heat exchanger 26 a , 26 b into a single heat exchanger.
- the temperature controller is located in thermostat 50 .
- the controller determines the deviation between the temperature measured by temperature sensor 52 and the desired temperature entered via control panel 56 . On the basis of this deviation an indication is given via cable 42 that there is a heat demand and, in the case of a modulated signal, how great the heat demand is.
- Hot water appliance 100 ( FIG. 3 ) according to the present invention largely corresponds to the prior art hot water appliance 10 .
- Water is supplied via a water feed 122 and circulated by means of a pump 124 .
- the water is pumped via a heat exchanger 126 to water discharge 128 .
- the water in heat exchanger 126 is heated by a burner 130 .
- the burner combusts an air/gas mixture.
- Air is drawn in via an air feed 136 by a fan 134 and blown into mixer 132 .
- Gas moves from gas feed 138 via gas block 139 to mixer 132 , where it mixes with the air.
- the controller or control unit 154 which controls fan 134 and pump 124 is however not now incorporated in thermostat 50 but in hot water appliance 100 itself.
- This controller 154 comprises a memory 153 in which a desired temperature can be stored and an input/output unit 155 ( FIG. 9 ).
- a housing 150 is connected via a cable 42 to the input/output unit 155 of controller 154 in hot water appliance 100 .
- Housing 150 no longer comprises a controller 54 , but only a temperature sensor 152 which provides a signal representative of the temperature.
- a control panel 156 is arranged in housing 150 . Via this control panel 156 a desired temperature can be entered, which is transmitted via cable 42 to controller 154 in hot water appliance 100 and is there stored in memory 153 .
- control device 154 can transmit signals via cable 42 to control device 154 , which stores them in memory 153 .
- Two signal lines are drawn in cable 42 . These are however not necessarily two physically separated conductors. Depending on the embodiment, this can for instance also be a data bus.
- FIG. 4 there are even two temperature sensors 152 a , 152 b connected to control unit 154 in the hot water appliance.
- the first temperature sensor 152 a is received in the same housing 150 a as a control panel 156 a and connected to hot water appliance 100 via a first cable 42 a .
- a second temperature sensor 152 b is received in a second housing 150 b and connected to hot water appliance 100 via a second cable 42 b .
- the first housing 150 a with the first temperature sensor 152 a is located in a room which is heated and where the temperature has to be regulated. The first temperature sensor measures the temperature in the room.
- the difference from the desired temperature set via control panel 156 a is also the deviation which has to be removed by control 154 .
- the second housing 150 b with the second temperature sensor 152 b is placed outside.
- the second temperature sensor 152 b thus detects the outside temperature.
- Controller 154 uses the signal from the first temperature sensor 152 a to remove, by means of a feedback, deviations detected in the inside temperature, while controller 154 uses the signal from the second temperature sensor 152 b to pro-actively respond to temperature changes outside by means of a feed forward coupling.
- the second temperature sensor 152 b is for instance also placed inside, but in a different room from temperature sensor 152 a . It is highly probable in this case that another control algorithm will also be necessary.
- hot water appliance 100 is adapted to provide two hot water circuits with hot water.
- Hot water appliance 10 comprises a first water feed 122 a . From the first water feed 122 a the water is pumped by first pump 124 a via the first heat exchanger 126 a to the first water discharge 128 a. This part forms part of the first hot water circuit. From a second water feed 122 b water is pumped by a second pump 124 b via the second heat exchanger 126 b to the second water discharge 128 b. This part forms part of the second hot water circuit. It is otherwise advantageous to integrate the first heat exchanger 126 a and the second heat exchanger 126 b into a single heat exchanger with two separated water feeds.
- two temperature sensors 152 a and 152 b are connected to the hot water appliance.
- the first temperature sensor 152 a is received in a first space which is heated using the first hot water circuit.
- the second temperature sensor 152 b is received in a second space which is heated using the second hot water circuit.
- Controller 154 now also has two separated control circuits.
- the first makes use of the temperature measured by the first temperature sensor 152 a and compares this to a first desired temperature set for the first space. On the basis of the deviation this control circuit controls pump 124 a of the first hot water circuit (and fan 134 ).
- the second control circuit makes use of the temperature measured by the second temperature sensor 152 b . This is compared to a second desired temperature set for the second space.
- the second pump 124 b of the second hot water circuit (and of course fan 134 ) is controlled on the basis of the measured and desired temperature.
- the communication between the second temperature sensor 152 b and hot water appliance 100 takes a wireless form, for instance via a Direct WiFi connection.
- Second housing 150 b is provided for this purpose with a WiFi network transmitter/receiver 158 b .
- Hot water appliance 100 is also provided with a WiFi network transmitter/receiver 168 . It is hereby not necessary to draw extra cables.
- a first housing 150 a is provided with a control panel 156 a .
- the control panel is connected to a WiFi network transmitter/receiver likewise arranged in first housing 150 a . Via this WiFi network transmitter/receiver the control panel communicates with a WiFi network transmitter/receiver 168 in hot water appliance 100 .
- Messages sent from control panel 156 a to hot water appliance 100 mainly comprise information about the keys which have been pressed.
- Messages in the opposite direction mainly comprise information which is shown on the screen associated with control panel 156 a .
- control panel 156 a is part of a dedicated operating device (wireless remote control).
- housing 150 a is the housing of a mobile phone which runs a dedicated application in order to communicate with hot water appliance 100 via a Direct WiFi connection.
- hot water appliance 100 is provided with a web server 169 .
- the web server has a (wireless or wired) connection to for instance a home network 210 via a network card.
- a mobile phone or tablet computer 150 a (with a keyboard and screen 156 a ) is provided with a WiFi network chip and communicates wirelessly with home network 210 .
- the address of web server 169 is visited via an internet browser on mobile phone or tablet 150 a .
- the web server presents the user of mobile phone or tablet 150 a with a user interface for operating hot water appliance 100 .
- the user is for instance able to change the desired temperature, modify a program, view the temperature measured (by temperature sensor 152 b ), view the temperature variation during the day, view status information of hot water appliance 100 (for instance number of burning hours per day) and view error messages.
- home network 210 allows connections from the internet it is even possible for a technician to consult web server 169 via the internet using his/her personal computer in order to remedy malfunctions or to for instance perform an online combustion check.
- the web server on which the user interface can be found is an external server, and control unit 154 communicates with this web server via internet 210 .
- Control unit 154 need then only have an IP address so that it can be accessed via the internet.
- the functions incorporated in hot water appliance 100 are limited here to the actual control of pump 124 and fan 134 .
- By providing the user interface on an external web server it can be modified in simple manner without operations having to be performed for this purpose on hot water appliance 100 .
- the user interface can thus be improved and added to when new technical options become available.
- the control unit 154 on hot water appliance 100 which need comprise only the minimum hardware and software to be able to perform the most basic functions, even when the connection to the outside world is lost, can then always be reconfigured when the user interface is modified.
- control unit 154 has two operational modes; a first mode in which the control is based on operating instructions entered via the user interface and transmitted via the internet to input/output unit 155 , and a second mode in which the control takes place on the basis of a desired temperature stored in memory 153 .
- This can be a single temperature or a predetermined program of temperatures at determined times of the day.
- the first mode is the normal operational mode, while the second mode is an exception mode. This latter mode serves only to guarantee continued operation of hot water appliance 100 in the unlikely event operating device 154 were not to receive any operating instructions, for instance due to failure of the network to which input/output unit 155 is connected. In both modes an actually measured temperature originating from temperature sensor 152 applies as reference.
- control part 157 of control unit 154 comprises two operating programs, which are shown schematically here; an extensive regular operating program 162 which acts on the basis of the operating instructions coming in via input/output unit 155 and a much more limited emergency program 161 which acts on the basis of the information stored in memory 153 .
- FIG. 10 shows schematically how control unit 154 switches between the two operational modes. After a control cycle has been started in block 201 , a check is made in block 202 as to whether input/output unit 155 is receiving signals which may comprise operating instructions.
- these instructions are read in block 203 and, among other information, a desired temperature value T gew is derived therefrom.
- the measured temperature T is subsequently read in block 205 .
- This measured temperature is then compared in block 206 to the desired temperature T gew . If it follows from this comparison that the desired temperature has been reached, the control unit need not undertake any further control action and the program returns to checking for the presence of input signals in block 202 . If on the other hand it follows from the temperature comparison in block 206 that a control action is required, control signals for pump 124 and fan 134 are generated in block 207 . The program then returns to block 202 .
Abstract
The present invention relates to a hot water appliance comprising a heating member for heating water, a control unit for controlling the heating member, the control unit comprising a memory for storing a desired temperature of a space to be heated, and an input/output unit, wherein the input/output unit is adapted to receive a signal representative of a measured temperature, and wherein the control unit controls the heating member on the basis of the desired temperature and the measured temperature.
Description
- The present invention relates to a hot water appliance.
- Conventional systems for central heating (CH) of buildings comprise a central boiler in which a burner combusts gas. The heat released during combustion is transferred to water using a heat exchanger. A pump in the boiler pumps the heated water through a pipe system in the building to radiators, which radiators transfer the heat of the water, mainly through radiation and convection, to the room in which the radiator is disposed. Via return conduits the cooled water once again reaches the boiler where the water is heated.
- The boiler is controlled from a thermostat. The thermostat is arranged in one of the rooms to be heated. The thermostat comprises a temperature sensor and an operating member for setting a desired temperature. The thermostat originally consisted of a bimetal switch or mercury switch which sent an on/off signal to the boiler. Temperature-dependent electronic components are used nowadays as temperature sensor. Modern thermostats further no longer generate an on/off signal but transmit a modulated signal to the boiler to enable indication of a variable heat demand. Modern thermostats are further often provided with a clock so that the thermostat can also follow a time-dependent program. For historical reasons these thermostats do however still communicate with the boiler over a two-wire connection. Although this is not an insurmountable problem, it does impose a number of limitations. For reasons of compatibility the thermostat has to have its own power supply (generally a battery) and transmitting additional information, in addition to the heat demand, over the two-wire connection entails overhead and costs.
- US 2010/045470A1 describes a steam distribution system for heating a building with different dwellings. This system is based on remote-controlled steam valves on the radiators in the dwellings. The operation takes place on the basis of the temperatures measured in the dwellings and set temperatures which can optionally be entered via a thermostat in the dwelling. There is a central control system which, in addition to controlling the steam valves, also remotely controls switching on and off of a steam boiler. This central control communicates wirelessly with the valves and with the steam boiler via a local network.
- DE 102 29 222 A1 very generally describes a central control system which operates all technical installations in a building on the basis of measurements by sensors in order to thus minimize the energy consumption. It is not stated exactly how a hot water appliance present in the system is controlled.
- A central control of technical equipment in a dwelling or other building is also described in WO01/13577 A2. The control makes use of networks in the building. Few specific details are described in respect of the heating and hot water supply. There is however a central thermostat which communicates with a hot water appliance via the network.
- The present invention has for its object to take a subsequent step in the development of heating boilers which provides a new range of functionalities.
- This object is achieved by providing a hot water appliance comprising: a heating member for heating water; a control unit for controlling the heating member, the control unit comprising a memory for storing a desired temperature of a space to be heated, and an input/output unit connected to the control unit; wherein the input/output unit is adapted to receive a signal representative of a measured temperature; and wherein the control unit controls the heating member on the basis of the desired temperature and the measured temperature. The present invention is based on the insight that the control unit, i.e. the controller in terms of control engineering, does not belong at the location of the temperature sensor but at the location of the boiler. This has of course developed historically in this way because the temperature sensor and the controller were a single physical component in conventional thermostats. The introduction of electronic temperature sensors, such as for instance temperature-dependent resistors, resulted in thermostats with separate components on the one hand for detecting the temperature and on the other for determining the control action. Due to the nature of a CH-installation, i.e. the central generation of heat, which heat is then distributed over the different locations in the house where there is a heat demand, there is something to be said for having the heat demand determined at the boiler. Compared to a conventional CH-installation the controller therefore has to be removed from the thermostat and displaced to the CH boiler. In the first instance the conventional thermostat is hereby relegated to being a temperature sensor and operating device. The “thermostat” determines a deviation on the basis of the measured temperature and the set temperature, and transmits this to the boiler. In the boiler the control unit determines the control action associated with the deviation for the purpose of driving the heating member. (In most cases, the heating member is controlled by controlling the rotation speed of a fan which draws in the air with which gas is combusted in a burner.)
- However, by going a step further than mere physical displacement of the controller (the control unit), a greater range of options is created. This further step is also determining the deviation in the control unit (in the boiler). The conventional thermostat is hereby relegated to being just a temperature sensor. The advantages hereof are discussed with reference to embodiments below.
- Although it is not strictly necessary to incorporate the control unit in the housing of the hot water appliance, this is recommended.
- The space to be heated is not necessarily limited to a single room. Traditionally present in for instance dwellings is only a single thermostat, with which the temperature is measured in a single room and on which only a single desired temperature can be set. In these cases the CH installation however heats more than one room. Although the temperature of the room in which the thermostat is hung is probably the temperature closest to the set desired temperature most of the time, the same thermostat is used to “control” the temperature in the other rooms. Similarly, the term space in the present invention must not be understood as being limited to a single room. A space can comprise one or more rooms. In some cases a space can even comprise only a part of a room, for instance in the case of a long hallway with much heat loss, wherein the two ends of the hallway are heated by their own radiator with their own control circuit.
- The measured temperature need not necessarily be the temperature in a room. In so-called weather-dependent temperature controls use is made of an outdoor thermometer and a feed forward controller. The feed forward controller determines the control action on the basis of the outside temperature, a (presumed) known effect of the interference (outside temperature) and a (presumed) known effect of the control action (the operation of the heating member).
- In a further embodiment a hot water appliance is provided, wherein the input/output unit is adapted to receive operating instructions from at least one operating device connected to the input/output unit, and the control unit is adapted to control the heating member on the basis of the received operating instructions. The operating instructions on the basis of which the device is controlled by a user can thus be generated remotely of the hot water appliance.
- In a further embodiment of the water appliance according to the invention the control unit can be adapted to store the received operating instructions in the memory. A program of temperatures desired over a determined period can for instance thus be stored.
- In order to prevent the hot water appliance switching off in the unlikely event of the connection between the input/output unit and the operating device being broken, it is recommended that a preset desired temperature or a predefined program for a desired temperature is stored in the memory and that the control unit is adapted to control the heating member on the basis of respectively the preset temperature or the predefined program when no operating instructions have been respectively received or stored. The control unit thus has a configurable control algorithm, whereby the hot water appliance can function independently on the basis of stored standard settings (default), although the configuration of the of the control can be modified via an operating device which communicates with the input/output unit.
- In a specific embodiment the input/output unit comprises a two-contact inlet/outlet for two-way communication with an operating device with integrated temperature sensor. The input/output unit is adapted to send and receive messages via the two-contact inlet/outlet according to a protocol suitable for two-way communication on a two-wire connection and for multiplexing messages from the operating device and the temperature sensor. In an alternative, specific embodiment the input/output unit is adapted such that use is made of two physically separated one-way connections. In another alternative, specific embodiment the input/output unit is adapted such that use is made of two physically separated connections for the temperature sensor and the operating device. In another alternative, specific embodiment the input/output unit is adapted such that use is made of three physically separated one-way connections: one for input of messages from the temperature sensor, one for input of messages from the operating device and one for output of messages from the operating device.
- In a further embodiment a hot water appliance is provided, wherein the input/output unit further comprises a network coupling unit for exchanging data over a network. By incorporating a network coupling unit in the input/output unit it is possible to couple components, such as for instance the temperature sensor or the operating device, to the control unit over a network connection, for instance a pre-existing home LAN or office LAN. Such a LAN is preferably based on TCP, UDP and IP protocols over Ethernet.
- In a further embodiment the present invention provides a hot water appliance, further comprising a web server for making a user interface available via the network coupling unit for the purpose of operating the hot water appliance. In yet another embodiment the invention provides a hot water device, wherein the user interface made available by the web server is accessible via the network coupling unit. In yet another embodiment the invention provides a hot water appliance, wherein the user interface is adapted to allow the user to perform at least one of the following actions: entering a desired temperature; entering a program for a desired temperature; viewing a measured temperature; viewing status information relating to the hot water appliance; viewing maintenance information; viewing error messages; viewing performance data; and adjusting the hot water appliance. By means of the incorporated web server it is possible to navigate to the web server of the hot water appliance using for instance the browser of a smartphone. The user is then shown a user interface with which the user can operate or program the hot water appliance or view information. It is thus possible for instance to view the temperature measured by the connected temperature sensors, enter or change a desired temperature for a space, enter or change a program for the temperature variation during the day or week, set or activate a holiday program, read status information or maintenance information.
- The obvious manner of enabling operation via a network from a prior art installation would be to provide a conventional thermostat (with integrated temperature sensor, operating means and controller) with a network interface and an incorporated web server.
- A further embodiment according to the invention provides a hot water appliance, wherein the input/output unit comprises a wireless communication device. In a specific embodiment the communication device makes use of one of the WiFi protocols. The communication device can serve as a WiFi access point. Alternatively, the communication device is however a WiFi client which connects to an existing WiFi access point. In this configuration the hot water appliance forms part of the LAN with which the WiFi access point is associated, and temperature sensors and operating devices can be connected via the existing LAN to the hot water appliance. In other alternative embodiments use is made of WiFi Ad Hoc or Direct WiFi to connect the temperature sensors and operating devices.
- In yet another embodiment the invention provides a hot water appliance, wherein the operating device can be connected via the wireless communication device to the control unit. The operating device is not limited here to specialized dedicated operating devices, but mobile phones with a dedicated application installed, mobile phones which, as described above, make contact via their web browser with a web server incorporated into the hot water appliance, and personal computers which make contact via a web browser with the web server can also be envisaged.
- The invention further provides a hot water appliance, wherein: the memory is adapted to store a desired temperature for two or more spaces to be heated; and the control unit is adapted to control the heating member on the basis of the desired temperature in the two or more spaces to be heated and the measured temperature. In this embodiment the control unit has two or more target temperatures (the desired temperatures) and a single measured temperature and a single measured value. The single measured value can be the temperature in one of the spaces for which a desired temperature is stipulated, although it is also possible for the measured temperature to be a different temperature, such as for instance an outside temperature in the case of a weather-dependent temperature control. There are also two or more target temperatures here. In the case the hot water appliance has a plurality of independent hot water circuits and each of the desired temperatures substantially corresponds to an individual hot water circuit, it is then relatively easy to control each hot water circuit separately in order to realize the different desired temperatures. If this is not the case, the control unit will have to reach a form of compromise, for instance by allowing a tolerance at the desired temperature or by using desired temperature ranges instead of desired temperatures. Alternatively, a weighting can be used to indicate a preference between the desired temperatures. If there are more desired temperatures than measured temperatures, it is in addition necessary for the control unit to be able to estimate with a certain degree of reliability the actual temperature of the spaces for which the desired temperature is entered but for which no measured temperature is available.
- In yet another embodiment the invention provides a hot water appliance, wherein: the input/output unit is adapted to receive two or more signals which are each representative of a measured temperature; and the control unit is adapted to control the heating member on the basis of the desired temperature in the space to be heated or the desired temperatures in the two or more spaces to be heated, and the two or more measured temperatures. In a specific embodiment the temperature signals are provided to the input/output unit via a wired connection. In a specific alternative embodiment the temperature signals are provided wirelessly to the input/output unit. In yet another specific embodiment the temperature signals are provided via both wired and wireless connections.
- In a further embodiment a hot water appliance is provided, wherein: the control unit determines a deviation between a desired temperature in the space to be heated or the two or more spaces to be heated and the measured temperature or temperatures and applies a weighting to the deviations for the purpose of controlling the heating member. This is particularly recommended when there are more spaces with associated desired temperatures than there are independent hot water circuits. Through the weighting it is possible to give priority to specific desired temperatures, since the actually realized temperatures in the spaces with a corresponding temperature are not independent of each other.
- In yet another embodiment the invention provides a hot water appliance, further comprising a notification member for sending a notification via the communication device. The notification can for instance comprise a error message. The notification for instance comprises an e-mail message or an SMS message.
- In an embodiment according to the invention a hot water appliance is provided, wherein the device comprises a CH boiler or a combi-boiler.
- Further advantages and embodiments are discussed hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
-
FIG. 1 shows a hot water appliance with thermostat according to the prior art; -
FIG. 2 shows an alternative hot water appliance with thermostat according to the prior art; -
FIG. 3 shows a hot water appliance according to the present invention; -
FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of a hot water appliance according to the present invention; -
FIG. 5 shows yet another embodiment of a hot water appliance according to the present invention; -
FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of a hot water appliance according to the present invention; -
FIG. 7 shows a further alternative embodiment of a hot water appliance according to the present invention; -
FIG. 8 shows yet another alternative embodiment of a hot water appliance according to the present invention; -
FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of the control unit and the heating member of the hot water appliance ofFIG. 8 ; and -
FIG. 10 is a flow diagram indicating how the hot water appliance is controlled. - A hot water appliance 10 (
FIG. 1 ) according to the prior art comprises afeed conduit 22 for water. The water is circulated in the hot water circuit by apump 24. The water is pumped through aheat exchanger 26, where it is heated. The hot water leaveshot water appliance 10 viawater outlet 28. The water inheat exchanger 26 is heated by aburner 30.Burner 30 comprises an air/gas mixture from a mixer 32 (for instance a venturi). Air is drawn in by afan 34 via anair feed 36 and blown intomixer 32. Gas from agas feed 38 reachesmixer 32 via agas block 39. -
Fan 34 and pump 24 are controlled from anexternal thermostat 50 located elsewhere.Thermostat 50 is connected via acable 42 tohot water appliance 10.Cable 42 is typically a two-wire connection.Thermostat 50 comprises atemperature sensor 52 which generates a signal to acontroller 54.Controller 54 is further connected to acontrol panel 56. A desired temperature can be entered and programs set via the control panel. The control panel is generally provided with a display screen on which the measured temperature is shown. The display screen usually also shows information for the purpose of facilitating input of a desired temperature or a program. - Some prior art
hot water appliances 10 are provided with a dual conduit to enable realization of two hot water circuits.Hot water circuit 10 ofFIG. 2 shows afirst water feed 22 a in which the water is pumped by afirst pump 24 a, after which the water runs via afirst heat exchanger 26 a towater discharge 28 a. The first hot water circuit is hereby provided with hot water. The second hot water circuit feeds water to thesecond water feed 22 b. The water is pumped bysecond pump 24 b and runs viasecond heat exchanger 26 b tosecond water discharge 28 b. Two separated hot water circuits are realized in this way. It is otherwise advantageous to integrate the first andsecond heat exchanger - In both
hot water appliance 10 ofFIG. 1 andhot water appliance 10 ofFIG. 2 the temperature controller is located inthermostat 50. The controller determines the deviation between the temperature measured bytemperature sensor 52 and the desired temperature entered viacontrol panel 56. On the basis of this deviation an indication is given viacable 42 that there is a heat demand and, in the case of a modulated signal, how great the heat demand is. - Hot water appliance 100 (
FIG. 3 ) according to the present invention largely corresponds to the prior arthot water appliance 10. Water is supplied via awater feed 122 and circulated by means of apump 124. The water is pumped via aheat exchanger 126 towater discharge 128. The water inheat exchanger 126 is heated by aburner 130. The burner combusts an air/gas mixture. Air is drawn in via anair feed 136 by afan 134 and blown intomixer 132. Gas moves fromgas feed 138 viagas block 139 tomixer 132, where it mixes with the air. The controller orcontrol unit 154 which controlsfan 134 and pump 124 is however not now incorporated inthermostat 50 but inhot water appliance 100 itself. Thiscontroller 154 comprises amemory 153 in which a desired temperature can be stored and an input/output unit 155 (FIG. 9 ). Ahousing 150 is connected via acable 42 to the input/output unit 155 ofcontroller 154 inhot water appliance 100.Housing 150 no longer comprises acontroller 54, but only atemperature sensor 152 which provides a signal representative of the temperature. In addition, acontrol panel 156 is arranged inhousing 150. Via thiscontrol panel 156 a desired temperature can be entered, which is transmitted viacable 42 tocontroller 154 inhot water appliance 100 and is there stored inmemory 153. Other operating instructions, for instance switch-on and switch-off times in accordance with a program entered viacontrol panel 156, can be transmitted viacable 42 to controldevice 154, which stores them inmemory 153. Two signal lines are drawn incable 42. These are however not necessarily two physically separated conductors. Depending on the embodiment, this can for instance also be a data bus. - In an alternative embodiment (
FIG. 4 ) there are even twotemperature sensors unit 154 in the hot water appliance. Thefirst temperature sensor 152 a is received in thesame housing 150 a as acontrol panel 156 a and connected tohot water appliance 100 via afirst cable 42 a. Asecond temperature sensor 152 b is received in asecond housing 150 b and connected tohot water appliance 100 via asecond cable 42 b. In a specific embodiment thefirst housing 150 a with thefirst temperature sensor 152 a is located in a room which is heated and where the temperature has to be regulated. The first temperature sensor measures the temperature in the room. The difference from the desired temperature set viacontrol panel 156 a is also the deviation which has to be removed bycontrol 154. Thesecond housing 150 b with thesecond temperature sensor 152 b is placed outside. Thesecond temperature sensor 152 b thus detects the outside temperature.Controller 154 thus uses the signal from thefirst temperature sensor 152 a to remove, by means of a feedback, deviations detected in the inside temperature, whilecontroller 154 uses the signal from thesecond temperature sensor 152 b to pro-actively respond to temperature changes outside by means of a feed forward coupling. In other embodiments thesecond temperature sensor 152 b is for instance also placed inside, but in a different room fromtemperature sensor 152 a. It is highly probable in this case that another control algorithm will also be necessary. - In another embodiment (
FIG. 5 )hot water appliance 100 is adapted to provide two hot water circuits with hot water.Hot water appliance 10 comprises afirst water feed 122 a. From thefirst water feed 122 a the water is pumped byfirst pump 124 a via thefirst heat exchanger 126 a to thefirst water discharge 128 a. This part forms part of the first hot water circuit. From asecond water feed 122 b water is pumped by asecond pump 124 b via thesecond heat exchanger 126 b to thesecond water discharge 128 b. This part forms part of the second hot water circuit. It is otherwise advantageous to integrate thefirst heat exchanger 126 a and thesecond heat exchanger 126 b into a single heat exchanger with two separated water feeds. - In this embodiment, as in the previous one, two
temperature sensors first temperature sensor 152 a is received in a first space which is heated using the first hot water circuit. Thesecond temperature sensor 152 b is received in a second space which is heated using the second hot water circuit.Controller 154 now also has two separated control circuits. The first makes use of the temperature measured by thefirst temperature sensor 152 a and compares this to a first desired temperature set for the first space. On the basis of the deviation this control circuit controls pump 124 a of the first hot water circuit (and fan 134). The second control circuit makes use of the temperature measured by thesecond temperature sensor 152 b. This is compared to a second desired temperature set for the second space. Thesecond pump 124 b of the second hot water circuit (and of course fan 134) is controlled on the basis of the measured and desired temperature. - In a further embodiment (
FIG. 6 ) the communication between thesecond temperature sensor 152 b andhot water appliance 100 takes a wireless form, for instance via a Direct WiFi connection.Second housing 150 b is provided for this purpose with a WiFi network transmitter/receiver 158 b.Hot water appliance 100 is also provided with a WiFi network transmitter/receiver 168. It is hereby not necessary to draw extra cables. - In yet another embodiment (
FIG. 7 ) afirst housing 150 a is provided with acontrol panel 156 a. The control panel is connected to a WiFi network transmitter/receiver likewise arranged infirst housing 150 a. Via this WiFi network transmitter/receiver the control panel communicates with a WiFi network transmitter/receiver 168 inhot water appliance 100. Messages sent fromcontrol panel 156 a tohot water appliance 100 mainly comprise information about the keys which have been pressed. Messages in the opposite direction mainly comprise information which is shown on the screen associated withcontrol panel 156 a. In anembodiment control panel 156 a is part of a dedicated operating device (wireless remote control). In analternative embodiment housing 150 a is the housing of a mobile phone which runs a dedicated application in order to communicate withhot water appliance 100 via a Direct WiFi connection. - In another embodiment (
FIG. 8 )hot water appliance 100 is provided with aweb server 169. The web server has a (wireless or wired) connection to for instance ahome network 210 via a network card. A mobile phone ortablet computer 150 a (with a keyboard andscreen 156 a) is provided with a WiFi network chip and communicates wirelessly withhome network 210. The address ofweb server 169 is visited via an internet browser on mobile phone ortablet 150 a. The web server presents the user of mobile phone ortablet 150 a with a user interface for operatinghot water appliance 100. The user is for instance able to change the desired temperature, modify a program, view the temperature measured (bytemperature sensor 152 b), view the temperature variation during the day, view status information of hot water appliance 100 (for instance number of burning hours per day) and view error messages. Ifhome network 210 allows connections from the internet it is even possible for a technician to consultweb server 169 via the internet using his/her personal computer in order to remedy malfunctions or to for instance perform an online combustion check. - In yet another embodiment (
FIG. 9 ) the web server on which the user interface can be found is an external server, andcontrol unit 154 communicates with this web server viainternet 210.Control unit 154 need then only have an IP address so that it can be accessed via the internet. The functions incorporated inhot water appliance 100 are limited here to the actual control ofpump 124 andfan 134. By providing the user interface on an external web server it can be modified in simple manner without operations having to be performed for this purpose onhot water appliance 100. The user interface can thus be improved and added to when new technical options become available. Thecontrol unit 154 onhot water appliance 100, which need comprise only the minimum hardware and software to be able to perform the most basic functions, even when the connection to the outside world is lost, can then always be reconfigured when the user interface is modified. - In this
embodiment control unit 154 has two operational modes; a first mode in which the control is based on operating instructions entered via the user interface and transmitted via the internet to input/output unit 155, and a second mode in which the control takes place on the basis of a desired temperature stored inmemory 153. This can be a single temperature or a predetermined program of temperatures at determined times of the day. The first mode is the normal operational mode, while the second mode is an exception mode. This latter mode serves only to guarantee continued operation ofhot water appliance 100 in the unlikelyevent operating device 154 were not to receive any operating instructions, for instance due to failure of the network to which input/output unit 155 is connected. In both modes an actually measured temperature originating fromtemperature sensor 152 applies as reference. In order to enable realization of both operational modes, theactual control part 157 ofcontrol unit 154 comprises two operating programs, which are shown schematically here; an extensiveregular operating program 162 which acts on the basis of the operating instructions coming in via input/output unit 155 and a much morelimited emergency program 161 which acts on the basis of the information stored inmemory 153. -
FIG. 10 shows schematically howcontrol unit 154 switches between the two operational modes. After a control cycle has been started inblock 201, a check is made inblock 202 as to whether input/output unit 155 is receiving signals which may comprise operating instructions. - When this is the case, these instructions are read in
block 203 and, among other information, a desired temperature value Tgew is derived therefrom. The measured temperature T is subsequently read inblock 205. This measured temperature is then compared inblock 206 to the desired temperature Tgew. If it follows from this comparison that the desired temperature has been reached, the control unit need not undertake any further control action and the program returns to checking for the presence of input signals inblock 202. If on the other hand it follows from the temperature comparison inblock 206 that a control action is required, control signals forpump 124 andfan 134 are generated inblock 207. The program then returns to block 202. - When it is determined in
block 202 that input/output unit 155 is not receiving (or has not received) any operating instructions, a switch is made to the emergency program. The desired value of the temperature Tgew, which is stored inmemory 153, is in that case read inblock 204. The program then continues reading the measured temperature inblock 205. All further program steps are identical to the steps taken when an input signal is detected. - Optimal use can in this way be made of the possibilities of the internet or other external sources in order to make available a highly user-friendly operation with extensive options without extensive provision having to be made for this purpose in the hot water appliance. Furthermore, the operational reliability of the hot water appliance is in this way always guaranteed, even when communication means fail.
- The described embodiments and the embodiments shown in the figures are only exemplary embodiments by way of illustration of the invention. The invention is not limited to these embodiments. It will be apparent to the skilled person that many variations of and modifications to the shown embodiments are possible within the invention. Instead of storing a desired temperature in the memory of the control unit another control parameter could also be stored, for instance a table with switch on/off times. The input/output unit would then have to receive a time signal instead of a temperature signal. It is thus also possible without problem to combine features of different embodiments to form new embodiments without departing from the invention. The shown embodiments are therefore not limitative for the scope of protection sought. The scope of protection is defined solely by the following claims.
Claims (16)
1. Hot water appliance, comprising:
a heating member for heating water;
a control unit for controlling the heating member, the control unit comprising a memory for storing a desired temperature of a space to be heated, and an input/output unit connected to the control unit;
wherein the input/output unit is adapted to receive a signal representative of a measured temperature; and
wherein the control unit controls the heating member on the basis of the desired temperature and the measured temperature.
2. Hot water appliance as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the input/output unit is adapted to receive operating instructions from at least one operating device connected to the input/output unit, and the control unit is adapted to control the heating member on the basis of the received operating instructions.
3. Hot water appliance as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the control unit is adapted to store the received operating instructions in the memory.
4. Hot water appliance as claimed in claim 2 , wherein a preset desired temperature or a predefined program for a desired temperature is stored in the memory, and wherein the control unit is adapted to control the heating member on the basis of respectively the preset temperature or the predefined program when no operating instructions have been respectively received or stored.
5. Hot water appliance as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the input/output unit further comprises a network coupling unit for exchanging data over a network.
6. Hot water appliance as claimed in claim 5 , further comprising a web server for making a user interface available via the network coupling unit for the purpose of operating the hot water appliance.
7. Hot water appliance as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the user interface made available by the web server is accessible via the network coupling unit.
8. Hot water appliance as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the user interface is adapted to allow the user to perform at least one of the following actions of:
entering a desired temperature;
entering a program for a desired temperature;
viewing a measured temperature;
viewing status information relating to the hot water appliance;
viewing maintenance information;
viewing error messages;
viewing performance data; and
adjusting the hot water appliance.
9. Hot water appliance as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the input/output unit comprises a wireless communication device.
10. Hot water appliance as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the operating device can be connected via the wireless communication device to the control unit.
11. Hot water appliance as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:
the memory is adapted to store a desired temperature for two or more spaces to be heated; and
the control unit is adapted to control the heating member on the basis of the desired temperature in the two or more spaces to be heated and the measured temperature.
12. Hot water appliance as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:
the input/output unit is adapted to receive two or more signals which are each representative of a measured temperature; and
the control unit is adapted to control the heating member on the basis of the desired temperature in the space to be heated or the desired temperatures in the two or more spaces to be heated, and the two or more measured temperatures.
13. Hot water appliance as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:
the control unit determines a deviation between a desired temperature in the space to be heated or the two or more spaces to be heated and the measured temperature or temperatures and applies a weighting to the deviations for the purpose of controlling the heating member.
14. Hot water appliance as claimed in claim 9 , further comprising a notification member for sending a notification via the wireless communication device.
15. Hot water appliance as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a housing in which the heating member, the control unit and the input/output unit are accommodated.
16. Hot water appliance as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a CH boiler or a combi-boiler.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
NL2006176A NL2006176C2 (en) | 2011-02-10 | 2011-02-10 | HOT WATER DEVICE. |
NL2006176 | 2011-02-10 | ||
PCT/NL2012/000013 WO2012108761A2 (en) | 2011-02-10 | 2012-02-10 | Hot water appliance |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20140084073A1 true US20140084073A1 (en) | 2014-03-27 |
Family
ID=45819255
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US13/984,424 Abandoned US20140084073A1 (en) | 2011-02-10 | 2012-02-10 | Hot Water Appliance |
Country Status (9)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20140084073A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2673568A2 (en) |
JP (1) | JP6180942B2 (en) |
KR (1) | KR20140052944A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2825269A1 (en) |
NL (1) | NL2006176C2 (en) |
RU (1) | RU2628929C2 (en) |
UA (1) | UA114473C2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2012108761A2 (en) |
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US20150345805A1 (en) * | 2013-01-15 | 2015-12-03 | D2M International | Heat Energy Storage System and Method For Hot Water Systems |
US20200021457A1 (en) * | 2017-04-27 | 2020-01-16 | Noritz Corporation | Communication adapter |
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KR101404121B1 (en) * | 2012-11-30 | 2014-06-10 | 주식회사 경동원 | Method for outdoor temperature compensated control using the external network |
GB2519986A (en) * | 2013-11-04 | 2015-05-13 | Ideal Boilers Ltd | Wireless boiler control system |
NL2011767C2 (en) * | 2013-11-08 | 2015-05-19 | Intergas Heating Assets B V | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HEATING ONE OR MORE SPACES. |
US10006642B2 (en) | 2014-05-09 | 2018-06-26 | Jerritt L. Gluck | Systems and methods for controlling conditioned fluid systems in a built environment |
WO2017105175A1 (en) * | 2015-12-14 | 2017-06-22 | Dino Alejandro Pardo Guzman | Household water heater controlled and monitored by means of a remote interface |
KR102176153B1 (en) | 2020-02-10 | 2020-11-09 | 이병교 | Direct hot water control device and drive method of the Same |
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- 2012-02-10 CA CA2825269A patent/CA2825269A1/en not_active Abandoned
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- 2012-02-10 UA UAA201310847A patent/UA114473C2/en unknown
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- 2012-02-10 JP JP2013553385A patent/JP6180942B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2012-02-10 RU RU2013141414A patent/RU2628929C2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2825269A1 (en) | 2012-08-16 |
WO2012108761A3 (en) | 2013-09-26 |
EP2673568A2 (en) | 2013-12-18 |
KR20140052944A (en) | 2014-05-07 |
JP2014508271A (en) | 2014-04-03 |
JP6180942B2 (en) | 2017-08-16 |
RU2013141414A (en) | 2015-03-20 |
WO2012108761A2 (en) | 2012-08-16 |
UA114473C2 (en) | 2017-06-26 |
NL2006176C2 (en) | 2012-08-13 |
RU2628929C2 (en) | 2017-08-22 |
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Legal Events
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: INTERGAS HEATING ASSETS B.V., NETHERLANDS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:COOL, PETER JAN;REEL/FRAME:031415/0177 Effective date: 20130905 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |