WO2013079738A1

WO2013079738A1 - Water heater based on a refrigerator

Info

Publication number: WO2013079738A1
Application number: PCT/ES2012/000272
Authority: WO
Inventors: Juan GONZÁLEZ MURCIA
Original assignee: Gonzalez Murcia Juan
Priority date: 2011-11-16
Filing date: 2012-10-17
Publication date: 2013-06-06

Abstract

The present invention is constituted from a tray that supports, connected securely thereto, the following components: a steel reservoir inside which there is a coil-type refrigerating condenser. The reservoir is coupled to two pipes, each provided with a stopcock, two lines being connected, namely an inlet line and an outlet line. The reservoir also incorporates a thermostat, and there are condenser and an exterior auxiliary evaporation unit and four two-way electrovalves or, alternatively, two 3-way electrovalves (depending on the market) which are switched with respect to one another and connected to the rest of the components of the refrigerator via copper pipes. The mechanism incorporates an electronic circuit or electric board, which has a control stage regulated by the thermostats of the refrigerator and of the water-accumulator reservoir, and a power stage that provides electric current to the compressor and to the electro-valves by means of electrical connections. The present water heater based on a refrigerator does not have a back-up resistance element.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Water heater from a refrigerator. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a mechanism that incorporated into a refrigerator or freezer, manages to heat water in a tank, taking advantage of the heat of condensation of the gases in the refrigerating condenser, thus being able to take advantage of an energy that is normally wasted

The mechanism proposed by the present invention can be coupled to any type of domestic refrigerator or freezer, hospitality showcases and bottle racks, where hot water consumption is demanded.

Its field of application is part of the domestic refrigerator and freezer industry.

BACKGROUND IN THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

Some models are known in this sector of the industry that do not bring to the state of the art the novel features proposed by the present invention. Thus, document W 0301242 EP presents a system of perforated and rotating sheet through which a pipe with the fluid to be heated passes. Also document P-79 706 proposes the installation of a coil on the condenser getting a stream of hot air to heat the environment. These documented models present the following drawbacks to the proposed invention:

The first document referred to needs an auxiliary motor to rotate the sheet and the water does not acquire the required temperature, to be used as domestic hot water.

The second document mentioned heats the environment by air but does not produce enough heat to heat water.

None of the inventions cited produces heat when the refrigerator thermostat disconnects the machine because it has reached the proper temperature. They are inefficient in their performance, and their installation can affect the performance of the refrigerator.

In view of these described drawbacks, the present invention provides the state of the art with novel, simple and easy-to-execute solutions that result in the following advantages:

- The installation of auxiliary motors is not necessary, since it takes advantage of the refrigerator.

The water acquires the appropriate temperature to be used as domestic hot water.

- The proposed mechanism continues to heat water even if the refrigerator thermostat disconnects the evaporator (inside) because it has reached its temperature. In the proposed invention the system is completely static or forced draft condenser, according to the refrigerator model, as opposed to the previously existing, of forced draft system.

It is very effective in its performance.

Its installation does not affect the performance of the refrigerator.

Take advantage of an energy that is normally wasted.

It represents a saving in electricity (electric heater) or butane gas (gas heater) to produce domestic hot water.

It constitutes a considerable saving of butane gas for the heater and for the electric heater, saving the need to import the gas from different countries.

In the proposed invention, the heat provided to heat water is completely free.

Finally, the document with application number P201001408 (still pending application publication) called "Water heater from a refrigerator", owned by the applicant, incorporates three-way valves and evaporator forced draft condenser, while The present invention incorporates two-way electro valves and, optionally, according to market needs, three-way, and auxiliary evaporator, replacing the condenser / evaporator, the latter being constituted as a system completely static or forced draft condenser, depending on refrigerator model.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

Thus, in the proposed invention, the condensers of the tank and the refrigerator take advantage of the compressor of said refrigerator for its operation. The mechanism consists of the following elements:

A standardized steel tank for containing and heating drinking water in whose exterior is a refrigerating condenser, in copper pipe and in a suitable way to the hot water tank. In the areas of the tank and in the upper and lower part two plumbing pipes are connected, each provided with a tap cock. These pipes cross the wall of the tank and remain airtight. To these two pipes there are two flexible hoses for drinking water, with enough length to connect them easily to the water network; the lower one to the cold water network through which the water enters the tank and the upper one to the hot water network that has isothermal coverage, so as not to lose temperature in its route until consumption. This tank installs a thermostat that regulates the temperature of the water contained in it.

In the structure of the refrigerator it also supports the following elements:

A condenser typical of the refrigerator and that can be forced or static, depending on the refrigerator model, a evaporator outside the refrigerator, four solenoid valves connected to the rest of the elements through copper tubes as follows: two solenoid valves installed at the outlet of the compressor; one that connects with the hot water tank and the other with the condenser, and the other two solenoid valves, one that connects to the refrigerator evaporator and the other to the auxiliary evaporator.

In addition, the aforementioned refrigerator incorporates an electronic circuit, which has a control stage regulated by the thermostats of the refrigerator and the hot water tank and supply of electric current to the refrigerator compressor and to the solenoid valves through electrical connections. The operation of the mechanism proposed by the present invention contemplates three working ranges, according to the temperature detected by the thermostats installed one in the tank and another in the refrigerator, sending these data to the electronic circuit control stage.

The first range comes from the need for cold demand in the refrigerator and also the need for hot water. In this case, the gas coming from the compressor evolves isoentropically and enters the valve 1, which switches the outlet of the coil installed in the tank and which, due to the high temperature gas, heats the water. From the outlet of the coil the gas in the form of liquid passes the inlet of the valve 4 and leaves towards the evaporator of the refrigerator evaporating and producing cold, from here it returns to the compressor and repeats the cycle. A second range of work occurs when the thermostats send the order to the electronic circuit of need of hot water but not that of cold in the refrigerator. In this case the gas coming from the compressor passes to the valve 1 that switches the outlet to the coil of the tank, where the gas produces heat and heats the water. The liquid gas passes to the valve 3 that switches the outlet to the auxiliary evaporator where it expands and from this to the compressor to repeat the cycle.

A third range of work happens when there is a need for cold in the refrigerator, but there is no demand for hot water in this case. In this case the gas leaves the compressor towards the valve 2 that switches the output to the condenser, the gas condenses and in the form of liquid passes through the capillary to the evaporator of the refrigerator, where it expands and from this to the compressor to repeat the cycle.

When the thermostats detect that there is no need for cold in the refrigerator or demand for hot water, the electronic circuit cuts the electric current to the compressor, it stops, and the four valves close, waiting for one of the working ranges previously described. In a different way instead of an electronic circuit, the mechanism incorporates an electrical panel composed of relays and automatism commanded by the signals of the two thermostats.

Description of the drawings To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred example of practical realization thereof, an figure is attached as an integral part of said description. , for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented:

Figure 1.- Scheme of the mechanism.

Figure 2.- Front and side view of the mechanism.

This figure highlights the following numbered elements: 1.- First solenoid valve.

2. - Second solenoid valve.

3. - Third solenoid valve.

4. - Fourth solenoid valve.

5. - Refrigerating compressor.

6.- Water tank.

7. - Condenser.

8. - Auxiliary evaporator.

9. - Evaporator of the refrigerator.

10. - Cold inlet pipe to the tank (lower).

11.- Hot water outlet pipe of the tank (upper).

12. - Hose entry to the deposit.

13. - Tank outlet hose.

14. - Tank thermostat.

15. - Copper connection pipes.

16.- Refrigerator thermostat.

17. - Electronic circuit.

18. - Manual outlet key for the tank. 20. - Manual entry key to the tank.

21. - Refrigerator condenser outside the tank.

22. - Three-way solenoid valve (optional).

23. - Three-way solenoid valve (optional).

EXAMPLE OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A preferred embodiment of the proposed invention is constituted from the proposed mechanism, which takes advantage of the refrigerator compressor (5) for its operation.

It consists of the following elements: a water tank (6) of standardized steel for containing and heating drinking water, on whose exterior there is a refrigerating condenser outside the tank (2) in the form of a coil and around said tank. In the lower part of the tank (6) and in the upper part there are two plumbing pipes - cold inlet to the tank and hot water outlet from the tank (10 and 11) - each provided with a tap cock - a manual deposit exit and other deposit entry manual (18 and 19) -; These pipes cross the wall of the water tank (6) and remain airtight. To these two cold inlet pipes to the tank and hot water outlet from the tank (10 and 11) there are two separate inlet and outlet hoses (12 and 13) standardized for drinking water with sufficient length to connect them comfortably to the water network; the lower cold inlet pipe to the tank (10) to the cold water network and introduces it into the tank, and the upper hot water outlet from the tank (11), which carries isothermal coverage, to the hot water network to where the water coming from the tank arrives of water (6). This tank also incorporates a thermostat (14) that regulates the temperature of the water contained in it.

The said refrigerator, as such, also supports the following elements: an auxiliary evaporator (8) and four two-way solenoid valves (1, 2, 3, and 4) and, optionally, two three-way solenoid valves (22 and 23) that They are switched with each other and connected to the rest of the elements through copper pipes as follows:

A first solenoid valve (1) with refrigerant gas inlet from the refrigerant compressor (5) and outlet to the condenser outside the tank (21). The gas, in the form of a liquid, passes to the third or fourth valve solenoid valve (3 or 4) or to the fourth solenoid valve (4), according to needs. The second solenoid valve (2) with also refrigerant gas inlet coming from the refrigeration compressor (5) and outlet to the static or forced draft condenser (7), and from it to the refrigerator evaporator (9). These two solenoid valves are switched, when one opens the other closes and vice versa, as needed.

The third solenoid valve (3) receives the liquid refrigerant from the condenser outside the tank (21) and sends it to the auxiliary evaporator (8). The fourth solenoid valve (4) also receives the refrigerant in liquid form and sends it to the evaporator of the refrigerator (9).

The mechanism incorporates an electronic circuit (17) that has control stages regulated by the thermostats of the refrigerator (16) and the thermostat of the tank (14) and a power stage that supplies electric current to the Refrigeration compressor (5) and to the solenoid valves (1, 2, 3 and 4) through electrical connections.

The first and second solenoid valves (1 and 2) can be replaced by a three-way solenoid valve (22), and the third and fourth solenoid valves (3 and 4) can be replaced by a three-way solenoid valve (23), according to the needs of the market.

It is not considered necessary to make this description more extensive so that any person skilled in the art understands the scope of the invention and the advantages derived therefrom. The technology used and its applications will be subject to variation as long as this does not imply an alteration in the essentiality of the invention.

Claims

1. - Water heater from a refrigerator characterized by being constituted from a mechanism with the following elements: a standardized steel tank for containing and heating drinking water, characterized in that on its exterior there is a refrigerating condenser in the form of copper pipe coil. In the lower area of the tank and in the upper one, two plumbing pipes are connected, and each provided with a faucet, they remain tight.

To these two pipes there are two standardized hoses for drinking water and with enough length to connect them easily to the water network. The lower pipe, cold inlet to the tank, is connected to the cold water inlet network and the upper, hot water outlet of the tank, with isothermal coverage, to the hot water network where it comes from the tank. This tank also incorporates a thermostat that regulates the temperature of the water contained in it.

2. - Water heater from a refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that the refrigerator also incorporates the following elements: an auxiliary evaporator and four solenoid valves that are connected to the rest of the elements through copper pipe as follows: a first solenoid valve with inlet connected to the compressor outlet and solenoid valve outlet to the coil-shaped condenser in copper pipe. The second solenoid valve goes to the refrigerator condenser. The third solenoid valve connects the inlet with the outlet of the refrigerant condenser in the tank and outlet to the auxiliary evaporator. The system incorporates an electronic circuit which has a control stage regulated by the thermostats of the refrigerator and hot water tank, and a power stage that supplies electric current to the compressor and the four solenoid valves, through electrical connections

3. - Water heater from a refrigerator according to claims 1 and 2, characterized by a first range of work of the system in which the gas coming from the compressor evolves isotropically and enters the first electro valve that gives the output to the condenser of the deposit, which, by effect of the high temperature refrigerant gas, heats the water. From the outlet of the condenser, the refrigerant in the form of liquid passes to the solenoid valve and exits towards the evaporator of the refrigerator expanding and producing cold, and to the compressor and the cycle is repeated.

4. - Water heater from a refrigerator according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that a second working range occurs when the thermostats send the signal to the electronic circuit of the need to heat the water, but not the cold in the Fridge. In this case, the gas coming from the compressor at high temperature, passes to the first solenoid valve, which switches the output to the condenser, in the form of a coil, where the refrigerant gas is made liquid by heating the water. From the condenser outlet it goes to the third solenoid valve that switches the output to the auxiliary evaporator, expanding, and from it to the compressor to repeat the cycle.

5. - Water heater from a refrigerator according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that a third range Work happens when there is a need for cold in the refrigerator, but there is no demand for hot water. In this case the refrigerant in the form of gas leaves the compressor towards the solenoid valve that switches the outlet to the condenser, in which liquid is made and passes to the evaporator of the refrigerator, expanding at low temperature producing cold, and hence in the form of gas It goes to the refrigerator compressor to repeat the cycle. When the thermostats detect that there is no need for cold in the refrigerator or temperature demand for the water in the tank, the electronic circuit cuts off the compressor current and the system remains idle waiting for any of the working ranges described above.

6. Water heater from a refrigerator according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, characterized in that the system incorporates an electronic circuit or electrical panel composed of relays and automatisms commanded by the thermostats signals.