WO2013150525A1

WO2013150525A1 - Integral domestic water heating system

Info

Publication number: WO2013150525A1
Application number: PCT/IL2013/050288
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gavriel BEN LULU
Original assignee: Ben Lulu Gavriel
Priority date: 2012-04-05
Filing date: 2013-03-31
Publication date: 2013-10-10
Also published as: IL219101A0

Abstract

The invention relates to an integral domestic water heating system, which comprises (a) a peripheral channel having an essentially rectangular shape, and comprising two substantially vertical and two substantially horizontal pipes; (b) plurality of substantially vertical solar pipes at the central space of said peripheral channel, each of said solar pipes having water connection with both of said two substantially horizontal pipes (c) one or more heating units at said one or more of substantially vertical peripheral pipes; and (d) a water inlet at a bottom of said peripheral channel, and a water outlet at a top of said peripheral channel. Preferably, the domestic water heating system further comprises a covering glass at said central space, on top of said solar pipes.The invention relates to an integral domestic water heating system, which comprises (a) a peripheral channel having an essentially rectangular shape, and comprising two substantially vertical and two substantially horizontal pipes; (b) plurality of substantially vertical solar pipes at the central space of said peripheral channel, each of said solar pipes having water connection with both of said two substantially horizontal pipes (c) one or more heating units at said one or more of substantially vertical peripheral pipes; and (d) a water inlet at a bottom of said peripheral channel, and a water outlet at a top of said peripheral channel. Preferably, the domestic water heating system further comprises a covering glass at said central space, on top of said solar pipes.

Description

INTEGRAL DOMESTIC WATER HEATING SYSTEM

Field of the Invention

The field of the invention generally relates to electrical home appliances. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved domestic water heating system.

Background of the Invention

Hot water is an essential commodity in the modern world, and a water heating system is an appliance commonly used in households throughout the world.

In some countries where the price of the energy is negligible, it is common to activate the water heating system all the day, resulting in a significant waste of energy.

In other countries, where energy is relatively expensive, solar energy is used for heating the water. However, the solar energy cannot generally provide hot water 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and therefore complementary heating involving another energy source is required. The source of energy for this purpose is typically electricity. In order to save energy, activation of the energy source is only performed when necessary. Some other prior art systems comprise a timer, either electrical or mechanical, for setting the duration of the water heating. Combined solar-electricity domestic heating systems are installed outside of the house, typically on rooftops of buildings or houses. The rooftop potions (i.e., the portions that are located outside of the house) typically comprises two main units, a solar collector which having a substantially flat rectangular shape, and a water container of, for example, between 50-200 liters, which has a cylindrical shape. The solar collector is connected to the water container by means of inlet and outlet pipes.

The typical two-unit structure (hereinafter also referred to as "separate structure") of the prior art suffers from several drawbacks as follows: (a) the separate structure is very unaesthetic, in view of two very different shapes: flat-square collector and toll-cylinder container; (b) the installation of the two separate units is more expensive; (c) the two unit structure occupies a relatively large space; and (d) The pipes between the two unit are typically exposed to corrosion.

In order to improve the aesthetic view of the systems of the prior art, there are cases in which the users are required to build a concrete "cage" in which the separate unit is positioned. However, such building of a cage increases the costs, while still not much improving the aesthetic visibility of the system. The other drawbacks still remained unsolved.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a domestic water heating system which is more aesthetic. It is another object of the present invention to provide a domestic water heating system which is less expensive, and involves a simpler installation.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a more stable structure than of the separate structure.

Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Summary of the Invention

The invention relates to an integral domestic water heating system, which comprises: (a) a peripheral channel having an essentially rectangular shape, and comprising two substantially vertical and two substantially horizontal pipes; (b) plurality of substantially vertical solar pipes at the central space of said peripheral channel, each of said solar pipes having water connection with both of said two substantially horizontal pipes; (c) one or more heating units at said one or more of substantially vertical peripheral pipes; and (d) a water inlet at a bottom of said peripheral channel, and a water outlet at a top of said peripheral channel.

Preferably, the domestic water heating system further comprises a covering glass at said central space, on top of said solar pipes.

Preferably, the domestic water heating system further comprises one or more heat concentrators at the two substantially vertical peripheral pipes.

Preferably, the domestic water heating system further comprises an insulation layer surrounding the peripheral channel. Preferably, said insulation layer is made of bituminous strips.

Brief Description of the Drawings

- Fig.l is a schematic depiction of a domestic water heating system according to the prior art;

- Fig. 2 schematically illustrates the structure of the integrated system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

- Fig. 3 schematically shows a cross section of the peripheral channel made along line 217 of Fig. 2;

- Fig. 4 schematically shows how the integrated system of the present invention is installed; and

Fig. 5 shows still another embodiment of the invention. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

Fig. 1 shows a hot water tank 1 commonly used in systems of the prior art. The water tank 1 comprises an electric heating unit 3 for supplying energy to the water. Heating unit 3 is essentially a resistor, heated by an electric current flowing through it, and transferring heat to the surrounding water. The water tank further comprises in its lower part an inlet water pipe 8, and in its upper part an outlet water pipe 9. Two water pipes 14 and 15 connect the container to a solar heat collector. Cold water leave the tank through pipe 15 to a solar collector, and hot water enter the tank through pipe 14 from the solar collector (not shown). Metal flange 2 at the bottom of the tank supports the heating unit 3. Also supported by the flange is a metal sleeve 4, serving as a pocket for a standard thermostat. Insulating layer 5 blocks heat transfer to the surroundings. Thin metal 10 encloses the tank and the insulating layer 5. Remote ON/OFF switch 6, is usually located in an easily accessed place, and generally comprises a red indication that lights up when the switch is ON. When the switch is ON and the water temperature rises to the preset temperature of the thermostat, the thermostat disconnects current to unit 3. When the water temperature falls below said preset temperature, the thermostat reconnects the current to the heating element.

Fig. 1 also shows a prior art system that further comprises a heat concentrator 7 in the water tank. The heat concentrator 7, which is used only in a vertically oriented tank, is a cup-like device made of any suitable material, mechanically connected to the bottom of the water tank. The heat concentrator 7, has openings 19 at its lower part, for enabling water passage into it, and at its upper part an additional outlet opening 20. The heat concentrator 7 encloses the heating unit 3 and the thermostat pocket 4. When the heating unit 3 is activated, hot water in concentrator 7 flows to the upper opening 20, and cold water flows through the lower openings 19 to the concentrator, creating water circulation. Layers of hot water are therefore concentrated at the upper part of the water tank. After a long period of heating, all the water in the tank becomes sufficiently hot, and the water temperature in different parts of the tank is relatively homogeneous. Generally, it is common to use a heat concentrator 7 in water tanks of 80 liters or more. The domestic prior art heating system 100 of Fig. l is a two-unit system, comprising a cylindrical water tank and a separate, substantially flat rectangular solar collector (not shown in Fig. 1). Said solar collector of the prior art is typically slanted to capture as much as possible heat from the sun.

Fig. 2 schematically shows an integral domestic water heating system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system of the invention integrates the water tank and the solar unit, which in the prior art are separated, into one integral structure. System 200 has essentially a rectangular structure, having a peripheral channel 201 which essentially serves as a water tank, and plurality of solar pipes at the space of said rectangular structure. The peripheral channel 201 comprises two substantially vertical pipes 210a and 210b, and two substantially horizontal pipes 211a and 211b. Plurality of solar pipes 250a, 250b, ... 250ft that produce a water path between the two substantially vertical pipes 210a and 210b, between the substantially horizontal pipes 211a and 211b, or both between said pair of substantially horizontal and substantially vertical pipes, produce a solar space between two (or four) opposing sides of the peripheral channel. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, the solar pipes 250 connect between the substantially horizontal pipes 211a and 211b.

The outer surface of the peripheral channel is covered by a heat insulation layer 205, whose purpose is to isolate the peripheral pipes from the environment, thereby to keep the accumulated heat of the water. The heat insulation layer 205 may be made from any heat insulation material known in the art. For example, the insulation layer 205 may be made of bituminous strips that are wrapped around the external surface of the pipes that form the peripheral channel.

Each of the two substantially vertical pipes 210a and 210b comprises heating units 203a or 203b respectively, a thermostat 220a or 220b respectively, and a heat concentrator 204a or 204b respectively, in a manner well known in the art. Each of said heat concentrator 204a surrounds said corresponding heating unit 203 and thermostat 220 respectively. Inlet pipe 208 leads cold water into the peripheral channel, and outlet pipe 209 leads hot water from the peripheral channel to the consumer. The system also comprises a safety valve 218, drain screws 240a and 240b and on/off switches 206 for activating or deactivating the electric heating units in a conventional manner. Optionally, a limescale filter 230 may be provided at the inlet and or outlet pipe208 and 209. Furthermore, conventional solar plates are provided above the solar pipes 250a - 250ft to form a greenhouse effect at said solar space.

As shown, the system of the invention is a one-unit integral system that integrates the water tank and the solar panel into one single unit. This is in contrast to the typical two-unit system of the prior art, that comprises separate solar panel and a water tank. When electrical heating is required, the water at the two substantially vertical pipes 210a and 210b is heated simultaneously by the two heating units 203, causing hot water to concentrate at said substantially horizontal pipes 211a and 211b. Furthermore, the solar heating at said solar space causes hot water from said solar pipes to also concentrate at said substantially horizontal pipes. Arrows 216 illustrate the manner by which circulation of water occurs within the heating structure of the present invention.

As shown the invention provides an integral heating structure, which integrates the water tank and solar units into one structure. Since the solar pipes are directly connected to the peripheral channel, there is no need for inlet and outlet pipes for leading water between the solar panels and the water tank as existing in the prior art.

As mentioned, in the case that a complementary heating unit is necessary, the electric heating unit is used (by a user that turns on the switch). When the water temperature rises to the preset temperature of the thermostat 220, the thermostat disconnects current to unit 203. When the water temperature falls below said preset temperature, the thermostat reconnects the current to the heating element.

Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view made along line 217. It can be seen that in the embodiment of Fig. 2 there is a direct water connection between the substantially horizontal lines 211 and the solar pipes 250, enabling water flow in the circulation manner as described.

Fig. 4 shows the general view of the integral system 200 of the invention. The rectangular is typically slanted in order to capture as much as possible heat from the sun. It can be seen that system 200 is made of only one integral structure. The solar pipes are exposed to the sun and typically there is a panel of glass that covers them (not shown) in order to take an advantage of a greenhouse effect.

The dimensions of the integral structure of the invention depend on the amount of water necessary for consumption. For example, in the case when the rectangular structure has a 2m X 1.0m dimensions, and when the diameter of the peripheral channel is 0.2m, the amount of water within the structure is about 188 liters. This calculation does not include the amount of water within the solar pipes, that somewhat add to the amount of said calculated water, depending on their number and dimensions.

Fig. 5 shows still another embodiment of the integral structure of the domestic water heating system of Fig. 2. As in the structure of Fig. 2, the integral structure of Fig. 5 comprises plurality of substantially vertical solar pipes 250_a-250_n,, however, these plurality of substantially vertical solar pipes are connected indirectly to the peripheral channel 201. More specifically, said solar pipes 250_a- 250n are respectively connected to two secondary upper and lower horizontal pipes 290a and 290b, each of said horizontal pipes have a common vertical connection respectively 29 l_a and 291b with said two substantially horizontal pipes of said peripheral channel. Each of the two common vertical connections is respectively divided into two sections by means of two connectors 292_a and 292b. The structure of Fig. 5 is advantageous, as it enables an easier replacement of the solar section 280 compared to the structure of Fig. 2. The rest of the elements that are not shown in the structure of Fig. 5 are substantially the same as those in the structure of Fig. 2 respectively.

The integral structure of the present invention is more aesthetic that the prior art, as it comprise of only one typically rectangular structure, while the prior art comprise two separate units, one (or more) solar units having a rectangular shape, and a water tank having a cylindrical shape. Moreover, the structure of the present invention is easier to maintain.

While some embodiments have been illustrated by means of the above examples, it should be understood that the invention may be carried out with many variations, modifications and adaptations, without departing from its spirit or exceeding the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An integral domestic water heating system, which comprises:

a. a peripheral channel having an essentially rectangular shape, and comprising two substantially vertical and two substantially horizontal pipes;

b. plurality of substantially vertical solar pipes at the central space of said peripheral channel, each of said solar pipes having water connection with both of said two substantially horizontal pipes;

c. one or more heating units at said one or more of substantially vertical peripheral pipes; and

d. a water inlet at a bottom of said peripheral channel, and a water outlet at a top of said peripheral channel.

2. Domestic water heating system according to claim 1, further comprising a covering glass at said central space, on top of said solar pipes.

3. Domestic water heating system according to claim 1, further comprising one or more heat concentrators at said two substantially vertical peripheral pipes.

4. Domestic water heating system according to claim 1, further comprising an insulation layer surrounding said peripheral channel.

5. Domestic water heating system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of substantially vertical solar pipes are connected to two secondary upper and lower horizontal pipes respectively, each of said horizontal pipes having a common vertical connection respectively with said two substantially horizontal pipes of said peripheral channel.

6. Domestic water heating system according to claim 5, wherein each of said common vertical connection is divided into two sections by means of a respective connector.

7. Domestic water heating system according to claim 4 wherein said insulation layer is made of bituminous strips.