WO2016135494A1 - Procédé de surveillance de l'utilisation d'une chaudière, chaudière et capteur d'utilisation de chaudière - Google Patents

Procédé de surveillance de l'utilisation d'une chaudière, chaudière et capteur d'utilisation de chaudière Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2016135494A1
WO2016135494A1 PCT/GB2016/050492 GB2016050492W WO2016135494A1 WO 2016135494 A1 WO2016135494 A1 WO 2016135494A1 GB 2016050492 W GB2016050492 W GB 2016050492W WO 2016135494 A1 WO2016135494 A1 WO 2016135494A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
boiler
control means
pressure control
sensor
electrical current
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2016/050492
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
John SHERMER
Original Assignee
Lightwaverf Technology Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Lightwaverf Technology Limited filed Critical Lightwaverf Technology Limited
Publication of WO2016135494A1 publication Critical patent/WO2016135494A1/fr

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Classifications

    • 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
    • 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
    • F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23N—REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
    • F23N5/00—Systems for controlling combustion
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23N—REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
    • F23N5/00—Systems for controlling combustion
    • F23N5/003—Systems for controlling combustion using detectors sensitive to combustion gas properties
    • 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
    • F24H15/104—Inspection; Diagnosis; Trial operation
    • 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
    • F24H15/144—Measuring or calculating energy consumption
    • 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
    • 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
    • F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23N—REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
    • F23N2225/00—Measuring
    • F23N2225/04—Measuring pressure
    • F23N2225/06—Measuring pressure for determining flow
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23N—REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
    • F23N2231/00—Fail safe
    • F23N2231/30—Representation of working time
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
    • F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
    • F24H15/30—Control of fluid heaters characterised by control outputs; characterised by the components to be controlled
    • F24H15/305—Control of valves
    • F24H15/31—Control of valves of valves having only one inlet port and one outlet port, e.g. flow rate regulating valves
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
    • F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
    • F24H15/30—Control of fluid heaters characterised by control outputs; characterised by the components to be controlled
    • F24H15/355—Control of heat-generating means in heaters
    • F24H15/36—Control of heat-generating means in heaters of burners

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method of monitoring the usage of a boiler, a boiler and a boiler usage sensor.
  • the present invention is particularly applicable to a domestic or commercial combination boiler which is arranged to combust natural gas.
  • the present invention provides a method of monitoring the usage of a boiler, the boiler comprising a combustion chamber arranged to combust fuel; and an electrically powered pressure control means arranged to control pressure in the combustion chamber, wherein fuel is combusted in the combustion chamber when an electrical current is supplied to the pressure control means, the method comprising: monitoring the electrical current supplied to the pressure control means, thereby monitoring the usage of the boiler.
  • the inventor has realised that by monitoring electrical current supplied to the pressure control means an accurate, non-invasive, indirect determination of whether fuel is currently being combusted by the boiler can be made.
  • the pressure control means is activated to provide a pressure gradient (e.g. a draught) within the combustion chamber while the fuel is being combusted. Therefore determination of whether electrical current is being supplied to the pressure control means will provide an indirect indication that the fuel has been ignited within the combustion chamber and is being combusted.
  • the pressure control means may have an on-state in which electrical current is supplied to the pressure control means and an off-state in which electrical current is not supplied to the pressure control means.
  • the pressure control means may therefore vary between two discrete states: an off-state in which substantially no current is supplied and the pressure control means is not activated; and an on-state in which a non-zero current is supplied and the pressure control means is activated.
  • the off-state may correspond to a current that is greater than zero, but low enough that the pressure control means is not activated.
  • determining whether the pressure control means is in the on-state may comprise determining whether the electrical current is equal to or above an On' threshold value.
  • An On' threshold current may be set between the current corresponding to the off-state and the current corresponding to the on-state. Determining whether the current is equal to or above the On' threshold advantageously provides a reliable indication that the pressure control means is in the on-state.
  • the On' threshold may be set at one of 0.1 A, 0.5 A, 1 A, 5 A, 10 A, 15 A or may be in a range defined between any one of those values. In some embodiments, the On' threshold may be set at a proportion of the maximum current (or power) supplied to the pressure control means. This maximum value may vary depending on the specific boiler with which the invention is implemented. The On' threshold may for example be set as 1 %, 5% , 10%, 20% , 30% , 40%, 50% , 60% , 70%, 80%, 90% , 95% , 99% of the maximum, or any range defined between any one of those values.
  • determining whether the pressure control means is in the off-state may comprise determining whether the electrical current is less than or equal to an 'off threshold value.
  • An 'off threshold current may be set between the current corresponding to the off-state and the current corresponding to the on-state.
  • the 'off threshold current may be less than or equal to the 'on' threshold current. Determining whether the current is equal to or less than the 'off threshold advantageously provides a reliable indication that the pressure control means is in the off-state.
  • the 'off threshold may be set at one of 0.1 A, 0.5 A, 1 A, 5 A, 10 A, 15 A or may be in a range defined between any one of those values.
  • the 'off threshold may be set at a proportion of the maximum current (or power) supplied to the pressure control means. This maximum value may vary depending on the specific boiler with which the invention is implemented and the threshold can be calibrated uniquely for the particular boiler in question.
  • the 'off threshold may for example be set as 1 %, 5% , 10%, 20% , 30% , 40%, 50% , 60% , 70%, 80% , 90% , 95% , 99% of the maximum, or any range defined between any one of those values.
  • the maximum value of the current supplied to the pressure control means may be determined uniquely for each boiler with which the invention is implemented and the 'on' or 'off threshold set accordingly.
  • the method may further comprise determining boiler usage information, which comprises the duration or proportion of time that the pressure control means is in the on-state, the-off state, or both.
  • boiler usage information comprises the duration or proportion of time that the pressure control means is in the on-state, the-off state, or both.
  • the duration or proportion of time that fuel is combusted in the boiler may be indirectly determined because the boiler is arranged to allow combustion of fuel when the pressure control means is in the on-state.
  • the duration or proportion of time that the fuel combusted along with knowledge of the rate at which fuel is combusted per unit time (which is dependent on the boiler in question and is information that is available to the skilled person) the total amount of fuel combusted in a given time can be determined. Such information is particularly useful to monitor the efficiency and performance of the boiler.
  • the duration of time in which the pressure control means has been running may also be determined and may be useful for deciding when the boiler should be serviced and the pressure control means replace due to wear.
  • the electrically powered pressure control means may be arranged to operate at variable rates to vary the rate of combustion in the combustion chamber, and wherein the electrical current comprises a variable electrical current and the method further comprises determining the magnitude of the electrical current supplied to the pressure control means.
  • the method further comprises determining the magnitude of the electrical current supplied to the pressure control means.
  • an indirect measurement of the rate of combustion of fuel in the combustion chamber may be determined.
  • the rate at which fuel is combusted may be related to the current supplied to the pressure control means by a known relationship. The relationship is dependent on the particular boiler in question. Such information may be available to the skilled person (e.g. from a technical specification of the boiler).
  • the current may vary continuously or in discrete steps.
  • the current may be 0.1 A, 0.5 A, 1 A, 5 A, 10 A, 15 A or any range defined between any one of those values.
  • the current may for example vary between discrete proportions of the maximum current.
  • the possible discrete current values may for example be approximately 10%, 20% , 30%, 35%, 40% , 50%, 60% , 75%, 80% , 90% of the maximum, or any range defined between any of these values.
  • the method may further comprise determining boiler usage information, which comprises information on the current supplied over a proportion or duration of time. By determining the current supplied, which provides an indirect determination of the rate at which fuel is combusted in the boiler, the total amount of fuel combusted in any given period of time can be calculated.
  • the combustion chamber and the pressure control means may be contained within a sealed housing, and wherein monitoring the electrical current supplied to the pressure control means may comprise detecting if power is being supplied via an external power transmission means outside of the sealed housing. By detecting current being supplied via a power transmission means outside of the sealed housing the method is non-invasive and does not require any access to the sealed housing. This means that the method can optionally be carried out on an existing boiler with minimal modifications.
  • the power transmission means may be an electrical cable and the method may comprise attaching a sensor to the outside of the electrical cable. This allows the sensor to be optionally fitted to an existing boiler without any modification to the power transmission means.
  • the power transmission means may be an electrical cable and the sensor may be advantageously fitted around an outside insulation layer of the electrical cable without requiring any electrical connection.
  • the method may further comprise communicating the boiler usage information from the sensor to a processing unit arranged to process the boiler usage information. This advantageously allows boiler information to be collected at a central unit.
  • the processing unit may be in communication with a plurality of sensors at a plurality of boilers and therefore allows a number of boilers to be monitored efficiently.
  • the senor may communicate wirelessly with the processing unit. This allows the communication to take place without the need for installing a wired connection from the boiler to the processing unit.
  • the processing unit may be part of a central heating control system. This allows the central heating system to determine the amount of fuel that is being consumed by the boiler in a particular period of time and allows the heating control system to determine the amount of fuel that is required to achieve a particular temperature.
  • the present invention provides a boiler comprising: a combustion chamber arranged to combust fuel; an electrically powered pressure control means arranged to control the pressure in the combustion chamber, wherein fuel is combusted in the combustion chamber when an electrical current is supplied to the pressure control means; a sensor arranged to monitor the electrical current supplied to the pressure control means, thereby monitoring the usage of the boiler.
  • the present invention provides a boiler usage sensor arranged to be used in the method described herein.
  • FIG. 1 shows a boiler according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • a boiler 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically in Figure 1.
  • the boiler is a combination boiler arranged to provide domestic hot water and central heating. In other embodiments it may be any boiler arranged to combust fuel to provide heat energy.
  • Figure 1 shows a schematic representation indicating the features necessary to implement the invention, and that the boiler may therefore comprise additional, or fewer, components as would be apparent to the skilled person in this field.
  • the boiler 100 comprises a combustion chamber 102 arranged to combust fuel such as natural gas, including for example methane, butane and propane, or a mixture of these gasses (e.g. Calor gas).
  • the fuel may be another gaseous fuel such as coal gas, hydrogen gas, biogas, or like, as would be apparent to the skilled person.
  • the fuel may be a liquid fuel such as petroleum, gasoline or alcohol for example.
  • the combustion chamber 102 comprises a burner 104 having at least one fuel outlet at which the fuel is ignited (six are shown in Figure 1).
  • the burner 104 is connected to a fuel source 106, which in the preferred embodiment is arranged to provide a source of natural gas from a mains supply or gas cylinder.
  • the supply of fuel to the burner is controlled by a gas supply valve 108 shown in Figure 1.
  • the combustion chamber 102 further comprises a heat exchanger 1 10 arranged to transfer heat, created by the combustion of the fuel, to a water supply.
  • the heat exchanger comprises tubing 1 12 through which a supply of water is circulated.
  • the water supply enters the tubing through an inlet 1 14 and exits at a higher temperature at an outlet 1 16.
  • the flow of water through the heat exchanger is controlled using valves 1 18 according to the demand for heated water. Once the water is heated it may be used for example in a domestic central heating or hot water supply. In other embodiments, any other arrangement of heat exchanger may be provided, as would be apparent to the skilled person.
  • the boiler 100 further comprises an electrically powered pressure control means 120 arranged to control the pressure in the combustion chamber.
  • the pressure control means is arranged to decrease the air pressure within the combustion chamber compared to the surrounding air pressure. This provides a flow of air out of the combustion chamber 102 and into a flue 122 through which waste gases produced by combustion of the fuel are allowed to escape from the boiler 100.
  • the outlet of the flue 122 is connected to the outside of the building in which the boiler 100 is located to allow the waste gases to escape into the atmosphere.
  • the pressure control means 120 comprises a fan located in the outlet of the flue 122, but in other embodiments, may be any means suitable to draw air out of the combustion chamber 102.
  • the pressure control means 120 is in communication with a controller 124 arranged to control the pressure control means. When the pressure control means is activated the valve 108 is operated by the controller 124 to allow the gas to enter the burner and ignition to occur. It is important that the supply of gas is not ignited before the activation of the pressure control means 120 because without the reduction in pressure within the combustion chamber 102, the waste gases produced by the combustion process will not be drawn out of the flue 122 and allowed to escape into the air outside of the building.
  • the controller 124 is arranged to control the pressure control means 120 by controlling the supply of electrical current to the pressure control means 120. When a current is supplied to the pressure control means 120 it is activated and the pressure in the combustion chamber 102 is lowered. Once the pressure control means is activated (i.e. a current is supplied to it), the combustion of gas can occur.
  • the gas supply valve 108 and burner 104 are also in communication with the controller 124 which is arranged to control the flow of gas to the burner by operation of the valve 108.
  • the pressure control means is active before the combustion of fuel begins in order to allow the pressure to fall in the combustion chamber.
  • the pressure control means 120 may also remain activate for some time after the combustion of fuel has stopped to ensure all waste gases have left the combustion chamber. These delays are however small compared to the duration of time that both the pressure control means and the fuel combustion occur together and so have little effect on the determination of usage of the boiler. For efficiency, this invention assumes that combustion of fuel takes place when there is a current supplied to the pressure control means 120 and stops when a current is no longer supplied to the pressure control means 120.
  • the inventor has realised that by detecting the current supplied to the pressure control means 120, a non-invasive indication that the fuel is being combusted is provided.
  • the boiler 100 therefore comprises a sensor 126 arranged to monitor the electrical current supplied to the pressure control means.
  • the sensor of the present invention advantageously provides an indirect measure of the usage of the boiler compared to directly measuring the flow of gas supplied to the burner.
  • the pressure control means has an on-state in which it is supplied with an electrical current and an off-state in which it is not supplied with electrical current.
  • the pressure control means therefore varies between two discrete states: the on-state in which it is activated and the pressure within the combustion chamber is reduced, and an off-state in which it is not activated and the pressure within the combustion chamber is the same as the surrounding ambient pressure.
  • the sensor In order to detect when the pressure control means is in the on-state the sensor is arranged to determine whether the electrical current is equal to or above a threshold value. Conversely, the sensor is arranged to determine whether the pressure control means is in the off-state by determining whether the electrical current is less than or equal to a threshold value.
  • the current supplied to the pressure control means may be substantially zero. In other embodiments, the current supplied in the off-state may be greater than zero, but not large enough to activate the pressure control means 120 (e.g. it may be a small current value that is close to zero). In the on-state the current supplied to the pressure control means 120 is non-zero, or great enough to activate the pressure control means. In the on-state, the current supplied may be significantly greater than in the off-state.
  • the On' threshold current may be set between the current corresponding to the off-state and the current corresponding to the on-state. Determining whether the current is equal to or above the On' threshold advantageously provides a reliable indication that the pressure control means is in the on-state. In some embodiments, the On' threshold may be set at one of 0.1 A, 0.5 A, 1 A, 5 A, 10 A, 15 A or may be in a range defined between any one of those values.
  • determining whether the pressure control means is in the off-state may comprise determining whether the electrical current is less than or equal to an 'off threshold value.
  • the 'off threshold current may be set between the current corresponding to the off-state and the current corresponding to the on-state.
  • the 'off threshold current may be less than or equal to the 'on' threshold current.
  • the 'off threshold may be set at one of 0.1 A, 0.5 A, 1 A, 5 A, 10 A, 15 A or may be in a range defined between any one of those values.
  • the sensor 100 is arranged to determine boiler usage information for the boiler 100.
  • the boiler usage information comprises the duration or proportion of time that the pressure control means is in the on-state, in the off-state, or both.
  • the usage information may therefore include the period of time that the current supplied to the pressure control means 120 is above the 'on' threshold, therefore indicating the period of time for which the pressure control means is in the power-on state.
  • the usage information may alternative or additionally include the period of time that the current supplied to the pressure control means 120 is below the 'off threshold, therefore indicating the period of time for which the pressure control means is in the power-off state. Using this information, the period of time in which the fuel will have been combusted is determined because it is known that whenever the pressure control means is activated the combustion of fuel occurs.
  • the fuel is combusted at a known rate depending on the properties of the burner 104 and fuel supply (information which is available to the skilled person). From this information the total amount of gas combusted by the boiler in any given period of time can be calculated. The amount of time in which the boiler has been in use can also be recorded. This information can be particularly useful to determine when the boiler next needs to be serviced (for example, the boiler can be serviced after accurately measuring 1000 hours of use).
  • the powered pressure control means 120 is arranged to operate at variable rates to vary the rate of combustion in the combustion chamber. In order to increase the rate at which the fuel is combusted within the combustion chamber, the rate at which the pressure control means 120 is operated is increased. Conversely, if the rate at which the fuel is combusted is reduced, the rate at which the pressure control means 120 is operated is decreased. In order to vary the rate at which the pressure control means 120 is operated, the electrical current with which it is supplied is varied. In this embodiment, the sensor is further arranged to determine the magnitude of the electrical current supplied to the pressure control means. If the dependence of the fuel combustion rate on the pressure control means operation rate is known, this gives an indirect indication of the rate at which fuel is combusted in the combustion chamber 102. In this embodiment, the sensor 126 is arranged to determine boiler usage information which comprises information on the current supplied over a proportion or duration of time. This information allows the calculation of the amount of fuel combusted by the boiler in any given period of time.
  • the current supplied to the pressure control means 120 varies continuously.
  • the power supplied to the pressure control means may for example vary between substantially zero and a maximum of approximately 270 W. In other embodiments, the current may vary between a subset of the maximum range.
  • the maximum value of the current (or power) may vary depending on the particular boiler to which the invention is implemented and can be determined by measurement of the current for each unique boiler. In other embodiments the current (or power) varies in discrete steps.
  • the current (or power) may for example vary between discrete proportions of the maximum current (or power).
  • the possible discrete current (or power) values may for example be approximately 10%, 20%, 30%, 35% , 40%, 50% , 60%, 75%, 80%, 90% of the maximum, or any range defined between any of these values.
  • the boiler 100 comprises a sealed housing 128.
  • the sealed housing 128 contains the combustion chamber 102 and the pressure control means 120.
  • the sealed housing helps to contain the combusting fuel and to prevent the components of the boiler 100 from being tampered with once the boiler is installed.
  • the sealed housing 128 is surrounded by an outer housing 129 which contains other components of the boiler, including the controller 124.
  • the sensor 126 is arranged to monitor the electrical current supplied to the pressure control means 120 by detecting if power is being supplied via an external power transmission means 127 arranged to provide electrical current to the pressure control means.
  • the external power transmission means is therefore external to the sealed housing as shown in Figure 1.
  • the external power transmission means 127 enters the outer housing to supply power to the boiler (by connecting to a mains electrical supply, for example).
  • the external power transmission means then runs through the controller and enters the sealed housing 128. At this point it becomes an internal power transmission means which continues to the pressure control means 120 (as shown in the dotted line in Figure 1).
  • the path of the power transmission means shown in Figure 1 is only a schematic representation and in some embodiments in may follow a more complicated path or pass through additional components (it may for example supply power to other processes within the controller). In some embodiments it may not pass through the controller 124, but may run directly to the pressure control means 120.
  • the sensor 124 is provided on the external power transmission means and is therefore outside of the sealed housing 128 and so can be installed and accessed without requiring access to the interior of the sealed housing 128.
  • This is particularly advantageous because it means that the sensor can optionally be installed to an existing boiler without a technician requiring access to the inside of the sealed housing. The sensor can therefore be easily fitted without interfering with the operation of the boiler.
  • the sensor 124 is attached to the external power transmission means 127 after it has passed through the controller 124, and before it enters the sealed housing 128.
  • the sensor may be attached to the external power transmission means 127 at a point within the controller (it may be, for example, attached to or included on, a circuit board within the controller).
  • the senor may be attached to the external power transmission means 127 at a point before it passes through the controller, but still within the outer housing 129 of the boiler. In yet another embodiment, it may be attached at a point on the external power transmission means 127 before it enters the outer housing 129.
  • the sensor can be fitted without the need to access the outer housing 129.
  • the sensor may alternatively be attached to the internal power transmission means at a point within the sealed housing.
  • the power transmission means 127 may be an electrical cable along which current is supplied to the pressure control means 120.
  • the electrical cable may comprise a current carrying element and a surrounding insulating layer as is well known in the art.
  • the sensor 126 is advantageously attached to the outside of the electrical cable by, for example, wrapping or clamping around at least part of the insulating layer.
  • the sensor may comprise a fixing means such as a clamp or the like.
  • the sensor is arranged to detect current flowing through the electrical cable without the requirement of an electrical connection to the current carrying element. This means that the sensor is non-invasive and can optionally be retro-fitted to an existing boiler without having any effect on the operation of the boiler. In other embodiments, the sensor may be alternatively connected so that it forms an electrical contact with the current carrying element.
  • the sensor may be chosen from any sensor suitable for detecting a current within an electrical cable without requiring a direct connection to the current carrying element.
  • the sensor may be, for example chosen from a transformer sensor, Hall effect sensor, or iron vane sensor.
  • the sensor may be a current transformer (CT) clamp.
  • CT current transformer
  • the sensor may be arranged to determine the magnitude of an AC or DC current transmitted by the power transmission means 127.
  • the sensor 100 is arranged to communicate the boiler usage information to a processing unit 130 arranged to process the boiler usage information.
  • the sensor comprises a wireless transceiver 132.
  • the wireless transceiver is separate from the body of the sensor 126, with a wired link provided between them. This allows the transceiver to be located outside the outer housing 129 of the boiler, which may provide improved wireless signal coverage.
  • the body of the sensor attached to the power transmission means 127 may be made smaller.
  • the sensor may comprise a single unit with the transceiver provided within that unit.
  • the processing unit 130 may be, for example, part of a central heating control system.
  • the processing unit may make use of the boiler usage information in controlling a central heating system.
  • the boiler usage information can be useful to monitor the efficiency of the central heating system, by for example measuring the amount of fuel combusted to reach a desired ambient temperature.
  • the boiler usage information can also be useful for charging a customer for the amount of fuel they have used.
  • the boiler usage information may be useful as a safety indication that the fuel supply is being combusted.
  • the present invention also relates to a method of monitoring the usage of a boiler using the sensor described above.
  • the method comprises monitoring the electrical current supplied to the pressure control means 120 of the boiler 100, thereby monitoring the usage of the boiler.
  • the usage information may be fed into a larger energy monitoring system.
  • Such an energy monitor system may be suitable for an industrial building or block of separate dwellings (e.g. an apartment building) having a plurality of boilers, in which energy use is monitored in order to efficiently provide desired environmental conditions.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Regulation And Control Of Combustion (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un procédé de surveillance de l'utilisation d'une chaudière, la chaudière comprenant une chambre de combustion agencée pour brûler un combustible ; et un moyen de régulation de pression électriquement alimenté configuré pour réguler la pression dans la chambre de combustion, le carburant étant brûlé dans la chambre de combustion lorsqu'un courant électrique est fourni au moyen de régulation de pression, le procédé comprenant : la surveillance du courant électrique fourni au moyen de régulation de pression, de manière à surveiller l'utilisation de la chaudière.
PCT/GB2016/050492 2015-02-25 2016-02-25 Procédé de surveillance de l'utilisation d'une chaudière, chaudière et capteur d'utilisation de chaudière WO2016135494A1 (fr)

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GB1503153.7 2015-02-25
GB1503153.7A GB2535738B (en) 2015-02-25 2015-02-25 A method of monitoring the usage of a boiler, a boiler and a boiler usage sensor

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CN109489257B (zh) * 2018-10-31 2021-06-08 阿诗丹顿燃具有限公司 一种零冷水燃气快速热水器的快速启动方法
GB2579662A (en) * 2018-12-11 2020-07-01 Domestic Energy Products Ltd Boiler control system and method

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FR2359376A1 (fr) * 1976-07-23 1978-02-17 Vapor Corp Equipement pour commander le debit de combustible a un bruleur d'appareil de chauffage de fluide
WO1989006771A1 (fr) * 1988-01-13 1989-07-27 Pulsonex Ab Procede et appareil de surveillance et de commande d'un generateur de chaleur du type a combustion pulsatoire
EP1995533A2 (fr) * 2007-05-24 2008-11-26 Can-Du Limited Dispositif de surveillance pour chauffe-eau

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JP3534832B2 (ja) * 1994-06-17 2004-06-07 株式会社ガスター バーナ燃焼機器の燃焼制御装置
US9846440B2 (en) * 2011-12-15 2017-12-19 Honeywell International Inc. Valve controller configured to estimate fuel comsumption

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2359376A1 (fr) * 1976-07-23 1978-02-17 Vapor Corp Equipement pour commander le debit de combustible a un bruleur d'appareil de chauffage de fluide
WO1989006771A1 (fr) * 1988-01-13 1989-07-27 Pulsonex Ab Procede et appareil de surveillance et de commande d'un generateur de chaleur du type a combustion pulsatoire
EP1995533A2 (fr) * 2007-05-24 2008-11-26 Can-Du Limited Dispositif de surveillance pour chauffe-eau

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