WO2019242829A1

WO2019242829A1 - Water treating system and device

Info

Publication number: WO2019242829A1
Application number: PCT/DK2019/050203
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rune Shik NEUMANN
Original assignee: Aquateq Development
Priority date: 2018-06-22
Filing date: 2019-06-24
Publication date: 2019-12-26
Also published as: EP3841333A1; EP3841333A4

Abstract

A device and method for heating and treating water by running electric current through water that flows between electrodes (2,3), an electrode (2,3) for use in in such device and a faucet (56) and shower panel with a built-in water heating and treating device.

Description

WATER TREATING SYSTEM AND DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a water heating and treating device for use with water, in particular tap water for domestic and industrial use. Furthermore, the disclosure relates to the use of a signal sent from a touch or touch-free sensor of a faucet to trigger other devices than the faucet itself, such as water heating or treating devices. The disclosure also relates to electrodes and material for such electrodes. The disclosure also relates to a method for heating water.

BACKGROUND

The world's population and the demand for clean and hot water have both been growing for many years. A number of methods and devices exist for producing hot water, some of them are taking care of doing both heating and cleaning in the same process. Typical solutions for heating water include heating elements with or without a water tank, indirect heating using heat exchangers, for instance via district heating, gas-fired heating, oil-fired or even wood-fired devices. For the cleaning purpose, the most used solutions are based on filtering or on chemical processes including chlorination, UV lights treatment or heat treatment. Furthermore, electrolysis is used within certain industries.

The overall problems related to the current heating solutions for hot water relates to lack of efficiency. For most of the above-mentioned known solutions, there is a significant loss of energy because these solutions use indirect heating and use circulation or because they are installed far from the

03081-PCT water outlet point. For instance, an electric water heater without a water tank needs a high flow of water to activate because of the indirect heating thus it is impossible to save water. Furthermore, it takes time to heat up the water, meaning that the water has to flow for a longer amount of time before warm water starts flowing. This means that a user does not have quick access to warm water, and that energy is wasted. Furthermore, the temperature measurements used in ordinary heaters work to slow to detect the correct temperature, which is another reason the high water flow is needed. A normal reaction time is 2 to 5 seconds to detect the temperature of the water, and thus the risk of scalding is a concern and that is also why they use a high water flow.

Furthermore, these devices are not suitable to be used with sensor faucets due to the risk of building up of scalding hot water in the pipes. Such dangerous situations can occur, if someone triggers the sensor several times and initiates heating of the water without letting the water flow.

Another issue with electric water heaters of the kind without water tanks is that they need a large electric breaker, which means that the solutions can be relatively expensive because the units needs high current electric cables and a large breaker is needed for each unit. In general, such devices and the installation of them is expensive, especially considering that they can only heat the water and do not clean it, that their lifetime is limited by scaling and that they risk to be destroyed by lack of cooling due to lack of water in a use scenario where there is a breakage of the water supply.

03081-PCT Water heaters without storage tank need a trigger signal for switching on the heating element when appropriate. Usually, a flow switch or a flow-detecting device is used for this purpose. However, flow switches and flow-detecting devices are relative expensive and, furthermore, being located within the water stream, they deteriorate over time. Also the presence of a moving part within the water heater increases the risk of failure and may disturb the operation of the water heater, and it introduces a certain delay in the triggering of the device, because a flow must be detected, before the heating element of the water heater is switched on.

Even further, considering the future and current regulatory codes being integrated in the building and retrofitting scenarios, devices without water tanks, which are on the market today, are not relevant because they cannot provide real use in a de-centralized hot water scenario where the user wants maximum water and energy saving, great comfort with a stable temperature and real instant hot water as well as the ability to use a sensor faucet and, not least, the ability to use the available power installations without having to install expensive cables due to larger breaker requirements. Current solutions and devices present today lack the ability to solve multiple customer needs with one device, which means that the demands for necessary saving on the world's scarce water and energy supply is not met.

EP2918568 discloses an electrode made of ceramic compositions that contain a high per centage of tin oxide, between 85-100% by weight, together with ingredients to improve sintering, such as copper oxide and zinc oxide, or electrical

03081-PCT conductivity, such as antimony oxide, and organic additives to improve plasticity. This provides the advantage of obtaining conducting ceramic electrodes that are highly durable and have high conductivity.

SUMMARY

It is an object to provide a water cleaning and heating device, which overcomes or reduces at least some of the problems related to systems known in the art.

In a first possible implementation form of the first aspect

According to a first aspect, there is provided a water heating device comprising an annular outer electrode secured in a jar-like body part, an inner electrode mechanically connected to a lid-like cover part, the inner electrode extending within the outer electrode when the cover part is mounted on the body part, said inner and outer electrode being connected to an AC power supply during operation of the device.

By heating water by flowing AC current through the water flowing between electrodes, a very compact and fast reacting device is provided for heating e.g. tap water, that is small enough to be installed inside a faucet or shower panel, and that provides essentially instant warm water without spilling water by allowing water to run until it becomes warm enough.

In a possible implementation form of the first said device comprises a controller configured to connect said electrodes to an AC power supply upon receipt of a trigger signal.

03081-PCT In a possible implementation form of the first aspect said device is connected to a trigger signal that is also used to trigger the flow of water through said device.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect the device comprises a water inlet and a water outlet, the body part forming together with the cover part a watertight housing with a cavity between said inner electrode and the outer electrode, said cavity being fluidically connected to said water inlet and said water outlet.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect said annular outer electrode comprises a preferably cylindrical void and at least a first portion of the longitudinal extent of said inner electrode is cylindrical.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect the inner diameter of said bore is slightly larger than the largest outer diameter of the cylindrical first portion of the longitudinal extend of the inner electrode.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect said inner electrode is at least partially received in said preferably cylindrical void.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect said void is shaped and sized to match the outer counter of said inner electrode (3) with a controlled spacing between the outer surface of the inner electrode (3) and the surface of said void.

03081-PCT In a possible implementation form of the first aspect said first portion of the longitudinal extent of the inner electrode (3) comprises a plurality of interconnected disc shaped sub-portions.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect at least the surface of the inner electrode and/or said outer electrode that is in contact with water is made of graphite and/or from electrically conductive ceramic material.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect said graphite is high density graphite, preferably high density graphite with a density above approximately 1.8 g/cm3.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect said graphite is infused with resin.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect the inner surface of said inner annular outer electrode is polished, and wherein the outer surface of said inner electrode is preferably polished.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect the outer electrode extends along the bottom and the sidewalls of the body part.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect the cover part is mounted on the body part, the inner electrode is centered relative to the body part and relative to the outer electrode, preferably by an edge or recess in the cover part which controls the positioning of the inner electrode

03081-PCT relative to the outer electrode and relative to the housing part .

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect the operation of device is arranged to be triggered by an electronic signal from a faucet or shower panel, for instance from a sensor or push button thereof.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect the inner electrode is arranged to be adapted in size to fit the water conditions of a given location by adjusting the length of the inner electrode, preferably by breaking off longitudinal sections of the inner electrode.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect non conducting push-in connectors are used for said water inlet and said water outlet.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a faucet or shower panel with device according to the first aspect or any implementations thereof integrated or installed in the faucet or shower panel.

According to a third aspect, there is provided an electrode for use in a water a heating device that comprises at least one pair of spaced electrodes with water flowing between said electrodes for heating said water by flowing an electric current though the water flowing between said electrodes, said electrode comprising an outer surface for contact with said water and said outer surface being formed by:

an electrically conductive ceramic material or

03081-PCT a high density graphite material.

In a possible implementation form of the third aspect said conductive ceramic comprises tin oxide and/or titanium oxide, indium tin oxide, lanthanum-doped strontium titanate, and/or yttrium-doped strontium titanate.

In a possible implementation form of the third aspect said high density graphite material has a density of at least 1.8 g/cm3.

In a possible implementation form of the third aspect said density graphite material is infused with resin.

In a possible implementation form of the third aspect said outer surface is polished.

According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a use of an electrode according to the third aspect and any implementations thereof in a water heating device.

According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a water heating device for heating water flowing through said device, said device that comprises at least one pair of spaced electrodes for heating said water by running an electric current though water flowing between said electrodes, at least one of said electrodes being electrode according to the fourth aspect or any implementations thereof.

03081-PCT According to a sixth aspect there is provided a device for heating water flowing through said device, said device comprising :

at least two electrodes that are arranged with a clearance between surfaces of said electrodes with said water flowing though said clearance,

a controllable electric power source connected to said electrodes ,

said controllable electric power source being configured to control electric current flowing between said electrodes though said water flowing between said electrodes for increasing the temperature of said water flowing though said device,

said controllable electric power supply being configured to regulate the temperature increase of said water by regulating the amount of electric power supplied by the controllable electric power source.

In a possible implementation form of the sixth aspect the amount of electric power supplied by the controllable electric power source is a fixed predetermined amount of power that is supplied when there is a flow of water through the device.

In a possible implementation form of the sixth aspect said water flowing between said electrode being heated by an intermittent AC current flowing between said electrodes.

In a possible implementation form of the sixth aspect the amount of power supplied by the controllable electric power supply is adjusted by adjusting the ratio between the periods of said intermittent AC current where said AC current is

03081-PCT flowing and periods of said intermittent AC current where said AC current is not flowing, to obtain an average amount of power supply that corresponds to a desired amount of power supplied to said water flowing between said electrodes, said desired amount preferably corresponding to said fixed predetermined amount.

According to a seventh aspect, there is provided a method for heating water in an apparatus through which said water flows between electrodes in said apparatus, said method comprising flowing an electric current through said water which flows between said electrodes and said method comprising controlling the temperature increase of said water flowing through said apparatus by controlling the power of the current flowing through said water to a predetermined amount of Watt.

According to an eighth aspect, there is provided a water heating and treating device for water with known temperature and conductivity from a water supply, which water supply is substantially stable with respect to the conductivity, temperature, flow rate and solubility/, wherein the water heating and treating device is constituted by a jar-like body part comprising a fixed outer electrode and a lid-like top part comprising an inner electrode, which is arranged so that, when the top part is mounted on the body part, the inner electrode extends within the outer electrode, the two electrodes not being moveable but connected to an AC power supply during operation of the device.

In a possible implementation, the outer electrode extends along the bottom and/or the sidewalls of the body part. In a

03081-PCT possible implementation, when the top part is mounted on the body part, the inner electrode is centered by having an edge on the top part which controls the position of the inner electrode, preferably in a position as close to the center of the body part as possible.

In a first possible implementation form of the first aspect the device is arranged to be triggered when a sensor faucet is activated and relying on this activation instead of a flow switch or a flow detecting device.

In a possible implementation, the inner electrode is arranged to be adapted in size to fit the water conditions of a given location by breaking off sections of the electrode manually, thereby making the installation procedure as easy and fast as possible .

In a possible implementation that, the electrodes are made of a special developed graphite which surfaces are treated in a way that makes the material withstand sediment that would otherwise stick to the electrodes

In a possible implementation, the device is arranged to be a built-in part of the fixtures, for instance by being integrated within a faucet, shower head or shower panel or other devices.

In a possible implementation, the water outlet is located in the top part of the device. In an embodiment of the invention, the water outlet is located in the body part of the device.

03081-PCT The electrodes/conductors 2,3 may be of graphene. The electrodes/conductors 2,3 may be of graphite. The electrodes/conductors 2,3 may be of composites.

In a possible implementation, the device further comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) for controlling the device according to the invention comprising

- a bi-stable relay,

- a power relay.

The bi-stable relay may be activated by a pulse from various devices e.g. rom a flow switch, a pressure switch, a contact, an IR sensor, a foot pedal or may be voice activated.

The power relay may be arranged to administer from 60V - 600V preferably around 400V. Furthermore, the power relay may be capable of conducting 35 24Ampere - 64Ampere preferred 30 - 40 Ampere.

The PCB may further comprise a resistor. In this way it is possible to avoid the that relay malfunctions because receives an unauthorized pulse e.g. a leakage current.

The device may be flow activated i.e. that a certain flow is required in order to activate the treater or liquid heating device. In this way it is achieved that the heater is activated within parameters that cause no danger for the User, e.g. if the flow of liquid is too low and the current subjected to the liquid by the heater is the same, the liquid would be heated more than desired, e.g. to 60° due to a low

03081-PCT flow (e.g. 0.2 liter/minutes) instead of 28° at the expected flow (e.g. 1.3 liter/minutes).

The energy consumption may be as low as 10-100w for treating app . 300ml f water to app. 30°

It is a further object to provide a solution, which uses an alternative trigger signal for water heaters and other devices .

Hence, a further aspect relates to a system for triggering water heaters, water treating devices and other devices, which system is arranged to detect a trigger signal sent to the electronic control circuit for the valve mechanism of an automatic faucet, for instance when a touch-free or touch sensor is triggered, and to use the detected trigger signal for generating a parallel connection to the desired device or devices .

In a possible implementation, the triggered device is the pump of a soap dispenser, which is connected on the inlet side of the faucet, delivering soap directly into the water stream to force users of the faucet to wash their hands with soap .

In a possible implementation, the system comprises an automatic faucet, and the automatic faucet comprises a valve mechanism and an electronic control circuit for the valve mechanism.

03081-PCT In an aspect there is provided a method for triggering a device, such as a water heater, a water treating device or a pump of a soap dispenser, which method comprises the steps of detecting a trigger signal sent to the electronic control circuit for the valve mechanism of an automatic faucet and using the detected trigger signal for generating a new parallel connection to the desired device or the devices.

In an aspect there is provided a use of a detected trigger signal sent to the electronic control circuit for the valve mechanism of an automatic faucet for generating a new parallel connection to another device, such as a water heater, a water treating device or a pump of a soap dispenser.

These and other aspects will be apparent from and the embodiments described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed portion of the present disclosure, the aspects, embodiments and implementations will be explained in more detail with reference to the example embodiments shown in the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates schematically a water installation for example in a building.

Fig. 2 is a top view of an embodiment of inner electrode of a water treatment device,

Fig. 3 is a side view of the inner electrode different sizes with screw for power connection.

20 Fig. 4 is a side view of the shell design. Drill holes for mounting top part are shown and a hole for power connection is shown.

03081-PCT Fig. 5 shows the lower shell part seen from the top including water inlet shown in the center.

Fig. 6 is a side view of core lower part.

Fig. 7 is a side view of the top part of the core design with center keeping ability shown.

Fig. 8 is a side view of top part from another angle.

Fig. 9 is a top view of top part of the shell, showing drill holes shown and other part.

Fig. 10. is a view og the top part of the shell from underneath .

Fig. 11 is a side view of the outer electrode showing steps on the electrode.

Fig. 12 is a side view of the resizable inner electrode.

Fig. 13 is a top view of the inner electrode showing cuts for resizing .

Figs. 14A and 14B show an embodiment of a device having even electrode surfaces,

Figs. 15A and 15B show an embodiment of the device having recesses/steps for adjusting the inner electrode,

Figs. 16A and 16B show an embodiment of the device having recesses/steps for adjusting the inner electrode - each step having rounded edges,

Figs. 17A and 17B show an embodiment of the device having recesses/steps for adjusting the inner electrode having different outer diameter long the longitudinal axis of the device,

Fig. 18A and 18B show an embodiment of the device having a short inner electrode,

Fig. 19A, shows an embodiment of the device having in line direction of flow and recesses/steps for adjusting the inner electrode,

03081-PCT Fig. 19B, shows the outer electrode and housing of the embodiment of the device of Fig. 19A,

Fig. 20 shows the principles of an electronic circuit/printed circuit board for controlling the device,

Fig. 21 illustrates schematically a system using a trigger signal from a faucet in accordance with an embodiment,

Fig. 23 shows another embodiment of the device in sectional views, and

Fig. 24 is a diagrammatic view of a faucet in which the device is installed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to Figs. 2 to 14A and 14B there is disclosed a device for heating and treating tap water. The device comprises a housing with one inlet 9 and one outlet 8. The water flows through the inlet 9 and passes electrodes 2,3 creating a resistance for AC current that constitutes the main treatment process, after which the water leaves the housing at a desired temperature and/or is cleaned to a desired degree.

The water supply to the device is kept constant in the sense that the water conductivity, water inbound temperature and solubility/consistence are all preferably all substantially constant, but this is not a prerequisite. In this way, the device does not need to be able to adapt to changing water conditions, this enhances the durability and substantially lowers the price of the device.

The device comprises an inner electrode 3 and an outer electrode 2, the inner electrode 2 extending within the outer electrode 3. The inner electrode is attached to a lid-like

03081-PCT cover part 4 of the device and the outer electrode is mounted within a housing 1. In an embodiment the housing one and the call report are made from Polyoxymethylene POM.

The outer electrode 2 can be formed with a varying inner diameter and for instance in two or three steps, as e.g. illustrated in Fig. 11.

The housing 1 with the outer electrode 2 can be the same for all water conditions, whereas the inner electrode 3 will in an embodiment be selected from a plurality of different electrodes with different size, shape, heights, volumes, and/or thicknesses to match the actual water conditions with respect to conductivity, water temperature, etc. This renders it possible to produce only a single version of the housing 1 with the outer electrode 2, while having multiple different top parts with various inner electrodes differing in shape or size to fit the actual conditions on a given location.

The stable supply of inlet water can be created, for instance, by reusing the circulation system found in many buildings. In other embodiments, the solution makes use of a container of water. In combination with a faucet/ shower head/ shower panel, the solution can make use of an aerator to lower the flow to less than 1.14L per minute (0.3 US gallons per minute), preferably less than 0.76L per minute (0.2 US gallons per minute) or 4.47L per minute (1.18 US gallons per minute) for showering. The lower flow means that only a small amount of water is tapped from the water supply and therefore the inlet water will easier remain stable. Using the circulation line or a tank for constant supply has the additional benefit of

03081-PCT being able to make use of the heat of the building. Thus, if the insulation on the water inlet pipe is removed, the power needed to heat the water is less than it would have been, had the inlet water been taken directly from the cold inlet line, and with the disinfection ability/treatment of the device a higher temperature on the water inlet is not a problem in regards to bacteria build up.

The device according to the invention furthermore has a unique design that enables fast assembly with no moving parts when the correct top part with an inner electrode is mounted. The electrodes can for example be made of a special developed graphite material with surfaces that are treated in a way that makes the material withstand sediment that would otherwise stick to the electrodes.

The solution makes use of a new way of designing and handling the inner electrode. In most cases, the inner electrode has a cylindrical like design in different sizes. If the water has a certain quality e.g. conductivity, temperature, solubility etc., a certain surface area of the inner electrode is needed, which means that the person installing the solution may have to refit the inner electrode by cutting it or changing it. This process is made easier by pre-cutting the inner electrode in a way that makes it possible for the installer to change the size of the electrode with the bear hands by twisting the electrode for removing predefined levels of the electrode that are connected in the center of the electrode .

03081-PCT By having a fixed top part with a pre-mounted inner electrode, it is easy for the installer to select the top part/electrode that fits to the location based on the inlet temperature, wanted outlet temperature and the conductivity of the water.

A unique design feature helps making sure that there are no power leaks from the core. This is ensured by letting the treated water pass by a part of the body part, which is made from a non-conducting material. In addition, in one embodiment, the outer electrode is connected to the neutral and the inner electrode is connected to the phase.

Even further, a design feature makes sure that the electrodes do not touch. Rather, the inner electrode 3 is centered relative to the body part 1 so that no part of the water is treated differently from the rest and no parts of the electrodes are used more than others.

The inner electrode can be shaped with steps that correspond to the steps of the outer electrode so that the electrodes correspond entirely to each other, which helps ensuring an even treatment or heating with a constant spacing in length and wide between the electrodes.

In some embodiments of the invention, the water leaves the body part from a hole that is not circular but rather crescent to reduce the amount of electrode surface spent on the outlet hole .

The water inlet 9 can be centered in the bottom of the body part 1 so that the water flows toward the inner electrode 3

03081-PCT and is distributed evenly throughout the area between the electrodes. In another embodiment (not shown), the water inlet is located in the side of the lower body 1.

In another unique aspect of the invention, the circulation is not only kept stable due to the very short draws of water but also by constructing the circulation or water inlet to the device in a way that it is stable. This could be done by letting the water run in uninsulated pipes in places where it would be able to be stabilized in temperature and conductivity, etc. The uninsulated water pipe could run, for instance, under the ceiling.

For all the drawing 14A - 19B the exploded views of the device show a housing 1, an outer conductor/electrode 2, an inner conductor/electrode 3, sealing rings/O-rings 5,6, a lid/top cover 4 and bolts/screws 7.

Fig. 14A and 14B show an embodiment of the device having even electrode surfaces. The inner electrode 3 is solid having even surfaces.

Fig. 15A and 15B show an embodiment of the device having recesses/steps for adjusting the inner electrode. The inner electrode 3 comprises a number 10 of steps, recesses in order to be able to adjust to the current water conditions. It is seen that along the center of the inner electrode the diameter is changing along the length of the electrode. In this way it is achieved that when adjusting the electrode, only the part at the free end is likely to break off. Hence, the adjusting can take place in situ and rely on simple tools.

03081-PCT Fig. 16A and 16 B show an embodiment of the device having recesses/steps for adjusting the inner electrode - each step having rounded edges. It is seen that et disc/part of the inner electrode 3 has rounded outer corners compared to that of Fig. 15A and 15B. In this way it is achieved that the path of electrons are evenly distributed over the full surface of the inner electrode.

The corners may have a rounded, facetted, ellipsoid or super ellipsoid outline or variations thereof.

Fig. 17A and 17B show an embodiment of the device having recesses/steps 25 for adjusting the inner electrode 3 having different outer diameter along the longitudinal axis of the device .

Fig. 18A and 18B show an embodiment of the device having a short inner electrode 3. Both the inner and the outer electrodes have a shoulder opposite 30 each other, for gaining a larger diameter in a section of the device. In this way fine tuning is possible when removing/braking off three discs/ sections.

Fig. 19A, show an embodiment of the device having in line direction of flow and recesses/steps for adjusting the inner electrode 3 and Fig. 19B, show the outer electrode 2 and housing of the embodiment of the device of Fig. 19A. It is seen that the outlet from the space of the housing i.e. the inner of the outer electrode has an inflow of liquid e.g. water in the center and an outlet in the side of the perimeter.

03081-PCT For all the embodiments described above, at least the surface of inner electrode 3 and/or the outer electrode 2 that is in contact with water is made of graphite and/or of electrically conductive ceramic material. In an embodiment the graphite is high density graphite, preferably high density graphite with a density above approximately 1.8 g/cm3. In an embodiment the high density graphite is infused with resin. Preferably, the inner surface of said inner annular outer electrode is polished

In an embodiment the conductive ceramic material comprises tin oxide and/or titanium oxide, indium tin oxide, lanthanum- doped strontium titanate, and/or yttrium-doped strontium titanate .

The high density graphite has high density, high strength and a fine micro-structure. It is used for variety of applications because of its ability to withstand extremely high temperatures while maintaining its strength and shape.

Example properties are:

Bulk density >1.8 g/ cm3

Bending strength >50 MPa

Compressive strength >100 MPa

Electrical resistivity <2.0 mQ-cm

Thermal conductivity >80 W/mK

Shore hardness 60-80

Fig. 20 shows the principles of a printed circuit board for controlling the device. The invention further comprises a

03081-PCT printed circuit board (PCB) 200 for controlling the device according to the invention comprising

- a bi-stable relay,

- a power relay.

The bi-stable relay may be activated by a pulse from a device e.g. from a flow switch, a pressure switch, a contact, an IR sensor, a foot pedal or may be voice activated.

The power relay may be arranged to administer from 60V - 600V preferably around 400V. Furthermore, the power relay may be capable of conducting 24Ampere - 64Ampere preferred 30 - 40 Ampere .

The PCB may further comprise a resistor. In this way it is possible to avoid 20 the that relay malfunctions because receives an unauthorized pulse e.g. a leakage current.

In a first option 300 indicated by dotted line the bi-stable relay is in a by-pass position. The solid state relay 302 may also be a traditional relay. The solid state relay ensures that the device is activated at the desired point the phase of the current i.e. at 0. In order to avoid influence from leakage current a resistor 304 is applied.

In a second option 301, the bi-stable relay is opened only if the correct flow through the device is measured. The flow is set to a threshold. In this way a safety for the user is built m .

03081-PCT The device may be flow activated i.e. that a certain flow is required in order to activate the treater or liquid heating device. In this way it is achieved 35 that the heater is activated within parameters that cause no danger for the user. E.g. if the flow of liquid is too low and the current subjected to the liquid by the heater is the same, the liquid would be heated more than desired e.g. to 60° due to a low flow (e.g. 0.2 liter/minutes) instead of 28° at the expected flow (e.g. 1.3 liter/minutes) . Item is the water heating device.

The temperature increase of the water flowing through water heating device is controlled by controlling the amount of power (i.e. the amount of energy transferred per unit time, normally expressed in Watt) of the electric current flowing through the water, when the water is flowing through the wording device.

In an embodiment the solid state relay 302 is controlled by a control unit (not shown) connected to the terminals of the solid state relay 302. The control unit is configured to control the opening and closing of the solid state relay. In order to control the temperature increase of the water flowing through the water heating device, the solid-state relay is operated in a pulsed manner and the average amount of power transmitted to the water is controlled by the ratio of the time of the solid-state relay 302 being open and closed. Thus, for an increased transmission of average power to the water the period in which the solid-state relay is closed are increased in length and the periods where the solid-state relay 302 is open are correspondingly decreased. Preferably, the solid-state relay 302 is capable of switching at a

03081-PCT relatively high frequency thus, allowing the average amount of energy transferred to the water flowing between the electrodes accurately. Thus, the temperature increase of the water flowing through water heating device is thus controlled by controlling the (average) amount of power (i.e. the amount of energy transferred per unit time, normally expressed Watt) of the electric current flowing through the water.

In embodiment the electronic system is grounded, e.g. to conductive water supply pipe.

In embodiment, the controller is provided with a feedback signal from a sensor that measures the temperature of the water leaving the water heater or leaving the faucet in which the water is installed and provided feedback signal for adjusting the amount of (average) power delivered by the wording device to the water flowing there through.

In embodiment the controller is connected to the Internet via the IOT network and is configured to send messages, such as e.g. error messages through the IOT to a recipient. Thus, the use of the water heating device can be monitored by a remotely placed control module.

Fig. 21 shows the trigger signal sent to the electronic control circuit for the valve mechanism of an automatic faucet/tap 56, for instance when a touch-free sensor 59 is triggered, is typically a very short pulse of very small power. For that reason, it has been considered impossible by brand name manufactures of such faucets to detect and use such trigger signals to activate other functions.

03081-PCT The water heater 303 is connected to a supply of water by a supply conduit 58 and an outlet of the water heater 303 is connected to an inlet of a pump and/or soap dispenser 51 via a first conduit 60. An outlet of the pump and/or soap dispenser 51 is connected to an inlet of the faucet 56 via a second conduit 62. A printed circuit 54 is connected to a optical sensor 59 that is arranged to detect the presence of a user's hands near the faucet 56 for activating the flow of water from the faucet 56. The printed circuit 54 is connected to a bi-polar relay 53 via low impedance wires 55. The bipolar rate is controlled by signal lines by a relay 52. The relay 52 is connected by as electric power supply line 68 to the water heating and treatment device 303 and or another electric power select line 69 to the pump and/or soap dispenser 51.

Figs 22 and 23 disclose another embodiment of the water heating and training device, showing an outer housing 1 (in this embodiment an inner annular housing) with end plates 4 sealingly arranged at the longitudinal ends of the outer housing 1. A number (in this example there are five outer electrodes 2, but het can be any desired number of outer electrodes 2) of annular outer electrodes 2 are secured inside the housing. The outer electrodes 2 are longitudinally spaced from one another. Each of the outer electrodes 2 is connected to its own individual electric terminal 11 for connection to a source of AC electric power. An inner electrode 3 is concentrically arranged inside the housing 1 and concentrically arranged inside the annular outer electrodes 2. One of the end plates 4 is provided with a water inlet 9 and the other of the end plates 4 is provided with a water

03081-PCT outlet 8. In an embodiment the outer electrodes 2 can be activated individually in order to regulate the amount of energy transferred to the water flowing between the n the inner and outer electrodes.

Fig. 26 is a diagrammatic cut open view of a faucet 56 in which a water heating and treating device 303 has been installed. A water supply conduit 57 connects to an inlet of an electronic control valve 20 that is controlled by solenoid 21. In an embodiment the electronic control valve 20 is a simple on-off valve. In another embodiment the electronic control valve 20 is a proportional valve that is capable of regulating the flow through the valve. An outlet of the electronic control valve 20 is connected to the inlet of the water heating and treating device 303 supply conduit 58. The outlet of the water heating and treating device 303 is connected to an inlet of an aerator 66 via an outlet conduit 63. A circuit board 54 is electronically connected to the electronic control valve and is a tiny connected to the power source that delivers electrical power to the water heating and treatment device three of three. The printed circuit board 54 is also connected to the optical sensor 59 and thus in receipt of a trigger signal caused by the hands of user approaching the optical sensor 59.

Using low impedance wires, for instance with a cross-sectional area of 0.14 15 cm2 and a bipolar relay, however, it has surprisingly been proven possible to actually detect such trigger signals. This means that such trigger signals can be used to generate new parallel connections to water heaters, water treating devices, soap dispenser pumps and other devices

03081-PCT related to the use of automatic faucets or a related function like an air hand dryer.

In order to achieve this, the bipolar relay must typically be attached on the signal side of the electronic control circuit of the faucet. Whereas a regular relay is triggered when power is available, a bipolar relay is triggered by a pulse and changes position whenever a new pulse is applied, thereby using 25 less power, which for example enhances the battery lifetime for example on a 6V automatic faucet.

This solution solves the problem of having to use a flow switch for the triggering of devices, such as water heaters, treating device or pumps, which is both expensive and increases the risk of failure because of the use of moving parts. Furthermore, this solution enables the triggering of devices without any delay thereby not having to wait for a certain flow or other parameters to be met.

Another problem, which can be solved by the present invention, is the fact that people washing hands typically either do not use soap or use to much soap. In the first case, there is a hygienic problem. In the second case, the environmental impact and the costs are higher than necessary. This problem can be solved by using the detected trigger signal to create a parallel connection to a pump of a soap dispenser ensuring that a small amount of soap is added to the water flow out of the faucet for a predefined period after triggering the valve mechanism of the faucet, i.e. to the first part of the water leaving the faucet after its opening.

03081-PCT In this way, it can ensured that the right amount of soap is used, after which only water without soap leaves the faucet. In a hospital, the solution would enable the caretakers to focus on other things because the users automatically gets a soap/water treatment when triggering the faucet and in a meat production facility the users are in many places required to use soap before entering the facility thus this gives a better certainty that the user has used soap and not for example forgotten to do so.

Preferably, the soap dispenser is arranged to add the soap to the water downstream the water heater or water treating device in order not to disturb the function thereof.

The various aspects and implementations have been described in conjunction with various embodiments herein. However, other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed sub ect-matter, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage. A computer program may be stored/distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium supplied together with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the

03081-PCT Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems .

The reference signs used in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope.

03081-PCT

Claims

1. A water heating and treating device comprising:

an annular outer electrode (2) fixed in a jar-like body part (1) ,

an inner electrode (3) mechanically connected to a lid like cover part (4),

the inner electrode (3) extending within the outer electrode (2) when the cover part (4) is mounted on the body part ( 1 ) ,

said inner and outer electrode being connected to an AC power supply during operation of the device.

2. The water heating and treating device according to claim 1, comprising a water inlet (9) and a water outlet (8), the body part (1) forming together with the cover part (4) a watertight housing with a cavity between said inner electrode (3) and the outer electrode (2), said cavity being fluidically connected to said water inlet (9) and said water outlet (8) .

3. The water heating and treating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said annular outer electrode (2) comprises a preferably cylindrical void and at least a first portion of the longitudinal extent of said inner electrode (3) is cylindrical .

4. The water heating and treating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner diameter of said bore is slightly larger than the largest outer diameter of the cylindrical first portion of the longitudinal extend of the inner electrode .

03081-PCT

5. The water heating and treating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said inner electrode is at least partially received in said preferably cylindrical void.

6. The water heating and treating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said void is shaped and sized to match the outer counter of said inner electrode (3) with a controlled spacing between the outer surface of the inner electrode (3) and the surface of said void.

7. The water heating and treating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said first portion of the longitudinal extent of the inner electrode (3) comprises a plurality of interconnected disc-shaped sub-portions.

8. The water heating and treating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least the surface of the inner electrode (3) and/or said outer electrode (2) that is in contact with water is made of graphite and/or from electrically conductive ceramic material.

9. The water heating and treating device according to claim 8, wherein said graphite is high density graphite, preferably high density graphite with a density above approximately 1.8 g/cm3.

10. The water heating and treating device according claim 8 or 9, wherein said graphite is infused with resin.

11. The water heating and treating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the inner surface of said inner

03081-PCT annular outer electrode (2) is polished, and wherein the outer surface of said inner electrode (3) is preferably polished.

12. The water heating and treating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, wherein the outer electrode (2) extends along the bottom and the sidewalls of the body part ( 3 ) .

13. The water heating and treating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, when the cover part (4) is mounted on the body part (1), the inner electrode (3) is centered relative to the body part (1) and relative to the outer electrode (2), preferably by an edge or recess in the cover part (4) which controls the positioning of the inner electrode (3) relative to the outer electrode (2) and relative to the housing part (1) .

14. The water heating and treating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the operation of device is arranged to be triggered by an electronic signal from a faucet, shower head or shower panel, for instance from a sensor or push button thereof.

15. The water heating and treating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the inner electrode (3) is arranged to be adapted in size to fit the water conditions of a given location by adjusting the length of the inner electrode (3), preferably by breaking off longitudinal sections of the inner electrode (3) .

03081-PCT

16. The water heating or treating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein non-conducting push-in connectors are used for said water inlet and said water outlet .

17. The water heating and treating device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a controller configured to connect said electrodes to an AC power supply upon receipt of a trigger signal.

18. A faucet or shower panel head with a water heating and treating device according to any one of claims 1 to 17 integrated or installed in the faucet or shower panel.

19. The faucet or shower panel of according to claim 18 comprising a sensor for issuing a trigger signal, and a controller connected to said sensor, said controller being configured to trigger the flow of water through said device upon receipt of said trigger signal.

20. An electrode (2,3) for use in a water a heating device that comprises at least one pair of spaced electrodes (2,3) with water flowing between said electrodes (2,3) for heating said water by flowing an electric current though the water flowing between said electrodes (2,3), said electrode comprising an outer surface for contact with said water and said outer surface being formed by:

an electrically conductive ceramic material or a high density graphite material.

03081-PCT

21. The electrode (2,3) according to claim 20, wherein said conductive ceramic comprises tin oxide and/or titanium oxide, indium tin oxide, lanthanum-doped strontium titanate, and/or yttrium-doped strontium titanate.

22. The electrode (2,3) according to claim 20 or 21, wherein said high density graphite material has a density of at least 1.8 g/cm3.

23. The electrode (2,3) according to any one of claims 20 to

22, wherein said density graphite material is infused with resin .

24. The electrode (2,3) according to any one of claims 20 to

23, wherein said outer surface is polished.

25. Use of an electrode (2,3) according to any one of claims 20 to 24 in a water heating device.

26. A water heating device for heating water flowing through said device, said device that comprises at least one pair of spaced electrodes (2,3) for heating said water by running an electric current though water flowing between said electrodes, at least one of said electrodes (2,3) being electrode (2,3) according to any one of claims 20 to 25.

27. A device for heating water flowing through said device, said device comprising:

at least two electrodes (2,3) that are arranged with a clearance between surfaces of said electrodes (2,3) with said water flowing though said clearance,

03081-PCT a controllable electric power source connected to said electrodes (2,3),

28. The device of claim 27, wherein the amount of electric power supplied by the controllable electric power source is a fixed predetermined amount of power that is supplied when there is a flow of water through the device.

29. The device of claim 27 or 28, wherein said water flowing between said electrodes (2,3) being heated by an intermittent AC current flowing between said electrodes (2,3) .

30. The device of claim 29, wherein the amount of power supplied by the controllable electric power supply is adjusted by adjusting the ratio between the periods of said intermittent AC current where said AC current is flowing and periods of said intermittent AC current where said AC current is not flowing, to obtain an average amount of power supply that corresponds to a desired amount of power supplied to said water flowing between said electrodes (2,3) , said desired amount preferably corresponding to said fixed predetermined amount .

03081-PCT

31. A method for heating water in an apparatus through which said water flows between electrodes in said apparatus, said method comprising flowing an electric current through said water which flows between said electrodes and said method comprising controlling the temperature increase of said water flowing through said apparatus by controlling the power of the current flowing through said water to a predetermined amount of Watt.

32. A system for triggering a water heater or treating device, preferably a device according to claims 1 to 17, which system is arranged to detect a trigger signal sent to an electronic control circuit for a valve mechanism (20) of an automatic faucet (56), for instance when a touch-free or touch sensor (59) of said automatic faucet (59) is triggered, and to use the detected trigger signal for generating a parallel connection to the water heater or treating device (303) for activating the water heater or treating device (303) .

33. A method for triggering a device, such as a water heater, a water treating device or a pump of a soap dispenser, which method comprises the steps of detecting a trigger signal sent to an electronic control circuit for the valve mechanism of an automatic faucet (59) and using the detected trigger signal for generating a parallel connection to the desired device or devices .

03081-PCT