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
  • 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
  • F24H1/00—Water heaters, e.g. boilers, continuous-flow heaters or water-storage heaters
  • F24H1/48—Water heaters for central heating incorporating heaters for domestic water
  • F24H1/52—Water heaters for central heating incorporating heaters for domestic water incorporating heat exchangers for domestic water
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
  • F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
  • F24H15/20—Control of fluid heaters characterised by control inputs
  • F24H15/212—Temperature of the water
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
  • F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
  • F24H15/20—Control of fluid heaters characterised by control inputs
  • F24H15/238—Flow rate
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
  • F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
  • F24H15/30—Control of fluid heaters characterised by control outputs; characterised by the components to be controlled
  • F24H15/395—Information to users, e.g. alarms
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
  • 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
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
  • F24D19/00—Details
  • F24D19/0092—Devices for preventing or removing corrosion, slime or scale
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
  • F24D2220/00—Components of central heating installations excluding heat sources
  • F24D2220/04—Sensors
  • F24D2220/042—Temperature sensors
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
  • F24D2220/00—Components of central heating installations excluding heat sources
  • F24D2220/04—Sensors
  • F24D2220/044—Flow sensors
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
  • F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
  • F28F27/00—Control arrangements or safety devices specially adapted for heat-exchange or heat-transfer apparatus

Definitions

• the invention relates to a system for determining the remaining service life of water heaters.
• the invention relates to a system for detecting blockages and the remaining service life of the heat exchanger of combination water heaters.
• Water heaters in particular combination water heaters, are connected to a central heating circuit and to a domestic water pipe. They heat the liquid in the central heating circuit and the water in the domestic water pipe. The water in the central heating circuit is fed into the water heater, heated by a heating cell and fed back into the central heating circuit. Heating components such as radiators in the central heating circuit ensure that the rooms are heated.
• the water in the domestic water pipe is heated in that a heat transfer is carried out between the water from the central heating circuit after it has been heated and the water from the domestic water pipe using a heat exchanger.
• the heat exchanger comprises a first volume through which the water from the central heating circuit flows and a second volume through which the water from the domestic water line flows.
• the first volume and the second volume exchange heat via a heat transfer medium. In this case, heat is transferred from the water heated by a heating cell in the first volume of the central heating circuit to the water in the second volume of the domestic water pipe.
• German patent application DE102009042994 a system is disclosed which makes it possible to take temperature measurements at different points of the plate heat exchanger and to generate a warning signal to prevent possible heat-related damage to the heat exchanger if the temperature measurements exceed a certain threshold.
• the present invention relates to a system for determining the remaining life of a water heater in order to eliminate the above disadvantages and to provide new advantages in the relevant technical field.
• An object of the invention is to provide a system for determining the remaining life of heat exchangers of water heaters.
• Another object of the invention is to provide a system for detecting blockages in heat exchangers.
• the present invention relates to a system for detecting a blockage in the first volume of the heat exchanger of a water heater, comprising a first line hydraulically connected to a central heating circuit and a second pipe hydraulically connected to a domestic water pipe; a heating cell connected to the first line for heating the liquid in the first line; and a heat exchanger for heat transfer between the first line and the second line, comprising a first volume hydraulically connected to the first line, a second volume hydraulically connected to the second line, and a heat transfer element connected between the first Volume and the second volume is provided.
• the system is characterized in that it comprises a first temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the liquid entering the first volume; a second temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the liquid exiting the first volume; a third temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the liquid entering the second volume; a fourth temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the liquid exiting the second volume; a flow meter for measuring the mass flow of the liquid in the first line or in the central heating circuit; a control unit arranged to receive temperature and flow measurements from the first temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor, the third temperature sensor, the fourth temperature sensor and the flow meter, the control unit being configured to use the received temperature and stores flow measurements in a storage unit by associating the received temperature and flow measurements with their times of receipt; determining a heat transfer rate of the first volume according to measurements received from the first temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor, and the flow meter and according to a specific calorific value; determine a logarithmic mean temperature difference for the heat exchanger according to measurements received from the first temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor, the third temperature sensor
• the blockage on the central heating circuit side of the heat exchanger can be detected.
• the service life of the heat exchanger is determined. Users can use this remaining life information to take precautions before clogging occurs. The user is less exposed to the negative effects of constipation.
• the feature of a possible embodiment of the invention is that the aging model is a stochastic machine learning model trained with stored heat transfer coefficients. In this way, a blockage in the heat exchanger can be detected with higher accuracy.
• control unit is configured to determine the heat transfer coefficient by multiplying the flow measurement, the specific heat value and the difference in the temperature measurements of the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor.
• the feature of another possible embodiment of the invention is that it comprises a user interface controlled by means of a control unit, which control unit is configured to monitor the lifetime on the user interface. This allows the user to track the lifespan of the heat exchanger on the user interface.
• control unit is configured to generate a warning signal when the lifetime exceeds a first lifetime threshold. This alerts the user that the heat exchanger needs to be replaced.
• control unit is configured to display the warning signal on the user interface. In this way, the user is informed when the lifespan of the heat exchanger reaches a certain value.
• the invention also relates to a water heater comprising a system as described above.
• the feature of another possible embodiment of the invention is that the water heater is a combination water heater. So the user can keep track of the remaining life of the combi water heater with this system.
• the invention is further a method of detecting clogging in the first volume of a heat exchanger of a water heater comprising a first line hydraulically connected to a central heating circuit and a second line hydraulically connected to a domestic water line; a heating cell connected to the first line for heating the liquid in the first line; and a heat exchanger for heat transfer between the first conduit and the second conduit comprising a first volume hydraulically connected to the first conduit, a second volume hydraulically connected to the second conduit, and a heat transfer element interposed between the first volume and the second volume is provided.
• control unit is configured to carry out the following method steps
• the feature of another possible embodiment of the invention is that the aging model is a stochastic machine learning model trained with stored heat transfer coefficients. In this way, the remaining service life of the heat exchanger can be determined with greater accuracy.
• the feature of another possible embodiment of the invention is that it is configured to issue a warning signal when the lifetime exceeds a first lifetime threshold. In this way, the user is informed when the lifespan of the heat exchanger reaches a certain value.
• Figure 1 shows a representative view of the water heater.
• Figure 2 shows a representative view of the system.
• the invention relates to a system (200) for detecting a blockage in a heat exchanger (150) of a water heater (100) and thus the remaining service life of the heat exchanger (150).
• the water heater (100) includes a first line (110) hydraulically connected to a central heating circuit (310) and a second line (120) hydraulically connected to a domestic water line.
• the circulating fluid from the Central heating circuit (310) enters the first line (110) where it is heated, then exits and re-enters the central heating circuit (310).
• the tap water coming from a pipe such as the municipal water supply is introduced into the second pipe (120) and after being heated it is introduced into the domestic water pipe to be used by the consumers via components such as faucets etc.
• the liquid in the first line (110) can be water or another liquid used for heating purposes.
• the first line (110) may also include a pump for moving the liquid.
• the water heater (100) includes a heating cell (130) for heating the liquid in the first line (110).
• the heater cell (130) supplies heat by consuming energy elements such as electricity, gas and the like.
• the heater cell (130) can be controlled by thermostat-like devices or a control unit (210). In other words, the cycles in which the heater cell (130) is turned on and off can be controlled by these components.
• the water heater (100) includes a heat exchanger (150) to ensure heat transfer between the heated liquid in the first line (110) and the water in the second line (120) without mixing with each other.
• the heat exchanger (150) comprises a first volume (151) receiving the liquid in the first line (110), a second volume (152) receiving the liquid in the second line (120), and a heat transfer medium (153) for heat transfer between the first volume (151) and the second volume (152).
• the heat transfer element (153) is made of a thermally conductive material.
• the heat exchanger (150) may be of a type known in the art as a plate type.
• the innovation in the system (200) according to the invention consists in determining a lifetime of the heat exchanger (150) as a function of the state of clogging in the first volume (151) of the heat exchanger (150).
• the system (200) includes a first temperature sensor (221) for measuring the temperature of the liquid entering the first volume (151) of the heat exchanger (150).
• the first temperature sensor (221) measures the temperature of the liquid in the first line (110) before entering the first volume (151).
• the first temperature sensor (221) is provided at the inlet of the first volume (151).
• the system (200) also includes a second temperature sensor (222) for measuring the temperature of the liquid exiting the first volume (151).
• the second temperature sensor (222) measures the temperature at which the liquid exits the first volume (151) in the first line (110).
• the second temperature sensor (222) is provided at the outlet of the first volume (151).
• the system (200) includes a third temperature sensor (231) for measuring the temperature of the liquid entering the second volume (152) of the heat exchanger (150).
• the third temperature sensor (231) measures the temperature of the liquid in the second line (120) before it enters the second volume (152).
• the third temperature sensor (231) is provided at the inlet of the second volume (152).
• the system (200) further includes a fourth temperature sensor (232) for measuring the temperature of the liquid exiting the second volume (152).
• the fourth temperature sensor (232) measures the temperature at which the liquid exits the second volume (152) in the second line (120).
• the fourth temperature sensor (232) is provided at the outlet of the second volume (152).
• the system (200) includes a flow meter (240) which is provided in the first line (110) or in the central heating circuit (310).
• the flow measuring device (240) measures the mass or volume flow of the liquid in the first line (110) or in the central heating circuit (310).
• the flow measuring device (240) measures the mass flow of the liquid in the first line (110) or in the central heating circuit (310).
• the flow measuring device (240) measures the volume flow of the liquid in the first line (110) or in the central heating circuit (310).
• the flow meter (240) may be an electromagnetic, ultrasonic, vortex, spiral or other flow meter known in the art.
• the system (200) includes a control unit (210) that receives the temperature and flow measurements.
• the control unit (210) includes a Processor unit (211) for receiving temperature and flow measurements from a first temperature sensor (221), a second temperature sensor (222), a third temperature sensor (231), a fourth temperature sensor (232) and a flow meter (240).
• the control unit (210) comprises a memory unit (212) which is assigned to the processor unit (211) in such a way that the processor unit (211) can read data and record data.
• Said processor unit (211) may be a microprocessor on which software codes are executed.
• the control unit (210) stores the received temperature and flow measurements in the memory unit (212) by associating them with their times of reception.
• the control unit (210) determines a heat transfer rate of the first volume (151) according to the measurements received from the first temperature sensor (221), the second temperature sensor (222) and the flow meter (240) and according to a specific calorific value.
• the specific heat referred to herein refers to the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a unit mass of the fluid circulating in the central heating circuit (310) or in the first line (110).
• the control unit (210) determines a logarithmic mean temperature difference for the heat exchanger (150) according to the measurements received from the first temperature sensor (221), the second temperature sensor (222), the third temperature sensor (231) and the fourth temperature sensor (232).
• Said logarithmic mean temperature difference is an average of the temperature changes in the first volume (151) and in the second volume (152) of the heat exchanger (150) according to the measurements received from the temperature sensors.
• the control unit (210) determines a heat transfer coefficient according to the logarithmic mean temperature difference and the heat transfer rate calculated depending on the heat transfer area of the heat exchanger (150).
• the heat transfer area refers to the surface area of the heat transfer element (153) provided between the first volume (151) and the second volume (152).
• the control unit (210) periodically calculates the heat transfer coefficient and stores it in the storage unit (212).
• the system (200) includes a user interface (260) through which a user can track the measurements or calculated values received from the control unit (210).
• the controller (210) monitors the heat transfer coefficient on the user interface (260).
• the User interface (260) can be located on the water heater (100). In one possible embodiment, the user interface (260) can be located in a room remote from the water heater (100) and enable wired or wireless communication with the control unit (210).
• the controller (210) determines a lifetime when the heat transfer coefficient exceeds a first threshold. This lifetime is calculated based on the stored heat transfer coefficients using an aging model. Life refers to the remaining life of the heat exchanger (150) after the heat transfer coefficient has exceeded a second threshold.
• the service life mentioned here refers to the estimated remaining service life of the heat exchanger (150) without falling below a certain level of efficiency. If the heat exchanger (150) falls below the stated efficiency, sufficient heat transfer between the first volume (151) and the second volume (152) cannot be guaranteed and more energy than necessary is consumed.
• the aging model mentioned is a software algorithm.
• the aging model is a stochastic machine learning model trained with stored heat transfer coefficients.
• the controller (210) determines the aging model of the heat exchanger (150) based on the previous heat transfer coefficients.
• the detection of a decrease in the heat transfer coefficient may indicate a clogging in the heat exchanger (150).
• the aging model trained with the stored heat transfer coefficients shows a decreasing trend in the heat transfer coefficient. Accordingly, if the heat transfer coefficient exceeds a first threshold, the remaining life of the heat exchanger (150) may be calculated as a result of exceeding a second threshold.
• the controller (210) is configured to generate a warning signal when the lifetime exceeds a first lifetime threshold.
• the first lifetime threshold is related to a specific period of time.
• the first lifetime threshold can be set during production or by the user. If the first lifetime threshold For example, if set to 90 days, the control unit (210) generates the warning signal when the lifetime falls below 90 days.
• the warning signal is monitored by the control unit (210) on the user interface (260).
• a second lifetime threshold can be determined. If the second lifetime threshold is exceeded, the controller (210) may stop operation of the water heater (100).
• the control unit (210) receives the temperature and flow measurements in real time.
• the processor unit (211) continuously processes the received measured values.
• the heat transfer rate is calculated from the following formula (1).
• the logarithmic mean temperature difference is calculated by the following formula (2).
• LMTD logarithmic mean temperature difference
• T stands for temperature
• CH stands for the central heating circuit (310)
• DHW stands for the domestic water line (320);
• inlet stands for the inlet;
• outlet stands for the outlet.
• the heat transfer coefficient is calculated by the following formula (3).
• a lifetime calculation is performed when the heat transfer coefficient exceeds a first threshold.
• the main purpose of using the first threshold is to give the processing unit (211) time to get enough data.
• the lifetime refers to the estimated remaining lifetime of the heat exchanger (150) after the heat transfer coefficient has exceeded a second threshold.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Thermal Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Biomedical Technology (AREA)
• Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
• Steam Or Hot-Water Central Heating Systems (AREA)
• Testing Of Devices, Machine Parts, Or Other Structures Thereof (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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ID=85118111

Family Applications (1)

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Citations (4)

• 2021
  • 2021-12-29 TR TR2021/021666A patent/TR2021021666A2/tr unknown
• 2022
  • 2022-12-20 WO PCT/EP2022/086886 patent/WO2023126244A1/de unknown

Patent Citations (4)

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