A universal circulation guide pipe device for modifying traditional solar water heaters

Abstract

This invention discloses a universal circulating guide pipe device for upgrading traditional solar water heaters, comprising an mounting plate, a sleeve, a circulating outlet guide pipe, a circulating return pipe, and a sensor blind pipe. The mounting plate has a through hole at its center for fitting onto the outer wall of the sleeve. The circulating outlet guide pipe and the sensor blind pipe are inserted into the sleeve. A circulating return pipe mounting hole is integrally formed on the lower side wall of the sleeve, allowing the circulating return pipe to be vertically connected to the sleeve through this mounting hole. This invention features a simple structure, reasonable design, and convenient and quick assembly. This circulating guide pipe device can upgrade traditional solar water heaters into water-circulating air-source heat pump water heaters, forming a complete dual-source system of air-source heat pump water heater + solar water heater. The upgrade cost is low, making it possible to upgrade traditional solar water heaters and improve their usability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of solar water heater technology, specifically relating to a universal circulating guide pipe device for modifying traditional solar water heaters. Background Technology

[0002] A solar water heater is a device that converts solar energy into heat energy to produce hot water, heating water from a low temperature to a high temperature to meet people's hot water needs in daily life and production. Solar water heaters are classified into two types according to their structure: vacuum tube solar water heaters and flat-plate solar water heaters, with vacuum tube solar water heaters being the dominant type, accounting for 95% of the domestic market share. A vacuum tube household solar water heater consists of three main parts: collector tubes, a storage tank, and a support frame. The conversion of solar energy into heat energy mainly relies on the vacuum collector tubes. These tubes utilize the principle that hot water rises and cold water sinks, creating a micro-circulation of the water to obtain the desired hot water.

[0003] As we all know, the heat source of solar water heaters mainly comes from sunlight. In cloudy, rainy, or sunless conditions, solar water heaters become useless. Later, electric heating auxiliary heating devices and specialized dual-heat-source solar water heaters were added. These are undoubtedly improved solar water heater products. (However, the potential for electric leakage from electric heating has not yet been eliminated.) For traditional solar water heaters already on the market, which lacked electric heating ports and other heat sources or auxiliary circulation ports, retrofitting them with electric auxiliary heating or air-source heat pumps to compensate for heating is a technical bottleneck. Many traditional water heaters have thus been scrapped, requiring the purchase of a new one that meets the requirements. Therefore, this invention presents a universal circulation guide pipe assembly specifically designed for retrofitting traditional solar water heaters. It can solve all the aforementioned technical bottlenecks in retrofitting traditional solar water heaters by adding a circulating air-source heat pump for auxiliary heating or adding electric heating. This is currently the first of its kind in the industry. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the problems existing in the prior art, the purpose of this invention is to provide a universal circulating diversion pipe device for the retrofitting and upgrading of traditional solar water heaters.

[0005] This invention is achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0006] The aforementioned universal circulating guide pipe device for retrofitting traditional solar water heaters is characterized by comprising an installation plate, a sleeve, a circulating water outlet guide pipe, a circulating water return pipe, and a sensor blind pipe. The installation plate has a through hole at its center for fitting onto the outer wall of the sleeve. The circulating water outlet guide pipe and the sensor blind pipe are inserted into the sleeve. A circulating water return pipe installation hole is integrally provided on the lower side wall of the sleeve, and the circulating water return pipe is vertically connected to the sleeve through the circulating water return pipe installation hole.

[0007] The universal circulating guide pipe device for retrofitting traditional solar water heaters is characterized in that four fixing holes are evenly distributed around the perimeter of the mounting plate.

[0008] The universal circulating guide pipe device for retrofitting traditional solar water heaters is characterized in that the upper end of the sleeve is an arc-shaped contraction opening, the inner edge of the arc-shaped contraction opening is integrally provided with an upper mounting hole for installing a sensor blind pipe, the lower end of the sleeve is welded with a cap, and the cap is integrally provided with a lower mounting hole for installing a sensor blind pipe and a guide pipe mounting hole for installing a circulating water outlet guide pipe.

[0009] The universal circulating guide pipe device for retrofitting traditional solar water heaters is characterized in that the upper mounting hole is arc-shaped and the lower mounting hole is provided with a blind pipe mounting nut, the center point of which corresponds to the center point of the upper mounting hole.

[0010] The universal circulating guide pipe device for modifying traditional solar water heaters is characterized in that one end of the circulating water outlet guide pipe that extends into the water tank is the water outlet, which is set in a 90-degree bend and its setting direction is opposite to that of the solar water heater outlet.

[0011] The universal circulating guide pipe device for retrofitting traditional solar water heaters is characterized in that one end of the circulating return water pipe is provided with external or internal threads, and the other end is provided with an inner arc shape and is welded to the circulating return water pipe installation hole in the sleeve.

[0012] The aforementioned universal circulating guide pipe device for retrofitting traditional solar water heaters is characterized in that the upper end of the sensor blind pipe is a sealed end, the lower end is equipped with an M-type waterproof connector for preventing wire pulling, and a sensor mounting hole is provided on the outer wall of the sensor blind pipe near the sealed end.

[0013] The universal circulation guide pipe device for retrofitting traditional solar water heaters is characterized in that the universal guide pipe device further includes a silicone decorative ring, and the silicone decorative ring is provided with holes for the circulation outlet guide pipe and sensor blind pipe to pass through.

[0014] The universal circulation guide pipe device for retrofitting traditional solar water heaters is characterized in that the universal guide pipe device is fixedly connected to the solar water heater tank by self-tapping screws or rivets.

[0015] This invention has a simple structure, reasonable design, and convenient and quick assembly. The setting of this circulating guide pipe device can transform and upgrade traditional solar water heaters into water-circulating air source heat pump water heaters, thereby forming a complete dual-source hot water system of air source heat pump water heater + solar water heater. The transformation cost is low, which makes traditional solar water heaters more convenient to use. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the mounting plate structure of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the circulating water guide pipe of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the sleeve structure;

[0019] Figure 4 Figure 3 Top view;

[0020] Figure 5 for Figure 3 A bottom view;

[0021] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the circulating water return pipe.

[0022] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the sensor blind tube.

[0023] Figures 8-9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a silicone decorative ring;

[0024] Figure 10 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the assembled structure of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0026] Figures 12-13 This is a structural diagram of the circulating flow guide pipe device of the present invention.

[0027] In the diagram, 1-mounting plate, 101-through hole, 102-fixing hole, 2-sleeve, 201-circulating return water pipe installation hole, 202-arc-shaped contraction opening, 203-upper mounting hole, 204-cap, 205-lower mounting hole, 206-guide pipe installation hole, 207-blind pipe mounting nut, 3-circulating water outlet guide pipe, 301-outlet, 4-circulating return water pipe, 5-sensor blind pipe, 501-M-type waterproof connector, 502-sensor mounting hole, 6-silicone decorative ring, 601-hole. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, and specific embodiments are given.

[0029] Example 1

[0030] like Figure 10 As shown, this invention discloses a universal circulating guide pipe device for upgrading traditional solar water heaters. This universal circulating guide pipe device is mainly used to upgrade traditional solar water heaters into water-circulating air-source heat pump water heaters. The specific structure includes an mounting plate, a sleeve, a circulating water outlet guide pipe, a circulating water return pipe, and a sensor blind pipe. The mounting plate has a through hole at its center for fitting onto the outer wall of the sleeve. The circulating water outlet guide pipe and the sensor blind pipe are inserted into the sleeve. A circulating water return pipe installation hole is integrally provided on the lower side wall of the sleeve, allowing the circulating water return pipe to be vertically connected to the sleeve through the circulating water return pipe installation hole.

[0031] like Figure 1 As shown, the mounting plate has four fixing holes for screw installation and fixing, and through holes for use with sleeves. The hole diameters are 58.5mm and 47.5mm. The plate material is made of 304 and 201 stainless steel with a thickness of 1 to 1.2mm.

[0032] like Figure 2 As shown, the circulating water outlet guide pipe is made of 304 or 201 stainless steel, with pipe diameters of DN25, DN20, or DN15, etc. The length is based on the inner tank diameter of the solar water heater, generally between 360mm and 500mm. One end extending into the water tank is the outlet, designed with a 90-degree bend to direct the water flow in the opposite direction to the hot water outlet of the solar water heater. This aims to maximize the flow and exchange of water within the solar water heater, preventing a short circuit between the circulating outlet and the solar water heater outlet. The other end of the inlet pipe has external or internal threads.

[0033] like Figure 3-5As shown, the sleeve has a circulation return water pipe installation hole at the bottom, which is usually based on the diameter of the circulation return water pipe. The upper end of the sleeve is an arc-shaped contraction opening, which is intended to facilitate installation at the solar water heater collector pipe hole. The inner edge of the contraction opening is integrally provided with an upper mounting hole for installing the sensor blind tube. A cap is welded to the lower end. The cap is integrally provided with a lower mounting hole for installing the sensor blind tube and a guide pipe installation hole for installing the circulation outlet guide pipe. The upper mounting hole is arc-shaped, and the lower mounting hole is provided with a blind tube installation nut. The center point of the blind tube installation nut corresponds to the center point of the upper mounting hole.

[0034] like Figure 6 As shown, the circulating water return pipe is made of stainless steel 201 or 304 pipe of DN15, 20 or 25 type, and the length is preferably between 40mm and 100mm. One end is provided with external or internal threads, and the other end is set with an inner arc shape and is welded to the circulating water return pipe installation hole in the sleeve.

[0035] like Figure 7 As shown, the sensor blind tube is made of stainless steel 201 or 304 pipe with a diameter between 8mm and 10mm. The length should be about 360mm to 500mm shorter than the inner tank diameter of the solar water heater. One end of the blind tube that extends into the solar water heater tank is sealed to prevent water leakage. The other end is equipped with an external nut, and the other end of the external nut has internal threads for installing a special M-type waterproof connector for preventing wire pull. This M-type waterproof connector is mainly used to fix the sensor inside the blind tube to prevent it from falling off and to prevent it from being pulled.

[0036] like Figure 8-9 As shown, the silicone decorative ring is made of natural silicone and has one hole for installing the circulating water outlet guide pipe and one hole for installing the blind pipe. The purpose of the silicone decorative ring is to beautify the universal circulating guide pipe assembly and to fix the nuts and mounting plates of the solar water heater tank.

[0037] like Figure 10 As shown, the specific assembly method of the general-purpose circulation guide pipe device is as follows: 1) First, assemble... Figure 11) The horizontal positioning point is approximately 70mm to 100mm below the upper contraction end of the sleeve in the through hole of the mounting plate. Argon arc welding or self-fusion welding can be used to weld the mounting plate and sleeve within the specified dimensions. 2) Weld the lower end cap of the sleeve to the lower end of the sleeve. It is important that the center point of the nut for installing the sensor blind tube aligns with the center of the mounting hole on the upper contraction end of the sleeve. This is to provide installation space for the sensor blind tube. 3) Insert the circulating water outlet guide pipe from the contraction end of sleeve 3 into the lower mounting hole in the lower end cap of the sleeve. The length should be offset from the horizontal tie rod on the solar water heater bracket to facilitate pipe installation. Then weld the circulating water outlet guide pipe to the lower end cap. 4) Weld one end of the circulating return water pipe to the mounting hole of the circulating return water pipe. 5) After installing the sensor blind tube and checking for leaks, polish it to complete the process. See the finished product image below. Figure 11 As stated above.

[0038] like Figure 12 As shown in the schematic diagram of the modified structure, the assembly method is as follows: 1) First, drain the water stored in the traditional solar water heater to be modified; 2) Remove one of the collector tubes from the solar water heater; 3) Install the universal circulation guide pipe device according to the method of installing the collector tube; 4) Secure the universal circulation guide pipe device to the solar water heater tank with self-tapping screws or rivets; 5) Put on the silicone decorative ring; 6) Connect the circulation return pipe to the circulation inlet in the water circulation air source heat pump host through the pipe, and connect the circulation outlet in the host to the inlet in the universal circulation guide pipe assembly through the pipe, thereby forming a complete circulation system.

[0039] like Figure 13 As shown in the schematic diagram of the modified structure, its working principle is as follows: the low-temperature water in the solar water heater flows into the sleeve, and after passing through the return pipe, it enters the water circulation heat pump host through the pipeline and is heated. Through the action of the circulating water pump, the heated hot water flows back into the hot water area at the top of the water tank through the pipeline from the outlet of the circulating water guide pipe. The blind pipe is equipped with the sensors required by the host to control the start and stop of the host. The function of the silicone sealing ring is to seal between the solar water heater tank and the universal circulating guide pipe device.

[0040] The solar water heater tank is equipped with a water inlet, a steam outlet, a hot water outlet, and a vacuum collector tube. When installing a universal circulation guide pipe device, the key point is that the direction of the outlet should be opposite to that of the solar water heater tank outlet. The purpose is to prevent the high-temperature hot water area near the hot water outlet of the solar water heater from mixing with the lower cold water area, so that the area near the hot water outlet of the solar water heater can transition and rise stably.

Claims

1. A universal circulating diversion pipe device for retrofitting traditional solar water heaters, characterized in that... The system includes a mounting plate (1), a sleeve (2), a circulating water outlet guide pipe (3), a circulating water return pipe (4), and a sensor blind pipe (5). The mounting plate (1) has a through hole (101) at its center for connecting to the outer wall of the sleeve (2). The circulating water outlet guide pipe (3) and the sensor blind pipe (5) are inserted into the sleeve (2). The lower side wall of the sleeve (2) also has an integrally formed circulating water return pipe installation hole (201). The circulating water return pipe (4) is vertically connected to the sleeve (2) through the circulating water return pipe installation hole (201). The upper end of the sleeve (2) is an arc-shaped contraction opening (202). The inner edge of the arc-shaped contraction opening (202) is integrally formed with an upper mounting bracket for installing the sensor blind pipe (5). The lower end of the sleeve (2) is welded with a cap (204). The cap (204) is integrally provided with a lower mounting hole (205) for installing the sensor blind tube (5) and a guide tube mounting hole (206) for installing the circulating water guide tube (3). The upper mounting hole (203) is arc-shaped. The lower mounting hole (205) is provided with a blind tube mounting nut (207). The center point of the blind tube mounting nut (207) corresponds to the center point of the upper mounting hole (203). The upper end of the sensor blind tube (5) is a sealing end, and the lower end is equipped with an M-type waterproof connector (501) for wire anti-pull. The sensor blind tube (5) is provided with a sensor mounting hole (502) on the outer wall near the sealing end.

2. A universal circulating guide pipe device for retrofitting traditional solar water heaters as described in claim 1, characterized in that... The mounting plate (1) has four fixing holes (102) evenly distributed around its perimeter.

3. A universal circulating guide pipe device for retrofitting traditional solar water heaters as described in claim 1, characterized in that... The end of the circulating water outlet guide pipe (3) that extends into the water tank is the water outlet (301), which is set in a 90-degree bend and its setting direction is opposite to that of the solar water heater outlet.

4. A universal circulating diversion pipe device for retrofitting traditional solar water heaters as described in claim 1, characterized in that... One end of the circulating water return pipe (4) is provided with external or internal threads, and the other end is provided with an inner arc shape and is welded to the circulating water return pipe installation hole (201) in the sleeve (2).

5. A universal circulating guide pipe device for retrofitting traditional solar water heaters as described in claim 1, characterized in that... The general-purpose circulating guide pipe device also includes a silicone decorative ring (6), and the silicone decorative ring (6) is provided with a hole (601) for the circulating water guide pipe (3) and the sensor blind pipe (5) to pass through.

6. A universal circulating diversion pipe device for retrofitting traditional solar water heaters as described in claim 1, characterized in that... This universal circulation guide pipe device is fixedly connected to the solar water heater tank by self-tapping screws or rivets.

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