Gas water heaters and their control methods

Abstract

This invention provides a gas water heater and its control method, belonging to the field of kitchen appliances. The gas water heater body includes an inlet pipe and a water inlet pipe; a condenser heat exchanger for generating condensate after the gas water heater is started; a water electrolysis module for electrolyzing the condensate supplied from the condenser heat exchanger; a first venturi tube disposed on the inlet pipe; and a controller electrically connected to the condenser heat exchanger, the water electrolysis module, and the first venturi tube. The water electrolysis module is connected to both the condenser heat exchanger and the first venturi tube, so that, under the control of the controller, the condensate supplied from the condenser heat exchanger is electrolyzed into hydrogen and oxygen, and the oxygen is mixed into the gas in the inlet pipe through the first venturi tube to form premixed gas. This gas water heater can electrolyze condensate into hydrogen and oxygen and mix the oxygen into the gas to form premixed gas, resulting in reduced noise, more complete combustion, and reduced hydroxide pollution.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of kitchen appliances, and in particular to a gas water heater and its control method. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, condensate water from gas water heaters is discharged directly outdoors through pipes. The unit requires a dedicated condensate drain outlet, and users need to connect a condensate drain pipe during installation; the installation area also needs a drainage channel.

[0003] Current gas water heaters produce sparkling water by adding air into the water. The water source is supplied via a dedicated connection to the municipal water supply.

[0004] Currently, all the combustion air required by gas water heaters must be drawn in from outside the machine via a fan. Drawing all the air in from outside necessitates a more powerful fan, which is also a noise source, resulting in significant noise during operation and poor user comfort. Furthermore, without premixing the combustion air, the airflow velocity is high, leading to loud combustion noise, incomplete combustion, and low thermal efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a gas water heater that can electrolyze condensate into hydrogen and oxygen, and mix the oxygen into the gas to form premixed gas, thereby reducing noise, making combustion more complete, and reducing hydroxide pollution.

[0006] Another objective of this invention is to provide a control method for a gas water heater.

[0007] To achieve the objectives of this invention, the following technical solution is adopted:

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a gas water heater is provided. The gas water heater includes a gas water heater body, a condensing heat exchanger, a water electrolysis module, a first Venturi tube, and a controller. The gas water heater body includes an inlet pipe and a water inlet pipe; the condensing heat exchanger is used to generate condensate after the gas water heater is started; the water electrolysis module is used to electrolyze the condensate supplied from the condensing heat exchanger; the first Venturi tube is disposed on the inlet pipe; and the controller is electrically connected to the condensing heat exchanger, the water electrolysis module, and the first Venturi tube; wherein the water electrolysis module is connected to both the condensing heat exchanger and the first Venturi tube, so that, under the action of the controller, it electrolyzes the condensate supplied from the condensing heat exchanger into hydrogen and oxygen, and introduces the oxygen into the gas in the inlet pipe through the first Venturi tube to form premixed gas.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the gas water heater further includes a fan for supplementing the premixed gas with any missing air.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the gas water heater further includes a second Venturi tube disposed on the water inlet pipe and electrically connected to the controller, wherein the second Venturi tube is also connected to the water electrolysis module, so that under the action of the controller, hydrogen gas is introduced into the water in the water inlet pipe through the second Venturi tube to form hydrogen-rich bubble water.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the gas water heater further includes a condensate collection box, which is installed on the connecting pipe between the condenser heat exchanger and the water electrolysis module, and is used to store condensate transported from the condenser heat exchanger.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the water electrolysis module includes: a water inlet, an oxygen outlet, and a hydrogen outlet, wherein the water inlet is connected to the condensate collection box, the oxygen outlet is connected to the first Venturi tube, and the hydrogen outlet is connected to the second Venturi tube.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the gas water heater further includes a water flow sensor, which is disposed on the connecting pipe between the water electrolysis module and the condensate collection box, for detecting the flow rate of condensate flowing into the water electrolysis module.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the gas water heater further includes: a gas proportional valve and a water pump, wherein the gas proportional valve is disposed on the gas inlet pipe, electrically connected to the controller, and is used to adjust the gas intake volume; the water pump is disposed on the water inlet pipe and is used to pump water into the gas water heater.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, a control method for a gas water heater as described above is provided, the method comprising: acquiring the real-time current I0 of a gas proportional valve; obtaining a proportional valve current coefficient K based on the acquired I0 and preset minimum load current I1 and maximum load current I2 of the proportional valve; and calculating the fan speed by checking whether there is a current signal in the water electrolysis module.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the proportional valve current coefficient K = (I0 - I1) / (I2 - I1).

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the step of calculating the fan speed by checking for the presence or absence of a current signal in the water electrolysis module includes: if the water electrolysis module has a current signal, then the fan speed is calculated based on... It is concluded that if the water electrolysis module has no current signal, the fan speed is based on... The results show that the excess air coefficient is 1.3, the ratio of natural gas to oxygen produced by water electrolysis is 1:0.5, the ratio of remaining natural gas to oxygen required for combustion is 1:0.8, and n = 2800 rpm.

[0018] One embodiment of the present invention has the following advantages or beneficial effects:

[0019] After the gas water heater of the present invention is working, it will produce condensate. The condensate is collected in the condensate collection box and then flows into the water electrolysis module. The controller provides positive and negative power electrodes to the water electrolysis module to electrolyze the condensate into hydrogen and oxygen.

[0020] When the gas water heater is working, the water pump runs, and hydrogen gas is introduced into the water through the second Venturi tube, producing hydrogen-rich bubble water. Bathing in hydrogen-rich bubble water can promote collagen synthesis in fibroblasts, remove free radicals, and prevent the death of keratinocytes, thus exerting a beauty and anti-wrinkle effect; bathing in hydrogen-rich water can also protect the skin from damage caused by ultraviolet rays.

[0021] Electrolysis of water utilizes condensate, eliminating the need for complex piping and valve internal structures, which can easily lead to machine malfunctions.

[0022] Electrolyzed oxygen is mixed into the gas through the first venturi tube in the gas circuit. Since the air for combustion in a gas water heater is generally drawn in by a fan, and the air contains only 21% oxygen with the other gases being unused, if all or most of the combustion gas is replaced by electrolyzed oxygen, only a portion of the air needs to be drawn in by the fan. The controller can be adjusted to stop the fan or run at a very low speed to meet the air volume required for combustion. A low-speed gas water heater has very low noise during operation, resulting in excellent comfort.

[0023] By premixing the gas and electrolytic oxygen, a high gas flow rate is no longer needed at the burner inlet to ignite the air required for combustion. In addition, the premixed electrolytic oxygen results in a low flame, which in turn reduces the overall combustion noise of the machine and improves user comfort.

[0024] In addition, most of the air required for combustion is replaced by electrolyzed oxygen. Moreover, the fuel gas and oxygen are well premixed, the excess air coefficient is small, combustion is complete, and the thermal efficiency is very high. At the same time, pure oxygen is electrolyzed, without N2 in the air, and the nitrogen oxides after combustion are very low, meeting the low nitrogen environmental protection requirements. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from a detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a gas water heater according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating a control method for a gas water heater according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0028] The reference numerals in the attached figures are explained as follows:

[0029] 1. Gas water heater body; 101. Gas inlet pipe; 102. Water inlet pipe; 2. Condensing heat exchanger; 3. Water electrolysis module; 31. Water inlet; 32. Oxygen outlet; 33. Hydrogen outlet; 4. First Venturi tube; 5. Controller; 6. Fan; 7. Second Venturi tube; 8. Condensate collection box; 9. Water flow sensor; 10. Gas proportional valve; 11. Water pump. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, these exemplary embodiments can be implemented in many forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, they are provided so that the invention will be thorough and complete, and the concept of the exemplary embodiments will be fully conveyed to those skilled in the art. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar structures, and therefore their detailed description will be omitted.

[0031] The terms “a,” “one,” “the,” and “the” are used to indicate the existence of one or more elements / components / etc.; the terms “including” and “having” are used to indicate an open-ended meaning of inclusion and that other elements / components / etc. may exist in addition to the listed elements / components / etc.

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a gas water heater provided by the present invention is shown.

[0033] The gas water heater of this invention includes a gas water heater body 1, a condensing heat exchanger 2, a water electrolysis module 3, a first Venturi tube 4, and a controller 5. The gas water heater body 1 includes an inlet pipe 101 and a water inlet pipe 102; the condensing heat exchanger 2 is used to generate condensate after the gas water heater is started; the water electrolysis module 3 is used to electrolyze the condensate delivered from the condensing heat exchanger 2; the first Venturi tube 4 is disposed on the inlet pipe 101; and the controller 5 is electrically connected to the condensing heat exchanger 2, the water electrolysis module 3, and the first Venturi tube 4; wherein, the water electrolysis module 3 is connected to the condensing heat exchanger 2 and the first Venturi tube 4 respectively, so that under the action of the controller 5, the condensate delivered from the condensing heat exchanger 2 is electrolyzed into hydrogen and oxygen, and the oxygen is introduced into the gas in the inlet pipe 101 through the first Venturi tube 4 to form premixed gas.

[0034] The gas water heater body 1 has an inlet pipe 102 on one side and an outlet pipe on the other. An air inlet pipe 101 is also introduced between the inlet and outlet pipes. The inlet pipe 102 exchanges heat through a condenser heat exchanger 2. Condensate from the condenser heat exchanger 2 enters a water electrolysis module 3 for electrolysis, ultimately producing hydrogen and oxygen. Oxygen is drawn from the water electrolysis module 3 into a first venturi riser 4 and mixed with the gas from the air inlet pipe 101 to form premixed gas, which then enters the burner for combustion. This premixing of gas and oxygen reduces or eliminates the need for external air intake, lowers noise levels, and reduces nitrogen oxide generation, achieving low-NOx environmental protection requirements.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the gas water heater further includes a fan 6 for supplementing the premixed gas with the required air.

[0036] like Figure 1 As shown, when the oxygen produced by electrolysis is insufficient, the blower 6 can be turned on to introduce some air. However, the proportion of this air is low, and the blower 6 maintains low power operation with low noise.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the gas water heater further includes a second Venturi tube 7, which is disposed on the water inlet pipe 102 and electrically connected to the controller 5. The second Venturi tube 7 is also connected to the water electrolysis module 3 so that hydrogen gas is introduced into the water in the water inlet pipe 102 through the second Venturi tube 7 under the action of the controller 5 to form hydrogen-rich bubble water.

[0038] like Figure 1 As shown, hydrogen gas is introduced into the water in the inlet pipe 102 through the second Venturi tube 7, which produces hydrogen-rich bubble water. Bathing in hydrogen-rich bubble water can promote collagen synthesis in fibroblasts, remove free radicals, and prevent the death of keratinocytes, thereby exerting a beauty and anti-wrinkle effect; bathing in hydrogen-rich water can protect the skin from damage caused by ultraviolet rays.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the gas water heater further includes a condensate collection box 8, which is installed on the connecting pipe between the condenser heat exchanger 2 and the water electrolysis module 3, and is used to store condensate delivered from the condenser heat exchanger 2.

[0040] like Figure 1 As shown, the condensate collection box 8 can store unused condensate for delivery to the water electrolysis module 3 when electrolysis is required.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the water electrolysis module 3 includes: a water inlet 31, an oxygen outlet 32 ​​and a hydrogen outlet 33, wherein the water inlet 31 is connected to the condensate collection box 8, the oxygen outlet 32 ​​is connected to the first venturi tube 4, and the hydrogen outlet 33 is connected to the second venturi tube 7.

[0042] like Figure 1 As shown, the combination of water electrolysis module 3 and condensate water eliminates the need for condensate water to be discharged outdoors, reducing the need for additional equipment connections. It also premixes oxygen into the gas and generates hydrogen-containing bubble water, achieving three benefits in one go.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the gas water heater further includes a water flow sensor 9, which is disposed on the connecting pipe between the water electrolysis module 3 and the condensate collection box 8, and is used to detect the flow rate of condensate flowing into the water electrolysis module 3.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the gas water heater further includes a gas proportional valve 10 and a water pump 11. The gas proportional valve 10 is disposed on the gas inlet pipe 101, electrically connected to the controller 5, and is used to adjust the gas intake volume; the water pump 11 is disposed on the water inlet pipe 102 and is used to pump water into the gas water heater.

[0045] like Figure 1 As shown, the gas proportional valve 10 can adjust the gas intake volume. The water pump 11 can provide sufficient circulation power for the incoming water.

[0046] Figure 2 A flowchart of a control method for a gas water heater provided by the present invention is shown.

[0047] like Figure 2 As shown, the control method for a gas water heater according to an embodiment of the present invention includes:

[0048] S1: Obtain the real-time current I0 of the gas proportional valve 10, and obtain the proportional valve current coefficient K based on the obtained I0 and the preset minimum load current I1 and maximum load current I2 of the proportional valve.

[0049] S2: The fan speed is calculated by checking whether there is a current signal in the water electrolysis module 3.

[0050] Wherein, the proportional valve current coefficient K = (I0 - I1) / (I2 - I1). If the water electrolysis module 3 has a current signal, the fan speed is determined according to... It is concluded that if there is no current signal in water electrolysis module 3, the fan speed is based on... The results show that the excess air coefficient is 1.3, the ratio of natural gas to oxygen produced by water electrolysis is 1:0.5, the ratio of remaining natural gas to oxygen required for combustion is 1:0.8, and n = 2800 rpm.

[0051] The proportional valve current coefficient K = (actual current of proportional valve - minimum load current of proportional valve) ÷ (maximum load current of proportional valve - minimum load current of proportional valve), that is, the actual load of the gas water heater is equal to the proportional valve current coefficient.

[0052] When oxygen is electrolyzed without water electrolysis, the fan speed is: That is, the rated speed of the fan. .

[0053] Based on an excess air coefficient of 1.3, the ratio of natural gas to oxygen required for combustion is 1:1.3, corresponding to a fan speed of [missing value]. .

[0054] When water electrolysis is present, the ratio of natural gas to oxygen produced by water electrolysis is 1:0.5. The remaining natural gas to oxygen required for combustion, in a ratio of 1:0.8, is supplied by the blower, with a corresponding rotation speed of [missing information]. .

[0055] After the gas water heater of the present invention is working, it will produce condensate. The condensate is collected in the condensate collection box 8 and then flows into the water electrolysis module 3. The controller 5 provides positive and negative power electrodes to the water electrolysis module 3 to electrolyze the condensate into hydrogen and oxygen.

[0056] After the gas water heater is turned on, the water pump 11 runs, and hydrogen gas is introduced into the water through the second Venturi tube 7, which produces hydrogen-rich bubble water. Bathing in hydrogen-rich bubble water can promote collagen synthesis in fibroblasts, remove free radicals, and prevent the death of keratinocytes, thereby exerting a beauty and anti-wrinkle effect; bathing in hydrogen-rich water can protect the skin from damage caused by ultraviolet rays.

[0057] Electrolysis of water utilizes condensate, eliminating the need for complex piping and valve internal structures, which can easily lead to machine malfunctions.

[0058] Electrolyzed oxygen is mixed into the gas through the first Venturi tube 4 in the gas circuit. Since the air for combustion in a gas water heater is generally drawn in by a fan, and the air contains only 21% oxygen with other gases being unused, if all or most of the combustion gas is replaced by electrolyzed oxygen, only a portion of the air needs to be drawn in by the fan. The controller 5 can be adjusted to stop the fan or run at a very low speed to meet the air volume required for combustion. The low-speed gas water heater has very low noise during operation and provides excellent comfort.

[0059] By premixing the gas and electrolytic oxygen, a high gas flow rate is no longer needed at the burner inlet to ignite the air required for combustion. In addition, the premixed electrolytic oxygen results in a low flame, which in turn reduces the overall combustion noise of the machine and improves user comfort.

[0060] In addition, most of the air required for combustion is replaced by electrolyzed oxygen. Moreover, the fuel gas and oxygen are well premixed, the excess air coefficient is small, combustion is complete, and the thermal efficiency is very high. At the same time, pure oxygen is electrolyzed, without N2 in the air, and the nitrogen oxides after combustion are very low, meeting the low nitrogen environmental protection requirements.

[0061] In this embodiment of the invention, the term "multiple" refers to two or more, unless otherwise explicitly defined. The terms "install," "connect," and "fix" should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connect" can mean a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this embodiment of the invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0062] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper" and "lower" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or unit referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the embodiments of the present invention.

[0063] In the description of this specification, the terms "an embodiment," "a preferred embodiment," etc., refer to a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example, which is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0064] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the embodiments of the present invention can have various modifications and variations. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the embodiments of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A control method for a gas water heater, characterized in that, The control method is applied to a gas water heater, the gas water heater comprising: The main body (1) of the gas water heater includes an inlet pipe (101) and a water inlet pipe (102). A condensing heat exchanger (2) is used to generate condensate after the gas water heater is started. A water electrolysis module (3) is used to electrolyze the condensate delivered from the condenser heat exchanger (2); A first venturi tube (4) is disposed on the intake pipe (101); and The controller (5) is electrically connected to the condenser heat exchanger (2), the water electrolysis module (3), and the first venturi tube (4). The water electrolysis module (3) is connected to the condenser heat exchanger (2) and the first venturi tube (4) respectively, so as to electrolyze the condensed water delivered by the condenser heat exchanger (2) into hydrogen and oxygen under the action of the controller (5), and introduce the oxygen into the gas in the gas inlet pipe (101) through the first venturi tube (4) to form premixed gas. A fan (6) is used to supplement the premixed gas with the required air; A gas proportional valve (10) is installed on the intake pipe (101), electrically connected to the controller (5), and is used to adjust the gas intake volume; The control method includes: Obtain the real-time current I0 of the gas proportional valve (10), and obtain the proportional valve current coefficient K based on the obtained I0 and the preset minimum load current I1 and maximum load current I2 of the proportional valve. The fan speed is calculated by checking whether there is a current signal in the water electrolysis module (3).

2. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The second Venturi tube (7) is disposed on the water inlet pipe (102) and electrically connected to the controller (5). The second Venturi tube (7) is also connected to the water electrolysis module (3) so that the hydrogen gas is introduced into the water in the water inlet pipe (102) through the second Venturi tube (7) under the action of the controller (5) to form hydrogen-rich bubble water.

3. The control method according to claim 2, characterized in that, Also includes: A condensate collection box (8) is installed on the connecting pipe between the condenser heat exchanger (2) and the water electrolysis module (3) to store the condensate transported from the condenser heat exchanger (2).

4. The control method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The water electrolysis module (3) includes: a water inlet (31), an oxygen outlet (32) and a hydrogen outlet (33), wherein the water inlet (31) is connected to the condensate collection box (8), the oxygen outlet (32) is connected to the first venturi tube (4), and the hydrogen outlet (33) is connected to the second venturi tube (7).

5. The control method according to claim 3, characterized in that, Also includes: A water flow sensor (9) is installed on the connecting pipe between the water electrolysis module (3) and the condensate collection box (8) to detect the flow rate of condensate flowing into the water electrolysis module (3).

6. The control method according to claim 4, characterized in that, Also includes: A water pump (11) is installed on the water inlet pipe (102) and is used to pump water into the gas water heater.

7. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The proportional valve current coefficient K = (I0 - I1) / (I2 - I1).

8. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The calculation of fan speed by checking for the presence or absence of current signal in the water electrolysis module (3) includes: If the water electrolysis module (3) has a current signal, the fan speed will be determined according to... It can be concluded that; If the water electrolysis module (3) has no current signal, the fan speed is determined according to... It can be concluded that; The excess air coefficient is 1.3, the ratio of natural gas to oxygen produced by water electrolysis is 1:0.5, the ratio of remaining natural gas to oxygen required for combustion is 1:0.8, and n=2800 rpm.

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