Hot water heating device

Abstract

A hot water heating device (1) comprising a heating chamber (3) having a water inlet (4) for feeding water (5) into the heating chamber (3) and a water outlet for removing hot water (5) from the heating chamber (3). The water outlet comprises an outlet duct (7) having a suction opening (9) arranged within the heating chamber (3) at a distance from a bottom (18) of the heating chamber (3) and facing a top side opposite the bottom (18) of the heating chamber (3). The hot water heating device (1) further comprises a heating element (11) arranged within the heating chamber (3) for heating the water (5) within the heating chamber (3). The water outlet further comprises a steam bubble retaining device (15) forming a water inlet duct (23) extending into the suction opening (9) of the water outlet and preventing steam bubbles (13) from flowing through the suction opening (9) of the outlet duct (7). The steam bubble retaining device (15) comprises a water inlet duct (23) having a water inlet opening (24) and a socket opening (25) extending into the suction opening (9) of the outlet duct (7), whereby the cross-sectional area of the water inlet opening (24) of the water inlet duct (23) is larger than the cross-sectional area of the suction opening (9) of the outlet duct (7).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hot water heating device comprising a heating chamber having an inlet for supplying unheated water into the heating chamber and an outlet for removing hot water from the heating chamber, wherein the outlet includes an outlet pipe having a suction opening disposed within the heating chamber at a distance from the bottom of the heating chamber and facing a top side opposite to the bottom of the heating chamber, the hot water heating device further comprising a heating element disposed within the heating chamber for heating the water within the heating chamber. Background Technology

[0002] This type of hot water heating device is commonly referred to as a boiler and is used to provide hot water within a building. It is supplied with cold water from a source, typically a public water supply system. The device requires only power to power the heating element installed in the heating chamber. Stationary hot water heating devices are usually permanently connected to a storage tank, typically installed within the building's water supply system. Portable hot water heating devices can be manually filled with cold water, which is then heated and stored in the heating chamber until the hot water is removed from the device.

[0003] In many hot water systems, the heating element is located near the bottom of the heating chamber. Therefore, even if the heating chamber is only partially filled with water, the full heating capacity can be achieved as long as the heating element is completely surrounded by the water stored within the chamber. Furthermore, heated water rises to the top of the heating chamber, while cooler water accumulates at the bottom.

[0004] Heated water is removed from the heating chamber through an outlet pipe with a suction opening located a short distance from the bottom of the heating chamber. This facilitates the extraction of hot water accumulated in the upper area and avoids extracting colder water and scale and other unwanted particles such as rust or dirt that have accumulated in the lower area of ​​the heating chamber. Therefore, the suction opening of the outlet pipe is typically located near the bottom of the heating chamber, but above or within the height range of the heating element.

[0005] However, operating the heating element also generates small steam bubbles. Due to buoyancy, these steam bubbles also rise to the top of the heating chamber. These small steam bubbles are mobile in the water within the heating chamber and typically rise slowly to the top until they break the surface, depending on the water level within the heating chamber.

[0006] If water is drawn from the heating chamber, a volume of water will be discharged through the outlet, resulting in a suction flow of water that flows through the suction opening and through the outlet pipe until the water is distributed by the outlet opening. If steam bubbles pass through the suction opening of the outlet pipe and water is drawn into the outlet pipe through the suction opening, many steam bubbles will also be drawn into the outlet pipe and entrained by the water flow passing through the outlet pipe.

[0007] Many hot water heating systems also include a pump located outside the heating chamber along an outlet pipe. During operation, the pump creates a suction effect, drawing water from the heating chamber into the outlet pipe through a suction opening for discharge. If steam bubbles are carried along with the water flow through the outlet pipe, these bubbles will accumulate inside the pump, and the increased amount of steam within the pump will reduce its suction efficiency.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need for a hot water heating device that reduces the amount of steam bubbles drawn into the outlet pipe during heating by the heating element. Summary of the Invention

[0009] This invention relates to a hot water heating device as described above, wherein the outlet further includes a steam bubble retaining device that forms an inlet pipe extending into a suction opening of the outlet and preventing steam bubbles from flowing through the suction opening of the outlet conduit. The steam bubble retaining device can be designed to redirect the suction flow and thus prevent the suction of water containing a large number of steam bubbles through the suction opening. By separating the suction volume into which water to be removed from the heating chamber enters from the area where steam bubbles accumulate (i.e., the area above the heating element), the number of steam bubbles drawn into the outlet conduit can be significantly reduced. The flow velocity of the suction flow through the suction opening can also be reduced, which will allow many steam bubbles to escape from the suction flow and continue to rise to the top of the heating chamber. If the flow velocity of the suction flow is less than the rising velocity of the steam bubbles, most or all of the steam bubbles will continue to rise to the top, and very few or none of the steam bubbles will enter the outlet conduit.

[0010] The steam bubble retainer can be manufactured separately and installed on top of the outlet pipe. The steam bubble retainer can be form-fitted or force-fitted to the outlet pipe. If the material of the steam bubble retainer is the same as the material of the outlet pipe, or if a suitable material match exists, the steam bubble retainer can be material-fitted to the outlet pipe. Alternatively, the steam bubble retainer can be integrally formed with the outlet pipe.

[0011] According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the steam bubble holding device includes an inlet pipe having an inlet opening and a sleeve opening extending into a suction opening of an outlet pipe, whereby the cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet opening of the inlet pipe is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the suction opening of the outlet pipe. The flow velocity of water through the pipe with the reduced pipe cross-sectional area increases. Therefore, since the cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet opening is larger than that of the suction opening, the flow velocity of the suction flow through the suction opening will be greater than the flow velocity of the water entering the inlet pipe at the inlet opening. By increasing the cross-sectional area at the inlet opening relative to the suction opening, the flow velocity at the inlet opening will be much lower, and many steam bubbles moving through the inlet opening will not be drawn into the inlet opening, even if the same steam bubbles were not arranged at the suction opening of the outlet pipe.

[0012] The inlet pipe can have a circular cross-section. It can also have an elliptical or polygonal cross-section. The shape of the cross-section can vary along the flow path through the inlet pipe. The cross-sectional area of ​​the sleeve opening can match the cross-sectional area of ​​the suction opening in the outlet pipe. However, the cross-sectional area of ​​the sleeve opening can also be smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the suction opening.

[0013] The difference in cross-sectional area between the inlet and suction openings defines the difference in flow velocity. The velocity of the suction flow through the outlet pipe is preset by the pump suction during pump operation. Therefore, the cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet opening can be designed to be large enough to prevent most of the steam bubbles passing through the inlet opening along the inlet pipe from entering.

[0014] According to another aspect of the invention, the inlet pipe is installed on top of the outlet pipe, and the inlet opening is located a distance above the suction opening of the outlet pipe. Therefore, the inlet opening is located above the suction opening, and the water drawn into the suction opening of the outlet pipe must flow downwards through the inlet pipe. During the initial flow of water through the inlet pipe at a low velocity, steam bubbles can escape from the flow at a low velocity and rise upwards, returning to the heating chamber through the inlet opening.

[0015] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the inlet pipe is funnel-shaped. The funnel-shaped inlet pipe has several different and advantageous aspects. All steam bubbles rising upwards from the lower region along the inlet pipe will be deflected outwards at a very low velocity and away from the center of the inlet opening to the outer region of the inlet opening's cross-section. Furthermore, the cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet opening is much larger than that of the suction opening, resulting in a large velocity difference (i.e., a very low velocity at the inlet opening of the inlet pipe). The inlet pipe may have a continuously decreasing cross-sectional area from the inlet opening to the sleeve opening. The cross-sectional area of ​​the sleeve opening may be greater than or preferably equal to the cross-sectional area of ​​the suction opening of the outlet pipe. Moreover, this funnel-shaped inlet pipe facilitates the drainage of water from the heating chamber during maintenance or repair operations.

[0016] In another embodiment of the invention, the sleeve opening of the inlet pipe is located within the sloping bottom surface of the inlet pipe, whereby the cross-sectional area of ​​the bottom surface of the inlet pipe is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the suction opening of the outlet pipe. This design of the inlet pipe will produce a favorable flow distribution along the inlet pipe (especially near the sleeve opening corresponding to the suction opening). The sloping bottom surface also supports water discharge.

[0017] According to another aspect of the invention, the steam bubble holding device includes a cap-shaped tubular inlet pipe that surrounds the end region of an outlet pipe having a suction opening, wherein the inlet opening of the inlet pipe is located a distance below the suction opening. Therefore, water flowing through the outlet pipe must enter the inlet pipe at the inlet opening located below the suction opening, which reduces the risk of steam bubbles passing through the inlet opening and being drawn into the inlet pipe and subsequently into the outlet pipe. The lower the position of the inlet opening, the fewer steam bubbles can enter the inlet pipe. Furthermore, the farther the inlet opening is from the heating element, the fewer steam bubbles can enter the inlet pipe.

[0018] For the inlet pipe, the inlet opening can also have a larger cross-sectional area than the suction opening. Therefore, the two effects combine: the lower position of the inlet opening reduces the number of steam bubbles, and the larger cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet opening compared to the suction opening reduces the flow rate.

[0019] The cross-section of the inlet pipe can be, for example, circular, elliptical, or polygonal. The inlet pipe can surround the end region of the outlet pipe, thus forming an annular inlet pipe cross-section around the outlet pipe, allowing water to flow through the surrounding inlet pipe into the outlet pipe, which is arranged along the centerline of the inlet pipe. Alternatively, the inlet pipe can contact one side of the outlet pipe and form an inlet pipe flow path extending parallel to the outlet pipe, whereby the flow through the inlet pipe is upward and the flow through the outlet pipe is downward.

[0020] According to another aspect of the invention, the upper end of the cap-shaped tubular water inlet pipe includes a vent. Therefore, even if steam bubbles are drawn into the water inlet opening of the cap-shaped tubular water inlet pipe, due to buoyancy, the steam bubbles will be carried towards the upper end of the cap-shaped water inlet pipe and will accumulate there. The steam bubbles will then escape through the vent and rise to the top of the heating chamber. The vent should be significantly smaller than the suction opening, such that no water or only a very small amount of water is drawn into the upper end of the cap-shaped water inlet pipe through the vent. The vent can be designed to support steam bubble leakage into the heating chamber, but to prevent water from being drawn into the water inlet pipe and suction opening through the vent. Multiple vents can be arranged at the upper end of the cap-shaped water inlet pipe, for example, evenly spaced along the outer periphery of the upper end of the water inlet pipe.

[0021] The heating element can be a heating plate located at or near the bottom of the heating chamber. A heating coil can also be used, arranged in the lower region of the heating chamber and allowing for rapid heating of the water within. To further reduce the risk of steam bubbles entering the inlet opening of the water inlet pipe, the inlet opening can be located below the heating element within the heating chamber. Therefore, all steam bubbles generated during the operation of the heating element will rise towards the top of the heating chamber and will not pass through the inlet opening located below the heating element. The arrangement of the inlet opening below the heating element is not limited to a position directly below the heating element, but includes any location within the heating chamber at a water level lower than the water level at the lowest part of the heating element that generates steam bubbles. Therefore, the inlet opening can be located vertically below the heating element but horizontally spaced from it, which further reduces the risk of any steam bubbles entering the inlet opening of the water inlet pipe. When the inlet opening is located below the upper region of the heating element, it is advantageous to monitor the water level within the heating chamber to avoid over-operation of the heating element without sufficient water around it, which could lead to overheating.

[0022] The arrangement of the steam bubble retaining device as described above reduces the number of steam bubbles drawn into the outlet pipe during water discharge. For example, if the outlet pipe points downwards and the outlet opening is arranged below the suction opening of the outlet pipe, water removal can be achieved solely by gravity.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the hot water heating device includes a pumping device operably connected to an outlet pipe for pumping hot water from the heating chamber through a suction opening into the outlet pipe. Therefore, the discharge of water from the heating chamber is more comfortable for the user. The flow rate of water through the outlet pipe depends solely on the operation of the pumping device, and not on the height of the water level relative to the inlet opening of the steam bubble holding device. Therefore, even if the water level drops to near the inlet opening due to water discharge from the heating chamber, the flow rate will not change due to variations in water pressure at the inlet opening. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The invention will be more fully understood upon reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, and further features will become apparent. The drawings are merely representative and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. In fact, those skilled in the art will recognize upon reading the following specification and examining the accompanying drawings that various modifications and variations can be made to the invention without departing from the inventive concept. Similar components depicted in the drawings are referred to by the same reference numerals.

[0025] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a hot water heating device with a steam bubble retaining device is shown, wherein the steam bubble retaining device includes a cap-shaped tubular inlet pipe that surrounds the end region of an outlet pipe;

[0026] Figure 2 A perspective view of a steam bubble retaining device is shown, which is similar to Figure 1 The steam bubble holding device shown;

[0027] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 The schematic diagram shown illustrates another embodiment of a hot water heating device with a steam bubble retaining device.

[0028] Figure 4 It shows Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the hot water heating device shown illustrates another embodiment with a steam bubble retaining device; and

[0029] Figure 5 It shows Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the hot water heating device shown is another embodiment of which has a steam bubble retaining device. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Figure 1 and Figures 3 to 5The hot water heating device 1 shown includes a housing 2 that encloses a heating chamber 3. The hot water heating device includes an inlet pipe 4 for supplying water 5 into the heating chamber 3. The inlet pipe 4 may be permanently connected to a water storage tank, such as a building's water supply system. The inlet for water 5 may also be formed by a removable cover 6 or a closable opening in the cover 6, allowing manual filling of the heating chamber 3 with water. The hot water heating device 1 also includes an outlet with an outlet pipe 7 that protrudes through the housing 2 into the interior 8 of the heating chamber 3. Water 5 removed from the interior 8 of the heating chamber 3 enters the outlet pipe 7 through a suction opening 9 and flows through the outlet pipe 7 until water is distributed from the outlet pipe 7. A pumping device 10 is operatively connected to the outlet pipe 7. When the pumping device 10 is operating, water 5 is drawn from the interior 8 of the heating chamber 3 through the suction opening 9 into the outlet pipe 7, and then pumped by the pumping device 10 from the outlet pipe 7 towards the extraction device via a suction pipe 27.

[0031] The hot water heating device 1 also includes a heating element 11 with a heating coil 12, which is installed inside the heating chamber 3 8. During operation of the heating element 11, the heating coil 12 releases heat to the surrounding water 5 inside the heating chamber 3 8 and heats the water 5 to a preset temperature, for example, that can be measured by a temperature sensor.

[0032] During the operation of the heating element 11, the heated heating coil 12 generates steam bubbles 13 in the surrounding water 5. Due to the buoyancy of the steam bubbles 13 in the water 5, they slowly rise to the top 14 of the heating chamber 3, as indicated by the dashed arrow. Due to the turbulence and fluctuations of the water 5 in the heating chamber 3, the steam bubbles 13 not only move vertically upward, but may also move laterally or even temporarily slightly downward.

[0033] To prevent steam bubbles 13 from being drawn into the outlet pipe 7 through the suction opening 9 and subsequently into the pumping device 10, a steam bubble holding device 15 is arranged at the suction opening 9 of the outlet pipe 7. Figure 1 The steam bubble holding device 15 shown includes a cap-shaped tubular water inlet pipe 16 that surrounds the upper region of an outlet pipe 7 having a suction opening 9. The cap-shaped tubular water inlet pipe 16 includes an inlet opening 17 located near the bottom 18 of the heating chamber 3 and below or relative to the vertical direction of the heating coil 12. Therefore, water 5 drawn into the suction opening 9 must enter the cap-shaped tubular water inlet pipe 16 through the annular inlet opening 17 located near the bottom 18 of the heating chamber 3, which significantly reduces the number of steam bubbles 13 that can be forced into the cap-shaped tubular water inlet pipe 16.

[0034] The cap-shaped tubular water inlet pipe 16 includes a vent 19 located at the top side 20 of the cap-shaped tubular water inlet pipe 16. When steam bubbles 13 enter the cap-shaped tubular water inlet pipe 16 through the water inlet opening 17, the steam bubbles 13 will move to the top side 20 of the cap-shaped tubular water inlet pipe 16 and can exit the cap-shaped tubular water inlet pipe 16 through the vent 19.

[0035] Figure 2 An improved design of the cap-shaped tubular water inlet pipe 16 is shown. The top side 20 does not include this tapered section. At the opposite ends 21 of the cap-shaped tubular water inlet pipe 16, there are several serrated protrusions 22. If the cap-shaped tubular water inlet pipe 16 is installed on the bottom 18 of the heating chamber 3, water 5 can enter the cap-shaped tubular water inlet pipe 16 between the serrated protrusions 22.

[0036] Figures 3 to 5 A schematic diagram of a hot water heating device 1 is shown, which has different embodiments of an inlet pipe 23 attached to an outlet pipe 7. In all embodiments, the inlet pipe 23 includes a tubular or funnel-shaped section having an inlet opening 24 at one end and a sleeve opening 25 at the opposite end, such that the cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet opening 24 is larger than that of the sleeve opening 25. The inlet pipe 23 is connected to the outlet pipe 7 such that the sleeve opening 25 is attached to and extends into the suction opening 9 of the outlet pipe 7. The inlet pipe 23 is designed and arranged such that the inlet opening 24 is located above the sleeve opening 25, i.e., higher than the sleeve opening 25 in the vertical direction. Because the inlet opening 24 has a larger cross-sectional area than the sleeve opening 25, the flow velocity of the water 5 flowing from the heating chamber 3 into the outlet pipe 7 through the inlet pipe 23 is much lower at the inlet opening 24 than at the sleeve opening 25. Therefore, the flow rate preset at the suction opening 9 of the outlet pipe 7 by the operation of the pumping device 10 is reduced by the inlet pipe 23, and even smaller at the inlet opening 24. The size of the inlet pipe 23 can be preset to reduce the flow rate at the inlet opening 24 to a sufficiently low value to prevent any entry of steam bubbles 13, which rise adjacent to the inlet pipe 23 and pass through the inlet opening 24 on their upward path up to the top 14 of the heating chamber 3.

[0037] Figure 3 The water inlet pipe 23 shown is funnel-shaped and extends continuously in the direction from the sleeve opening 25 to the water inlet opening 24.

[0038] Figure 4The inlet pipe 23 shown has a tubular cylindrical shape with a flat bottom surface 26 aligned horizontally. A sleeve opening 25 is located in the middle of the bottom surface 26. The cross-sectional area of ​​the sleeve opening 25 is smaller than that of the bottom surface 26. Therefore, the flow velocity of the water 5 flowing through the inlet pipe 23 is much slower at the inlet opening 23 than at the sleeve opening 25 (which is close to and equal to the suction opening 9 of the outlet pipe 7).

[0039] Figure 5 The water inlet pipe 23 shown is similar to Figure 4 The water inlet pipe 23 shown is different in that the bottom surface 26 is tilted and aligned, so that the sleeve opening 25 is positioned near the circumferential edge at the lower part of the bottom surface 26. Figure 5 The design and arrangement of the inlet pipe 23 shown supports the escape of steam bubbles 13 (which are drawn into the inlet pipe 23 due to the turbulence and fluctuation of water 5 in the area above the sleeve opening 25) and also facilitates the drainage of water during maintenance or repair operations.

Claims

1. A hot water heating device (1) comprising a heating chamber (3) having an inlet (4) for supplying water (5) into the heating chamber (3) and an outlet for removing hot water (5) from the heating chamber (3), wherein the outlet includes an outlet pipe (7) having a suction opening (9) disposed within the heating chamber (3) at a distance from the bottom (18) of the heating chamber (3) and facing a top side opposite the bottom (18) of the heating chamber (3), the hot water heating device (1) further comprising a heating element (11) disposed within the heating chamber (3) for heating the water (5) within the heating chamber (3), characterized in that, The outlet also includes a steam bubble retaining device (15) which forms an inlet pipe that extends into the suction opening (9) of the outlet and prevents steam bubbles (13) from flowing through the suction opening (9) of the outlet pipe (7). The steam bubble retaining device (15) includes an inlet pipe with an inlet opening, the cross-sectional area of ​​which is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the suction opening (9) of the outlet pipe (7).

2. The hot water heating device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inlet pipe has a sleeve opening (25) that extends into the suction opening (9) of the outlet pipe (7).

3. The hot water heating device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inlet pipe is installed on top of the outlet pipe (7), and the inlet opening is located at a distance above the suction opening (9) of the outlet pipe (7).

4. The hot water heating device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The water inlet pipe is funnel-shaped.

5. The hot water heating device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The sleeve opening (25) of the water inlet pipe is located inside the inclined bottom surface (26) of the water inlet pipe, so that the cross-sectional area of ​​the bottom surface (26) of the water inlet pipe is greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the suction opening (9) of the outlet pipe (7).

6. The hot water heating device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inlet pipe is a cap-shaped pipe that surrounds the end region of the outlet pipe (7) with a suction opening (9), wherein the inlet opening of the inlet pipe is located at a distance below the suction opening (9).

7. The hot water heating device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The water inlet of the water inlet pipe is located below the heating element (11) inside the heating chamber (3).

8. The hot water heating device (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The upper end of the water inlet pipe includes a vent (19).

9. The hot water heating device (1) according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The pumping device (10) is operatively connected to the outlet pipe (7) for pumping hot water (5) from the heating chamber (3) through the suction opening (9) into the outlet pipe (7).

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