Vacuum tube type solar water heater outer tube anti-freezing system

By setting up sensors in a vacuum tube solar water heater and using a micro water pump to realize water circulation, the problem of water pipe freezing in winter is solved, and the effect of saving energy, reducing costs and improving the reliability of hot water supply is achieved.

CN119958117APending Publication Date: 2025-05-09ANHUI HUADIAN SUZHOU POWER GENERATION
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202510243989.7
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-03-03
Publication Date
2025-05-09

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing vacuum tube solar water heaters are prone to freezing the water pipes in low temperature environments in winter, resulting in the inability to use hot water. The existing anti-freeze solution has problems such as high cost and inconvenient use.

Method used

A vacuum tube-type solar water heater outer pipe anti-freeze system is designed. By setting a water level sensor in the water storage tank, a temperature sensor is set on the outdoor water pipe, and water circulation is realized using a micro water pump and circulating water pipe to prevent the water pipe from freezing.

Benefits of technology

It effectively solves the problem of vacuum tube solar water heater preventing freezing in low-temperature environments in winter, saves electricity, reduces usage costs, and improves the reliability of hot water supply.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The invention provides a vacuum tube type solar water heater outer tube anti-freezing system which comprises a control assembly, an outdoor temperature sensor is arranged on an outdoor water feeding pipe, and the control assembly is connected with the outdoor temperature sensor and a water level sensor through wires. A water feeding control valve is arranged on an indoor pipeline of the water feeding pipe, a circulating water control valve and a micro water pump are arranged on a water discharging pipeline at a water using position, and the circulating water control valve is connected with the water feeding pipe through a circulating water pipe and is mounted on the water feeding pipe above the water feeding control valve through a tee joint; the control assembly detects an outdoor temperature value sent by the outdoor temperature sensor, when the outdoor temperature value is lower than a set value, the water feeding control valve is normally closed, the circulating water control valve is conducted, the micro water pump is started to enable water to circulate in the pipeline, and the micro water pump and the circulating water control valve are closed after circulation is conducted for a set time. Through cooperation of the structural design and the control method, freezing prevention can be achieved, the problem that hot water can be discharged only when a large amount of cold water is discharged during active water using can be solved, and water is saved.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention discloses an outer pipe antifreeze system for a vacuum tube type solar water heater, belonging to the technical field of solar water heaters. Background Art

[0002] Solar water heaters convert sunlight into heat energy, heating water from low temperature to high temperature to meet people's hot water needs in life. Vacuum tube household solar water heaters are composed of heat collecting tubes, water storage tanks, brackets and other related accessories. The conversion of solar energy into heat energy mainly depends on the heat collecting tubes. The heat collecting tubes use the principle that hot water floats and cold water sinks to make the water produce microcirculation to achieve the required hot water. Solar water heaters generally use water pressure to pump cold water into the water storage tank, and then transfer the heat to the insulated water storage tank through the collector. The water storage tank is connected to the indoor water pipeline. Existing vacuum tube solar water heaters mostly use one pipe as the upper and lower water pipes (both the cold water and the hot water pass through this pipe). In the winter in central my country, the temperature is less than minus 10 degrees for nearly 3 months. The upper and lower water pipes of solar energy must be insulated. Once the low temperature freezes the water in the upper and lower water pipes, it is difficult to melt even if the temperature during the day is above zero, resulting in the inability to use hot water.

[0003] In order to solve this problem, some solutions are given in the prior art. For example, CN2017212526572 discloses a self-freezing solar water heater, in which a winter antifreeze device for the solar water heater is designed. The winter antifreeze device for the solar water heater includes upper and lower water pipes, water and air pipes and a driving device. One end of the upper and lower water pipes extends into the water tank, and the other end extends into the room. The water and air pipes are arranged in the water tank, one end of the water and air pipes is connected with the upper and lower water pipes, and the other end of the water and air pipes is connected with the driving device through a traction rope. When the driving device drives the water and air pipes to rise, the water and air pipes are connected with the decompression air layer at the top of the water tank. The water in the water and air pipes flows out and is discharged through the upper and lower water pipes under the action of gravity, thereby playing an antifreeze role. When the driving device drives the water and air pipes to descend, the hot water in the water tank is diverted to the room.

[0004] The emptying method adopted in the structure disclosed in this patent makes it possible to prevent freezing by eliminating water from the upper and lower water pipes.

[0005] For another example, CN201920058087.6 discloses a heat storage type solar water heater with a water pipe antifreeze function, which adds a connecting elbow, a control valve, a gear, a motor, a piston rod, a cylinder body and a fixed block. In the process of realizing pipe antifreeze, with the coordinated use of the connecting elbow and the control valve, the connecting elbow is a double-layer pipe, and antifreeze liquid is placed between the two layers, which protects the connecting elbow from being damaged by freezing to a certain extent. In addition, through the coordinated use of the motor and the piston, the forward and reverse rotation of the motor is controlled by an external control switch to realize the connection and closing of the water outlet pipe and the water inlet pipe, which is conducive to draining the water in the pipe at the bottom of the control valve after the hot water is used, and plays a good antifreeze role.

[0006] This patent is a double-pipe structure for water supply and drainage. The antifreeze design is on the drainage pipe, and the water supply pipe is not taken into consideration. This is obviously not feasible, and the principle of drainage antifreeze is also the emptying method.

[0007] Another example is CN200920043373.1 Solar water heater water tank and water pipe water emptying antifreeze device, which also uses valve to control pipe emptying. At the same time, we retrieved the design scheme of the relevant emptying valve.

[0008] Although emptying is technically feasible, there are problems in actual use. For example, for a single water pipe, the water supply and drainage are both in the same pipe. After the water tank is full, the water supply valve is indoors. If the water supply valve is closed, water will naturally accumulate in the water supply and drainage pipes. During the drainage process, the drain valve in the above technical solution can be used. However, for example, hot water in the kitchen and hot water in the bathroom are both controlled by faucets. Turning off the faucet is an active behavior. How does the drain valve operate at this time? In addition, if we expand and extend the above technical solution and set drain valves at the water heater and the household water inlet, the water in the pipe will be wasted, and too many devices will be invested, and the cost of use will be high. Summary of the invention

[0009] In order to solve the problems existing in the prior art, we analyze the disadvantages of the current intelligent water supply rooftop solar water heaters, which are roughly divided into two points: First, when only one pipe is used for water supply and drainage, the solar water heater is placed on the top of the building. The lower the floor of the user, the more cold water will flow out first when draining water, which wastes water and time, and needs to wait for the cold water to drain out; Second, in winter, even if the indoor water supply and drainage pipes have good insulation effects, they will freeze if not used for a long time, and the method of adding heating belts outdoors requires a power supply, resulting in a large amount of power waste, and most indoor pipes are buried in the wall or underground during decoration, and it is very difficult to add heating belts to the part of the pipes located in the wall where the water supply and drainage pipes pass through the wall into the room; Third, the emptying scheme, as analyzed in the background technology, not only increases the cost, but also has certain problems in implementation. For this reason, many users have abandoned this solar water heater.

[0010] After analysis and research, we have developed a vacuum tube solar water heater outer tube antifreeze system. The specific technical solution is as follows: An antifreeze system for an outer tube of a vacuum tube solar water heater comprises a control component, a water level sensor is arranged in a water storage tank, an outdoor temperature sensor is arranged on an outdoor water supply pipe, and the control component is connected to the outdoor temperature sensor and the water level sensor through an electric wire; A water inlet, a water outlet and an exhaust port are arranged on the water storage tank, the water inlet is connected to the upper water pipe, the water outlet is connected to the lower water pipe, a water supply control valve is arranged on the pipe of the upper water pipe located indoors, a circulating water control valve and a micro water pump are arranged on the lower water pipe at the water use location, the circulating water control valve is connected to the upper water pipe through the circulating water pipe, and is installed on the upper water pipe located above the upper water supply control valve through a tee; The control component detects the outdoor temperature value sent by the outdoor temperature sensor. When the value is lower than the set value, the water supply control valve is normally closed, the circulating water control valve is turned on, the micro water pump is started, and the water circulates through the downpipe, circulating water pipe, and water supply pipe. After circulating for a set time, the micro water pump and the circulating water control valve are closed.

[0011] Furthermore, a water supply manual valve is arranged on the pipeline below the water supply control valve, and the water supply manual valve is in a normally open state. The water supply manual valve is a spare valve, which is closed when the water supply electromagnetic control valve is damaged, so as to facilitate the replacement of the damaged valve.

[0012] Furthermore, a manual water discharge valve is arranged at the indoor part of the sewer pipe, and the manual water discharge valve is in a normally open state. The manual water discharge valve is a spare valve, which is closed when other control valves on the sewer pipe are damaged, so as to facilitate replacement of the damaged valve.

[0013] Furthermore, a tee is provided on the sewer pipe below the manual sewer valve, wherein the circulating water control valve and the micro water pump are connected to one side of the tee through a pipeline, and the water valve is installed on the other side of the tee.

[0014] Furthermore, a water tank temperature sensor and a heating tube are also provided in the water tank, and the control component is electrically connected to the water tank temperature sensor and the heating tube. According to the temperature value transmitted by the water tank temperature sensor, when the temperature value is lower than a set value, the heating tube is powered for heating, and when the temperature reaches the set value, the heating tube is powered off and stops heating.

[0015] Furthermore, when water is actively used, the water use switch on the control component is pressed. The control component first controls the circulating water control valve to be turned on, and the micro water pump is started. Water circulates through the downpipe, circulating water pipe, and uppipe. After circulating for a set time, the micro water pump and the circulating water control valve are closed, and the water use valve is opened to supply hot water.

[0016] Furthermore, when the water level value transmitted by the water level sensor to the control component reaches the low setting value, the control component controls the micro water pump and the circulating water control valve to close, and the water supply control valve to open to supply water. When the water level in the water tank reaches the high setting value, the water supply control valve closes to stop supplying water.

[0017] Furthermore, the water supply pipe and the water supply pipe are coated with thermal insulation material.

[0018] Furthermore, an indoor temperature sensor is arranged on the sewer pipe. When the value is lower than the set value, the water supply control valve is normally closed, the circulating water control valve is turned on, the micro water pump is started, and the water circulates through the sewer pipe, the circulating water pipe and the water supply pipe. After circulating for a set time, the micro water pump and the circulating water control valve are closed, so that warm water or hot water is directly output when water is used.

[0019] The beneficial technical effects of the present invention are: 1. Use micro water pumps, circulating water control valves, circulating water pipes and outdoor sensors to transform existing solar water heaters, measure temperature and control water, and use water circulation to solve the problem of antifreeze of existing upper and lower water pipes; 2. The micro water pump has low energy consumption and is automatically controlled by control components, with low use and modification costs; 3. The added structure, combined with the control method, can not only prevent freezing, but also solve the problem of releasing a large amount of cold water to produce hot water when actively using water, thus saving water. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The present invention is further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of Embodiment 1 of the present invention; In the figure: 1. controller, 2. water supply pipe, 3. water supply control valve, 4. outdoor temperature sensor, 5. water storage tank, 6. water level sensor, 7. sewer pipe, 8. water supply manual valve, 9. sewer manual valve, 10. micro water pump, 11. circulating water control valve, 12. water valve, 13. circulating water pipe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Example

[0022] like Figure 1The application of an outer tube antifreeze system of a vacuum tube solar water heater in a bathroom is shown, wherein a controller 1 is arranged indoors, and the vacuum tube solar water heater is installed on the roof. A water inlet, a water outlet and an exhaust port are arranged on a water storage tank 5 of the solar water heater, the water inlet is connected to a water supply pipe 2, and the water outlet is connected to a water supply pipe 7. A water level sensor 6 is arranged in the water storage tank 5, and an outdoor temperature sensor 4 is arranged on the outdoor water supply pipe 2. The control component 1 is connected to the outdoor temperature sensor 4 and the water level sensor 6 through electric wires; a water supply control valve 3 is arranged on the indoor pipeline of the water supply pipe 2, and a water supply manual valve 8 is arranged on the pipeline of the water supply pipe 2 below the water supply control valve 3, and the water supply manual valve 8 (a hand-tightened pipe valve) is in a normally open state.

[0023] A manual water discharge valve 9 is provided at the indoor part of the water discharge pipe 7, and the manual water discharge valve 9 is in a normally open state. A three-way connection is provided on the water discharge pipe below the manual water discharge valve 9, wherein a circulating water control valve 11 and a micro water pump 10 are connected to one side of the three-way connection through a pipeline, and a water valve 12 is installed on the other side of the three-way connection.

[0024] The circulating water control valve 11 is connected to the water supply pipe 2 via the circulating water pipe 13 , and is installed on the water supply pipe above the water supply control valve 3 via a tee.

[0025] The controller 1 detects the outdoor temperature value sent by the outdoor temperature sensor 4. When the value is equal to 2°C, the water supply control valve 3 is normally closed, the circulating water control valve 11 is turned on, the micro water pump 10 is started, and the water circulates through the downpipe 7, the circulating water pipe 13, and the water supply pipe 2. After circulating for 3 minutes, the micro water pump 10 and the circulating water control valve 11 are closed.

[0026] When the water level value transmitted to the controller 1 by the water level sensor 6 reaches the low setting value, the controller 1 controls the micro water pump 10 and the circulating water control valve 11 to close, and the water supply control valve 3 to open the water supply. When the water level in the water tank 5 reaches the high setting value, the water supply control valve 3 is closed to stop the water supply.

[0027] When actively using water, press the water switch on the controller 1, the controller 1 first controls the circulating water control valve 11 to be turned on, the micro water pump 10 is started, and the water circulates through the downpipe 7, the circulating water pipe 13, and the uppipe 2. After 30 seconds of circulation (one cycle is enough, the time is adjustable), the micro water pump 10 and the circulating water control valve 11 are closed, and the water valve 12 is opened to supply hot water.

[0028] When you are not taking a shower, the temperature sensor set at the lowest outdoor temperature detects that the water temperature in the pipe is equal to 2°C, the controller 1 starts the micro pump 10, opens the circulating water control valve 11 (solenoid valve), the water supply control valve 3 (solenoid valve) is closed, and the water starts to circulate in the water supply pipe and the water supply pipe, and circulates for 3 minutes (based on the circulation in the water supply pipe and the water supply pipe becoming hot water), and the micro pump 10 and the circulating water control valve 11 are closed. When the outdoor temperature sensor 4 detects that the water temperature in the pipe is equal to 2°C again, the controller 1 controls the micro pump to start and circulate again, and the water temperature in the pipe is always kept above 2°C. Note: the water supply control valve 3 is always closed if it is not for water supply.

[0029] When you are ready to take a bath, press the water switch on the controller 1, open the circulating water control valve 11, start the micro water pump 10, and it will automatically shut down after circulating for 3 minutes. At this time, open the hot water valve for water use to immediately release hot water, and the water temperature is synchronized with the temperature in the solar water storage barrel at this time. Open the cold water valve to adjust and you can take a bath. After taking a bath, if the water level drops to the automatic water filling setting position, start the automatic water filling program; if it does not reach the automatic water filling position of the probe, you can also manually press the water filling key of the controller 1 to force water filling immediately.

[0030] This double-circulation control method for rooftop solar water heaters without cold water (antifreeze) realizes the function that the outer pipe of the lowest greenhouse in winter will not freeze when using the rooftop solar water heater, and hot water can be immediately produced for bathing in all seasons. The micro water pump has only 10 watts of power and consumes 1 kWh of electricity for 100 hours. Because the lowest temperature in winter is below 2°C, it needs to circulate only when it circulates for three minutes each time, and no electricity is needed for the whole winter. In other seasons (temperature is above 2°C), it only circulates for three minutes when using water, and 2,000 cycles consume 1 kWh of electricity, so the cost of use caused by power consumption can be ignored. Example

[0031] Compared with Example 1, in this example, an indoor temperature sensor is set on the sewer pipe. When the value is lower than the set value, the water supply control valve is normally closed, the circulating water control valve is turned on, the micro water pump is started, and the water circulates through the sewer pipe, the circulating water pipe, and the water supply pipe. After circulating for a set time, the micro water pump and the circulating water control valve are closed, so that warm water or hot water is directly output when water is used.

[0032] The above setting value can be set according to actual needs, such as setting 20 degrees. In this way, when the pipe temperature is lower than 20 degrees, it will start circulating. When we wash dishes and vegetables in winter, we can directly get warm water until the hot water in the solar energy comes down. There is no need to put a basin of cold water before getting warm or hot water. It not only saves water resources, but also realizes the use mode of heating when the valve is opened, which brings excellent experience to users. Example

[0033] For places where the external environment temperature is colder, further insulation design is required. Insulation materials should be coated on the water supply pipe and the water supply pipe. In addition, a water tank temperature sensor and a heating pipe should be set in the water tank. The control component electrically connects the water tank temperature sensor and the heating pipe. According to the temperature value transmitted by the water tank temperature sensor, when the temperature value is lower than the set value (set to 20℃), the control component supplies power to the heating pipe for heating. When the temperature reaches the set value (set to 40℃), the heating pipe is de-energized and stops heating.

[0034] When the external ambient temperature is too low, the water in the pipe may cool down too quickly. Too many cycles at night may cause the water temperature in the water tank to drop too much. At this time, based on Example 1, a water tank temperature sensor and a heating pipe are added to the water tank 1 to force the water in the water tank to be heated.

[0035] The environment used in this embodiment is relatively harsh. In most cases, this situation will not occur, but such an environment does exist. This embodiment can be used to solve the problems caused by such an environment, and the corresponding increase in cost is not much.

[0036] The above embodiments are explanations and illustrations of the technical solutions of the present invention and cannot be regarded as limitations of the technical solutions of the present invention. Simple modifications based on the present invention or modifications combined with the prior art are all within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vacuum tube solar water heater outer tube antifreeze system, characterized in that: The utility model comprises a control component, a water level sensor is arranged in a water storage tank, an outdoor temperature sensor is arranged on an outdoor water supply pipe, and the control component is connected to the outdoor temperature sensor and the water level sensor through electric wires; a water inlet, a water outlet and an exhaust port are arranged on the water storage tank, the water inlet is connected to the water supply pipe, the water outlet is connected to the water supply pipe, a water supply control valve is arranged on the pipe where the water supply pipe is located indoors, a circulating water control valve and a micro water pump are arranged on the water supply pipe at the water use location, the circulating water control valve is connected to the water supply pipe through the circulating water pipe, and is installed on the water supply pipe located above the water supply control valve through a tee; the control component detects the outdoor temperature value sent by the outdoor temperature sensor, when the value is lower than the set value, the water supply control valve is normally closed, the circulating water control valve is turned on, the micro water pump is started, water circulates through the water supply pipe, the circulating water pipe and the water supply pipe, after circulating for a set time, the micro water pump and the circulating water control valve are closed.

2. The vacuum tube solar water heater outer tube antifreeze system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A water supply manual valve is arranged on the water supply pipe below the water supply control valve, and the water supply manual valve is in a normally open state.

3. The vacuum tube solar water heater outer tube antifreeze system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The part of the sewer pipe located indoors is provided with a manual sewer valve, which is in a normally open state.

4. The vacuum tube solar water heater outer tube antifreeze system according to claim 3, characterized in that: A tee is arranged on the sewer pipe below the manual sewer valve, wherein a circulating water control valve and a micro water pump are connected to one side of the tee through a pipeline, and a water valve is installed on the other side of the pipeline of the tee.

5. The vacuum tube solar water heater outer tube antifreeze system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A water tank temperature sensor and a heating tube are also provided in the water tank. The control component is electrically connected to the water tank temperature sensor and the heating tube. According to the temperature value transmitted by the water tank temperature sensor, when the temperature value is lower than a set value, the heating tube is powered for heating. When the temperature reaches the set value, the heating tube is de-energized and stops heating.

6. The vacuum tube solar water heater outer tube antifreeze system according to claim 1, characterized in that: When actively using water, press the water switch on the control component. The control component first controls the circulating water control valve to be turned on, and the micro water pump starts. Water circulates through the downpipe, circulating water pipe, and uppipe. After circulating for a set time, the micro water pump and circulating water control valve are closed, and the water valve is opened to supply hot water.

7. The vacuum tube solar water heater outer tube antifreeze system according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the water level value transmitted to the control component by the water level sensor reaches the low setting value, the control component controls the micro water pump and the circulating water control valve to close, and the water supply control valve to open to supply water. When the water level in the water tank reaches the high setting value, the water supply control valve closes to stop supplying water.

8. The vacuum tube solar water heater outer tube antifreeze system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper water pipe and the lower water pipe are coated with heat-insulating materials.

9. The vacuum tube solar water heater outer tube antifreeze system according to claim 1, characterized in that: An indoor temperature sensor is arranged on the sewer pipe. When the temperature is lower than the set value, the water supply control valve is normally closed, the circulating water control valve is turned on, the micro water pump is started, and the water circulates through the sewer pipe, the circulating water pipe and the water supply pipe. After circulating for a set time, the micro water pump and the circulating water control valve are closed, so that warm water or hot water is directly output when water is used.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

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