Water heater and controller for water heater
The water heater controller and sensor system powered by thermoelectric effect solves the problem of traditional water heater sensors relying on batteries or the power grid, achieving self-powered operation and reliable gas detection, thus ensuring safety.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202390000282.8
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-03-28
- Filing Date
- 2023-03-08
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-23
- Estimated Expiration
- 2033-03-08
AI Technical Summary
The CO sensors in existing water heaters rely on batteries or grid power, which leads to frequent battery replacements or failure to function during power outages, making it impossible to reliably detect carbon monoxide and other harmful gases.
A thermoelectric power system is used to power the controller and sensors, independent of batteries and the power grid. It uses a thermopile to convert thermal energy into electrical energy to power the CO sensor and controller, thus achieving autonomous power supply.
It enables the CO sensor to continue working even when power is interrupted or battery replacement is inconvenient, ensuring reliable detection and timely alarm of carbon monoxide and other harmful gases in the water heater.
Smart Images
Figure CN223709932U_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor for a water heater using fuel combustion as an energy source, such as a CO sensor. BACKGROUND
[0002] A water heater (also called a boiler) is a device used to provide hot water in various situations. As an energy source (fuel), some water heaters use natural gas, other fossil fuels, or solid fuels. As an example of natural gas, in various adverse situations (e.g. malfunction in the equipment, incorrect installation of the water heater, or a natural disaster), the natural gas can not be combusted sufficiently (incomplete combustion), and thus carbon monoxide (CO) can be produced.
[0003] To detect CO in a house, a CO sensor is used. The CO sensor can be placed in various locations, such as close to or on a water boiler. For normal operation, an ordinary CO sensor requires an energy source. Providing the energy source can be difficult. For example, if the energy source is a battery, the CO sensor is limited by the battery life, and the user has to replace the battery regularly to ensure that the CO sensor operates normally. If the energy source is grid power, the sensor can stop working in situations where the power supply is broken (e.g. after a storm).
[0004] Similarly, instead of or in addition to CO, the water heater can produce or leak other gases. To detect these gases, dedicated sensors can be used. These sensors can suffer from similar problems regarding the power, i.e. if powered by a battery, the battery can need to be replaced regularly, and when powered by the grid, the sensor can stop working if the grid power supply is interrupted for some reason.
[0005] The present invention aims to alleviate these and other problems. SUMMARY
[0006] In a first aspect, a controller for a water heater is provided. The controller comprises: a power source configured to power components of the controller, wherein the power source is independent of a battery or grid power and uses the thermoelectric effect; and a gas sensor powered from the controller via the power source, wherein the gas sensor is configured to be located outside the controller and connected to the controller, and wherein the controller is configured to trigger an alarm if a gas concentration in the vicinity of the gas sensor is above a predetermined threshold.
[0007] In a second aspect, a water heater is provided. The water heater comprises a controller as described in the first aspect and a heat source, wherein the heat source utilizes fuel combustion.
[0008] In a third aspect, there is provided a method of operating a water heater controller as described in the first aspect. The method includes the steps of: detecting, by a gas sensor, a gas level in the vicinity of the sensor; generating, by the gas sensor, a signal indicative of the gas level; transmitting, by the gas sensor, the signal to the controller; determining, by the controller, based on the signal, that the gas level is above a threshold; generating, by the controller, a warning message; and causing, by the controller, a cessation of fuel combustion in the water heater.
[0009] Further embodiments are outlined in the independent claims and their dependent claims and the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] A specific embodiment of the present application will now be described by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a water heater having a controller and a sensor in accordance with the present application; and
[0012] Figure 2 is a flowchart of an example operation of a water heater controller. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] The following description is for purposes of illustration and is not intended to be limiting. Various elements of the embodiments described below can be combined in appropriate ways when appropriate. When the description describes a "water heater", it is to be understood that the present application will also work for other devices that utilize fuel combustion (fuel combustion devices). Similarly, when the description refers to a "CO sensor", it is to be understood that a wide variety of sensors that detect something other than CO can be used. Similarly, when the description refers to "natural gas", it is to be understood that other fuels (e.g., another fuel in gaseous or liquid form, such as propane, fuel oil, etc.) can be used.
[0014] Figure 1 An example water heater 1 is shown schematically in Fig. 1. The water heater 1 can include a tank 100 for storing hot water generated by the water heater 1, a controller 101, and a sensor 110.
[0015] The tank 100 can be of any suitable shape and size. The heat source 108 can be combined with the tank 100 into one device, or it can be provided as a separate unit. In an embodiment, the heat source can be two-part, with a first part for delivering hot water for a short period of time, and a second part for maintaining the water temperature at a certain pre-set level.
[0016] The controller 101 includes a CPU 102. The CPU has a memory (not shown) that stores instructions for controlling the water heater 1 and / or various components of the water heater 1 and the controller 101, as described below.
[0017] The controller 101 can further comprise means 103 for changing settings of the water heater 1. The means 103 can be used, for example, to set a desired water temperature, a desired time for the water heater to heat water, and so on. The means 103 can be or can comprise, for example, a dial(s), a control switch(es), a selector switch(es), a button(s), a touch screen, and so on.
[0018] The controller 101 can further comprise a wireless module 104. The wireless module can serve as a means of communication between the controller 101 and an external device (not shown). The external device can be, for example, a user device such as a remote control, a smartphone, a computer, or a tablet. The external device can be a control panel that controls central heating and / or security in a home. In some embodiments, there can be more than one external device. In such cases, the external devices can be of the same or different types. The wireless module 104 can communicate settings and other information between the controller and the external device. For example, the wireless module can operate based on a protocol such as WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and so on.
[0019] The controller 101 can further comprise a power source 105. The power source 105 can utilize a thermoelectric generator, i.e., a device that converts heat energy into electrical energy. Thermoelectric generators work on the principle of the thermoelectric effect, i.e., the generation of an electric voltage when two dissimilar metals (thermocouple) are exposed to a temperature difference. In the water heater 1, the temperature difference can be, for example, between the outside of the water heater 1 (which can be, for example, room temperature) and the inside of the water heater 1 near the heat source 108 (which can be, for example, several hundred degrees Celsius, e.g., 600°C). In embodiments with a two-part heat source, the temperature difference can be, for example, between the outside of the water heater 1 and the vicinity of the second heat source (the heat source used to maintain the water temperature at a certain pre-set level). The power source 105 operating on this principle can generate sufficient energy to power the controller 101, all its components, and all devices connected to it, including the sensor 110.
[0020] In some embodiments, the power source 105 utilizing a thermoelectric generator can consist of a single thermocouple. Such a power source 105 with a single thermocouple can be inexpensive and / or easy to manufacture and implement, and still provide sufficient power to the controller 101, all its components, and all devices connected to it, including the sensor 110. For example, a single-thermocouple power source 105 can generate 5 mW to 30 mW. A CO sensor can require 2 μW to 10 μW.
[0021] In some embodiments, a different sensor than a CO sensor can be used. For example, one or more of the following can be used: a CO2sensor, a hydrogen sensor, a methane sensor. In some embodiments (e.g., using a CO2sensor instead of or in addition to a CO sensor), the sensor 110 can require more power than is available from a single thermocouple. In such a case, the power source 105 can include more than one thermocouple. In such a case, the number of thermocouples in the power source 105 will be selected based on the type of sensor 110 used.
[0022] The controller 101 can further include one or more ports 107a-107n. The ports 107a-107n can be used to connect various components to the controller 101 and / or to the CPU 102. For example, the ports 107a-107n can be used to connect one or more sensors to the controller 101 and / or the CPU 102.
[0023] The controller 101 can further include an ignition control 106 that, based on instructions from the CPU 102, can instruct an igniter (not shown) to initiate combustion of fuel in the heat source 108. The heat source 108 then heats water. The heated water can be used immediately (e.g., for washing or heating for a household) or it can be stored in the water tank 100 for later use. The igniter can be of any known type, such as piezoelectric.
[0024] The heat source 108 obtains energy from combustion of fuel. The fuel can be, for example, natural gas, propane, fuel oil, or other gaseous or liquid fuel. The combustion of fuel can generate an amount of carbon monoxide (CO), for example, due to incomplete combustion. Independent of this, in certain situations, a malfunctioning device can leak and / or produce other harmful gases, including fuel. To detect the amount of these substances, a sensor 110 can be provided. In the following description, the sensor 110 is described as a CO sensor, but it is understood that the present invention will work similarly with other sensors, such as a hydrogen sensor, a methane sensor, and the like.
[0025] The sensor 110 preferably detects whether the level (amount) of CO in the vicinity of the sensor 110 (e.g., in the room in which the water heater is located) is above a threshold value. The sensor 110 can be a conventional CO sensor. For example, the sensor 110 can be of the electrochemical type, in which the measured voltage is used as an indicator of the level of CO.
[0026] The sensor 110 can be located on the surface of the water tank 100. The sensor 110 can be located in a position where CO can be generated, for example, close to the heat source 108 or close to the fuel combustion. The sensor 110 can be located in a position where CO can accumulate, for example, in or close to the upper part of the water tank 100 (where "upper part" is used in this context to mean the upper part when the water tank 100 is installed and used). The sensor 110 can be located in any other suitable position. Preferably, both the sensor 100 and the controller 101 are located on the water tank 100 of the water heater 1.
[0027] The sensor 110 is connected to the controller 101 so that the sensor 110 can report the CO level to the controller 101. The sensor 110 is preferably connected to one of the ports 107a-107n provided on the controller 101. In the example shown in Figure 1, the sensor 110 is connected to the port 107a via the wire or cable 109 and is thus connected to the controller 101 and the CPU 102. Figure 1 The wire 109 connecting the sensor 110 to one of the ports 107a of the controller 101 can be used to transmit information from the sensor 110 to the controller 101. It can also be used as a power source for the sensor 110. In other words, the sensor 110 can also be powered from the (above described) thermoelectric power source 105 together with the controller 101.
[0028] The sensor 110 can not have wireless capabilities. This reduces the energy consumption of the sensor 110. The sensor 110 can transmit the voltage measured at the sensor 110 to the CPU 102 via the wire 109. Upon receiving the measured voltage, the CPU 102 can determine whether the CO level is above a predetermined threshold. When it is determined that the CO level is above the threshold, an alarm can be triggered.
[0029] If a dangerous level of CO is detected (e.g., if the CO level is above a pre-set threshold), the CPU 102 can cause the fuel combustion in the heat source 108 to stop. In addition, the CPU 102 can use the wireless module 104 to transmit a message to an external device to alert the user(s).
[0030] Figure 2 An example operation of the sensor 110 and the controller 101 is shown.
[0031] In step S1, the sensor 110 detects the CO level. Based on the detected CO level, the sensor 110 generates a signal indicative of the CO level.
[0032] In step S2, the sensor 110 transmits the signal indicative of the CO level to the controller 101, preferably via the wire 109.
[0033] In step S3, the CPU 102 of the controller 101 determines that the CO level is above a predetermined threshold. The threshold can for example be stored in a memory (not shown) of the controller 101. The threshold can be based on a CO level that is harmful to humans, and it can be stored in the memory when the controller 101 is manufactured, and / or it can be updated periodically via a connection to an external device (not shown).
[0034] In step S4, the CPU 102 generates an alert message. The alert message can comprise information that the CO level is above the threshold. In some embodiments, the alert message can also comprise the detected CO level.
[0035] In step S5, the controller 101 stops the fuel combustion to minimize further generation of CO, and outputs the alert message. This alert message can be output in the form of an alarm. The alert message can be output in the form of a light indication (e.g. a warning light of a specific color, a flashing light, etc.). In embodiments, it can be advantageous to take the alarm message in the form of a light indication, as it can be energy efficient, and visible even in situations where it would be difficult to hear a sound alarm (e.g. in a noisy environment).
[0036] Alternatively or additionally, the alert message can be transmitted to an external device, e.g. a remote control, a control panel, a user's smartphone, etc. The external device can then output a sound alarm, or use other means to alert the user of the fact that the CO level is above the threshold. The alert message can be transmitted from the controller 101 to the external using the wireless module 104.
[0037] It is to be understood that the method described above is for illustration only. One or more of the method steps described above can be modified as appropriate. For example, the alert message can be provided according to regulatory requirements. For example, additional steps can be added to the steps described above.
[0038] In some embodiments, the controller 101 can be equipped with the sensor 110 at installation. In such cases, it can be advantageous to connect the sensor 110 to the controller 101 via a wire 109, as the sensor 110 can be located in a different location than the controller 101. The location of the controller 101 can thus be convenient for the user (e.g. easily accessible by the user), while the location of the sensor 110 can be suitable for measuring the CO level (e.g. close to the combustion where CO can be generated, or close to the ceiling where CO can accumulate).
[0039] In some embodiments, a new sensor 110 can be added to an existing controller 101. In such a case, the sensor 110 is connected to one of the existing ports 107a-107n of the controller 101 by a wire 109. The memory of the controller 101 is updated with appropriate instructions regarding the operation of the sensor 110 and the threshold level of CO (voltage representative of the level of CO) to be employed.
[0040] The sensor 110 as described herein can be advantageous in situations where autonomy of the sensor 110 is required. As described above, the sensor 110 is powered by the controller 101 via the wire 109. The controller 101 is in turn powered by a thermoelectric, which is a source independent of grid power or a battery. This can be advantageous in places where grid power supply can be cut off, whether it is a power outage or regular maintenance, or where monitoring and replacing a battery can be inconvenient or impossible.
[0041] In an embodiment, the water tank 100 can be omitted, and the water heater 1 can be of the continuous heating type. In such an embodiment, the controller 101 can be placed directly on the water heater. The sensor 110 and the controller 101 then operate in the manner outlined above.
Claims
1. A controller for a water heater, comprising: a power source configured to power components of the controller, wherein the power source is independent of a battery or grid power and uses a thermoelectric effect; and a gas sensor powered from the controller via the power source, wherein the gas sensor is configured to be located outside of the controller and connected to the controller, and wherein the controller is configured to trigger an alarm if a gas concentration in proximity to the gas sensor is above a predetermined threshold, wherein the power source uses a thermoelectric stack.
2. The controller of claim 1, wherein, The thermoelectric stack comprises a single thermocouple.
3. The controller of claim 1, wherein, The thermoelectric stack comprises two or more thermocouples.
4. The controller of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, wherein, The gas sensor is a CO sensor, a methane sensor, or a hydrogen sensor.
5. The controller of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, further comprising an igniter configured to initiate fuel combustion.
6. The controller of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, wherein, The gas sensor is connected to the controller via a wire or cable connected to a port provided in the controller.
7. The controller of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, further comprising means for changing settings of the water heater.
8. The controller of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, further comprising a CPU configured to control operation of the water heater and / or the components of the controller.
9. The controller of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, further comprising a wireless module configured to communicate with an external device.
10. The controller of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, further comprising a wireless module configured to transmit an alert message from the controller to an external device.
11. A water heater, comprising: the controller of any one of claims 1 to 10; and a heat source, wherein the heat source utilizes fuel combustion.
12. The water heater of claim 11, further comprising a water tank, wherein, The controller and the sensor are located on the water tank.
13. A water heater as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12 wherein, The sensor is located in a location where there is a possibility of generation or accumulation of the gas.