A gas appliance with adjustable water inlet temperature

Abstract

The application relates to a water inlet temperature adjustable gas device, which comprises a water path provided with a front water inlet section, a heat exchange section and a rear water outlet section, a gas path provided with a gas proportional valve and a sectional valve, a burner for burning gas, a fan for discharging combustion waste gas, a heat exchanger for heat exchanging and heating water in the heat exchange section, a water outlet temperature probe arranged in the rear water outlet section and a refrigeration module arranged in the front water inlet section and capable of adjusting the water inlet temperature; on the basis of adjusting the gas proportional valve and the sectional valve, the water inlet temperature is further adjusted in real time, and the problem of excessively high water outlet temperature caused by high-temperature water in summer is effectively reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of gas appliance technology, specifically to the field of gas equipment with adjustable inlet water temperature. Background Technology

[0002] Gas water heaters and gas boilers, which are widely used in homes and commercial establishments, work by heating cold water flowing through a heat exchanger with the heat generated by the combustion of gas, thereby achieving the function of constant temperature or set temperature water output.

[0003] In practical applications, especially during the hot summer season, the water supply network is affected by the ambient temperature, resulting in a significant increase in the inlet water temperature. At the same time, some areas experience problems such as low water pressure and small water flow.

[0004] Under these conditions, even if the gas proportional valve and sectional valve of a conventional gas water heater or gas wall-hung boiler are adjusted to the lowest load state, it is still difficult to effectively control the outlet water temperature, resulting in the actual outlet water temperature being higher than the user's set value, thus causing a decline in the user experience.

[0005] To address these issues, existing technologies often employ a cold water mixing device at the outlet to introduce some unheated cold water, thereby lowering the overall outlet water temperature. However, this method relies on an outlet water temperature feedback adjustment mechanism, which suffers from a lag in response and struggles to achieve rapid and stable temperature regulation.

[0006] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a rapid-response and energy-efficient solution that can pre-regulate the water temperature during the water intake stage to improve the problem of excessive temperature rise in summer. Summary of the Invention

[0007] To address the aforementioned problems, this application proposes a gas-fired appliance with adjustable inlet water temperature. The aim is to improve the problem of excessively high temperatures in summer by adding a controllable cooling module to the pre-inlet water section of the gas-fired appliance, thereby regulating the inlet water temperature during the inlet stage.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present application adopts the following technical solution:

[0009] A gas-fired device with adjustable inlet water temperature includes a water circuit with a pre-inlet section, a heat exchange section, and a post-outlet section; a gas circuit with a gas proportional valve and a segmented valve; a burner for burning gas; a fan for discharging combustion exhaust gas; and a heat exchanger for heating the water in the heat exchange section.

[0010] It also includes a water temperature probe installed in the rear water outlet section and a cooling module installed in the front water inlet section that can adjust the inlet water temperature.

[0011] Thus, by installing a cooling module in the pre-inlet section of the gas equipment, the cold water before entering the heat exchange section can be pre-regulated. Based on the adjustment of the gas proportional valve and segmented valves, the inlet water temperature can be further adjusted in real time, effectively reducing the problem of excessively high outlet water temperature caused by high-temperature inlet water in summer. At the same time, the entire water and gas circuit structure is rationally designed, does not affect the existing layout of the gas equipment, and has a fast response speed and high temperature control accuracy, significantly improving the operational stability and safety of the gas equipment under low water flow and high inlet water temperature conditions.

[0012] In some possible implementations, an inlet water temperature probe is also included, which is disposed in the pre-inlet section.

[0013] In some possible implementations, a water inlet tank is also included, located in the pre-inlet section, and the refrigeration module is located at the water inlet tank.

[0014] In some possible implementations, the cooling module includes a TEC cooling plate attached to the water inlet tank and a heat sink attached to the TEC cooling plate.

[0015] In some possible implementations, the heat sink is provided with a finned structure.

[0016] In some possible implementations, the cooling module may also include a fan located at the other end of the heat sink.

[0017] In some possible implementations, a bottom housing with an air inlet is included, with at least a portion of the air inlet located at the lower end of the refrigeration module.

[0018] In some possible implementations, a controller is also included that can receive the sensed temperatures of the inlet water temperature probe and the outlet water temperature probe, and adjust the gas proportional valve, the segmented valve, and the refrigeration module to regulate the outlet water temperature based on the sensed temperatures. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is an overall schematic diagram of the gas equipment in this application;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the refrigeration equipment in this application;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a system configuration diagram of the controller controlling the outlet water temperature in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The following examples further illustrate the features of this application and other related features in detail, to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art:

[0023] It should be noted that the terms “front,” “back,” “left,” “right,” “up,” and “down” used in the following description refer to the directions in the attached diagrams, while the terms “bottom surface,” “top surface,” “inner,” and “outer” refer to the directions toward or away from the geometric center of a specific component, respectively.

[0024] Furthermore, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this case based on the specific circumstances.

[0025] Please refer to Figure 1 This application discloses a gas-fired device with adjustable inlet water temperature. The gas-fired device can be a gas water heater, a gas wall-hung boiler, or other device that uses the heat generated by burning gas to heat cold water flowing through a heat exchanger to provide hot water. In this embodiment, a gas water heater is used as an example for illustration.

[0026] It includes a pre-inlet section 120, a heat exchange section 130, and a post-outlet section 140, arranged sequentially from the inlet 110 to the outlet 150 as a water path. The gas path includes a gas proportional valve 210 and a segmented valve 220. The gas proportional valve 210 has a shut-off solenoid valve and a proportional regulating valve, which control the opening and closing of the gas path and the regulation of the gas flow, respectively, thereby achieving constant temperature water output. The segmented valve 220 has at least two independently controlled gas output channels, which can selectively open the corresponding number of segments according to the water flow status and set temperature requirements, to achieve multi-stage fire switching of the burner, thereby effectively improving the operational stability and temperature control accuracy of the equipment under low water flow or low load conditions. The specific application structure design of the gas proportional valve 210 and the segmented valve 220 is a common technical means in the industry and will not be described in detail here.

[0027] Furthermore, the gas passing through the gas proportional valve 210 and the segmented valve 220 is burned in the burner 230, and heat exchange is performed on the heat exchange section 130 in the heat exchanger 300. Simultaneously, the combustion exhaust gas is discharged outdoors by the fan 400. At this point, the heat exchange section 130 is designed with a coiled tube configuration to ensure sufficient heat exchange. The specific application structure of the heat exchanger 300 and the heat exchange section 130 is a standard industry technique and will not be elaborated upon further.

[0028] Furthermore, a water temperature probe 101 is provided in the post-outlet section 140 to sense the water temperature after heat exchange in real time. It also includes a cooling module 10 located in the pre-inlet section 120 and capable of adjusting the inlet water temperature. To make the cooling module 10 more timely, an inlet water temperature probe 102 can be provided in the pre-inlet section 120 at its front end.

[0029] In some preferred embodiments, the pre-inlet section 120 is provided with an inlet tank 20, which can be a square buffer chamber with a volume larger than the water pipe. The material can be oxygen-free copper, commonly used in gas water heaters. The cooling module 10 is located at the position of the inlet tank 20, which increases the cooling area of ​​the cooling module 10 and improves cooling efficiency and water temperature stability.

[0030] Please refer to the reference. Figure 1 and Figure 2 Specifically, the cooling module 10 includes a TEC (Thermoelectric Cooler) cooling plate 11 attached to the water inlet tank 20, which is a thermoelectric cooling module based on the Peltier effect, and a heat sink 12 attached to the TEC cooling plate 11. The heat sink 12 can be made of aluminum, and preferably has a finned structure. One side of the TEC cooling plate 11 is attached to the water inlet tank 20, and the other side is attached to the heat sink 12. When the TEC cooling plate 11 is working, it cools the water in the water inlet tank 20 on one side, while generating heat on the other side, which is dissipated through the heat sink 12. Furthermore, the cooling module 10 also includes a fan 13 located at the other end of the heat sink 12, that is, at the other end relative to the attachment point of the TEC cooling plate 11. The fan 13 carries away the heat from the heat sink 12, protecting the components of the cooling module 10.

[0031] Furthermore, the TEC cooling plate 11 can be bonded to the heat sink 12 and the water inlet tank 20 using thermal grease or welding. Alternatively, clamps can be designed for bonding and fixing; there are no specific limitations on this. The fan 13 can also be fixed to the heat sink 12 using clamps.

[0032] Furthermore, the bottom shell 30 is provided with a plurality of air inlets 31. Preferably, at least some of the air inlets 31 are located at the lower end of the cooling module 10, so that external air can enter from the bottom and improve the air cooling effect of the fan 13.

[0033] Please refer to the reference. Figure 1 and Figure 3 The gas equipment of this application also includes a controller 500 that can receive the sensed temperatures of the inlet water temperature probe 102 and the outlet water temperature probe 101, and adjust the gas proportional valve 210, the segmented valve 220 and the refrigeration module 10 to regulate the outlet water temperature according to the sensed temperatures.

[0034] Thus, by installing a cooling module 10 in the pre-inlet water section 120 of the gas equipment, the cold water entering the heat exchange section 130 can be pre-regulated. Based on the adjustment of the gas proportional valve 210 and the segmented valve 220, the inlet water temperature can be further adjusted in real time, effectively reducing the problem of excessively high outlet water temperature caused by high-temperature inlet water in summer. At the same time, the entire water and gas circuit structure is rationally designed, does not affect the existing layout of the gas equipment, and has a fast response speed and high temperature control accuracy, significantly improving the operational stability and safety of the gas equipment under low water flow and high inlet water temperature conditions.

[0035] As a specific example of water outlet temperature control, when the air temperature is low, the inlet water temperature is around 25℃, and the water flow rate is a conventional 6-12L / min, the gas passes through the gas proportional valve 210 and the segmented valve 220 is fully open. The gas is then burned by the burner 230, and the heat is transferred to the water in the heat exchange section 130 through the heat exchanger 300. At the same time, the fan 400 discharges the exhaust gas generated by combustion to the outside. The water outlet temperature sensor 101 provides real-time feedback of the water outlet temperature to the controller 500. The controller 500 performs logic calculations to adjust the opening degree of the gas proportional valve 210 in real time, thereby achieving a constant water outlet temperature.

[0036] When the inlet water temperature is high in summer, such as 30-35℃, the water flow rate is the usual 6-12L / min, while the target bathing temperature is set at 40℃. At this time, all burners in the unit operate at minimum capacity, and the outlet water temperature will exceed the set target temperature of 40℃. In this situation, the controller 500, based on real-time feedback from the outlet water temperature probe 101, adjusts the segmented valve 220 to close some burners. This results in some burners igniting while others do not, thus reducing the minimum load and maintaining the set target temperature of 40℃ for constant water output.

[0037] However, when the inlet water temperature is high and the water flow is low in summer, such as 30-35℃ with a flow rate of 3-5L / min, even with minimum load operation and partial burner plate closure by the segmented valve 220, the outlet water temperature will still exceed the set target temperature of 40℃. At this time, the cooling module 10 starts, lowering the inlet water temperature from 30-35℃ to below 30℃ to meet the set target temperature of 40℃ for constant outlet water. Specifically, based on the outlet water temperature probe 101 and the inlet water temperature feedback from the inlet water temperature probe 102, the controller 500 outputs a control signal to the cooling module 10. The cooling module 10 then steplessly adjusts the power of the TEC cooling plate 11 and the speed of the fan 13 to achieve optimal cooling and energy-saving effects.

[0038] As stated above, this case protects a gas appliance with adjustable inlet water temperature, and all technical solutions that are the same as or similar to this case should be considered to fall within the scope of protection of this case.

Claims

1. A gas-fired device with adjustable inlet water temperature, characterized in that, It includes a water circuit with a pre-inlet section (120), a heat exchange section (130), and a post-outlet section (140), a gas circuit with a gas proportional valve (210) and a segmented valve (220), a burner (230) for burning gas, a fan (400) for discharging combustion exhaust gas, and a heat exchanger (300) for heating the water in the heat exchange section (130). It also includes an outlet water temperature probe (101) installed in the rear outlet section (140) and a refrigeration module (10) installed in the front inlet section (120) and capable of adjusting the inlet water temperature.

2. The gas-fired equipment with adjustable inlet water temperature as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an inlet water temperature probe (102) installed in the pre-inlet section (120).

3. A gas-fired device with adjustable inlet water temperature as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a water inlet tank (20) disposed in the pre-inlet section (120), and the refrigeration module (10) is disposed in the water inlet tank (20).

4. A gas-fired device with adjustable inlet water temperature as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The refrigeration module (10) includes a TEC refrigeration plate (11) attached to the water inlet tank (20) and a heat sink (12) attached to the TEC refrigeration plate (11).

5. A gas-fired device with adjustable inlet water temperature as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The heat sink (12) is provided with a fin structure.

6. A gas-fired device with adjustable inlet water temperature as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The cooling module (10) also includes a fan (13) disposed at the other end of the heat sink (12).

7. A gas-fired device with adjustable inlet water temperature as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It includes a bottom shell (30) with an air inlet (31), at least part of which is located at the lower end of the refrigeration module (10).

8. A gas-fired device with adjustable inlet water temperature as described in claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a controller (500) that can receive the sensed temperatures of the inlet water temperature probe (102) and the outlet water temperature probe (101), and adjust the outlet water temperature of the gas proportional valve (210), the segmented valve (220), and the refrigeration module (10) according to the sensed temperatures.

Images