HEATING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETECTING COMBUSTION GAS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a heating device according to claim 1. In addition, the invention includes methods for detecting combustion gas.

[0002] Heating devices with heating elements in which carbon-containing fuels are burned are known. This combustion produces combustion gases such as CO2, which are removed from the heater through an exhaust pipe. However, the heating element may be leaking, allowing combustion gases to enter the heater's interior. If this remains undetected for a long time, damage to the heater and the heating element, for example, due to overheating, can occur. Furthermore, the efficiency of the heater is drastically reduced if the heating elements are leaking. Such devices are known from US5807098.

[0003] Based on this, the invention is based on the object of further improving the heating devices for electrical machines known in the prior art and of providing a heating device that detects a leak in a heating element and reacts accordingly.

[0004] To solve this problem, the combinations of features specified in the independent patent claims are proposed. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0005] The description further characterizes and specifies the invention, particularly in connection with the figures.

[0006] The heating device with the heating element accommodating combustion heats a medium in thermal contact with the heating element using the waste heat from the combustion. The combustion gas, e.g. CO2, is produced as a product of the combustion. According to the invention, the heating device can be protected by a detection means for the combustion gas in a heating device. For this purpose, the detection means is positioned within a housing of the heating device so that combustion gas escaping from a heating element of the heating device and accumulating within an interior space of the housing is detected. For this purpose, the detection means is designed with a housing in which a spectroscopy unit with a sensor for detecting the combustion gas and a detection means control are positioned. The housing has openings for the entry of the mixture of combustion gas and air from the interior of the housing of the heating device.The combustion gas entering the enclosure is analyzed by the spectroscopy unit, and the sensor detects a specific concentration of a certain type of combustion gas, such as CO2. The concentration can be, for example, between 2,000 and 10,000 ppm (parts per million). To prevent dirt such as dust from entering the detection device through the openings, the opening is directed downwards in the direction of gravity. Furthermore, the sensor is also directed downwards so that no dirt or incoming liquid can deposit on the sensor. The opening can, for example, have a cross-section of approximately 19 mm2. For example, the opening can be provided by a circular hole with a diameter of 5 mm.

[0007] Advantageously, contacts for data transmission can be arranged, in particular, on an underside and / or a side surface of the detection device. The contacts can be positioned directly on the surface. Data stored in a memory of the detection device from past measurements can be read through the contacts. The data can include, for example, error messages, combustion gas concentrations, frequency of threshold value exceedances, temporal temperature and air pressure profiles, and / or the times and durations of events such as threshold value exceedances. A reader can be connected to the contacts to read the memory.

[0008] To quickly identify the status of a heating device and / or the detection device, it is particularly advantageous to provide a visual indicator on the housing of the detection device. The indicator can preferably be designed as an LED that flashes in different colors and frequencies, or remains lit continuously, or is off depending on the status. Furthermore, an acoustic indicator can also be provided, so that a beep is emitted when certain conditions are met.

[0009] To ensure that the detection means can be quickly fixed in the interior of the heating device's housing, at least one fastening means can be integrally formed on the enclosure. The fastening means can be designed, in particular, as a clamp. The fastening means can be mechanically attached to another component within the heating device, thus ensuring a defined, rigid alignment of the detection means.

[0010] At least two fastening elements are attached to the underside and aligned in different preferred directions, offset by 90° to each other. This allows the detection element to be secured against rotation relative to the horizontal in two directions, for example, by being mounted on a bent pipe. The detection element could be attached to an intake pipe of a fan of the heating device, through which air for combustion is drawn into the heating element.

[0011] The detection means can expediently be connected to a power supply of a fan arranged in the interior of the housing for supplying air for combustion. The detection means can preferably be connected in parallel with other components of the heating device. This allows synchronization of the fan and the detection means, whereby switching on the fan and / or the entire heating device causes the detection means to start.

[0012] Particularly for CO2 measurements, it is advantageous if the detection means contains an infrared light-based spectroscopy unit surrounded by a housing having at least one opening for the entry of the combustion gas. In the detection means, the CO2-containing mixture of combustion gas and air in the interior of the heating device is analyzed by the spectroscopy unit, and a CO2 concentration is measured.

[0013] Particularly preferred is an embodiment in which the detection means contains at least two sensors and / or spectroscopy units that perform the same measurement. This results in a redundant measurement, with the individual measurements being compared with each other by the detection means control in order to obtain the highest possible reliability regarding the concentration of combustion gas in the interior of the heating device.

[0014] In a further embodiment, the detection means can be arranged in a lower part of the interior space with respect to the direction of gravity. Since CO2, in particular, is heavier than air, the CO2 resulting from combustion and a leak in the heating element can sink into the detection range of the detection means in the lower part of the interior space.

[0015] The detection device used in the heating device detects the combustion gas. If the concentration of combustion gas in the interior exceeds a certain threshold, the detection device sends a signal to a control unit of the heating device. This signal can cause the heating device to enter various states.

[0016] These states can include turning off the heater, reducing combustion, blocking the heater's control, sending a notification to a service technician and / or user, and / or increasing the heater's speed. In principle, each state results in a reduction in the combustion gas concentration in the passenger compartment.

[0017] In order for the signal to be output by the detection device, certain requirements for the measurement duration and the concentration threshold can be defined. For example, if the specified concentration is exceeded for a certain period of time, the signal can be output by the detection device control.

[0018] To further improve the concentration measurement and adapt it to the environmental conditions, at least one signal from a humidity sensor, pressure sensor, and / or temperature sensor can be used by the detection means controller to adjust the concentration threshold accordingly. The humidity sensor, pressure sensor, and / or temperature sensor can be arranged on a circuit board containing the detection controller.

[0019] The detection device carries out the inventive method for detecting combustion gas, wherein the detection is carried out by a spectroscopic measuring method using a spectroscopy unit and a sensor within a housing of the detection device, so that when a specific threshold value of the combustion gas concentration in the interior is exceeded, a detection device control unit issues a warning signal from the detection device. When an upper threshold value of the concentration is exceeded, the detection device control unit detects an excessively high combustion gas content in the air of the interior of the housing, and based on the increased concentration, a defect can be deduced that leads to the combustion gas not being directed out of the heating device through an exhaust pipe, but escaping into the interior of the housing.Such a method is particularly advantageous when providing a safe heating device, as, for example, a leak in the heating element can be detected early, preventing typical consequential damage. The concentration threshold can be stored in the detection device control system.

[0020] Furthermore, a controlled shutdown of the heating device can be controlled by detecting a characteristic increase in the concentration of combustion gas in the interior of the housing over a certain period of time. This allows for a high level of safety and efficiency in the use of the heating device.

[0021] Advantageously, the detection means can detect the concentration of the combustion gas in the air of the interior, with the upper threshold value of the concentration being approximately between 2000 and 1000 ppm, and in particular at 7000 ppm, with the upper threshold value preferably being stored in a memory in the detection means control. The sensor detects the concentration level with the aid of the spectroscopy unit, with the sensor being read by the detection means unit, and the read value is compared with the value stored in the memory.

[0022] To ensure the warning signal is reliably issued, the specific concentration must be detected by the detection device for a specific period of time. This specific period is a fixed time value stored in the detection device controller. The time value can be varied depending on environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, age of the heating device, and / or air pressure, and can be set to a further fixed time value. The time period can range from a few seconds to years. For example, the time period can be 15 s, 30 s, 5 min, and / or 48 h.

[0023] In an advantageous further development, it can be provided that the frequency of exceeding the upper threshold value is counted by the detection means control, in particular during a specific time period, and the warning signal is only issued when the frequency exceeds a specific frequency value. Each exceedance can be counted as an event, whereby the specific frequency value can be stored in the detection means control. The warning signal can be issued when the specific frequency value is reached or with a further event after the specific frequency value is reached. The specific frequency value can be, for example, 10, 20 and / or 40 events. Furthermore, the frequency value can vary due to changing environmental parameters.

[0024] To ensure safe operation of the heating device, it is preferable for the detection device control to check, before the combustion gas concentration is measured for the first time, whether the sensor detects a concentration that is below or equal to a certain lower threshold value, wherein the lower threshold value is in particular approximately between 0 and 400 ppm. The average CO2 concentration in the air is approximately 400 ppm. If the sensor detects a value below the average concentration or even below 0 ppm, then a fault in the detection device can be assumed. The fault may lie in the sensor that determines the concentration value. If the concentration during the measurement is below or equal to the lower threshold value, the detection device control outputs an error signal that indicates a fault in the sensor and / or the spectroscopy unit.

[0025] Furthermore, the frequency value can vary due to changing environmental parameters. A frequency count event can also be a frequency of the lower threshold being undershot by the detection device control, particularly during a specific period of time. The error signal is only output when the frequency exceeds a specific frequency value. The specific frequency value can be, for example, 10, 20, and / or 40 events. The error signal can be output when the specific frequency value is reached or with a subsequent event after the specific frequency value is reached.

[0026] Preferably, the warning signal and / or the error signal can be transmitted to a controller of the heating device and / or to a display of the detection means. This allows the heating device and / or the display to be placed in a state sufficient to eliminate the warning signal and / or the error signal.

[0027] The control of the heating device can reduce the concentration of the combustion gas if, for example, the warning signal triggers the heating device to switch off, so that combustion is extinguished. When combustion is extinguished, no more combustion gas is produced, so that its concentration in the interior can fall. Alternatively or additionally, the control of the heating device can be blocked, so that either an intensification of combustion is not possible if combustion is throttled or kept constant. Furthermore, once the control is blocked, combustion can no longer be switched on again if combustion has been extinguished. Further alternatively or additionally, a reduction in combustion within the heating element can be caused so that, for example, combustion is kept at low power in an emergency mode and produces little combustion gas.

[0028] It may be advantageous to continue operating the heating device after the warning signal and / or the error signal has been issued by issuing a continue command. The detection means controller can count the frequency of the continue commands, particularly during a specific time period. The specific time period can be stored in the detection means controller. If a specific frequency is exceeded, the heating device can be switched off and / or the control of the heating device can be blocked and / or combustion can be reduced. Alternatively or additionally, the continue command can be blocked, whereby the heating device is shut down if the concentration again exceeds the upper threshold. Furthermore, the concentration of the combustion gas can be reduced by blocking the continue command.

[0029] Conveniently, a display that receives the warning signal and / or the error signal can be arranged on the housing. The display can be at least one LED that flashes, is off, or illuminates continuously depending on the sensor's measurement result. The LED can, in particular, illuminate in different colors. For example, the display can illuminate continuously if the upper threshold value is exceeded.

[0030] For optimal controllability of the detection device, the detection device controller can send radio signals via an antenna to a device external to the detection device, such as a computer, smartphone, and / or tablet, and display a status of the heating device and / or a combustion gas concentration and / or output signals and / or frequencies on the respective external device. For this purpose, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, or another wireless standard can be used, for example.

[0031] An advantageous addition can be achieved by the antenna if radio signals can be received, so that the detection device can be controlled by an external device such as a computer, a smartphone and / or a tablet. This allows the detection device to be controlled via an app on the external device in such a way that, for example, continue commands and / or blockages are activated and / or canceled. Furthermore, the heating device can be shut down and / or the combustion can be reduced and / or increased and / or kept constant. Furthermore, the control of the detection device can be controlled with an app on a smartphone, a computer or a tablet. It can be contacted via the internet or wirelessly for communication. The data can be read from the memory and / or notifications can be sent.

[0032] The concentration of the combustion gas can depend on air pressure, humidity, and temperature. These variables, for example, shift the average CO2 concentration in the air. Furthermore, due to intense combustion in the heating element, an elevated value can be present inside the housing even during normal operation. An indicator of intense combustion is an increased fan speed, as more air must be provided for the combustion process to produce the combustion gas and the associated waste heat. Increased air humidity can also be an indication of intense combustion, as H2O is produced during the combustion of carbon-containing substances such as natural gas and enters the interior.To account for this shift, at least one signal from a fan speed sensor, humidity sensor, pressure sensor, heater, and / or temperature sensor can be used by the detection device controller to adjust the upper concentration threshold accordingly. This allows, for example, a heater operating in regions with lower than normal air pressure and high humidity to be optimally monitored.

[0033] In order to ensure reliable monitoring of the fan, the speed of a fan can be checked, and if the speed of the fan is lower than a setpoint, an indicator such as an LED of the detection means is switched on, in particular, in a flashing state.

[0034] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are schematically illustrated in the figures and described below. In the various figures, identical parts are always provided with the same reference numerals, which is why they are generally described only once.

[0035] It shows Fig. 1A and B show a bottom view and a side view of a detection means for detecting a combustion gas, Fig. 2A and B show a schematic representation of a heating device with a heating element and the detection means in normal operation and in operation with a leak, Fig. 3 shows an inside view of a housing of a heating device with the detection means, Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of the circuit diagram of the heating device with the detection means, and Fig. 5 shows a flow chart of a method for detecting combustion gas of a heating element by the detection means.

[0036] Figure 1discloses a detection means 10 for detecting combustion gas 11 within a heating device 12 as shown in the Figures 2 to 4is shown. The detection means 10 is formed by a housing 14 in which a spectroscopy unit 16 and a sensor 18 are arranged. The spectroscopy unit 16 can carry out an infrared spectroscopy method and, for example, measure a concentration of CO2 as combustion gas 11 using the sensor 18. The spectroscopy unit 16 and the sensor 18 are surrounded by the housing 14, wherein the housing 14 has at least one opening 20, preferably approximately 19 mm², through which the combustion gas 11 can enter the housing 14 to be spectroscoped by the spectroscopy unit 16 and measured by the sensor 18. Furthermore, extending from a side surface 26 of the housing 14 is a cable-shaped mains connection 15, which can be connected by means of a plug to a voltage supply 17, preferably within the heating device 12.

[0037] Figure 1Ashows a bottom view of the detection means 10, wherein the opening 20 is formed by three slot-like openings in the underside 24. The slot-like openings are of equal length and aligned approximately diagonally to the square or rectangular cross-section of the housing 14.

[0038] Furthermore, contacts 22 for data transmission are arranged on the underside 24. The contacts 22 are directly accessible from the outside, so that they can be contacted by an external device. Data can be read in and out via the contacts 22. For example, measurement data and events of the heating device 12 or the detection means 10 are stored in a memory of a detection means controller 19, so that these measurement data and the data relating to the events can be read out via the contacts 22. Furthermore, control commands can be transmitted to the detection means 10 via the contacts 22. In particular, eleven contact pins are positioned in two rows. As a result, the opening 20 and the contacts 22 are positioned on a downward-facing side of the housing 14 with respect to the direction of gravity 1.

[0039] On the underside 24, two fastening means 30 are arranged. These fastening means are designed as clamps whose preferred directions are offset by 90° from each other, so that the clamps can engage two sections of a pipe that are offset by 90° from each other. The clamps are open in a direction away from the underside 24. Furthermore, the clamps are arranged in the region of the edge of the underside 24, so that the opening 20 and the contacts 22 are positioned between the clamps.

[0040] Further holes 20 are formed on the side surfaces 26 and are formed by slots aligned vertically with respect to the direction of gravity 1. Four slots can be arranged in each case, which are formed parallel to one another. Two slots can be formed on a right edge and two slots on a left edge of the side surface 24. A display 28 in the form of an LED is arranged approximately centrally on one side surface 26. The power connection 15 is attached to the side surface 26 opposite the display 28. The display 28 serves to indicate a status of the heating device 12 and / or the detection means 10. The display 28 can flash or be illuminated continuously. As an alternative to an LED, a display can be provided which indicates the status of the heating device 12 and / or the detection means 10 in the form of text or symbols.Alternatively, an acoustic output in the form of a voice output or a signal tone is also conceivable. The display 28 is positioned between the holes 26 arranged on the left and right sides of the side panel.

[0041] In Figure 1B A side view of the detection means 10 is shown. The fastening means 30 have a U-shaped formation, which is open downwards in the direction of gravity 1. The housing 14 contains the spectroscopy unit 16 and the sensor 18 in a shell-like part which is closed by a lid. The lid is placed on the top side of the shell-like part, with the top side being positioned opposite the bottom side 24. The bottom side 24 forms the bottom of the shell-like part. The detection means 10 is in the Figure 1B shown position in the heating device 12 so that the underside 24 with the opening 20 points downwards.

[0042] Figure 2Ashows a schematic representation of the heating device 12 with an interior space 34 during normal operation, which is formed by a housing 36. The housing 36 forms the outer shell of the heating device 12. A heating element 32 is arranged in the interior space 34, which draws in air 44 via an intake pipe 40 for combustion in the heating element 32. The combustion produces the combustion gas 11, which in turn is transported out of the interior space 34 through an exhaust pipe 41. The exhaust pipe 41 is concentric with an air supply pipe 43, through which fresh air 44 is drawn into the interior space 43. Furthermore, a detection means 10 is arranged in the interior space 34, with which the concentration of the combustion gases in the interior space 34 can be detected. The combustion gas can be CO2, and the combustion can be a conversion of carbon-based fuels such as natural gas and / or oil. In this type of combustion, H2O is also produced in addition to CO2.

[0043] In Figure 2B the heating element 32 has a leak 42, from which combustion gas 11 flows into the interior 34. Moisture also enters the interior through the leak 42 due to the H2O resulting from the combustion, so that in addition to increasing the concentration of combustion gas 11, the humidity is also increased. As a third variable, the temperature in the interior can be increased, since the combustion gas 11 brings with it a certain above-average amount of heat. The air 44, thus enriched with CO2 and H2O, is in turn sucked through the intake pipe 40 into the heating element 23 for combustion. This can reduce the efficiency of the combustion process. In order to be able to reliably determine the state of the heating device 12 by the detection means 10, in addition to the spectroscopy unit 18 with the sensor 16, a temperature sensor and / or a humidity sensor can be included, by means of which further parameters indicating a leak 42 can be recorded.

[0044] Figure 3shows a section of an interior space 34 of a heating device 12 formed by a housing 36. A fan 38 is arranged in the interior space, which fan sucks in air 44 and conveys it via the intake pipe 40 into the heating element 32. The intake pipe 40 is positioned in a lower part of the interior space 34 and has a meandering shape. The detection means 10 with its fastening means 30 is arranged on a bend in the intake pipe 40. The clamps, which provide the fastening means 30, engage around the intake pipe 40. The intake pipe 40 is arranged below the detection means 10 with respect to the direction of gravity 1, so that the intake pipe 40 is arranged on the underside 24. The display 28 is oriented towards an opening in the housing 36 of the heating device 12.Furthermore, the mains connection 15 is plugged into a voltage supply 17 of the fan 38, whereby further components of the heating device 12 can be connected in parallel to the mains connection of the detection means 10.

[0045] Figure 3shows a schematic circuit diagram of a heating device 12, which has a housing that includes an interior space 34. The heating element 32 is arranged in the interior space 34 and has a leak 42 through which combustion gas 11 escapes into the interior space 34. The fan 38 is connected to the heating element 32 and is controlled by a controller 13 of the heating device 12. The detection means 10 is connected to the controller 13 via the mains connection 15, fan 38, and optionally via a data connection 21. In this case, the detection means 10 comprises, in addition to the spectroscopy unit 16 and the sensor 18, a detection means controller 19, which controls the display 28 and evaluates the sensor 18. An antenna 45 of the detection means 10 is connected to the detection means controller 19, via which antenna 45 data can be read in and out via a radio signal 46.If a mixture of air and combustion gas 11 now enters the detection device 10 through the opening 20, it is spectroscoped by the spectroscopy unit 16 and measured by the sensor 18. The controller 19 evaluates the measurement signal from the sensor 18 and communicates it via the data connection 21 to the controller 13 and / or via the antenna 45 and the radio signal 46 to an external computer 48. The external computer 48 can be a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, and / or other external device on which, in particular, a program configured for the detection device 10 can be executed. The radio signal 46 can establish a Bluetooth connection, a WLAN connection, a UMTS connection, an LTE connection, and / or another radio connection. The evaluation of the measurement signal of the sensor 18 can also be transmitted to the display 28, which provides a user with a visual signal about the state of the heating device 12 and / or the detection means 10.

[0046] Figure 5shows a flowchart of a method executed by the detection means 10. The method is started 100 when the power supply is switched on, for example by plugging the mains connection 10 into the voltage supply 17 of the fan 38. After the start 100, the detection means control 19 first checks whether an error signal and / or warning signal is present. Subsequently or in parallel, a control loop is used in which a check 102 of the speed of the fan 38 takes place. The speed of the fan 38 must have a specific value stored in the detection means control 19. If the speed of the fan 38 does not reach this value, a signal is sent to a display 28, and the display 28 is set to a flashing display state 284, in which the display is preferably illuminated for 0.1 s and off for 0.9 s. In particular, a signal can be transmitted to the control 13 of the heating device 12.Furthermore, a signal can be sent to an external computer 48. Service technicians or a user can be informed of the insufficient speed of the fan 38 via the controller 13 of the heating device 12, the display 28 of the detection device 10, and / or the external computer 48. If the speed condition is not met, the detection device controller 19 checks the speed after a preset time period for repeating the test. The time period can be 15 Hz, for example, so that the test is repeated at 15 Hz. This is the frequency of the control loop repetition if the speed condition of the fan 38 is not met.

[0047] If the speed corresponds to the expected value, a check 104 of the sensor 18 is performed. The detection device control 19 evaluates the signal from the sensor 18 and determines a CO2_sensor concentration, which is compared with a lower threshold value CO2_min. If the CO2_sensor concentration is still less than or equal to the lower threshold value CO2_min, the detection device control 19 evaluates this as an event to be counted. Thus, a counter 124 in the detection device control 19 increments a count each time the condition CO 2 _sensor < = CO 2 _min is met. The lower threshold value CO2_min of the CO2 concentration can be between 0 and 400 ppm in the air of the interior 34 of the heating device 12. If a specific frequency within a specific time period is reached by the target value, an error signal is output, which sets the display 28 to a flashing display state 282 and, for example, sets the fan 38 to a stopped state 300 by de-energizing the transistor bridge driving the motor of the fan 38. Alternatively or additionally, the control 13 of the heating device can be blocked and / or the combustion within the heating element 12 can be reduced and / or constant and / or increased. The display state 282 can be characterized by flashing with a 0.1 s on and off phase. The specific frequency can be a value of 20 and the specific duration 30 s.

[0048] If the lower threshold CO2_min is not reached, an upper threshold CO2_max is determined during a check 106 based on the conditions CO 2 _sensor > CO 2 _max controlled. The upper threshold value CO2_max for the concentration of CO2 in the air of the interior space 23 can be between 2000 and 10000 ppm. If this condition is met, a counter 126 increments a count. If the count reaches a certain value, for example 40, within a certain time or over the entire duration of operation of the heating device 12, a warning signal is sent to the display 28, which puts the display into a continuously illuminated display state 280. Furthermore, the fan 38 can be put into a stopped state 300 by the warning signal by de-energizing the transistor bridge driving the motor of the fan 38. Alternatively or additionally, the control device 13 of the heating device can be blocked and / or the combustion within the heating element 12 can be reduced and / or constant and / or increased.

[0049] The error signal and the warning signal can be processed within the detection device 10 and / or sent to the controller 13 of the heating device 12 via a data connection 21. Within the detection device 10, the error signal and the warning signal can be processed by a driver circuit for the display 28, which is part of the detection device controller 19. The error signal and / or the warning signal can also be transmitted to an external device such as a computer, a smartphone, and / or a tablet.

[0050] If the error signal and / or the warning signal have been issued and the heating device 12 and / or the detection means 10 have been placed in a corresponding state, such as a stop state 300, the heating device 12 and / or the detection means 10 can nevertheless continue to operate by means of a continue command. For this purpose, the continue command is entered into the detection means controller 19. The frequency of the continue command is counted by a counter 128 within a specific period of time, for example, 48 hours. If the frequency of the continue command exceeds a specific count value, such as 40 continue commands, the warning signal is issued, and the detection means 10 and / or the heating device 12 are placed in the same state as if the upper threshold value CO2_max of the concentration of the combustion gas 11 had been exceeded.

[0051] If the frequency of the continue command does not reach the specified count within the specified time period, the process continues in normal operation, which is signaled by a display state 286, for example, a flashing display at 1 Hz. In normal operation, the control loop runs in the normal state and is repeated at the initially specified frequency of 15 Hz. All checks of the upper and lower threshold values of the combustion gas concentration 11 and the speed of the fan 38 are repeated. List of reference symbols

[0052] 1Direction of gravity 10Detecting means 11Combustion gas 12Heating device 13Heating device control 14Enclosure 15Mains connection 16Spectroscopy unit 17Power supply 18Sensor 19Detecting means control 20Openings 21Data connection 22Contacts 24Bottom 26Side surface 28Display 30Fasteners 32Heating element 34Interior 36Housing 38Fan 40Intake pipe 41Exhaust pipe 42Leak 43Inlet air pipe 44Air 45Antenna 46Radio signal 48External computer 100Start of the procedure 102Fan speed test 104Lower concentration threshold test 106Upper concentration threshold test 108Counter Frequency of the continue command within a certain Time span 124Counter Frequency of reaching / falling below the lower threshold 126Counter Frequency of reaching / falling below the upper threshold 128Counter Frequency of the time span of the continue command 280Indicator state for stop due to exceeding the threshold 282Indicator state for stop due toThreshold value undershot 284Indication state for fan speed too low 286Indication state for normal operation 300Heating device stop

Claims

1. Heating device (12) comprising a combustion-sustaining heating element (32) for heating a medium which is in thermal contact with the heating element (32) using the waste heat from the combustion, wherein a combustion gas (11) such as CO2 is a product of the combustion, and a housing of the heating device (36), the housing accommodating the heating element (32) and forming an interior (34), wherein a detection means (10) for detecting a content of the combustion gas (11) in the air in the interior of the housing is positioned within the housing (36), so that leakage of the combustion gas (11) into the interior (34) can be identified, characterized in that two fastening means (30) are arranged on a bottom side (24) of the detection means (10), the fastening means being in the form of clamps and the preferred directions of the fastening means being offset through 90° in relation to each other.

2. Heating device (12) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the detection means (10) is connected to a power supply (17) of a fan (38), which is arranged in the interior (34) of the housing (36), for supplying air (44) for the combustion process, and thereby is preferably connected in parallel with further components of the heating device (12).

3. Heating device (12) according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detection means (10) is mounted on an intake pipe (40) of the fan (38).

4. Heating device (12) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detection means (10) is arranged in a lower part of the interior (14) with respect to the direction of gravity (1).

5. Method for detecting combustion gas (11) using a detection means (10) in a heating device (12) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein identification is performed using a spectroscopic measurement method, so that, when a certain threshold value of the concentration of the combustion gas (11) in the interior (34) is exceeded, the detection means (10) emits a signal to a controller (13) of the heating device (12).

6. Method according to Claim 5, wherein the signal triggers a switch-off of the heating device, with the result that the combustion is extinguished, and / or triggers blocking of the controller (13) of the heating device and / or causes a reduction in the combustion inside the heating element (32).

7. Method according to Claim 5 or 6, wherein the specific concentration is identified by the detection means (10) for a specific period of time.

8. Method according to any of Claims 5 to 7, wherein at least one signal from a humidity sensor, a pressure sensor and / or a temperature sensor is used by a detection means controller (19) to accordingly adjust the threshold value of the concentration.