SYSTEM FOR DETECTING A BLOCKAGE IN A CENTRAL HEATING CIRCUIT

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a system and a water heater comprising this system for detecting an at least partial blockage in a central heating circuit of a water heater, comprising a first line, a heating cell for heating the water flowing through the heating zone of said first line, a pump for pumping the water in said first line, wherein the central heating circuit comprises said first line and a central heating circuit which is connected to the first line in such a way that they form a closed circuit. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Water heaters are connected to a central heating circuit. The fluid in the circuit is heated upon entry into the water heater. The heated water is then fed into the central heating circuit and cooled as it flows through central heating components in the central heating circuit, such as the radiator, releasing its heat to the zone containing the central heating elements. It is then returned to the water heater after completing the circuit. The pipes and central heating components in the central heating circuit can become clogged over time due to the interaction of various particles, water, air, etc., or other factors. This clogging leads to reduced heating of the zone by the central heating components. This, in turn, leads to the user not noticing the clogging over time, resulting in prolonged use at lower capacity.This can lead to increased energy consumption.

[0003] Ultimately, all the problems mentioned above lead to the need for innovation in the relevant technical field.

[0004] EP2966367 A1 discloses a water heater comprising a fluid circuit, a water circuit heated by the fluid circuit, and a tank connected to the water circuit. A notification means issues a notification when a fluid temperature is greater than or equal to a first threshold and a water temperature in the tank is less than or equal to a second threshold.

[0005] JP2009250461 A discloses a water heater with a fluid circuit, a water circuit, and a tank connected to the water circuit. A target water temperature in the water circuit is limited when the water flow in the water circuit is reduced despite the constant performance of a circulation pump in the water circuit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention relates to a system for eliminating the above-mentioned disadvantages and for obtaining new advantages in the relevant technical field.

[0007] An object of the invention is to provide a system that allows blockages in the central heating circuit to be detected.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide a system that enables blockages in the central heating circuit to be detected earlier than the prior art systems.

[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide a preventive system that makes it possible to at least partially extend the service life of the components of the water heaters.

[0010] A further object of the invention is to provide a system which makes it possible to at least partially eliminate the blockage in the central heating circuit.

[0011] To achieve all the above-mentioned objects and those resulting from the detailed description below, the present invention relates to a system for eliminating at least a partial blockage in a central heating circuit of a water heater, comprising a first line, a heating cell for heating the water flowing through the heating zone of said first line, and a pump for pumping the water in said first line. The central heating circuit comprises said first line and a central heating circuit connected to the first line to form a closed circuit. The system comprises a first temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the water leaving the heating zone, a second temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the water before it flows into the heating zone, and a flow meter for measuring the flow rate of the water in the central heating circuit.at least one of at least one current measuring device for measuring the electric current flowing from an electrical point of the pump, at least one energy consumption measuring device for measuring the electric energy consumed by the pump, or at least one tachometer for measuring the revolutions of a pump impeller of the pump over time; a control unit configured to be connected to said first temperature sensor, said second temperature sensor, said flow measuring device, and to at least one of said current measuring device, said energy consumption measuring device, or the tachometer, such that it receives the measurements and records the received measurements in a memory unit, associating them with their reception times. Accordingly, the innovation consists in that said control unit is configured to, monitors the recorded measurements and generates signals relating to at least partial blockage in the central heating circuit if, in a first time interval, an increasing trend in the differential temperatures between the measurements received by the first temperature sensor and the measurements received by the second temperature sensor is detected, and in said first time interval, a decreasing trend in the measurements received by the flow sensor is detected, and it is detected that the measurement received by the current measuring device is at a first maximum value, the measurement received by the energy consumption measuring device is at a second maximum value and / or the measurement received by the tachometer is at a third maximum value.

[0012] This ensures that the blockage in the central heating circuit is detected. This leads to early detection of the blockage, reducing the time during which the user is exposed to uncomfortable heating. Early detection allows the technical service department to be informed and procedures such as replacing spare parts or intervention by a service technician to be planned more efficiently, extending the service life of the water heater components.

[0013] The feature of one possible embodiment of the invention is that it includes a user interface for sending the generated signal to the user, which is controlled by the control unit. This ensures that the user is informed of the blockage.

[0014] The feature of another possible embodiment of the invention is that the control unit is configured to control the pump so that the water flows turbulently in the central heating circuit. Due to the turbulent flow in the central heating circuit, the water exerts a cutting force on the sides, thus ensuring that the particles causing a blockage are at least partially released from the pipe surface.

[0015] The feature of another possible embodiment of the invention is that the mentioned user interface is provided on the water heater.

[0016] The feature of another possible embodiment of the invention is that the mentioned user interface is arranged remotely from the water heater and is configured to communicate wirelessly with the control unit.

[0017] The feature of another possible embodiment of the invention is that the mentioned user interface is provided on an electronic terminal and is configured to communicate wirelessly with the control unit.

[0018] The feature of another possible embodiment of the invention is that the mentioned flow measuring device is provided in the first line. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTERS

[0019] In Fig. 1 A representative view of the system is shown. In Fig. 2 A schematic view of the system is shown. In Fig. 3 A representative view of the system implemented in a combi heater is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] In this detailed description, the subject matter of the invention is explained by means of examples which serve only to better understand the subject matter and are not limiting.

[0021] The invention relates to a system (200) for detecting an at least partial blockage in a central heating circuit of a water heater (100), comprising a first line (110), a heating cell (130) for heating the water flowing through the heating zone of said first line (110), a pump (140) for pumping the water in said first line (110), wherein the central heating circuit comprises said first line (110) and a central heating circuit (310) which is connected to the first line (110) in such a way that they form a closed circuit.

[0022] The central heating circuit mentioned here comprises a first line (110) provided in the water heater (100) and a central heating circuit (310) in which the liquid heated in the first line (110) and exiting the first line (110) circulates. The central heating circuit (310) can comprise central heating components such as lines and radiators. In one possible embodiment, the water heater (100) can be a combination water heater as in Fig. 3 In other words, it ensures both that warm water circulates in the central heating circuit and that the water in a domestic water pipe (320) is heated. The domestic water pipe (320) is assigned to a heat exchanger, which in turn is connected via a valve in the water heater (100) to the second pipe (120), which is separate from the first pipe (110). The heated water heats the water in the domestic water pipe (320) in the heat exchanger via the second pipe (120).

[0023] In the event of a slowdown due to an obstacle that prevents the rotation of the pump impeller (140) in the central heating circuit, a decrease in variables such as the power consumption of the pump (140) or the rotation speed of the pump impeller occurs. The object of the invention is to detect a slowdown in the flow due to a blockage in the central heating circuit, in other words, the blockage in the central heating circuit.

[0024] The system (200) according to the invention comprises a flow measuring device (220) for measuring the volume flow of the liquid in the central heating circuit. In one possible embodiment, the flow measuring device (220) can be arranged in the first line (110) of the water heater (100). The system (200) comprises a first temperature sensor (231) for measuring the temperature of the water exiting the heating zone. Said first temperature sensor (231) is provided between a central heating supply head (111) of a first line (110), via which the heated water exiting the first line (110) is fed into the central heating circuit (310), and a heating cell (130). A second temperature sensor (232) is provided to measure the temperature of the water about to flow into the heating zone.Said temperature sensor is provided between a central heating return head (112) of the first line, which ensures that the water circulates in the central heating circuit (310) and is fed back into the first line (110), and the heating cell (130). The pump (140) can also be provided between the heating cell (130) and the central heating return head (112).

[0025] The system comprises at least one of a current measuring device (141) for measuring the current flowing from an electrical point of the pump (140), an energy consumption measuring device for measuring the electrical energy consumed by the pump (140), or a tachometer (143) for measuring the revolutions of a pump impeller of the pump (140) over time. In one possible embodiment of the invention, the system (200) can comprise all of these measuring devices simultaneously. In one possible embodiment of the invention, these means are components integrated into the pump (140).

[0026] The system includes a control unit (210) configured to receive measurements from the first temperature sensor (231), the second temperature sensor (232), and the flow meter (220). The control unit (210) is also configured to control the pump (140). The control unit (210) is also electrically connected to the energy consumption meter (142), the current meter (141), and the tachometer (143) so that it receives measurements from at least one of these components.

[0027] The control unit (210) comprises a processor unit (211). The control unit (210) further comprises a processor unit (211) associated with it for reading and recording data. The processor unit (211) stores the measurements received from the sensors and measuring devices in the memory unit (212) by associating them with their reception times. The processor unit (211) may be a processor, and the memory unit (212) may be a memory that permanently stores the data. The memory unit (212), when driven by the processor unit (211), may comprise software consisting of command lines that ensure that the steps that ensure that the innovative aspect of the system (200) according to the invention is realized are executed.

[0028] The system may include a user interface (250) for providing information to the user. Said user interface (250) may be a screen. The user interface (250) may be mounted on the water heater (100) or remote from the water heater (100) and arranged to communicate wirelessly with the processor unit (211). The user interface (250) may also be provided on a mobile electronic terminal. The control unit (210) may also include a communication interface for sending signals regarding a blockage to a server.

[0029] As an innovative aspect of the invention, the processor unit (211) detects the blockage in the central heating circuit by monitoring the sensors and measuring devices. More specifically, the processor unit (211) of the control unit (210) performs the following steps: Monitoring the recorded measurements Generating a signal relating to at least partial blockage in the central heating circuit if, in a first time interval, an increasing trend in the differential temperatures of the measurements received by the first temperature sensor (231) and the measurements received by the second temperature sensor (232) is detected, in said first time interval a decreasing trend in the measurements received by the flow sensor is detected, it is detected that the measurement received by the current measuring device is at a first maximum value, the measurement received by the energy consumption measuring device is at a second maximum value and / or the measurement received by the tachometer (143) is at a third maximum value.

[0030] The first maximum value mentioned here refers to the highest current value available from the specified point on the pump under normal conditions. The second maximum value refers to the highest energy value the pump could consume under normal conditions. The third maximum value refers to the highest speed the pump's impeller can achieve under normal conditions. Normal conditions refer to circumstances in which a properly functioning water heater uses the pump for central heating.

[0031] The processor unit determines the increase trend and decrease trend as follows: The processor unit (211) detects the increase trend when it determines that the start values ​​and end values ​​of a predetermined number of monitored measurements are in a first value range which is sequentially above the start values ​​and end values ​​of a normal value range, and detects the decrease trend when it determines that the start values ​​and end values ​​of a predetermined number of monitored measurements are in a first value range which is sequentially below the start and end of a normal value range.Alternatively, the increasing trend can be detected if it is determined that the majority of consecutive measurements increase over time and that they are above certain thresholds; the decreasing trend can be detected if it is determined that the majority of consecutive measurements decrease and that they are below certain thresholds. In one possible embodiment, the increasing or decreasing trend can be detected by considering the maximum and / or minimum values ​​observed at certain intervals.

[0032] Since the fluid will flow through the circuit in a longer period of time and less water will flow if there is a blockage in the central heating circuit, the fluid experiences more heat loss. In addition, the fluid stays in the heating zone longer because the flow rate decreases and the temperature of the water leaving the water heater (100) increases. This leads to a larger difference between the temperatures of the fluid leaving the heating zone and the fluid circulating in the central heating circuit and flowing back to the heating zone. The fact that the fluid flow slows down over time is detected by the flow sensor. Since the operation of the pump (140) at maximum values ​​shows that there is no physical obstacle to the rotations of the pump (140), under the above circumstances it is detected that there is a blockage in the central heating circuit.

[0033] In one possible embodiment of the invention, the control unit (210) can divide the blockage into categories depending on the magnitude of the increase trend and decrease trend.

[0034] More specifically, the control unit (210) is configured to operate the pump (140) in the event of a blockage in the first volume, causing the fluid in the first volume to flow turbulently. Due to the turbulent flow, the fluid particles exert increased cutting force on the sides of the pipe through nonlinear movements (spiral or similar). This, in turn, ensures that unwanted particles on the pipe surface causing a blockage are detached from the pipe surface, thus cleaning the pipe surface.

[0035] In order for the blockage to be detected using the system (200) according to the invention, monitoring must be carried out over a specific period of time. For example, monitoring may be carried out for longer than 30 days. Since the blockage does not occur suddenly but develops over time, longer monitoring allows the increase and decrease trends caused by the blockage to be identified. During monitoring, the states of the central heating components must be maintained. For example, all radiators must be switched on. By monitoring over time, momentary measurement errors or measurements caused by momentary events are prevented from leading to errors in the detection of blockages.

[0036] The scope of the invention is indicated in the appended claims and cannot be limited to what is explained in this detailed description for the purpose of providing examples. It is obvious that those skilled in the art can devise similar embodiments in light of the above explanations. THE REFERENCE NUMBERS INDICATED IN THE FIGURES

[0037] 100 Water heater 110 First line 111 Central heating supply head 112 Central heating return head 120 Second line 130 Heating cell 140 Pump 141 Current measuring device 142 Energy consumption measuring device 143 Tachometer 150 Heat exchanger 200 System 210 Control unit 211 Processor unit 212 Storage unit 220 Flow measuring device 231 First temperature sensor 232 Second temperature sensor 250 User interface 310 Central heating circuit 311 Central heating element 320 Domestic water line

Claims

1. System (200) for identifying an at least partial blockage in a central heating circuit of a water heater (100), comprising a first line (110), a heating cell (130) for heating the water flowing through a heating zone of the mentioned first line (110), a pump (140) for pumping the water in the mentioned first line (110), wherein the central heating circuit comprises the mentioned first line (110) and a central heating loop (310) which is connected to the first line (110) such that they form a closed circuit, wherein the system comprises a first temperature sensor (231) for measuring the temperature of the water exiting from the heating zone, a second temperature sensor (232) for measuring the temperature of the water before it flows into the heating zone, a flow measuring device (220) for measuring the flow rate of the water in the central heating circuit, at least one of at least one current measuring apparatus (141) for measuring the electric current flowing from an electrical point of the pump (140), at least one energy consumption measuring apparatus (142) for measuring the electrical energy consumed by the pump (140) or at least one tachometer (143) for measuring the revolutions of a vane of the pump (140) with respect to time; a control unit (210) which is configured such that it is connected to the mentioned first temperature sensor (231), to the mentioned second temperature sensor (232), to the mentioned flow measuring device (220) and to at least one of the mentioned flow measuring apparatus (141), the mentioned energy consumption measuring apparatus (142) or the tachometer (143) such that it receives the measurements and records the received measurements in a memory unit (212) by way of associating these measurements with their reception times, characterized in that the mentioned control unit is configured such that it - monitors the recorded measurements - and generates signals relating to an at least partial blockage in the central heating circuit if - an upward trend in the differential temperatures of the measurements received by the first temperature sensor (231) and the measurements received by the second temperature sensor (232) is identified in a first time interval, and - a downward trend in the measurements received by the flow measuring device (220) is identified in the mentioned first time interval, and - it is identified that the measurement received by the current measuring apparatus (141) is at a first maximum value, the measurement received by the energy consumption measuring apparatus is at a second maximum value and / or the measurement received by the tachometer (143) is at a third maximum value.

2. System (200) according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a user interface (250), which is controlled by the control unit (210), for transmitting the generated signal to the user.

3. System (200) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the control unit (210) is configured such that it controls the pump (140) such that the water in the central heating circuit flows in a turbulent manner.

4. System (200) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the mentioned user interface (250) is provided on the water heater (100).

5. System (200) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the mentioned user interface (250) is arranged remote from the water heater (100) and is configured in such a way that it communicates wirelessly with the control unit (210).

6. System (200) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the mentioned user interface (250) is provided on an electronic terminal, and is configured in such a way that it communicates wirelessly with the control unit (210).

7. System (200) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the mentioned flow measuring device (220) is provided in the first line (110).

8. Water heater (100), comprising a system (200) as in Claims 1-7.

9. Water heater (100) according to Claim 8, characterized in that it is a combined water heater.