Thermodynamic water heater and the water heating process using it

Abstract

Thermodynamic water heater and water heating method implementing it The invention relates to a thermodynamic water heater (1) comprising a heating device (2) and a tank (3) with a container (3') for the water to be heated / heated, the tank (3) also comprising a condenser circuit (4) supplied by the heating device (2) forming a closed loop of heat transfer fluid circulation, and with an upper inlet end (4') and a lower outlet end (4'').A water heater characterized in that said condenser circuit (4) comprises a main hot heat transfer fluid supply inlet (5) and another secondary hot heat transfer fluid supply inlet (51), said secondary supply inlet (51) corresponding to an intermediate connection point (PR) of said condenser circuit (4), located between its upper inlet end (4') and its lower outlet end (4'') and defining two portions of the condenser circuit (4) corresponding respectively to two superimposed volumetric zones (Z1 and Z2) within the internal volume of the container (3'), and in that each of the hot heat transfer fluid supply lines (6, 61) connecting the heating device (2) to the supply inlets (5, 51) comprises a control valve (7, 71). Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Thermodynamic water heater and water heating method using it

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of domestic or collective sanitary equipment, more particularly those relating to the production and storage of hot water, and has as its objects a thermodynamic water heater improved in terms of heating performance and a water heating method implementing this water heater.

[0002] Many thermodynamic water heater devices are already known of the type comprising a heating device, such as a heat pump, and a thermally insulated tank, with a container for the water to be heated and also a condenser circuit arranged around the container and supplied by the heating device with incoming hot heat transfer fluid and supplying, in return, with outgoing cold heat transfer fluid, said heating device, thus forming a closed heat transfer fluid circulation loop.

[0003] However, the heating of the water in these known water heaters is not efficient since the condenser circuit heats the entire volume of the container of the tank in a substantially homogeneous manner, whereas the water residing therein is organized, from a thermal point of view, according to a laminar configuration or in superimposed layers. Indeed, the hotter water is located in the upper part of the container, whereas the colder water is located in the lower part of the latter. Uniform heating therefore only increases the temperature gradient between these different superimposed liquid layers.

[0004] The aim of the present invention is to overcome this problem and to propose a simple solution for achieving more efficient heating in the aforementioned context.

[0005] To this end, the invention relates to a thermodynamic water heater comprising a heating device and a thermally insulated tank with a container for the water to be heated / heated. The tank also comprises a condenser circuit arranged around or in the container, supplied by the heating device with incoming hot heat transfer fluid and supplying, in return, with outgoing cold heat transfer fluid, said heating device, thus forming a closed heat transfer fluid circulation loop. The tank defines a vertical direction in the installed state and the condenser circuit has a dimensional extension determined in this vertical direction, this between an upper inlet end and a lower outlet end of said condenser circuit.

[0006] characterized in that said condenser circuit comprises, on the one hand, an inlet main supply of hot heat transfer fluid which is associated with or which corresponds to its upper inlet end, and, on the other hand, at least one other secondary supply inlet of hot heat transfer fluid, in that said or each secondary supply inlet is associated with or corresponds to an intermediate connection point of said condenser circuit, located between its upper inlet end and its lower outlet end and defines two portions of condenser circuit corresponding respectively to two volume zones superimposed in the vertical direction in the interior volume of the container, and in that each of the hot heat transfer fluid supply lines connecting the heating device to the supply inlets comprises a control valve.

[0007] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to preferred embodiments, given as non-limiting examples, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which:

[0008] [Fig-1] and [Fig.2] are functional schematic representations of a heater- improved thermodynamic water according to two embodiments of the invention

[0009] [Fig.3] is a perspective and partially exploded view of a condenser circuit which may be part of a water heater as shown [Fig.l] or 2, according to another variant embodiment of the invention, and,

[0010] [Fig.4] is a view on an enlarged scale of detail A of [Fig.3], showing the assembly of elements forming a connection point.

[0011] Figures 1 and 2, and partially [Fig.3], illustrate a thermodynamic water heater (1) comprising a heating device (2) and a thermally insulated tank (3) with a container (3') for the water to be heated / heated. The tank (3) also comprises a condenser circuit (4) arranged around or in the container (3'), supplied by the heating device (2) with incoming hot heat transfer fluid and supplying, in return, with outgoing cold heat transfer fluid, said heating device (2), thus forming a closed heat transfer fluid circulation loop. The tank (3) defines a vertical direction (DV) in the installed state and the condenser circuit (4) has a dimensional extension determined according to this vertical direction (DV), this between an upper inlet end (4') and a lower outlet end (4”) of said condenser circuit (4).In figures 1 and 2, the tank (3) and the container (3') are merged, the insulation not being shown.

[0012] According to the invention, this water heater (1) is characterized in that said condenser circuit (4) comprises, on the one hand, a main supply inlet (5) for hot heat transfer fluid which is associated with or which corresponds to its upper inlet end (4'), and, on the other hand, at least one other secondary supply inlet (5i) for hot heat transfer fluid, with i varying from 1 to n and n being an integer greater than 1. In addition, said or each secondary supply inlet (5i) is associated with or corresponds to an intermediate connection point (PR) of said condenser circuit (4), located between its upper inlet end (4') and its lower outlet end (4”) and defines two portions of condenser circuit (4) corresponding respectively to two superimposed volume zones (Zi and Zi+1) in the interior volume of the container (3'), in the vertical direction (DV). In addition, each of the hot heat transfer fluid supply lines (6, 6i) connecting the heating device (2) to the supply inlets (5, 5i) comprises a control valve (7, 7i).

[0013] Thanks to the invention, it is possible to overcome the problem posed by providing segmented or sectorized heating of the interior volume of the container (3'), making it possible in particular to target the volume zone(s) (Zi) to be heated preferentially or only (depending on whether the control valves are either of the proportional type or of the all-or-nothing type, i.e. two-state). The invention therefore proposes heating controlled by superimposed volume layers or strata, these forming parts of the overall volume to be heated. Thus, by applying, at least temporarily, heating or more intense heating to a volume of liquid colder than the remaining liquid present in the container (3'), it is possible in a simple manner to achieve more efficient heating.It is also possible to quickly obtain a homogeneous temperature for the entire volume of liquid present in the container (3'), by balancing the temperatures of the different volume zones by a consistent control of the control valves (7, 7i).

[0014] As is apparent by comparing Figures 1 to 3 with each other, the condenser circuit (4) may comprise one or more secondary supply inlets (5i), corresponding to as many connection point(s) (PR) and in relation to one or more secondary supply lines (6i) and one or more corresponding control valves (7i), creating i+1 volume zones (Zi).

[0015] Advantageously, the value of n is a function of the size and type of the water heater (1), and possibly of its field of use. Thus, in accordance with current practical embodiments that can be envisaged in a domestic context, resulting in a good compromise between construction complexity and performance, n can for example be between 2 and 10 for a water heater in a single-family home, and for example between 2 and 30 for a water heater in a collective housing complex. Furthermore, for a water heater in an industrial installation, the value of n can for example exceed 100 depending on the applications.

[0016] In accordance with a very favorable application of the invention and as illustrated by way of examples in Figures 1 and 2, the heating device (2) is a heat pump and the heat transfer fluid is a refrigerant fluid, for example propane.

[0017] According to an advantageous practical construction method, the condenser circuit (4) is physically formed in a single piece, from its upper inlet end (4') to its lower outlet end (4”).

[0018] Similarly, according to another advantageous practical characteristic, the control valves (7, 7i) are solenoid valves of the two-state passage valve type or of the two-way valve type operating in all or nothing mode.

[0019] According to a preferred general embodiment of the invention, which can be declined in a plurality of variants, three different ones of which are illustrated schematically in Figures 1 to 3, it is provided that the condenser circuit (4) comprises n+1 supply inlets (5, 5i) connected to the heating device (2) and that said condenser circuit (4) is formed of n+1 circuit portions arranged fluidically in series, superimposed in the vertical direction (DV) and each located either upstream or downstream of one of the connection points (PR), or between two connection points (PR), each associated with a secondary supply inlet (5i), these n+1 circuit portions corresponding respectively to n+1 superimposed volume zones (Zi) of the tank (3).

[0020] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a first constructive variant in which each portion of condenser circuit (4) located fluidically upstream of a connection point (PR) comprises a non-return valve (8), preferably mounted close to the connection point (PR) in question, and / or in that each of the hot heat transfer fluid supply lines (6i), associated with the secondary supply inlets (5i), comprises a non-return valve (8') upstream of the connection point (PR) associated with this supply line (6i) and downstream of the control valve (7i) integrated therein.

[0021] In accordance with a second constructive variant, simpler because it does not have a non-return valve, and as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the invention provides that the control valves (7i), for example of the two-state valve type, mounted in the heat transfer fluid supply lines (6i) associated with the secondary supply inlets (5i), are located in the immediate vicinity of the respectively corresponding connection points (PR).

[0022] Figures 1 to 3 also show that the hot heat transfer fluid supply lines (6, 6', 6”) are connected, in a mutually parallel manner, to an outlet conduit (2') of the heating device (2).

[0023] In order to limit the footprint of the water heater and more generally its lateral extension, the tank (3), the container (3') and the condenser circuit (4), advantageously of the micro-channel type, have a larger dimension in the vertical direction (DV), preferably an elongated shape in this direction, the heating device (2), preferably a heat pump operating with a refrigerant fluid, being advantageously arranged on said tank (3).

[0024] In order to optimally achieve the desired goal and to easily enable a controlled automatic operation of the water heater (1), it may further be provided that at least the lower volume zone (Zn+1) of the container (3'), and preferably each of the volume zones (Zi), is equipped with a means for measuring the temperature of the liquid it contains, the measurement data of which are transmitted to a unit for managing the operation of the water heater (1).

[0025] Finally, the invention also relates to a method for heating the water contained in the tank (3) of a water heater (1) such as that described above.

[0026] This method essentially consists, in relation to such a water heater and in the presence of at least one lower volume zone (Zi+1) of the tank (3) with water at a lower temperature than that of the upper volume zone (Zl), in controlling the control valves (7i), preferably of the two-state solenoid valve type, in such a way that the flow of hot heat transfer fluid coming from the heating device (2) is directed mainly or exclusively into the portions of the condenser circuit (4) corresponding to this or these volume zone(s) (Zi+1) and located in or at the level thereof.

[0027] Preferably, said method may consist of controlling the heating as a function of measurement data of the temperature of the liquid present in the lower volume zone (Zn+1) at least, and preferably in each of the volume zones (Zi) of the container (3').

[0028] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the attached drawings. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Thermodynamic water heater (1) comprising a heating device (2) and a thermally insulated tank (3) with a container (3') for the water to be heated / heated, the tank (3) also comprising a condenser circuit (4) arranged around or in the container (3'), supplied by the heating device (2) with incoming hot heat transfer fluid and supplying, in return, with outgoing cold heat transfer fluid, said heating device (2), thus forming a closed heat transfer fluid circulation loop, the tank (3) defining a vertical direction (DV) in the installed state and the condenser circuit (4) having a dimensional extension determined along this vertical direction (DV), this between an upper inlet end (4') and a lower outlet end (4”) of said condenser circuit (4), water heater (1) characterized in that said condenser circuit (4) comprises, on the one hand,a main supply inlet (5) for hot heat transfer fluid which is associated with or which corresponds to its upper inlet end (4'), and, on the other hand, at least one other secondary supply inlet (5i) for hot heat transfer fluid, with i varying from 1 to n and n being an integer greater than 1, in that said or each secondary supply inlet (5i) is associated with or corresponds to an intermediate connection point (PR) of said condenser circuit (4), located between its upper inlet end (4') and its lower outlet end (4”) and defines two portions of condenser circuit (4) corresponding respectively to two volume zones (Zi and Zi+1) superimposed in the direction (DV) in the interior volume of the container (3'), and in that each of the hot heat transfer fluid supply lines (6, 6i) connecting the heating device (2) to the supply inlets (5, 5i) comprises a control valve (7, 7i).,

2. Water heater (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the value of n is a function of the size and type of the water heater (1).

3. Water heater (1) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the heating device (2) is a heat pump and in that the heat transfer fluid is a refrigerant fluid.

4. Water heater (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the condenser circuit (4) is physically formed in one piece, from its upper inlet end (4') to its lower outlet end (4”).

5. Water heater (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the control valves (7, 7i) are solenoid valves of the two-state passage valve type or of the two-way valve type operating in all or nothing mode.

6. Water heater (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the condenser circuit (4) comprises n+1 supply inlets (5, 5i) connected to the heating device (2) and in that said condenser circuit (4) is formed of n+1 circuit portions arranged fluidically in series, superimposed in the vertical direction (DV) and each located either upstream or downstream of one of the connection points (PR), or between two connection points (PR), each associated with a secondary supply inlet (5i), these n+1 circuit portions corresponding respectively to n+1 superimposed volume zones (Zi) of the tank (3).

7. Water heater (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each portion of condenser circuit (4) located fluidically upstream of a connection point (PR) comprises a non-return valve (8), preferably mounted close to the connection point (PR) in question, and / or in that each of the hot heat transfer fluid supply lines (6i), associated with the secondary supply inlets (5i), comprises a non-return valve (8') upstream of the connection point (PR) associated with this supply line (6i) and downstream of the control valve (7i) integrated therein.

8. Water heater (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the control valves (7i), for example of the two-state valve type, mounted in the heat transfer fluid supply lines (6i) associated with the secondary supply inlets (5i), are located in the immediate vicinity of the respectively corresponding connection points (PR).

9. Water heater (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the hot heat transfer fluid supply lines (6, 6', 6”) are connected, in a mutually parallel manner, to an outlet conduit (2') of the heating device (2).

10. Water heater (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the tank (3), the container (3') and the condenser circuit (4), advantageously of the micro-channel type, have a larger dimension in the vertical direction (DV), preferably an elongated shape in this direction, the device of heating (2), preferably a heat pump operating with a refrigerant fluid, being advantageously arranged on said tank (3).

11. Water heater (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that at least the lower volume zone (Zn+1) of the container (3'), and preferably each of the volume zones (Zi), is equipped with a means for measuring the temperature of the liquid it contains, the measurement data of which are transmitted to a unit for managing the operation of the water heater (1).

12. Method for heating the water contained in the tank (3) of a water heater (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it consists, in the presence of at least one lower volume zone (Zi+1) of the tank (3) with water at a lower temperature than that of the upper volume zone (Zl), in controlling the control valves (7i), preferably of the two-state solenoid valve type, in such a way that the flow of hot heat transfer fluid coming from the heating device (2) is directed mainly or exclusively into the condenser circuit portions (4) corresponding to this or these volume zone(s) (Zi+1) and located in or at the level thereof.

13. Heating method according to claim 12, characterized in that it consists of controlling the heating as a function of measurement data of the temperature of the liquid present in the lower volume zone (Zn+1) at least, and preferably in each of the volume zones (Zi) of the container (3').

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