Thermodynamic water heater and the water heating process using it
The thermodynamic water heater addresses inefficient heating by segmenting the tank into zones with controlled valves, enabling targeted heating of colder areas to achieve rapid temperature uniformity.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- VIESSMANN CLIMATE SOLUTIONS SE
- Filing Date
- 2023-07-07
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-01
AI Technical Summary
Existing thermodynamic water heaters inefficiently heat water due to uniform heating, which creates a temperature gradient between superimposed water layers, with warmer water at the top and colder water at the bottom.
A thermodynamic water heater with a condenser circuit that includes a main and multiple secondary hot heat transfer fluid inlets, each connected to control valves, allowing segmented heating of superimposed volumetric zones within the tank.
Achieves efficient and controlled heating by targeting colder zones preferentially, ensuring rapid temperature homogeneity throughout the water volume.
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Thermodynamic water heater and water heating method implementing it
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of domestic or collective sanitary equipment, more particularly those concerning 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 process implementing this water heater.
[0002] Many thermodynamic water heating devices 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 hot incoming heat transfer fluid and supplying, in return, cold outgoing heat transfer fluid to said heating device, thus forming a closed loop of heat transfer fluid circulation.
[0003] However, heating the water in these known water heaters is not efficient because the condenser circuit heats the entire volume of the tank container in a substantially uniform manner, whereas the water inside is thermally organized in a laminar configuration or in superimposed layers. Indeed, the warmer water is located at the top of the container, while the colder water is located at the bottom. Uniform heating therefore only increases the temperature gradient between these different superimposed liquid layers.
[0004] The object 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 includes a condenser circuit arranged around or within the container, supplied by the heating device with hot incoming heat transfer fluid and, in return, supplying cold outgoing heat transfer fluid to said heating device, thus forming a closed loop for the circulation of the heat transfer fluid. The tank defines a vertical direction in the installed state, and the condenser circuit has a dimensional extension determined along this vertical direction, 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, a main hot heat transfer fluid supply inlet which is associated with or corresponds to its upper inlet end, and, on the other hand, at least one other secondary hot heat transfer fluid supply inlet, 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 superimposed volumetric zones in the vertical direction in the internal 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 by way of non-limiting examples, and explained with reference to the accompanying 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 can be part of a water heater as shown [Fig. 1] or 2, according to another embodiment of the invention, and,
[0010] [Fig.4] is an enlarged scale view of detail A of [Fig.3], showing the assembly of elements forming a connection point.
[0011] Figures 1 and 2, and partially Figure 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 includes a condenser circuit (4) arranged around or within the container (3'), supplied by the heating device (2) with hot incoming heat transfer fluid and, in return, supplying cold outgoing heat transfer fluid to said heating device (2), thus forming a closed loop for circulating the heat transfer fluid. The tank (3) defines a vertical direction (VD) in the installed state, and the condenser circuit (4) has a dimensional extension determined along this vertical direction (VD), between an upper inlet end (4') and a lower outlet end (4") of said condenser circuit (4).In figures 1 and 2, the reservoir (3) and the container (3') are shown together, the insulation not being represented.
[0012] According to the invention, this water heater (1) is characterized in that said condenser circuit (4) comprises, on the one hand, a main hot heat transfer fluid supply inlet (5) which is associated with or corresponds to its upper inlet end (4'), and, on the other hand, at least one other secondary hot heat transfer fluid supply inlet (5i), with i varying from 1 to n and n being an integer greater than 1. 1. Furthermore, each secondary supply inlet (5i) is associated with or corresponds to an intermediate connection point (PR) of the condenser circuit (4), located between its upper inlet end (4') and its lower outlet end (4”), and defines two portions of the condenser circuit (4) corresponding respectively to two superimposed volumetric zones (Zi and Zi+1) within the internal volume of the container (3'), along 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) includes 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 internal volume of the container (3'), making it possible, in particular, to target the volumetric zone(s) (Zi) to be heated preferentially or exclusively (depending on whether the control valves are of the proportional type or of the on / off type, i.e., two-state). The invention therefore proposes heating controlled by superimposed volumetric 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 that is colder than the remaining liquid in the container (3'), it is possible to easily 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 corresponding control of the control valves (7, 7i).
[0014] As is apparent by comparison of figures 1 to 3 with each other, the condenser circuit (4) may include one or more secondary supply inlets (5i), corresponding to as many connection point(s) (PR) and related to one or more secondary supply lines (6i) and one or more corresponding control valves (7i), creating i+1 volumetric zones (Zi).
[0015] Advantageously, the value of n depends on the size and type of the water heater (1), and possibly on its intended use. Thus, in accordance with common practical designs feasible 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 multi-family dwelling. Furthermore, for a water heater in an industrial installation, the value of n can, for example, exceed 100 depending on the application.
[0016] In accordance with a very favorable application of the invention and as illustrated by way of example in Figures 1 and 2, the heating device (2) is a heat pump and the heat transfer fluid is a refrigerant, for example propane.
[0017] According to an advantageous practical construction method, the condenser circuit (4) is physically formed in one piece, from its upper inlet end (4') to its lower outlet end (4”).
[0018] Similarly, according to another advantageous practical feature, the control valves (7, 7i) are solenoid valves of the two-state bypass valve type or of the two-way valve type operating on or off.
[0019] According to a preferred general embodiment of the invention, which can be expressed in a plurality of variants, three different of which are schematically illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the condenser circuit (4) is provided to include n+1 supply inlets (5, 5i) connected to the heating device (2) and 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 volumetric zones (Zi) of the tank (3).
[0020] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a first constructive variant in which each portion of the condenser circuit (4) located fluidically upstream of a connection point (PR) includes a non-return valve (8), preferably mounted near the connection point (PR) considered, and / or in that each of the hot heat transfer fluid supply lines (6i), associated with the secondary supply inlets (5i), includes 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 lacks 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 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 duct (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 disposed on said tank (3).
[0024] In order to optimally achieve the desired goal and to easily allow controlled automatic operation of the water heater (1), it may further be provided that at least the lower volumetric zone (Zn+1) of the container (3'), and preferably each of the volumetric zones (Zi), is equipped with a means for measuring the temperature of the liquid it contains, the measurement data of which is transmitted to a water heater operation management unit (1).
[0025] Finally, the invention also relates to a method of 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 volumetric zone (Zi+1) of the tank (3) with water at a lower temperature than that of the upper volumetric zone (Zl), of controlling the control valves (7i), preferably of the type two-state solenoid valves, in such a way that the flow of hot heat transfer fluid from the heating device (2) is directed mainly or exclusively into the portions of the condenser circuit (4) corresponding to this or these volumetric zone(s) (Zi+1) and located in or at the level of it.
[0027] Preferably, said method may consist of controlling the heating according to measurement data of the temperature of the liquid present in the lower volumetric zone (Zn+1) at least, and preferably in each of the volumetric zones (Zi) of the container (3').
[0028] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications remain possible, particularly with regard to the composition of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.
Claims
Demands
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 hot incoming heat transfer fluid and supplying, in return, cold outgoing heat transfer fluid to said heating device (2), thus forming a closed loop of heat transfer fluid circulation, 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),said condenser circuit (4) comprising a main hot heat transfer fluid supply inlet (5) which is associated with or corresponds to its upper inlet end (4'), water heater (1) 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”), in that said condenser circuit (4) also comprises at least one other secondary hot heat transfer fluid supply inlet (5i), 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) in one piece,located between its upper inlet end (4') and its lower outlet end (4”) and defining two portions of condenser circuit (4) corresponding respectively to two volumetric zones (Zi and Zi+1) superimposed along the direction (DV) in the internal 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) includes 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.
4. 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 bypass valve type or of the two-way valve type operating on or off.
5. Water heater (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, 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 volumetric zones (Zi) of the tank (3).
6. Water heater (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each portion of condenser circuit (4) located fluidically upstream of a connection point (PR) includes a non-return valve (8), preferably mounted near the connection point (PR) considered, and / or in that each of the hot heat transfer fluid supply lines (6i), associated with the secondary supply inlets (5i), includes 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.
7. Water heater (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, 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 corresponding connection points (PR) respectively.
8. Water heater (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the hot heat transfer fluid supply lines (6, 6', 6") are connected, in a mutually parallel manner, to an outlet duct (2') of the heating device (2).
9. Water heater (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, 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 heating device (2), preferably a heat pump operating with a refrigerant, being advantageously arranged on said tank (3).
10. Water heater (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least the lower volumetric zone (Zn+1) of the container (3'), and preferably each of the volumetric zones (Zi), is equipped with a means for measuring the temperature of the liquid it contains, the measurement data of which is transmitted to a water heater (1) operation management unit.
11. A method for heating the water contained in the tank (3) of a water heater (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it consists, in the presence of at least one lower volumetric zone (Zi+1) of the tank (3) with water at a lower temperature than that of the upper volumetric zone (Zl), of controlling the control valves (7i), preferably of the type two-state solenoid valves, in such a way that the flow of hot heat transfer fluid from the heating device (2) is directed mainly or exclusively into the portions of the condenser circuit (4) corresponding to this or these volumetric zone(s) (Zi +1) and located in or at the level thereof.
12. A heating method according to claim 11, 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 volumetric zone (Zn+1) at least, and preferably in each of the volumetric zones (Zi) of the container (3').