Water heater with cavity gaps

Abstract

This application discloses a water heater having a cavity gap. The water heater includes a heat absorption member, a heat preservation cylinder for storing water, a cavity gap disposed between the heat absorption member and the heat preservation cylinder so as to separate the heat absorption member from the heat preservation cylinder and in contact with a heat transfer portion of the heat preservation cylinder, a heat preservation heat transfer groove provided near the cavity gap and having a part of the heat absorption member extending therein, and a heat transfer member disposed in the heat preservation heat transfer groove for transferring heat of the heat absorption member into the cavity gap. By separating the heat absorption member from the heat preservation cylinder using the cavity gap, the heat preservation effect at night is strong, the requirement for the heat preservation performance of the heat absorption member is low, while the requirement for the performance of the material of the heat absorption member is low, and the manufacturing cost can be kept low.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of solar heat utilization, and specifically to a water heater having cavity gaps.

Background Art

[0002] Solar water heaters have become increasingly widely used. In conventional solar water heaters, a heat preservation cylinder and a heat absorption member are directly in contact and connected (also referred to as water communication). Solar radiation is irradiated onto the surface of the inner tube through the housing of the heat absorption member. When the outer surface of the inner tube coated with an absorption coating absorbs solar radiation, it transfers heat to the water in the vacuum tube. As the water is heated and rises along the vacuum tube while receiving heat and enters the hot water storage tank, at the same time, water with a relatively low temperature in the tank enters the vacuum tube. By continuously circulating in this way, the water in the hot water storage tank is constantly heated and its temperature rises. However, these solar heat absorption members release heat by radiation at night, and the heat is wasted. Especially in the case of a heat absorption member with poor vacuum heat insulation performance, more heat will be lost.

[0003] Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, a water heater having cavity gaps is provided.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The object of this application is to propose a water heater having cavity gaps in response to the deficiencies of the prior art. By separating the heat absorption member and the heat preservation cylinder using the cavity gaps, the heat preservation effect at night is strong, the requirement for the heat preservation performance of the heat absorption member is low, while the requirement for the performance of the material of the heat absorption member is low, and the manufacturing cost can be kept low. In addition, since the cavity gaps are filled according to the principle of expansion of substances, the cavity gaps accommodate the heat transfer fluid according to the temperature and have high adaptability.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To achieve the above object, the water heater having cavity gaps adopted by this application is A heat-absorbing member, A heat-insulating cylinder for storing water, A cavity gap is disposed between the heat-absorbing member and the heat-insulating cylinder so as to separate the heat-absorbing member from the heat-insulating cylinder, and contacts the heat-transfer part of the heat-insulating cylinder, and A heat-insulating heat-transfer groove provided near the cavity gap and having a part of the heat-absorbing member extending therein, and A heat-transfer member disposed in the heat-insulating heat-transfer groove for transferring the heat of the heat-absorbing member into the cavity gap.

[0006] By separating the heat-absorbing member from the heat-insulating cylinder using the cavity gap, the heat-insulating effect at night is strong, the requirement for the heat-insulating performance of the heat-absorbing member is low, while the requirement for the performance of the material of the heat-absorbing member is low, and the manufacturing cost can be kept low.

[0007] As a further improvement of the above solution, an expansion device is further provided. The expansion device contacts the heat-absorbing member to absorb the heat of the heat-absorbing member. In the inner chamber of the expansion device, a medium that expands with the increase in temperature and a heat-transfer liquid are provided. The heat-transfer liquid is near the outlet of the expansion device, and this outlet communicates with the cavity gap.

[0008] Here, When the medium receives heat, it pushes the heat-transfer liquid out of the outlet and fills the cavity gap, When the medium is cooled, it sucks the heat-transfer liquid from the cavity gap into the expansion device, lowering the liquid level of the heat-transfer liquid in the cavity gap. The expansion device is an expansion bag disposed in the heat-insulating heat-transfer groove and filled with an expandable working medium. Since the heat-transfer member is filled according to the expansion principle of substances, the cavity gap can accommodate the heat-transfer liquid according to the temperature, and has high adaptability.

[0009] As a further improvement of the above solution, the heat-transfer liquid is disposed between the medium and the outlet of the expansion device. In this structure, when receiving heat, the medium pushes the heat-transfer liquid into the heat-insulating heat-transfer groove through the opening of the heat-insulating heat-transfer groove, and then the heat-transfer liquid fills the cavity gap, realizing the indirect heating of the heat-insulating cylinder.

[0010] As a further improvement of the above solution, the expansion device is arranged in the heat preservation and heat transfer groove, the outlet part is provided at the end of the expansion device, and the medium is arranged above the expansion device. As an example of the expansion device, when the expansion device in this example receives heat, the medium pushes the heat transfer liquid into the heat preservation and heat transfer groove from the opening, and fills the cavity gap through the heat preservation and heat transfer groove, thereby realizing the indirect heating of the heat preservation cylinder.

[0011] As a further improvement of the above solution, the heat preservation and heat transfer groove is arranged in the expansion device, the bottom communicates with the expansion device, the medium is arranged in the upper part of the internal space of the expansion device, and the heat transfer liquid is arranged in the lower part. As another example of the expansion device, the heat preservation and heat transfer groove has a vertically long and straight shape. In this structure, when receiving heat, the medium pushes the heat transfer liquid downward and makes it enter the heat preservation and heat transfer groove through the bottom opening of the heat preservation and heat transfer groove, and then the heat transfer liquid fills the cavity gap, realizing the indirect heating of the heat preservation cylinder.

[0012] As a further improvement of the above solution, in order to reduce the dissipation by radiation and convection, a first blocking structure is arranged at the outlet part of the cavity gap.

[0013] As a further improvement of the above solution, the cavity gap is filled with a porous low thermal conductivity member. Through the design of the porous low thermal conductivity member, the separation and heat preservation effects of the present application can be further improved.

[0014] As a further improvement of the above solution, the cavity gap has a tortuous shape. Through the design of the cavity gap with a tortuous shape, the separation and heat preservation effects of the present application can be further improved.

[0015] As a further improvement of the above solution, on the side of the heat preservation cylinder close to the cavity gap, at least one surplus cavity communicating with the cavity gap is provided. Through the design of the plurality of surplus cavities, the heat transfer liquid discharged excessively in the expansion device is accommodated, and the internal pressure is reduced.

[0016] As a further improvement of the above solution, by including the water heater having the cavity gap described in any one of the above, the present application can be applied to any water heater, and the practical scope of the present application can be expanded.

[0017] The water heater having a cavity gap according to the present application has the following beneficial effects.

[0018] 1. It eliminates many defects caused by the direct connection of the conventional heat absorption member and the heat preservation cylinder, and by adopting a more advanced indirect heating technology, it changes from the direct heating of cold water by the heat absorption member to the indirect heating by the heat transfer liquid. By designing a cavity gap between the heat preservation cylinder and the heat absorption member, the heat preservation effect at night is strong, the requirement for the heat preservation performance of the heat absorption member material is low, the cost can be kept low, and at the same time, the heat preservation effect by the heat preservation cylinder is strong. More importantly, the above expansion device utilizes the expansion principle of substances to fill the cavity gap, fills the cavity gap in the high-temperature state to realize indirect heating, and in the low-temperature state, lowers the liquid level in the cavity gap to realize the purpose of heat preservation by the cavity.

[0019] 2. Further explain the structure of the above expansion device. In one of the solutions, the above expansion device is a vertically long and straight-shaped housing with an opening facing downward. When receiving heat, the medium pushes the heat transfer liquid into the heat preservation heat transfer groove from the opening and fills the cavity gap through the heat preservation heat transfer groove to realize the indirect heating of the above heat preservation cylinder. In another solution, the heat preservation heat transfer groove is arranged in the above expansion device, and in this solution, the heat preservation heat transfer groove has a vertically long and straight structure with an opening formed at the bottom. In this structure, when receiving heat, the medium pushes the heat transfer liquid downward and makes it enter the heat preservation heat transfer groove through the bottom opening of the heat preservation heat transfer groove, and then the above heat transfer liquid fills the cavity gap to realize the indirect heating of the above heat preservation cylinder.

[0020] 3. In practice, various separation and heat insulation design structures for the above-mentioned cavity gaps are possible. In this application, with the first closing structure that closes the outlet of the above-mentioned cavity gap as the basic structure, respectively, filling a porous low thermal conductivity member into the cavity gap, designing the cavity gap into a meandering shape, designing surplus cavities, and after designing the surplus cavities, it is possible to improve by filling a second closing structure into the surplus cavities. Based on the above improvements, at least four types of cavity gaps with separation and heat insulation functions can be configured. By designing the plurality of surplus cavities, the heat transfer liquid excessively discharged in the expansion device is accommodated to reduce the internal pressure.

[0021] With reference to the following description and drawings, specific embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in detail, showing methods to which the principles of the present invention can be applied. It should be understood that the embodiments of the present invention are not thereby limited in scope, but include many changes, modifications, and equivalents within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

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Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following will further elaborate on this application in greater detail using the accompanying drawings and embodiments. However, it should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used for interpreting this application and not for limiting the scope of this application.

[0024] In addition, when a component is described as being "installed" or "provided" on another component, it may be directly located on that other component, or there may be intermediate components. When one component is considered to be "connected" or "mutually connected" to another component, it may be directly connected to that other component, or intermediate components may also be present simultaneously. "Fixed connection" means a fixed connection, and various methods are included in fixed connections, which are not considered within the protection scope of this specification. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "left", "right", and similar expressions used in this specification are only used for the purpose of explanation and do not mean the only embodiment.

[0025] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this specification have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the technical field to which this application belongs. The terms used in this specification are only used for the purpose of explaining specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. The term "and / or" used in this specification includes all possible combinations of one or more of the listed related items.

[0026] In a conventional water heater, the heat preservation cylinder 1 of the water heater and the heat absorption member 2 are in direct contact, that is, it is a water communication structure. For example, in the case of a solar water heater, in this structure, the heat absorption member 2 that has absorbed solar energy releases heat by radiation at night, and the heat is wasted. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the vacuum heat insulation performance of the heat absorption member 2, and the heat absorption member 2 in this structure has high requirements for materials.

[0027] In view of the above situation, the present invention provides a water heater having a cavity gap, which includes a heat preservation cylinder 1 and a solar energy heat absorption member 2. According to the present application, a cavity gap 3 is provided between the heat preservation cylinder 1 and the heat absorption member 2, and a heat preservation heat transfer groove 4 is provided near the cavity gap 3. Thus, the heat preservation heat transfer groove 4 receives the heat transferred from the heat absorption member 2, and transfers the heat to the cavity gap 3 through a heat transfer member in the heat preservation heat transfer groove 4, and further transfers the heat to the water in the heat preservation cylinder 1.

[0028] Combined with FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the water heater having a cavity gap will be further described.

[0029] FIG. 1 shows an example of the overall structure of a water heater having a cavity gap, for example, a solar water heater having a cavity gap.

[0030] In this example, a heat preservation cylinder 1 used for storing the liquid to be heated, a heat absorption member 2 used for absorbing heat. In this example, a solar energy heat absorption member is adopted, but of course, a structure such as flat plate heat absorption may also be adopted for the heat absorption member 2, a cavity gap 3 disposed between the heat absorption member 2 and the heat preservation cylinder 1 so as to separate the heat absorption member 2 from the heat preservation cylinder 1, and contacting the heat transfer part of the heat preservation cylinder 1, a heat preservation heat transfer groove 4 connecting the heat absorption member 2 and the heat preservation cylinder 1. One of the purposes is to make the heat absorption member 2 and the heat preservation cylinder 1 form an integral structure through the heat preservation heat transfer groove 4. Another purpose of the heat preservation heat transfer groove 4 is to conduct heat to the cavity gap 3. Specifically, when the temperature in the heat preservation heat transfer groove 4 reaches a certain temperature, heat is transferred into the cavity gap 3 using a heat transfer member.

[0031] It includes a heat transfer member disposed in the heat preservation heat transfer groove 4 and transferring the heat of the heat absorption member 2 into the cavity gap 3.

[0032] This example has the following advantages.

[0033] 1) The heat dissipation of the heat absorption member 2 at night is blocked, and the heat preservation effect by the heat preservation cylinder 1 is better.

[0034] 2) The heat absorption member 2 does not come into direct contact with the makeup water, and the rupture of the vacuum tube can be prevented.

[0035] 3) In order to adapt to colder northern regions, the heat absorption member 2 can be filled with antifreeze.

[0036] 4) Since the heat absorption member 2 does not come into direct contact with the makeup water, a wider range of materials can be considered, there is no concern about contamination of the service water, and the cost is lower.

[0037] 5) There is less contamination due to scale in the heat absorption member 2.

[0038] 6) The water in the heat preservation cylinder 1 is separated from the heat absorption member 2, and the contamination is reduced.

[0039] 7) Since the water in the heat preservation cylinder 1 does not need to come into direct contact with the heat absorption member 2, it can be adapted to areas with poor water quality.

[0040] FIG. 1 is only a schematic illustration for example and does not limit the disclosed examples.

[0041] Also, there are various types of water heaters, many of which can benefit from the examples disclosed in this specification, but are not limited to the illustrated designs.

[0042] In this example, the above heat preservation and heat transfer device can realize the heat preservation and heat transfer function by electric control. However, when using electric control, the reliability is impaired or reduced, and at the same time, in terms of electricity bills and the reliability in component damage, the usage cost also increases accordingly.

[0043] Therefore, the present application selects the expansion device 5 as the heat transfer member based on the configuration of the above embodiment by utilizing the principle that substances expand when heated.

[0044] The expansion device 5 contacts the heat absorption member 2 to absorb the heat of the heat absorption member 2. In the inner chamber of the expansion device 5, a medium 51 that expands as the temperature rises and a heat transfer liquid 52 are provided. The heat transfer liquid 52 is near the outlet of the expansion device 5, and this outlet communicates with the cavity gap 3. Here, When this medium 51 receives heat, it pushes the heat transfer liquid 52 out of the outlet and fills the cavity gap 3.

[0045] When this medium 51 is cooled, it sucks the heat transfer liquid 52 from the cavity gap 3 into the expansion device 5, causing the liquid level of the heat transfer liquid 52 in the cavity gap 3 to drop.

[0046] In the following, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 in combination, the above expansion device will be further described.

[0047] FIG. 2 shows one possible design of the above expansion device 5. The expansion device 5 is arranged in the heat preservation and heat transfer groove 4. The expansion device 5 includes a vertically long and straight housing 53. A sealing position limiting structure is provided at the outlet, and the outlet is arranged at the lowermost end of the housing. The medium 51 is arranged at the top of the housing 53, and the heat transfer liquid 52 is arranged between the medium 51 and the outlet. When receiving heat, the medium 51 pushes the heat transfer liquid 52 into the heat preservation and heat transfer groove 4 from the opening and fills the cavity gap 3 through the heat preservation and heat transfer groove 4, thereby realizing the indirect heating of the heat preservation cylinder 1.

[0048] Generally speaking, in order to facilitate the understanding of the function of the expansion device 5, the expansion device 5 often has a piston-type structure with one end closed, and the expansion device 5 may be in any position and direction. Preferably, the housing 53 may be a tubular metal member, with fewer movable parts and high reliability.

[0049] Regarding the opening of the tubular metal member, this outlet portion may be formed at a plurality of positions such as the side surface and the upper surface of the tubular metal member. When the outlet portion is provided on the side surface, it can communicate with the heat preservation and heat transfer groove 4 by connecting a hollow tube. However, during the use of the conventional piston type structure, the reciprocating motion of the piston is frequently performed, the probability of damage is high, and the reliability and service life are reduced. Therefore, it is common to provide the outlet portion of the tubular metal part downward.

[0050] Furthermore, as the above-mentioned tubular metal member, other materials may be used. Preferably, as the above-mentioned tubular metal member, sealed members such as a sealed silicone rubber container and a rubber container may be used.

[0051] Figure 3 shows another possible design of the expansion device 5. The heat preservation and heat transfer groove 4 is arranged inside the expansion device 5, has a vertically long and straight shape, the bottom communicates with the expansion device 5, a medium 51 is arranged in the upper part of the internal space of the expansion device 5, and a heat transfer liquid 52 is arranged in the lower part. In this structure, when heated, the medium 51 pushes the heat transfer liquid 52 downward and enters the heat preservation and heat transfer groove 4 through the bottom opening of the heat preservation and heat transfer groove 4, and then the heat transfer liquid 52 fills the cavity gap 3 to realize the indirect heating of the heat preservation cylinder 1.

[0052] In this possible design, the expansion device 5 should be arranged at a position advantageous for sufficiently sensing the temperature change of the heat transfer liquid. For example, the expansion device 5 is arranged inside the heat absorption member 2.

[0053] The following further embodiments are possible for the expansion device 5.

[0054] Low-cost design: Fill a small amount of ethanol into a sealed silicone rubber bag (tube) as the expansion device 5 and arrange it in the heat preservation and heat transfer groove 4. (Guarantee the durability of the sealed silicone rubber bag) Furthermore, usually water is used as the heat transfer liquid 52. Of course, other liquid substances such as salt solution and antifreeze can also be used.

[0055] As the above-mentioned medium 51, naphtha that is usually insoluble in the heat transfer liquid 52 is used. Naphtha has a density lower than that of water and a boiling point between 40 and 105 °C. Of course, naphtha may be replaced with a gas such as air or another liquid such as ethanol that has a boiling point between 40 and 100 °C.

[0056] Furthermore, a blocking means for preventing excessive expansion of the gas may be provided at the lower part of the above-mentioned expansion device 5.

[0057] When actually operating, During the day, the heat absorption member 2 absorbs heat, the temperature of the heat transfer liquid 52 rises, and when it exceeds 40 °C, the naphtha in the expansion device 5 vaporizes and expands, the heat transfer liquid 52 is discharged, the cavity gap 3 is filled, and the liquid level of the high-temperature heat transfer liquid 52 rises, so that the water in the heat preservation cylinder 1 can be heated.

[0058] At night, when the temperature of the water drops and the temperature of the heat transfer liquid 52 drops below 40 °C, the naphtha liquefies, its volume decreases, the liquid level in the cavity gap 3 drops, the cavity gap 3 becomes empty, and it enters the heat preservation state.

[0059] Figures 2 and 3 are merely schematic illustrations for example purposes and do not limit the disclosed examples.

[0060] Also, there are various types of heat exchange devices, many of which can benefit from the examples disclosed in this specification, but are not limited to the illustrated designs.

[0061] In the example, the heat preservation cylinder 1 is usually provided with a device having a structure that facilitates heat transfer. However, since it is common to achieve it by structural improvement to the cavity gap 3, in this application as well, based on the structure of the above example, the above cavity gap 3 is further improved.

[0062] Actually, this application has a first blocking structure 6 that blocks the outlet of the above cavity gap 3 as the basic structure.

[0063] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7 in combination, the improved cavity gap 3 will be further described.

[0064] FIG. 4 shows a first improvement scheme of the above-mentioned cavity gap 3. In this improvement scheme, the cavity gap 3 is filled with a porous low thermal conductivity member 31. For example, the porous low thermal conductivity member 31 is a sponge. The heat release is reduced by utilizing its water permeability and airtightness.

[0065] FIG. 5 shows a second improvement scheme of the above cavity gap. In this improvement scheme, in order to reduce heat dissipation by radiation, the cavity gap 3 is designed as a structure having a meandering shape.

[0066] FIG. 6 shows a third improvement scheme of the above cavity gap. In this improvement scheme, a plurality of cavity gaps 3 are provided, and two adjacent cavity gaps 3 are communicated with each other. By designing the plurality of cavity gaps 3 as a cavity gap body and a surplus cavity 32, the functions of separation and heat preservation are realized.

[0067] FIG. 6 shows a fourth improvement scheme of the above cavity gap. In this improvement scheme, an improvement is made based on the third improvement scheme, and a second blocking structure 33 is installed in the surplus cavity 32 to further enhance the separation and heat preservation functions of the present application.

[0068] For example, the above-mentioned first blocking structure 6 and the second blocking structure 33 may be designed as valve rods having a width smaller than that of the outlet portion of the cavity gap 3 and a density smaller than that of water, and a heat insulating material may be provided outside the valve rod.

[0069] For example, as shown in FIG. 7, by providing the lower surface of the above-mentioned first blocking structure 6 as a convex portion and guiding by the convex portion, the blocking function of the first blocking structure 6 can be realized better.

[0070] What has been described above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, substitutions by equivalents, or improvements made within the scope of the gist and principles of the present application should all be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0071] 1 Heat preservation cylinder 2 Heat absorption member 3 Void space 4 Heat preservation heat transfer groove 5 Expansion device 6 First closing structure 31 Low thermal conductivity member 32 Excess void 33 Second closing structure 51 Medium 52 Heat transfer liquid 53 Housing

Claims

1. A heat absorption member, a heat preservation cylinder for storing water, a cavity gap disposed between the heat absorption member and the heat preservation cylinder so as to separate the heat absorption member from the heat preservation cylinder and contacting the heat transfer part of the heat preservation cylinder, and a heat preservation heat transfer groove provided near the cavity gap and communicating with the heat transfer liquid in the heat absorption member, a heat transfer member disposed in the heat preservation heat transfer groove and transferring the heat of the heat absorption member into the cavity gap, A water heater having a cavity gap, characterized by including the above.

2. The heat transfer member includes an expansion device, the expansion device contacts the heat absorption member, a medium that expands with the temperature rise and a heat transfer liquid are provided in the inner chamber of the expansion device, the heat transfer liquid is near the outlet part of the expansion device, and the outlet part communicates with the cavity gap, When the medium receives heat, it pushes the heat transfer liquid out of the outlet and fills the cavity gap, When the medium is cooled, it sucks the heat transfer liquid from the cavity gap into the expansion device to lower the liquid level of the heat transfer liquid in the cavity gap. The expansion device is an expansion bag disposed in the heat preservation heat transfer groove and filled with an expandable working medium. The water heater having a cavity gap according to Claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. The heat transfer liquid is disposed between the medium and the outlet part of the expansion device. The water heater having a cavity gap according to Claim 2, characterized by the above.

4. The expansion device is disposed in the heat preservation heat transfer groove, the outlet part is provided at the end of the expansion device, and the medium is disposed at the upper part of the expansion device. The water heater having a cavity gap according to Claim 3, characterized by the above.

5. The heat preservation heat transfer groove is disposed in the expansion device, the bottom communicates with the expansion device, the medium is disposed at the upper part of the inner space of the expansion device, and the heat transfer liquid is disposed at the lower part. The water heater having a cavity gap according to Claim 3, characterized by the above.

6. A first closing structure is disposed at the outlet part of the cavity gap. The water heater having a cavity gap according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized by the above.

7. A porous low heat conductivity member is filled in the cavity gap. The water heater having a cavity gap according to Claim 6, characterized by the above.

8. The cavity gap has a meandering shape. The water heater having a cavity gap according to Claim 6, characterized by the above.

9. At least one surplus cavity communicating with the cavity gap is provided on the side of the heat preservation cylinder close to the cavity gap. The water heater having cavity gaps according to claim 6, characterized in that...

10. A heat exchange device comprising the water heater having cavity gaps according to any one of claims 1 to 9 characterized in that...

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