Portable system for draining a water heater and associated method for draining a water heater

Abstract

The invention relates to a demountable portable system for draining a water heater, comprising a motorised liquid-transfer pump (2) having a liquid inlet (20) and a reversible liquid outlet (21), a liquid tank (3) which is demountable and / or collapsible so as to reduce the volume thereof, having a liquid inlet (35), and two pipes (5, 6), the first pipe (5) being detachably connected to the inlet (20) of the pump (2), the second pipe (6) being detachably connected by one end to the outlet (21) of the pump (2) and detachably connected by the other end to the inlet (35) of the tank (3), the portable system for draining a water heater being demountable so as to separate the pump (2) and the tank (3) from one another, and demount and / or collapse the empty tank (3), reducing the volume thereof.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: PORTABLE WATER HEATER DRAINING SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED WATER HEATER DRAINING METHOD

[0003] FIELD OF INVENTION

[0004] The invention relates to the technical field of draining water heaters, also known as hot water tanks, performed by plumbers in private homes. These water heaters primarily supply hot water to showers and bathtubs in dwellings such as houses and apartments. The invention relates in particular to the methods used by plumbers to drain these water heaters, as well as the tools they use. This type of water heater generally has a hot water capacity ranging from one to several hundred liters, typically from 100 to 500 liters, but more often from 150 to 350 liters.

[0005] TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to an earlier practice, it was known to drain the water heater directly outside the dwelling via a hose, or into a drainage system located inside the dwelling, such as a shower tray or toilet bowl, also via a hose, or even using a container, such as a basin. The drainage was then very slow, as gravity alone facilitated the removal of the hot water from the water heater.

[0007] A first disadvantage of this earlier method is that it makes emptying expensive and impractical, because it is long and tedious, even when carried out by a professional plumber.

[0008] A second drawback of this first prior method is the loss of a significant amount of hot water—the water contained in the water heater just before draining—typically from one to several hundred liters. The complete loss of such a quantity of water, which had most often been heated electrically, results in a waste of both water and electricity. This might seem reasonable on the scale of a single dwelling, as draining is usually done annually, but it becomes very significant on the scale of a city, region, or country. According to a second prior method, it is known to drain the water heater directly outside the dwelling using a pump and hose, or into a drainage system located inside the dwelling, such as a shower tray or toilet bowl, also using a pump and hose.The evacuation is then significantly faster, thanks to the driving force of the pump which contributes to the evacuation of hot water out of the water heater and which noticeably accelerates this evacuation.

[0009] In this way, the first disadvantage of this first earlier art, which lay in the slowness and laborious nature of the emptying, is now eliminated in this second earlier art.

[0010] However, the second drawback of this first earlier practice unfortunately persists in this second earlier practice, similarly resulting in the loss of a significant amount of hot water—that which remains in the water heater just before it is drained, typically from one to several hundred liters. The complete loss of this substantial quantity of water, which had most often been heated electrically, leads to the same waste of water and electricity. While this might seem reasonable on the scale of a single dwelling, where draining is usually done annually, it unfortunately remains just as significant on the scale of a city, a region, or a country. The water waste is all the greater the larger the water heater's volume. The electricity waste is all the greater the larger the water heater's volume, particularly due to water's very high specific heat capacity, which requires a great deal of electrical energy to heat.

[0011] OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The aim of the present invention is to provide a portable water heater draining system that at least partially overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks. A portable system is one that can be moved and transported so that it can be accessed in the bathrooms of houses and apartments and carried by the plumber, possibly on wheels, preferably packed in a simple suitcase or bag. A portable system is distinct from a fixed system that is permanently installed and fixed in a building and cannot be removed.

[0013] More specifically, the invention aims to provide a portable water heater draining system that allows the hot water drained from the water heater to be recovered, stored in a tank while the plumber intervenes, and then returned to the now empty water heater just after the plumber's intervention, this drained and stored water still being quite hot or even almost as hot as before it was drained.

[0014] To achieve this, the invention aims: firstly, to make draining the water heater both quick and practical, to reduce the cost of the plumber's intervention and to make his work less arduous, as well as safer because it reduces the plumber's contact with the drained water, and secondly, to avoid wasting so much water and electricity by recovering most of this hot water, in order to drastically reduce water waste, and also to be able to carry out this recovery relatively quickly, that is to say just the time of the plumber's intervention to check and / or repair the water heater that has just been drained, in order not to let the water cool down too much, and to be able to put it back in the water heater that has just been drained still hot enough, thus also allowing to reduce electricity waste very significantly.This recovery of most of the drained water, while this water is still quite hot, has an additional advantage which is to make the water heater immediately available, after the plumber's intervention, almost full again with practically hot water, to the occupants of the dwelling, which is very useful and very practical for the owner or user of the water heater which has just been drained, which increases the comfort of the occupants of the dwelling while being more ecological in terms of water and electricity consumption.

[0015] To this end, the invention offers both: a method of draining the water heater which is quick, practical, and which greatly reduces the waste of water and electricity, and a portable water heater draining system which is portable, can be assembled / disassembled, and is easily usable by a plumber working alone, a plumber being a man or woman of average height and strength.

[0016] According to the invention, a portable, demountable water heater draining system is provided, comprising: a motorized liquid transfer pump, having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, reversible; a liquid reservoir, demountable and / or foldable to reduce its volume, having a liquid inlet; two hoses, the first hose being removably connected to the pump inlet, the second hose being removably connected on one side to the pump outlet and on the other side to the reservoir inlet; said portable water heater draining system being demountable so as to: separate the pump and the reservoir from each other, and dismantle and / or fold the empty reservoir, reducing its volume.

[0017] Preferably, the liquid reservoir is removable and foldable. Its support frame is removable. Its waterproof cover is foldable. Its frame includes several reinforcing bars that can be joined together and / or joined to the cover, for example during frame assembly, and / or that can be separated from each other and / or separated from the cover, for example during frame disassembly.

[0018] According to the invention, a method for draining a water heater is also provided, comprising: the assembly of a portable draining system, including: o the assembly and / or unfolding of a liquid reservoir, preferably including the assembly of a support frame around the reservoir by installing reinforcement bars of this support frame around the reservoir and connecting these reinforcement bars together, o the connection of this reservoir to a reversible motorized liquid transfer pump, draining the water heater, including: o the circulation of water from the water heater to the reservoir, through the reversible motorized liquid transfer pump, in a first direction of circulation, until the water heater is emptied of the water it contains, preferably a pause with the drained water heater, allowing intervention on the drained water heater, preferably by a plumber, during which: o the direction of circulation of the pump is reversed,preferably by simply pressing a switch to reverse the direction of water flow in the pump, the filling of the water heater with the drained water, comprising: o the circulation of water from the tank to the water heater, through the reversible motorized liquid transfer pump, in a second direction of flow opposite to the first direction of flow, until the tank is emptied of the water it contains, the dismantling of the portable drainage system, comprising: o the separation of the pump and the tank from each other, o the dismantling and / or folding of the empty tank so as to reduce its volume, preferably including the dismantling and removal of the support frame and its reinforcing bars.

[0019] The assembly and / or unfolding of a liquid tank preferably includes the assembly of a support frame around the tank by installing reinforcement bars of this support frame around the tank and connecting these reinforcement bars together, and advantageously by securing these reinforcement bars to the tank.

[0020] Before reversing the direction of the pump's flow, preferably by simply pressing a switch to change the direction of water flow in the pump, the plumber advantageously replaces the removable part forming a valve in the valve 13.

[0021] According to the invention, a portable water heater draining system is also provided, in kit form, comprising: a motorized and reversible liquid transfer pump, having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, a liquid reservoir, disassembled and folded, having a liquid inlet, comprising: o a folded waterproof canvas, o a disassembled support frame, two hoses, a case or bag, in which or in which are stored: said pump, said folded canvas, said support frame, said hoses.

[0022] In a less preferred alternative, a portable, demountable water heater draining system is provided, comprising: a motorized liquid transfer pump, having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet; a liquid reservoir, demountable and / or foldable to reduce its volume, having a liquid inlet; two hoses, the first hose being connected to the pump inlet, the second hose being connected on one side to the pump outlet, and on the other side to the reservoir inlet; said portable water heater draining system being demountable so as to: separate the pump and the reservoir from each other, and demount and / or fold the empty reservoir to reduce its volume.

[0023] The liquid transfer pump is either reversible or non-reversible. The potentially non-reversible nature of the liquid transfer pump makes the process of draining the water heater less practical, because between draining the water heater and refilling it with the drained water, it is necessary to disconnect the pump, reverse its direction, and reconnect it, providing additional components that allow these additional disconnections and reconnections to be carried out without water leaking or falling onto the floor.

[0024] A reversible liquid transfer pump advantageously includes a three-position switch: a first position for direct liquid flow from the pump inlet to the pump outlet, a second position for reverse liquid flow from the pump outlet to the pump inlet, and a third neutral position, corresponding to the pump at rest, not circulating liquid in either direction. This third neutral position is advantageously located between the first and second positions so that the switch passes through this third neutral position both when switching from the first to the second position and when switching from the second to the first position. The liquid transfer pump is referred to interchangeably as either a "liquid transfer pump" or simply a "pump."

[0025] The liquid reservoir is referred to interchangeably as either "liquid reservoir" or simply "reservoir".

[0026] The pipe(s) are, each independently of the others, either removable or non-removable. The fact that some or all of the pipes are non-removable makes the portable water heater drain system bulkier, and therefore less easy to transport and use, because since this system is only partially detachable, it takes up more space and is less easy to handle.

[0027] In preferred embodiments, the invention comprises one or more of the following features, which may be used separately, partially, or fully in combination with each other, with any of the aforementioned objects of the invention. Alternatively, one or more of the following features may be used separately, partially, or fully in combination with each other, without being associated with any of the aforementioned objects of the invention.

[0028] Preferably, the portable water heater drain system includes three quick-connect fittings that are tool-free assembly and disassembly fittings, and the first hose is connected to the pump inlet via the first quick-connect fitting, the second hose is connected on one side to the pump outlet via the second quick-connect fitting, and on the other side to the tank inlet via the third quick-connect fitting.

[0029] The male or female part of the tool-free mounting and dismounting fittings is advantageously fixed onto the flexible drain pipes.

[0030] Thus, the assembly and disassembly of the portable water heater drain system are simpler and faster. These quick-connect fittings are of the flexible cylindrical tubular type that fits around a pipe or drain fitting, with a movable part that tightens this flexible tubular fitting around the pipe or drain fitting. These quick-connect fittings are well-known in the trade; for example, they are the "Cam Lock" type fittings (registered trademark). These quick-connect fittings have male and female parts that are placed on the ends of flexible hoses and then secured with a clamp, or, in the case of rigid pipes, they are screwed directly onto a standard plumbing fitting, holding the male part of the fitting tightly in the female part.

[0031] Preferably, the tank includes a waterproof and foldable canvas, so as to reduce the total external volume of this canvas by at least a factor of 4 or at least a factor of 6 or at least a factor of 8 or at least a factor of 10, a support frame for the foldable canvas, comprising several reinforcing bars separable from each other and / or separable from the canvas.

[0032] Thus, assembling and disassembling the tank is simpler and faster. Furthermore, when stored, i.e., disassembled and / or folded, the tank takes up less space, thus reducing its overall size. These reinforcing bars, which can be separated from each other and / or from the fabric, are advantageously secured to one another by the metal cables running through them, while still allowing them to move along these cables. Alternatively, the reinforcing bars can be separated from the fabric but remain connected to each other by one or more cables from which they cannot be detached.

[0033] Preferably, the reinforcing bars are metallic. Advantageously, the side wall of the fabric includes magnets. These metallic reinforcing bars can be positioned opposite these magnets, in contact with them. Alternatively, these reinforcing bars can advantageously be made of aluminum with a ferrous portion on the face in contact with the tank, opposite the magnets positioned on the fabric of this tank. These magnets are advantageously positioned at a distance from the bottom of the tank of between 40 cm and 60 cm, for example, approximately 50 cm.

[0034] Preferably, the fabric is multi-layered, having at least one support layer coated with a layer of finish. The support layer is, for example, made of polyester. The coating layer is, for example, made of polyurethane.

[0035] Advantageously, the easy arrangement of the reinforcement bars around the tank before unfolding thanks to the magnets allows for a stiffening of the lower part of the tank and thus offers ergonomics in unfolding the bars one by one in order to then stiffen the upper part of the tank by the successive attachment of the velcro systems.

[0036] Preferably, the waterproof and foldable canvas has a cylindrical side wall when unfolded, a circular base, advantageously forming a single piece with the side wall, and a circular cover, preferably detachable or partially detachable from the side wall. The cylindrical shape is a circular cylindrical shape.

[0037] Thus, this cylindrical shape of the tank allows for greater stability and greater robustness of the tank in the deployed position, i.e. in the position of use.

[0038] Preferably, the circular cover can be attached to the side wall and detached (at least partially or completely) from the side wall by a zipper.

[0039] Preferably, the reinforcement bars of the structure are flexible tubes, preferably with a bend in the middle at a joint, extended by a protrusion at one end, preferably perpendicular to their tube length. This improves the compromise between the weight of the reinforcement on the one hand and the effectiveness and robustness of the reinforcement on the other.

[0040] Preferably, the tubes have a rectangular cross-section. This improves their stability.

[0041] Preferably, the tank fabric includes loops with openings oriented either vertically or horizontally, through which either the vertical tubes pass directly or Velcro-type fasteners are wrapped around the vertical tubes to stiffen the tank. A loop is a narrow strip of fabric or canvas attached to the side wall of the tank fabric, leaving an opening for a tube or fastener to be inserted.

[0042] Alternatively, the tank fabric may include tubular pockets into which the tubes slide to stiffen the entire tank.

[0043] Preferably, the reinforcement bars of the frame have holes going through them transversely, and one or more cables go through these holes to connect these reinforcement bars together so as to stiffen the support frame of the tank.

[0044] Thus, the stability and robustness of the support frame are further improved, without significantly increasing the weight or size of this support frame.

[0045] Preferably, the hoses are flexible. These hoses are advantageously transparent. For example, these hoses are flexible hoses with internal x external dimensions (ID 9x26) made of transparent food-grade braided PVC.

[0046] Thus, the drainage system is easier to install and use, while the bulk of these pipes in the stored position is further reduced.

[0047] The hoses are flexible and can bend to change direction, unlike rigid hoses whose shape and direction cannot be altered without damaging them (or dismantling them). Hoses are flexible, like a shower hose or a garden hose, for example. These hoses can be easily connected end-to-end using the male / female system of quick-connect fittings.

[0048] Preferably, the tank volume is between 100 liters and 500 liters, or between 150 liters and 350 liters.

[0049] Thus, the liquid transfer pump, along with the disassembled and / or folded reservoir, maintains a compact size when stored, allowing the entire portable drainage system to be packed into a small container easily transportable by one person, such as a suitcase or bag. Preferably, the portable water heater drainage system also includes a drain filter to protect the liquid transfer pump motor, connected to the pump's liquid inlet.

[0050] Therefore, even if the water is very hard, even if the water heater is poorly maintained, and consequently the drained water contains a lot of limescale and other solid particles, the pump will remain protected, and its operation will not be disrupted. The pump, as well as the solenoid valve, which has sensitive moving parts, will remain protected and therefore unaffected by the flow of the drained water.

[0051] Advantageously, the portable system also includes a filter located on the pump return in the water heater filling operation in order to provide water of controlled quality to said water heater, which will be called the "filling filter" or "return filter".

[0052] Preferably, the portable drainage system comprises: a rigid L-shaped inlet pipe connected to the liquid inlet of the liquid transfer pump, a rigid L-shaped outlet pipe connected to the liquid outlet of the liquid transfer pump, the inlet and outlet pipes being permanently arranged so that the assembly of their L-shapes forms a U-shape, the liquid transfer pump being disposed in the U-shape, on the bottom side of the U-shape hollow, the protective drainage filter being disposed in the U-shape, next to the liquid transfer pump, on the opening side of the U-shape hollow, i.e. between the free arms of the U-shape.The protective return filter is located on a branch along the rigid inlet pipe, this branch comprising, on either side of the protective filter, either two flexible pipes, or advantageously a rigid branch pipe and a flexible branch pipe, this rigid branch pipe then being shorter than the flexible branch pipe, advantageously at least twice as short.

[0053] Rigid pipes are pipes that are not flexible; they are often metallic pipes, for example, copper or brass pipes.

[0054] Preferably, the portable water heater draining system includes a check valve located downstream of the protective drain filter, and a check valve located downstream of the return filter. Thus, the water drained from the water heater to the tank via the pump also first passes through the protective drain filter (of the pump), while the water already drained, returning from the tank to the water heater via the pump, passes through the return filter.

[0055] Preferably, the portable water heater drain system also includes a solenoid valve connected to the liquid outlet of the liquid transfer pump. This solenoid valve prevents liquid from flowing back from the tank to the liquid transfer pump when the pump is pumping liquid from the water heater to the tank, or when the pump is at rest. The solenoid valve is subjected to the force of the pump to allow the drain water to pass through, but remains closed thanks to its internal spring until the electric refill control is activated, which pushes the spring to release the water from the tank.

[0056] Several options, usable in whole or in part, during the assembly and disassembly of the portable water heater drain system, will now be described. These options are advantageous because they make the assembly and disassembly of the portable water heater drain system faster and simpler.

[0057] Preferably, the assembly and / or unfolding of a liquid tank includes unfolding a waterproof cover and assembling several reinforcing bars to form a support frame for the unfolded cover. This assembly is advantageously achieved by peripherally deploying these reinforcing bars.

[0058] Preferably, when assembling the portable drainage system, a first hose is connected to the pump inlet in a removable manner, and a second hose is connected on one side to the pump outlet in a removable manner, and on the other side to the tank inlet.

[0059] Preferably, the dismantling and / or folding of the empty tank to reduce its volume includes folding the waterproof cover, as well as disassembling or separating the reinforcing bars that form the support frame of the collapsible cover. Once separated and detached from each other, these reinforcing bars are grouped together for compact storage.

[0060] Preferably, when dismantling the portable drainage system, the first hose is removed from the pump inlet, and the second hose is removed from the pump outlet and the tank inlet.

[0061] Preferably, when assembling the portable drainage system, the tank, its support frame components, the pump, and possibly the connecting hoses are removed from a case or bag. Preferably, when transporting the portable drainage system, the tank, its support frame components, the pump, and possibly the connecting hoses are transported inside the case or bag.

[0062] Preferably, when dismantling the portable drainage system, the tank, the elements of its support frame, the pump, and possibly the connecting hoses are stored in the case or bag.

[0063] Preferably, the portable water heater draining system also includes a connection device, to connect the water heater draining system to the water heater, comprising: a loose nut to connect to a ball valve, a removable key check valve, a quick fitting, advantageously of the Cam lock type.

[0064] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0065] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0066] [Fig. 1] Figure 1 schematically represents an example of a portable water heater draining system as a whole according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0067] [Fig. 2] Figure 2 represents very schematically an example of a side view of part of a portable water heater draining system centered on the liquid transfer pump according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0068] [Fig. 3] Figure 3 schematically represents an example of a front view of part of a portable water heater draining system centered on the liquid transfer pump according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0069] [Fig. 4] Figure 4 schematically represents an example of a side view of the tank of the portable water heater draining system with liquid transfer pump according to an embodiment of the invention, the tank cover being detached from the side wall, the tank then being open.

[0070] [Fig. 5] Figure 5 schematically represents an example of another side view of the tank of the portable water heater draining system with liquid transfer pump according to an embodiment of the invention, the tank cover being attached to the side wall, the tank then being closed.

[0071] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE METHODS OF IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION

[0072] Figure 1 schematically represents an example of a portable water heater draining system as a whole according to an embodiment of the invention. The portable and demountable water heater draining system 1 comprises a liquid transfer pump 2, a liquid reservoir 3 with its support frame 4, a first pipe 5 connecting the outlet 10 of the water heater 1 to the inlet 20 of the pump 2, and a second pipe 6 connecting the outlet 21 of the pump 2 to the inlet 35 of the reservoir 3.

[0073] The first pipe 5 is connected, on one side, to the outlet 10 of the water heater 1, after the ball valve 12, via a connecting device 11 at one end, and on the other side, to the inlet 20 of the pump 2 via an L-shaped inlet pipe 22 through a first quick-connect fitting 51 at its other end. The second pipe 6 is connected, on the one hand, to the outlet 21 of the pump 2 via an L-shaped outlet pipe 23 through a second quick-connect fitting 52 at one end, and on the other side, to the inlet 35 of the tank 3 via a third quick-connect fitting 53 at its other end. Pipes 5 and 6 are each independently removable. These pipes 5 and 6 are flexible like rubber pipes for example or transparent food-grade braided PVC for example.

[0074] The liquid transfer pump 2 is motorized and reversible, and has a liquid inlet 20 and a liquid outlet 21. The liquid transfer pump 2 is reversible and includes a three-position switch (not shown for clarity): a first position for a first direct direction of liquid flow from its inlet 20 to its outlet 21, i.e., the pump 2 draws water through its inlet 20 and discharges it through its outlet 21; a second position for a second reverse direction of liquid flow from its outlet 21 to its inlet 20, i.e., the pump 2 draws water through its outlet 21 and discharges it through its inlet 20; a third neutral position, corresponding to the pump 2 at rest, paused, with no liquid flowing in either direction.This third neutral position is located between the other two positions so that the switch passes through this third neutral position when it switches between the other two positions.

[0075] Connected to pump 2 are: the rigid L-shaped inlet pipe 22, connected to the inlet 20 of pump 2, the rigid L-shaped outlet pipe 23, connected to the outlet 21 of pump 2, the inlet pipe 22 and the outlet pipe 23 being permanently connected to pump 2 so that the assembly of their L-shapes presents a U-shape around the body of pump 2, which is disposed in the U-shape, on the side of the bottom of the hollow of this U-shape, a protective return filter 25 which is also disposed in the U-shape, next to pump 2 but on the side of the opening of the hollow of the U-shape, that is to say between the free arms of the U-shape.This protective return filter 25 is located on a branch 28 parallel to the rigid inlet pipe 22. This branch comprises, on either side of the return filter 25, either two flexible pipes, or advantageously, a rigid branch pipe and a flexible branch pipe, the rigid branch pipe then being shorter than the flexible branch pipe. This return filter 25 is connected to the inlet 20 of the pump 2 via the flexible branch pipe through a section of the rigid inlet pipe 22.a protective filter 26 located on a section parallel to the return filter 25, followed by a non-return valve 29 located in the rigid inlet pipe 22, so that the water drained from the water heater 1 to the tank 3 passing through the pump 2, also first passes through the protective filter 26, while the water already drained which passes back through the pump 2, returning from the tank 3 to the water heater 1, does not pass through the protective filter 26. a solenoid valve 24, connected to the outlet 21 of the pump 2. This solenoid valve 24 prevents the return of liquid from the tank 3 to the pump 2, when the pump 2 sends the liquid from the water heater 1 to the tank 3, or when the pump 2 is at rest, paused.

[0076] When the pump draws water from the water heater at point 20, the vacuum created by the suction prevents water from rising into filter 25 because check valve 27 blocks the passage, while water passes through filter 26 and check valve 29. For the return from the tank to the water heater, the water exits through the pump inlet 20, encounters check valve 29, and is forced to pass through flexible hose 28, then through the return filter 25, pushes open check valve 27, and returns to the water heater.

[0077] Before draining the water heater 1, the ball valve 12, located at the outlet 10 of the water heater 1, is connected by a T-fitting, on one side to an expansion vessel 15 by the first branch of the T-fitting, and on the other side to a safety group 16 by the second branch of the T-fitting, the function of the expansion vessel 15 being to allow the storage of expanded water thus compensating for the overpressure in the water heater 1, the function of the safety group 16 being to allow the evacuation of an excess of expanded hot water to avoid a significant overpressure in the water heater 1 when the expansion vessel 15 can no longer perform this function (for example, if the ball valve 12 has been accidentally closed so as to close the bypass to the expansion vessel 15 at the outlet of the water heater 1),and also allows for shutting off the water supply to the water heater without affecting the use of cold water in the apartment or house. The expansion vessel 15 compensates, through its air inflation pressure and internal membrane, for the overpressure generated by the heating of the water, and thus, through its volume, stores expanded water awaiting use.

[0078] To drain water heater 1, the safety group valve 16 is closed to shut off the cold water supply to water heater 1, then the ball valve

[0079] 12 is closed so that the expansion vessel 15 can be disconnected and the connection device 11 connected in its place. The expansion vessel 15 is disconnected via the flexible hose connecting it to the ball valve 12. The safety group 16, which acts as a shut-off valve, remains in place. As is known to those skilled in the art, i.e., plumbers, after connecting the entire drainage system and opening the ball valve 12, an air intake is created to allow the water heater 1 to drain. This air intake can preferably be created by opening a second outlet on the water heater 1 (not shown), which is the hot water outlet allowing the water heater 1 to supply hot water to the bathtubs, showers, sinks, etc., in the dwelling. This air intake can alternatively be created by opening one or more hot water taps in the dwelling containing the water heater 1.

[0080] The connection device 11 is a useful tool (also an object of the invention) for the plumber to connect the plumber's water heater drain system to the customer's water heater 1. This connection device 11 is the fitting that connects the outlet of the ball valve 12—specifically, the outlet of the ball valve 12 where the expansion vessel 15 was connected—to the first flexible hose 5. This connection device 11 includes a loose nut for hand-tightening with a rubber gasket to the ball valve 12 and extends with a removable key-operated check valve.

[0081] 13 and terminates in a male-type Cam lock quick-connect fitting 14 fixed to its end. The ball valve 12, the expansion vessel 15 and the safety group 16 are components already present at the outlet of the water heater in the homeowner's house or apartment.

[0082] The connection device 11 is connected on one side to the ball valve 12, and on the other side to the first pipe 5 via a quick-connect fitting 14. The removable key of this non-return valve 13 is removed when the water heater 1 empties into the tank 3, with the water being drawn out of the water heater 1 by the pump 2. The removable key of this non-return valve 13 is replaced before the tank 3 empties into the water heater 1, with the drained water being pumped back into the water heater 1 by the pump 2.The removable key of this check valve 13, when removed, causes the check valve 13 to behave as a simple channel allowing water to flow freely from the water heater 1 to the pump 2, while when replaced, causes the check valve 13 to behave as a check valve preventing the water flowing from the pump 2 to the water heater 1 from returning to the pump 2 after passing through this check valve 13.

[0083] The tank 3 comprises, on the one hand, a waterproof and foldable canvas 30, so as to reduce the total external volume of this canvas 30 by at least a factor of 4 or at least a factor of 6 or at least a factor of 8 or at least a factor of 10, and on the other hand, a support frame 4 for the foldable canvas 30, comprising several reinforcing bars 40 separable from each other and / or separable from the canvas 30, so that the assembly and disassembly of the tank 3 is simpler and faster, and so that, in the stowed position, i.e. disassembled and / or folded, the tank takes up less space, therefore has a reduced footprint.

[0084] A typical and preferred example of a circular cylindrical tank 3 has the following dimensions: a volume between 200 and 400 litres, for example 315 litres, a height between 80cm and 120cm, for example 95cm, a diameter between 50cm and 80cm, for example 65cm, a height for the inlet 35 between 10cm and 15cm from the bottom of the tank 3, for example 12cm.

[0085] The waterproof and foldable fabric 30 has a cylindrical side panel 37. When the fabric 30 is unfolded, it has a circular base 31 that is integral with the side panel 37, and a circular cover 32 that is detachable (fully or at least partially) from the side panel 37 by means of a zipper. This fabric 30 is multilayered, having at least one support layer coated with a topcoat. The support layer is, for example, made of polyester. This polyester is of type DIN ISO 1076. This polyester has a weave of type DIN EN 1049-2 including yarns, with a density of 12 x 12 per cm, of type DIN EN ISO 2060. The topcoat is, for example, made of polyurethane. This polyurethane has a density of 1100 g / m². 2 , and is of type DIN EN ISO 2286-2, and compatible with the direct food contact standard 10 / 2011 EC.

[0086] The reinforcing bars 40 have at least one metallic component and are positioned opposite the magnets 34 that comprise the side wall 37 of the web 30. These reinforcing bars 40 of the support frame 4 are flexible tubes 40, preferably in the middle, at a joint 41, extended by a protrusion 42 located at their lower end, the end closest to the bottom 31 of the web 30, perpendicular to their tube length 40. These hollow, flexible metallic tubes 40 are robust, stable, lightweight, and easy to assemble and disassemble. Their rectangular cross-section further enhances their stability.

[0087] The fabric 30 of the reservoir 3 includes loops 33 whose opening is oriented horizontally, and through which pass Velcro-type fasteners 38 wrapped around the vertical tubes 40, so as to stiffen the whole of the reservoir 3.

[0088] These reinforcing bars 40 of the support frame 4 have holes 43 passing through them transversely, and two cables 44 pass through these holes 43 to connect these reinforcing bars 40 so as to stiffen the support frame 4 of the tank 3, without significantly increasing the weight or size of this support frame 4. A first cable 44 is located in the upper half of the tank 3, near the lid 32. A second cable 44 is located in the lower half of the tank 3, near the bottom 31.

[0089] These reinforcement bars 40 of the support frame 4 are advantageously held along the canvas 30 of the tank 3 by means of three cables 44 passing or not through holes 43 crossing transversely through said reinforcement bars 40.

[0090] In a preferred assembly method, following the assembly order of the support frame 4 for tank 3, the first cable 44, not attached to the bars 40, is positioned on the protrusions 42 after the bars 40 have been deployed around the perimeter of the tank 30's fabric. In the lower part of tank 3, near the bottom 31 and approximately 25 cm from the ground, a second cable 44 passes through all the holes 43 in the reinforcing bars 40. Finally, a third and last cable 44, located in the upper part of tank 3 and approximately 75 cm from the ground, passes through every other reinforcing bar 40. This crossing on two in the upper part has the advantage of allowing the successive unfolding of the 40 reinforcement bars and thus avoiding a total physical bonding of the said 40 reinforcement bars where the manipulation of one would affect the others and therefore make the assembly less easy due to their influence on the upper part of the tank 3 which is still a little unstable at this stage.

[0091] The assembly and disassembly of the portable water heater drain system 1 are carried out in a simple and quick manner.

[0092] First, during the assembly of the portable drainage system followed by the drainage of the water heater 1, by successively carrying out: the assembly of the portable drainage system, including: o the assembly and / or unfolding of the tank 3, as well as advantageously the assembly of its support frame 4, o the connection of this tank 3 to the reversible motorized pump 2, the drainage of the water heater 1, during which the water (to be drained) circulates from the water heater 1 to the tank 3, through the reversible motorized pump 2, in a first direction of circulation, until the water heater 1 is emptied of the water it contains and the tank 3 is filled with this water.

[0093] Then, during a pause with the water heater 1 drained, during which the plumber's intervention on the drained water heater 1 is carried out, during which the pump 2 is first put in neutral position, and then the direction of circulation of the pump 2 is reversed, after repositioning the removable key of the non-return valve 13, by a simple press on a switch to change the direction of water circulation in the pump 2.

[0094] Finally, during the filling of the water heater 1 with the water drained and stored in the tank 3, followed by the dismantling of the portable drainage system, by successively carrying out: the filling of the water heater 1 with the water already drained and stored in the tank 3, during which the water (already drained) circulates from the tank 3 to the water heater 1, through the reversible motorized pump 2, in a second direction of circulation opposite to the first direction of circulation, until the tank 3 is emptied of the drained water it contains, and the water heater is again filled with its drained water, the dismantling of the portable drainage system, including: o the separation of the pump 2 and the tank 3 from each other, o the dismantling and folding of the empty tank 3 so as to reduce its volume.

[0095] The assembly and disassembly of the portable water heater drainage system are carried out even more simply and quickly using the following operations: When assembling the portable drainage system: o removing the tank 3, the elements of its support frame 4, the pump 2, and possibly the connecting hoses 5 and 6, from a case or bag, o unfolding the waterproof cover 30, and assembling the reinforcing bars 40 to form a support frame 4 for the folding cover 30, o connecting a first hose 5 to the inlet 20 of the pump 2, and a second hose 6 to the outlet 21 of the pump 2 on one side, and to the inlet 35 of the tank 3 on the other side; when disassembling the portable drainage system: o removing the first hose 5 from the inlet 20 of the pump 2, and removing the second hose 6 from the outlet 21 of pump 2 and inlet 35 of tank 3, or the folding of the waterproof canvas 30,as well as the disassembly and separation of the reinforcing bars 40 forming the support frame 4 of the folding canvas 30, and the storage of the canvas 30 of the tank 3, the elements of its support frame 4, the pump 2, and possibly the connecting pipes 5 and 6, in the case or bag which will serve as a means of transport for the plumber of the entire portable water heater drainage system.

[0096] During the draining of water from water heater 1 to tank 3, the drained water flows as follows, passing successively through the following phases: the drained water exits water heater 1 through outlet 10, the drained water first passes through the ball valve 12, then the non-return valve 13 (after removal of its removable key), the drained water flows through the first pipe 5, up to the first quick-connect fitting 51, to enter the rigid inlet pipe 22, before passing through the drain filter 26 and then the spring-loaded non-return valve 29, then arriving at the inlet 20 of pump 2, the drained water is drawn in through the inlet 20 of pump 2 to be discharged through the outlet 21 of pump 2, the water drained, discharged through outlet 21 of pump 2, enters the rigid outlet pipe 23, passes through solenoid valve 24, which is not electrically energized, (without being able to pass back through this solenoid valve 24 in the other direction,because the control of this solenoid valve 24 is coupled to the direction of water flow in the pump 2), up to the level of the second quick-connect fitting 52, before entering the second pipe 6, the drained water flows in the second pipe 6, up to the level of the third quick-connect fitting 53, to easily enter the tank 3 through its inlet 35 thanks to a suction tube 36 when this inlet 35 is at least 5 to 10 cm above the bottom 31 of the tank 3 (and therefore also above the ground), for example about 12 cm, the drained water is stored in the tank 3 while the plumber works on the water heater 1, the pump 2 switch being in the neutral position, after the plumber has finished working on the water heater 1, this plumber replaces the removable key of the non-return valve 13 and operates the pump 2 switch to proceed with the return or refilling,The drained water is then drawn from tank 3 by means of the suction pipe 36 of tank 3, and this drained water exits tank 3 through its inlet 35 to pass through the second pipe 6, between the third quick-connect fitting 53 and the second quick-connect fitting 52, before entering the rigid outlet pipe 23. The drained water passes through the rigid outlet pipe 23 again and passes through the solenoid valve 24, which is electrically controlled to allow the liquid to circulate, without being able to return to tank 3 once the solenoid valve 24 has passed through again, until it reaches the outlet 21 of pump 2. The drained water is drawn through the outlet 21 of pump 2 to be discharged through the inlet 20 of pump 2. The drained water is discharged through the inlet 20 of pump 2 (whose direction (The flow rate has changed), is then blocked by the spring-loaded non-return valve 29 and uses the flexible pipe to pass through the filling filter or return filter 25,pushes the spring-loaded check valve 27 and exits the pipe 22 through the quick fitting 51, then flows in the first pipe 5, from the level of the first quick fitting 51 to the check valve 13 which this drained water passes through again (without being able to return to the pump 2, once this check valve 13 has passed through again), then passes through the ball valve 12, and finally passes through the outlet 10 of the water heater 1, to return, still hot, and almost without loss, inside the water heater 1, o thanks to the check valve with removable key 13 which retains the water, the plumber was able to concentrate on the total suction of the tank 3 as well as on stopping the pump 2, whatever its distance from the water heater 1, to then close the ball valve 12 in order to disconnect the system, The drained water, once returned to the water heater 1, still hot, can be immediately used by the owner or user of the water heater 1.for example, to take a shower.

[0097] Figure 2 schematically represents an example of a side view of a portion of a portable water heater draining system centered on the liquid transfer pump according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0098] Figure 3 schematically represents an example of a front view of a part of a portable water heater draining system centered on the liquid transfer pump according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0099] The portable and demountable water heater draining system 1 includes a liquid transfer pump 2. The pump 2 comprises a pump body 201 through which the pumped water passes, a motor 202, an electrical cable 203 connected to the motor 202, and an electrical plug 204 terminating the electrical cable 203, intended to be plugged into a socket in one of the rooms of the house or apartment where the water heater 1 is located. The electrical plug 204 is therefore suitable for a voltage of 220 volts or 110 volts. The pump 2 rests on a wheeled platform 100. A base 103, belonging to the platform 100, allows the return filter 25 to be attached to this base 103.

[0100] Pillars 101 support the various pipes or pipe sections via clamps 102 surrounding these pipes or pipe sections. The pillars 101 support an L-shaped, angled inlet pipe 22 and an L-shaped, angled outlet pipe 23.

[0101] The inlet pipe 22 connects, on the one hand, a first quick fitting 51 which is intended to be connected to the first pipe 5 (not shown in figure 2), on the other hand, the inlet 20 (visible in figure 3) of the pump 2. The first quick fitting 51 includes a flexible nozzle 510 (for example made of plastic or rubber) around which one or more movable parts 511 (for example made of metal) tighten (the movable part 511 is shown in the tightened position), thus making it possible to seal the passage through this quick fitting 51 when the water flows from the first pipe 5 to the inlet pipe 22. In the path of the inlet pipe 22 is arranged a drain filter 26 followed by a spring-loaded non-return valve 29. In parallel with this drain filter 26 followed by a spring-loaded check valve 29, there is a rigid bypass pipe 28, the return filter 25 followed by a spring-loaded check valve 27, and a flexible bypass pipe.A T-shaped branch allows the rigid bypass pipe 28 to be connected to the inlet pipe 22 on one side of the drain filter 26. Another T-shaped branch allows the flexible bypass pipe to be connected to the inlet pipe 22 on one side of the spring-loaded check valve 29.

[0102] The outlet pipe 23 connects, on the one hand, a second quick-connect fitting 52, which is intended to be connected to the second pipe 6 (not shown in Figure 2), and on the other hand, the outlet 21 (visible in Figure 3) of the pump 2. The second quick-connect fitting 52 includes a nozzle 520 (for example, made of plastic or rubber) around which one or more movable parts 521 (for example, made of metal) are tightened (the movable part 521 is shown in the loosened position), thus sealing the passage through this second quick-connect fitting 52 when water flows from the outlet pipe 23 to the second pipe 6. All other quick-connect fittings have the same structure as quick-connect fittings 51 and 52. A solenoid valve 24 (visible in Figure 3) is located in the path of the outlet pipe 23.

[0103] The L-shaped inlet pipe 22 and the L-shaped outlet pipe 23 form a U-shaped piping circuit surrounding, on one side, the body 201 of the pump 2 and its motor 202, and on the other side, the return filter 25 protecting the water heater 1. The body 201 of the pump 2 and its motor 202 are located at the bottom of the U, that is, at the bottom of the U's hollow. The filter 25 protecting the water heater 1 is located between the arms of the U, between the ends of the arms of this U.

[0104] In the initial phase of draining the water circulating from the water heater 1 to the tank 3, the drained water arrives through the first fitting 51 from the first pipe 5, enters the inlet pipe 22, cannot flow back up (despite the gravitational force of draining the water heater 1) towards the filling filter 25 via the spring-loaded check valve 27, and therefore continues its path, first passing through the drain filter 26, which will block particles that could damage the pump body 201 or the solenoid valve 24, pushes the spring-loaded check valve 29, and continues towards the bend in this pipe 22 towards the inlet 20 of the pump 2 (without returning to the spring-loaded check valve 29), is drawn in by the pump 2 through the inlet 20, and is discharged by the pump 2 through the outlet 21 in the outlet pipe 23, passes through the solenoid valve 24 (without returning to the outlet 21 of the pump 2, thanks to solenoid valve 24),it then flows through the second quick-connect fitting 52 to the second pipe 6 and is subsequently stored in tank 3.

[0105] In a second phase of filling the water heater 1 with the drained water from the tank 3 where this drained water was stored, after the plumber's intervention on the drained water heater 1, and the replacement of the removable key of the non-return valve 13 as well as the activation of the return control of the pump 2, this drained water arrives through the second fitting 52 from the second pipe 6, enters the outlet pipe 23, flows in the outlet pipe 23 towards the outlet 21 of the pump 2, passes through the solenoid valve 24 (without being able to return to the second quick-connect fitting 52 and to the second pipe 6), is drawn by the pump 2 through the outlet 21, is discharged by the pump 2 through the inlet 20 into the inlet pipe 22, is then forced by the action of the spring-loaded non-return valve 29 to pass through the flexible hose, of pass through return filter 25,push the spring-loaded non-return valve 27 and exit this branch via the tee of the pipe 22 through the quick-connect fitting 51.

[0106] Figure 4 schematically represents an example of a side view of the tank of the portable water heater draining system with liquid transfer pump according to an embodiment of the invention, the tank cover being detached from the side wall, the tank then being open.

[0107] Figure 5 schematically represents an example of another side view of the tank of the portable water heater draining system with liquid transfer pump according to an embodiment of the invention, the tank cover being attached to the side wall, the tank then being closed.

[0108] The tank 3 comprises, on the one hand, a waterproof and foldable canvas 30, so as to reduce the total external volume of this canvas 30, and on the other hand, a support frame 4 for the foldable canvas 30, comprising several reinforcing tubes 40 which can be separated from each other and / or from the canvas 30, so that the assembly and disassembly of the tank 3 is simpler and faster, and so that, in the stowed position, i.e. disassembled and / or folded, the tank 3 takes up less space, therefore has a reduced footprint.

[0109] The typical example of the circular cylindrical tank 3, which is described in figures 4 and 5, has the following preferred dimensions: a volume of 315 litres, a height of 95cm, a diameter of 65cm, a height for the inlet 35 from the bottom of the tank 3, located 12cm from the bottom of the tank 3, and therefore about 12cm from the ground (to the thickness of the canvas 30).

[0110] The waterproof and foldable canvas 30 has a cylindrical side wall 37, once the canvas 30 is unfolded, a circular bottom 31 which is one piece with the side wall 37, and a circular cover 32 which is detachable from the side wall 37 by a zipper 320.

[0111] The cover 32 is in the open and detached position in Figure 4 (or almost detached, if it is still attached to the rest of the canvas 30 by a small piece, hanging along the side wall 37), while this cover 32 is in the closed and attached position in Figure 5 (which allows on the one hand better retention of the heat of the water drained and stored in the tank 3, and on the other hand prevents particles or even small objects from inadvertently falling into the water drained and stored in the tank 3, during the draining of the water heater 1 and during the intervention of the plumber on the water heater 1).

[0112] The reinforcing tubes 40 are positioned opposite the magnets 34 that form part of the side wall 37 of the web 30. These reinforcing tubes 40 of the support frame 4 are flexible, preferably in the middle, at a joint 41, and extended by a protrusion 42 located at their lower end. This lower end is the one closest to the bottom 31 of the web 30, perpendicular to their tube length 40. These protrusions 42 are oriented radially outwards from the tank 3, parallel to the ground on which the tank 3 rests. These hollow, flexible metal tubes 40 are robust, stable, lightweight, and easy to assemble and disassemble. Their rectangular cross-section further enhances their stability, with the longer dimension of the rectangle being the one against the side wall 37 and against the ground (at the protrusion 42).

[0113] The fabric 30 of the reservoir 3 includes loops 33 whose opening is oriented horizontally, and through which pass Velcro-type fasteners 38 wrapped around the vertical tubes 40, so as to stiffen the whole of the reservoir 3.

[0114] These reinforcing tubes 40 of the support frame 4 have holes 43 passing through them transversely, and two cables 44 pass through these holes 43 to connect these reinforcing tubes 40 together so as to stiffen the support frame 4 of the tank 3, without significantly increasing the weight or size of this support frame 4. A first cable 44 is located in the upper half of the tank 3, near the lid 32. A second cable 44 is located in the lower half of the tank 3, near the bottom 31. Each of the cables 44 is closed on itself by a fastener 440. A cord 330 encircles the side wall 37, passing through several of the loops 33 to stiffen the fabric 30 and thus allow the installation of the reinforcing bars 40. A third, preferential cable 44 can also surround the tubes 40 at the level of their protuberances 42.This third cable 44 improves the assembly process by preventing the feet of the reinforcement bars 40 from tilting towards the tank 3.

[0115] In the lower part of tank 3 is the inlet 35 of tank 3. This inlet 35 of tank 3 is connected to the second pipe 6 by means of a third quick fitting 53. The water arrives from the water heater 1 through the second pipe 6, enters the interior of tank 3, passing first through the inlet 35 outside of tank 3, and then through a suction pipe (not shown in figures 4 and 5) inside tank 3 to be stored in tank 3 while the plumber works on the water heater 1 once it has been drained of its hot water. The suction tube is bent, with a horizontal part located at the same height as the inlet 35 of the tank 3 and connected to this inlet 35, and a vertical part of about ten centimeters (between 12cm and 15cm), so as to stop at a distance for example between 1cm and 3cm above the bottom 31 of the tank 3.

[0116] In the first phase of draining the water circulating from the water heater 1 to the tank 3, the water being drained arrives through the second pipe 6, passes through the inlet 35 and the suction pipe 36 to enter the tank 3 and remain stored there while the plumber works on the water heater 1, which has been drained of its hot water.

[0117] In a second phase of filling water heater 1 with the drained water from tank 3 where this drained water was stored, after the plumber's intervention on the drained water heater 1, this drained water exits tank 3, first passing through the suction pipe 36, exiting through the inlet 35, and returning to the second pipe 6, before returning to water heater 1. The presence and position of the suction pipe 36 inside tank 3, between the inlet 35 and the bottom 31 of tank 3, facilitates the evacuation of the hot drained water that was stored in tank 3, allowing the pump 2 to be primed and the contents of tank 3 to be completely emptied.

[0118] The assembly and disassembly of the tank 3 are carried out simply and quickly, preferably using the following operations: during the assembly of the tank 3: o removing the tank 3, and the elements of its support frame 4, from a case or bag, o first unfolding the waterproof fabric 30, then closing the cover 32 on the upper part of the side section 37 of the fabric 30 above the tank 3, so that the fabric 30 takes its cylindrical shape, o passing the cord 330 through the loops 33 to stiffen the side wall 37 of the fabric 30 of the tank 3, and thus allow easy assembly of the entire support frame 4, this cord 330 being advantageously made of fiberglass, o then assembling the reinforcing tubes 40 to form a support frame 4 for the foldable fabric 30, including:

[0119] ■ the unfolding of the tubes 40 (whose two parts were folded against each other) and their installation around the side wall 37 using the fasteners 38 placed around the upper part of the tubes 40 before being slid into the loops 33, the protrusions 42 resting on the ground, the tubes 40 being placed against the magnets 34 of the canvas 30,

[0120] ■ possibly the passing of the cables 44, one after the other, through the holes 43 in the tubes 40, then the closing of their fastener 440, or alternatively, the cables 44 are already attached to the tubes 40 and will remain attached to the tubes 40, even when the tubes 40 are stored in their carrying bag, o the connection of a second hose 6 to the inlet 35 of the tank 3, during the dismantling of the portable drainage system: o the removal of the second hose 6 from the inlet 35 of the tank 3, o first the disassembly and separation of the reinforcing tubes 40 forming the support frame 4 of the folding canvas 30, including:

[0121] ■ the opening of the attachment 440 of each of the cables,

[0122] ■ the removal of the fasteners 38, in fact the simple detachment of the fasteners 38, followed by the removal of the tubes 40 and the side wall 37 and their folding, the fasteners 38 being themselves attached to the feet of the reinforcing bars 40, their simple removal from the loops 33 allows them to detach the reinforcing bars 40 and the wall 37, o the removal of the cord 330 from the loops 33 to free the side wall 37 from the fabric 30 of the tank 3, and thus restore the flexibility of the tank 3 before folding and storing it, o first the opening of the cover 32 and its at least partial (or even complete) removal of the upper part of the side part 37 of the fabric 30 above the tank 3, so as to then facilitate the folding of the waterproof fabric 30, so that the fabric 30 takes its storage shape which will be substantially parallelepiped, o the storage, of the canvas 30 of the tank 3, of the elements of its support frame 4,in the suitcase or bag that the plumber will use to transport the entire portable water heater drainage system.

[0123] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the examples and embodiment described and represented, but is susceptible to many variations accessible to those skilled in the art.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Portable, demountable water heater draining system comprising: a motorized liquid transfer pump (2), having a liquid inlet (20) and a liquid outlet (21), reversible; a liquid reservoir (3), demountable and / or foldable to reduce its volume, having a liquid inlet (35); two hoses (5, 6), the first hose (5) being removably connected to the inlet (20) of the pump (2), the second hose (6) being removably connected on one side to the outlet (21) of the pump (2), and on the other side to the inlet (35) of the reservoir (3), said portable water heater draining system being demountable so as to: separate the pump (2) and the reservoir (3), dismantle and / or fold the empty reservoir (3) to reduce its volume.

2. Portable water heater draining system according to claim 1, characterized: in that it comprises three quick fittings (51, 52, 53) which are tool-free mounting and dismounting fittings, and in that: o the first pipe (5) is connected to the inlet (20) of the pump (2), via the first quick fitting (51), o the second pipe (6) is connected on one side to the outlet (21) of the pump (2), via the second quick fitting (52), and on the other side to the inlet (35) of the tank (3), via the third quick fitting (53).

3. Portable water heater draining system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tank comprises: a waterproof and foldable canvas (30), so as to reduce the total external volume of this canvas (30) by at least a factor of 4 or at least a factor of 6 or at least a factor of 8 or at least a factor of 10, a support frame (4) for the foldable canvas (30), comprising several reinforcing bars (40) separable from each other and / or separable from the canvas (30).

4. Portable water heater draining system according to claim 3, characterized in that: the waterproof and foldable fabric (30) has: o a cylindrical side wall (37), once the fabric (30) is unfolded, o a circular bottom (31), advantageously in one piece with the side wall (37), o and a circular cover (32), preferably detachable or preferably partially detachable from the side wall (37).

5. Portable water heater draining system according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: the reinforcement bars (40) of the support frame (4) are tubes: o foldable, preferably in their middle, at the level of an articulation (41), o extended by a protrusion (42) located at one of their ends, preferably orthogonal to their tube length.

6. Portable water heater draining system according to claim 3 or 4 or 5, characterized in that: the reinforcing bars (40) of the support frame (4) have holes (43) passing through them transversely, and one or more cables (44) pass through these holes (43) to connect these reinforcing bars (40) together so as to stiffen the support frame (4) of the tank (3).

7. Portable water heater draining system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pipes (5, 6) are flexible.

8. Portable water heater draining system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the volume of the tank (3) is between 100 liters and 500 liters, or between 150 liters and 350 liters.

9. Portable water heater draining system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it also comprises a drain filter (26) for protection of the motor (202) of the liquid transfer pump (2), connected to said liquid inlet (20) of the liquid transfer pump (2).

10. Portable water heater draining system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it also comprises a spring-loaded check valve (29) located downstream of the protective drain filter (26) and a spring-loaded check valve (27) located downstream of the protective return filter (25).

11. Portable water heater draining system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it also comprises a connection device (11), for connecting the water heater draining system to the water heater (1), comprising: a free nut to be connected to a ball valve (12), a removable key check valve (13), a quick fitting (14), advantageously of the Cam lock type.

12. Method for draining a water heater, comprising: the assembly of a portable draining system, including: o the assembly and / or unfolding of a liquid reservoir (3), preferably including the assembly of a support frame (4) around the reservoir (3) by installing reinforcement bars (40) of this support frame (4) around the reservoir (3) and connecting these reinforcement bars (40) together, o the connection of this reservoir (3) to a reversible motorized liquid transfer pump (2), draining the water heater (1), including: o the circulation of water from the water heater (1) to the reservoir (3), through the reversible motorized liquid transfer pump (2), in a first direction of circulation, until the water heater (1) is emptied of the water it contains, preferably a pause with the water heater (1) drained, allowing work on the water heater (1) Drained, preferably by a plumber.during which: o the direction of flow of the pump (2) is reversed, preferably by simply pressing a switch to change the direction of water flow in the pump (2), the filling of the water heater (1) with the drained water, comprising: o the circulation of water from the tank (3) to the water heater (1), through the reversible motorized liquid transfer pump (2), in a second direction of flow opposite to the first direction of flow, until the tank (3) is emptied of the water it contains, the dismantling of the portable drainage system, comprising: o the separation of the pump (2) and the tank (3) from each other, o the dismantling and / or folding of the empty tank (3) so as to reduce its volume, preferably including the dismantling and removal of the support frame (4) and its reinforcing bars (40).

13. Water heater draining method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that: when assembling the portable draining system, the tank (3), the elements of its support frame (4), the pump (2), and optionally the connecting pipes (5, 6) are taken out of a case or bag; when transporting the portable draining system, the tank (3), the elements of its support frame (4), the pump, and optionally the connecting pipes (5, 6) are transported in the case or bag; when disassembling the portable draining system, the tank (3), the elements of its support frame (4), the pump, and optionally the connecting pipes (5, 6) are stored in the case or bag.

14. Water heater drain system kit, comprising: a motorized and reversible liquid transfer pump (2) having a liquid inlet (20) and a liquid outlet (21), a liquid reservoir (3), disassembled and folded, having a liquid inlet (35), comprising: o a folded waterproof canvas (30), o a disassembled support frame (4), two hoses (5, 6), a case or bag, in which or in which are stored: said pump (2), said folded canvas (30), said support frame (4), said hoses (5, 6).

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