WO2004038305A1

WO2004038305A1 - Electric and solar water-heater supply and relief system

Info

Publication number: WO2004038305A1
Application number: PCT/GR2003/000047
Authority: WO
Inventors: Antonios Theocharis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-10-24
Filing date: 2003-10-15
Publication date: 2004-05-06
Anticipated expiration: 2005-04-24
Also published as: EP1567812B1; GR1004388B; ATE500475T1; EP1567812A1; DE60336260D1; AU2003269287A1

Abstract

Relief system of water-heater and hydraulic system, whereby the cold water inflow pipe (11) is placed above the water flow level of the water-heater (14) at which spot a multiple-relief valve (17) is fitted which introduces atmospheric air in case of a pressure drop in the network below atmospheric pressure, thus maintain water fullness in the water-heater, while at the same time allowing the relief of overpressure in the water-heater when it exceeds certain limits. Then, the water supply is directed towards the bottom of the water-heater through the single-pipe connection. The multiple-relief valve is fitted at a spot on the water inflow network, located above the upper water level (14) in the water-heater. The membrane valve (29) opens when the pressure exceeds the pressure safety levels and relieves the system. The air inflow valve (37) opens when there is a drop in the network pressure, thus preventing water-heater depletion. The benefits of this invention regards the 100% protection offered against overpressure in the water-heater, due to the communicating vessels effect and the prevention of the water-heater depletion, that may have uncontrollable and disastrous consequences. Also there is no valve or spring neither in the inlet nor the outlet of water, thus excluding all possibility of salt-formation and obstruction of its operation.

Description

ELECTRIC AND SOLAR WATER-HEATER SUPPLY AND RELIEF SYSTEM

An invention regarding a new connection position of the water-heater with the single-pipe connection of the cold and hot water input pipe and the connection of the new multiple- relief valve, which is parallel to the circuit. Figure No 7 illustrates a water- heater with the currently applied connection.

A) How the connection to the network is made.

B) Where to make the connection of the relief valve to the integrated non-return valve. C) Water-heater components as illustrated in figure No 7.

D) How the water-heater functions.

The water-heater components are:

Boiler (1), Support base (2), hot water input pipe (4), cold water input (3), Relief valve with integrated non-return valve (7), Internal network pipe (11), water heating resistance (5), Thermostat switch (6), City network (13),Water meter (12)

How functions the water-heater?

The water enters from the main network (13) through the interposing non- return valve (7), thus fill of boiler (1) is achieved. The relief valve (7) is parallel to the circuit and is kept closed under the effect of a spring set at the desired pressure level and operates when the pressure in the boiler (1) exceeds safe pressure level. The function of the non-return valve is to allow the water inflow from the main pipe to the boiler (1), while preventing the reverse flow from the boiler (1) to the network (13).

Drawbacks of the non-return valve functioning properly or not.

The problems created by the non-return valve are numerous and sometimes 100% dangerous. For example, we have set the relief valve at lOatm and the pressure in the network is 8 atm (and quite often close to the set level of relief valve) and we set the water- heater at hot water function, due to expansion, as there is no way to relieve the pressure, the relief valve (7) opens, resulting to home floods and even boiler collapses (explosion) if it (7) doesn't function. For this reason, the water-heaters manufacturers recommend the mounting of a pressure reducer to lower the network (13) pressure. However, as the reducer has a non-returning action, it does not allow reverse flow to the network (13) and causes the aforementioned problems similar to the non-return valve. When the non-return valve (7) does not function and remains open due to the cold water pipe (3) connection method at the lower part of the boiler and somehow the network (13) empties, it does not retain the boiler's fullness (1) and as a result there is leakage of hot or cold water to the network (13) Risk of resistance (5) blow due to being in vacuum. Risk of -water network contamination due to inflow of drifted salts or decay products from the magnesium pole fitted in the solar boilers. For the aversion of this last risk, a non-return valve is normally fitted at the input of new supplies. However, this valve also participates 100% in the aforementioned problems of pressure rise in the interior of the boiler (l).To sum up, nonreturn valves not only do not solve any problem but also create all the aforementioned ones. Another serious problem that contributes to the depleting of the boilers due to non-return valves malfunction and the reverse flow of water to the network (13), as illustrated in the Figure (7) is the currently applied position of the input pipe (3). The new system presented is bound to solve all the aforementioned problems. The new multiple-protection system (17), Figure No 2, and the connection of the cold water input pipe (3) on the upper part of the water-heater, aims at the inflow of cold water and the intake of hot water through the relief valve and the retention of the boiler's fullness at the level of the flow line (14).The aforementioned problems are 100% vanished with the application of the system, the elimination of non-return valves (7), the fitting of a new, multiple-relief valve (17) and the retention of the water level at the flow line (14). Figures (1) and (2) illustrate the connection of two boilers which, in terms of components, are identical to Figure (7). The points of difference are the absence of a reverting valve with the integrated relief valve (7) which was found in Figure (7), the change in the connection position of the cold water input pipe (3), the intake of hot and cold water through the multiple-relief valve (17) with a single pipe connection and the fitting position of the multiple-relief valve which is connected parallel to the circuit above the flow line (14) as illustrated in Figures Nol and No 2. Advantages of the new multiple-relief valve.

Protection 100% of the boiler and the interior system from excessive pressure due to the abolishment of the non-return valves, the circuit functions as two communicating vessels, thus the pressure in the system and in the boiler (1) never exceeds network (13) pressure. Protection 100% of the boiler (1) form a malfunction of the thermostat switch (6). If the thermostat switch fails to disconnect voltage, then in such a case there will simply be electricity consumption without any pressure problem due to communicating vessels effect. The cold-water inflow and the hot water intake are performed by a pipe through the relief valve (17) and the hot water outlets (43). The pressure reducer is no longer used as the pressure will never exceed the network (13) pressure. Easy emptying of the boiler (1) without installation of a faucet as the boiler empties within a few minutes by simply closing the inlet (27) and opening the cold and the hot water taps (9) and (10).

The invention is described below with reference to the attached figures where by: Figure (No 3) illustrates a section of a four- way valve according to the present invention.

Figure (No 6) illustrates a section of a three-way valve according to the present invention.

Figure (No 4) illustrates a section of an alternative four- way valve to Figure (No 3).

Figure (No 5) illustrates a section of an alternative three-way valve to figure (6).

Figure (No 7) illustrates an installation of a water-heater and its components according to the contemporary, conventional method.

Figure (No 1) illustrates an already installed water-heater where the connection according to the new system is presented.

Figure (No 2) illustrates the installation of a new water-heater manufactured and connected according to the new system.

The valve in Figure (No 3) consists of the cold water inlet (20), through which water flows into the valve body (21), the upper part of the body bears a facet (38) where the elastic valve (37) is located and communicates with the upper part of the valve (26). This part (26) is outside the water circuit and over the elastic valve (37) and communicates with the atmosphere through an opening (27) when the valve (37) is open. The valve body (21) bears a second facet (28) where the relief valve is fitted with a membrane (29), a spring (30) and an adjusting screw (31). It also bears a spiral (42) onto which the cold water pipe (18) is connected. The valve functions as follows: At normal operation the inflow of cold water is done through the inlet, (20), where the water pressure is directed towards the bottom of the boiler (1) Figure (No 2) through the opening (42) and the coaxial pipe (18).In case of overpressure of the system, the elastic valve (37) remains closed and the relief valve (29) opens at the pressure value set with the screw (31).In case of water supply failure from the main and consequent pressure loss, the valve body (21) empties and a sub-pressure is created through the opening (20) in the lower part of the elastic valve (37). As a result, the elastic valve (37) subsides from the facet (38) and the interior (20) communicates with the environment through this part (26) and the opening (27). As illustrated in the water-heater figure (No 2) the siphon collapses due to air inflow and the water-heater does not empty but retains all its content firmly at the flow line level (14).In case we have to empty the water-heater, we close the atmosphere communicating opening (27) of figure (No 3) thus preventing the siphon from collapsing, we open the cold water (9) and hot water (10) taps as shown in the water-heater figure (No 2) and as a result air enters the area (20) through the hot water tap (10) while at the same time the water that is in the water-heater is channeled towards the drainage through the cold water tap (9). Figure (No 6) illustrates an alternative to the valve already described of which fitting requires a tee-connection (15) figure (l).Figure (No 4) illustrates a third alternative described whereby the elastic membrane (40) of the relief valve bears an central opening where the whole system of the four- way valve in figure (No 3) for external communication has been fitted.

This valve function as follows:

At normal operation figure (4A) the elastic membrane of the relief valve (40), and the elastic air inflow valve (37) remain closed. In case of overpressure in the circuit, the elastic valve (37) remains closed, while the relief valve (40) opens at the pressure value, set through the screw (31).In case of water supply failure from the main and consequent pressure loss, figure (4 B), the valve body (21) empties and a sub-pressure is created in the lower part of the elastic valve (37). While the membrane (40) on the relief valve remains closed, the elastic air inflow valve (37) opens and communicates with the environment through the opening (27) and as illustrated in the water-heater figure (No 2), the siphon collapses due to air inflow and the water-heater does not empty but retains all its content firmly at the flow line level (14) .Figure (N 5) illustrates an alternative to the three-way valve fitted parallel to the circuit with the use of tee device. Like the valve in figure (No 6) it bears a facet (22), where the elastic membrane (23) is located, which has a central opening (24) communicating with the upper part of the valve (25). The area (26) is outside the water circuit and under the elastic membrane. It is of a ring-like form and communicates with the atmosphere through the opening 27. The valve body (21) bears a second facet (28) where the relief valve is fitted with a membrane (29), a spring (30) and an adjusting screw (31).

Claims

1. Electric and solar water-heater supply and relief system that is installed above the water level (14) of the water-heater and which, in case of pressure drop in the network below atmospheric pressure, introduces atmospheric air into the system in order to cut off the water reverse flow towards the network, thus ensuring the water-heater fullness, while allowing the water-heater overpressure relief when it exceeds certain preset safety limits. This system directs the cold water supply through pipe (18) (Fig. 2) towards the lower part of the water-heater. In the upper part it bears four- way valve (17), which incorporates a relief valve and an air inflow valve. It consists of the cold-water inlet (20) (Fig. 3) whereby the cold water inflow to the valve body (21) takes places. In the upper part of the valve body there is a facet (38) where the elastic valve (37) is located, which opens or closes communication with the upper part of the valve (26). This part (26) is outside the water circuit and over the elastic valve (37), communicating with the atmosphere through the opening (27) when the valve (37) is open. The valve body (21) bears a second facet (28) whereby the relief valve is fitted with a separating membrane (29), a spring (30) and an adjusting screw (31). It also bears a spiral (42) whereby the cold water pipe (18) is connected. This four way valve is designed in such a way that there is no valve or spring neither in the inlet nor the outlet of water, thus excluding all possibility of salt-formation and obstruction of its operation.

2. Electric and solar water-heater supply and relief system according to claim 1, whereby according to a first alternative, the air inflow valve (37) of the four- way valve (17) is incorporated onto the relief valve by making a central opening on the elastic membrane (40) (Fig. 4) and fitting thereon the whole system of the air inflow valve.

3. Electric and solar water-heater supply and relief system according to claim 1, whereby the four-way valve (17) takes the form of a three-way valve (16) (Fg.l &Fg.6) retaining all its other characteristics and is fitted parallel to the water circuit with the use of a tee device.

4. Electric and solar water-heater supply and relief system according to claim 1, which ensures constant communication of the water-heater interior with the city network and the free backflow of the water in case of overheat due to failure of the thermostat switch and the relief valve thus preventing a water-heater explosion.

5. Electric and solar water-heater supply and relief system according to claim 1, which in case of pressure drop in the city network, introduces atmospheric air through the air inflow valve, subsequently cutting off the water flow, thus maintaining the water level in the water- heater constant, preventing at the same time the backflow of decay products into the network.

6. Electric and solar water-heater supply and relief system according to claims 1 and 5, which diminishes the cold or hot water loss maintaining the level at the water flow level (14).

7. Electric and solar water-heater supply and relief system according to claims 1, 5, 6 which protects the resistance (5) from blowing as this never functions in vacuum.

8. Electric and solar water-heater supply and relief system according to claim 1, which offers a low construction cost, due to single-pipe installation (Fig. 2).

9. Electric and solar water-heater supply and relief system as in claim 1, according to which, in case we wish to empty the water contained in the water-heater, we isolate the city network, close the inlet of atmospheric air (27) (Fig. 3) located on the new supply and relief system, we open simultaneously the cold and hot water taps (9) and (10) (Fig.2), thus allowing atmospheric air inflow through the hot water tap (10), while at the same time, the water contained in the water-heater is channeled towards the drainage through the cold water tap (9).

10. Electric and solar water-heater supply and relief system according the claims 1, 9, which ensures the water-heater emptying without the need of fitting an additional faucet at the bottom of the water-heater, which was compulsory until now.

11. Electric and solar water-heater supply and relief system according to claim 1, which stops the compulsory fitting of a reverting valve on its connection to the city network.

12. Electric and solar water-heater supply and relief system according to claim 1, which uses an elastic valve (37) (Fig. 3,5) without the assistance of springs.

13. Electric and solar water-heater supply and relief system according to claim 1, which, with its three-way form, can be fitted to already installed and operating water-heater, by connecting it to the existing cold water inlet pipe (3) at the bottom of the water-heater (Fg.l).