WO2015022693A1

WO2015022693A1 - Expandable boiler

Info

Publication number: WO2015022693A1
Application number: PCT/IL2014/050734
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adar AZANCOT; Noam Kahani; Ron EDELMAN; Avi BLACHER; Ayelet CARASSO; Doron Marco
Original assignee: CHROMAGEN AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE SOCIETY Ltd
Current assignee: CHROMAGEN AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE SOCIETY Ltd
Priority date: 2013-08-15
Filing date: 2014-08-14
Publication date: 2015-02-19
Anticipated expiration: 2016-02-15

Abstract

A boiler comprising: a flexible tank configured to be collapsed when empty and to expand up to a predefined shape upon being filled with a liquid; a liquid inlet to said flexible tank; a liquid outlet from said flexible tank; a heating element port in said flexible tank.

Description

EXPANDABLE BOILER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of liquid boilers.

BACKGROUND

Interest in alternative energy sources has resulted in growing numbers of solar heating water installations. An important component of such systems is an insulated tank, which usually contains a few hundred liters of water, and may be made of metal wrapped with appropriate insulation, which makes it big and heavy. Such tanks add substantial expense, complexity and labor to the system installation, and are difficult to transport and position.

U.S Patent No. 4,660,594 to Gocze discloses a portable collapsible tank for storing and insulating hot water or other liquid is contained by an elongate flexible and foldable outer sleeve which defines the outer perimeter of the tank and is formed with sufficient tensile strength to support the tank and stored water. A side wall of insulating material is contained within the sleeve extending around the inside circumference of the sleeve from the top to the bottom of the tank. The outer sleeve and side wall layer overlap and frictionally engage the edge of a floor or base disk of rigid insulating foam material for stability of the tank without tilting and to prevent ballooning of an inner liner from the bottom of the tank. An inner liner of impervious flexible material suitable for contacting hot water, for example, for consumptive use is removeably seated within the side wall and base and extends over the top of the tank. A cover disk of insulating material engages the inner liner and side wall layer at the top of the tank to complete the insulating enclosure.

U.S Patent No.4,520,793to Hall discloses a foldable, flexible container for heating water has first and second side walls. The first side wall is clear and the second side wall comprises an inner layer of dark plastic, an outer layer of reflective plastic, and a middle layer of flexible insulating foam sandwiched between the inner and outer layers.

The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the figures. SUMMARY

The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope.

There is provided, in accordance with an embodiment, a boiler comprising: a flexible tank configured to collapse and to expand to a predefined shape; an inlet configured to introduce a liquid to the flexible tank an outlet configured to remove a liquid from the flexible tank; and a port configured to introduce a heating element in the flexible tank.

In some embodiments, the predefined shape of the flexible tank is cylindrical.

In some embodiments, the flexible tank is structured from a hollow body enclosed by two opposing faces .

In some embodiments, at least one of the liquid inlet, liquid outlet and heating element port is positioned in a wall of the hollow body.

In some embodiments, at least one of the liquid inlet, liquid outlet and heating element port is positioned in one or both of the two opposing faces.

In some embodiments, the hollow body and the two opposing circular facets are attached by ultrasonic welding.

In some embodiments, the hollow body and the two opposing faces are attached by stitching.

In some embodiments, at least one of the liquid inlet, liquid outlet and heating element port comprises a threaded opening.

In some embodiments, the flexible tank has a volume ratio of 1 : 10 or more between a collapsed form and an expanded form.

In some embodiments, the boiler further comprises a reinforcement net configured to engulf the flexible tank.

In some embodiments, the boiler further comprises a reinforcement structure internal to the flexible boiler.

In some embodiments, the reinforcement structure comprises a connection element connecting at least two opposing areas of the flexible tank. In some embodiments, the boiler further comprises an internal divider inside the flexible tank, wherein the internal divider configured to separate hot and cold liquid within the flexible tank.

In some embodiments, the flexible tank is cubic when expanded.

In some embodiments, the flexible is tank is a triangular prism when expanded. In some embodiments, the flexible tank is configured to collapse when empty and to expand to a predefined shape upon being filled

In some embodiments, filling the flexible tank comprises filling it with a liquid. In some embodiments, the flexible tank is made of a non-tensile material, thereby preventing material deformation caused by tensile stress, within a predefined deformation limitation

In some embodiments the deformation limitation is 1%.

In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the figures and by study of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures. Dimensions of components and features shown in the figures are generally chosen for convenience and clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown to scale. The figures are listed below.

Fig. 1A shows an illustration of a folded cylindrical tank, in accordance with an embodiment;

Fig. IB shows an illustration of a spread out cylindrical tank, in accordance with an embodiment;

Fig. 2 shows an illustration of a cylindrical tank connected to water piping and to heating element, in accordance with an embodiment;

Fig. 3A shows an illustration of a spread out rectangular tank, in accordance with an embodiment; and

Fig. 3B shows an illustration of a spread out triangular tank, in accordance with an embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A portable and foldable tank and/or boiler for storing a hot liquid such as water is disclosed herein. The present tank may be lighter and occupy less volume than existing tanks, which are usually made of metal and/or other rigid materials. Thus, transporting it to the installation site, handling and installing it may be advantageously easier to the installing personnel.

The present tank, accordingly, may be collapsed while transported to the installation site and expanded upon installation, when connected to the pipeline and filled with water. The tank may be made from any material suitable for achieving this collapsing and expansion functionality, such as a non-tensile material that prevents material deformation caused by tensile stress, within a predefined deformation limitation, such as a deformation of 1%. Examples include LDPE (low-density polyethylene) and/or plain-woven, water-resistant fabrics, HDPE (high density polyethylene) Polyamide, soft PVC, polyester, polypropylene, polyurethane, etc.

The present disclosure may be better understood with reference to the accompanying figures. Reference is now made to Fig. 1A, which shows an illustration of a folded cylindrical tank 100, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Cylindrical tank 100 may be stored in a folded or collapsed form, such as flattened, rolled, or shaped to a form of a dedicated case, etc., to reduce its volume and ease its transport, carrying and installation. To allow that, tank 100 may have a flexible, optionally frameless structure. The structure may be made of a flexible material which may withstand the outdoor environment (harsh weather, sun radiation, etc.) and water temperature, and may be sufficiently insulating, to maintain the water temperature as much as possible. The structure of tank 100 may include multiple faces, which may be attached to each other or to any other part of the structure by stitching, ultrasonic or regular welding, gluing, etc., which may withstand water pressure and temperature. Optionally, tank 100 may be structured from a hollow body enclosed by two opposing faces, such as a hollow cylinder enclosed by two opposing circular faces. Reference is now made to Fig. IB, which shows an illustration of an expanded cylindrical tank, filled with water. After carried to the installation site, tank 100 may be expanded by the installing personnel manually and/or by filling it with water. In one embodiment, the volume ratio between a collapsed form and an expanded form of tank 100 is at least 1 :10. Tank 100 may include dedicated openings 102 for multiple usage modes, such as filling tank 100 with cold and hot water, adding a heating element, thermostat, etc. For example, openings 102 may be an inlet configured for introducing a liquid, such as a cold liquid into tank 100, an outlet configured for removing or extracting a liquid from the tank, and/or a port configured for introducing or inserting an electrical heating element into the tank.

Openings 102 may be interchanged, allowing each opening to be applied to any usage mode. The location of openings 102 may vary across tank's 100 body (including top and bottom faces), to allow easy connection to water piping, electrical system, etc. For example, in one configuration at least one of the openings may be positioned in a wall of tank 100. In another configuration at least one of the openings is positioned in one or both of the two opposing faces. After connecting tank 100 to the water piping, the installing personnel may allow water to flow into it, inflating it to its working formation. Tank 100 maybe equipped with an external reinforcement net 104, which may engulf the tank's structure and prevent deformation when filled with water.Net 104 may be made of a thin rope-like material. Tank 100 may be also equipped with one or more internal reinforcement structures, such as a connection element connecting at least two opposing areas of tank 100. For example, one or more internal cables (not shown here) connected to the two opposing faces of tank lOOmay reinforce the tank's structure and prevent it from exploding due to internal pressures.

The internal cables may be made of a material which may be flexible, allowing the cables to bend when tank 100 is in folded position, but also durable to tension when tank 100 is in working formation. For example, a cable may be moored to the top and bottom faces of tank 100, and may be stretched to its full length when tank 100 is full with water, preventing the top and bottom faces to move away one from the other under the water pressure, in a way that may risk the tank's structure wholeness.

Tank 100 may also include one or more internal dividers (not shown here), to form a certain separation between hot and cold water, and thus improve prevention of heat loss. The divider may be made of the same flexible material as tank 100, and/or from another material.

Reference is now made to Fig. 2, which shows an illustration of a cylindrical tank connected to water piping and having a heating element. Cylindrical tank 100 is shown here transparent and without the external net, in order to have a clear vision of the internal components. An internal cable 200 may be moored to top and bottom faces of tank 100, to prevent these faces to swell under the water pressure when tank 100 is full. Openings 102 may embed threads, which may allow simple connection (by screwing) of water piping and heating element to tank 100, while performing the installation. In a different embodiment (not shown), one or more of the openings may be configured for connecting to piping, and/or heating elements, etc., by means different than a thread.

A liquid inlet, such as a cold water fitting 202 may be screwed to one of threaded openings 102 (usually one of the lowest openings, since cold water tend to sink).Cold water fitting 202 may then be connected to the incoming cold water piping 204. A liquid outlet, such as a hot water fitting 206 may be screwed to one of openings 102 (usually one of the highest openings, since hot water rises). Hot water fitting 206 may then be connected to the outgoing hot water piping 208.

A heating element fitting (or "port") 210 may be screwed to one of openings 102 (usually one of the lowest openings, due to the sinking of cold water which need to be heated). Heating element fitting 210 may be connected to a heating element 212 on its one side, and to a power source (by a cable 214) on its other side.

An optional internal divider 216 may form a separation in tank 100. In water heater tanks with no such separation, cold water usually sinks to the bottom of the tank, and flow up while heated. This may form constant mixing in the tank, which can reduce heating efficiency. Divider 216 may have one or more holes in it, allowing hot water to flow to the upper part of tank 100, yet preventing the hot water from back- flowing to the lower part of tank 100 and mixing with the cold water.

The tank may be formed in multiple formations, for convenient fitting and installation in various locations.

Reference is now made to Fig. 3A, which shows an illustration of an expanded cubic tank. By example herein, a cubic tank 106 may be formed to be installed in a service closet, on the floor, etc. The cubic formation may enhance space usage, stability of tank 106, etc. Tank 106 may include openings 102 for cold and hot water, heating element, thermostat, etc., which location may vary across the tank's body (including top and bottom faces). Tank 106 may be equipped with an external net 104, which may engulf the tank's structure and prevent deformation and/or exploding when filled with water. Tank 106 may be also equipped with one or more internal cables (not shown here), which may reinforce the tank's structure.

Reference is now made to Fig. 3B, which shows an illustration of an expanded triangular prism tankl08.By example herein, triangular tank 108 may be formed to be installed in a corner between two walls, etc. The triangular formation may enhance space usage, stability of tank 108, etc. Tank 108 may include openings 102 for cold and hot water, heating element, thermostat, etc., which location may vary across the tank's body (including top and bottom faces). Tank 108 may be equipped with an external net 104, which may engulf tank 108structure and prevent deformation when filled with water. Tank 108 may be also equipped with one or more internal cables (not shown here), which may reinforce tank 108 structure.

In the description and claims of the application, each of the words "comprise" "include" and "have", and forms thereof, are not necessarily limited to members in a list with which the words may be associated. In addition, where there are inconsistencies between this application and any document incorporated by reference, it is hereby intended that the present application controls.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A boiler comprising:

a flexible tank configured to collapse and to expand to a predefined shape;

an inlet configured to introduce a liquid to said flexible tank; an outlet configured to remove a liquid from said flexible tank; and a port configured to introduce a heating element in said flexible tank.

2. The boiler according to claim 1, wherein said predefined shape of said flexible tank is cylindrical.

3. The boiler according to claim 1, wherein said flexible tank is structured from a hollow body enclosed by two opposing faces.

4. The boiler according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said liquid inlet, liquid outlet and heating element port is positioned in a wall of said hollow body.

5. The boiler according to claim 3 , wherein at least one of said liquid inlet, liquid outlet and heating element port is positioned in one or both of said two opposing faces.

6. The boiler according to claim 3, wherein said hollow body and said two opposing faces are attached by ultrasonic welding.

7. The boiler according to claim 3, wherein said hollow body and said two opposing faces are attached by stitching.

8. The boiler according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said liquid inlet, liquid outlet and heating element port comprises a threaded opening.

9. The boiler according to claim 1, wherein said flexible tank has a volume ratio of 1 : 10 or more between a collapsed form and an expanded form.

10. The boiler according to claim 1, further comprising a reinforcement net configured to engulf said flexible tank.

11. The boiler according to claim 1, further comprising a reinforcement structure internal to said flexible boiler.

12. The boiler according to claim 11, wherein said reinforcement structure comprises a connection element connecting at least two opposing areas of said flexible tank.

13. The boiler according to claim 1, further comprising an internal divider inside said flexible tank, wherein said internal divider configured to separate hot and cold liquid within said flexible tank.

14. The boiler according to claim 1, wherein said flexible tank is cubic when expanded.

15. The tank according to claim 1, wherein said flexible is tank is a triangular prism when expanded.

16. The boiler according to claim 1, wherein said flexible tank is configured to collapse when empty and to expand to a predefined shape upon being filled.

17. The flexible tank according to claim 16, wherein filling comprises filling with a liquid.

18. The boiler of claim 1 wherein said flexible tank is made of a non-tensile material, thereby preventing material deformation caused by tensile stress, within a predefined deformation limitation 19. The boiler of claim 18, wherein said deformation limitation is 1%.