EP1567812B1

EP1567812B1 - Electric and solar water-heater supply and relief system

Info

Publication number: EP1567812B1
Application number: EP03751066A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Antonios Theocharis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-10-24
Filing date: 2003-10-15
Publication date: 2011-03-02
Anticipated expiration: 2023-10-15
Also published as: EP1567812A1; AU2003269287A1; WO2004038305A1; GR1004388B; DE60336260D1; ATE500475T1

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

The present invention relates to a solar and electric water heater supply and relief system of free flow, which comprises a safety valve consisting of an elastic membrane with an air inlet valve.
A known electric water supply and relief system, is described in US-A-2 210 555 having a cold water input pipe, a multiple protection valve, which is installed at a distance from the water heater above the water level in the water heater and a cold water input pipe to the water heater, in which system the multiple protection valve comprises an elastic air input valve and a relief valve, the air input valve and the relief valve both communicating to a space above the water chamber of the multiple protection valve. The spring loaded relief valve opens at a set pressure and an air inlet valve opens at a pressure lower than the atmosphere pressure.
A water heater supply and relief system in accordance with the invention has a multi-protection valve, which is situated at a point always above the water level of the water heater according to claim 1.
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 does the water-heater function ?
The water enters from the main network (13) through the interposing non- return valve (7), thus filling the boiler (1). 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 10atm 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 heater resistance (5) blow due to being in a 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 (1). To sum up, non-return 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 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 line (14) shows in figure 2. The aforementioned problems are overcone with the application of the system, with 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 No 1 and No 2. Advantages of the new multiple-relief valve.
Protection 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 of the boiler (1) from 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 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 (3) illustrates a section of a four-way valve according to the present invention.
Figure (6) illustrates a section of a three-way valve according to the present invention.
Figure (4) illustrates a section of an alternative four-way valve to Figure (3).
Figure (5) illustrates a section of an alternative three-way valve to figure (6).
Figure (7) illustrates an installation of a water-heater and its components according to the contemporary, conventional method.
Figure (1) illustrates an already installed water-heater where the connection according to the new system is presented.
Figure (2) illustrates the installation of a new water-heater manufactured and connected according to the new system.

The valve in Figure (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 thread (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 (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 (1). Figure (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 (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 (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

A water-heater (1) with an electric solar supply and relief system, said supply and relief system being installed above said water-heater (1), whereby said supply and relief system directs a cold water supply through a pipe (18) to the lower part of the water-heater, said supply and relief system having a four-way valve (17) which incorporates a relief valve and an air-inflow valves (37, 38), said four-way valve (17) also consisting of a cold water inlet (20), whereby the cold water flows to the valve body (21), and in the upper part of the valve there being a valve seat (38) upon which an elastic valve (37) is located, said elastic valve (37) opening and closing communication with the upper part (26) of said four-way valve, said upper part (26) being positioned above said elastic valve (37) outside the water circuit and communicating with the atmosphere through an opening (27) when the elastic valve is open, said valve body bearing a second valve seat (28) belonging to a relief valve, whereby said relief valve is fitted with a separating membrane (29), a spring (30) and an adjusting screw (31), said four-way valve having a thread (42) for connecting said cold water pipe (18), said cold inlet (20) and hot water outlet being unobstructed by a valve or spring, whereby in case of a drop of pressure in the network connected to said water-heater and supply and relief system (17) below atmospheric pressure, atmospheric air is introduced to said system through said elastic valve (37), which cuts off water reverse flow towards said system, thus avoiding damage of the water heater, while allowing water heater overpressure relief when the pressure exceeds preset safety limits.