EP4383940A1 - Dispositif de chauffage à écoulement continu et son procédé de fabrication - Google Patents

Dispositif de chauffage à écoulement continu et son procédé de fabrication Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4383940A1
EP4383940A1 EP23215025.0A EP23215025A EP4383940A1 EP 4383940 A1 EP4383940 A1 EP 4383940A1 EP 23215025 A EP23215025 A EP 23215025A EP 4383940 A1 EP4383940 A1 EP 4383940A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
flow
heater
integral body
thick film
channels
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP23215025.0A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Francis Wong
Abbas ABID
Andrew Hunt
Alex Reinier Nijhoff
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Otter Controls Ltd
Original Assignee
Otter Controls Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Otter Controls Ltd filed Critical Otter Controls Ltd
Publication of EP4383940A1 publication Critical patent/EP4383940A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
    • F24H1/00—Water heaters, e.g. boilers, continuous-flow heaters or water-storage heaters
    • F24H1/10—Continuous-flow heaters, i.e. heaters in which heat is generated only while the water is flowing, e.g. with direct contact of the water with the heating medium
    • F24H1/12—Continuous-flow heaters, i.e. heaters in which heat is generated only while the water is flowing, e.g. with direct contact of the water with the heating medium in which the water is kept separate from the heating medium
    • F24H1/121—Continuous-flow heaters, i.e. heaters in which heat is generated only while the water is flowing, e.g. with direct contact of the water with the heating medium in which the water is kept separate from the heating medium using electric energy supply
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B3/00—Ohmic-resistance heating
    • H05B3/02—Details
    • H05B3/06—Heater elements structurally combined with coupling elements or holders
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B3/00—Ohmic-resistance heating
    • H05B3/20—Heating elements having extended surface area substantially in a two-dimensional plane, e.g. plate-heater
    • H05B3/22—Heating elements having extended surface area substantially in a two-dimensional plane, e.g. plate-heater non-flexible
    • H05B3/26—Heating elements having extended surface area substantially in a two-dimensional plane, e.g. plate-heater non-flexible heating conductor mounted on insulating base
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
    • F24H1/00—Water heaters, e.g. boilers, continuous-flow heaters or water-storage heaters
    • F24H1/10—Continuous-flow heaters, i.e. heaters in which heat is generated only while the water is flowing, e.g. with direct contact of the water with the heating medium
    • F24H1/101—Continuous-flow heaters, i.e. heaters in which heat is generated only while the water is flowing, e.g. with direct contact of the water with the heating medium using electric energy supply
    • F24H1/102—Continuous-flow heaters, i.e. heaters in which heat is generated only while the water is flowing, e.g. with direct contact of the water with the heating medium using electric energy supply with resistance
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B2203/00—Aspects relating to Ohmic resistive heating covered by group H05B3/00
    • H05B2203/013—Heaters using resistive films or coatings
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B2203/00—Aspects relating to Ohmic resistive heating covered by group H05B3/00
    • H05B2203/021—Heaters specially adapted for heating liquids

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to flow through heaters, particularly thick film flow through heaters, and their methods of manufacture.
  • Flow through heaters heat a fluid as it passes through the heater.
  • These can be used in but not limited to hot water dispensers or coffee machines to provide continuous or near-instantaneous dispensing of hot or boiling water.
  • a flow through heater described in patent publication GB-A-2481265 comprises a channel plate brazed to a planar thick film heating element.
  • the thick film heating element comprises a substrate of material with good thermal conductive properties such as a metal, an electrically insulating layer, such as vitreous enamel, and at least one resistor track applied by a thick film technique.
  • a channel, formed between the channel plate and the planar heating element, guides the fluid to be heated in a path corresponding to the layout of the heating track on the thick film heater.
  • the low thermal mass of this type of flow through heater (FTH) provides a fast response and a very controllable heater.
  • Corrosion can be an issue with stainless steel flow through heaters.
  • Stainless steel is susceptible to a variety of corrosion mechanisms, notably pitting corrosion, crevice corrosion, and, to a lesser extent, stress corrosion cracking.
  • the channel plate and heating element may be joined together by brazing, soldering or welding.
  • these joining techniques may add cost and increase scrap rate and/or production lead time. Additionally or alternatively, there is a risk of water leaking through the join between the channel plate and the thick film heater.
  • Flow-through heaters are relatively high-powered devices, and many applications of such heaters require the temperature of the heater to be controlled within specific limits.
  • a Triac is usually used in this case to control the current flow.
  • a heatsink would be used in conjunction to promote cooling on the Triac, but heatsinks add to the weight and cost of the appliance.
  • a flow through heater comprising an integral body having a plurality of flow channels integrally formed therein, and a thick film heater in thermal contact with the integral body for heating fluid passing through the flow channels.
  • the integral body may be integral in that it is formed as a single, homogenous component with the flow channels passing therethrough.
  • the sides of the flow channels are defined by the form of the integral body rather than being defined by different components that are fixed together.
  • the use of an integral body may avoid the need to connect components together in order to form the flow channels, thus avoiding the risk of stagnation, corrosion and/or leakage along the flow channels. Additionally or alternatively, the problems involved in joining processes, such as brazing, soldering or welding, may be avoided.
  • the integral body may be formed of aluminium. Aluminium is resistant to corrosion, and may be anodised to further increase its corrosion resistance. Aluminium also has a high thermal conductivity, which improves heat transfer to the flow channels. The use of aluminium instead of steel may reduce the cost of manufacture.
  • the aluminium integral body may be formed by extrusion, diecasting or metal injection moulding. Alternatively, the integral body may be formed of ceramic material, for example by extrusion, ceramic injection moulding or isostatic pressing.
  • the thick film heater may comprise a substrate which is attached to the body, for example by crimping a portion of the body onto the substrate, or using fixings such as bolts or screws; these may be thermally conductive so as to assist thermal conduction from the thick film heater to the body.
  • one or more thick film heating tracks may be deposited directly onto the body. Where the body is made of aluminium, the thick film heating track(s) may be deposited on an anodised surface of the body, so that there is no need to deposit a separate insulating layer on the body before depositing the track(s).
  • a flow path through the flow channels may be defined by one or more manifolds, which may be arranged at either end of the flow channels.
  • the manifolds may be configured to define a serial and/or parallel flow paths through the flow channels. The number of channels through which the fluid flows in parallel may increase or decrease as the fluid flows through the flow through heater.
  • a thick film heater as described above may be provided on each of two or more faces of the integral body, thus increasing the heating power.
  • a method of manufacture of the flow through heater in which the body is integrally formed and the thick film heater is provided in thermal contact with the body, either by attaching a thick film heater substrate or by depositing one or more thick film heating tracks onto the body with electrical insulation where necessary, such as an anodised aluminium surface.
  • Fig. 1 and Fig. 1a show a first embodiment, in which a thick film heating element or heater 1 is mounted in thermal contact with an integral body 4 comprising a plurality of flow channels 4a-4e, such that fluid flowing through the flow channels 4a-4e is heated by the element 1.
  • the body 4 is formed as an integral component with the flow channels 4a-4e formed therein, rather than being formed of separate parts as in the prior art.
  • the body 4 may be formed of aluminium, for example by extrusion, diecasting or metal injection moulding.
  • the body 4 may be formed from a ceramic material, which may be formed by extrusion, ceramic injection moulding or isostatic pressing.
  • the body 4 is formed in a generally cuboid shape, with fluid channels 4a-4e extending from one end of the body to the other along a central plane of the body.
  • the body 4 may be formed in other shapes to suit the required application.
  • extrusion or moulding techniques to form the body 4 allows flexibility in the design of the body 4.
  • the thick film heating element 1 may be provided on one or both majors faces of the body 4, parallel to the central plane. This provides good thermal transfer between the thick film heating element 1 and the fluid channels 4a-4e.
  • the thick film heating element 1 may be formed on a substrate, which may be of stainless steel or ceramic. If required, an insulating layer is printed or sprayed on the substrate and then fired. Resistor tracks, connection pads and connection features for electronic components may then be added by printing and firing.
  • the thick film heating element 1 may be fixed to the body, for example by crimps, screws or bolts. The fixing material may be selected for thermal conductivity.
  • the thick film heater 1 may comprise thick film track(s) formed directly onto the body 4, for example by printing.
  • an electrically insulating layer may be deposited onto the body 4 before the thick film tracks(s) are deposited.
  • a layer of aluminium oxide can be formed on the surface of the body 4, for example by an anodising process.
  • a protective overglaze may be applied over the thick film track(s).
  • a manifold 2 comprising a fluid port 6 and a manifold channel 10 that interconnects the flow channels 4a-4e.
  • the manifold 2 is attached to the end of the body 4 by fixing screws 5, bolts or other fixing components, which may be fixed within a fixing channel formed within the body 4.
  • the manifold channels 10 may be configured to provide a series and/or parallel flow path through the flow channels 4a-4e.
  • the manifold channels are configured so that fluid flows through a first outer flow channel 4a and then in parallel through a plurality of (in this case three) middle flow channels 4b-4d before passing through a second outer flow channel 4e.
  • This arrangement may be particularly suitable for steam generation, because water is quickly heated in the parallel middle flow channels 4b to 4d before passing through the second outer flow channel 4e, with a pressure drop sufficient to allow the water to remain liquid within the second outer flow channel 4e but emerge from the outlet as steam.
  • the manifold channels 10 may be configured so that the number of flow channels increases or decreases as the fluid flows through a first number of channels (in parallel if there are more than one) in series with a second number of channels (also in parallel if there are more than one).
  • the advantage of a smaller number of channels may be that the flow resistance increases, allowing for a greater pressure drop.
  • the advantage of a larger number of channels may be more rapid heating of the fluid.
  • the flow path through the flow channels 4-4e may be configured by the arrangement of the manifold channels 10, such that different flow path configurations may be provided by selection of manifolds 2.
  • the or each manifold 2 may comprise an outer housing 2a and an inner moulding 2b which together define the manifold channels 10.
  • the fluid ports 6 provided respective a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet to the flow through heater.
  • the fluid ports 6 may be provided at opposite ends of the body 4, as shown, or may both be provided at one end, depending on the intended application of the flow-through heater.
  • Electrical terminals 8 are connected to the thick film heating track(s) of the element 1, for example by contact springs 7.
  • the electrical terminals 8 may be located in a terminal housing 3, which may be supported by or integrated with one or both of the manifolds 2.
  • the location of the electrical terminals 8 is dependent on the layout of the thick film heating tracks, and may be at one or both ends of the body 4.
  • One or more sensors such as an NTC (negative temperature coefficient) thermistor, may be arranged so as to sense the temperature of fluid within the flow path and/or at the outlet of the flow path.
  • the sensor(s) may be mounted directly onto the body 4 and may be supported by the terminal housing 3. Alternatively, the one or more sensors may be mounted within one or more of the manifolds 2.
  • Triac which is used in the control circuit to modulate the current flow to the heater, can be mounted on the body 4, preferably near the inlet of the flow path in order to cool the Triac.
  • a thermal fuse and/or bimetallic cut out may be mounted on the body 4.
  • Fig. 2, Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b show a second embodiment which is similar to the first embodiment except for the following variants, each of which may be applied independently of the other variants.
  • the body 4 comprises three flow channels 4a-4c rather than the five flow channels 4a-4e in the first embodiment.
  • the number of flow channels, as well as the width of the flow channels, may be selected according to the desired application.
  • manifold channel 10 is arranged so that flow channels 4a-4c are connected together in series rather than in parallel.
  • the body 4 includes crimping portions 9 formed as longitudinal walls that project away from a plane of the body 4.
  • the element 1 is attached to the body 4 by placing the element 1 between the crimping portions 9 and then crimping the crimping portions 9 around the longitudinal edges of the element 1.
  • a pair of heating elements 1 contacting opposite main faces of the body 4.
  • Each of the heating elements 1 has associated electrical terminals 8, connected to the thick film heating track(s) by contact springs 7.
  • a method of manufacture of an embodiment may comprise the following steps:
  • Step S4 may be performed before step S3, except where the mounting of the terminals 8 is dependent on the manifold(s) 2 being present.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Instantaneous Water Boilers, Portable Hot-Water Supply Apparatuses, And Control Of Portable Hot-Water Supply Apparatuses (AREA)
EP23215025.0A 2022-12-08 2023-12-07 Dispositif de chauffage à écoulement continu et son procédé de fabrication Pending EP4383940A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB2218490.7A GB2625140A (en) 2022-12-08 2022-12-08 Flow through heater

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4383940A1 true EP4383940A1 (fr) 2024-06-12

Family

ID=84974790

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP23215025.0A Pending EP4383940A1 (fr) 2022-12-08 2023-12-07 Dispositif de chauffage à écoulement continu et son procédé de fabrication

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4383940A1 (fr)
CN (1) CN118168141A (fr)
GB (1) GB2625140A (fr)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4920868A (en) * 1987-09-11 1990-05-01 Robert Krups Stiftung & Co. Kg. Electrically operated machine for making hot beverages
DE4436013A1 (de) * 1994-10-08 1996-04-18 Wolfgang Kurz Durchlauferwärmungsvorrichtung
GB2481265A (en) 2010-06-15 2011-12-21 Otter Controls Ltd Flow heater with thick film heaters; Associations of thick film elements with heat dissipaters
GB2484321A (en) * 2010-10-06 2012-04-11 Otter Controls Ltd A thick film heater/ heat dissipater assembly associate with a flow heater flow channel.

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN204535050U (zh) * 2015-02-27 2015-08-05 黄悦荣 一种多点并列矩阵加热腔热水器
GB2587361B (en) * 2019-09-24 2021-12-15 Ferro Tech Bv Flow-through heaters

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4920868A (en) * 1987-09-11 1990-05-01 Robert Krups Stiftung & Co. Kg. Electrically operated machine for making hot beverages
DE4436013A1 (de) * 1994-10-08 1996-04-18 Wolfgang Kurz Durchlauferwärmungsvorrichtung
GB2481265A (en) 2010-06-15 2011-12-21 Otter Controls Ltd Flow heater with thick film heaters; Associations of thick film elements with heat dissipaters
GB2484321A (en) * 2010-10-06 2012-04-11 Otter Controls Ltd A thick film heater/ heat dissipater assembly associate with a flow heater flow channel.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2625140A (en) 2024-06-12
CN118168141A (zh) 2024-06-11
GB202218490D0 (en) 2023-01-25

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