GB2560361A - A method of operating a domestic hot water installation - Google Patents
A method of operating a domestic hot water installation Download PDFInfo
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- GB2560361A GB2560361A GB1703794.6A GB201703794A GB2560361A GB 2560361 A GB2560361 A GB 2560361A GB 201703794 A GB201703794 A GB 201703794A GB 2560361 A GB2560361 A GB 2560361A
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- hot water
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- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 288
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 45
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 45
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 30
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 11
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 4
- 102220638341 Spartin_F24D_mutation Human genes 0.000 description 3
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000013517 stratification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 235000010730 Ulex europaeus Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 240000003864 Ulex europaeus Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004069 differentiation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007654 immersion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000035939 shock Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
- F24D17/00—Domestic hot-water supply systems
- F24D17/0026—Domestic hot-water supply systems with conventional heating means
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
- F24D17/00—Domestic hot-water supply systems
- F24D17/0026—Domestic hot-water supply systems with conventional heating means
- F24D17/0031—Domestic hot-water supply systems with conventional heating means with accumulation of the heated water
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
- F24D19/00—Details
- F24D19/10—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
- F24D19/1006—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heating systems
- F24D19/1051—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heating systems for domestic hot water
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
- F24D2220/00—Components of central heating installations excluding heat sources
- F24D2220/02—Fluid distribution means
- F24D2220/0207—Pumps
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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)
- Heat-Pump Type And Storage Water Heaters (AREA)
Abstract
A domestic hot water installation (1, fig 1) comprises a hot water cylinder 3 having a cold water outlet 11(a) and a hot water inlet 11(b). An external heating circuit (5) receives cold water from the cylinder and delivers hot water back to the cylinder; the water is circulated by a pump (23). A controller (35) is in communication with the pump and a temperature sensor (29, 31, 33), and has a processor (39), accessible memory (41) storing a domestic hot water profile, and means (43) to operate the pump. A method of operating the domestic hot water installation comprises delivering a first volume 201 of water at a first predetermined temperature to the hot water cylinder, then delivering a second volume of water 203 greater than the first volume of water to the hot water cylinder. The first predetermined temperature may be greater than the second predetermined temperature.
Description
(71) Applicant(s):
Systemlink Aquaeco Ltd (Incorporated in Ireland)
Greenhills Business Park, Greenhills Road,
Tallaght, Dublin 24, Ireland (72) Inventor(s):
Terence William Madigan Terence Gerard Madigan (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:
O'Connor Intellectual Property
Suite 207 Q House, Furze Road, Sandyford, Dublin 18,
Ireland, United Kingdom (51) INT CL:
F24D 17/00 (2006.01) F24D 19/10 (2006.01) (56) Documents Cited:
JP 2007327728 A US 20140371925 A1
JPS60188745 (58) Field of Search:
INT CL F24D, F24H Other: WPI, EPODOC (54) Title of the Invention: A method of operating a domestic hot water installation Abstract Title: A method of operating a domestic hot water installation (57) A domestic hot water installation (1, fig 1) comprises a hot water cylinder 3 having a cold water outlet 11(a) and a hot water inlet 11(b). An external heating circuit (5) receives cold water from the cylinder and delivers hot water back to the cylinder; the water is circulated by a pump (23). A controller (35) is in communication with the pump and a temperature sensor (29, 31,33), and has a processor (39), accessible memory (41) storing a domestic hot water profile, and means (43) to operate the pump. A method of operating the domestic hot water installation comprises delivering a first volume 201 of water at a first predetermined temperature to the hot water cylinder, then delivering a second volume of water 203 greater than the first volume of water to the hot water cylinder. The first predetermined temperature may be greater than the second predetermined temperature.
Fig. 3
1/3
11(b) 7 11(d)
2/3
11(b)
3/3
“A method of operating a domestic hot water installation”
Introduction
This invention relates to a method of operating a domestic hot water installation. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of operating a domestic hot water installation having an external heating circuit.
Until recently, the precise amount of hot water in a hot water cylinder at a given time was a relatively unknown quantity. Heating elements, such as immersion coils or boilers, were left on for a given period of time to provide “sufficient” hot water in the hot water cylinder for a shower or bath. Largely, the amount of time that the heating element was left on was determined based on trial and error. This methodology led to substantial waste and often unsatisfactory results.
In recent times, there have been numerous advances in the field of domestic hot water installations. One such installation is that described in the applicants own PCT Patent Application Publication No. WO2015/082708. WO2015/082708 describes a method and system utilising an external heating circuit that allow for the amount of hot water stored in a hot water cylinder to be known to a high degree of accuracy and reduces avoidable waste. By implementing such an installation, the occupant is able to order a desired amount of water by volume rather than by time of operation of a heating element. In this way, the occupant can, for example, order the amount of water necessary for them to have a shower.
There are however still problems with the known systems. Although a significant advance on the previous systems, there are still a number of variables that can alter the amount of water available and or the amount of water required. For example, the occupant may order enough hot water for their “normal” shower but unbeknownst to them, another occupant may turn on a hot water tap or other equipment that uses a portion of hot water thereby reducing the available supply of hot water in the hot water cylinder. Furthermore, the length of time taken to shower, the temperature of the shower required and other factors may vary and this can lead to the amount of available hot water being insufficient for the occupant’s shower.
-2Generally speaking, in a domestic hot water installation with an external heating circuit, the vertical stratification of hot water in the hot water cylinder is quite pronounced. There is little mixing between the hot and cold water in the cylinder. This is particularly the case away from the boundary between the cold water below and the hot water above. As a consequence, when the supply of hot water is exhausted, the transition to cold water in such systems can be quite abrupt. This can uncomfortable of the person showering and is deemed undesirable.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of operating a domestic hot water installation having an external heating circuit that overcomes at least some of these problems and that provides a useful choice to the consumer.
Statements of Invention
According to the invention there is provided a method of operating a domestic hot water installation, the domestic hot water installation comprising a hot water cylinder having a cold water outlet and a hot water inlet, an external heating circuit configured to receive cold water from the hot water cylinder and deliver hot water back to the hot water cylinder, a pump operable to circulate water between the hot water cylinder and the external heating circuit, a temperature sensor and a controller in communication with the temperature sensor and the pump, the controller having a processor, accessible memory having a domestic hot water profile stored therein, and means to operate the pump in accordance with the domestic hot water profile, the method comprising the steps of:
delivering a first volume of water at a first predetermined temperature to the hot water cylinder; and thereafter delivering a second volume of water greater than the first volume of water at a second predetermined temperature to the hot water cylinder.
By having such a method, a controlled boundary layer of water at a different temperature between the cold water below and the hot water above is provided. This is particularly advantageous as the person taking the shower will detect the change in temperature as this water is drawn from the hot water cylinder. This will provide a clear indication that
-3the available hot water in the tank is almost exhausted and obviates the person in the shower getting a sudden shock or suffering discomfort due to a rapid change in temperature.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of operating a domestic hot water installation in which the first predetermined temperature is greater than the second predetermined temperature. This is seen as a particularly effective way to perform the method according to the invention. A rise in temperature is counterintuitive mid-way through a shower and this will provide a clear and unmistakable signal to the person in the shower. Furthermore, the “boundary” layer will be in contact with the cold water underneath and will cool upon contact with the cold water underneath. By having the first volume of water at a higher temperature, the cooling effect on the layer of water can be taken into account and a smoother transition between the two volumes of water can be provided. Similarly, the cooling effect of the cold water underneath could be taken into account to cool the initial feed of water to the same temperature as the second larger feed of water. In this way, there would be no noticeable difference between the hot and cold water layers but it would be possible to provide a precise volume of water at a relatively constant temperature.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of operating a domestic hot water installation in which the first predetermined temperature is within between 0.1 °C and 3°C of the second predetermined temperature. This range is seen as useful as it will provide sufficient differentiation between the two volumes of liquid without risk of scalding the person in the shower.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of operating a domestic hot water installation in which the first volume of water is between 1 and 10 litres. By having between 1 and 10 litres of water, a boundary layer of the order of up to approximately 14 centimeters (0.14m) deep for a 300mm (0.30m) diameter hot water cylinder and a boundary layer of the order of up to approximately 5cm for a 500mm (0.50m) diameter hot water cylinder can be provided. This boundary layer will be sufficient to maintain stable and will also provide adequate warning for most showers to allow the user to finish their shower in comfort before the hot water runs out.
-4In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of operating a domestic hot water installation in which the second volume of water is of the order of at least ten times the first volume of water.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of operating a domestic hot water installation in which the pump is a variable speed pump and the steps of delivering a first volume of water at a first predetermined temperature to the hot water cylinder and delivering a second volume of water greater than the first volume of water at a second predetermined temperature to the hot water cylinder comprise varying the temperature of the water by varying the speed of the pump. This is seen as a particularly simple way of adjusting the temperature of the volumes of water.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of operating a domestic hot water installation in which the method comprises the initial step of an operator programming the controller with the diameter of the hot water cylinder.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of operating a domestic hot water installation in which the first volume of water is dependent, in part at least, on the diameter of the hot water cylinder. In this way, the boundary layer depth can be controlled with great accuracy.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of operating a domestic hot water installation in which the method comprises the initial step of an operator programming the controller with the flow rate of a shower in the dwelling.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of operating a domestic hot water installation in which the first volume of water is dependent, in part at least, on the flow rate of the shower in the dwelling. In this way, the length of time that the shower will take to get through the first volume of water (i.e. the boundary layer) will be known and the depth of the first boundary layer depth can be set so that it will last for a predetermined length of time, sufficient to allow the person taking the shower to finish their shower.
-5Detailed Description of the Invention
The invention will now be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a domestic hot water installation in which the method according to the invention may be performed;
Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation of an alternative domestic hot water installation in which the method according to the invention may be performed; and
Figure 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a hot water cylinder used in the method according to the invention.
Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a domestic hot water installation, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, comprising a hot water cylinder 3, an external heating circuit 5 comprising a boiler 7 and a heat exchanger 9, and a pipe network of pipes 11 (a)-11 (d) connecting the hot water cylinder 3 to the heat exchanger 9 and the boiler 7 to the heat exchanger 9. The boiler 7 is connected to the primary side 13 of the heat exchanger 9 and the hot water cylinder is connected to the secondary side 15 of the heat exchanger.
A first pump 17 is provided to deliver heating fluid from the boiler 7 along a flow pipe 11(c) to a flow port 19 of the primary side 13 of the heat exchanger 9. The heating fluid passes through the primary side 13 of the heat exchanger before exiting through a return port 21 of the primary side of the heat exchanger, along the return pipe 11(d) and back to the boiler 7. The first pump 17 is a variable speed pump, the operation of which will be described in more detail below.
A second pump 23 is provided to deliver water from a point adjacent the base of the hot water cylinder 3 along a flow pipe 11(a) to a flow port 25 of the secondary side 15 of the heat exchanger 9. The water passes through the secondary side 15 of the heat
-6exchanger before exiting through a return port 27 of the secondary side of the heat exchanger, along a return pipe 11 (b) and back to the hot water cylinder 3 to a point adjacent the top of the hot water cylinder. The second pump 23 is also a variable speed pump, the operation of which will be described in more detail below.
There are provided three temperature sensors including a first temperature sensor 29 located adjacent the flow port 25 of the secondary side of the heat exchanger, a second temperature sensor 31 located adjacent to the return port 27 of the secondary side of the heat exchanger, and a third temperature sensor 33 located adjacent to the flow port 19 of the primary side of the heat exchanger.
In addition to the foregoing, there is provided a controller 35 in communication with each of the first pump 17, the second pump 23 and the three temperature sensors 29, 31,33. The communication links between the controller 35 and the pumps 17, 23 and the controller 35 and the temperature sensors 29, 31, 33 are illustrated by way of dashed lines 37(a)-37(e). The temperature sensors 29, 31, 33 communicate the temperature of the fluid or water passing through their respective ports back to the controller 35 over communication links 37(c), 37(d) and 37(e) and the controller sends control instructions to operate the pumps 17, 23 over communication links 37(a), 37(b). The communication links 37(a)-37(e) could be provided by wired and/or wireless links. The controller 35 comprises a processor 39 for processing the data received from the temperature sensors, an accessible memory 41 for storage of a domestic hot water installation operating program/hot water profile, and means 43 to operate the first and second pumps 17, 23 in accordance with the domestic hot water installation operating program.
In use, pumps 17 and 23 are initially turned off. The boiler and pump 17 are turned on and the temperature of the heating fluid from the boiler is monitored by temperature sensor 33. Once the temperature of the heating fluid gets “up to temperature”, typically in the region of 60-70°C or above, the second pump 23 is turned on and the first pump 17 circulates heating fluid through the primary side 13 of the heat exchanger and the second pump 23 circulates water from the hot water cylinder 3 through the secondary side 15 of the heat exchanger. The heating fluid circulating in the primary side 13 of the heat exchanger heats the water in the secondary side 15 of the heat exchanger and the heated water in the secondary side 15 returns to the hot water cylinder 3.
-7The speed of the pump 23 is controlled to ensure that the water remains in the secondary side 13 for a period of time sufficient to heat the water to the desired set temperature, which may, for example, be of the order of 60°C. In this way, cooler water is gradually fed from the bottom of the hot water cylinder through the heat exchanger where it is heated and then returned to the top of the hot water cylinder from where it may be drawn through pipework 45 for use in a shower, bath, sink or the like. Advantageously, the temperature of the water entering and exiting the secondary side of the heat exchanger is known and the temperature of the heating fluid is known. This allows for a very accurate and controlled method of heating the hot water. The speed of the pump 17 may also be regulated to ensure that the heating fluid does not remain in the heat exchanger for too long, which may result in too great a drop in the temperature of the heating fluid before it is returned to the boiler.
According to the method of the present invention, when the pump 23 is turned on, it will operate to deliver a first volume of water at a first predetermined temperature to the hot water cylinder 3 and thereafter, once the first volume of water has been delivered to the hot water cylinder, the pump 23 will be operated to deliver a second volume of water, greater than the first volume of water, at a second predetermined temperature to the hot water cylinder 3. Assuming that the temperature of the heating fluid in the primary side of the heat exchanger 9 is effectively constant, it will be understood that by slowing the pump 23 down, the water will spend longer in the secondary side of the heat exchanger, giving it more time to heat up. Similarly, by speeding the pump 23 up, the water will spend less time in the secondary side of the heat exchanger and will exit the heat exchanger at a cooler temperature. The temperature of the water exiting the heat exchanger is carefully monitored by the temperature sensor 31.
The controller 35 operates the pump 23 in accordance with a domestic hot water profile. For example, the domestic hot water profile may call for 50 litres of water at approximately 60°C for a shower. However, this domestic hot water profile may include a first volume of water of 5 litres at 65°C and a second volume of water of 45 litres at 60°C. The controller 35 will operate the pump 23 at a first speed to allow the first volume of water take sufficient time to get through the secondary side of the heat exchanger so that it gets up to 65°C before it is transferred to the hot water cylinder 3. This first volume of water will form a boundary layer with the cold water in the hot water cylinder. Once the
-8first volume of water has been deposited in the hot water cylinder 3, the pump 23 will thereafter be operated at a second speed to allow the water passing through the secondary side of the heat exchanger sufficient time in the secondary side of the heat exchanger so that it gets up to 60°C before it is transferred to the hot water cylinder 3.
Due to the stratification of water in the hot water cylinder, there will effectively be a cool layer at the bottom of the tank, an intermediate boundary layer of 5 litres of hot water at 65°C, and a top layer of 45 litres of hot water at 60°C. As hot water is drawn out of the tank along pipe 45 to the shower, the hot water at 60°C at the top of the cylinder will be drawn out first. This water is replaced in the hot water cylinder by cold water entering in through inlet pipe 47 at the bottom of the hot water cylinder. When all the hot water at 60°C has been drained from the hot water cylinder, the hot water at 65°C will then be taken from the tank and directed to the shower along pipe 45. This increase of shower temperature will provide a warning to the person in the shower that the hot water volume order is almost exhausted.
Alternatively, the fact that the boundary layer is cooled may be used to good effect also. In other words, water is delivered into the hot water cylinder and this initial volume of water will cool in a boundary layer by a few degrees. More hot water is then delivered into the hot water cylinder at the same temperature as the initial feed of hot water however this second batch of water will be in contact with the boundary layer rather than the colder water beneath. In this way, the second volume of water will not be cooled down to the same degree as the initial intake now in the boundary layer. The initial intake in the boundary layer may be at a temperature a degree or more lower than the remaining water and this slight reduction in temperature can be used as an indicator to the user that the supply of hot water is almost exhausted.
It will be understood that although a number of temperature sensors have been provided to enhance control, only the temperature sensor 3 measuring the temperature of the hot water returning to the hot water cylinder is necessary for performing the invention, furthermore, the configuration of external heating circuit is not intended necessarily to be limiting and other configurations of external heating circuits may be provided to good effect.
-9Referring to Figure 2, there is shown an alternative configuration of domestic hot water installation, indicated generally by the reference numeral 101, where like parts have been given the same reference numeral as before. The domestic hot water installation 101 differs from the installation 1 in that there is provided an alternative external heating circuit 103 that may be used to perform the method according to the invention, the external heating circuit comprises an electrical heater, such as a Willis-type heater or an Electric Flow Heater having a flow port 25 and a return port 27. Water enters the flow port and is heated by an electrical element before passing out the return port and returning to the hot water cylinder. The amount of hot water and the temperature of the hot water transferred back to the hot water cylinder will be controlled in main part by the controller 35, the pump 23 and the temperature sensor 31.
Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown a diagrammatic representation of a hot water cylinder 3 with a volume of hot water heated in accordance with the present invention stored therein. The volume of water comprises a first volume of water 201 at a first temperature, in this case 65°C, and a second volume of water 203 above the first volume of water 201 at a second temperature, in this case 60°C. Below the first volume of water is cold water 205 in the hot water cylinder 3.
It will be understood from the foregoing that various modifications could be made to the embodiments described without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the configuration of external heating circuits may be varied. In the embodiments described, the temperature of the first volume of water is described as being 5°C above the temperature of the second volume of water. This may be varied to suit certain applications or personal preferences by appropriately programming the controller 35 to operate the pump 23 accordingly. Similarly, the temperature of the first volume of water may be below the temperature of the second volume of water. It is envisaged that this may be set as a preference at the controller by the user or factory set.
Similarly, the user may specify what the first and second volumes should be depending on personal preferences. Alternatively, these may be preset or one may be proportional relative to the other. As an initial step, it is envisaged that the diameter of the cylinder and/or the flow rate of the shower may be input into the controller. These may be used to determine the volume of the first volume of water, the depth of the first volume of water
- 10(which may be important if the depth of the layer has a significant bearing on whether or not an effective thermal barrier is formed by the first volume of water) and the amount of time that the first volume of water will last before it is itself exhausted and the shower user is subjected to the cold water below the first volume of water at the first predetermined temperature. The depth of the layer and/or the volume of the layer may be determined using the formula:
V = TT.r2.h
Where V is volume, r is radius of the hot water cylinder and h is the height of the volume of water. For example, it may be chosen to provide a first volume of water that is 5 litres. In a 300mm (0.30m) diameter hot water cylinder, this 5 litres will provide a first layer that is 7.077cm (0.07077m) deep. [ 0.005 I (3.14 x 0.15 x 0.15) = 0.07077m ; note: π = 3.14, 5 litres = 0.005m3].
The same 5 litre volume will however only provide a first layer that is 2.548cm (0.02548m) deep in a hot water cylinder having a diameter of 500mm (0.50m) [ 0.005 I (3.14 x 0.25 x 0.25) = 0.02548m], In the larger (500mm diameter) hot water cylinder, the contact surface area between the first volume of water and the cold water underneath will be greater than in the smaller (300mm diameter) hot water cylinder (0.19625m2 against 0.07065m2). With a thinner layer and a greater contact surface area, the cold water may cool this layer faster than the thicker layer in the smaller cylinder. Accordingly, this may be taken into account when deciding on the volume of the first volume of water. It may be decided that it is necessary to have a first volume of water that is sufficient to provide a layer of water that is at least 5cm (0.05m) thick in which case in the larger cylinder (500mm diameter), 10 litres of water will be provided in the first volume of water. Effectively, the present invention is providing a controlled thermocline in the body of water.
Similarly, a power shower may use of the order of 25 litres per minute as opposed to some standard showers that use approximately 7 litres per minute. If it is desired to provide a buffer first volume of hot water that will last for 30 seconds, the first volume of water will have to be 12.5 litres for a power shower and only 3.5 litres for a standard
- 11 shower. These settings may assist in the controller providing the appropriate volumes of water in the first and second volumes of water.
In this specification the terms “comprise, comprises, comprised and comprising” and the 5 terms “include, included, includes and including” are all deemed totally interchangeable and should be afforded the widest possible interpretation.
The invention is not limited solely to the embodiments hereinbefore described but may be varied in both construction and detail within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (10)
- Claims:(1) A method of operating a domestic hot water installation, the domestic hot water installation comprising a hot water cylinder having a cold water outlet and a hot water inlet, an external heating circuit configured to receive cold water from the hot water cylinder and deliver hot water back to the hot water cylinder, a pump operable to circulate water between the hot water cylinder and the external heating circuit, a temperature sensor and a controller in communication with the temperature sensor and the pump, the controller having a processor, accessible memory having a domestic hot water profile stored therein, and means to operate the pump in accordance with the domestic hot water profile, the method comprising the steps of:delivering a first volume of water at a first predetermined temperature to the hot water cylinder; and thereafter delivering a second volume of water greater than the first volume of water at a second predetermined temperature to the hot water cylinder.
- (2) A method of operating a domestic hot water installation as claimed in claim 1 in which the first predetermined temperature is greater than the second predetermined temperature.
- (3) A method of operating a domestic hot water installation as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the first predetermined temperature is within between 0.1 °C and 3°C of the second predetermined temperature.
- (4) A method of operating a domestic hot water installation as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the first volume of water is between 1 and 10 litres.
- (5) A method of operating a domestic hot water installation as claimed in any preceding claim in which the second volume of water is of the order of at least ten times the first volume of water.- 13(
- 6) A method of operating a domestic hot water installation as claimed in any preceding claim in which the pump is a variable speed pump and the steps of delivering a first volume of water at a first predetermined temperature to the hot water cylinder and delivering a second volume of water greater than the first volume of water at a second predetermined temperature to the hot water cylinder comprise varying the temperature of the water by varying the speed of the pump.
- (7) A method of operating a domestic hot water installation as claimed in any preceding claim in which the method comprises the initial step of an operator programming the controller with the diameter of the hot water cylinder.
- (8) A method of operating a domestic hot water installation as claimed in claim 7 in which the first volume of water is dependent, in part at least, on the diameter of the hot water cylinder.
- (9) A method of operating a domestic hot water installation as claimed in any preceding claim in which the method comprises the initial step of an operator programming the controller with the flow rate of a shower in the dwelling.
- (10) A method of operating a domestic hot water installation as claimed in claim 9 in which the first volume of water is dependent, in part at least, on the flow rate of the shower in the dwelling.IntellectualPropertyOfficeApplication No: GB1703794.6 Examiner: Rachel Smith
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1703794.6A GB2560361B (en) | 2017-03-09 | 2017-03-09 | A method of operating a domestic hot water installation |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1703794.6A GB2560361B (en) | 2017-03-09 | 2017-03-09 | A method of operating a domestic hot water installation |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB201703794D0 GB201703794D0 (en) | 2017-04-26 |
| GB2560361A true GB2560361A (en) | 2018-09-12 |
| GB2560361B GB2560361B (en) | 2021-01-27 |
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|---|---|---|---|
| GB1703794.6A Expired - Fee Related GB2560361B (en) | 2017-03-09 | 2017-03-09 | A method of operating a domestic hot water installation |
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| GB (1) | GB2560361B (en) |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS60188745A (en) * | 1984-03-08 | 1985-09-26 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Heat pump hot-water supplier |
| JP2007327728A (en) * | 2006-06-09 | 2007-12-20 | Hitachi Appliances Inc | Heat pump hot-water supply system |
| US20140371925A1 (en) * | 2013-06-18 | 2014-12-18 | Andrew Butler | Cloud Connected Intelligent Heater/Chiller System |
-
2017
- 2017-03-09 GB GB1703794.6A patent/GB2560361B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS60188745A (en) * | 1984-03-08 | 1985-09-26 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Heat pump hot-water supplier |
| JP2007327728A (en) * | 2006-06-09 | 2007-12-20 | Hitachi Appliances Inc | Heat pump hot-water supply system |
| US20140371925A1 (en) * | 2013-06-18 | 2014-12-18 | Andrew Butler | Cloud Connected Intelligent Heater/Chiller System |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB201703794D0 (en) | 2017-04-26 |
| GB2560361B (en) | 2021-01-27 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20210427 |