IE84349B1 - An atmospheric water boiler - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract An atmospheric water boiler An atmospheric water boiler (10), which can be operated either in a manual fill mode or an auto—fill mode, has a control unit (3 7), which controls the operation of the boiler in either mode, and a switch (38) mounted on an external surface (39) of the boiler (10), the switch (38), when operated, converting the boiler (10) from one operating mode to the other. The boiler (10) can be operated as a manual fill boiler, where a plumbed in water source is not available. However, it can be converted into an auto-fill boiler by attaching it to a water source through the pipe (27), and changing the mode of operation by operating the switch (38). Thus, when the need arises, instead of having to purchase a new boiler, the operator is in a position to utilise the boiler (l0), originally purchased as a manual fill boiler, as an auto—fill boiler, at minimal further expense. (Fig. 2)

Description

An atmospheric water boiler This invention relates to a water boiler and, in particular, to an atmospheric water boiler.

Atmospheric water boilers are used in many areas and, in particular, in the catering and beverage trade. Thus, they can be found, for example, in office canteens, restaurants and petrol station forecourts, where they provide hot water for use in the preparation of a variety of beverages.

Atmospheric water boilers are available as either manual fill boilers or auto-fill boilers. By a manual fill boiler is meant a water boiler in which the boiler tank is filled manually and has to be topped up manually during use. By an auto-fill boiler is meant a water boiler in which the boiler tank is filled automatically from a plumbed in water source and is topped up automatically from the same source during use.

A coffee machine is known (Animo Al00W, supplied by Animo B.V., the Netherlands), which incorporates a boiler tank, which is fed by water from a header tank, which is manually filled, using a jug of water.

The boiler tank provides hot water for a filter coffee unit and also a supply of hot water from a tap, which can be used for making tea, coffee, cocoa, cup-a-soup, etc.

A similar coffee machine (Animo AZOOW, again supplied by Animo B.V.) is an auto-fill model, in which the header tank has a permanent connection to a water supply.

While auto-fill boilers are more convenient, many users initially purchase a manual fill boiler, primarily because it is the cheaper option, both because a manual fill boiler is less expensive and also because of the cost of installing plumbing in locations, where no plumbed water supply is available. However, almost invariably, having installed a manual fill boiler and having experienced the convenience of a hot water supply in excess of the quantity typically supplied by a kettle, the purchaser regrets that he did not buy an auto-fill boiler in the first place.

This is because the manual fill boiler always seems to run out of water just when it is needed most and if it runs dry the heating element may burn out, necessitating repair. However, having purchased a manual fill boiler the purchaser is faced with having to discard it and in having to replace it with an auto-fill boiler.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the water boilers hereinbefore described.

Thus, the invention provides an atmospheric water boiler, comprising a boiler tank, an electronic control unit, which controls the operation of the boiler in either a manual fill mode, wherein the boiler tank is fillable directly, or in an auto-fill mode, wherein the boiler tank is directly fillable using a plumbed in water source, and means for converting the boiler from one operating mode to the other.

An advantage of a water boiler with an electronic control unit, which allows the boiler to be used in either a manual or auto-fill mode, is that a purchaser can initially purchase the boiler as a manual fill boiler.

If, subsequently, a need arises for an auto-fill boiler then the same boiler can be used by simply connecting the boiler to a water source and operating the converting means to change the mode of operation of the boiler.

A further advantage is that if the purchaser wishes to move the boiler to a new location it can be converted back to the manual mode until such time as a plumbed in water source can be provided at the new location.

Preferably, the control unit is a microprocessor mounted on a printed circuit board.

The advantage of using a microprocessor is that it can be programmed with the control logic necessary for controlling the operation of the water boiler in either mode.

Suitably, the converting means is a jumper switch located on the printed circuit board.

Thus, conversion of the water boiler from one mode to the other is achieved by removing a panel from the boiler in order to access the printed circuit board and then moving the jumper switch to the position for the other mode.

Preferably, the converting means is a switch located on an external surface of the boiler.

The advantage of having a switch on an external surface of the boiler is that conversion, from one mode to the other, can be accomplished without having to remove a panel from the boiler, in order to gain access to the electronic control unit.

Suitably, the control unit controls the level of water in the boiler tank, and the temperature of the water, within predetermined ranges.

Thus, in the manual mode the control unit can determine, amongst other things, if the boiler tank requires to be filled, if the water in the boiler tank is full, if there is a fault or if the boiler is heating.

In the auto-fill mode the control unit can determine if the water in the boiling tank is heating, if the boiler is ready to dispense water at a predetermined temperature, and if there is a fault in the boiler.

Preferably, the boiler tank is isolated from the electronics of the boiler, to protect the electronics from damage due to water or steam.

Although isolation of the boiler tank from the electronics adds to the cost of the boiler, the result is a safer and more reliable boiler.

The invention will be further illustrated by the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an atmospheric water boiler according to the invention; and Fig. 2 is a cross—section on line II — II of Fig. 1.

Referring to Fig.1, there is illustrated generally at 10, an atmospheric water boiler, which can be operated either in a manual fill mode or an auto-fill mode, the boiler 10 having a housing 1 I mounted on a base unit 13 with a drip tray 14 mounted therein, on which a cup may be placed in use. A side 15 of the housing 11 includes a recessed section 16 for accommodating the cup. Mounted on the side 15, above the recessed section 16 is a dispense button 17, which, when depressed, causes hot water to issue from a nozzle 18. Also mounted on the side 15 is an indicator light 19 in the form of a light emitting diode (LED).

A lid 20 is mounted on top of the housing 1 1 and is hinged thereto at position 21. In use, the lid 20 can be opened in order to add water into the boiler 10, when it is being operated in the manual fill mode. A flange 22, mounted at top 23 of side 24 and to the rear of the housing 1 1, allows end 25 of the lid 20 to rest thereon, when the lid 20 is opened. A lock 26 is mounted on the lid 20 and prevents unauthorised opening of the boiler 10.

The boiler 10 may be connected to an external water source by a pipe 27.

Referring to Fig. 2, the internal features of the boiler 10 are illustrated. Thus, the boiler 10 has a boiler tank 30 enclosed within the housing 1 1. The boiler tank 30 is connected to the external water source by the pipe 27 through an inlet solenoid 31 and a connecting pipe 32.

In use, the water in the boiler tank 30 is heated by a heating element 33. The temperature of the water in the boiler tank 30 is sensed by a thermistor 34. The level of water in the boiler tank 30 is sensed by a low level probe 35 and a high level probe 36.

The boiler 10 has an electronic control unit 37, which controls the operation of the boiler in either mode, and a switch 38 mounted on an external surface 39 of the boiler 10, the switch 38, when operated, converting the boiler 10 from one operating mode to the other. The switch 38 is so positioned that it can be accessed without having to remove a panel from the boilerl0, while at the same time minimizing the risk of it being accidentally operated by a user, who may be unfamiliar with its function.

The electronic control unit 37 includes a microprocessor chip 40, which is programmed with the control logic necessary for controlling the operation of the water boiler in either mode. The components of the control unit 37 are arranged on a printed circuit board 41.

In use, water at a suitable temperature can be dispensed from the boiler 10 by depressing the dispense button 17, which causes a dispense solenoid 42 to open, allowing the water to exit the boiler tank 30 through an outlet 43 and to issue through the nozzle 18.

A mains switch 44 is mounted on the housing 11, on a rear surface 45 thereof.

A previously indicated, the boiler 10 can be operated in either a manual fill mode or an auto-fill mode.

In the auto-fill mode the boiler 10 must be plumbed into a water source using the pipe 27. When the boiler 10 is switched on using switch 44, the inlet solenoid 31 opens and cold water enters the boiler tank 30 through the pipe 32 and continues to fill the boiler tank 30 until the water level reaches the low level probe 35. The inlet solenoid 31 then closes and the heating element 33 switches on, heating the water to a predetermined temperature of 96°C. When this temperature is reached the inlet solenoid 31 opens again and more cold water is taken in until the temperature drops to another predetermined temperature of 93°C, at which stage the inlet solenoid 31 closes again. The heating element 33 remains on through this heat and fill cycle, which repeats itself until the hot water reaches the high level probe 36, at which point no further water is taken in. The boiler 10 is now ready to dispense hot water and the LED illuminates to indicate this fact.

Water may now be dispensed from the boiler 10 by depressing the dispense button 17. The dispense button 17 will dispense water for as long as it is depressed.

As soon as the water level has dropped below the high level probe , the inlet solenoid 31 opens again. More water is taken in until the temperature drops below 93°C, at which point the heating element 33 switches on again and the heat and fill cycle recommences, as described above.

Water can only be dispensed to the level of the low level probe 35, at which point the dispense solenoid 42 is disabled until the water refills to the high level probe 36. If for some reason the water level drops below the low level probe 35, or if the water temperature drops below 80°C, or if the boiler 10 is unable to take in fiirther water, the boiler will shut down operation and the LED 19 will indicate that a service is required.

All the above operations are controlled by the electronic control unit 37, through the pre-programmed microprocessor chip 40.

Additional fault analysis functions are also programmed on the microprocessor chip 40, with the results being displayed on the LED 19.

In the manual fill mode the operator lifts the lid 20 and fills up the boiler tank 30 to a full level indicator (not shown).

In the manual fill mode the high level probe 36 has no function.

The mains switch 44 is turned on causing the heating element 33 to come on. The heating element 33 will continue to heat the water until a pre-determined temperature of 96°C is reached, at which time the LED 19 will illuminate, indicating that the boiler 10 is ready to dispense hot water.

The dispense solenoid 42 is now enabled and the boiler 10 will dispense hot water until the water level reaches the low level probe 35, at which point the dispense solenoid 42 will no longer operate. At this stage the LED 19 will flash, indicating that the boiler tank 30 must be refilled, with the water having to be heated to 96°C before the dispense solenoid 42 will operate again. As before, if the temperature of the water drops below 80°C, the boiler 10 will shut down.

Claims (1)

1. Claims: - An atmospheric water boiler, comprising a boiler tank, an electronic control unit, which controls the operation of the boiler in either a manual fill mode, wherein the boiler tank is directly fillable manually, or in an auto—f11l mode, wherein the boiler tank is directly fillable using a plumbed in water source, and means for converting the boiler from one operating mode to the other. An atmospheric water boiler according to Claim 1, wherein the control unit is a microprocessor mounted on a printed circuit board. An atmospheric water boiler according to Claim 2, wherein the converting means is a jumper switch located on the printed circuit board. An atmospheric water boiler according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the converting means is a switch located on an external surface of the boiler. An atmospheric water boiler according to any preceding claim, wherein the control unit controls the level of water in the boiler tank, and the temperature of the water, within predetermined ranges. An atmospheric water boiler according to any preceding claim, wherein the boiler tank is isolated from the electronics of the boiler, to protect the electronics from damage due to water or steam. An atmospheric water boiler according to Claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described with particular reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.