US20180135886A1

US20180135886A1 - Phase change heat storage-type electrical water heater

Info

Publication number: US20180135886A1
Application number: US15/870,224
Authority: US
Inventors: Haijun LIU; Wen Li; Hong Wang
Original assignee: Pioneer Energy Jiangsu Co Ltd
Current assignee: Pioneer Energy Jiangsu Co Ltd
Priority date: 2015-07-31
Filing date: 2018-01-12
Publication date: 2018-05-17
Also published as: CN104976765B; CN104976765A

Abstract

The utility model relates to a phase change heat storage-type electrical water heater, comprising a phase change heat storage device, wherein the phase change heat storage device comprises a housing; the housing is internally filled in with a phase change material; a heat exchange pipe is embedded in the phase change material; the heat exchange pipe has one end connected with a circulating medium inflow pipe and the other end connected with a circulating medium outflow pipe; the circulating medium inflow pipe and the circulating medium outflow pipe are externally connected with a circulating medium backflow pipe there-between; the circulating medium inflow pipe, the heat exchange pipe, the circulating medium outflow pipe and the circulating medium backflow pipe form a circulating system in which a circulating medium flow; the circulating medium backflow pipe is provided with a circulating pump, an electrical heater, a function switching valve and a heat exchanger in turn; and the heat exchanger is provided with a water inlet pipe for heating tap water and a water outlet pipe. Compared with the prior art, the phase change heat storage-type electrical water heater heats water for a long time, has a high yield of hot water, and is safe and reliable.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

The utility model relates to an electrical water heater, in particular to a phase change heat storage-type electrical water heater.

Description of the Related Art

Existing energy storage-type electrical water heaters all directly heat water in the water heaters by using electrical heating components to provide users with warm water for living and working use. Due to large heat storage containers, such electrical water heaters have large sizes, large masses, high cost, and when installed indoors, occupy the indoor space of users, thus affecting the installation and use of the heat storage-type electrical water heaters. Moreover, a large amount of water stored in the liners of the heat storage-type electrical water heaters has a certain corrosivity, so the service life is shortened, and bacteria grow and affect health. In addition, the existing heat storage-type electrical water heaters cannot produce warm water at the moment of being turned on, and cannot meet the fast-paced working and living demands of users in the current society.
The Chinese Patent CN 102654308 A discloses a phase change heat storage-type electrical water heater, comprising a water heater housing, wherein the water heater housing is internally provided with an insulating material; the water heater housing contains a plurality of containers inside; the plurality of containers are respectively filled in with phase change materials; heat exchange pipes are embedded in the phase change materials; each one of the heat exchange pipes has one end connected with a water inlet pipe and the other end connected with a water outlet pipe; a water return pipe is connected between the water inlet pipe and the water outlet pipe; the water return pipe is provided with a cycle pump and a water container; the water container is internally equipped with an electrical heater; the recycle pump and the electrical heater are respectively electrically connected with a controller; and the controller is fixed on the water heater housing. The phase change heat storage-type electrical water heater mainly stores heat in advance by using the high heat storage property of the phase change material and therefore can provide users with warm water at any time and any place. Such phase change heat storage-type electrical water heater continuously heats a large amount of warm water for a long time, and is safe and reliable. However, in such patent, the water return pipe, the recycle pump and the water containers are all integrated in the water heater housing, resulting in relatively complicated structural setting, and inconvenient maintenance, removal and replacement.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objective of the utility model is to provide a phase change heat storage-type electrical water heater which has a small size, a long service life, and a heat storage density and can provide warm water at the moment of being turned on, to overcome the defects in the prior art.
The objective of the utility model can be achieved by the following technical solution:
A phase change heat storage-type electrical water heater includes a phase change heat storage device, wherein the phase change heat storage device includes a housing; the housing is internally filled in with a phase change material; a heat exchange pipe is embedded in the phase change material; the heat exchange pipe has one end connected with a circulating medium inflow pipe and the other end connected with a circulating medium outflow pipe; the circulating medium inflow pipe and the circulating medium outflow pipe are externally connected with a circulating medium backflow pipe there-between; the circulating medium inflow pipe, the heat exchange pipe, the circulating medium outflow pipe and the circulating medium backflow pipe form a circulating system in which a circulating medium flow; the circulating medium backflow pipe is provided with a circulating pump, an electrical heater, a function switching valve and a heat exchanger in turn; and the heat exchanger is provided with a water inlet pipe for heating tap water and a water outlet pipe.
The water outlet pipe is provided with a water flow detector.
The circulating pump, the water flow detector and the electrical heater are connected to a controller at the same time.
The water flow detector is any one or a combination of a water flow switch and a water flow sensor.
The circulating medium backflow pipe at both ends of the function switch valve is respectively provided with a circulating medium reserved inflow pipe and a circulating medium reserved outflow pipe which are externally connected with auxiliary energy sources.
The circulating medium backflow pipe is provided with a pressure release valve.
The circulating medium backflow pipe is provided with a phase change material leak detecting device, and the phase change material leak detecting device is any one or a combination of several ones of an aluminum pipe, a zinc pipe, a magnesium pipe and a PH value tester.
The function switching valve is any one or a combination of several ones of a ball valve, an electric pipe or an electromagnetic valve.
The circulating medium is any one or a combination of several ones of tap water, distilled water, anti-freezing liquid and heat conducting oil.
The operation modes of the phase change heat storage electrical water heater in this embodiment can be classified into an electrical water heater operation mode and a hybrid operation mode of other auxiliary energy sources with the electrical water heater.
Electrical water heater operation mode: refers to an operation state where the function switching valve is opened. When the temperature is lower than a set value, the controller starts the circulating pump and the electrical heater, and the circulating medium circulates in the circulating medium backflow pipe and the heat exchange pipe in a heat accumulating container to pass heat to the heat change material for storage; and when the temperature rises the set value, the circulating pump and the electrical heater stop working. During use of water, after the water flow detector detects a water demand signal from the water outlet pipe on the heat exchanger, the circulating pump opens, and the circulating medium absorbs heat through the phase change material and passes the heat to the tap water through the heat exchanger to heat the tap water, and the users can use warm water. Such function can ensure instant use through time control to provide users with a comfortable use experience.
Hybrid operation mode of other auxiliary energy sources with the electrical water heater: refers to an operation in combination with other auxiliary functions. In such circumstances, the function switching valve is closed, and the circulating system is matched with other energy systems, for example the heat collector. When the temperature at the circulating inlet is higher than a set value, the controller starts the circulating pump, and then the circulating medium circulates in the circulating medium backflow pipe and the auxiliary energy system to pass heat to the phase change material for storage. When the temperature is lower than the set value, the work is stopped. On the end user side, the heat exchanger heats the water and then the user can use warm water. By such function, auxiliary energy sources such as a heat pump and solar energy can be used, and unstable energy sources can be used to achieve the maximum operation efficiency to meet the heat accumulating demands.
Compared with the prior art, the utility model has the following beneficial effects:
1. The phase change heat storage type electrical water heater of the utility model has the advantages of small size, long service life, and comfortable experience along with providing warm water at the moment of being turned on.
2. The phase change heat storage-type electrical water heater of the utility model mainly stores heat in advance by using the high heat storage property of the phase change material and then can provide users with warm water at the moment of being turned on. Such phase change heat storage-type electrical water heater continuously a large amount of warm water for a long time, saves the awaiting time for users, and can meet the fast-paced working and living demands of users.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a structural view of the utility model.

As shown in the FIGURES, 1—heat exchange pipe; 2—phase change material; 3—phase change heat storage device; 4—cycle pump; 5—electrical heater; 6—pressure release valve; 7—function switching valve; 8—circulating medium reserved inflow pipe; 9—circulating medium reserved outflow pipe; 10—heat exchanger; 11—water flow detector; 12—water inlet pipe; 13—water outlet pipe; 14—circulating medium inflow pipe; 15—circulating medium outflow pipe; 16—circulating medium backflow pipe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The utility model is described in detail in conjunction with the attached drawings and specific embodiments.

Embodiment

A phase change heat storage-type electrical water heater, as shown in FIG. 1, includes a phase change heat storage device 3, wherein the phase change heat storage device 3 includes a housing; the housing is internally filled in with a phase change material 2; a heat exchange pipe 1 is embedded in the phase change material 2; the heat exchange pipe 1 has one end connected with a circulating medium inflow pipe 14 and the other end connected with a circulating medium outflow pipe 15; the circulating medium inflow pipe 14 and the circulating medium outflow pipe 15 are externally connected with a circulating medium backflow pipe 16 there-between; the circulating medium inflow pipe 14, the heat exchange pipe 1, the circulating medium outflow pipe 15 and the circulating medium backflow pipe 16 form a circulating system in which a circulating medium flows, characterized in that, the circulating medium backflow pipe 16 is provided with a circulating pump 4, an electrical heater 5, a function switching valve 7 and a heat exchanger 10 in turn; and the heat exchanger 10 is provided with a water inlet pipe 12 for heating tap water and a water outlet pipe 13. The water outlet pipe 13 is provided with a water flow detector 11. The circulating pump 4, the water flow detector 11 and the electrical heater 5 are connected to a controller at the same time. The circulating medium backflow pipe 16 at the two ends of the function switch valve 7 is respectively provided with a circulating medium reserved inflow pipe 8 and a circulating medium reserved outflow pipe 9 which are externally connected with auxiliary energy sources. The circulating medium backflow pipe 16 is provided with a pressure release valve 6.
According to the utility model, the water flow detector 11 is any one or a combination of a water flow switch and a water flow sensor.
The circulating medium backflow pipe 16 is provided with a phase change material leak detecting device, and the phase change material leak detecting device is any one or a combination of several ones of an aluminum pipe, a zinc pipe, a magnesium pipe and a PH value tester.
The function switching valve 7 is any one or a combination of several ones of a ball valve, an electric pipe or an electromagnetic valve.
The circulating medium is any one or a combination of several ones of tap water, distilled water, anti-freezing liquid and heat conducting oil.
The operation modes of the phase change heat storage electrical water heater in this embodiment can be classified into an electrical water heater operation mode and a hybrid operation mode of other auxiliary energy sources with the electrical water heater.
Electrical water heater operation mode: refers to an operation state where the function switching valve is opened. When the temperature is lower than a set value, the controller starts the circulating pump and the electrical heater, and the circulating medium circulates in the circulating medium backflow pipe and the heat exchange pipe in a heat accumulating container to pass heat to the heat change material for storage; and when the temperature rises the set value, the circulating pump and the electrical heater stop working. During use of water, after the water flow detector detects a water demand signal from the water outlet pipe on the heat exchanger, the circulating pump opens, and the circulating medium absorbs heat through the phase change material and passes the heat to the tap water through the heat exchanger to heat the tap water, and the users can use warm water. Such function can ensure instant use through time control to provide users with a comfortable use experience.
Hybrid operation mode of other auxiliary energy sources with the electrical water heater: refers to an operation in combination with other auxiliary functions. In such circumstances, the function switching valve is closed, and the circulating system is matched with other energy systems, for example the heat collector. When the temperature at the circulating inlet is higher than a set value, the controller starts the circulating pump, and then the circulating medium circulates in the circulating medium backflow pipe and the auxiliary energy system to pass heat to the phase change material for storage. When the temperature is lower than the set value, the work is stopped. On the end user side, the heat exchanger heats the water and then the user can use warm water. By such function, auxiliary energy sources such as a heat pump and solar energy can be used, and unstable energy sources can be used to achieve the maximum operation efficiency to meet the heat accumulating demands.
Through the description of the above embodiment, those ordinarily skilled in the art can understand and use the utility model. Obviously, those skilled in the art can easily make various modifications on the embodiments and apply the general principle described here to other embodiments without creative work. Therefore, the utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. All improvements and modifications made within the scope of the utility model by those skilled in the art according to the concept of the utility model should fall within the protective scope of the utility model.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A phase change heat storage-type electrical water heater, comprising a phase change heat storage device (3), wherein the phase change heat storage device (3) comprises a housing; the housing is internally filled in with a phase change material (2); a heat exchange pipe (1) is embedded in the phase change material (2); the heat exchange pipe (1) has one end connected with a circulating medium inflow pipe (14) and the other end connected with a circulating medium outflow pipe (15); the circulating medium inflow pipe (14) and the circulating medium outflow pipe (15) are externally connected with a circulating medium backflow pipe (16) there-between; the circulating medium inflow pipe (14), the heat exchange pipe (1), the circulating medium outflow pipe (15) and the circulating medium backflow pipe (16) form a circulating system in which a circulating medium flows, characterized in that, the circulating medium backflow pipe (16) is provided with a circulating pump (4), an electrical heater (5), a function switching valve (7) and a heat exchanger (10) in turn; and the heat exchanger (10) is provided with a water inlet pipe (12) for heating tap water and a water outlet pipe (13).

2. The phase change heat storage-type electrical water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that the water outlet pipe (13) is provided with a water flow detector (11).

3. The phase change heat storage-type electrical water heater according to claim 2, characterized in that the circulating pump (4), the water flow detector (11) and the electrical heater (5) are connected to a controller at the same time.

4. The phase change heat storage-type electrical water heater according to claim 2, characterized in that the water flow detector (11) is any one or a combination of a water flow switch and a water flow sensor.

5. The phase change heat storage-type electrical water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that the circulating medium backflow pipe (16) at both ends of the function switch valve (7) is respectively provided with a circulating medium reserved inflow pipe (8) and a circulating medium reserved outflow pipe (9) which are externally connected with auxiliary energy sources.

6. The phase change heat storage-type electrical water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that the circulating medium backflow pipe (16) is provided with a pressure release valve (6).

7. The phase change heat storage-type electrical water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that the circulating medium backflow pipe (16) is provided with a phase change material leak detecting device, and the phase change material leak detecting device is any one or a combination of several ones of an aluminum pipe, a zinc pipe, a magnesium pipe and a PH value tester.

8. The phase change heat storage-type electrical water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that the function switching valve (7) is any one or a combination of several ones of a ball valve, an electric pipe or an electromagnetic valve.

9. The phase change heat storage-type electrical water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that the circulating medium is any one or a combination of several ones of tap water, distilled water, anti-freezing liquid and heat conducting oil.