[0001] The present invention relates to a household water heater according to the preamble
of claim 1.
Technical background:
[0002] In some areas of the world, especially in those which are hot in summer and cold
in winter, cooling and heating systems are installed in rooms separate from bathrooms
and kitchens. In the latter, often a water heater is installed to heat water in winter,
and when air heating is required, an additional heating system is installed.
[0003] The household water heater is a thermally insulated water storage tank enclosed in
an outer shell operating by at least one heating element and fed from an electric
supply, containing, besides, a thermostat and a safety valve.
[0004] For instance, the US patent 37 93 654 shows a combined space and water heating unit
which basically comprises a hot water tank within an insulated enclosure. The enclosure
includes a cool air entrance and a warm air exit whereby the latter is combined with
a fan for circulating cool air coming from said entrance around the hot water tank
to said outlet, where warm air is exhausted. Furthermore, the Swiss patent 154 745
shows a boiler which is mounted in a corner of two walls and which has an outer shell
having a substantially cylindrical front side and flat rear sides, the latter being
positioned in parallel to said walls.
[0005] The heating element consists of an electric resistant wire. The water container is
cylindrical in order to resist steam pressure. The bottom and cover of the container
are concave. At the bottom of the tank, there are tree holes, one for an inlet of
cold water, the second for an outlet of hot water and the third for fixing the heating
assembly as well as or cleaning the heater when it requires maintenance. The other
shell of the heater is a steel cylinder welded to a cover and a base. At the base,
there are two holes for cold and hot water passage. At the center of the base, there
is a broad opening which has a separate cover screwed on that allows to check the
heating unit, a thermostat and an indicating lamp. There also is a thermal insulating
layer between the hot water tank and the exterior structure said layer being e.g.
3 cm thick. The indicating lamp can be connected in parallel with the heating unit
and shall indicate the switching-on and switching-off of the electric current.
[0006] A safety valve is installed at the inlet of cold water that - in case of a damage
of the thermostat - opens automatically when the steam pressure exceeds the setting
value of the valve. A thermometer is installed to indicate the temperature of the
water inside the heater. The heater is also provided with a metal support fixed to
the exterior structure to allow the mounting of the heater without coming in contact
with the wall.
[0007] The heater is usually used in bathrooms and kitchens for heating water only. It also
occupies a large space due to its circular shape and, when it is installed, it will
seem as a projection contacting with the wall and is not lined up with the surface
of the wall. This will leave useless spaces at the sides and on the top in addition
to hot and cold water and electric connections that are outside the heater, which
makes the appearance irregular. Therefore, some attempts are made to cover the heater
by placing it inside a drawer in the bathroom, in the skylight or on the roof. Sometimes,
a central heating system is installed, but it is costy and requires a continuous hot
water circulation system.
Disclosure of the present invention:
[0008] One object of the present invention is to avoid all defects resulting from the normal
household water heater and to add other advantages. A further object of the present
invention is to provide a household water heater that heats air to a required temperature
as well. The solution of the present invention is stated in the characterizing part
of claim 1. Improvements and further developments of the invention are disclosed in
the subclaims.
[0009] A household water heater according to the invention comprises a substantially cylindrical
hot water tank enclosed in a spaced insulating outer shell which has a substantially
cylindrical front side and at least one flat rear side, the latter to be adjusted
substantially in parallel to an adjacent wall or in a corner of two walls, so that
extra spaces are left between said inner tank and said outer shell . Furthermore at
least one of said extra spaces contains a substantially vertical air passage or channel
contacting said hot water tank inside said outer shell; said air passage has a cold
air inlet at the bottom and a hot air outlet at the top of the outer shell.
[0010] The new heater according to the present invention has two main functions; it heats
water as well as air to a respective required temperature. It also occupies a small
space and does not form a projection but seems to line up with the surface of the
wall. All connections of hot and cold water as well as electricity can be hidden inside
the heater. Above all, it is conforming to specifications. The water tank according
to this invention, should be cylindrical and at both ends concave in order to resist
to steam pressure.
[0011] Preferably, the outer shell of the heater can be constructed according to the following
two designs corresponding to the side designated for installation:
In a first design, the outer shell will be a quarter cylinder that encloses a preferably
cylindrical hot water tank. The cross section of the heater appears as a quarter circle
enclosing a smaller full circle, which is the hot water tank.
[0012] This type is provided to be installed in a corner between two perpendicular walls.
On both sides near the walls a considerably large extra space is left between the
smaller circle and the outer shell.
[0013] In a second design, the outher shell or exterior structure of the heater is of a
cylindrical shape a longitudinal segment of which is cut. This outer shell should
enclose a preferably cylindrical hot water tank. The cross section of this heater
appears as a circle, from which a segment or section is cut; this remainder of a circle
encloses the smaller full circle characterizing the tank. Thus, in the second design
again on both sides near the wall there is left a considerably large extra space between
the inner circle and the outer shell.
[0014] The designs described above or the like realize the following advantages according
to this invention:
(1) At the remaining space on both sides of the water tank, two passages for air heating
can be installed so that they contact the hot water tank, preferably the passages
are controlled in opening and closing by a thermostat in contact with the outer shell
from inside. Preferably, the thermostat should be effected by the ambient (room) temperature
and controlled to determine a pretended calorific effect, at which the heating passages
open or close.
(2) Due to being a quarter of a cylinder in the first design, the outer shell conforms
with the corner at which it is installed; and being a semicylinder in the second design,
the outer shell conforms with the surface of a respective wall. Furthermore, the efficiency
of the heater is improved if the outer heater shell touches the wall in its fixed
position as little as possible.
The length of the heater according to the invention can be increased within the limits
allowed by specifications and the area of the respective section can been decreased
for the following purposes;
a) reducing the area it occupies;
b) reducing projection forward;
c) to be installed so that its top will be in contact with the ceiling and not to
leave any useless gaps around or on top of the heater;
d) increasing the space between the inlet of cold air and the outlet of hot air which
improves heating air circulation;
e) increasing the length of air heating passage in contact with the hot water tank
which increases the area of thermal radiation surface inside the passage consequently
leading to the quick heating of the site.
When the heater is installed as mentioned above, it will appear as part of the site
and will not show any exposed projection but it will seem to be lined up with the
surface of the wall.
(3) The conformity of the heater with the surface of the wall will also enable to
hide all external cold and hot water and electric connections inside a recess below
the hot water tank. This advantage can be obtained by increasing the length of the
outer shell by about 15 cm down to cover the external connections inside the heater
in order to give it good appearance.
[0015] A water heater of the invention can be installed on the wall at a metal base fixed
on the top of the wall adjacant to the ceiling.
[0016] Ways of performing the invention are described in detail below with reference to
the drawings which illustrate specific embodiments, in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a heater;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a heater;
Fig. 3 shows a view of a bathroom with a heater installed;
Fig. 4 shows a cross section along the line IV - IV of Fig. 1;
Fig. 5 shows a cross section along the line V - V of Fig. 2;
Fig. 6 shows a view from the bottom of a heater mounted in a corner of two walls;
Fig. 7 shows a view from the bottom of a heater on a flat wall;
Fig. 8 shows a longitudinal section along the line VIII - VIII of Fig. 1;
Fig. 9 shows a type of fixing of the heater to a wall;
Fig. 10 and 11 show geometrical drawings for the calculating of two different types
of heaters; and
Fig. 12 and 13 show other alternatives of the outer shell of the heater.
[0017] Fig. 1 shows a view of a heater 1 of a first design. The external structure of this
heater is a quarter cylinder. The heater 1 is installed at a corner 2 between two
perpendicular walls 3, 4. The full conformity with the surface of the wall can be
seen as well as the top which is in contact with the ceiling (not shown). A hot air
outlet appears as 5, thermometer 6, electric switch 7, indication lamp 8, control
ON/OFF switch 9 and the external hot and cold water and electric connections are hidden
inside the outer shell 10 of the heater 1.
[0018] Fig. 2 shows a view of a heater 11 of the second design. The exterior structure of
this heater is a cylindrical outer shell 12, from which a longitudinal segment or
strip 13 is cut. The heater 11 appears installed at the wall surface 14 and its top
in contact with the ceiling. Similar to Fig. 1, the hot air outlet appears as 5. The
thermometer 6, the electric switch 7, the indication lamp 8, the control ON/OFF switch
9 and the external hot and cold water and electric connections are hidden inside the
outer shell 12 of the heater 11.
[0019] Fig. 3 shows the path 15 of air current in a bathroom, in which a heater 1 (or 11)
is installed. The cold air 16 enters into the heating passage 17, 18 at the bottom
19 of the heater 1; inside the heater the air is heated; coming out through the outlet
5 the heated air forms a continuous air current 15. When the temperature of the bathroom
reaches the required temperature, the air current 15 can be stopped by closing the
heating passages 17, 18. The passages 17, 18 can be closed automatically by a heating
thermostat which is effected by the ambient temperature only. In a similar way the
passages 17, 18 can be opened when the room temperature decreases below a required
threshold temperature.
[0020] Fig. 4 shows a section of the heater of Fig. 1 along the line IV - IV. The circle
of the water tank 20 and air heating passages 17 und 18 are represented. A section
of the thermostat appears as 21 at a point away from the heater tank 20 as far as
a possible in order not to be effected by the heat emitted from the tank. It is noted
that the outer shell 10 of the heater according to the present example is round at
the rear side or back 22 and not square; this configuration helps to space the heater
from the very corner and to decrease the quantity of insulation needed for the heater.
Furthermore a rounded back 22 makes it easier to mount the heater in conformity with
the surface of the wall, even if the angle of the corner is not fully square.
[0021] From the same Fig. 4, it is noted that there are projecting edges or shoulders 23
and 24, e.g. 2 cm wide, on both orders of the front sides. These projecting edges
23, 24 are provided to define a minimum distance between the heater, particularly
its rear side and the surface of the wall 3, 4 as specified.
[0022] Fig. 5 shows a section of the heater 11 of Fig. 2 through the line V - V. The circle
of the water tank 20 and air heating passages 17 and 18 are represented. This figure
also shows a section of the thermostat 21. The projecting edges 23, 24, e.g. of about
2 cm wide on the front side of the heater are supposed again to keep distance between
the heater 11 and the surface 14 of the wall as specified.
[0023] Fig. 6 and 7 show a view of the heaters 1 or 11 as shown in Fig. 1 and 2, particularly
the bottom cover appears and air inlets 25 are visible. It is also noted that the
heater 1 (or 11) does not come in an area contact with the adjacent surfaces of the
walls 3, 4 or 14, respectively.
[0024] Fig. 8 is a section along the line VIII - VIII of Fig. 1, and shows the air passage
17, 18 within the heater 1 (or 11) where the temperature of the passing air 26 raises
due to being passed along the hot water tank 20; the respective air flow 26 is maintained
until the whole ambient room is heated to a required temperature. At that point, the
passage is closed, e.g. by top covers 27 and 28, which are controlled by the thermostat
21. This Fig. 8 also shows two bottom covers 29 and 30. They can be manually closed
from outside when a heating is not required. When these bottom covers 29 and 30 are
closed, the top covers 27, 28 shall also be closed; preferably, they shall be closed
automatically. Exterior hot water connections 31 and cold water connections 32 as
well as electric connections 39 of a heating cartridge or the like are hidden inside
the heater structure, say its outer shell, the bottom side of the latter is covered
by a bottom cover 34.
Air heating method:
[0025] Cold air 16 enters through the bottom cover 34 of the heater, which covers the exterior
connections but allows air intake; the air 26 is passed through the two passages 17,
18 where it contacts the hot water tank 20. The temperature of the circulating air
16 increases due to the contact with the hot surface of the hot water tank and to
the thermal radiation which is emitted by the hot water tank 20. The inside of the
passages 17, 18 shall be of a dark colour in order to emit as much heat as possible.
The air rises when its temperature increases, and exits through the hot air outlet
5, which is situated at the top. When the outside room is heated up to the required
temperature, the air passages 17, 18 shall be closed by the heat insulating covers
27, 28 at the top of Fig. 8, which are controlled by an inside thermostat 21 fixed
at the outer shell 10 or 12 of the heater (see Fig. 4 and 5).
[0026] There is a heat insulating cover 29 or 30 at the bottom of the entrance of the air
heating passages 17 and 18 of Fig. 8 as well. These covers 29, 30 may be manually
closed by a switch 9 from the outside (see Fig. 1, 2) when the air heating function
is not desired. The bottom covers 29, 30 are designed to prevent the thermostat from
opening the top covers 27, 28 in Fig. 8, which avoids an undesired heat leakage from
the heaters 1 or 11.
[0027] The heater of the present invention may be used as a heating system, in the area
where it is installed, especially in regions where people use heating and cooling
systems for rooms separate from those of kitchens and bathrooms, which provides cost
savings. In the space at the bottom of the heater, a vertical barrier may be added
to separate electrical connections in one side, and hot and cold water connections
in the other.
[0028] In a preferred embodiment said outer shell 10, 12 at its lower end is constructed
to form a recess at the bottom of the hot water tank 20, said recess hiding the outside
connections 31, 32, 39 of cold and hot water as well as the electric connections and
said cold air inlet 25. The idea of making the recess at the bottom of the hot water
tank is that the recess will be particularly useful if the outside connections of
hot and cold water and electric connections which come out of the wall, are installed
in front of the recess during the construction of the building. Otherwise, the recess
cannot cover the outside connections.
[0029] A "T" joint can be installed at cold water opening 35 (Fig. 8) in order to prevent
the flow of cold water directly to the hot water opening at the top 40 without being
heated and completely mixed with hot water.
[0030] To avoid an area contact between the heater and the adjacent wall surface, as per
specification, the front side of the heater preferably shall be extended by e.g. 2
cm at both vertical and longitudinal edges (see Fig. 4 and 5). This extension defines
a space between the rearside of the heater and the wall surface, if the longitudinal
extension of the heater touches the wall.
[0031] A metal grill shelf coated with chrome or plastic for decoration plants or other
light objects may be fixed at the lower part of the heater.
[0032] The fixing procedure of the present heater 11 (or 1) on the wall 3, 4 or 14 is easier
and more accurate than that of the conventional heaters. It does not require any measurements
or adjustments. The heater is set up above a fixing base 36 mounted up to the ceiling
37 as shown in Fig. 9 using a screw 38 at the bottom (see Fig. 9) in order to prevent
any movement of the heater when pushed up, unless this screw is unscrewed.
[0033] If the heater was too high above ground level a small channel or chrome pipe of e.g.
about 60 cm may be installed under the heater in order to serve as a cold air inlet;
furthermore if occasion arises the other openings on the bottom cover of the heater
shall be omitted, so that the distance between air inlet and outlet points is increased
respectively, and accumulation of the hot air at the top and the cold air at the bottom
is avoided. The length of such channel may be increased, and it may be installed inside
the adjacent wall. A little fan may be fixed inside the heater to suck or push the
heated air through the heating channel from the bottom to the top of the heater.
[0034] The present water heater which encloses a cylindrical hot water tank is used to heat
the ambient air by passing it along the hot water tank. The cylindrical hot water
tank is enclosed in an outer shell which is lined up with the surface of the respective
adjacent wall so that on both sides of the tank extra spaces are left for the installation
of vertical channels for passing the air to be heated along the surface of the hot
water tank.
[0035] Thus an essential feature of the present invention is the combination of said lining
up the outer shell with the surface of the wall on the one hand and the extra spaces
on the other hand which are a rendt of the lining up. This means that said lining
up the outer shell with the wall or walls constitutes a double function, that is:
it not only improves the aesthetics of the heater but also - as a surprising effect
- it furnishes the extra spaces (between the outer shell and the hot water tank) for
a proper installation of vertical air heating channels.
Design of heater dimension (example)
First:
[0036] Water tank dimensions:
Required capacity: 30, 50, 80 and 100 litres
In case of a heater having a capacity or volume V of 80,000 cm³ for example:
The maximum allowed ratio between tank height h and diameter d or radius r as per
specification is
The following ratio shall be used as an example
[0037] The water tank volume V is the product of the base area and the height h
Dimensions of the outer shell: An example
[0038] Height = H = 97,2 + 15 + 6 + 5 = 123 cm approx. whereby 15 cm is the space required
for the connections of hot and cold water and electricity at the bottom of the heater;
- 6 cm
- is the total thickness of the insulator at the top and bottom of the heater; and
- 5 cm
- is the space required for the movement of the upper cover where hot air exits.
Radius (R) of the exterior Structure
[0039]
(1) For the first design:
3 cm = thickness of the insulator.
(2) For the second design:
[0040] Figs. 12 and 13 show other alternatives of the outer shell shape of the present heater.
It can be similar to Fig. 4 and 5 but with corrugated outer shell 10 or 12 . Also
the bottom cover can be with slope towards the wall.
1. A household water heater (1, 11) to be fixed to a wall (3, 4; 14), preferably at a
metal base fixed on the top of the wall adjacent to the ceiling, said water heater
comprising a substantially cylindrical hot water tank (20) enclosed in a spaced insulating
outer shell (10, 12), which has a front side and at least one flat rear side (22)
the latter to be adjusted substantially in parallel to the adjacent wall or walls
(3, 4; 14), so that extra spaces are left between said inner tank (20) and said outer
shell, whereas at least one of said extra spaces contains an air passage or channel
(17, 18) contacting said hot water tank (20) inside said outer shell (10, 12), said
air passage (17, 18) having a cold air inlet (25) and a hot air outlet (5)
characterized in that
a) said front side is substantially cylindrical;
b) said air passage or channel (17, 18) is substantially vertical;
c) said cold air inlet (25) is at the bottom and said hot air outlet (5) is at the
top of the outer shell (10, 12); and
d) each of said air passages (17, 18) has adjacent said hot air outlet (5) a cover
(27, 28) which is controlled by a thermostat (21) and prevents or allows an air flow
(26) and adjacent said cold air inlet (25) a cover (29, 30) which can be manually
closed.
2. A water heater of claim 1,
characterized in that said thermostat (21) is connected to a device (9) detecting the ambient air
temperature particularly a thermometer, and has means to preset a desired ambient
air temperature.
3. A water heater of claim 1 to 2,
characterized by two spaced air passages (17, 18) each of which being in one of the extra spaces.
4. A water heater of claims 2 or 3,
characterized in that said device (g) detecting the ambient air temperature is mounted on said
outer shell (20) at a point insulated and farthest possible from said hot water tank
(20).
5. A water heater of one or more of claims 1 to 4,
characterized in that said outer shell (10, 12) at its upper end or top is constructed to be in
contact with the ceiling of the room to be heated.
6. A water heater of one or more of claims 1 to 5,
characterized in that said outer shell (10, 12) at its lower end is constructed to form a recess
at the bottom of the hot water tank (20), said recess hiding the outside connections
(31, 32, 39) of cold and hot water as well as electric connections and said cold air
inlet (25).
7. A water heater of one or more of claims 1 to 6,
characterized in that said outer shell (10) has a shape similar to a quarter cylinder or a corresponding
corrugated form having two flat rear sides to be fit to the corner (2) of two walls
(3, 4).
8. A water heater of one or more of claims 1 to 6,
characterized in that said outer shell (12) has a shape similar to a cylinder section or a corresponding
corrugated form having one flat rear side (13) to be fit to one wall (14).
9. A water heater of claims 7 or 8,
characterized by each of said respective flat rear sides having at least one projection (23, 24),
particularly formed as a shoulder, all along the vertical border of the whole of said
one or two flat rear sides, said projection defining a heat insulating space - preferably
closed - between said flat rear side or sides (13, 22) and said adjacent wall or walls
(3, 4; 14).
1. Haushaltswassererhitzer (1, 11) zum Befestigen an einer Wand (3, 4; 14), vorzugsweise
auf einer oben an einer befestigten Metallbasis angrenzend an die Decke, der Wassererhitzer
enthält einen im wesentlichen zylindrischen Heißwassertank (20), der mit Abstand in
ein isolierendes äußeres Gehäuse (10, 12) eingeschlossen ist, welches eine Vorderseite
und wenigstens eine flache, im wesentlichen parallel zur angrenzenden Wand oder den
Wänden (3, 4; 14) auszurichtende Rückseite (22) hat, so daß zusätzliche Freiräume
zwischen dem inneren Tank (20) und dem äußeren Gehäuse verbleiben, wobei wenigstens
einer der Freiräume einen Luftdurchlaß oder Kanal (17, 18) enthält, der den Heißwassertank
(20) innerhalb des äußeren Gehäuses (10, 12) kontaktiert, und der Luftkanal (17, 18)
einen Kaltlufteinlaß (25) und einen Heißluftauslaß (5) besitzt,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß
a) die Vorderseite im wesentlichen zylindrisch ist;
b) der Luftdurchlaß oder Kanal (17, 18) im wesentlichen vertikal ist;
c) der Kaltlufteinlaß (25) am Boden und der Heißluftauslaß (5) am Kopf des äußeren
Gehäuses (10, 12) ist;
d) jeder der Luftdurchlässe (17, 18) angrenzend an den Heißluftauslaß (5) eine durch
ein Thermostat (21) gesteuerte Verschlußklappe (27, 28) besitzt, die einen Luftstrom
(26) verhindert oder ermöglicht, und angrenzend an den Kaltlufteineinlaß (25) eine
Klappe (29, 30) besitzt, die manuell geschlossen werden kann.
2. Wassererhitzer nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß das Thermostat (21) an eine die Umgebungstemperatur messende Vorrichtung (9),
insbesondere ein Thermometer, angeschlossen ist und Mittel zum Voreinstellen einer
erwünschten Umgebungstemperatur besitzt.
3. Wassererhitzer nach Anspruch 1 oder 2,
gekennzeichnet durch
zwei Luftdurchlässe (17, 18) mit Abstand voneinander, von denen sich jeder in einem
der zusätzlichen Freiräume befindet.
4. Wassererhitzer nach Anspruch 2 oder 3,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die die Umgebungstemperatur ermittelnde Vorrichtung (9) an das äußere Gehäuse
(20) an einem isolierten und weitest möglich vom Heißwassertank (20) entfernten Punkt
montiert ist.
5. Wassererhitzer nach einem oder mehreren der Ansprüche 1 bis 4,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß das äußere Gehäuse (10, 12) an seinem oberen Ende oder Kopf konstruiert ist, um
die Decke des zu beheizenden Raums zu berühren.
6. Wassererhitzer nach einem oder mehreren der Ansprüche 1 bis 5,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß das äußere Gehäuse (10, 12) an seinem unteren Ende so konstruiert ist, daß es
eine Nische am Boden des Heißwassertanks (20) bildet, welche Nische die äußeren Anschlüsse
(31, 32, 33) von Kalt- und Heißwasser ebenso wie die elektrischen Anschlüsse und den
Kaltlufteinlaß (25) versteckt.
7. Wassererhitzer nach einem oder mehreren der Ansprüche 1 bis 6,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß das äußere Gehäuse (10) eine Form ähnlich einem Viertelzylinder oder eine entsprechende
eckige Form mit zwei flachen, in die Ecke (2) von zwei Wänden (3, 4) einzupassende
Rückseiten hat.
8. Wassererhitzer nach einem oder mehreren der Ansprüche 1 bis 6,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß das äußere Gehäuse (12) eine Form ähnlich einem Zylinderabschnitt oder einem entsprechenden
eckigen Gebilde hat mit einer flachen, an eine Wand (14) anpassenden Rückseite (13).
9. Wassererhitzer nach Anspruch 7 oder 8,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß jede der jeweiligen flachen Rückseiten wenigstens einen Vorsprung (23, 24), insbesondere
als Schulter geformt, ganz entlang der vertikalen Kante, der gesamten einen bzw. zwei
flachen Rückseiten, welcher Vorsprung einen wärmeisolierenden Freiraum - vorzugsweise
geschlossen - zwischen der flachen Rückseite oder den Seiten (13, 22) und der angrenzenden
Wand bzw. den Wänden (3, 4; 14) begrenzt.
1. Chauffe-eau domestique (1, 11) devant être fixé à un mur (3, 4; 14), de préférence
sur une base métallique fixée au sommet du mur au voisinage du plafond, ledit chauffe-eau
comprenant un réservoir d'eau chaude sensiblement cylindrique (20) renfermé dans une
enveloppe extérieure isolante espacée (10, 12) qui présente une face avant et au moins
une face arrière plane (22), cette dernière devant être ajustée sensiblement parallèlement
au(x) mur(s) adjacent(s) (3, 4; 14), de façon à ce que des espaces supplémentaires
soient ménagés entre ledit réservoir intérieur (20) et ladite enveloppe extérieure,
au moins l'un desdits espaces supplémentaires contenant un passage ou un canal d'air
(17, 18) en contact avec ledit réservoir d'eau chaude (20) à l'intérieur de ladite
enveloppe extérieure (10, 12), ledit passage d'air (17, 18) ayant une entrée d'air
froid (25) et une sortie d'air chaud (5),
caractérisé en ce que
a) ladite face avant est sensiblement cylindrique;
b) ledit passage ou canal d'air (17, 18) est sensiblement vertical;
c) ladite entrée d'air froid (25) est située à la base et ladite sortie d'air chaud
(5) est située au sommet de l'enveloppe extérieure (10, 12); et
d) chacun desdits passages d'air (17, 18) comporte un capuchon (27, 28) au voisinage
de ladite sortie d'air chaud (5) qui est commandé par un thermostat (21) et empêche
ou permet un écoulement d'air (26), et un capuchon (29, 30) adjacent à ladite entrée
d'air froid (25) qui peut être fermé manuellement.
2. Chauffe-eau selon la revendication 1,
caractérisé en ce que ledit thermostat (21) est connecté à un dispositif (9) détectant
la température de l'air ambiant, en particulier un thermomètre, et comporte un moyen
pour prérégler une température d'air ambiant souhaitée.
3. Chauffe-eau selon la revendication 1 ou 2,
caractérisé par deux passages d'air espacés (17, 18) qui sont chacun logés dans l'un
des espaces supplémentaires.
4. Chauffe-eau selon la revendication 2 ou 3,
caractérisé en ce que ledit dispositif (9) détectant la température de l'air ambiant
est monté sur ladite enveloppe extérieure (20) en un point isolé et aussi éloigné
que possible dudit réservoir d'eau chaude (20).
5. Chauffe-eau selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications 1 à 4,
caractérisé en ce que ladite enveloppe extérieure (10, 12) est réalisée à son extrémité
supérieure ou à son sommet de façon à être en contact avec le plafond de la pièce
à chauffer.
6. Chauffe-eau selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications 1 à 5,
caractérisé en ce que ladite enveloppe extérieure (10, 12) est réalisée, à son extrémité
inférieure, de façon à former un évidement à la base du réservoir d'eau chaude (20),
ledit évidement dissimulant les raccordements extérieurs (31, 32, 39) d'eau chaude
et d'eau froide ainsi que les raccordements électriques, et ladite entrée d'air froid
(25).
7. Chauffe-eau selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications 1 à 6,
caractérisé en ce que ladite enveloppe extérieure (10) a une forme semblable à un
quart de cylindre ou une forme ondulée correspondante ayant deux faces arrières planes
pouvant être ajustées dans l'angle (2) de deux murs (3, 4).
8. Chauffe-eau selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications 1 à 6,
caractérisé en ce que ladite enveloppe extérieure (12) a une forme semblable à une
section de cylindre ou une forme ondulée correspondante, ayant une face arrière plane
(13) devant être ajustée sur un mur (14).
9. Chauffe-eau selon les revendications 7 ou 8,
caractérisé par le fait que chacune desdites faces arrière planes respectives présente
au moins une protubérance (23, 24), ayant particulièrement la forme d'un épaulement,
sur toute la longueur du bord vertical de l'ensemble de ladite ou desdites deux face(s)
arrière(s) plane(s), ladite protubérance définissant un espace thermiquement isolant
-de préférence fermé- entre ladite face ou lesdites faces arrière(s) plane(s) (13,
22) et ledit mur ou lesdits murs adjacent(s) (3, 4; 14).