ELECTRIC AND SOLAR WATER-HEATER SUPPLY AND RELIEF SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a solar and electric water heater supply and relief system of free flow, which comprises a safety valve consisting of an elastic membrane with an air inlet valve.

[0002] A known electric water supply and relief system, is described in US-A-2 210 555 having a cold water input pipe, a multiple protection valve, which is installed at a distance from the water heater above the water level in the water heater and a cold water input pipe to the water heater, in which system the multiple protection valve comprises an elastic air input valve and a relief valve, the air input valve and the relief valve both communicating to a space above the water chamber of the multiple protection valve. The spring loaded relief valve opens at a set pressure and an air inlet valve opens at a pressure lower than the atmosphere pressure.

[0003] A water heater supply and relief system in accordance with the invention has a multi-protection valve, which is situated at a point always above the water level of the water heater according to claim 1.

[0004] Figure No 7 illustrates a water- heater with the currently applied connection.

A) How the connection to the network is made.

B) Where to make the connection of the relief valve to the integrated non-return valve.

C) Water-heater components as illustrated in figure No 7.

D) How the water-heater functions.

[0005] The water-heater components are:

Boiler (1), Support base (2), hot water input pipe (4), cold water input (3), Relief valve with integrated non-return valve (7), Internal network pipe (11), water heating resistance (5), Thermostat switch (6), City network (13),Water meter (12)

[0006] How does the water-heater function ?
The water enters from the main network (13) through the interposing non- return valve (7), thus filling the boiler (1). The relief valve (7) is parallel to the circuit and is kept closed under the effect of a spring set at the desired pressure level and operates when the pressure in the boiler (1) exceeds safe pressure level. The function of the non-return valve is to allow the water inflow from the main pipe to the boiler (1), while preventing the reverse flow from the boiler (1) to the network (13).

[0007] Drawbacks of the non-return valve functioning properly or not.
The problems created by the non-return valve are numerous and sometimes 100% dangerous. For example, we have set the relief valve at 10atm and the pressure in the network is 8 atm (and quite often close to the set level of relief valve) and we set the water-heater at hot water function, due to expansion, as there is no way to relieve the pressure, the relief valve (7) opens, resulting to home floods and even boiler collapses (explosion) if it (7) doesn't function. For this reason, the water-heaters manufacturers recommend the mounting of a pressure reducer to lower the network (13) pressure. However, as the reducer has a non-returning action, it does not allow reverse flow to the network (13) and causes the aforementioned problems similar to the non-return valve. When the non-return valve (7) does not function and remains open due to the cold water pipe (3) connection method at the lower part of the boiler and somehow the network (13) empties, it does not retain the boiler's fullness (1) and as a result there is leakage of hot or cold water to the network (13) risk of heater resistance (5) blow due to being in a vacuum. Risk of water network contamination due to inflow of drifted salts or decay products from the magnesium pole fitted in the solar boilers. For the aversion of this last risk, a non-return valve is normally fitted at the input of new supplies. However, this valve also participates 100% in the aforementioned problems of pressure rise in the interior of the boiler (1). To sum up, non-return valves not only do not solve any problem but also create all the aforementioned ones. Another serious problem that contributes to the depleting of the boilers due to non-return valves malfunction and the reverse flow of water to the network (13), as illustrated in the Figure (7) is the currently applied position of the input pipe (3).

[0008] The new system presented is bound to solve all the aforementioned problems. The new multiple-protection system (17), Figure No 2, and the connection of the cold water input pipe on the upper part of the water-heater aims at the inflow of cold water and the intake of hot water through the relief valve and the retention of the boiler's fullness at the level of the line (14) shows in figure 2. The aforementioned problems are overcone with the application of the system, with the elimination of non-return valves (7), the fitting of a new, multiple-relief valve (17) and the retention of the water level at the flow line (14). Figures (1) and (2) illustrate the connection of two boilers which, in terms of components, are identical to Figure (7). The points of difference are the absence of a reverting valve with the integrated relief valve (7) which was found in Figure (7), the change in the connection position of the cold water input pipe (3), the intake of hot and cold water through the multiple-relief valve (17) with a single pipe connection and the fitting position of the multiple-relief valve which is connected parallel to the circuit above the flow line (14) as illustrated in Figures No 1 and No 2. Advantages of the new multiple-relief valve.
Protection of the boiler and the interior system from excessive pressure due to the abolishment of the non-return valves, the circuit functions as two communicating vessels, thus the pressure in the system and in the boiler (1) never exceeds network (13) pressure. Protection of the boiler (1) from a malfunction of the thermostat switch (6). If the thermostat switch fails to disconnect voltage, then in such a case there will simply be electricity consumption without any pressure problem due to communicating vessels effect. The cold-water inflow and the hot water intake are performed by a pipe through the relief valve (17) and the hot water outlets (43).The pressure reducer is no longer used as the pressure will never exceed the network (13) pressure. Easy emptying of the boiler (1) without installation of a faucet as the boiler empties within a few minutes by simply closing the inlet and opening the cold and the hot water taps (9) and (10).

[0009] The invention is described below with reference to the attached figures where by:

Figure (3) illustrates a section of a four-way valve according to the present invention.

Figure (6) illustrates a section of a three-way valve according to the present invention.

Figure (4) illustrates a section of an alternative four-way valve to Figure (3).

Figure (5) illustrates a section of an alternative three-way valve to figure (6).

Figure (7) illustrates an installation of a water-heater and its components according to the contemporary, conventional method.

Figure (1) illustrates an already installed water-heater where the connection according to the new system is presented.

Figure (2) illustrates the installation of a new water-heater manufactured and connected according to the new system.

[0010] The valve in Figure (3) consists of the cold water inlet (20), through which water flows into the valve body (21), the upper part of the body bears a facet (38) where the elastic valve (37) is located and communicates with the upper part of the valve (26). This part (26) is outside the water circuit and over the elastic valve (37) and communicates with the atmosphere through an opening (27) when the valve (37) is open. The valve body (21) bears a second facet (28) where the relief valve is fitted with a membrane (29), a spring (30) and an adjusting screw (31). It also bears a thread (42) onto which the cold water pipe (18) is connected.
The valve functions as follows:

At normal operation the inflow of cold water is done through the inlet (20), where the water pressure is directed towards the bottom of the boiler (1) Figure (No 2) through the opening (42) and the coaxial pipe (18). In case of overpressure of the system, the elastic valve (37) remains closed and the relief valve (29) opens at the pressure value set with the screw (31). In case of water supply failure from the main and consequent pressure loss, the valve body (21) empties and a sub-pressure is created through the opening (20) in the lower part of the elastic valve (37). As a result, the elastic valve (37) subsides from the facet (38) and the interior (20) communicates with the environment through this part (26) and the opening (27). As illustrated in the water-heater figure (No 2) the siphon collapses due to air inflow and the water-heater does not empty but retains all its content firmly at the flow line level (14). In case we have to empty the water-heater, we close the atmosphere communicating opening (27) of figure (3) thus preventing the siphon from collapsing, we open the cold water (9) and hot water (10) taps as shown in the water-heater figure (No 2) and as a result air enters the area (20) through the hot water tap (10) while at the same time the water that is in the water-heater is channeled towards the drainage through the cold water tap (9). Figure (No 6) illustrates an alternative to the valve already described of which fitting requires a tee-connection (15) figure (1). Figure (4) illustrates a third alternative described whereby the elastic membrane (40) of the relief valve bears an central opening where the whole system of the four-way valve in figure (3) for external communication has been fitted.

[0011] This valve function as follows:

At normal operation, figure (4A), the elastic membrane of the relief valve (40), and the elastic air inflow valve (37) remain closed. In case of overpressure in the circuit, the elastic valve (37) remains closed, while the relief valve (40) opens at the pressure value, set through the screw (31). In case of water supply failure from the main and consequent pressure loss, figure (4 B), the valve body (21) empties and a sub-pressure is created in the lower part of the elastic valve (37). While the membrane (40) on the relief valve remains closed, the elastic air inflow valve (37) opens and communicates with the environment through the opening (27) and as illustrated in the water-heater figure (No 2), the siphon collapses due to air inflow and the water-heater does not empty but retains all its content firmly at the flow line level (14). Figure (5) illustrates an alternative to the three-way valve fitted parallel to the circuit with the use of tee device. Like the valve in figure (No 6) it bears a facet (22), where the elastic membrane (23) is located, which has a central opening (24) communicating with the upper part of the valve (25). The area (26) is outside the water circuit and under the elastic membrane. It is of a ring-like form and communicates with the atmosphere through the opening 27. The valve body (21) bears a second facet (28) where the relief valve is fitted with a membrane (29), a spring (30) and an adjusting screw (31).

Claims

1. A water-heater (1) with an electric solar supply and relief system, said supply and relief system being installed above said water-heater (1), whereby said supply and relief system directs a cold water supply through a pipe (18) to the lower part of the water-heater, said supply and relief system having a four-way valve (17) which incorporates a relief valve and an air-inflow valves (37, 38), said four-way valve (17) also consisting of a cold water inlet (20), whereby the cold water flows to the valve body (21), and in the upper part of the valve there being a valve seat (38) upon which an elastic valve (37) is located, said elastic valve (37) opening and closing communication with the upper part (26) of said four-way valve, said upper part (26) being positioned above said elastic valve (37) outside the water circuit and communicating with the atmosphere through an opening (27) when the elastic valve is open, said valve body bearing a second valve seat (28) belonging to a relief valve, whereby said relief valve is fitted with a separating membrane (29), a spring (30) and an adjusting screw (31), said four-way valve having a thread (42) for connecting said cold water pipe (18), said cold inlet (20) and hot water outlet being unobstructed by a valve or spring, whereby in case of a drop of pressure in the network connected to said water-heater and supply and relief system (17) below atmospheric pressure, atmospheric air is introduced to said system through said elastic valve (37), which cuts off water reverse flow towards said system, thus avoiding damage of the water heater, while allowing water heater overpressure relief when the pressure exceeds preset safety limits.

Ansprüche

1. Ein Wasser-Erhitzer (1) mit elektrischem Solar-Zufuhr- und Relief-System, welches installiert ist über dem Wasser-Erhitzer (1), wo das Zufuhr- und Relief-System direkt das kalte Wasser durch das Rohr (18) zum unteren Teil führt, und das Zufuhr- und Relief-System ein Vier-Wege Ventil (17) hat mit eingebautem Ablassventil und ein Luft-Einlass Ventil (18), das Vier-Wege Ventil (17) besteht aus einem Kalt-Wasser Einlass (20), wo das kalte Wasser zum Ventilkörper (21) fliesst, und der obere Teil des Ventils eine Ventilanlage (38) ist, auf der ein elastisches Ventil angeordnet ist, dieses elastische Ventil (37) öffnet und schliesst kommunizierend mit dem oberen Teil (26) des Ventils, der obere Teil (26) ist angeordnet über dem elastischen Ventil (37) ausserhalb der Wasserleitung und kommuniziert mit der Atmosphäre durch das Öffnen (27), wenn das Ventil offen ist, wo der Ventilkörper eine zweite Ventilanlage (28) besitzt, die zu einem Ablassventil gehört, wo das Ablassventil mit einer trennenden Membran (29), einer Feder (30) und einer Anpassungsschraubs (31) ausgestaltet ist, wo das Vier-Wege Ventil ein Gewinde (42) hat um die Wasserleitung (18) zu verbinden, wo der Kalt-Wasser Einlass (20) und der Warm-Wasser Auslass nicht von einem Ventil oder Feder behindert werden, im Falle eines Druckabfalls unter den atmosphärischen Druck in der Gesamtleitung, die mit dem Wasser-Erhitzer und Zufuhr- und Relief-System (17) verbunden ist, wo atmosphärische Luft in das System eintritt, welches den Rückfluss des Wassers blockiert, damit kein Schaden ensteht im Wasser-Erhitzer, welches eine Überdruck-Entlastung im Wasser-Erhitzer zulasst, wenn der Druck die vorausbestimmten Sicherheitz-Grenzwerte übersteigt.

Revendications

1. Un réchauffeur d'eau (1) avec un approvisionnement et un système solaires électriques de soulagement, approvisionnement et système de soulagement étant installés au-dessus de ledit réchauffeur d'eau (1), par lequel le ledit approvisionnement et système de soulagement dirigent l'offre d'eau froide par une pipe (18) vers la partie plus inférieure du réchauffeur d'eau, l'approvisionnement et le système de soulagement ayant une valve à quatre voies (17) qui incorporent une soupape de sécurité et une valve d'apport d'air (18), ladite admission se composante également à quatre voies d'eau froide de la valve (17) (20), par lequel les écoulements d'eau froids sur le corps de valve (21), et la partie supérieure de la valve il y a un siège de valve (38) sur lequel la valve élastique est placée, dit valve élastique (37) ouverture et fermeture communication avec partie superieure (26) de valve, dit partie supérieure (26) étant placée au-dessus de la valve élastique (37) en dehors du circuit d'eau et communiquant avec l'atmosphère à travers ouverture (27) quand la valve est corps de valve ouvert et ledit soutenant un deuxième siège de valve (28) appartenant à une soupape de sécurité, par lequel ladite soupape de sécurité soit équipée d'une membrane de séparation (29) un ressort (30) et une vis de réglage (31), ladite valve à quatre voies ayant un fil (42) pour ladite conduite d'eau se reliante (18), ladite admission froide (20) et sortie d'eau chaude étant dégagée par une valve ou un ressort, par lequel en cas de baisse de pression dans le réseau relié au ledit réchauffeur d'eau et approvisionnement et système de soulagement (17) au-dessous de la pression atmosphérique, de l'air atmosphérique soit présenté à ledit système, qui a découpé l'inversion d'écoulement de l'eau vers ledit système, de ce fait évitant des dommages du chauffe-eau, où permettant le soulagement de surpression de chauffe-eau quand la pression excède préréglez les limites de sûreté.

Drawing