HOT-WATER HEATER

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a hot-water heater.

[0002] Many embodiments of hot-water heaters are known.
Especially for use in kitchens, in particular for fitting in kitchen cabinets under the kitchen sink, small heaters are known, also referred to as "kitchen heaters" or "built-in heaters". These kitchen heaters have a volume of, for example, approximately 10 litres. The advantage of such a kitchen heater which is built into a kitchen cabinet is that the hot water is immediately available when hot water is needed in the kitchen. However, one drawback is that the kitchen heater takes up a relatively large amount of useful storage space in the kitchen cabinet.

[0003] There is therefore a need for a hot-water heater which can be used as a kitchen heater and offers the advantage of immediate availability of hot water, but does not take up any useful storage space inside a kitchen cabinet.

[0004] In virtually all kitchens, there is a plinth space under the kitchen cabinets under the kitchen sink, which in most cases can be regarded as empty space. Nowadays, this space is usually used as adjusting space for the kitchen cabinets, that is to say each cabinet is set at the correct height by means of four legs.

[0005] The invention is based on the idea of using the plinth space under a kitchen cabinet as a space for installing a kitchen heater. However, this space, and in particular the height of the plinth space, is limited. In practice, this fitting space has a width of at most approximately 460 mm, a depth of at most approximately 500 mm and a height of at most approximately 150 mm. The dimensions of a kitchen heater to be built into a plinth space are correspondingly limited. The kitchen heater to be fitted has to be of a flat shape with a relatively small height.

[0006] Hot-water heaters having a flat shape are known, for example from DE-B-1 288 279.

[0007] Document DE-B-1 288 279 reveals a hot-water heater according to the preamble of claim 1. However, these known flat heaters are intended to be attached to a wall so that they only take up little space with respect to the floor surface. The known flat heaters are used in a vertical position, the direction in which the dimensions of the hot-water heater are smallest being the horizontal direction. However, they cannot be used in a horizontal position, with the direction in which the dimensions of the heater are smallest being the vertical direction. The inlet for cold water to the storage tank of the heater and the outlet for hot water from the storage tank are arranged such that the desired withdrawal characteristic is reached when the heater is in the upright position. The term withdrawal characteristic is understood to mean the temperature of the water withdrawn from the heater as a function of the amount of water withdrawn. When hot water is withdrawn, the water will have a substantially constant high temperature during a certain period from the start of the withdrawal. Thereafter, the temperature of the water withdrawn will decrease as a result of the hot water present in the storage tank mixing with the cold water which has flowed into the storage tank. The longer the temperature of the water withdrawn remains high, the better the withdrawal characteristic. When a hot-water heater which is intended for vertical use is used horizontally, the withdrawal characteristic will be very poor as, during withdrawal, the hot water present in the storage tank will mix virtually immediately with cold water flowing into the storage tank.

[0008] It is an object of the invention to provide a hot-water heater which can be fitted into a space having a relatively small height and which still has a good or at least a satisfactory withdrawal characteristic compared to a conventional hot-water heater.

[0009] This object is achieved according to the invention with a hot-water heater according to claim 1.

[0010] By positioning the inlet at the bottom of the storage tank and the use of a water stream dispenser at the inlet, when hot water is withdrawn, the cold water will flow into the storage tank at the bottom and be brought to rest there. The calm cold water will displace the hot water present in the storage tank towards the outlet, specifically with little or no mixing of hot and cold water taking place during the initial period of withdrawal.

[0011] Preferred embodiments of the hot-water heater according to the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0012] The invention will be explained in the following description of a number of exemplary embodiments of a hot-water heater according to the invention with reference to the drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 shows the exterior of a first embodiment of a hot-water heater according to the invention in perspective,

Fig. 2 shows a cross section of the hot-water heater of Fig. 1 on the plane II-II,

Figs. 3 and 4 show two possible embodiments of anti splash device, fitted in the area of the inlet for cold water in the hot-water heater from Fig. 1 and having guide plates, viewed in the direction of the arrow III in Fig. 2,

Fig. 5 shows a possible embodiment of a guide plate fitted in the area of the outlet for hot water,in the hot-water heater from Fig. 1, viewed in the direction of the arrow. IV in Fig. 2,

Fig. 6 shows the flow pattern of the water present in the hot-water heater from Figs. 1 and 2 while hot water is being withdrawn from the heater,

Fig. 7 shows, in an alternative embodiment of a hot-water heater according to the invention, a deflector fitted in the area of the inlet of cold water, viewed in the direction of the arrow III in Fig. 2,

Fig. 8 diagrammatically shows the hot-water heater from Figs. 1 and 2 in an upright position, and

Figs. 9-11 show possible other embodiments of a hot-water heater according to the invention.

[0013] Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate a preferred first embodiment of a hot-water heater according to the invention in perspective and in cross section on plane II-II in Fig. 1, respectively. The hot-water heater comprises an outer casing 1 and a storage tank 2 accommodated in the outer casing. The storage tank 2 is in the shape of a torus with a round cross section and with a centre axis 3. Such a shape is particularly advantageous as the deformations of such a storage tank caused by pressures occurring in the storage tank up to, for example, approximately 12 bars, are small.

[0014] The outer casing 1 has a width B, a length L and a height H. The dimensions of the outer casing 1 in the direction of the centre axis 3 of the storage tank 2 (height H) are a number of times smaller than the dimensions of the outer casing 1 in the other directions perpendicular to the centre axis 3 of the storage tank 2 (width B and length L). Consequently, the outer casing 1 has a flat shape. If the width B, the length L and the height H of the outer casing 1 are suitably selected, the heater can be fitted into a plinth space under a kitchen cabinet under the kitchen sink. In practice, because of the installation space available in situ, the width B will at most be approximately 460 mm, the length L at most approximately 500 mm and the height H at most approximately 140 to 150 mm. With these dimensions of the outer casing 1, the outer diameter of the torus-shaped storage tank 2 will be approximately 420 mm and the cross-sectional diameter approximately 110 mm. The volume of the storage tank is then approximately 10 litres.

[0015] However, the invention is not limited to a flat hot-water heater with the abovementioned dimensions. Depending on the use and the available installation space, the width B, the length L and the height H may vary.

[0016] The storage tank 2 has to be well insulated with respect to the surroundings, in order to limit heat losses to a minimum (typically up to 0.2 to 0.4 kWh per day). To this end, the space between the storage tank 2 and the outer casing 1 is filled with insulating material 5. This insulating material 5 may be, for example, polyurethane foam (PUR), expanded polystyrene (EPS) or expanded polypropylene (EPP). Other insulating materials are also possible.

[0017] In order to achieve the desired insulation of the storage tank 2 using said insulating materials, the layer thickness of the insulating material 5 has to be at least approximately 20 mm at the thinnest section. On the other hand, in order to use the space within the outer casing 1 as efficiently as possible, the height of the storage tank 2 is selected to be only slightly smaller than the height H of the outer casing 1. In view of the limited height of the outer casing 1, a minimum layer thickness of 20 mm of the insulating material at the bottom 6 and the top 7 of the storage tank 2 can then not be achieved using the abovementioned insulating materials. In order still to achieve the desired insulation, it is possible to fit a vacuum insulating panel 8 on the bottom 6 and the top 7 of the storage tank 2. Such a panel has a very high insulating value. With a vacuum insulating panel having a thickness of 5 mm, it is possible to achieve approximately the same insulating value as with a conventional insulating layer having a thickness of approximately 40 mm. In order to protect the vacuum insulating panels 8 and to make the outer appearance of the heater attractive, a protective panel 9 made of, for example, stainless steel, aluminium or plastic, can be fitted to the bottom and top of the outer casing 1.

[0018] Vacuum insulating panels may also be used In other locations, for example on the sides of the hot-water heater.

[0019] The outer casing 1 of the hot-water heater from Figs. 1 and 2 may be made from a separate metal or plastic housing fitted around the insulating material. However, the outer casing 1 may also be made from the outer side of the insulating material 5, optionally in combination with the protective panels 9.

[0020] The storage tank 2 is provided with an inlet 11 for cold water and an outlet 12 for hot water. The inlet 11 is arranged near the bottom 6 and the outlet is arranged near the top 7 of the storage tank 2. It is intended that, during the withdrawal of hot water from the heater, the cold water which enters the storage tank via the inlet 11, in the form of a cold water front as it were, displaces the hot water present in the storage tank 2 upwards, in the direction of the outlet 12 situated at the top, without the hot and cold water in the storage tank 2 mixing.

[0021] In order to ensure that the cold water flows into the storage tank 2 very gently while the hot water is being withdrawn, thus preventing the incoming cold water and the hot water present in the storage tank 2 from mixing directly, a water stream dispenser 13 is arranged inside the storage tank 2 at the inlet 11 for cold water (illustrated highly diagrammatically in Fig. 2). The water stream dispenser 13 acts on a stream of cold water which enters the storage tank 2 via the inlet 11 while hot water is withdrawn from the heater.

[0022] In the area of the inlet 11 for cold water, the storage tank 2 is furthermore provided with a first guide plate 15, the edges of which adjoin the wall 14 of the storage tank 2, which wall 14 is situated at the bottom 6. This guide plate 15 is designed to guide cold water which flows into the storage tank 2 via the inlet 11 during the withdrawal of hot water from the heater in the main direction of the circular duct 16 formed by the torus-shaped storage tank 2 along the wall 14 of the storage tank 2, which wall 14 is situated at the bottom.

[0023] In the area of the inlet 11 for cold water, the storage tank 2 is also provided with a second guide plate (not shown in fig. 2) which adjoins the first guide plate 15. The second guide plate is designed to guide water which flows through the storage tank 2 in the main direction of the circular duct 16 during the withdrawal of hot water from the heater over the first guide plate 15 and past the inlet 11.

[0024] Figs. 3 and 4 show the section of the torus-shaped storage tank 2 in the area of the inlet 11 for cold water with two possible embodiments of a water stream dispenser 13.

[0025] In the embodiment of Fig. 3, the water stream dispenser 13 is formed by a series of small holes 18 created in the end section of an inlet tube 17 for cold water. The first guide plate 15 and the second guide plate 19 integrally connected thereto are arranged above the inlet 11. The flow pattern of the water in the area of the inlet 11 while hot water is being withdrawn from the heater is shown diagrammatically. The incoming cold water is guided along the wall 14 by the first guide plate 15. The water flowing in the main direction 20 through the storage tank 2 is guided over the first guide plate 15 and past the inlet 11 by the second guide plate 19.

[0026] In the embodiment of Fig. 4, the water stream dispenser 13 is formed by a first deflector 23 positioned opposite the outlet opening 21 of an inlet tube 22 for cold water, and a second deflector 24. The first deflector 23, which is connected to the first guide plate 15, directs the incoming water in Fig. 4 to the left. The second deflector 24, which is arranged between the second guide plate 19 and the wall 14 of the storage tank, directs the incoming water back to the other side. This results in the incoming water coming to rest.

[0027] Depending on the speed of withdrawal of the hot water, the layer of cold water which flows along the wall 14 when it has passed the first guide plate 15, will have a certain thickness. The boundary of this layer in Figs. 3 and 4 is indicated by a dashed line 25 at a low withdrawal rate (approximately 2 litres per minute) and by a dashed line 26 at a high withdrawal rate (approximately 8 litres per minute).

[0028] Of course, other embodiments of a water stream dispenser 13 are possible. The important fact is that the cold water which flows into the storage tank 2 via the inlet is brought to rest by the water stream dispenser 13.

[0029] In the area of the outlet 12 for hot water, the storage tank 2 is provided with a third guide plate 28, the edges of which adjoin the wall 27 of the storage tank 2, which wall 27 is situated on the second side 7. This guide plate 28 is designed to guide hot water which flows in the main direction 20 of the circular duct 16 along the wall 27 situated on the second side 7 of the storage tank 2 to the outlet 12 at the start of an outlet tube 29 during the withdrawal of hot water from the heater.

[0030] Fig. 5 shows the section of the torus-shaped storage tank 2 in the area of the outlet 12 for hot water with a possible embodiment of the third guide plate 28.

[0031] In Fig. 6, the flow pattern of the water in the storage tank 2 during the withdrawal of hot water from the heater is represented by means of helical arrows 31 and 32. In Fig. 6, only the contours of the storage tank 2 are illustrated diagrammatically. In addition, the guide plates 15, 19 and 28 of the inlet tube 17 for cold water and the outlet tube 29 for hot water are illustrated diagrammatically.

[0032] When hot water is withdrawn from the storage tank 2, hot water is conveyed along the top of the storage tank 2 via the outlet 12 and the outlet tube 29 out of the storage tank 2. The hot water is in this case guided to the outlet 12 by the third guide plate 28. On the other side, cold water flows into the storage tank 2 via the inlet tube 19 and the inlet 11. Through the action of a water stream dispenser 13 (indicated diagrammatically), the incoming cold water will be brought to rest, as a result of which, after the water stream dispenser 13, the cold water will flow further into the storage tank 2 as a wide stream at a relatively low speed. The first guide plate 15 subsequently guides the incoming cold water as a layer of cold water in the main direction of the circular duct 16 formed by the torus-shaped storage tank 2 along the wall 14 of the storage tank 2, which wall 14 is situated at the bottom (arrow 31). The incoming cold water in this case displaces the hot water present in the storage tank 2. As the incoming cold water is calm and because of the difference in specific mass of the incoming cold water and the hot water present in the storage tank 2, little, if any, mixing of hot and cold water will take place. Water flowing in the main direction of the circular duct 16 through the storage tank is guided by the second guide plate 19 over the first guide plate 15 and past the inlet 12. Beyond the first guide plate 15, this water forms a next layer of water, as it were, on top of the layer of incoming cold water. The top layer of hot water in the storage tank 2 flows along the wall 27 situated at the top of the storage tank 2 towards the outlet 12 (arrow 32), and is in this case guided by the third guide plate 28.

[0033] While hot water is being withdrawn from the storage tank 2, the water present in the storage tank 2 circulates a number of times (depending on the withdrawal rate) in layers through the storage tank, with little or no mixing of hot and cold water taking place, as already mentioned above. At a withdrawal rate of 2 litres per minute, the bottom layer of water in the storage tank 2 will not be higher than approximately 2 cm (cf. also Figs. 3 and 4) and the number of times the water circulates inside the storage tank 2 before the water leaves the storage tank 2 via the outlet 5 will be 5 or 6. At a withdrawal rate of 8 litres per minute, the bottom layer of water will be approximately 5 cm high (cf. also Figs. 3 and 4) and the number of times the water circulates through the storage tank 2 will be 2 or 3 at most.

[0034] The above-described hot-water heater with the torus-shaped storage tank 2 has a very good withdrawal characteristic due to the water circulating in the storage tank 2.

[0035] Fig. 6 furthermore diagrammatically shows an electric heating element 41 arranged in the storage tank 2 for heating the water present in the storage tank 2, and a temperature sensor 42 for measuring the temperature of the water in the storage tank 2. A temperature controller (not shown) which is connected to the heating element 41 and the temperature sensor 42 ensures that the temperature of the water in the storage tank 2 is controlled. By means of an adjusting button 43 arranged on the hot-water heater (see Fig. 1), the desired temperature of the water in the storage tank 2 can be set.

[0036] The water present in the storage tank 2 could also be heated by means of an indirectly heated heating element (heating coil) arranged in the storage tank which is connected to the central heating circuit of a central heating boiler.

[0037] In an alternative embodiment of a hot-water heater having a torus-shaped storage tank 2, a deflector 51 which extends over the entire cross section of the torus may be installed instead of the second guide plate 19. Such a deflector is illustrated in Fig. 7, in which the section of the torus-shaped storage tank 2 in the area of the inlet 11 for cold water is illustrated. In Fig. 7, the inlet 11 with first guide plate 15 in principle corresponds with that illustrated in Fig. 3. It would also be possible to use the inlet 11 with first guide plate 15 illustrated in Fig. 4 or a differently designed inlet instead. In Fig. 7, the outlet 12 for hot water is also arranged in the area of the inlet 11.

[0038] The deflector 51 ensures that the flow of water in the storage tank 2 reverses when hot water is drawn off (arrow). The top layer of (hot) water 53 flows into the storage tank 2 in a direction which is opposite to the direction of flow of the bottom layer of (cold) water 54. In this embodiment of the storage tank 2, the water flows into the storage tank 2 while hot water is being withdrawn, that is to say in two layers through the storage tank 2, with both layers having an opposite direction of flow.

[0039] The hot-water heater of Figs. 1 and 2 could, if desired, also be used in a vertical position, that is to say with the centre axis 3 of the torus-shaped storage tank 2 in the horizontal direction. However, in that case the proviso is that the inlet 11 and the outlet 12 are arranged in such a manner that, in the vertical position of the hot-water heater, the inlet 11 for cold water with the water stream dispenser 13 is located at the bottom of the storage tank 2 and the outlet 12 for hot water is located near the top of the storage tank 2, as is indicated highly diagrammatically in Fig. 8. In that case, the heater works like a conventional heater, with the cold water flowing in at the bottom displacing the hot water present in the storage tank 2 upwards towards the outlet 12 when hot water is being withdrawn.

[0040] The storage tank of a hot-water heater according to the invention does not necessarily have to be designed as a torus, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 6. In order to cause a circular current of the water present in the storage tank while hot water is being withdrawn, as illustrated in Fig. 6, it is sufficient if the outside of the storage tank has a substantially round or rounded shape in a plane which is at right angles to the centre axis and the storage tank has a core section 61 (see Fig. 9) which extends coaxially with the centre axis between the first and second side, in such a manner that the storage tank forms a circular duct 62 having an essentially constant cross section. This cross-sectional shape may, for example, be rectangular, round or oval (indicated by a dashed line). Because of the deformation of the storage tank as a result of high pressure inside the storage tank, a round cross section is preferred. The outer periphery of the storage tank is preferably round, but may, if desired, be rectangular with rounded corners or oval.

[0041] A flat hot-water heater according to the invention could optionally also be provided with a storage tank in which no stream of water starts to circulate when hot water is being drawn off. Such a hot-water heater is illustrated in highly diagrammatical form in Fig. 10. The storage tank 71 has a flat shape and is provided with an inlet 72 with a water stream dispenser 73 at the bottom and provided with an outlet 74 at the top. Optionally, the centre region of the storage tank may be provided with a connecting piece 75 between top and bottom wall in order to limit deformation of the storage tank as a result of high internal pressures.

[0042] The phenomenon where the water present in the storage tank flows through the storage tank in layers in a helical pattern when hot water is being withdrawn can occur not only with a "flat" storage tank, but also with a storage tank having dimensions in the direction of the centre axis which are equal to or greater than the dimensions of the storage tank in the other directions at right angles to the direction of the centre axis. Such a storage tank 81 is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 11.

[0043] The storage tank 81 is provided with an inlet 82 for cold tap water with a water stream dispenser 83, an outlet 84 for hot tap water and a central core part 85. The flow pattern of the water during the withdrawal of hot water is indicated by the helical arrow 86. The water present in the storage tank 81 could be heated by means of a (diagrammatically indicated) indirect heating coil 87 which is connected to the central heating circuit of a central heating boiler. If hot water coming from the central heating boiler flows into the coil 87 at the entry 88 and cooled water flows out of the coil 87 at the exit 89 and from there returns to the central heating boiler, the water in the storage tank 81 may be heated by an ideal countercurrent. However, the water in the storage tank 81 may also be heated in another way, for example by means of an electric heating element.

Claims

1. Hot-water heater comprising an outer casing (1), a storage tank (2) accommodated inside the outer casing (1) having an inlet (11) for cold water and an outlet (12) for hot water, and means for heating water present in the storage tank (2), wherein the storage tank (2) has a centre axis (3), wherein the outside of the storage tank (2) has a substantially round or rounded shape in a plane which is at right angles to the centre axis (3), and wherein the storage tank (2) has a core section which extends coaxially with the centre axis and, in a position of the hot-water heater in which the centre axis (3) of the storage tank (2) is substantially vertical, extends between a bottom (6) and a top (7) of the storage tank (2), in such a manner that the storage tank forms a circular duct (16) having an essentially constant cross section, wherein the inlet (11) is located near the bottom (6) of the storage tank (2), and the outlet (12) is located near the top (7) of the storage tank (2) characterized in that, inside the storage tank (2), a water stream dispenser (13) is arranged at the inlet (11) for cold water which water stream dispenser (13) is adapted to act on a stream of cold water which enters the storage tank (2) via the inlet (11) to bring the cold water to rest while hot water is withdrawn from the heater, wherein the storage tank (2), in the area of the inlet (11), is provided with a first guide plate (15), the edges of which adjoin the wall (14) of the storage tank (2), which wall (14) is situated near the bottom (6), which first guide plate (15) is designed to guide cold water which flows into the storage tank (2) via the inlet (11) during the withdrawal of hot water from the heater in the main direction of the circular duct along the wall (14) of the storage tank (2).

2. Hot-water heater according to claim 1, in which the storage tank (2), in the area of the inlet (11), is provided with a second guide plate (19) which adjoins the first guide plate (15) and which is designed to guide water which flows through the storage tank in the main direction of the duct (16) during the withdrawal of hot water from the heater over the first guide plate (15) and past the inlet (11).

3. Hot-water heater according to one of claims 1 to 2, in which the storage tank (2), in the area of the outlet (12), is provided with a third guide plate (28), the edges of which adjoin the wall (27) of the storage tank (2), which wall (27) is situated on the top (7), of the storage tank which third guide plate (28) is designed to guide hot water which flows in the main direction of the circular duct (16) along said wall (27) to the outlet (12) during the withdrawal of hot water from the heater.

4. Hot-water heater according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the water stream dispenser (13) is formed by a series of small holes (18) in an end section of an inlet tube (17) for cold water.

5. Hot-water heater according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the water stream dispenser (13) is formed by a first deflector (23) positioned opposite an outlet opening (21) of an inlet tube (22) for cold water, and a second deflector (24), wherein the first deflector (23) is connected to the first guide plate (15), and wherein the second deflector (24) is arranged between the second guide plate (19) and the wall (14) of the storage tank (2).

6. Hot-water heater according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the storage tank (2) is substantially in the shape of a continuous circular tube having a substantially round cross section.

7. Hot-water heater according to claim 6, wherein the storage tank (2) is in the shape of a torus.

8. Hot-water heater according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the outer casing (1) has a flat shape, such that the dimensions of the outer casing (1) in the direction of the centre axis (3) of the storage tank (2) are a number of times smaller than the dimensions of the outer casing (1) in the other directions perpendicular to the direction of the centre axis (3).

9. Hot-water heater according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a space between the storage tank (2) and the outer casing (1) is filled with an insulating material (5).

10. Hot-water heater according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a vacuum insulating panel (8) is fitted on the bottom (6) and the top (7) of the storage tank (2).

11. Hot-water heater according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the outer casing (1) has a width (B) of at most approximately 460 mm, a length (L) of at most approximately 500 mm, and a height (H) of at most approximately 140 to 150 mm.

Ansprüche

1. Heißwassererhitzer, umfassend ein äußeres Gehäuse (1), einen Speicherbehälter (2), der innen in dem äußeren Gehäuse (1) untergebracht ist und der einen Einlass (11) für Kaltwasser und einen Auslass (12) für Heißwasser hat, und Mittel zum Erhitzen von Wasser, das in dem Speicherbehälter (2) vorliegt, wobei der Speicherbehälter (2) eine Mittelachse (3) hat, wobei die Außenseite des Speicherbehälters (2) in einer Ebene, die rechtwinkelig zu der Mittelachse (3) ist, eine im Wesentlichen runde oder rundliche Form hat, und wobei der Speicherbehälter (2) einen Kernabschnitt hat, der sich koaxial zu der Mittelachse erstreckt und der sich in einer Position des Heißwassererhitzers, in der die Mittelachse (3) des Speicherbehälters (2) im Wesentlichen vertikal ist, zwischen einem Unterboden (6) und einem Oberboden (7) des Speicherbehälters (2) erstreckt, und zwar auf eine Weise, dass der Speicherbehälter einen kreisförmigen Durchgang (16) ausbildet, der einen im Wesentlichen konstanten Querschnitt aufweist, wobei der Einlass (11) nahe des Unterbodens (6) von dem Speicherbehälter (2) und der Auslass (12) nahe des Oberbodens (7) von dem Speicherbehälter (2) angeordnet ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass innen in dem Speicherbehälter (2) ein Wasserstromausgeber (13) an dem Einlass (11) für Kaltwasser angeordnet ist, wobei der Wasserstromausgeber (13) geeignet ist auf eine Strömung von Kaltwasser einzuwirken, die in den Speicherbehälter (2) über den Einlass (11) eintritt, um das Kaltwasser zur Ruhe zu bringen, während das Heißwasser aus dem Erhitzer abgezogen wird, wobei der Speicherbehälter (2) im Bereich des Einlasses (11) mit einer ersten Führungsplatte (15) ausgestattet ist, deren Ränder an die Wand (14) des Speicherbehälters (2) angrenzen, wobei die Wand (14) nahe des Unterbodens (6) angeordnet ist, wobei die erste Führungsplatte (15) gestaltet ist, um Kaltwasser, dass in den Speicherbehälter (2) über den Einlass (11) hineinfließt, während des Abziehens von Heißwasser aus dem Erhitzer, in der Hauptrichtung des kreisförmigen Durchgangs entlang der Wand (14) von dem Speicherbehälter (2) zu leiten.

2. Heißwassererhitzer nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Speicherbehälter (2) im Bereich des Einlasses (11) mit einer zweiten Führungsplatte (19) ausgestattet ist, die an die erste Führungsplatte (15) angrenzt und die gestaltet ist, um Wasser, das durch den Speicherbehälter in der Hauptrichtung des Durchgangs (16) fließt, während des Abziehens von Heißwasser aus dem Erhitzer, über die erste Führungsplatte (15) und vorbei an dem Einlass (11) zu leiten.

3. Heißwassererhitzer nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 2, wobei der Speicherbehälter (2) in dem Bereich des Auslasses (12) mit einer dritten Führungsplatte (28) ausgestattet ist, deren Ränder an die Wand (27) von dem Speicherbehälter (2) angrenzen, wobei die Wand (27) an dem Oberboden (7) von dem Speicherbehälter angeordnet ist, wobei die dritte Führungsplatte (28) gestaltet ist, um Heißwasser, das in der Hauptrichtung des kreisförmigen Durchgangs (16) fließt, während des Abziehens von Heißwasser aus dem Erhitzer, entlang der Seitenwand (27) zu dem Auslass (12) zu leiten.

4. Heißwassererhitzer nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, wobei der Wasserstromausgeber (13) durch eine Abfolge von kleinen Löchern (18) in einem Endabschnitt von einem Einlassrohr (17) für Kaltwasser gebildet wird.

5. Heißwassererhitzer nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, wobei der Wasserstromausgeber (13) durch einen ersten Ablenker (23), der gegenüber einer Auslassöffnung (21) von einem Auslassrohr (22) für Kaltwasser angeordnet ist, und einen zweiten Ablenker (24) gebildet wird, wobei der erste Ablenker (23) mit der ersten Führungsplatte (15) verbunden ist und wobei der zweite Ablenker (24) zwischen der zweiten Führungsplatte (19) und der Wand (14) von dem Speicherbehälter (2) angeordnet ist.

6. Heißwassererhitzer nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, wobei der Speicherbehälter (2) im Wesentlichen in Form eines kontinuierlichen kreisförmiges Rohr ist, das einen im Wesentlichen runden Querschnitt hat.

7. Heißwassererhitzer nach Anspruch 6, wobei der Speicherbehälter (2) im Wesentlichen die Form eines Torus hat.

8. Heißwassererhitzer nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7, wobei das äußere Gehäuse (1) eine flache Form hat, sodass die Abmessungen des äußeren Gehäuses (1) in der Richtung der Mittelachse (3) von dem Speicherbehälter (2) mehrfach kleiner sind als die Abmessungen des äußeren Gehäuses (1) in den anderen Richtungen senkrecht zur Richtung der Mittelachse (3).

9. Heißwassererhitzer nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8, wobei ein Raum zwischen dem Speicherbehälter (2) und dem äußeren Gehäuse (1) mit einem Isoliermaterial (5) gefüllt ist.

10. Heißwassererhitzer nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9, wobei eine Vakuumisolierpanele (8) an dem Unterboden (6) und dem Oberboden (7) von dem Speicherbehälter (2) eingepasst ist.

11. Heißwassererhitzer nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10, wobei das äußere Gehäuse (1) eine Breite (B) von höchstens etwa 460 mm, eine Länge (L) von höchstens etwa 500 mm und eine Höhe (H) von höchstens etwa 140 bis 150 mm hat.

Revendications

1. Chauffe-eau comprenant une enveloppe extérieure (1), un réservoir de stockage (2) logé à l'intérieur de l'enveloppe extérieure (1) et pourvu d'une entrée (11) destinée à l'eau froide et d'une sortie (12) destinée à l'eau chaude, et des moyens de chauffage de l'eau présents dans le réservoir de stockage (2), le réservoir de stockage (2) possédant un axe central (3), l'extérieur du réservoir de stockage (2) ayant une forme sensiblement ronde ou arrondie dans un plan qui est à angle droit par rapport à l'axe central (3), et le réservoir de stockage (2) comportant une section centrale qui s'étend coaxialement à l'axe central et, dans une position du chauffe-eau dans laquelle l'axe central (3) du réservoir de stockage (2) s'étend sensiblement verticalement, s'étend entre un fond (6) et une partie supérieure (7) du réservoir de stockage (2) de telle sorte que le réservoir de stockage forme une conduite circulaire (16) ayant une section transversale sensiblement constante, l'entrée (11) étant située près du fond (6) du réservoir de stockage (2), et la sortie (12) étant située près de la partie supérieure (7) du réservoir de stockage (2), caractérisé en ce que, à l'intérieur du réservoir de stockage (2), un distributeur de jet d'eau (13) est disposé à l'entrée (11) destinée à l'eau froide, lequel distributeur de jet d'eau (13) est adapté pour agir sur un jet d'eau froide qui entre dans le réservoir de stockage (2) par l'entrée (11) pour amener l'eau froide au repos pendant que l'eau chaude est retirée du chauffe-eau, le réservoir de stockage (2), dans la zone de l'entrée (11), étant pourvue d'une première plaque de guidage (15), dont les bords sont contigus à la paroi (14) du réservoir de stockage (2), laquelle paroi (14) est située à proximité du fond (6), laquelle première plaque de guidage (15) est conçue pour guider l'eau froide qui s'écoule jusque dans le réservoir de stockage (2) par l'entrée (11) lors du retrait d'eau chaude du chauffe-eau dans la direction principale de la conduite circulaire le long de la paroi (14) du réservoir de stockage (2) .

2. Chauffe-eau selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le réservoir de stockage (2), dans la zone de l'entrée (11), est pourvue d'une deuxième plaque de guidage (19) qui est adjacente à la première plaque de guidage (15) et qui est conçue pour guider l'eau qui s'écoule à travers le réservoir de stockage dans la direction principale de la conduite (16) lors du retrait d'eau chaude du chauffe-eau au-dessus de la première plaque de guidage (15) et au-delà de l'entrée (11).

3. Chauffe-eau selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 2, dans lequel le réservoir de stockage (2), dans la zone de la sortie (12), est pourvu d'une troisième plaque de guidage (28), dont les bords sont contigus à la paroi (27) du réservoir de stockage (2), laquelle paroi (27) est située sur la partie supérieure (7) du réservoir de stockage, laquelle troisième plaque de guidage (28) est conçue pour guider l'eau chaude qui s'écoule dans la direction principale de la conduite circulaire (16) le long de ladite paroi (27) vers la sortie (12) pendant le retrait d'eau chaude du chauffe-eau.

4. Chauffe-eau selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel le distributeur de jet d'eau (13) est formé par une série de petits trous (18) dans une section d'extrémité d'un tube d'entrée (17) destiné à l'eau froide.

5. Chauffe-eau selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel le distributeur de jet d'eau (13) est formé par un premier déflecteur (23), positionné à l'opposé d'un orifice de sortie (21) d'un tube d'entrée (22) destiné à l'eau froide, et un second déflecteur (24), dans lequel le premier déflecteur (23) est relié à la première plaque de guidage (15), et dans lequel le second déflecteur (24) est disposé entre la deuxième plaque de guidage (19) et la paroi (14) du réservoir de stockage (2).

6. Chauffe-eau selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, dans lequel le réservoir de stockage (2) a sensiblement la forme d'un tube circulaire continu de section transversale sensiblement ronde.

7. Chauffe-eau selon la revendication 6, dans lequel le réservoir de stockage (2) se présente sous la forme d'un tore.

8. Chauffe-eau selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, dans lequel l'enveloppe extérieure (1) a une forme plate, de telle sorte que les dimensions de l'enveloppe extérieure (1) dans la direction de l'axe central (3) du réservoir de stockage (2) sont un certain nombre de fois plus petites que les dimensions de l'enveloppe extérieure (1) dans les autres directions perpendiculaires à la direction de l'axe central (3).

9. Chauffe-eau selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8, dans lequel un espace entre le réservoir de stockage (2) et l'enveloppe extérieure (1) est rempli d'une matière isolante (5).

10. Chauffe-eau selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9, dans lequel un panneau isolant sous vide (8) est monté sur le fond (6) et la partie supérieure (7) du réservoir de stockage (2).

11. Chauffe-eau selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10, dans lequel l'enveloppe extérieure (1) a une largeur (B) maximum d'environ 460 mm, une longueur (L) maximum d'environ 500 mm, et une hauteur (H) maximum d'environ 140 à 150 mm.

Drawing