U.S. patent application number 14/421474 was filed with the patent office on 2015-08-06 for device for heating and/or vaporizing a fluid such as water.
The applicant listed for this patent is TOP ELECTRIC APPLIANCES INDUSTRIAL LTD. Invention is credited to Weizhong Li, Yewu Zhong.
Application Number | 20150219361 14/421474 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53759687 |
Filed Date | 2015-08-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150219361 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Li; Weizhong ; et
al. |
August 6, 2015 |
DEVICE FOR HEATING AND/OR VAPORIZING A FLUID SUCH AS WATER
Abstract
A device for heating and/or vaporizing a fluid is provided. The
device comprises a heat conductive inner conduit defining a fluid
flow pathway. An electrically powered heating element is arranged
to surround said inner conduit whereby heat energy from the heating
element heats fluid passing through the fluid flow pathway. A
casing is provided to sealedly surround the heating element. An
exterior surface of the casing is in communication with a space
into which heated fluid or vapour is emitted from the outlet of the
inner conduit. The casing is heat conductive such that heat energy
is received from the heating element heats fluid within said space.
Fluid such as water can be efficiently heated by passing it through
the fluid flow pathway and having it contact the exterior surface
of the casing for double heating. Also, by restricting water flow
through the fluid flow pathway can result in easy generation of
steam. By having a fluid flow pathway through the heating element,
this results in more efficient heating of water and saving in
energy. Furthermore, it maintains the operating temperature of the
heating element at a lower range thereby the life of the heating
element is extended.
Inventors: |
Li; Weizhong; (Guangzhou,
CN) ; Zhong; Yewu; (Guangzhou, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TOP ELECTRIC APPLIANCES INDUSTRIAL LTD |
Guangzhou, Guangdong |
|
CN |
|
|
Family ID: |
53759687 |
Appl. No.: |
14/421474 |
Filed: |
August 16, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
August 16, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CN2013/081657 |
371 Date: |
February 13, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
392/386 ;
392/480 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24H 2250/02 20130101;
F24H 9/1818 20130101; F24H 1/142 20130101; H05B 3/44 20130101; H05B
2203/014 20130101; H05B 3/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24H 1/00 20060101
F24H001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 16, 2012 |
CN |
201210292865.0 |
Aug 16, 2012 |
CN |
201220407802.0 |
Oct 30, 2012 |
CN |
201210423468.2 |
Oct 30, 2012 |
CN |
201220562683.6 |
Jan 15, 2013 |
CN |
PCT/CN2013/070063 |
Feb 5, 2013 |
CN |
PCT/CN2013/071401 |
Claims
1-37. (canceled)
38. A device for heating and/or vaporizing a fluid comprising: a
heat conductive inner conduit having an interior surface defining a
fluid flow pathway therethrough and an outlet for emitting heated
fluid or vapour from the fluid flow pathway; an electrically
powered heating element arranged near to an exterior surface of
said inner conduit whereby heat energy from the heating element is
received at the exterior surface of the inner conduit and conducted
by the inner conduit to its interior surface to heat fluid passing
through the fluid flow pathway; a casing sealably surrounding the
heating element, said casing having an exterior surface in
communication with a space into which heated fluid or vapour is
emitted from the outlet of the inner conduit, said casing being
heat conductive such that heat energy received from the heating
element is conducted by the casing to its exterior surface to heat
fluid within said space.
39. The device of claim 38, wherein the heating element comprises a
coiled wire electrically powered heating element which surrounds
the exterior surface of the heat conductive inner conduit.
40. The device of claim 38, wherein the casing comprises an outer
conduit of greater diameter than the inner conduit and arranged
coaxially with the inner conduit to sealably surround the heating
element arranged around the exterior surface of the inner
conduit.
41. The device of claim 38, wherein the inner conduit has an inlet
for admitting fluid to the fluid flow pathway.
42. The device of claim 41, wherein said inlet of the inner conduit
is in communication with the space into which heated fluid or
vapour is emitted from the outlet of the inner conduit whereby
fluid from said space can be readmitted to the fluid flow pathway
for further heating or vaporization.
43. The device of claim 42, wherein a fluid flow controller is
provided to restrict fluid flow through the inlet to the fluid flow
pathway such that said fluid is vaporized as it passes through the
fluid flow pathway and is emitted as a vapour at the outlet of the
inner conduit.
44. The device of claim 38, wherein said space into which heated
fluid or vapour is emitted from the outlet of the inner conduit
comprises a space defined by the exterior surface of the outer
conduit and an interior surface of a housing sealably surrounding
said outer conduit, said housing have an outlet for emitting heated
fluid or vapour from said space.
45. The device of claim 44, wherein said housing comprises a third
conduit of greater diameter than the cater conduit and arranged
coaxially with the inner and outer conduits to sealably surround
the outer conduit.
46. The device of claim 45, wherein a distance from the exterior
surface of the outer conduit to the interior surface of the housing
is less than the diameter of the outer conduit.
47. A device for heating and/or vaporizing a fluid comprising: an
electrically powered heating element arranged around an inner
conduit defining a first fluid flew pathway to heat fluid flowing
through said first fluid flow pathway; a housing surrounding the
heating element and inner conduit and defining a second fluid flow
pathway arranged to foe heated by the heating element, an inlet of
the second fluid flow pathway being connected to an cutlet of the
first fluid flow pathway whereby heated fluid or vapour emitted
from the first fluid flow pathway is further heated in the second
fluid flow pathway, wherein the second fluid flow pathway is
oppositely directed to the first fluid flow pathway.
48. The device of claim 47, wherein the heating element comprises a
coiled wire electrically powered heating element which is coiled
around the inner conduit to surround the exterior surface of the
inner conduit.
49. The device of claim 47, wherein a casing comprising an outer
conduit of greater diameter than the inner conduit is arranged
coaxially with the inner conduit to sealably surround the heating
element arranged around the exterior surface of the inner
conduit.
50. The device of claim 47, wherein the inner conduit has an inlet
for admitting fluid to the first fluid flow pathway.
51. The device of claim 50, wherein a fluid flow controller is
provided to restrict fluid flow through the first and second fluid
flow pathways such that said fluid is vaporized as it passes
through said pathways is emitted as a vapour at an outlet of the
second fluid flow pathway.
52. The device of claim 47, wherein a space into which heated fluid
or vapour is emitted frost the outlet of second fluid flow pathway
comprises a chamber, vessel or receptacle defined by a household
electrical appliance.
53. The device of claim 52, wherein said housing comprises a third
conduit of greater diameter than the outer conduit and arranged
coaxially with the inner and outer conduits to surround the outer
conduit.
54. The device of claim 53, wherein the outlet of the first fluid
flow pathway extends exteriorly of both the inner conduit and the
housing and is connected to the inlet of the second fluid flow
pathway by an external connection pipe.
55. The device of claim 53, wherein said space comprises an annular
cylindrical chamber surrounding the outer conduit.
56. The device of claim 55, wherein a distance from the exterior
surface of the outer conduit to the interior surface of the housing
is less than the diameter of the outer conduit.
57. A household electrical appliance having a device according to
claim 38.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to a device for heating and/or
vaporizing a fluid and particularly, but not exclusively to heating
and/or vaporizing a medium such as water.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Heating water is a daily requirement and there are varied
methods of doing so. With an accelerated pace of life, the
requirements for water heaters are greater, i.e. there is a
requirement for water heaters to heat water to boiling point or
above much quicker than current devices.
[0003] An existing liquid heater, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3,
comprises a heat conductive tube 3 surrounding a coiled wire
heating element 4. Electrical terminals 1 supply electric power to
the heating element 4. The heating element terminals 1 are
electrically insulated from the tube 3 by end caps 2 which also
seal the ends of tube 3 from liquid ingress. A heat conducting, but
electrically insulating powder 5 fills the space within the tube 3
surrounding the heating element 4. Heating a fluid such as water
using this device relies on contact of the water with the outer
surface of the tube 3. This does not provide rapid transfer of heat
from the heating element 4 to the water. Furthermore, when the user
switches the heater off, an internal core temperature of the heater
remains at a very high level for some time resulting in a
shortening of the life of the heating element.
[0004] Thus, there are a number of disadvantages with the known
heater. One disadvantage is due to heating only being provided by
the outer wall of the heater. This leads to user complaints of
slowness in heating water and also leads to energy wastage.
[0005] Another disadvantage is due to heating by only the outer
heater wall is that this prevents heat being removed from close to
the heating element when power is switched off which results in a
shortening of the life of the heating element and thus of the
heater.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0006] An object of the invention is to mitigate or obviate to some
degree one or more problems associated with known water
heaters.
[0007] The above object is met by the combination of features of
the main claims; the sub-claims disclose further advantageous
embodiments of the invention.
[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide a heating
device for more efficiently providing heated water and/or
steam.
[0009] One skilled in the art will derive from the following
description other objects of the invention. Therefore, the
foregoing statements of object are not exhaustive and serve merely
to illustrate some of the many objects of the present
invention.
SOLUTION TO PROBLEM
Technical Solution
[0010] In a first main aspect, the invention provides a device for
heating and/or vaporizing a fluid. The device comprises a heat
conductive inner conduit having an interior surface defining a
fluid flow pathway therethrough and an outlet for emitting heated
fluid or vapour from the fluid flow pathway. An electrically
powered heating element is arranged near to an exterior surface of
said inner conduit whereby heat energy from the heating element is
received at the exterior surface of the inner conduit and conducted
by the inner conduit to its interior surface to heat fluid passing
through the fluid flow pathway. A casing may sealably surround the
heating element, said casing having an exterior surface in
communication with a space into which heated fluid or vapour is
emitted from the outlet of the inner conduit, said casing being
heat conductive such that heat energy received from the heating
element is conducted by the casing to its exterior surface to heat
fluid within said space.
[0011] In a second main aspect, the invention provides a household
electrical appliance having a device according to the first main
aspect of the invention.
[0012] In a third main aspect, the invention provides a device for
heating and/or vaporizing a fluid. The device comprises an
electrically powered heating element arranged around an inner
conduit defining a first fluid flow pathway to heat fluid flowing
through said first fluid flow pathway. A housing surrounds the
heating element and inner conduit and defines a second fluid flow
pathway arranged to be heated by the heating element. An inlet of
the second fluid flow pathway is connected to an outlet of the
first fluid flow pathway whereby heated fluid or vapour emitted
from the first fluid flow pathway is further heated in the second
fluid flow pathway.
[0013] In a fourth main aspect, the invention provides a household
electrical appliance having a device according to the third main
aspect of the invention.
ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION
Advantageous Effects
[0014] A purpose of the invention is to provide an improved heating
device that can easily replace a conventional heating device and
which provides high energy conversion efficiency whilst being easy
to install and manufacture.
[0015] This purpose is achieved by the invention as defined in the
appended claims.
[0016] The summary of the invention does not necessarily disclose
all the features essential for defining the invention; the
invention may reside in a sub-combination of the disclosed
features.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Description of Drawings
[0017] The foregoing and further features of the present invention
will be apparent from the following description of preferred
embodiments which are provided by way of example only in connection
with the accompanying figures, of which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a prior art heating
tube;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along A-A of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of section B the heating tube of
FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a
heating device according to the invention;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along A-A of FIG. 4;
[0023] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of section B the heating device
of FIG. 4;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a heating device according
to a second embodiment of the invention.
[0025] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the heating device of FIG.
7;
[0026] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the components of the heating
device of FIG. 7;
[0027] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a heating device according to a
third embodiment of the invention;
[0028] FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the heating device of FIG.
10; and
[0029] FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the components of the heating
device of FIG. 11.
MODE FOR THE INVENTION
Mode for Invention
[0030] The following description is of preferred embodiments by way
of example only and without limitation to the combination of
features necessary for carrying the invention into effect.
[0031] Reference in this specification to "one embodiment" or "an
embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is
included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The
appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in
the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same
embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually
exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are
described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by
others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be
requirements for some embodiments but not other embodiments.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, shown is a first embodiment of a
heating device or apparatus according to the invention which is
capable of rapidly heating water to high temperatures and/or of
rapidly producing steam.
[0033] The heating device comprises an inner conduit in the form of
a central tube 1, a casing comprising an outer conduit in the form
of an outer tube 2, an insulating sleeve 3, a heating element in
the form of a heating wire 4, an electrical terminal for the
heating element in the form of an electrically conducting pipe 5,
and an insulating ring 6. The central tube 1 defines a fluid flow
pathway through which a fluid such as water passes to be heated,
the tube having an inlet at one end to admit a fluid and an outlet
an its other end to emit a heated fluid or vapour to a space
surrounding the heating device. The heating element is located near
to an exterior surface of the central tube 1 to heat it. In a
preferred arrangement, the heating wire 4 comprises a coiled
heating wire which is coiled around the exterior surface of the
central tube, but preferably not touching it, particularly where
the central tube is made of a material that is not only heat
conductive but electrically conductive. A magnesium oxide powder
layer 7 is provided between the heating wire 4 and the central tube
1 as well as between the heating wire 4 and the outer tube 2. The
powder has electrical insulation properties as well as thermal
insulating properties such that heat from the heating wire 4 slowly
dissipates through the powder to the central tube 1 and outer tube
2. The outer tube 2 surrounds the heating wire 4 and seals it from
ingress of fluid into the space filled by the powder 7. Both ends
of the heating wire 4 are electrically connected, e.g. welded, to
their respective terminal pipes 5 to receive electrical power. The
terminal pipe 5 is electrically insulated from the central tube 1
by the insulting sleeve 3 and electrically insulated from the outer
tube 2 by the insulating ring 6. The insulating sleeve 3 extends
beyond both ends of the terminal pipe 5 to enhance electrical
insulation. The outer tube 2 has a greater diameter than the
central tube 1 and is arranged coaxially with the central tube 1 to
sealably surround the heating wire 4 arranged around the exterior
surface of the central tube 1.
[0034] In use, when a fluid such as water flows through the central
tube 1 it becomes heated by heat transference from the heating wire
4 to the central tube 1 and then to the fluid. Heated fluid emitted
from the outlet of the central tube 1 may be emitted to a space
comprising a chamber, vessel or receptacle of a household
electrical appliance such as a kettle or steamer or the like. The
fluid that is admitted to the inlet of the central tube 1 may
comprise already heated fluid from the space or unheated fluid from
another source. In any event, heated fluid or vapour emitted from
the central tube 1 into the space is further heated by the outer
tube 2 through contact with its exterior surface by heat
transference from the heating wire 4 to the outer tube 2.
[0035] By admitting a fluid to be heated to the fluid flow pathway
through the central tube 1, this has the advantage of not only
increasing heat transference efficiency and thus energy efficiency,
but also has the advantage that heat dissipates more quickly away
from the heating wire 4 after power is switched off. Furthermore,
as heat transference efficiency is improved, the heating wire 4
does not reach the excessive temperatures encountered in the prior
art devices and consequently the life of the heating wire 4 of the
present invention is greatly enhanced.
[0036] In laboratory measurements, the core temperature of the
heating tube was found to be 900.degree. C., but the temperature of
the tube surface was found to be 220.degree. C. Because of this
improvement, the centre of the central tube will absorb heat faster
and better and transfer this to fluid passing therethrough very
efficiently.
[0037] In some embodiments, a pump may be provided to urge fluid to
flow through the central tube 1. In some embodiments, means may be
provided to restrict the amount of fluid admitted to the central
tube in order that such fluid that is admitted is rapidly heated to
at least its vaporization temperature and is thus emitted from the
central tube 1 as a vapour, e.g. as steam.
[0038] It will be understood that the shape and configuration of
the heating device as described above is not limited to the
particular embodiment shown.
[0039] Referring now to FIGS. 7 to 9, shown is a second embodiment
of a heating device or vaporizer apparatus according to the
invention. In this embodiment, the heating apparatus comprises the
heating device of the first embodiment of FIGS. 4 to 6 with the
addition of a housing 8. Therefore, like numerals to those used in
FIGS. 4 to 6 will be used to denote like parts. The housing 8
surrounds the outer tube 2 to define a cylindrical annular heating
space or chamber 10 around the exterior surface of the heating
device. As a consequence, the space into which heated fluid or
vapour is emitted from the outlet of the central tube 1 of the
heating device comprises a space 10 defined by the exterior surface
of the outer tube 2 and an interior surface of the housing 8
sealably surrounding said outer tube 2. The housing 8 has an outlet
11 for emitting heated fluid or vapour from said space 10. The
housing 8 comprises a section of conduit of greater diameter than
the outer tube 2 which is arranged coaxially with the central tube
1 and outer tube 2. Sealing rings 12 are provided for sealing the
ends of the conduit around the outer tube 2. The outlet of the
central tube 1 extends to an inlet of the housing 8 and may do so
by extending interiorly of outer tube 2 to the housing 8 or, as
shown, exteriorly of both the central tube 1 and the housing 8 to
be connected to said inlet of the housing by an external connection
pipe 9.
[0040] It can be seen that the space or chamber 10 comprises an
annular cylindrical chamber surrounding the outer tube 2.
Preferably, this is arranged such that a distance from the exterior
surface of the outer tube 2 to the interior surface of the housing
8 is less than the diameter of the outer tube 2 to provide a
shallow chamber 10 for further heating of fluid or vapour being
emitted from the outlet of the central tube 1.
[0041] In essence, the apparatus of the embodiment of FIGS. 7 to 9
comprises the heating wire 4 arranged around the central tube 1
which defines a first fluid flow pathway to heat fluid flowing
through said first fluid flow pathway with the housing 8
surrounding the heating wire 4 and central tube 1 (and outer tube
2) and defining a second fluid flow pathway for further heating
fluid or vapour emitted from the first fluid flow pathway.
[0042] The second fluid flow pathway is oppositely directed to the
first fluid flow pathway which is advantageous in that it assists
in maintaining an even heat gradient over the length of the heating
wire 4.
[0043] In some embodiments, a pump may be provided to force fluid
to flow through the first and second fluid flow pathways.
[0044] In some embodiments, a fluid flow controller may be provided
to restrict fluid flow through the first and second fluid flow
pathways such that said fluid is vaporized as it passes through
said pathways and is emitted as a vapour at the outlet of the
second fluid flow pathway, i.e. at the outlet of the housing.
[0045] In some embodiments, a space into which heated fluid or
vapour is emitted from the outlet of second fluid flow pathway,
i.e. from the outlet of the housing 8, comprises a chamber, vessel
or receptacle defined by a household electrical appliance.
[0046] In use, when a fluid such as water flows through the central
tube 1 it becomes heated by heat transference from the heating wire
4 to the central tube 1 and then to the fluid. Heated fluid or
vapour emitted from the outlet of the central tube 1 is admitted at
the inlet of the housing 8 to the chamber 10 formed thereby for
further heating through contact with the exterior surface of the
outer tube 2. By making the chamber 10 defined by the housing 8
shallow in depth, i.e. having a small depth compared to the
diameter of the outer tube 2, this greatly increased the rapidity
with which water flowing through the first and second fluid flow
passages can be heated to or above boiling point or even to produce
steam.
[0047] It will be understood that the shape and configuration of
the heating apparatus as described above is not limited to the
particular embodiment shown.
[0048] Referring now to FIGS. 10 to 12, this shows another
embodiment of a heating apparatus of the type shown by FIGS. 7 to 9
which is also based on the heating device of FIGS. 4 to 6. In this
embodiment, there are provided two heating devices according to the
embodiment of FIGS. 4 to 6 arranged within a common housing 8 in a
side by side arrangement. In similar manner to the embodiment of
FIGS. 7 to 9, the housing 8 defines a shallow chamber 10 around the
outer tubes 2 of the heating devices. The outlet of each heating
device connects to a respective inlet of the housing 8, but the
housing has a single outlet 11 for emitting heated fluid or vapour
to its exterior. Each of the heating devices also has a respective
inlet for admitting fluid to their respective central tubes 1, but
the inlets may be joined by a Y-shaped tubular member 10 for
connection to a single source of incoming fluid.
[0049] It will be understood that the shape and configuration of
the heating apparatus as described above is not limited to the
particular embodiment shown.
[0050] In general, the invention provides a device for heating
and/or vaporizing a fluid. The device comprises a heat conductive
inner conduit defining a fluid flow pathway therethrough. An
electrically powered heating element is arranged to surround said
inner conduit whereby heat energy from the heating element heats
fluid passing through the fluid flow pathway. A casing is provided
to sealably surround the heating element. An exterior surface of
the casing is in communication with a space into which heated fluid
or vapour is emitted from the outlet of the inner conduit. The
casing is heat conductive such that heat energy received from the
heating element heats fluid within said space. Fluid such as water
can be efficiently heated by passing it through the fluid flow
pathway and having it contact the exterior surface of the casing
for double heating. Also, by restricting water flow through the
fluid flow pathway can result in easy generation of steam. By
having a fluid flow pathway through the heating element, this
results in more efficient heating of water and saving in energy.
Furthermore, it maintains the operating temperature of the heating
element at a lower range thereby extending the life of the heating
element.
[0051] While the invention has been illustrated and described in
detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be
considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it
being understood that only exemplary embodiments have been shown
and described and do not limit the scope of the invention in any
manner. It can be appreciated that any of the features described
herein may be used with any embodiment. The illustrative
embodiments are not exclusive of each other or of other embodiments
not recited herein. Accordingly, the invention also provides
embodiments that comprise combinations of one or more of the
illustrative embodiments described above. Modifications and
variations of the invention as herein set forth can be made without
departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and, therefore, only
such limitations should be imposed as are indicated by the appended
claims.
[0052] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description
of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due
to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise"
or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an
inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated
features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further
features in various embodiments of the invention.
[0053] It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is
referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission
that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge
in the art.
* * * * *