U.S. patent application number 15/313808 was filed with the patent office on 2017-07-13 for floor drain.
This patent application is currently assigned to Recalor AB. The applicant listed for this patent is Recalor AB. Invention is credited to Lars TORNQUIST, Hans TORNQVIST.
Application Number | 20170198982 15/313808 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54699352 |
Filed Date | 2017-07-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170198982 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TORNQUIST; Lars ; et
al. |
July 13, 2017 |
FLOOR DRAIN
Abstract
The invention relates to a floor drain comprising a drain
compartment having a bottom, at least one side and an open upper
portion. The bottom and the at least one side together define a
space to collect waste water. The bottom comprises an opening for a
drain trap. The floor drain further comprises a heat exchanger
element, receivable in the space of the drain compartment, for
transferring heat present in the waste water to fresh water. The
heat exchanger element is provided with a first connection and a
second connection. The first connection and the second connection
are arranged inside the space of the drain compartment. A first
conduit is connected to the first connection and a second conduit
is connected to the second connection.
Inventors: |
TORNQUIST; Lars;
(Bjornlunda, SE) ; TORNQVIST; Hans; (Trosa,
SE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Recalor AB |
Bjornlunda |
|
SE |
|
|
Assignee: |
Recalor AB
Bjornlunda
SE
|
Family ID: |
54699352 |
Appl. No.: |
15/313808 |
Filed: |
May 12, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
May 12, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/SE2015/050528 |
371 Date: |
November 23, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03C 2001/005 20130101;
Y02B 30/56 20130101; E03F 5/0408 20130101; F28D 21/0012 20130101;
Y02B 10/70 20130101; Y02B 30/18 20130101; E03C 1/22 20130101; Y02B
30/566 20130101; F28D 7/082 20130101; F28D 3/02 20130101; F24D
2200/20 20130101; F24D 2220/06 20130101; E03C 1/00 20130101; F24D
17/0052 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F28D 21/00 20060101
F28D021/00; E03C 1/22 20060101 E03C001/22; F24D 17/00 20060101
F24D017/00; E03F 5/04 20060101 E03F005/04; F28D 3/02 20060101
F28D003/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 27, 2014 |
SE |
1450630-7 |
Claims
1. A floor drain, comprising; a drain compartment having a bottom ,
at least one side and an open upper portion, wherein the bottom and
the at least one side together define a space to collect waste
water and wherein the bottom comprises an opening for a drain trap;
and a heat exchanger element, placed in the space of the drain
compartment, for transferring heat present in the waste water to
fresh water, which heat exchanger element is provided with a first
connection and a second connection, wherein the first connection
and the second connection are arranged inside the space of the
drain compartment, a first conduit is connected to the first
connection, and a second conduit is connected to the second
connection.
2. The floor drain according to claim 1, wherein the first conduit
is arranged to have fresh water having a first temperature and that
the second conduit is arranged to have fresh water having a second
temperature.
3. The floor drain according to claim 2, wherein the heat exchanger
element is pivotably arranged between a first position and a second
position.
4. The floor drain according to claim 1, wherein the drain
compartment comprises at least one straight side.
5. The floor drain according to claims 4, wherein the heat
exchanger element is pivotable about an axis, which axis is
substantially parallel with the at least one straight side of the
drain compartment.
6. The floor drain according to claim 3, wherein the first conduit
for fresh water having a first temperature and the second conduit
for fresh water having a second temperature comprise a flexible
material.
7. The floor drain according to claim 3, further comprising a
partition wall removably arranged within the space of the drain
compartment and comprising at least one waste water outlet and a
drain control unit having walls encircling the at least one waste
water outlet, wherein the walls are protruding upward from the
partition wall and wherein the walls are protruding above the heat
exchanger element when the heat exchanger element is arranged in
the first position.
8. The floor drain according to claim 1, further comprising a cover
removably arranged upon the open upper portion of the drain
compartment and provided with at least one first opening via which
waste water is arranged to enter the space of the drain
compartment.
9. The floor drain according to claims 7, wherein the first opening
for waste water in the cover is orientated in relation to the at
least one waste water outlet in the partition wall such that flow
of waste water in the space of the drain compartment is directed in
a direction essentially opposite to the direction of the fresh
water in the heat exchanger element.
10. The floor drain according to claim 1, further comprising a
waste water guiding element removably arranged within the space of
the drain compartment and arranged to slope downwards towards the
heat exchanger element, with an angle in relation to the open upper
portion of the drain compartment, and provided with at least one
second opening via which waste water is arranged to enter the space
of the drain compartment, wherein the at least one second opening
is arranged in a lowermost part of the waste water guiding
element.
11. The floor drain according to claim 7, wherein the at least one
second opening for waste water in the waste water guiding element
is orientated in relation to the at least one waste water outlet in
the partition wall such that flow of waste water in the space of
the drain compartment is directed in a direction essentially
opposite to the direction of the fresh water in the heat exchanger
element.
12. The floor drain according to claim 10, wherein the angle is
preferably between about 0.01.degree. and about 15.degree..
13. The floor drain according to claim 10, wherein a plurality of
second openings are arranged in a row.
14. The floor drain according to claim 1, further comprising a
drain trap arranged in connection to the at least one waste water
outlet.
15. The floor drain according to claim 1, wherein the fresh water
inside the heat exchanger element is tap water.
16. The floor drain according to claim 1, wherein the second
conduit for fresh water having a second temperature is connected to
a water valve or a mixer valve and/or a water heater.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a U.S. National Stage patent application
of International Patent Application No. PCT/SE2015/050528, filed on
May 12, 2015, which claims priority to Swedish Patent Application
No, 1450630-7, filed on May 27, 2014, each of which is hereby
incorporated by reference in the present disclosure in its
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a floor drain according to
the preamble of claim 1.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Usually, hot water discharge from appliances where hot and
cold water are to be mixed just before use, for example showers and
bath tubs, is led directly into floor drains without a substantial
drop of temperature in the water. The accumulated heat in the water
is thus not exploited completely before it is led out into a floor
drain and thereby a significant amount of unused energy is lost. In
terms of efficient use of energy it is undesirable to discharge hot
waste water without recovering the energy present in the waste
water.
[0004] It is known to use floor drains comprising a heat exchanger
for recovery of a part of the energy present in hot waste water.
The recovered energy can be used to preheat cold water before
entering a water heater or before being mixed with hot water in an
appliance where hot and cold water are to be mixed just before use.
Usually, cold water and hot water are mixed in a mixer valve to
obtain a desired temperature. Most modern mixer valves are
temperature regulated such that a constant output temperature is
achieved despite fluctuations in the cold water supply or the hot
water supply. Thereby preheating of the cold water result in that
less hot water is needed to maintain a given temperature. Thus, the
amount of energy consumed to supply hot water is reduced, which
results in reduced energy costs and environmental benefits.
[0005] An example of a known floor drain provided with a heat
exchanger for recovering heat present in used shower water is shown
in document EP 2453194 A1. The heat exchanger comprises a tube
received in a drain channel. The tube is provided with a feed for
cold mains water and a discharge connected to a mixer tap for a
shower. An upper cover with openings and a lower cover with
openings are arranged recessed in the drain channel. Used shower
water flows via the openings in the upper cover and in the lower
cover and along the tube and heats the cold mains water before it
is carried to the mixer tap. The drain channel is further provided
with an outlet pipe connected to a sewer.
[0006] The floor drain disclosed in document EP 2453194 A1 has
several drawbacks. One drawback is that it is impossible to inspect
the connection between the heat exchanger tube's feed for cold
mains water and the conduit for cold mains water and the connection
between the tube's discharge and the mixer tap when the floor drain
is installed in a floor of a building. Yet another drawback is that
if these connections get damaged it results in water leakage in the
floor in which the floor drain is installed. A further drawback is
that it is difficult and time consuming to install the floor drain
in a floor because it is needed to make room for the connections in
the floor, for example by removal of a section of the floor.
[0007] The floor drain disclosed in document EP 2453194 A1 is
cleaned by taking the upper cover and the lower cover out of the
drain channel and washing and/or brushing the heat exchanger then
left clear. It is thus difficult to clean the whole heat exchanger
and it is not possible to clean all parts comprised in the floor
drain, for example not the outlet pipe under the heat exchanger.
Due to the fact that fouling agents, for example lime, from the
waste water are easily gathered on the heat exchanger and that it
is difficult to clean the whole heat exchanger, the thermal
efficiency of the heat exchanger is easily deteriorated. Because
hair and other impurities from the waste water tend to accumulate
in the floor drain and because it is not possible to clean all
parts comprised in the floor drain the risk of clogging of the
floor drain is high.
[0008] As a consequence, in light of the above drawbacks, there is
a need of an improved floor drain which provides the possibility to
inspect the above mentioned connections when the floor drain is
installed in a floor of a building, which is easier and less time
consuming to install in the floor, which reduces the risk of water
leakage in the floor wherein the floor drain is installed, which
reduces the risk of reduced thermal efficiency of the heat
exchanger element and which reduces the risk of clogging.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The subject of the present invention is to eliminate the
drawbacks according to prior art.
[0010] This subject has been fulfilled with the floor drain
according to the claims.
[0011] More specifically, the floor drain comprises a drain
compartment having a bottom, at least one side and an open upper
portion. The bottom and the at least one side together define a
space to collect waste water. The bottom comprises an opening for a
drain trap. The floor drain further comprises a heat exchanger
element, receivable in the space of the drain compartment, for
transferring heat present in the waste water to fresh water. The
heat exchanger element is provided with a first connection and a
second connection. The first connection and the second connection
are arranged inside the space of the drain compartment. A first
conduit is connected to the first connection and a second conduit
is connected to the second connection.
[0012] Thereby it is easier and less time consuming to install the
floor drain because it is not needed to make room for the first
connection and the second connection in a floor of a building, for
example by removal of a section of a floor. It is also possible to
inspect the first connection and the second connection inside the
space of the drain compartment. The risk of water leakage in the
floor wherein the floor drain is installed is also reduced because
if the first connection and/or the second connection get damage the
water will leak inside the floor drain instead of in the floor of
the building. Thus, the conduits connected to the first connection
and the second connection should not have any connections hidden in
the floor or in the walls of a building in order to eliminate the
risk of water leakage in the floor and wall material.
[0013] In a further aspect of the invention the first conduit is
arranged to comprise fresh water having a first temperature and the
second conduit is arranged to comprise fresh water having a second
temperature.
[0014] In another aspect of the invention the heat exchanger
element is pivotably arranged between a first and a second
position. Thereby it is possible to bring the heat exchanger
element in a position wherein the whole heat exchanger element is
not received within the drain compartment. This results in that it
is easy to clean the whole heat exchanger element and also in that
it is possible to access and clean the parts arranged under the
heat exchanger. Due to that it is easy to clean the whole heat
exchanger element the heat exchanger element can be thoroughly
cleaned. Thereby the risk of reduced thermal efficiency of the heat
exchanger element is reduced. Due to the fact that it is possible
to clean the parts arranged under the heat exchanger the risk of
clogging of the floor drain is reduced.
[0015] In another aspect of the invention the drain compartment
comprises at least one straight side.
[0016] In a further aspect of the invention the heat exchanger
element is pivotable about an axis, which axis is substantially
parallel with the at least one straight side of the drain
compartment.
[0017] In a further aspect of the invention the first conduit for
fresh water having a first temperature and the second conduit for
fresh water having a second temperature comprise a flexible
material. Thereby it is easy to pivot the heat exchanger element
between the first position and the second position.
[0018] In yet another aspect of the invention the floor drain
further comprises a partition wall removably arranged within the
space of the drain compartment and comprising at least one waste
water outlet and a drain control unit having walls encircling the
at least one waste water outlet. The walls are protruding upward
from the partition wall and also protruding above the heat
exchanger element when the heat exchanger element is arranged in
the first position. In such way the emptying of waste water through
the waste water outlet encircled by the drain control unit is
delayed and in turn the heat exchanger element is submerged in the
waste water for a longer time. Thus, increased exchange of energy
between the waste water and the water inside the heat exchanger
element is obtained.
[0019] In another aspect of the invention the floor drain further
comprises a cover removably arranged upon the open upper portion of
the drain compartment and provided with at least one first opening
via which waste water is arranged to enter the space of the drain
compartment. The cover makes it possible to give the floor drain a
more aesthetic appearance.
[0020] In a further aspect of the invention the first opening for
waste water in the cover is orientated in relation to the at least
one waste water outlet in the partition wall such that flow of
waste water in the space of the drain compartment is directed in a
direction essentially opposite to the direction of the fresh water
in the heat exchanger element. Thus, the heat exchanger is operated
in counter flow and thereby the efficiency of the heat exchanger
element is increased.
[0021] In yet another aspect of the invention the floor drain
further comprises a waste water guiding element removably arranged
within the space of the drain compartment and arranged to slope
downwards towards the heat exchanger element, with an angle a in
relation to the open upper portion of the drain compartment. The
waste water guiding element is provided with at least one second
opening via which waste water is arranged to enter the space of the
drain compartment. The at least one second opening is arranged in a
lowermost part of the waste water guiding element. The waste water
guiding element makes it possible to direct the flow of waste water
inside the drain compartment.
[0022] In another aspect of the invention the at least one second
opening for waste water in the waste water guiding element is
orientated in relation to the at least one waste water outlet in
the partition wall such that flow of waste water in the space of
the drain compartment is directed in a direction essentially
opposite to the direction of the fresh water in the heat exchanger
element. Thus, the heat exchanger is operated in counter flow and
thereby, as mentioned above, the efficiency of the heat exchanger
element is increased.
[0023] In a further aspect of the invention the angle a is
preferably between about 0.01.degree. and about 15.degree.. Thereby
the waste water flows along the waste water guiding element at a
suitable rate.
[0024] In yet another aspect of the invention a plurality of second
openings are arranged in a row. The row of second openings prevents
hair and other impurities from entering the drain compartment.
Thereby the risk that hair and other impurities accumulate in the
floor drain is reduced and in turn the risk of clogging of the
floor drain is reduced.
[0025] In another aspect of the invention the floor drain further
comprises a drain trap arranged in connection to the at least one
waste water outlet. Thereby the risk of obnoxious smells from the
floor drain is reduced.
[0026] In a further aspect of the invention the fresh water having
a first temperature is tap water. Tap water is advantageously used
for bathing or washing.
[0027] In yet another aspect of the invention the second conduit
for fresh water having a second temperature is connected to a water
valve or a mixer valve and/or a water heater. Thus, the recovered
heat is reused. Thereby the amount of energy consumed to supply hot
water is reduced resulting in reduced energy costs and
environmental benefits.
[0028] Further embodiments and advantages of the present invention
are evident from the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] In the following the invention is described with reference
to embodiments of the present invention and the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0030] FIG. 1-4 show schematic views illustrating the effect
obtained by using the floor drain according to the present
invention,
[0031] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the floor drain, wherein
the floor drain is exploded, according to the present
invention,
[0032] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the floor drain, wherein
the floor drain is assembled, according to the present
invention,
[0033] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the floor drain, wherein
the heat exchanger element is in the first position, according to
the present invention, and
[0034] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the floor drain, wherein
the heat exchanger element is in the second position, according to
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0035] FIG. 1-4 show schematic views illustrating the effect
obtained by using the floor drain 1 according to the present
invention. In FIG. 1-4, the dashed lines are water and the straight
arrows show the direction of the water flow. A shower is shown in
FIG. 1-4. It is also possible to use the floor drain 1 together
with a bath tub, a washing machine, a dish washer or any other
appliance where hot and cold water are to be mixed just before use.
The effect will first be described with reference to FIG. 1.
[0036] A shower head 46 is arranged above the floor drain 1 which
is arranged in a floor 48. The definition of a "floor drain" is a
drain that is installed in a floor so that the top of the floor
drain is substantially in the same level as the floor surface. The
floor drain 1 comprises a heat exchanger element 14 arranged inside
a drain compartment 2. The heat exchanger element 14 is connected
with a first connection 16 to a first conduit 18 for fresh water
having a first temperature t1 and with a second connection 20 to a
second conduit 22 for fresh water having a second temperature t2.
Thus, the first connection 16 and the second connection 20 are
arranged inside the drain compartment 2 in order to prevent water
leakage outside the drain compartment 2.
[0037] The second conduit 22 for fresh water having a second
temperature t2 is further connected to the inlet of a mixer valve
42. The mixer valve 42 is further connected to a third conduit 50
for fresh water having a third temperature t3. The third conduit 50
for fresh water having a third temperature t3 is further connected
to a water heater 44 which in turn is connected to the first
conduit 18 for fresh water having a first temperature t1. The
shower head 46 and the mixer valve 42 are connected to each other
by a fourth conduit 51 for fresh water having a fourth temperature
t4.
[0038] During showering, fresh water having a first temperature t1
is supplied by the first conduit 18 to the heat exchanger element
14 in the floor drain 1 and to the water heater 44. Further, fresh
water having a second temperature t2 is supplied by the second
conduit 22 and fresh water having a third temperature t3 is
supplied by the third conduit 50 to the mixer valve 42. In the
mixer valve 42, the fresh water having a second temperature t2 and
the fresh water having a third temperature t3 is mixed to supply
fresh water having a fourth temperature t4 to the fourth conduit 51
and the shower head 46.
[0039] At the beginning of showering, the first temperature t1 and
the second temperature t2 is essentially the same. The first
temperature t1 and the second temperature t2 can for example be
7.degree. C. The fresh water having a third temperature t3 has been
heated by the water heater 44, thus the third temperature t3 is
higher than the first temperature t1 and the second temperature t2.
The third temperature t3 can for example be 60.degree. C. The water
supplied by the shower head 46 leaves the floor 48 through the
floor drain 1. If the fourth temperature t4 is higher than the
first temperature t1, the floor drains 1 heat exchanger element 14
recuperates a part of the heat energy present in the waste water.
(Any changes of the temperature of the water that is supplied by
the shower head 46 is disregarded.) The fourth temperature t4 can
for example be 37.degree. C.
[0040] The recuperated energy heats the water inside the heat
exchanger element 14. This results in that the second temperature
t2 is increased (thus the second temperature t2 becomes higher than
the first temperature t1) and in that the temperature of the waste
water leaving the floor drain 1 is decreased. In this stage, the
second temperature t2 can for example be 25.degree. C. and the
temperature of the waste water leaving the floor drain 1 can for
example also be 25.degree. C.
[0041] In the mixer valve 42, the fresh water having a third
temperature t3 now is mixed with the fresh water having a second
temperature t2, which second temperature t2 (as mentioned above)
has been raised. Therefore less fresh water having a third
temperature t3 needs to be used for obtaining fresh water having a
constant fourth temperature t4. Thereby energy for heating up water
is saved.
[0042] Preferably, the mixer valve 42 is a thermostatic mixer
valve. A thermostatic mixer valve controls the relative proportions
of hot and cold water, supplied to an outlet of the thermostatic
mixer valve, in accordance with user selection of the outlet water
temperature and a thermal control system to compensate for changes
in the temperature and/or pressure and/or flow rate of the water
supplied to an inlet of the thermostatic mixer valve to maintain
the desired constant outlet water temperature.
[0043] The mixer valve 42 can also be a mechanical mixer valve. A
mechanical mixer valve cannot automatically compensate for changes
in the temperature and/or pressure and/or flow rate of the water
supplied to an inlet of the mechanical mixer valve. If the mixer
valve 42 is a mechanical mixer valve, the user of the shower has to
adjust the mixer valve 42 to compensate for changes in the
temperature and/or pressure and/or flow rate of the water supplied
to the inlet of the mechanical mixer valve to maintain a desired
constant outlet water temperature.
[0044] It is also possible to not use a mixer valve 42 at all. This
is shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is exactly the same as FIG.1 except from
that FIG. 1 shows a mixer valve 42, a fourth conduit 51 and a
shower head 46 and FIG. 2 shows two separate water valves 40, 52
and a mixing element 54. One water valve 52 is connected to the
third conduit 50 for fresh water having a third temperature t3 and
the other water valve 40 is connected to the second conduit 22 for
fresh water having a second temperature t2. It is possible, but not
necessary, to use a mixing element 54, for example a funnel, to mix
the water supplied by the second conduit 22 for fresh water having
a second temperature t2 and the third conduit 50 for fresh water
having a third temperature t3. In FIG. 2 the water valves 40, 52
are connected after the water heater 44 and the heat exchanger
element 14. It is also possible, in for example pressure less
systems, to connect the water valves 40, 52 before the water heater
44 and the heat exchanger element 14 (this is not shown).
[0045] In FIG. 1 the recuperated energy is used to preheat water
supplied to the mixer valve 42 and in FIG. 2 the recuperated energy
is used to preheat water supplied to the inlet of the water valve
40. It is also possible to preheat water supplied to the water
heater 44. This is shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 is exactly
the same except from that the water heater 44 is connected to the
first conduit 18 for fresh water having a first temperature t1 in
FIG. 1 and that the water heater 44 is connected to the second
conduit 22 for fresh water having a second temperature t2 in FIG.
3. Further, it is also possible to preheat water supplied to both
the mixer valve 42 and the water heater 44. This is shown in FIG.
4. FIG. 4 is exactly the same as FIG. 3 except from that both the
mixer valve 42 and the water heater 44 is connected to the second
conduit 22 for fresh water having a second temperature t2 in FIG. 4
and that the mixer valve 42 is not connected to the second conduit
22 for fresh water having a second temperature t2 in FIG. 3. It is
also possible to preheat water supplied to both the water valve 40
and the water heater 44 (this is not shown). The preheated water is
often used for showering or washing, therefore the fresh water
having a first temperature t1 advantageously is tap water. The tap
water can be potable water or process water.
[0046] FIG. 1-4 show, as mentioned above, that the first conduit 18
is connected to the heat exchanger element 14 with the first
connection 16 and that the second conduit 22 is connected to the
heat exchanger element 14 with the second connection 20. The first
connection 16 and the second connection 20 are, as mentioned above,
arranged inside the drain compartment 2. Thus, there are no
connections connecting the heat exchanger element 14 to the first
conduit 18 and to the second conduit 22 outside the drain
compartment 2.
[0047] No hidden connections, such as coupling elements, are
present between the first connection 16 and the water heater 44 in
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and between the first connection 16 and the mixer
valve 42 in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. Thus, the first conduit 18 is
continuous between the first connection 16 and the water heater 44
in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and between the first connection 16 and the
mixer valve 42 in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.
[0048] There are also no hidden connections present between the
second connection 20 and the inlet of the mixer valve 42 in FIG. 1
and FIG. 4, between the second connection 20 and the water valve 40
in FIG. 2 and between the second connection 20 and the water heater
44 in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. Thus, the second conduit 22 is continuous
between the second connection 20 and the inlet of a mixer valve 42
in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, between the second connection 20 and the
water valve 40 in FIG. 2 and between the second connection 20 and
the water heater 44 in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4
[0049] Since no such hidden connections are needed the risk of
water leakage between the conduit 18, 22 and the coupling element
16, 20 is eliminated. Thus, damages due to water leakage in floor
and wall elements can therefore be avoided.
[0050] The floor drain 1 will further be described with reference
to FIG. 5-8. FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the floor drain 1,
wherein the floor drain 1 is exploded and FIG. 6 shows a
perspective view of the floor drain 1, wherein the floor drain 1 is
assembled.
[0051] The floor drain 1 comprises the drain compartment 2 having a
bottom 4, four sides 6 and an open upper portion 8. The sides 6 and
the bottom 4 together define a space 10 to collect waste water. The
floor drain 1 further comprises a heat exchanger element 14,
receivable in the space 10 of the drain compartment 2, for
transferring heat present in the waste water to the fresh water
inside the heat exchanger element 14. The bottom 4 of the drain
compartment 2 comprises an opening 11. The opening 11 assures that
the waste water in the drain compartment 2 is emptied when the
floor drain 1 is not used.
[0052] The heat exchanger element 14 is connected with a first
connection 16 to the first conduit 18 for fresh water having a
first temperature t1 and with the second connection 20 to a second
conduit 22 for fresh water having a second temperature t2. One side
6 of the drain compartment 2 comprises two openings 56, 56' (shown
in FIG. 5). The first conduit 18 is arranged through the opening 56
and the second conduit 22 is arranged through the opening 56. It is
also possible to arrange the first conduit 18 through the opening
56 and to arrange the second conduit 22 through the opening 56. The
first conduit 18 and the second conduit 22 are thereby arranged
both inside the drain compartment 2 and outside the drain
compartment 2 (i.e. inside the floor 48). The dashed lines in FIG.
6-8 show the extension of the first conduit 18 and the second
conduit 22.
[0053] Preferably, a sealing (not shown) is arranged between the
first conduit 18 and the opening 56 and a further sealing (not
shown) is arranged between the second conduit 22 and the opening
56' so that no water can exit from the drain compartment 2, through
the openings 56, 56 and into the floor 48. It is also possible to
connect the heat exchanger element 14 with the first connection 16
to a pipe-in-pipe (not shown) and with the second connection 20 to
a further pipe-in-pipe (not shown). A pipe-in-pipe (also called
PiP) is a pipe inserted inside a protective conduit pipe. If
pipe-in-pipes are used, the outer protective conduit pipes function
as sealings against the openings 56, 56'.
[0054] The fresh water entering the heat exchanger element 14 has
the first temperature t1 and the fresh water exiting the heat
exchanger element 14 has the second temperature t2. During
showering (and if, as mentioned above, the fourth temperature t4 is
higher than the first temperature t1) the fresh water inside the
heat exchanger element 14 will absorb energy, from the waste water
inside the drain compartment 2, when passing through the heat
exchanger element 14 and as a result the second temperature t2 is
raised. Thus, the second temperature t2 becomes higher than the
first temperature t1.
[0055] The first connection 16 and the second connection 20 are
arranged inside the space 10 of the drain compartment 2. The first
connection 16 and the second connection 20 can comprise couplings
or be welded connections. The couplings can for example be swivel
couplings. A swivel coupling is a coupling between two parts
enabling one to revolve without turning the other. If the first
connection 16 and the second connection 20 are arranged as
swivelling couplings, the heat exchanger element 14 is allowed to
be pivoted between a first position pi and a second position p2.
Thereby the first connection 16 and the second connection 20 can be
flexible connections. According to this embodiment, the conduits
18, 22 may be made of a stiff material, such as copper or steel.
The heat exchanger element 14 is preferably made of a material with
a high thermal conductivity and a high corrosion resistance, for
example copper, to achieve high heat exchange efficiency between
the waste water in the drain compartment 2 and the fresh water
inside the heat exchanger element 14.
[0056] The drain compartment 2 further comprises a partition wall
25 removably arranged within the space 10 of the drain compartment
2 and under the heat exchanger element 14. The partition wall 25
comprises at least one waste water outlet 12, 13 and a drain
control unit 26 having walls 28 encircling a waste water outlet 12.
The walls 28 are protruding upward from the partition wall 25 and
the walls 28 are also protruding above the heat exchanger element
14 when the heat exchanger element 14 is arranged in a first
position pi. The first position pi is described further below.
Thereby the whole heat exchanger element 14 is completely submerged
in the waste water filled in the drain compartment 2 and the energy
present in the waste water is efficiently transferred to the fresh
water inside the heat exchanger element 14. The waste water outlets
12, 13 and the opening 11 allow completely emptying of the drain
compartment 2. Thereby the risk of reduced thermal efficiency of
the heat exchanger element 14 is reduced. The ability to empty the
drain compartment 2 also reduces the risk of mold formation in the
waste water in the space 10 of the drain compartment 2 and thereby
also the risk of obnoxious smells from the floor drain 1 is
reduced.
[0057] The floor drain 1 further comprises a waste water guiding
element 34 removably arranged within the space 10 of the drain
compartment 2 and above the heat exchanger element 14. The waste
water guiding element 34 is arranged to slope downwards towards the
heat exchanger element 14 with an angle a in relation to the open
upper portion 8 of the drain compartment 2. The angle a is
preferably between about 0.01.degree. and about 15.degree.. The
waste water guiding element 34 is provided with second openings 36
via which waste water is arranged to enter the space 10 of the
drain compartment 2. The second openings 36 are arranged in a row
in a lowermost part of the waste water guiding element 34. It is
preferable that the size of the second openings 36 is not too large
to prevent foreign substances from flowing into the drain
compartment 2.
[0058] The second openings 36 for waste water in the waste water
guiding element 34 is orientated in relation to the waste water
outlets 12, 13 in the partition wall 25 such that flow of waste
water in the space 10 of the drain compartment 2 is directed in a
direction essentially opposite to the direction of the fresh water
in the heat exchanger element 14. Thus, the heat exchanger element
14 is operated in counter flow. The best efficiency of a
liquid-liquid heat exchanger is obtained if the two liquids,
between which energy is transferred, flow in opposite
directions.
[0059] The partition wall 25 and/or the water guiding element 34
may be corrugated in order to guide waste water in suitable
directions in between different parts of the heat exchanger element
14.
[0060] The floor drain 1 further comprises a cover 30 removably
arranged upon the open upper portion 8 of the drain compartment 2
and provided with first openings 32 via which waste water is
arranged to enter the space 10 of the drain compartment 2. If the
floor drain 1 does not comprise a waste water guiding element 34,
the first openings 32 for waste water in the cover 30 are
preferably orientated in relation to the waste water outlets 12, 13
in the partition wall 25 such that flow of waste water in the space
10 of the drain compartment 2 is directed in a direction
essentially opposite to the direction of the fresh water in the
heat exchanger element 14. In such way the heat exchanger element
14 is operated in counter flow. If the floor drain 1 comprises a
waste water guiding element 34, the first openings 32 for waste
water in the cover 30 are preferably arranged over the whole waste
water guiding element 34. In such way waste water is easily drained
from the floor in which the floor drain 1 is arranged. The floor
drain 1 can comprise a drain trap (not shown) in connection to the
waste water outlets 12, 13.
[0061] The drain trap can be arranged in the opening 11. If the
floor drain 1 does not comprise a drain trap it is called a
scupper.
[0062] The heat exchanger element 14 is pivotably arranged between
a first position pi and a second position p2. The first position pi
is a position wherein the whole heat exchanger element 14 is
received within the drain compartment 2, which is shown in FIG. 7.
The second position p2 is a position wherein the whole heat
exchanger element 14 is not received within the drain compartment
2, which is shown in FIG. 8. The heat exchanger element 14 can be
pivotably arranged by using for example a first conduit 18 for
fresh water having a first temperature t1 comprising a flexible
material and a second conduit 22 for fresh water having a second
temperature t2 comprising a flexible material. The flexible
material will flex when the heat exchanger element 14 is pivoted
between the positions pi and p2. The heat exchanger element 14 is
pivotable about an axis A, which axis A is substantially parallel
with one straight side 6 of the drain compartment 2. It is possible
for the floor drain 1 to have several straight sides 6 and it is
also possible for the floor drain 1 to not have any straight sides
6, for example if the floor drain 1 has a round shape.
[0063] During use of the floor drain 1, for example during
showering, the heat exchanger element 14 is arranged in the first
position pi. During cleaning of the floor drain 1, the cover 30,
the partition wall 25 and the waste water guiding element 34 are
removed from the floor drain 1 and the heat exchanger element 14 is
pivoted from the first position pi to the second position p2. Then
it is possible to easily clean the cover 30, the partition wall 25,
the waste water guiding element 34 and the heat exchanger element
14. Thereby it is also possible to access a drain trap (not shown)
if provided in the opening 11.
[0064] The present invention is of course not in any way restricted
to the preferred embodiments described above, but many
possibilities to modifications, or combinations of the described
embodiments, thereof should be apparent to a person with ordinary
skill in the art without departing from the basic idea of the
invention as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *