Capillary Proximity Heater

Abstract

A capillary proximity heating apparatus for heating fluids with high energy savings that has a microfiltration apparatus for the elimination of calcareous particles present in fluids having a proximal end and distal end; a low power electrically operated nozzle connected to the distal end of the microfiltration apparatus; one or multiple capillary tubes with high thermal transmissivity contained internal to the microfiltration apparatus; a bipolar electrical connection connected to the proximal end of the microfiltration apparatus; one or more hydraulic devices for opening and closing the fluid from flowing into the capillary tubes connected to the proximal end of the microfiltration apparatus; and an electronic board with multi-function display for controlling flow and temperature of the fluids and for integration of the electronics of the capillary proximity heating apparatus operably connected to the microfiltration apparatus.

Claims

1. A capillary proximity heating apparatus for heating fluids with high energy savings comprising: a) a high performance filter for microfiltration for the elimination of calcareous particles present in fluids having a proximal end and distal end; b) a nozzle connected to the distal end of the high performance filter for microfiltration; c) one or multiple capillary tubes with high thermal transmissivity comprising an electrical connection; d) a bipolar electrical connection connected to an electronic board with multi-function display for controlling flow and temperature of fluids and for integration of the electronics of the capillary proximity heating apparatus operably connected to the microfiltration apparatus control; and e) one or more micro hydraulic gate for opening and closing, allowing the fluids from flowing into capillary tubes connected to the proximal end of the microfiltration apparatus.

2. The heating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the high performance filter for microfiltration filters impurities between 15 and 50 microns.

3. The heating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the high performance filter for microfiltration filters at least 95% of limestone present in the fluid.

4. The heating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or multiple capillary tubes are made from steel.

5. The heating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or multiple capillary tubes are made from graphene.

6. The capillary proximity heating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heating apparatus generates a continuous heating of fluids at a desired temperature using constant electrical power.

7. The capillary proximity heating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the temperature of the fluid is adjusted by a change of the electrical power to a desired temperature.

8. The heating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluid is heated for industrial use, domestic use or both for industrial use and domestic use.

9. The heating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more than one capillary tubes are selected from the group consisting of a high or very high thermal transmissivity bare steel, a high or very high thermal transmissivity ceramic coated steel, a high or very high thermal transmissivity composite coated steel, or a high or very high thermal transmissivity plastic coated steel for food use.

10. The heating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more than one capillary tubes comprise fixed electrical connections that provide electrical voltage to the one or many capillary tubes that will be crossed by an electric current and heated by the Joule effect.

11. The heating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the invention is used to produce food or drinks for human consumption an item will be industrialized in an appropriate material for foods. Such materials are well known to the expert in the field.

12. The heating apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an electronic remote control a micro hydraulic gate that opens to supply hot fluids and to closed to stop the hot fluids.

13. The heating apparatus of claim 26, wherein the nozzle connected to the micro hydraulic gate for the exit of the hot fluids is connected to a closed circuit or heat exchanger, with a temperature detector connected to the electronic remote control.

14. The heating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heating and dispensing of the fluid is controlled by the electronic board that is constructed and calibrated for the entry of the fluid into the one or many capillary tubes to control a flow rate of the fluid and an atmospheric pressure induced by pumps moving the fluid and where the electrical power needed to heat the fluid to a desired temperature is more than 95% less that any other known heater system.

15. The heating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electric power provided by the bipolar electrical connection to heat the fluid to 89 degrees centigrade is three watts (3W).

16. The heating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the size of the one or multiple capillary tubes is between 0.13 mm and 1000.00 mm.

17. The heating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or multiple capillary tubes are aggregated into bundles to heat larger quantities of fluid for normal domestic or industrial use.

18. The heating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electronic control board is calibrated a desired temperature by varying electricity for each capillary tube.

19. The heating apparatus of claim 1, wherein one or multiple capillary tubes can be powered by a battery to provide the fluid out to a desired temperature without the need for mixing with cold water.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying figures where:

[0026] FIG. 1: Example of a circuit diagram of a traditional water (or generically fluid) heater known for the production of hot water (fluid).

[0027] FIG. 2: Illustration of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 3: Illustration of an example of an industrial application of the present invention in the automotive industry field for heating car's passenger seats.

[0029] FIG. 4: Circuit diagram of a further use in an appliance of the present invention, a domestic dispenser of hot drinks (tea, coffee, chocolate, tea, etc).

[0030] FIG. 5: Illustration of a further use in an appliance of the present invention, domestic dispenser of hot drinks (tea, coffee, chocolate, tea, etc).

SUMMARY

[0031] An object of the present invention is a capillary proximity heater with high energy savings, subject to appropriate electrical voltage and equipped, upstream of a microfiltration apparatus for the elimination of calcareous particles present in fluids and, downstream, of the nozzle or closed circuit comprising:

[0032] a) one or multiple capillary steel or graphene tubes with high thermal transmissivity;

[0033] b) a bipolar electrical connection;

[0034] c) one or more hydraulic devices for opening and closing the fluid flow into the capillary tubes;

[0035] d) one or more nozzles for the outflow of hot fluid, or links to closed circuit or heat exchangers;

[0036] e) an electronic board with multi-function display for controlling flow and temperature of the fluids according to the needs, the card can also be used for integration of the electronic structure of the apparatus (eg household appliance).

[0037] An object of the present invention is a capillary proximity heater with high energy saving that generates the continuous (if not adjusted) heating of fluids (eg water) at the desired temperature.

[0038] The direct use of this invention (faucets, showers, radiators etc.) or as support to other equipment such as washing machine, dishwasher, iron, machines to dispense hot drinks (eg coffee or tea), equipment for the creation of steam or, in the automotive field, for heating passenger compartments or seats of cars, is also an object of the present invention.

[0039] These and other objects of the present invention will be illustrated below in detail also by means of figures and examples.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0040] For the production of the proximity capillary heater with high energy savings, subjected to appropriate electrical voltage and equipped, upstream of the microfiltration apparatus for the elimination of calcareous particles present in fluids and, downstream, of the nozzle or connector, or closed circuit (FIG. 3) is used steel or graphene with high or very high thermal transmissivity, in case the invention is used to produce food or drinks for human consumption the item will be industrialized in an appropriate material for foods. Such materials are well known to the expert in the field. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, but not limited to, is utilized a high or very high thermal transmissivity steel capillary tube, either bare or coated with ceramic material or composite or plastic, for food use where necessary. In this capillary tube, which can be grouped in bundles as subsequently exposed (FIG. 3), are fixed (FIG. 2) electrical connections which provide electrical voltage to the capillary tube which will be, crossed by electric current and, therefore, by the Joule effect, heated. This invention, appropriately and adequately protected in accordance with current international safety regulations, and according to the technical specifications IPX8, has input of an electronic remote control hydraulic micro-gate that provides to open when you are asked to supply hot water (or hot fluids) and to close when the request is stopped. On the opposite side of the capillary tube (FIG. 2), is placed a nozzle for the exit of the hot water (or hot fluids) or for connection to a closed circuit or heat exchanger, with a temperature detector (6) connected to the electronic remote control. All the process of heating and dispensing, are controlled by an electronic card, of the prior art, which is adequately and appropriately constructed and calibrated for the entry of water in the capillary tube for the flow rate and pressure is atmospheric that it induced by pumps; the electrical power needed to heat the water to the desired temperature is more than 95% less that any other known heater system, by way of example this invenction goes from 1° Celsius for processing into steam according to the following table (degrees Celsius): Pressure [bar] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Temperature [° C.] 100 120 134 144 152 159 165 171 175 180 184 188 192 195 198 201 204 208 According to precise calculations the power in milliWatts needed to heat the water at the temperature of 89 degrees centigrade necessary, for example, to produce a cup of coffee is of 3 watt, more than 95% less than the energy today used by the apparatus for production of coffee drinks at home or professional. Upstream of the micro hydraulic gate is positioned a high performance filter, for microfiltration, with a preferred measurement of filtration of 20 microns, but still working in the range between 15 and 50 microns, over the slaughter of limestone for ion exchange to the extent of more than 95%, differentiable depending on water hardness, in particular area of use which shall thus retain not less than 95% of airborne particles and limestone to make sure that the capillary tube is always kept clean internally. The size of the nominal internal diameter of the tube varies from 0.13 mm (insulin needle) to 1000.00 mm. The tubes can also be aggregated into bundles, more or less large, such as to achieve aggregations that can heat larger quantities of water or fluid for normal domestic or industrial use (eg ¾ or 1 inch or larger). In these cases, the electronic control board will be adequately calibrated to handle the desired temperature by varying continuously the electrical flows for each capillary tube being within the beam intrinsically higher temperature than the outside to the effect of known physical laws. In a preferred embodiment of the capillary proximity heater with high energy saving, subject to appropriate electrical voltage and equipped, upstream of the microfiltration apparatus for the elimination of calcareous particles present in fluids and, downstream of the nozzle a bundle of tubes capillaries under the control of the electronic board provides heating of water as required at a temperature of 60° C., to serve the work of a washing machine. Even in this case the energy saving compared to a normal electrical resistance is greater than 60%. In another preferred embodiment, a suitable number of proximity boilers serving the phone of a shower (which due to the low consumption can be powered by a battery) by heating the capillary tubes that make the water out to the desired temperature without the need for mixing with water cold. A further preferred embodiment of the heater using proximity heating element. The water in a coffee machine involves heating of one or more capillary tubes capable to heat the water necessary for extraction from filter coffee or hot drinks. Also in this case the paucity of energy required means that it is not necessary the use of electrical current from the network, but that the whole operation can be performed with a battery with a power of 8 amperes at 3.7 Volt. A preferred embodiment of the boiler proximity to high energy savings is to make the heating of the seats and the cockpit of cars powered by combustion or electric engine (FIG. 3). Systems and leading technology, know that the absence of thermal engines on vehicles driven by electric power, stored in rechargeable batteries, is a serious problem for the winter heating of the cockpit and the seats of this type of vehicle, of difficult solution. The proximity heater also work in a closed circuit, with a remarkable energy saving, it can provide heating of the passenger compartment with the bundles of tubes properly placed serpentine on the floor and on the sky of the car as well as inside of the passenger seats or where desired. The electronic card suitably calibrated will bring the temperature of the passenger compartment that desired very quickly. The same proximity heater can be used as well as a heater for the outlet nozzles by means of hot air. The combination of the three systems generates comfortable heat and energy savings compared to the state of the art more than 60%.

Definitions

[0041] For purposes of the present invention with the term heater includes a heating apparatus of various known techniques, which may be operating with different types of fossil fuel, or various forms of energy. The heater has the task of heating fluids (e.g. water) for industrial use or both for domestic use e.g. shower, washing machine, dishwasher, flat iron, hot drinks machines (e.g. coffee and or tea), radiators, etc. Another possible application of this invention is, for example, the heating of car cockpits or the seat heating to warm the car.

[0042] In the context of the present invention for “Capillary proximity heater with high energy saving equipped upstream of a microfiltration apparatus for the elimination of calcareous particles present in fluids and downstream of a nozzle or closed circuit” means a heater that can be operated either electrically or with batteries or with electricity generators (fuel cell) thanks to the fact that the electric consumption of the invention is particularly low. In the context of the present invention for microfiltration apparatus we mean a filtering apparatus which retains impurities from 15 micron and at least 95% of limestone.

[0043] The present invention overcomes the technical problems described above, thanks to a new system that allows the heating of water with variable flow and with an important energy saving. This invention works by flows with extremely small microscopic sections of passage of fluids, with only a tube of capillary dimension. The flows for normal domestic or industrial sizing (eg ¾ or 1 inch or more up to 394 inches) can be made by multiplication in a bundle of capillary tubes or, separately, up to the number necessary to obtain the flow of hot fluid (eg water) which protrudes from a nozzle or by a connecting element (closed circuit) of the desired size. The fluid leaving or circulating is pressure and temperature controlled, through the use of an electronic system, of a known technology, suitably calibrated according to the type of desired result.

[0044] The use of the present invention allows an important energy saving compared to conventional heating systems of fluids (eg water) until now in use. This saving is quantifiable in not less than sixty percent (60%). The saving are generated by the combined effects of the use of a steel with very high transmissivity, the heat generated by electric poles appropriately positioned that, together, with the management of the electronic card, provides a proper balanced heat.

[0045] The present invention also solves other technical problems, drastically decrease the dispersion, does not require a mixer in order to reach the desired temperature. The item is regulated by an electronic card that is in managed by a display or multifunctional regulator with adjustable temperature and continuous flow of known art.

[0046] In case of aggregated bundles of capillary tubes also the heat balance from the outside of the beam to the center of the bundles is electronically controlled. This system allows a further saving due to the congruence of heated capillary tubes positioned next to each other, where the electronic card controls automatically, it determines constant and immediate energy power transmitted to each tube. The energy will be used gradually lower as closer you get to the center of the beam because the heat transfer is created, by convection and radiation, from the external capillary tubes to internal ones or also by conduction if the tubes are in contact between each other.

[0047] This invention also resolves the known problem relating to the accumulation, inside the pipe or in the proximity of joints, of limestone through the water (or fluid) microfiltration upstream of the capillary tube or tubes beam, with a preferred measure of 20 micron, however between a minimum of 15 micron and a maximum of 50 micron, over the slaughter of limestone for ion exchange effect to the extent of over 95%. The present invention also resolves the problem of a large period of thermal inertia, present in many appliances or heaters, reducing it drastically, by more than 95%, with an obvious increase of energy saving.

[0048] Considering that this invention produces an immediate heating of the desired fluid to the wanted temperature combined with the proximity of the nozzle leakage, or closed circuit, we obtain a further energy saving of over 60% due to the factors mentioned; this with a very substantial benefit to the environment and to the global economic cycle.

[0049] The necessary Joule quantity, for example, to heat the water quantity normally used by domestic machines to produce e.g. an express coffee, taking in consideration the heating time, the stand by time and also the erogation coffee time is normally between 50.000 to 90.000 Joule.

[0050] With our invention for the same operation the consumption is about 8000 Joule with an energy efficiency superior of 87%.