APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING HOT WATER

Abstract

An apparatus for providing hot water, wherein the apparatus includes: a water storage container; a heating element for heating water positioned within the water storage container; and a tap, wherein the tap is positioned above the water storage container, wherein the tap is fluidically connected to the water storage container via a pipeline, wherein the pipeline comprises a pump, wherein the pipeline is at least partly formed as a riser within or through the water storage container.

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) for providing hot water (12), wherein the apparatus (1) comprises: a water storage container (10); a heating element (14) for heating water (12) positioned within the water storage container (10); and a tap (24), wherein the tap (24) is positioned above the water storage container (10), wherein the tap (24) is fluidically connected to the water storage container (10) via a pipeline (26), wherein the pipeline (26) comprises a pump (30), and wherein the pipeline (26) is at least partly formed as a riser (28) within or through the water storage container (10).

2. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the water storage container (10) is an open water storage container (10).

3. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the pipeline (26) comprises a drain valve (36) for draining the water (12) from the pipeline (26) or parts thereof, wherein the drain valve (36) comprises a tapping position and a draining position, wherein the water storage container (10) and the tap (24) are fluidically connected to each other via the riser (28) if the drain valve (36) is in the tapping position.

4. The apparatus (1) according to claim 3, wherein the drain valve (36) is a three-two-way valve.

5. The apparatus (1) according to claim 3, wherein the tap (24) and the water storage container (10) are connected fluidically to each other via the pipeline (28), if the drain valve (36) is in the draining position.

6. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the tap (24) is additionally fluidically connected to a second water source and the pipeline (26) comprises a non-return valve (32).

7. The apparatus (1) according to claim 6, wherein the pipeline (26) comprises a pressure relief valve (39) between the drain valve (36) and the non-return valve (32).

8. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the pump (30) is a booster pump.

9. The apparatus (1) according to claim 8, wherein the pump (30) is positioned beneath the water storage container (10).

10. The apparatus (1) according to claim 8, wherein the pipeline (26) is fluidically connected to a bottom section (11) of the water storage container (10).

11. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the pump (30) is an intake pump.

12. The apparatus (1) according to claim 11, wherein the pump (30) is positioned above the water storage container (10).

13. The apparatus (1) according to claim 11, wherein the riser (28) comprises a water inlet (29), wherein the water inlet (29) is positioned above a bottom section (11) of the water storage container (10) and below a nominal water level.

14. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein a distance D between the riser (28) and the heating element (14) within the water storage container (10) is larger than or equal to a safety distance Ds.

15. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the heating element (14) is configured to heat the water (12) within the water storage container (10) to a temperature between 90° C. and 100° C.

16. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pipeline comprises a drain valve for draining the water from the pipeline or parts thereof, wherein the drain valve comprises a tapping position and a draining position, wherein the water storage container and the tap are fluidically connected to each other via the riser if the drain valve is in the tapping position, wherein the drain valve is a three-two-way valve, and wherein the tap and the water storage container are connected fluidically to each other via the pipeline, if the drain valve is in the draining position.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the tap is additionally fluidically connected to a second water source and the pipeline comprises a non-return valve, wherein the pipeline comprises a pressure relief valve between the drain valve and the non-return valve, and wherein the pump is a booster pump.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the pump is positioned beneath the water storage container, and wherein the pipeline is fluidically connected to a bottom section of the water storage container.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein a distance D between the riser and the heating element within the water storage containeris larger than or equal to a safety distance Ds.

20. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the heating element is configured to heat the water within the water storage container to a temperature between 90° C. and 100° C.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the examples shown in the drawings, in which the following is shown:

[0044] FIG. 1: an embodiment of the invention comprising a booster pump;

[0045] FIG. 2: an embodiment of the invention comprising a drain valve;

[0046] FIG. 3: an embodiment of the invention comprising an intake pump.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] FIG. 1 shows an apparatus 1 for providing hot water 12. The apparatus comprises a water storage container 10. When in operation, the water storage container 10 is filled with water 12. The water 12 is heated by a heating element 14. The heating element 14 may preferably be a heating resistance or a heating coil, which is electrically connected to an external power source (not shown).

[0048] The heating element 14 is configured to heat the water 12 within the water storage container 10. The water 12 may have a temperature between 90° C. and 100° C., preferably between 95° C. and 97° C. To prevent the unnecessary heating of the water 12 within the water storage container 10 by the heating element 14, the water storage container 10 may be thermally isolated with isolating material.

[0049] A water source 16 provides water 12 to be filled into the water storage container 10. Therefore, the water source 16 is fluidically connected to the water storage container 10 via a non-return valve 18, a manometric switch 20 and a valve 22. The valve 22 may take two positions. In a first position, the valve 22 is open and water 12 flows from the water source 16 into the water storage container 10. In a second position, the valve 22 is closed, which disrupts the flow of water 12. If the valve 22 is in the second position, no water 12 flows into the water storage container 10. The non-return valve 18 and the manometric switch 20 are optional components of the apparatus 1.

[0050] The apparatus 1 further comprises a tap 24 for tapping water 12. The tap 24 is positioned above the water storage container 10. Preferably, the tap 24 may be built onto a kitchenette, kitchen cabinet, kitchen unit or the like. The water storage container 10 and the other components can then be built into the kitchenette, kitchen cabinet, kitchen unit or the like respectively. If the apparatus 1 is installed in this way, it may be more appealing to a user, since the water storage container 10 and the other components are hidden within the kitchen furniture.

[0051] The tap 24 is fluidically connected to the water storage container 10 via a pipeline 26. The pipeline 28 is formed at least partly as a riser 28 within or through the water storage container 10. In other words, the pipeline 26 runs through the water storage container 10. In FIG. 1, the pipeline 26 enters the water storage container 10 in a bottom section 11 of the water storage container 10 and exits the water storage container 10 at a top section of the water storage container 10. In FIG. 1, the latter is formed as an opening 13. Between these two sections, the pipeline 26 is formed as the riser 28. The outside of the riser 28 is in contact with the heated water 12 within the water storage container 10. The inside of the riser 28 is in contact with the water 12, which will be provided to the tap 24 before the water 12 from the water storage container 10 reaches the tap 24. Thus, the heated water 12 within the water storage container 10 keeps the riser 28 and the water 12 within hot. A user tapping hot water 12 from tap 24 will first receive the water 12 from the riser 28 and then shortly afterwards the water 12 from the water storage container 10. Thus, the temperature of the received water is maximized.

[0052] The distance D is measured between the heating element 14 and the riser 28. It is larger than a safety distance Ds, which indicates the minimum distance at which the risk for the riser being exposed to too much heat is reduced.

[0053] The pipeline 26 comprises a pump 30 to pump the water 12 against gravity towards the tap 24. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the pump 30 is a booster pump, which increases the pressure applied to it at its inlet port. The pressure, which is applied to the inlet port of the pump 30, comes from the water column of the water 12 within the water storage container 10. The pressure is boosted to press the water 12 against gravity towards the tap 24.

[0054] In flow direction behind the pump 30, the pipeline further comprises a non-return valve 32 to prevent water 12 from flowing back towards the water storage container 10. This is especially important, if the tap 24 is additionally fluidically connected to a second water source (not shown) like a cold water source or the common water line. Latter is under pressure to provide flowing water in higher floors of a building. The water storage container 10 is an open water storage container 10. Water 12 flowing back to the water storage container 10 uncontrollably would lead to water 12 flooding the water storage container 10 and probably leaking out of the apparatus 1. Therefore, the non-return valve 32 behind the pump prevents flooding and leakage of the apparatus 1.

[0055] The apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 further comprises a hull 34. The hull 34 protects the water storage container 10 and other components of the apparatus 1 from taking damage due to accidental shocks and shaking. The hull 34 further protects the water storage container 10 from dust and other items being stored within a surrounding kitchen unit or the like. To fluidically connect the water storage container 10 to the atmosphere, the hull 34 must not be closed. The hull 34 needs at least a hole or an opening somewhere to let air into and out of the hull 34.

[0056] Furthermore, the hull 34 protects the user from accidentally touching the heated water storage container 10 from receiving an electric shock from the electronic components of the apparatus 1. Thus, the hull protects the user from injuries.

[0057] FIG. 2 shows a modification of the apparatus 1 from FIG. 1. In comparison to the apparatus 1 of FIG. 1, the pipeline 26 of the apparatus 1 of FIG. 2 comprises additionally a drain valve 36. The drain valve 36 has three ports and may take two different positions, a tapping position and a draining position. Thus, the drain valve 36 is a three-two-way valve. In alternate embodiments, the drain valve may comprise more ports, more positions or both.

[0058] FIG. 2 shows the drain valve 38 in the tapping position. Two of the three ports are connected to the pipeline 26. Water 12, which is pumped by the pump 30 from the water storage container 10 towards the tap 24 flows through the drain valve 36, if the drain valve 36 is in the tapping position. The third port of the drain valve 36 is fluidically connected to a return line 38.

[0059] The return line 38 is fluidically connected to the water storage container 10. If the drain valve 36 is in the draining position, the water storage container 10 and the tap 24 are connected to each other fluidically via the drain valve 36 and the return line 38. Then, the tap 24 fulfills the function of an air inlet enabling the water 12 within the pipeline 26 between the drain valve 36 and the tap 24 can flow back into the water storage container 10 via the return line 38.

[0060] The pipeline 26 may further comprise a pressure relief valve 39 to prevent the riser 28, the non-return valve 32 or the drain valve 36 from taking damage due to overpressure within the riser. If the pressure within the riser is too high, the pressure relief valve 39 may release water or water steam into the water storage container or into the atmosphere. In alternate embodiments (not shown) the pressure relief valve 39 may be positioned anywhere between the non-return valve 32 and the drain valve 36. In FIG. 2, the pressure relief valve 39 is positioned above the water level. In alternate embodiments, the pressure relief valve 39 may be positioned below the water level.

[0061] FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the apparatus 1 according to the invention. In this embodiment, the pipeline 26 comprises a pump 30, which is an intake pump and positioned above the water storage container 10. The inlet pump draws the water 12 from the water storage container 10 against gravity through water inlet 29 and the riser 28 towards the tap 24. To prevent water 12 from a second water source (not shown), which may be fluidically connected to the tap 24 as well, from flooding the water storage container 10, the pipeline 26 further comprises a non-return valve 32 between the pump 30 and the tap 24.

[0062] In a further embodiment of the apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 3, the pipeline 26 may comprises a drain valve 36 like the one shown in FIG. 2 between the non-return valve 32 and the tap 24.