DEVICE FOR HEATING AIR

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a device for heating air. A temperature sensor measures a temperature of the combustion air which is supplied to a burner. A monitoring unit evaluates the measured values in order to monitor the device.

Claims

1. A device for heating air, comprising: a housing, a burner, a combustion air fan, a combustion air supply, a fuel supply, a flue gas discharge, a heat exchanger, an air circulation fan, a temperature sensor, a data memory, and a monitoring unit, wherein the housing comprises at least the burner, the combustion air fan, the fuel supply, the heat exchanger, and the air circulation fan, wherein the burner generates thermal energy by combusting a fuel-combustion air mixture, wherein the combustion air fan supplies combustion air from the combustion air supply to the burner, wherein the fuel supply supplies fuel to the burner, wherein the flue gas discharge discharges flue gas produced by the combustion of the fuel-combustion air mixture, wherein the heat exchanger transfers the thermal energy to the air to be heated, wherein the air circulation fan supplies the air to be heated to the heat exchanger, wherein the temperature sensor measures a temperature of the combustion air, wherein the monitoring unit evaluates the measured values of the temperature sensor using data that is stored in the data memory, and wherein, based on the evaluation, the monitoring unit monitors the device-preferably the air circulation fan.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is adapted to be operated at a plurality of power levels, wherein the power levels can be selected by an adjusting device, and wherein the monitoring unit evaluates the measured values as a function of the selected power level.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring unit evaluates the measured values as a function of an outside temperature.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring unit evaluates the measured values with a view to whether a temperature limit value has been exceeded, wherein in the event that the temperature limit value has been exceeded, the monitoring unit determines a temperature gradient from the measured values, wherein the monitoring unit compares the determined temperature gradient with a gradient limit value and generates a comparison result, and wherein in the event that the comparison result means that the gradient limit value has been exceeded, the monitoring unit signals an error-preferably an error of the air circulation fan.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the temperature limit value and/or the gradient limit value are/is dependent on the selected power level and/or the outside temperature.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the combustion air supply and the flue gas discharge are configured and arranged in relation to each other such that a transfer of thermal energy between the flue gas and the combustion air is allowed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] In detail, there are a large number of possibilities for further designing and developing the device according to the present disclosure. In this regard, reference is made on the one hand to the claims that are dependent on the independent claim, on the other hand to the following description of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawing, in which:

[0015] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0016] FIG. 1 schematically shows the structure of a device for heating air and a liquid. The air is, for example, the room air of a caravan or motorhome. The two connections indicatedhere on the right-hand sideare connected to the environment surrounding the room, i.e. around the caravan or motorhome. The components of the device are described here in terms of their functional cooperation.

[0017] The device has a housing 1. Located therein is a burner 2, which is supplied with combustion air by a combustion air fan 3 and with a fuel, e.g. diesel fuel, by a fuel supply 5. The resulting mixture is combusted in the burner 2 to release thermal energy. The heat exchanger 7 transfers the thermal energy to the room air which is led past it by the air circulation fan 8. During combustion, the burner 2 also generates a flue gas, which is discharged from the device and also from the interior, the air of which is heated, downstream of the heat exchanger 7 via a flue gas discharge 6. The flue gas discharge 6 is configured in such a way here that it can transfer a remaining thermal energy to the combustion air in the combustion air supply 4 and thus preheat it. The power level of the device can be preset by a user by means of the adjusting device 12 which, by way of example, is configured to be separate from the device here.

[0018] If the air circulation fan 8 does not operate properly in the event of a fault, the thermal energy is not dissipated from the heat exchanger 7 and it may be damaged. To prevent this, the temperature of the combustion air 3 supplied is measured using the temperature sensor 9. In this configuration, the temperature sensor 9 is arranged in the interior of the housing 1 and therefore measures the temperature of the combustion air within the housing 1.

[0019] The relationship between the heat exchanger 7 and the temperature of the combustion air is given in the illustrated embodiment in that the heat exchanger 7 also heats the interior of the housing 1 and thus has an effect on the air conducted within the housing 1. Furthermore, if the circulating air fan 8 is not working or is not working properly, the flue gas has a higher thermal energy, which is transferred to the inflowing combustion air by the system made up of the flue gas discharge 6 and the combustion air supply 4.

[0020] The monitoring unit 11 evaluates the measured values of the temperature sensor 9, taking reference values from a data memory 10. In addition, it receives information from the adjusting device 12 about which power level is the current one. In the embodiment illustrated, the monitoring unit 11 and also the data memory 10 are offset from the housing 1. In an alternative designnot illustratedthe monitoring unit 11 and the data memory 10 are located in or at the housing 1.

[0021] The monitoring unit 11 requires reference data from the data memory 10, the reference data depending on the current power level and the outside temperature outside the room that is heated by the device. The outside temperature describes which is the temperature of the combustion air outside the room and, in particular, before an interaction with the device and its components. The reference data is, for one, a temperature limit value and, for another, a gradient limit value.

[0022] When the temperature exceeds the temperature limit value, the monitoring unit 11 becomes active and determines the extent by which the temperature develops. This means that the gradient of the temperature is determined. If this gradient is above the gradient limit value, this is an indication that the device heats up too quickly and that not sufficient thermal energy is dissipated. This is therefore an indication that the air circulation fan 8 does not work or does not work sufficiently.

[0023] While the disclosure has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.