ELECTRIC BOILER

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an electric boiler.

BACKGROUND ART

A variety of electric boilers are well known used to heat at least one operating fluid, usually water, flowing into a building's heating system to warm the rooms thereof.

Generally, these types of boilers are provided with a large tank containing several liters of operating fluid wherein heating means, such as one or more heating elements, are immersed for the purpose of heating the operating fluid.

In this way, the heated fluid is conveyed along a distribution line that makes it flow through appropriate heat exchangers, such as e.g. radiators or the like, placed in the rooms to be heated, and through which the heat accumulated by the fluid is transferred to the room.

Next, the operating fluid returns to the inside of the source tank to accumulate new heat and flow back down the distribution line, substantially in a closed loop.

At the same time, these types of boilers can also be used to supply one or more users with hot water, e.g., to perform common household activities or the like.

However, these boilers do have some drawbacks.

In fact, these types of boilers take a long time to come up to temperature, that is, to bring the operating fluid inside the tank to a high enough temperature for the system to quickly heat one or more rooms.

In fact, the operating fluid progressively gives up heat to the rooms through the distribution line and returns to the boiler at a temperature substantially comparable to or lower than the starting temperature.

Therefore, the heating means take a long time to bring the operating fluid to a substantially constant temperature throughout the system.

This phenomenon happens frequently, e.g., during winter periods and/or when activating the boiler after a long time of inactivity.

In addition, this phenomenon is aggravated by the large volumes of fluid to be heated inside the tank and the extension of the distribution line.

In fact, with particular reference to the systems provided with particularly extensive distribution lines, it frequently happens that the last rooms reached by the operating fluid heat up much more slowly than the first ones, thus creating a noticeable temperature difference between the different rooms.

This phenomenon is particularly present in systems that are also responsible for heating one or more rooms outside buildings, as well as one or more rooms inside.

Consequently, this drawback makes the use of the boilers of known type particularly inconvenient, expensive and ineffective.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The main aim of the present invention is to devise an electric boiler that allows the operating fluid to be brought to a sufficiently high temperature substantially throughout the system in a shorter time than boilers of known types.

A further object of the present invention is to devise an electric boiler that allows for substantially uniform heating of several rooms to be heated.

An additional object of the present invention is to devise an electric boiler that allows heating systems to easily and quickly heat both internal and external rooms of buildings.

Another object of the present invention is to devise an electric boiler that can overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art within the framework of a simple, rational, easy and effective to use as well as affordable solution.

The aforementioned objects are achieved by this electric boiler having the characteristics of claim 1.

The aforementioned objects are achieved by this heating system having the characteristics of claim 9.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of an electric boiler, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet non-limiting example, in the accompanying tables of drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a cutaway view of the boiler according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an axonometric view of some components of the boiler according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view of the system according to the invention.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally denotes an electric boiler.

The electric boiler 1 comprises:

• • at least one hermetically sealed container body 2 defining at least one containment volume 3 of at least one heat transfer fluid 4 to be heated;
  • heating means 5, immersed in the heat transfer fluid 4 and electrically operable to heat the latter;
  • conveying means 6 of at least one operating fluid 7 through the container body 2, comprising at least one conveying body 8 passing through the containment volume 3 immersed in the heat transfer fluid 4 to enable the latter to transmit heat to the operating fluid 7 circulating along the same conveying body.

Preferably, the operating fluid 7 is intended to heat one or more rooms 22, 23.

In fact, according to the invention, the conveying means 6 are preferably connected along a distribution line 9 of the operating fluid 7 in one or more rooms 22, 23 to be heated, such as the rooms of a building, a flat or the like.

Usefully, the conveying body 8 defines at least one predefined path of the operating fluid 7 passing through the container body 2.

In this way, the operating fluid 7 acquires heat from the heat transfer fluid 4 as it travels the predefined path.

Preferably, the conveying body 8 is made of a thermally conductive material, such as e.g. copper or similar materials, so as to facilitate heat conduction between the heat transfer fluid 4 and the operating fluid 7.

Advantageously, the heat transfer fluid 4 is adapted to store the heat generated by the heating means 5.

In fact, the heat transfer fluid 4 is confined within the container body 2 and therefore stores heat quickly. Thus, the heat transfer fluid 4 quickly stores heat energy that is transferred to the operating fluid 7.

In other words, the heat transfer fluid 4 defines a heat stock constantly supplied by the heating means 5.

This expedient significantly facilitates the heat exchange between the heating means 5 and the operating fluid 7, which is heated much faster in comparison with the boilers of known type.

Advantageously, the heating means 5 are arranged in the proximity of the conveying body 8.

In this way, heating of the operating fluid 7 is facilitated by the proximity between the heating means and the conveying body 8.

In addition, the container body 2 is provided with at least one containment surface 10 which delimits the boundaries of the containment volume 3 and which is arranged in the proximity of the heating means 5 and of the conveying body 8 to limit the extent of the containment volume 3 itself.

Preferably, the containment surface 10 minimizes the distance between the heating means 5 and the conveying body 8.

Usefully, the containment volume 3 is substantially entirely occupied by the heating means 5 and by the conveying body 8, while the heat transfer fluid 4, given its characteristics, substantially fills the spaces inevitably left between the heating means 5 and the conveying body 8. The width of these spaces is the result of the conformation of the heating means 5, of the conveying body 8 and of the mutual arrangement of these, which is also influenced by the same conformations.

Advantageously, the volume occupied by the heat transfer fluid 4 within the containment volume 3 is less than the sum of the volumes occupied, within the same containment volume, by the heating means 5 and by the conveying body 8.

It cannot also be ruled out that the volume occupied by the heat transfer fluid 4 within the containment volume 3 be less than the volume occupied, within the same containment volume, by the heating means 5.

In addition, it cannot be ruled out that the volume occupied by the heat transfer fluid 4 within the containment volume 3 be less than the volume occupied, within the same containment volume, by the conveying body 8.

In this way, the boiler 1 reduces the volume of the heat transfer fluid 4 contained within the containment volume 3 which, in this way, is heated rapidly.

Advantageously, the container body 2 defines at least one section 11 of the containment volume 3 occupied, substantially to size, by one of either the heating means 5 or the conveying body 8.

In addition, the container body 2 defines an additional section 11 of the containment volume 3 occupied substantially to size by the other of either the heating means 5 or the conveying body 8.

Usefully, the sections 11 face, adjacent to each other, to minimize the distance between the heating means 5 and the conveying body 8.

Preferably, such sections 11 define the entirety of the containment volume 3.

According to the invention, the section 11 of the containment volume 3 occupied by the conveying body 8 is bounded by the containment surface 10 and by the heating means 5.

According to the invention, the section 11 of the containment volume 3 occupied by the heating means 5 is bounded by the containment surface 10 and by the conveying body 8.

Conveniently, the conveying body 8 is folded on itself.

Usefully, this expedient allows lengthening the predefined path followed by the operating fluid 7 inside the container body 2 and, therefore, increasing the residence time of the operating fluid 7 inside the conveying body 8.

Conveniently, this expedient makes it possible to increase the heat exchange surface of the conveying body 8.

Therefore, this expedient allows increasing the heat transfer between the heat transfer fluid 4 and the operating fluid 7.

According to the invention, the conveying body 8 is folded on itself several times, so as to further increase the heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid 4 and the operating fluid 7.

Usefully, the conveying body 8 is folded on itself several times in an orderly manner, so that it is arranged to size within the section 11 of containment volume 3 it occupies.

Usefully, the conveying body 8 comprises at least one heat exchange fin, not shown in the figures, which increases the contact surface of the same conveying body 8 with the heat transfer fluid 4. In this way, through the exchange fin, the conveying body 8 further increases the heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid 4 and the operating fluid 7.

Preferably, the heat exchange fin extends along substantially the entire conveying body 8.

Usefully, the heat exchange fin allows the conveying body 8 to occupy the corresponding section 11 to size.

Conveniently, the conveying body 8 comprises a plurality of conveying stretches 12 substantially parallel to each other.

Appropriately, each conveying stretch 12 is spaced apart from the others, so that the heat transfer fluid substantially envelops completely each conveying stretch 12.

In particular, the conveying body 8 is folded on itself to define the conveying stretches 12.

This expedient allows maximizing the length of the predefined path and the heat transfer surface of the conveying body 8.

This expedient makes it possible to increase the length of the predefined path and the heat exchange surface of the conveying body 8.

Usefully, the conveying stretches 12 are side by side parallel to each other, adjacent to each other, to make a substantially compact structure.

This expedient makes it possible to maximize the extent of the predefined path and of the heat exchange surface of the conveying body 8, while simultaneously minimizing the occupied containment volume 3.

Preferably, the conveying stretches 12 substantially define a coil.

According to the invention, the conveying body 8 is preferably a tubular body.

Advantageously, the boiler 1 comprises at least one access opening 13, made on the container body 2 and adapted to allow the extraction and introduction of the heat transfer fluid 4 inside the container body 2.

Appropriately, the boiler 1 comprises airtight closure means 14 such as e.g. a plug, adapted to close/open the access opening 13.

This expedient makes it easy to replace the heat transfer fluid 4.

Preferably, the boiler 1 comprises a pair of access openings 13.

Advantageously, the boiler 1 comprises coupling means, not shown in the figures, adapted to couple the heating means 5 to the container body 2 in a removable manner.

This expedient enables quick and easy replacement of the heating means 5.

Usefully, the boiler 1 comprises at least one containment body 15 within which the container body 2 is housed.

Preferably, the containment body 15 is a substantially rigid body.

Advantageously, the containment body 15 is made of a thermally insulating material.

The containment body 15 is preferably made of wood or similar materials.

Conveniently, the boiler 1 comprises at least one thermally insulating body 16 placed between the container body 2 and the containment body 15.

In other words, the container body 2 and the containment body 15 define a gap 17 between them. Preferably, the gap houses the thermally insulating body 16 and/or a fluid, such as e.g. air.

Advantageously, the gap facilitates the thermal insulation of the containment body 15 with the external room and therefore maximizes heat transfer to the operating fluid 7.

This effect is further increased when the thermally insulating body 16 is fitted into the gap.

According to the invention, the gap 17 substantially surrounds the container body 2 completely.

Preferably, the thermally insulating body 16 is of the type of a compressible body.

The thermally insulating body 16 is preferably made of rock wool or similar materials.

According to a further aspect, the present invention relates to a heating system 18.

The heating system 18 comprises:

• • a distribution line 9 of at least one operating fluid 7 in one or more rooms 22, 23 to be heated;
  • at least one boiler assembly 19 connected in a fluid-operated manner along the distribution line 9 and adapted to heat the operating fluid 7 circulating in the distribution line 9 to heat the room(s) 22, 23;
  • at least one boiler 1, the conveying means 6 of which are connected in a fluid-operated manner along the distribution line 9 to convey the operating fluid 7 through the container body 2.

According to the invention, the boiler assembly 19 is a boiler of known type.

Advantageously, the boiler 1 helps the boiler assembly 19 to bring the operating fluid 7 to temperature.

For example, the operating fluid 7 is heated by the boiler 1 before being introduced into the boiler assembly 19.

Consequently, the operating fluid 7 that reaches the boiler assembly 19 is at a significantly higher temperature than the initial temperature, and therefore the boiler assembly 19 brings the operating fluid 7 to temperature more easily and quickly.

In other words, in this case, the boiler 1 performs preheating of the operating fluid 7 that enters the boiler assembly 19.

Conveniently, the distribution line 9 comprises at least an outlet stretch 20 of the operating fluid 7 from the boiler assembly 19 and one inlet stretch 21 of the operating fluid 7 from the boiler assembly 19.

In addition, the boiler 1 is arranged in the proximity of the inlet stretch 21.

This expedient allows the operating fluid 7 to be heated just before it enters the boiler assembly 19, so as to maximize heat transfer between the heating means 5 and the operating fluid 7.

In fact, it is assumed that in the proximity of the inlet stretch 21, the operating fluid has given up most of its heat to the room(s) 22, 23 to be heated and therefore that the heat difference between the heating means 5 and the operating fluid 7 is particularly high, maximizing the heat transfer between them.

In contrast, arranging the boiler 1 in the proximity of the outlet stretch 20 does not result in significant advantages. In fact, it is assumed that the operating fluid 7 retains most of its heat in the proximity of the outlet stretch 20; however, this solution cannot also be ruled out.

Further embodiments of the system 18 cannot however be ruled out wherein the boiler 1 is arranged along the distribution line 9 at the end of a stretch of predefined length of the same; wherein, at the end of this stretch, the operating fluid 7 has given up most of the heat to the previous room(s) 22, 23.

In this way, the boiler 1 allows new heat to be imparted to the operating fluid 7 which, therefore, will be transferred to the room(s) 22, 23 that follow along the distribution line.

Further embodiments of the system 18 cannot also be ruled out wherein the system comprises a plurality of boilers 1 arranged along the distribution line 9 and wherein, preferably, each boiler 1 is arranged at the end of a respective stretch of predefined length.

Alternative embodiments of the system 18 cannot be ruled out, wherein it comprises at least one boiler 1 arranged along the distribution line 9, upstream of an apparatus that, for its proper operation, must employ the operating fluid 7 at a temperature above a minimum threshold temperature.

Some examples of such apparatuses are antifreeze systems for outdoor surfaces, such as roofs, ramps, stairs and the like.

In fact, these apparatuses absorb large amounts of heat from the operating fluid 7 and significantly lengthen the time required for the same fluid to come to temperature.

Therefore, it cannot be ruled out that the distribution line 9 serves both internal rooms 22 and external rooms 23 in the building where there are such apparatuses, and where at least one boiler 1 is arranged along the distribution line 9, upstream of and in close proximity to the apparatus.

It has in practice been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects.

In particular, the fact is emphasized that the conveying body immersed in the heat transfer fluid contained in the container body allows the operating fluid to be brought to a sufficiently high temperature substantially throughout the system in a shorter time than in boilers of known type.

In addition, the joint operation of the boiler assembly and the boiler covered by the present invention allows for substantially uniform heating of the different rooms to be heated.

In addition, the joint operation of the boiler assembly and the boiler covered by the present invention allows for both internal and external rooms of buildings to be heated easily and quickly.