DESCRIPTION

This invention refers to electric boilers used to heat the interior of buildings.

Electrode boilers are widely used for heating purposes in buildings. Electrode boilers use the heat generated during the flow of alternating current through streams of water. The heat is then transferred to the radiators via a network of pipes.

Electrode boilers comprise a metal cylinder connected to the neutral conductor and an electrode connected to the current phase inside the cylinder. The cylinder and electrode are made of cast iron and there is electrical insulation at their point of contact. When the liquid flows through the cylinder, the electric current passes through and heats it.

The cylinder and electrode dimensions are standard and determine the apparatus electric output based on the electrode's contact area with the water or with the glycol-water mixture found in a closed loop circuit transferring the heat to the water inside the radiators via an exchanger.

The fact that the electrode surface is fixed is a drawback for such systems because electrical conductivity varies and is dependent on the existence of ions, the concentration, migration speed and valence thereof and on temperature variation; this results in the system not having a fixed capacity thus requiring an exchanger and a closed circuit wherein the glycol liquid is of a predetermined quality.

In case of current leakage, the cylinder is hazardous as it is not compliant with the electrical regulation, which provides for the existence of protective grounding.

Additional drawbacks to those heating systems are the following: the increased time required to reach the desirable temperature; the inability to regulate the operational electric load so as to simultaneously operate with other energy-consuming appliances; and the inability to manage and control the energy output.

Documents describing previous techniques: WO2009100486 A1/(MICROHEAT TECHNOLOGIES PTY LTD & AL) 20.08.2009, GB2268671 A/(ELECTRICITY ASS TECH, EA TECH LTD) 12.01.1994, US3688077 A/(WILLIAMS STANLEY AUSTEN) 29.08.1972, GB1499375 A/(GOETEBORGS ANALYSLABOR AB) 01.02.1978.

Patent 1008031 and the Patent Amendment with application number 20130100705 submitted by the same applicant form part of the present invention improving the efficiency output, operational safety and the cost of manufacturing of the Electrode boiler featuring variable and controlled output.

The purpose of this invention is to create an electrode boiler featuring variable and controlled output in accordance with what is stated above such a boiler being more efficient, safer, less costly to manufacture and ensuring variable and controlled operation output based on the thermal load required without an exchanger and a closed loop circuit for liquids.

According to the invention, this is achieved with the use of metal plates internally adjusted on a plastic core connected to the phase (single-phase) or phases of current (three-phase). The plastic core contains the neutral conductor, which is made of steel and comprises a solid cylindrical bar surrounded by the circuit liquid. The water inside the core is heated by the electricity flowing through it and comes out using a circulator.

The electrode boiler featuring variable and controlled output takes advantage of the heat that is rapidly generated when alternating current flows through streams of liquid. The liquid heated by the electrode boiler featuring variable and controlled output flows through the interconnected radiators which radiate the heat into the surrounding environment.

The efficiency output can be modified by using a priority controller, an electronic processing unit and a power unit according to the data received by the area and water sensors and by the user.

The priority controller comprises a microcontroller. Given the microcontroller is a standardised product widely used in built-in systems such as in automation and electronic products, its design features and operation are not analysed. It performs the following function: based on the consumption of power required by the remaining appliances in the facility, it distributes power first to such appliances and thereafter to the electrode boiler featuring variable and controlled output. In essence, the microcontroller receives from the facility panel-board the information concerning the power consumption, converts it into digital information and transfers it to the processing unit which uses its respective software in order to send a command to the power unit to reduce the power supplied.

The power unit comprises a microcontroller and an electronic power switch (solid state relay SSR or TRIAC), which are standardised products widely used in built-in systems such as in automation and electronic products and their design features and operations are not analysed. The power unit performs the following function: it receives commands from the electronic processing unit and distributes the electric power to the circuit.

If other power-consuming electric devices are turned on in the same electrical installation, the power unit reduces the consumption of power.

Power is supplied to the radiator via the power unit in the form of electrical pulses; electro-stimulation is achieved via electrical pulses, i.e. half-cycles of alternating current flowing through the liquid. Power is intermittently transferred to the electrical circuit via the SSRs. This is a difference as compared to all pre-existing systems transferring electrical power through liquids to generate heat. In the case of the autonomous electrode radiator, the power supply is intermittent using the power unit, and controlled by the processing unit.

This invention features the following: a) regulation of the heat output using a priority controller, an electronic processing unit and a power unit, irrespective of the conductivity of the water flowing through the plastic core; b) this invention may operate using both single-phase and three-phase current; when using three-phase electricity, each phase is connected to sets of three curved plates; c) this invention may be adjusted via the electronic processing unit so as to operate using specific amount of power; d) this invention does not require a closed circuit of liquid with a heat exchanger, thus reduces losses and improves the system's overall efficiency output.

This invention may be fully understood based on the following analytical description with reference to the attached drawings, wherein: Figure 1 presents a diagrammatic plan view of the parts comprising the present invention; the electronic processing unit (1); the area (2) and water (6) sensors; the priority controller (3); the power unit (4); the plastic core (5); the curved plates (7); the metal rod (8), the metal neutral spacer (9); and the screw sealing and connecting the electrodes (10).

The electronic processing unit (1) comprises a processor and a memory unit wherein the daily operation programme is stored. The water (6) and area (2) sensors, and the priority controller (3) are connected to the electronic processing unit (1).

The electronic processing unit (1) determines the operation of the power unit (4) and in essence controls the power used.

The power unit (4) receives control commands from the electronic processing unit (1) and distributes power to the circuit.

Using the priority controller (3), the power unit (4) reduces the consumption of electric power in the event that other power-consuming electric devices are turned on in the same electrical installation.

Figure 2 shows a perspective of the plastic core (5), which is made of plastic material in replacement of the cast iron cylinder ensuring insulation and reducing the risk of electric shock as it is not under load.

The metal rod (8) is made of steel and is placed inside the plastic core (5). Insulated curved metal plates (7) are arranged around the rod (8) inside the plastic core (5) without touching each other.

The curved metal plates (7) are connected to the electric power phases. The connections in this invention are reverse in comparison to the existing systems in the market.

The distribution of power via the power unit (4) is controlled electronically. The power unit (4) is controlled electronically by an electronic processing unit (1). The electronic processing unit (1) controls water temperature in real time by using water sensors (6) located in the water supply input and output, and area sensors (2) respectively. According to the information received from the above sensors, the power unit (4) distributes the electrical load pursuant to the power set, so as to achieve the desirable water output temperature.

In case of malfunction in the electronic processing unit (1) or if the temperature sensor (6) shows that output water temperature exceeds 90°C, then the power unit (4) shall interrupt the power supply via a safety fuse. If a current phase is lost when operating in a three-phase connection, then the power unit (4) distributes the remaining power depending on the status of operational use; the power supply to the processing unit (1) continues uninterrupted.

The processing unit (1) controls the operation of the circulator which is placed in the system output. The circulator starts to operate when water temperature reaches 15°C and gradually increases the water circulation speed until water reaches 40°C; thereafter, the circulator operates constantly at maximum capacity and the heat delivered to the water is managed the power unit (4).