IE86712B1

IE86712B1 - A device for the passage of a volume of fluid

Info

Publication number: IE86712B1
Application number: IE20140082A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Sakr Fadl Mohamed; Edward Brash Robin; Liu Shuli; Qasim Hezar
Original assignee: Norcros Group (Holdings) Ltd
Priority date: 2013-03-27
Filing date: 2014-03-25
Publication date: 2016-10-05
Also published as: GB2512354A; GB2512354A8; GB201305617D0; IE20140082A1; GB2512354B

Abstract

A device (10) for the passage of a volume of fluid including: a housing (12) having a chamber (14) for receiving fluid, said chamber (14) defined by first 16) and second (18) generally opposing end walls with a peripheral side wall (20) extending therebetween; an inlet (22) in fluid communication with the chamber (14); an outlet (24) in fluid communication with the chamber (14); and an electrically operated heating element (30,40) positioned in the chamber (14), the heating element (30,40) including: a passage defining portion (32,42) which defines an axially extending passage (34,44) therethrough; a first extension portion (36,46) leading to the passage defining portion (32,42) and a second extension portion (38,48) leading away 48) extension portions being connectable to a power supply; wherein one of the first (36,46) or second (38,48) extension portions extends through the passage (34,44). <Figure 1>

Description

The invention relates to a device for the passage of a volume of fluid. In particular, though not exclusively, the invention relates to a device for the passage of water for use as a component part of an instantaneous water heater.

An electric shower is an example of an instantaneous water heater and typically includes a housing having a chamber in which the water is heated by an electrically operated element. Typically such an electrically operated heating element is in the form of a coil which has a generally helical or spiral form to optimise the surface area of the heating elements available for contact with the water. Often two or more of said heating elements are provided within the chamber in order to provide the user with a selectable level of heating.

It is desirable for the water flowing within the chamber to be uniformly heated, as much as is possible, by the heating element(s). Areas of stagnant flow within the chamber restrict heat from the nearby part of the heating element being dissipated evenly / efficiently through to the water. These parts of the heating element become localised hot spots and can precipitate premature failure of the heating element. It is thus desirable to minimise any areas of low water flow rate to avoid such hot spots being formed on the heating element.

According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a device for the passage of a volume of fluid including: a housing having a chamber for receiving fluid, said chamber defined by first and second generally opposing end walls with a peripheral side wall extending therebetween; an inlet in fluid communication with the chamber; an outlet in fluid communication with the chamber; and an electrically operated heating element positioned in the chamber, the heating element including: a passage defining portion which defines an axially extending passage therethrough; a first extension portion leading to the passage defining portion and a second extension portion leading away from the passage defining portion, the first and second extension portions being connectable to a power supply wherein one of the first or second extension portions extends through the passage; and wherein the inlet provides for an inlet flow of fluid to the chamber substantially tangential to an interior surface of the peripheral side wall.

According to a second aspect of the invention we provide an instantaneous water heater including a device according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to a third aspect of the invention we provide an electric shower including an instantaneous water heater according to the second aspect of the invention.

Further features of the first, second and third aspects of the invention are set out in claims 2 to 26 appended hereto.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the present invention; and Figure 2 is a cross-section view of the device of figure 1.

Referring to the figures, these show a device 10 for the passage of a volume of fluid. The device 10 is for use in an instantaneous water heater, such as a shower. The other component parts of the water heater/shower are not shown herein, but it will be obvious to one skilled in the art how the device 10 can be incorporated into such a water heater/shower.

The device 10 includes a housing 12 which in the present example is injection moulded from a suitable plastics material. The housing 12 defines a chamber 14 for receiving fluid, for example water. The chamber 14 is defined by first 16 and second 18 generally opposed end walls and a peripheral side wall 20 extending therebetween. In the present example the side wall 20 and end wall 16 are formed as a single component, with the second end wall 18 being removably connectable to the peripheral side wall 20. This is so that access can be gained to an interior of the chamber 14 for installing the internal components.

The device 10 includes an inlet 22, as can be seen in figure 2, provides for an inlet flow of fluid to the chamber 14 substantially tangential to the interior surface 21 of the peripheral side wall 20. The device 10 includes an outlet 24 which is connected to an outlet fluid flow path member 70, which is generally tube like, and which extends into the chamber 14 through the wall 16 and towards the wall 18 where it terminates a short distance therefrom.

As can be seen from figure 1, the device 10 includes first 30 and second 40 heating elements which are positioned end-to-end relative to each other substantially coaxial within an axis of the chamber 14. Whilst in the present embodiment the first and second elements 30, 40 are positioned coaxial with each other and with an axis of the chamber, they need not be so and could be offset from one another and from that axis.

Whilst the present embodiment includes two heating elements it should be appreciated that a single heating could be utilised. In that case it would be preferable for the heating element to be longer such that it extends substantially along the majority of the chamber, to assist with heating of water flowing through the chamber. Alternatively still, three or more heating elements could be utilised.

Each heating element 30, 40 includes a passage defining portion 32, 42, each of which defines a respective axially extending passage 34, 44. In the present example it can be seen that the passage defining portions 32, 42 are generally helical or spiral, although it should be appreciated that other forms/configurations of this portion could be utilised. Each of the heating elements 30, 40 includes a first extension portion 36, 46 leading to the helical or spiral portion 32, 42, and a second extension portion 38, 48 leading away from the generally helical or spiral portion 32, 42. The first and second extension portions 36, 46, 38, 48 are connectable to a power supply.

In this application the terms “leading to” and “leading away from” are interchangeable in the sense that they are used to designate the portions of each heating element which are connected to the generally helical or spiral portions 32, 42 in order to complete the circuit such that the heating element(s) can operate. In the present description “leading to” has been used to refer to the extension portions which are connected to their respective helical or spiral portion at a position closest the end wall 18. The term “leading away from” has been used in the present description to refer to the extension portions which connect to their respective helical or spiral portion at a position closest the end wall 16.

Advantageously, as can be seen from the figures, none of the extension portions 36, 46, 38, 48 extend outwardly over the surface of the generally helical or spiral portions 32, 42. This assists greatly in smoothing the flow of fluid from its entrance into the chamber 14 through inlet 22 and upwardly towards the end of outlet flow path member 70.

This smoothing of the fluid flow is achieved by one or more of the first/second extension portions extending through one or both of the passages defined by the generally helical or spiral portions 32, 42. In the present embodiment the second extension portion 38 extends through the passage 34 of the first heating element 30 and subsequently through the passage 44 of the second heating element 40. The first extension portion 36 of the second heating element 30 extends through the passage 44 of the second heating element 40, and the second extension portion 48 of the second heating element 40 also extends through the passage 44. This configuration of the extension portions ensures that the space between the periphery of the heating elements and the interior surface of the side wall 20 is relatively free of obstructions so that the heating elements do not detrimentally interfere with the flow of the water through the chamber 14.

Whilst in the embodiments shown in figures 1 and 2 there is provided a specific routing of the first and second extension portions, it should be noted that many other alternative routings could be utilised whilst still achieving improved flow of fluid through the chamber. For example where the device includes a single heating element, one or both of the first or second extension portions could extend through the passages of the heating element. Where two heating elements are provided within the chamber (and thus there being two respective first extension portions and two respective second extension portions) only one of the first extension portions may extend through one or both of the passages through heating elements. Alternatively, both of the first extension portions may extend through one or both of the passages through the heating elements. Alternatively still, one of the second extension portions may extend through one or both of the passages through the heating elements. Alternatively still, both of the second extension portions may extend through one or both of the passages. There are therefore many configurations of the extension portions and each provide an improved flow of the fluid over prior art devices so long as at least one of the first or second extension portions extends through one or both of the passages through the heating elements.

It should be noted that the outlet fluid flow path member 70 extends into the chamber 14 from the end wall 16 and through both passages 34, 44. Thus, in the present embodiment the extension portions 36, 38, 48 which extend through the passages 34, 44 do so through the remainder of the space in the passages not taken up by the member 70. It should be appreciated that whilst in the present embodiment the outlet fluid flow path member 70 extends axially through the chamber 14 and through the passages 34, 44, it could extend along an axis offset from the axis of the passages and from the axis of the chamber 14. The member 70 need not extend through both passages - it could extend through only a part or all of the passage 34.

Whilst in the above described embodiment the device 10 includes first and second heating elements with respective first and second extension portions, it should be appreciated that a single heating element could be utilised whilst still providing two separate generally helical or spiral portions. In such an embodiment the two generally helical or spiral portions would be connected by a connecting portion. There would be a first extension portion leading to one of the generally helical or spiral portions and a second extension portion leading away from the other of the generally helical or spiral portions. In such an embodiment, one or both of the first or second extension portions may extend through one or both of the passages defined by the respective generally helical or spiral portions.

It should be noted that a substantial length of the first and/or second extension portions which extend through one or both of the axially extending passages is generally linear. This can be seen clearly on figure 1. This assists further in preventing or minimising any unwanted inference with the fluid flowing through the chamber 14.

Whilst in the above embodiment it can be seen that the cross section of the chamber is substantially circular, it should be noted that many other suitable cross sectional shapes could be utilised. For example the cross section could be oval or substantially oval, or it could be formed as a rectangle with substantially part circular ends.

Claims

1. A device for the passage of a volume of fluid including: a housing having a chamber for receiving fluid, said chamber defined by first and second generally opposing end walls with a peripheral side wall extending therebetween; an inlet in fluid communication with the chamber; an outlet in fluid communication with the chamber; and an electrically operated heating element positioned in the chamber, the heating element including: a passage defining portion which defines an axially extending passage therethrough; a first extension portion leading to the passage defining portion and a second extension portion leading away from the passage defining portion, the first and second extension portions being connectable to a power supply, wherein one of the first or second extension portions extends through the passage; and . wherein the inlet provides for an inlet flow of fluid to the chamber substantially tangential to an interior surface of the peripheral side wall.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein both of the first and second extension portions extend through the passage.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2 including a further, second, heating element positioned within the chamber, the second heating element including: a respective passage defining portion which defines a respective axially extending passage therein; a respective first extension portion leading to the second passage defining portion; and a respective second extension portion leading away from the second passage defining portion; wherein the first and second extension portions are connectable to a power supply.

4. A device according to claim 3 wherein one of the first or second extension portions of the first heating element extends through the passage of the second heating element.

5. A device according to claim 3 or 4 wherein both of the first and second extension portions of the first heating element extend through the passage of the second heating element.

6. A device according to claim 3, 4 or 5 wherein one of the first or second extension portions of the second heating element extends through the passage of the second heating element.

7. A device according to any one of claims 3 to 6 wherein both of the first or second extension portions of the second heating element extend through the passage of the second heating element.

8. A device according to any one of claims 3 to 7 wherein one of the first or second extension portions of the second heating element extends through the passage of the first heating element.

9. A device according to any one of claims 2 to 8 wherein both of the first and second extension portions of the second heating element extend through the passage of the first heating element.

10. A device according to any one of claims 3 to 9 wherein the passage defining portions of the first and second heating elements are positioned coaxial with an axis of the chamber.

11. A device according to claim 10 wherein the passage defining portions of the first and second heating elements are positioned generally in an end-to-end relationship.

12. A device according to any preceding claim including an outlet fluid flow path member which extends into the chamber from an end thereof and wherein the outlet fluid flow path member extends through one or both of the passages of the first and second heating elements.

13. A device according to claim 12 wherein the outlet fluid flow path member extends axially through the passage(s).

14. A device according to claim 12 wherein the outlet fluid flow path member extends along an axis offset from an axis of the passage(s).

15. A device according to claim 1 wherein the heating element includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein: the first portion includes the passage defining portion, hereinafter referred to as the first passage defining portion and the first extension portion; and the second portion includes a further, second, passage defining portion that defines a further, second, axially extending passage therethrough and the second extension portion, wherein the one of the first or second extension portions extends through the first axially extending passage.

16. A device according to claim 15 wherein both of the first and second extension portions extend through the first axially extending passage.

17. A device according to claim 15 or 16 wherein one of the first or extension portions extends through the second axially extending passage.

18. A device according to any one of claims 15 to 17 wherein both of the first and second extension portions extend through the second axially extending passage.

19. A device according to any one of claims 15 to 18 including an outlet fluid flow path member which extends into the chamber from an end thereof and wherein the outlet fluid flow path member extends through one or both of the first and/or second axially extending passages.

20. A device according to claim 19 wherein the outlet fluid flow path member extends axially through the passage(s).

21. A device according to claim 19 wherein the outlet fluid flow path member extends along an axis offset from an axis of one or both of the first and second passages.

22. A device according to any preceding claim wherein a substantial length of the first and/or second extension portions which extends through one or both of the axially extending passage(s) is generally linear.

23. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the passage defining portion(s) is/are generally helical or spiral.

24. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the chamber is substantially circular in cross-section.

25. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 23 wherein the chamber is substantially oval in cross-section.

26. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the inlet of the device is provided on the side wall of the housing.

27. An instantaneous water heater including a device according to any one of the preceding claims.

28. An electric shower including the instantaneous water heater of claim 27

29. A device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.