Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
DESCRIPTI ON
HOT WATER SUPPLY DEVICE
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001]
The present disclosure relates to a hot water supply apparatus.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002]
A heat pump hot water supply apparatus configured to deliver water that has
heated in a heat exchanger to a tank has been known. Patent Document 1
proposes
pressurizing of heated water by a valve mechanism located just before the tank
in the heat
pump hot water supply apparatus to reduce scale precipitation in a
pressurizing area.
[0003]
In the hot water supply apparatus of Patent Document 1, in order to prevent
significant scale precipitation due to significant depressurization of heated
water that has
passed through the pressurizing area, the valve mechanism has an internal
structure which
achieves a pressurization behavior with a gentle gradient.
CITATION LIST
PATENT DOCUMENT
[0004]
PATENT DOCUMENT 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-
27279
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CA 03155778 2022-4-22
SUMMARY
TECHNICAL PROBLEM
[0005]
However, adjustment of the depressurization gradient by the structure of the
valve
in Patent Document 1 is effective only at a certain point on design. Changes
in the flow rate
of water actually occur in accordance with various operation conditions. Thus,
it is difficult
to reduce, by the hot water supply apparatus of Patent Document 1, scale
precipitation at the
time when depressurization is performed. In addition, such a structure of
valve is costly in
manufacturing itself, and is effective only at a certain flow rate design
point as mentioned
above. A cost reduction effect due to the advantage of scale thus cannot be
obtained by
common use in many models. Accordingly, the hot water supply apparatus of
Patent
Document 1 is really expensive.
[0006]
Further, Patent Document 1 proposes depressurization at an inlet of the tank
based
on the consideration that there is no problem in precipitation of scale in the
tank due to
significant depressurization of heated water. However, in reality,
precipitation of scale
inside the tank causes a comfort problem such as mixing of scale into
available hot water to
be supplied, and a reliability problem such as causing pump failure due to
mixing of scale,
which has been accumulated in the bottom of the tank and discharged from the
lower side
of the tank, into a pump or the like provided in a channel provided in a
subsequent stage of
the tank.
[0007]
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a hot water supply apparatus
capable of reducing scale precipitation at low cost without impairing comfort
and reliability.
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CA 03155778 2022-4-22
SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM
[0008]
A first aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a hot water supply
apparatus
including: a heat exchanger (3) configured to heat water for hot water supply;
a pressure
controller (6) provided in a subsequent stage of the heat exchanger (3) and
configured to
pressurize the water for hot water supply; and a trap (7) for promoting
deposition of scale,
the trap (7) being provided in a subsequent stage of the pressure controller
(6).
[0009]
In the first aspect, the pressurization of water by the pressure controller
(6) allows
reduction in scale precipitation, and the trap (7) can capture scale
precipitated by
depressurization in a subsequent stage of the pressure controller (6).
Therefore, scale
precipitation can be reduced at low cost without impairing comfort and
reliability.
[0010]
A second aspect of the present disclosure is an embodiment of the first
aspect. In
the second aspect, an inner diameter of the trap (7) is larger than an inner
diameter of a water
pipe (10) before and after the trap (7).
[0011]
In the second aspect, the increase in the inner diameter of the trap (7) leads
to
further decrease in the water pressure and decrease in the flow velocity of
the water. Scale
is thus easily precipitated in the trap (7), and the precipitated scale is
easily deposited. This
improves the effect of capturing scale.
[0012]
A third aspect of the present disclosure is an embodiment of the first or
second
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CA 03155778 2022-4-22
aspect. In the third aspect, a surface roughness of an inner peripheral
surface of the trap (7)
is larger than a surface roughness of an inner peripheral surface of a water
pipe (10) before
and after the trap (7).
[0013]
In the third aspect, the scale precipitated on the inner peripheral surface of
the trap
(7) is deposited further easily. This further improves the effect of capturing
scale by the trap
(7).
[0014]
A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is an embodiment of any one of the
first
to third aspects. In the fourth aspect, the trap (7) is configured to be able
to supply water
from outside and discharge water to outside.
[0015]
In the fourth aspect, the scale deposited in the trap (7) can be discharged
without
construction work.
[0016]
A fifth aspect of the present disclosure is an embodiment of any one of the
first to
fourth aspects. In the fifth aspect, the trap (7) is configured to be
detachable and replaceable.
[0017]
The fifth aspect enables maintenance of the hot water supply apparatus by
simply
replacing the trap (7).
[0018]
A sixth aspect of the present disclosure is an embodiment of any one of the
first
to fifth aspects. In the sixth aspect, at least part of the pressure
controller (6) is integral with
the trap (7).
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[0019]
In the sixth aspect, the trap (7) partially functions to perform
depressurization.
This facilitates selection of a valve or the like serving as the pressure
controller (6).
[0020]
A seventh aspect of the present disclosure is an embodiment of any one of the
first
to sixth aspects. In the seventh aspect, the hot water supply apparatus
further includes a tank
(2) for storing the water for hot water supply, in a subsequent stage of the
trap (7).
[0021]
In the seventh aspect, scale is substantially prevented from entering the tank
(2).
[0022]
An eighth aspect of the present disclosure is an embodiment of any one of the
first
to seventh aspects. In the eighth aspect, the hot water supply apparatus
further includes a
pressurization mechanism (14) configured to pressurize the water for hot water
supply over
the water circuit (5) entirely.
[0023]
In the eighth aspect, it is not necessary to perform a high lift operation
using a
pump. Thus, a pump input is reduced, and the efficiency of the hot water
supply apparatus
can be increased. Further, it is not necessary to make the pump have high lift
specifications.
This can downsize the pump and reduce the cost of the pump.
[0024]
A ninth aspect of the present disclosure is an embodiment of any one of the
first
to eighth aspects. In the eighth aspect, the hot water supply apparatus
further includes an
eddy current heater (15) that is provided between the heat exchanger (3) and
the pressure
controller (6) and is configured to heat the water for hot water supply.
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[0025]
In the ninth aspect, heating of the water for hot water supply (more
specifically,
the water pipe) and applying of an electromagnetic field to the water for hot
water supply
can be performed in parallel by heating by the eddy current heater (15). This
allows highly
efficient production of high-temperature water while the scale precipitation
is reduced.
[0026]
A tenth aspect of the present disclosure is an embodiment of the ninth aspect.
In
the tenth aspect, the heat exchanger (3) heats the water for hot water supply
to a temperature
in a temperature range where scale is not precipitated, and the eddy current
heater (15) heats
the water for hot water supply to a temperature higher than the temperature
range.
[0027]
The tenth aspect allows further reliable reduction in the scale precipitation.
[0028]
An eleventh aspect of the present disclosure is an embodiment of the ninth or
tenth
aspect. In the eleventh aspect, a material of a portion of pipe heated by the
eddy current
heater (15) is stainless steel.
[0029]
Among material candidates (copper, aluminum, stainless steel, and the like)
that
can be used for the water pipe, stainless steel can further improve the
thermal efficiency of
the eddy current heater (15). The eleventh aspect thus allows efficient water
heating.
[0030]
A twelfth aspect of the present disclosure is an embodiment of any one of the
first
to eleventh aspects. In the eleventh aspect, the heat source device (20) of
the heat exchanger
(3) is a heat pump.
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[0031]
The twelfth aspect allows highly efficient heating operation in the entire hot
water
supply apparatus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032]
FIG. 1 is a schematic piping system diagram illustrating a hot water supply
apparatus according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating cross-sectional configurations of a trap and
a water
pipe before and after the trap according to a first variation.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state where a scale adsorbent is provided
on the
inner peripheral surface of the trap illustrated in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating cross-sectional configurations of a trap and
a water
pipe before and after the trap according to a second variation.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of a water supply-discharge
mechanism relative to a trap in a hot water supply apparatus according to a
third variation.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional configuration of a trap and
a
water pipe before and after the trap according to a fourth variation.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state where an orifice is provided at an
inlet of
the trap illustrated in FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state where an orifice is provided in a
water pipe
in a preceding stage of the trap illustrated in FIG, 6.
FIG. 9 is a schematic piping system diagram of a hot water supply apparatus
according to a fifth variation.
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FIG. 10 is a schematic piping system diagram of a hot water supply apparatus
according to a sixth variation.
FIG. 11 is a schematic piping system diagram of a hot water supply apparatus
according to a reference example.
FIG. 12 is a schematic piping system diagram of a hot water supply apparatus
according to a seventh variation.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0033]
An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference
to the drawings. The following embodiment is a merely preferred example in
nature, and is
not intended to limit the scope, applications, or use of the invention.
[0034]
Embodiment
<Configuration of Hot Water Supply Apparatus>
FIG. 1 is a schematic piping system diagram of a hot water supply apparatus
(1)
according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the hot water
supply
apparatus (1) heats water for hot water supply (hereinafter also referred to
as water) supplied
from a water source (not shown) through a water supply pipe (8) and stores the
heated water
in a tank (2). The hot water stored in the tank (2) is supplied to a
predetermined hot water
supply target (not shown) through a hot water supply pipe (9). The water
source includes
water supplies. The hot water supply target includes a shower, a faucet, and a
bathtub. The
hot water supply apparatus (1) includes: a heat source device (20); a tank
(2); a water pump
(4); a water circuit (5); a pressure controller (6); a trap (7); and a
controller (30). The water
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CA 03155778 2022-4-22
circuit (5) is constituted by connecting the heat source device (20), the tank
(2), the water
pump (4), the pressure controller (6), and the trap (7) via a water pipe (10).
[0035]
The heat source device (20) is, for example, a heat pump heat source device.
The
heat source device (20) produces warm thermal energy for heating water. The
heat source
device (20) is a vapor compression heat source device. The heat source device
(20) includes
a refrigerant circuit (21). The refrigerant circuit (21) is filled with a
refrigerant. The
refrigerant circuit (21) includes a compressor (22), a heat-source-side heat
exchanger (23),
an expansion valve (24), and an utilization-side heat exchanger (3). The
compressor (22)
compresses a refrigerant sucked thereinto and discharges the compressed
refrigerant. The
heat-source-side heat exchanger (23) is, for example, an air-cooled heat
exchanger. The
heat-source-side heat exchanger (23) is disposed outdoors. The heat source
device (20) has
a fan (25). The fan (25) is disposed near the heat-source-side heat exchanger
(23). The heat-
source-side heat exchanger (23) exchanges heat between air transferred by the
fan (25) and
the refrigerant. The expansion valve (24) is a depressurization mechanism that
depressurizes
the refrigerant. The expansion valve (24) is provided between the liquid end
of the
utilization-side heat exchanger (3) and the liquid end of the heat-source-side
heat exchanger
(23). The depressurization mechanism is not limited to an expansion valve, and
may be a
capillary tube, an expander, and the like. The expander recovers the energy of
the refrigerant
as power.
[0036]
The utilization-side heat exchanger (3) constituting the heat source device
(20) is
a heat exchanger that heats water in the hot water supply apparatus (1). The
utilization-side
heat exchanger (3) (hereinafter also referred to as a heat exchanger (3)) is a
liquid-cooled
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CA 03155778 2022-4-22
heat exchanger, for example. The heat exchanger (3) has a first channel (3a)
and a second
channel (3b). The first channel (3a) is connected to the water circuit (5).
The second channel
(3b) is connected to the refrigerant circuit (21). The heat exchanger (3)
exchanges heat
between water flowing through the first channel (3a) and the refrigerant
flowing through the
second channel (3b). In the heat exchanger (3), the first channel (3a) is
formed along the
second channel (3b). In the present embodiment, during a heating operation,
the direction
of the refrigerant flowing through the second channel (3b) is substantially
opposite to the
direction of the water flowing through the first channel (3a). In other words,
the heat
exchanger (3) during the heating operation functions as an opposite-flow heat
exchanger. In
FIG. 1, the direction of the water flowing through the water circuit (5) is
indicated by solid
line arrows, and the direction of the refrigerant flowing through the
refrigerant circuit (21)
is indicated by broken line arrows.
[0037]
The tank (2) is a container for storing water. The tank (2) is formed in a
vertically
long cylindrical shape, for example, and has a cylindrical barrel (2a), a
bottom portion (2b)
closing the lower end of the barrel (2a), and a top portion (2c) closing the
upper end of the
barrel (2a). Inside the tank (2), a low-temperature portion (L), a medium-
temperature
portion (M), and a high-temperature portion (H) are formed. The low-
temperature portion
(L) stores low-temperature water. The high-temperature portion (H) stores high-
temperature
water. The medium-temperature portion (M) stores medium-temperature water. The
medium-temperature water has a temperature lower than the temperature of the
high-
temperature water and higher than the temperature of the low-temperature
water. Water is
supplied to the bottom portion (2b) of the tank (2) through the water supply
pipe (8) from a
water source such as a water pipe or the like (not shown). The high-
temperature water is
CA 03155778 2022-4-22
supplied to the hot water supply target (not shown) through the hot water
supply pipe (9)
from the top portion (2c) of the tank (2).
[0038]
In the water circuit (5), water in the tank (2) circulates. The first channel
(3a) of
the heat exchanger (3) is connected to the water circuit (5). The water
circuit (5) has an
upstream channel (5a) and a downstream channel (5b). An inflow end of the
upstream
channel (5a) is connected to the bottom portion (2b) of the tank (2), i.e.,
the low-temperature
portion (L). An outflow end of the upstream channel (5a) is connected to an
inflow end of
the first channel (3a) of the heat exchanger (3). An inflow end of the
downstream channel
(5b) is connected to an outflow end of the first channel (3a). An outflow end
of the
downstream channel (5b) is connected to the top portion (2c) of the tank (2),
i.e., the high-
temperature portion (H).
[0039]
The water pump (4) is provided in the upstream channel (5a) of the water
circuit
(5), i.e., a preceding stage to the heat exchanger (3). The water pump (4)
causes water in the
water circuit (5) to circulate. Specifically, the water pump (4) transfers the
water in the tank
(2) to the first channel (3a) of the heat exchanger (3), and returns the water
transferred to
the first channel (3a) to the tank (2).
[0040]
The pressure controller (6) is provided in the downstream channel (5b) of the
water circuit (5), i.e., the subsequent stage to the heat exchanger (3). The
pressure controller
(6) pressurizes the water flowing through the downstream channel (5b), i.e.,
the water heated
in the heat exchanger (3). Assuming that the pressure of water flowing through
the
downstream channel (5b) without the pressure controller (6) is, for example,
less than about
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CA 03155778 2022-4-22
0.05 M Pa, the pressure controller (6) controls the pressure of the water
flowing through the
downstream channel (5b) between the heat exchanger (3) and the pressure
controller (6) to,
for example, about 0.05 M Pa or more, preferably about 0.05 M Pa to about 0.30
MPa, more
preferably about 0.15 M Pa to about 0.30 M Pa. The pressurization of heated
water allows
reduction in the amount of carbon dioxide gas generated in the downstream
channel (5b)
and in the first channel (3a) of the heat exchanger (3) connected to the
downstream channel
(5b), thereby reducing precipitation of calcium carbonate scale. In the
present embodiment,
in consideration of the load on the pressure controller (6), the upper limit
of the pressure
applied in pressurization is set to, for example, about 0.30 M Pa.
[0041]
As the pressure controller (6), a pressure control valve capable of easily
controlling the pressure by controlling a cross-sectional area of the channel
may be used. In
addition to the pressure controller (6) provided in a subsequent stage of the
heat exchanger
(3), a water pump (4) provided in a preceding stage of the heat exchanger (3),
a
depressurization valve (not shown) disposed in the water supply pipe (8) for
supplying water
to the tank (2), and the like can also be used as other pressure controllers.
[0042]
If a pressure control valve (specifically, a gate valve) is used as a pressure
controller (6), a cross-sectional area of the channel inside the valve is made
smaller on the
heat exchanger (3) side, thereby increasing the pressure at the downstream
channel (5b). On
the other hand, the cross-sectional area of the channel inside the valve is
larger on the tank
(2) side, thereby decreasing the pressure at the channel. As a result,
solubility of carbon
dioxide gas decreases, and the amount of carbon dioxide gas generated
increases, making it
easier for calcium carbonate scale to generate.
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CA 03155778 2022-4-22
[0043]
In the present embodiment, therefore, a trap (7) for promoting the deposition
of
scale is provided in a subsequent stage of the pressure controller (6). The
configuration of
the trap (7) is not particularly limited as long as deposition of scale can be
promoted. For
example, as the trap (7), a porous material such as zeolite or a strainer may
be attached to
part of the inner peripheral surface of the water pipe (10) constituting the
water circuit (5).
Alternatively, the trap (7) may be configured to be detachable and replaceable
by providing
valves in the water pipe (10) before and after the trap (7). This enables
maintenance of the
hot water supply apparatus (1) by simply replacing the trap (7).
[0044]
Although not shown, the water circuit (5) may be provided with sensors such as
a
pressure sensor and a temperature sensor. The pressure sensor detects
pressures of water in
the water circuit (5) such as the downstream channel (5b) and the first
channel (3a) of the
heat exchanger (3) connected to the downstream channel (5b), for example. The
temperature
sensor detects temperatures of water in the water circuit (5) such as the
downstream channel
(5b) and the first channel (3a), for example. The temperature sensor may
detect directly the
temperature of water in the water circuit (5). Alternatively, the temperature
sensor may be
attached to the surface of the water pipe (10) and indirectly detect the
temperature of water
in the water circuit (5) via the water pipe (10).
[0045]
The controller (30) includes a microcomputer and a memory device
(specifically,
a semiconductor memory) that stores software for operating the microcomputer.
The
controller (30) controls components constituting the heat source device (20),
the water pump
(4) of the water circuit (5), various sensors mentioned above, and the like.
The controller
13
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(30) is connected to the heat source device (20) and the like via wiring (not
shown), and
signals are exchanged between the controller (30) and the heat source device
(20) and the
like. The controller (30) performs a heating operation of generating hot water
and storing
the generated hot water in the tank (2). The heating operation of the present
embodiment is
an operation in which water is directly heated by the heat source device (20).
[0046]
<Heating Operation of Hot Water Supply Apparatus>
In the heating operation, the controller (30) operates the compressor (22) and
the
fan (25). The controller (30) appropriately adjusts the opening degree of the
expansion valve
(24). The controller (30) operates the water pump (4).
[0047]
The heat source device (20) performs a refrigeration cycle. In the
refrigeration
cycle, the refrigerant dissipates heat in the utilization-side heat exchanger
(3). More
specifically, in the refrigeration cycle, the refrigerant compressed in the
compressor (22)
flows through the second channel (3b) of the utilization-side heat exchanger
(3). In the
utilization-side heat exchanger (3), the refrigerant in the second channel
(3b) dissipates heat
to water in the first channel (3a). The refrigerant that has dissipated heat
or has been
condensed in the second channel (3b) is decompressed in the expansion valve
(24), and then
flows through the heat-source-side heat exchanger (23). In the heat-source-
side heat
exchanger (23), the refrigerant absorbs heat from the outdoor air and
evaporates. The
refrigerant that has evaporated in the heat-source-side heat exchanger (23) is
sucked into the
compressor (22).
[0048]
In the water circuit (5), the water in the low-temperature portion (L) of the
tank
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(2) flows out to the upstream channel (5a). The water in the upstream channel
(5a) flows
through the first channel (3a) of the utilization-side heat exchanger (3). The
water in the first
channel (3a) is heated by the refrigerant of the heat source device (20). The
water that has
heated in the first channel (3a) flows through the downstream channel (5b)
into the high-
temperature portion (H) of the tank (2).
[0049]
¨Advantages of Embodiment¨
According to the hot water supply apparatus (1) of the present embodiment
described above, the pressure controller (6) pressurizes water for hot water
supply in a
subsequent stage of the heat exchanger (3) configured to heat the water for
hot water supply.
This allows reduction in scale precipitation in a pressurizing area. Further,
scale precipitated,
by depressurization, from the water for hot water supply that has passed
through the pressure
controller (6) is trapped in the trap (7). Thus, an expensive valve capable of
controlling
depressurization and the like does not have to be used as the pressure
controller (6).
Moreover, scale is substantially prevented from reaching the water circuit (5)
subsequent to
the trap (7), such as a tank (2) and a water pump (4), for example. This
improves comfort
of available hot water to be supplied and reliability of the water pump (4)
and the like.
Therefore, scale precipitation can be reduced at low cost without impairing
comfort and
reliability.
[0050]
<First Variation>
FIG, 2 is a diagram illustrating example cross-sectional configurations of a
trap
(7) and a water pipe (10) before and after the trap (7) according to a first
variation. In FIG.
2, the flow of water is indicated by arrows.
CA 03155778 2022-4-22
[0051]
As illustrated in FIG. 2, in the present variation, the inner diameter dl of
the trap
(7) is made larger than the inner diameter d2 of the water pipe (10) before
and after the trap
(7). Such a trap (7) may be formed by, for example, enlarging the diameter of
part of the
water pipe (10).
[0052]
According to this variation, the following effects can be obtained in addition
to
the effects of the above-described embodiment. Specifically, the increase in
the inner
diameter of the trap (7) leads to further decrease in the water pressure,
whereby scale is
easily precipitated in the trap (7). Further, the flow velocity of the water
in the trap (7)
decreases due to the increase in the cross-sectional area of the trap (7),
whereby the scale
precipitated on the inner peripheral surface of the trap (7) is easily
deposited. This improves
the effect of capturing scale by the trap (7). Further, the inner diameter of
the trap (7) is
made larger than the inner diameter of the water pipe (10) before and after
the trap (7). Thus,
even if a certain amount of scale is deposited in the trap (7), internal
clogging and pressure
loss hardly occur.
[0053]
In the present variation, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a scale adsorbent (7a)
made of a
porous material such as zeolite may be provided on the inner peripheral
surface of the trap
(7) having an enlarged diameter. This further improves the effect of capturing
scale by the
trap (7). In this case, a similar effect can be obtained even if a strainer is
disposed instead of
the scale adsorbent (7a).
[0054]
<Second Variation>
16
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FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating example cross-sectional configurations of a
trap
(7) and a water pipe (10) before and after the trap (7) according to a second
variation. In
FIG. 4, the flow of water is indicated by arrows.
[0055]
As illustrated in FIG. 4, in the present variation, the inner peripheral
surface of
the trap (7) is a rough surface (7b). In other words, the surface roughness of
the inner
peripheral surface of the trap (7) is larger than the surface roughness of the
inner peripheral
surface of the water pipe (10) before and after the trap (7). The type of the
surface roughness
is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, an arithmetic mean
roughness (Ra).
Alternatively, the surface roughness may be a maximum height (Rmax), a ten-
point mean
roughness (Rz), an average spacing of unevenness, an average spacing between
local peaks,
a load length ratio, or the like.
[0056]
In the present variation, the inner diameter of the trap (7) may be the same
as the
inner diameter of the water pipe (10) before and after the trap (7), or may be
larger than the
inner diameter of the water pipe (10) before and after the trap (7) as in the
first variation. In
the former case, the trap (7) may be configured so that part of the water pipe
(10) is provided
with a rough surface (7b). FIG. 4 shows the latter case.
[0057]
According to this variation, the following effects can be obtained in addition
to
the effects of the above-described embodiment. Specifically, the scale
precipitated on the
inner peripheral surface of the trap (7) is deposited further easily. This
further improves the
effect of capturing scale by the trap (7).
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[0058]
<Third Variation>
The third variation is different from the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 in
that
the trap (7) is configured to be capable of supplying water from outside and
discharging
water to outside.
[0059]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of a water supply-discharge
mechanism relative to the trap (7) in a hot water supply apparatus (1)
according to a third
variation. In FIG. 5, the same components as those of the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 1
are denoted by the same reference numerals,
[0060]
As a water supply mechanism for the trap (7), as illustrated in FIG. 5, for
example,
a water supply port (11A) may be provided between the water pump (4) and the
heat
exchanger (3), a water supply port (11B) may be provided between the pressure
controller
(6) and the trap (7), or a water supply port (11C) may be provided in the trap
(7) itself. If
the water supply port (11A) is provided between the water pump (4) and the
heat exchanger
(3), not only the trap (7) but also the heat exchanger (3) can be washed. As a
water supply
mechanism for the trap (7), the water supply pipe (8) of the hot water supply
apparatus (1)
of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 may be used.
[0061]
In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 5, as a water discharge mechanism for the
trap
(7), for example, a water discharge port (12A) may be provided in the trap (7)
itself, or a
water discharge port (12B) may be provided in a subsequent stage of the trap
(7) (between
the trap (7) and the tank (2) (not shown)).
18
CA 03155778 2022-4-22
[0062]
According to this variation, the following effects can be obtained in addition
to
the effects of the above-described embodiment. Specifically, the scale
deposited in the trap
(7) can be discharged without construction work.
[0063]
<Fourth Variation>
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional configuration of a trap (7)
and
the water pipe (10) before and after the trap (7) according to a fourth
variation. In FIG. 6,
the flow of water is indicated by arrows.
[0064]
As illustrated in FIG. 6, in the present variation, the pressure controller
(6) and
the trap (7) are integral with each other. Specifically, a pressure control
valve capable of
controlling a cross-sectional area of water channel is provided as a pressure
controller (6) at
the inlet of the trap (7). Similarly to the first variation, the inner
diameter of the trap (7) may
be made larger than the inner diameter of the water pipe (10) before and after
the trap (7) in
the present variation.
[0065]
According to this variation, the following effects can be obtained in addition
to
the effects of the above-described embodiment. Specifically, the trap (7)
partially functions
to perform depressurization. This further facilitates selection of a valve or
the like serving
as the pressure controller (6).
[0066]
In the present variation, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 7, by providing
an
orifice (7c) in a water channel at the inlet of the trap (7) as another
pressure controller,
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CA 03155778 2022-4-22
selection of a valve or the like serving as the pressure controller (6) is
further facilitated.
Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 8, by providing an orifice (13) in the
water pipe (10) in
a preceding stage of the trap (7) (between the trap (7) and the heat exchanger
(3) (not
shown)), selection of a valve serving as the pressure controller (6) is
further facilitated.
[0067]
<Fifth Variation>
FIG. 9 is a schematic piping system diagram of a hot water supply apparatus
(1)
according to a fifth variation. In FIG. 9, the same components as those of the
embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
[0068]
The fifth variation is different from the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 in
that
the hot water supply apparatus (1) further includes a pressurization mechanism
(14)
configured to pressurize the water for hot water supply over the water circuit
(5) entirely, as
illustrated in FIG. 9. The pressurization mechanism (14) used may be of a
cylinder type, for
example. The pressurization mechanism (14) may be provided in the water pipe
(10)
between the tank (2) and the water pump (4).
[0069]
According to the present variation, the pressurization mechanism (14) can
serve
to raise the water pressure in the entire water circuit (5). It is thus not
necessary to perform
a high lift operation using the water pump (4). Accordingly, a pump input is
reduced, and
the efficiency of the hot water supply apparatus (1) can be increased.
Further, it is not
necessary to make the water pump (4) have high lift specifications. This can
downsize the
water pump (4) and reduce the cost of the pump.
CA 03155778 2022-4-22
[0070]
<Sixth Variation>
FIG. 10 is a schematic piping system diagram of a hot water supply apparatus
(1)
according to a sixth variation. In FIG. 10, the same components as those of
the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
[0071]
The sixth variation differs from the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 in that
the
hot water supply apparatus (1) further includes an eddy current heater (15)
configured to
heat water for hot water supply between the heat exchanger (3) and the
pressure controller
(6), as illustrated in FIG. 10.
[0072]
According to the present variation, heating of the water for hot water supply
(more
specifically, the water pipe (10)) and applying of an electromagnetic field to
the water for
hot water supply can be performed in parallel by heating by the eddy current
heater (15).
This allows highly efficient production of high-temperature water while the
scale
precipitation is reduced.
[0073]
In the present variation, the heat exchanger (3) heats the water for hot water
supply
to a temperature in a temperature range where scale is not precipitated with
the pressure
controller (6) is performing pressurization, and the eddy current heater (15)
heats the water
for hot water supply to a temperature higher than the temperature range. In
this way, scale
precipitation can be reliably reduced.
[0074]
Further, in the present variation, the material of a portion of the water pipe
(10)
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CA 03155778 2022-4-22
heated by the eddy current heater (15) may be stainless steel. Among material
candidates
(copper, aluminum, stainless steel, and the like) that can be used for the
water pipe (10),
stainless steel can further improve the thermal efficiency of the eddy current
heater (15).
The present variation thus allows efficient water heating.
[0075]
If the eddy current heater (15) can sufficiently reduce the scale
precipitation, the
hot water supply apparatus (1) may have a configuration where the pressure
controller (6)
and the trap (7) have been removed from the hot water supply apparatus (1)
according to
the present variation illustrated in FIG. 10, as illustrated in FIG. 11 as a
reference example.
With this configuration, high-temperature water can be produced highly
efficiently while
scale precipitation is reduced without maintenance.
[0076]
<Seventh Variation>
FIG. 12 is a schematic piping system diagram of a hot water supply apparatus
(1)
according to a seventh variation. In FIG. 12, the same components as those of
the
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
[0077]
The present variation differs from the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 in
that a
pressure controller (6) is provided in a subsequent stage (i.e., in the hot
water supply pipe
(9)) of the tank (2) for storing hot water heated in the heat exchanger (3),
and the water
pump (16) is provided in the water supply pipe (8), as illustrated in FIG. 12.
This makes it
possible to pressurize the water circuit (5) including the tank (2).
[0078]
In the present variation, a trap (7) for promoting the deposition of scale may
be
22
CA 03155778 2022-4-22
provided in a subsequent stage of the pressure controller (6) in the hot water
supply pipe (9)
to obtain the similar effect as in the above-described embodiment.
[0079]
According to this variation, the following effects can be obtained in addition
to
the effects of the above-described embodiment. Specifically, the pressure
controller (6)
provided in a subsequent stage of the tank (2) and the water pump (16)
provided in the water
supply pipe (8) allows pressurization of the water circuit (5) including the
tank (2). This
makes it possible to reduce scale precipitation inside the tank (2).
Accordingly, the comfort
problem such as mixing of scale into available hot water to be supplied is
less likely to occur.
Further, a reliability problem such as causing pump failure due to mixing of
scale, which
has been accumulated in the bottom of the tank (2) and discharged from the
lower side of
the tank (2) to the water circuit (5), into the water pump (4) or the like is
less prone to occur.
[0080]
Other Embodiments
In the embodiment and variations, a heat pump device is used as a heat source
device (20). However, the heat source device (20) is not limited to the heat
pump device,
and may be a fuel-based device that heats water through heat exchange with
combustion
gas, a Peltier element, or the like.
[0081]
Further, in the embodiment and variations, water heated by the heat source
device
(20) is once stored in the tank (2) and is then supplied to a hot water supply
target. However,
instead of this, hot water may be supplied to the hot water supply target
without being stored
in the tank (2).
23
CA 03155778 2022-4-22
[0082]
In the embodiment and variations, a single controller (30) controls the heat
source
device (20) and the water circuit (5). However, instead of this, respective
dedicated
controllers may control the heat source device (20) and the water circuit (5).
[0083]
While the embodiments and variations have been described above, it will be
understood that various changes in form and details can be made. The above
embodiments
and variations may be appropriately combined or replaced as long as the
functions of the
target of the present disclosure are not impaired. In addition, the
expressions of "first,"
"second,". . . described above are used to distinguish the terms to which
these expressions
are given, and do not limit the number and order of the terms.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0084]
As can be seen from the foregoing description, the present disclosure is
useful for
a hot water supply apparatus.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS
[0085]
1 Hot Water Supply Apparatus
2 Tank
2a Barrel
2b Bottom Portion
24
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-11-20
2c Top Portion
3 Heat Exchanger (Utilization-Side Heat Exchanger)
3a First Channel
3b Second Channel
4 Water Pump
5 Water Circuit
5a Upstream Channel
5b Downstream Channel
6 Pressure Controller
7 Trap
7a Scale Adsorbent
7b Rough Surface
7c Orifice
8 Water Supply Pipe
9 Hot Water Supply Pipe
10 Water Pipe
11A, 11B, 11C Water Supply Port
12A, 12B Drain Port
13 Orifice
14 Pressurization Mechanism
15 Eddy Current Heater
16 Water Pump
20 Heat Source Device
21 Refrigerant Circuit
CA 03155778 2022-4-22
22 Compressor
23 Heat-Source-Side Heat Exchanger
24 Expansion Valve
25 Fan
30 Controller
26
CA 03155778 2022-4-22
