DEVICE FOR HEATING WATER AND PRODUCING STEAM

• US 20130055902A1
• Filed: 05/18/2011
• Published: 03/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Berto, Giovanni, Baldo, Massimo, Santini, Marco
• Granted Patent: US 9,254,059 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 99/281
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/542 Continuous-flow heaters
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 1/162 using electrical energy supply
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/128 Preventing overheating
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/156 Reducing the quantity of energy consumed; Increasing efficiency
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/172 Scheduling based on user demand, e.g. determining starting point of heating
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/174 Supplying heated water with desired temperature or desired range of temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/219 after heating
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/238 Flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/242 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/325 of by-pass valves
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/37 of electric heaters
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 9/2028 Continuous-flow heaters

Abstract

The device (2) comprises: a first water heater (9), having at least a first water duct (45) and at least a first heating member (43); and a second water heater (23), having at least a second water duct (55). The first water heater (9) and the second water heater (23) are in thermal connection the one to the other one.

Claims

1. A device for heating water and producing steam comprising:

a first flow-through water heater, having at least a first water duct and at least a first heating member;

a second flow-through water heater, having at least a second water duct and at least a second heating member;

wherein;

said first water heater and said second water heater are in thermal connection one to the other;

said first heating member and said second heating member are controlled such as to selectively produce hot water or steam respectively;

said first water heater and said second water heater comprise a mass of thermally conductive material through which heat is exchanged between the first water heater and the second water heater.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said first heating member and said second heating member comprise respectively at least a first electrical resistance and at least a second electrical resistance.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein said first electrical resistance and said second electrical resistance are controlled so as to be switched on alternatively, depending upon the temperature or the state at which the water has to be delivered.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein said first electrical resistance and said second electrical resistance are controlled so as to be switched on simultaneously, at least during steam supply.

5. The device according to claim 1, comprising:

a connection between said first water duct and said second water duct; and

a device for switching between said first water duct and said second water duct, said switching device being arranged and designed for;

connecting in series said first water duct and said second water duct allowing a water flow from the first water duct to the second water duct;

or for supplying hot water from the first water duct to a supply line.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein said first water heater and said second water heater are arranged in parallel.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein said first water duct and said second water duct have a helical shape comprising one or more turns.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein said mass of thermally conductive material includes a first body of thermally conductive material and a second body of thermally conductive material in thermal contact with one another.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein said first water heater comprises a first body of thermally conductive material and said second water heater comprises a second body of thermally conductive material, the first body of thermally conductive material having a first face for thermally coupling to said second body of thermally conductive material, which has a second face for thermally coupling to said first body of thermally conductive material, said first and said second body of thermally conductive material being mechanically coupled therebetween with said first thermal coupling face and said second thermal coupling face in contact therebetween.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein at least a device for protecting from over-temperature is arranged between said first coupling face and said second coupling face.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein said mass of conductive material comprises a body of thermally conductive material constituted by a single-block structure, enclosing said first water heater and said second water heater, said body of thermally conductive material transmitting heat by conduction between said first water heater and said second water heater.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first water duct has a larger inner volume than the second water duct.

13. The device according to claim 1, comprising a first temperature sensor associated to the first water heater and a second temperature sensor associated to the second water heater, connected to a control electronic unit.

14. The device according to claim 5, wherein said control unit is programmed so as to adjust the temperature of the first water heater and of the second water heater and to control said switching device depending upon a supply request by a user.

15. The device according to claim 5, wherein said control unit is programmed so as:

to keep said first water heater at a first temperature (T₉) by means of said first heating member, the water at said first temperature being supplied through said supply line without flowing through the second water duct; and

to raise the water temperature at a second temperature (T₂₃), higher than said first temperature, by controlling said switching device so as to make the water to flow through said first water duct and said second water duct.

16. The device according to claim 5, wherein said control unit is programmed so as:

to keep said first water heater at a first temperature (T₉) by means of said first heating member, by keeping the second heating member switched off, the water at said first temperature being supplied through said supply line without flowing through the second water duct; and

to raise the water temperature at a second temperature (T₂₃), higher than said first temperature, by means of said second heating member, by controlling said switching device so as to make the water to flow through said first water duct and said second water duct, and by keeping said first heating member switched off.

17. The device according to claim 15, wherein at said second temperature the water is supplied under the form of steam.

18. The device according to claim 1, comprising a thermally insulated housing wherein said first and said second water heater are enclosed.

19. A machine for producing hot drinks, comprising a device according to claim 1.

20. The machine according to claim 18, for producing coffee.