Patent Application
20250137685
This application claims priority to EP Patent Application No. 23207130.8, filed Oct. 31, 2023 and titled “WATER HEATER,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes.
This disclosure relates to a water heater for use in an aircraft. In particular, the disclosure relates to a water heater comprising an electric heater configured to heat the water inside a pipe.
Water heaters may be used on aircraft to provide hot water for passengers on board the aircraft. In particular, water heaters may be used in a bathroom of an aircraft to provide hot water for passengers to wash their hands. Therefore, it is often desirable to produce a relatively small quantity of moderately hot water on demand for a short period of time.
In some systems, a tank may be used to store hot water. Storing pre-heated hot water may lead to wasted weight and space on board the aircraft if some of the pre-heated hot water in the tank is not used. Furthermore, there may be a delay before hot water begins to flow, as the tank is generally not located directly at the hot water outlet. The present disclosure aims to address some of these problems by providing a water heater for use in an aircraft
According to the present disclosure, there is provided a water heater for use in an aircraft, comprising:
The pipe may be any type. The pipe is configured to provide a conduit for water between a source and an outlet. That is, the pipe may be configured to provide a path for water to flow between a source and an outlet. The pipe may be in fluid communication with a source of water (e.g. at a first end of the pipe) and an outlet for the water (e.g. at a second end of the pipe).
The source and the outlet may be any type. In some examples, the source of water may be a water tank of the aircraft. In some examples, the outlet may be a tap of the aircraft. In some examples, the tap of the aircraft may be located (e.g. of a sink) in (e.g. a vanity unit of) a bathroom of the aircraft (e.g. to be used by passengers of the aircraft).
The pipe may contain water during use (e.g. as water flows between a source and an outlet). It will be understood that the pipe may contain any volume of water. In some examples, the pipe may be substantially full of water during use. In some examples, the pipe may be partially filled with water during use. The diameter and/or length of the pipe may be chosen such that the pipe is configured to provide a conduit between the source and the outlet for the desired volume of water.
The electric heater may be any type. In some examples, the electric heater may be a resistive heater (e.g. having a heating element configured to radiate heat). The heater may be powered by any suitable and desired source of electricity. For example, the heater may be powered by a battery or generator (e.g. auxiliary power unit) of the aircraft.
The electric heater extends along and/or around the outer surface of pipe. In examples where the electric heater extends along the outer surface of the pipe, the electric heater may extend between a first point on the outer surface of the pipe and a second point on the outer surface of the pipe, wherein the first point and the second point are separated in at least the axial direction of the pipe (the direction in which the pipe extends longitudinally to convey the water).
In examples where the electric heater extends around the outer surface of the pipe, the electric heater may extend between a first point on the outer surface of the pipe and a second point on the outer surface of the pipe, wherein the first point and the second point are separated in at least the azimuthal direction of the pipe (e.g. around the perimeter of the pipe).
In examples where the electric heater extends along and around the outer surface of the pipe, the electric heater may extend between a first point on the outer surface of the pipe and a second point on the outer surface of the pipe, wherein the first point and the second point are separated in both the axial direction and the azimuthal direction of the pipe.
The electric heater may extend along and/or around any proportion of the length of the pipe. In some examples, the electric heater may extend along and/or around only part of the pipe. In some examples, the electric heater may include a plurality of portions, each of which extends along and/or around a (e.g. different) portion of the pipe.
The electric heater is configured to heat the water in the pipe. The electric heater may be configured to heat up when the water heater is in use. The heat produced by the electric heater may travel through the pipe to the water inside the pipe. Therefore, the heat produced by the electric heater may be used to heat the water in the pipe. In some examples, the water is heated as it travels along the pipe between a source and an outlet. The water provided at the outlet may have a higher temperature than the water at the source.
The planar support structure may be configured to support the pipe of the water heater. In some examples, the planar support structure is formed of a stiff material, such that the planar support structure is configured to retain the pipe in its intended position. Furthermore, in some examples, the planar support structure is formed of a lightweight material, such that the total weight of the water heater may be reduced. For example, the planar support structure may be formed from a lightweight metal, a plastic and/or a fibre-reinforced polymer.
The planar support structure may be any shape and size. In some examples, the planar support structure is a plate, having a first planar surface facing on a first side and a second planar surface on a second, opposing side of the plate, separated across the thickness of the plate. The dimensions (e.g. length and width) of the planar surfaces may be much greater than the thickness of the plate. In some examples, the planar surfaces are substantially square or rectangular.
The pipe may be attached to a (first or second) planar surface of the planar support structure. At least part of the surface of the pipe may be in contact with a surface of the planar support structure along a substantial length of the pipe. As such, a surface along the pipe may lie in the plane of the planar surface. This may help to ensure that the desired length of pipe can be located inside the vanity unit. By arranging the pipe such that a surface along the pipe lies in a plane, the dimensions of the volume occupied by the pipe may be reduced in at least one direction.
The mount may be any type configured to attach the water heater to a surface in a vanity unit of an aircraft. The mount may be formed as a unitary piece with the planar support structure.
The vanity unit of the aircraft may be a storage unit and/or a support unit located proximal to a sink of the aircraft. In some examples, the vanity unit is attached to and/or formed as a unitary piece with a washbasin of an aircraft. In some examples, the vanity unit may extend below, around and/or on top of the sink (e.g. extending above the sink to support a mirror above the sink). In some examples, the vanity unit is a cupboard located below the sink. In some examples, the sink may rest on a surface of the vanity unit. In some examples, the vanity unit comprises other components such as: a waste water pipe, a waste receptacle and/or a storage unit.
In some examples, the pipe is formed from a thermally conductive material such that the electric heater is configured to heat the water in the pipe. A thermally conductive material may be configured to conduct heat between the electric heater and the water in the pipe. This may help to ensure that the water in the pipe is heated effectively. In some examples, the pipe is formed of a material with good thermal conductivity, such that heat is conducted efficiently between the electric heater and the water in the pipe. For example, the pipe may be formed of a metal, such as copper.
In some examples, the electric heater is in good thermal communication with the (e.g. outer surface of the) pipe. This may help to conduct heat between the electric heater and the water (e.g. through the walls (outer surface) of the pipe).
In some examples, the electric heater extends helically around the outer surface of the pipe. This may help to increase the length of the electric heater for a given length of pipe (e.g. compared to using a linear electric heater). This may help to increase the amount of heat supplied to the water in the pipe, thereby helping to increase the temperature of the water provided at the outlet and/or the efficiency of the water heater.
In some examples, the electric heater extends (continuously or discontinuously) along a substantial length of the pipe (e.g. between the source and the outlet). This may help to ensure that the water is heated over a significant proportion of the pipe as it travels between the source and the outlet, thereby helping to ensure that the water is heated to the desired temperature.
In some examples, the electric heater extends (continuously or discontinuously) along at least 50% of the pipe, optionally along at least 60% of the pipe, optionally along at least 70% of the pipe, optionally along at least 80% of the pipe, optionally along at least 90% of the pipe.
In some examples, the electric heater may be formed of more than one part, each of which extends along part of the pipe. Each part of the electric heater may be connected in any suitable and desired way to any other part of the electric heater. The different parts of the electric heater may operate separately or together.
In some examples, the electric heater may extend along the substantially linear portions of the pipe. This may help to simplify manufacture of the water heater, as the electric heater may not be required to conform to any bends and/or curves in the pipe.
In some examples, the pipe substantially covers the surface of the planar support structure. This may help to increase the length of the pipe for a planar support structure of a given surface area. This may help to increase the volume of water that the pipe is configured to hold, thereby increasing the volume of heated water that may be supplied at the outlet. In some examples, the pipe covers at least 60% of the surface of the planar support structure, optionally at least 70% of the surface of the planar support structure, at least 80% of the surface of the planar support structure, at least 90% of the surface of the planar support structure.
In some examples, the pipe comprises a plurality of substantially parallel portions. In some examples, the plurality of substantially parallel portions may have substantially the same length as a dimension (e.g. a width or a length) of the planar support structure. This may help to ensure that the pipe substantially covers the surface of the planar support structure. In some examples, the substantially parallel portions are linear. This may help to simplify manufacture of the water heater.
In some examples, each of the plurality of substantially parallel portions are connected to an adjacent substantially parallel portion at their respective ends, such that the pipe forms a continuous path between the water source and the water outlet. The pipe may follow a boustrophedonic path across a surface of the planar support structure. This may help to ensure that the pipe substantially covers the surface of the planar support structure.
The pipe may follow any suitable and desired path across the surface of the planar support structure. In some examples, the pipe may follow a spiral shaped path or a labyrinthine path.
In some examples, the pipe is attached to a surface of the planar support structure by an adhesive. The adhesive may be any suitable and desired type. The adhesive may be applied along any portion of the pipe. In some examples, the adhesive may extend along substantially the entire pipe.
In some examples, the mount for attaching the water heater to a surface of the aircraft comprises at least one bracket formed as a unitary piece with the planar support structure. The bracket(s) may be secured to the vanity unit using any suitable means, for example an adhesive and/or at least one fixing member such as a screw. The bracket(s) may be any shape. In some examples, the shape of the bracket(s) may be configured to at least partially wrap around a part of the vanity unit of the aircraft. Forming the bracket as a unitary piece with the planar support structure may help to simplify installation of the water heater by reducing the number of parts to be assembled.
In some examples, the mount for attaching the water heater to a surface of the aircraft comprises at least one aperture in the planar support structure. The aperture(s) may (e.g. each) be configured to receive a fixing member such as a screw, such that the water heater may be attached to a surface in a vanity unit of an aircraft.
In some examples, the water heater further comprises a thermostat. The thermostat may be any suitable and desired type. The thermostat may be configured to receive (e.g. as an input from a user) a target temperature of the water, measure the temperature of the water and adjust the operation of the water heater such that the water reaches its target temperature.
The thermostat may be configured to measure the temperature of the water by any suitable and desired means. In some examples, the thermostat is configured to measure the temperature of the water proximal to the output of the water heater. This may help to ensure that the measured temperature is substantially the same as the temperature of the water at the output (e.g. the temperature of the water during use).
In some examples, the thermostat is configured to receive one or more inputs (e.g. from a user). For example, the thermostat may receive one or more inputs from one or more of the following: a button, a switch, a remote controller and/or a control dial which may be used (e.g. by a user) to adjust the operating parameters of the thermostat. For example, a user may input the target temperature of the water. In some examples, the target temperature is set during installation and/or maintenance of the water heater and cannot be adjusted by a user during normal use (e.g. by a passenger on board an aircraft).
The thermostat may be configured to send one or more commands to the water heater. The water heater may be configured to adjust the power provided to the electric heater based on one or more commands from the thermostat. The water heater may be configured to adjust the power provided to the electric heater to achieve a number of operational conditions. For example, the power may be adjusted such that the temperature of the water at the outlet increases over time, decreases over time, or is maintained over time. The power may be adjusted such that the temperature of the water at the outlet is maintained at the target temperature set by (e.g. a user as an input to) the thermostat.
In some examples, the thermostat comprises a temperature sensor in fluid communication with the water in the pipe; and
The temperature sensor may be any suitable and desired type. It may be in fluid communication with the water in any manner. In some examples, at least part of the temperature sensor may be located inside the pipe. In some examples, the temperature sensor may be located proximal to the output of the water heater. This may help to ensure that the measured temperature is substantially the same as the temperature of the water at the output (e.g. the temperature of the water during use).
The temperature sensor may provide measurements to the thermostat continuously or at (e.g. predetermined) intervals. In some examples, the temperature sensor may provide feedback to the thermostat only when the electric heater is switched on (e.g. when a current is flowing through the electric heater). This may help to avoid the operation of the electric heater being adjusted when the water heater is not in use. The temperature sensor may communicate with the thermostat in any manner, for example using a wired or a wireless connection.
In some examples, the thermostat comprises a digital display configured to display the actual and/or target temperature of the water. This may help to ensure that the target temperature can be set to the desired temperature and/or that the operation of the water heater can be monitored and/or assessed.
In some examples, the water heater is configured to increase the temperature of the water by at least 15 degrees Celsius, optionally at least 20 degrees Celsius, optionally at least 30 degrees Celsius, optionally at least 40 degrees Celsius.
In some examples, it may be preferable to heat the water to a temperature significantly below boiling temperature (i.e. significantly below 100 degrees Celsius) and/or below scalding temperature (e.g. below approximately 60 degrees Celsius). In particular, this may be preferable if the water heater is being used to supply water to a tap to be used by a person (e.g. to wash their hands). This may help to prevent injuries such as scalds and burns. This may be particularly preferable if there is no separate cold water outlet. Therefore, in some examples, it may be preferable that the water heater increases the temperature of the water from room temperature (e.g. approximately 13-16 degrees Celsius) to a temperature suitable for use without further cooling of the water (e.g. approximately 32-54 degrees Celsius).
Certain examples of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
The water heater 2 includes a pipe 4 configured to provide a conduit for water between a source 6 and an outlet 8. In some examples, the source 6 is a water tank of the aircraft (not shown) and the outlet 8 is a tap of the aircraft (not shown). The tap may be located in a bathroom of the aircraft and may be used by passengers of the aircraft (e.g. to wash their hands).
The water heater 2 further includes an electric heater 10. When water is flowing between the source 6 and the outlet 8, the pipe 4 contains water. The electric heater 10 is configured to heat the water in the pipe 4. The electric heater 10 may be any type of heater that is configured to heat the water in the pipe 4. In this example, the electric heater 10 is a resistive heater.
In this example, the electric heater 10 extends helically around the outer surface of the pipe 4. This may help to ensure that the electric heater 10 is in contact with a substantial portion of the outer surface of the pipe 4, such that the electric heater 10 may heat the water along a substantial portion of the pipe 4. In this example, the electric heater 10 only extends along the linear portions of the pipe 4. However, it will be understood that in some examples, the electric heater 10 may extend along the curved portions of the pipe 4 and/or that the electric heater 10 may extend along substantially the entire length of the pipe 4.
The water heater 2 further includes a planar support structure 12. In this example, the planar support structure 12 is substantially planar in the x-y plane. In this example, the planar support structure 12 is also substantially square in the x-y plane. However, it will be understood that the planar support structure 12 may have any suitable and desired shape.
The pipe 4 is attached to a surface of the planar support structure 12 such that the pipe 4 follows a non-linear path across the surface of the planar support structure 12. In this example, the pipe 4 is attached to a surface of the planar support structure 12 in the x-y plane. Therefore, the pipe 4 follows a substantially planar path in the x-y plane.
The non-linear path followed by the pipe 4 in this example comprises a number of parallel linear portions connected at their respective ends by curved portions. This non-linear path may help to ensure that the pipe 4 has a length of at least 1 metre, while still being compact enough to be positioned inside a vanity unit of the aircraft. In this example, the pipe 4 occupies a substantial portion of the surface of the planar support structure 12. This may also help to ensure that the water heater is sufficiently compact.
The planar support structure 12 comprises brackets 14a-d configured to be attached to a surface in the vanity unit (not shown). In this example, the brackets 14a-d extend from each of the corners of the planar support structure 12. However, it will be understood that any number of brackets 14a-d may be used, and the brackets 14a-d may be located anywhere on the planar support structure 12.
In this example, the water heater 2 further includes a thermostat 16. In this example, the thermostat 16 includes a digital display 18 configured to display the actual and/or target temperature of the water. In this example, the thermostat 16 includes a control dial 20. The control dial 20 may be used to adjust the operating parameters of the thermostat. For example, a user may use the control dial 20 to select the target temperature of the water. It will be understood that the control dial 20 is exemplary, and the thermostat 16 could additionally or alternatively receive input from one or more buttons, switches, or remote controllers.
The thermostat 16 may include a temperature sensor (not shown) in fluid communication with the water in the pipe 4. For example, the temperature sensor may extend from the back surface of the thermostat 16 through a sealed aperture in the pipe 4 such that the temperature sensor is in contact with the water in the pipe 4.
The water heater 2 may be configured to adjust the power provided to the electric heater 10 based on the measurements from the temperature sensor and/or based on commands from the thermostat 16. The water heater 2 may be configured to adjust the power provided to the electric heater 10 to achieve a number of operation conditions. For example, the power may be adjusted such that the temperature of the water at the outlet 8 increases over time, decreases over time, or is maintained over time. The power may be adjusted such that the temperature of the water at the outlet 8 is maintained at the target temperature set by (e.g. a user via) the thermostat 16.
It can be seen in
In this example, the electric heater 110 extends axially along the outer surface of the pipe 104. The electric heater 110 extends along the longitudinal axis of the linear portions of the pipe 104. This may help to simplify manufacture of the water heater 102 (e.g. if the electric heater 110 is rigid such that it does not easily bend around the curved portions of the pipe 104).
In this example, the planar support structure 112 is substantially planar and rectangular in the x-y plane. However, it will be understood that the planar support structure 112 may have any suitable and desired shape.
The non-linear path followed by the pipe 104 in this example is similar to that of the pipe 104 in
The planar support structure 112 comprises apertures 114a-d configured to receive a fixing member (e.g. a screw) such that the planar support surface 112 may be attached to a surface in the vanity unit (not shown). In this example, the apertures 114a-d are located proximal to each of the corners of the planar support structure 112. However, it will be understood that any number of apertures 114a-d may be used, and the apertures 114a-d may be located anywhere on the planar support structure 112.
In this example, the water heater 102 further includes a thermostat 116 including a digital display 118 and a control dial 120 as discussed in relation to
It can be seen that, in this example, the electric heater 110 does not extend around the entire outer perimeter of the pipe 104. In this example, the electric heater 110 is formed from two portions, 110a and 110b, along each of the parallel linear portions of the pipe 104. The two portions 110a and 110b are located on two diametrically opposing sides of the pipe 104 and are in contact with the outer surface of the pipe 104. In this example, each portion 110a and 110b of the electric heater 110 has a rectangular cross-section in the y-z plane, such that each portion 110a and 110b is in tangential contact with the pipe 104. This arrangement may still provide sufficient heating to the water in the pipe 104. This arrangement may help to simplify manufacture of the water heater 102, as the electric heater 110 is not required to conform precisely to the curvature of the pipe 104.
It can be seen in
The vanity unit 22 is located underneath a sink in a bathroom of an aircraft. The tank 24 of the water heater is connected between an inlet pipe 26 and an outlet pipe 28. The inlet pipe 26 connects the input of the tank 24 to a source and the outlet pipe 28 connects the output of the tank 24 to an outlet. In some examples, the source 6 is a water tank of the aircraft (not shown) and the outlet 8 is a tap of the aircraft (not shown).
The vanity unit 22 comprises other components 30, shown schematically in the figures. The other components 30 may be any component of a vanity unit 22. In some examples, the other components 30 include one or more of: a waste water pipe; a waste receptacle and/or a storage unit. The tank 24 is located in a space between the other components 30 of the vanity unit 22. This results in the outlet pipe 28 having a length L1. This will be discussed in more detail in relation to
The water heater 2 is connected between an inlet pipe 126 and an outlet pipe 128. The inlet pipe 126 connects the water heater 2 to a source and the outlet pipe 128 connects the output of the water heater 2 to an outlet. In some examples, the inlet pipe 126 and/or the outlet pipe 128 are formed as a unitary piece with the pipe 4 of the water heater 2. In some examples, the source 6 is a water tank of the aircraft (not shown) and the outlet 8 is a tap of the aircraft (not shown). Therefore, the inlet pipe 126 may be configured to supply cold (i.e. unheated) water to the water heater 2 and the outlet pipe 128 may be configured to supply hot (i.e. heated) water to a tap of the aircraft (not shown).
As the water heater 2 of the present disclosure heats water as it flows through the pipe 4, this removes any need for a tank 24. This may help to reduce the weight of the water stored on the aircraft.
The water heater 2 is attached to a surface 32 in the vanity unit 122. In some examples, a surface of the planar support structure 112 is configured to be in contact with the surface 32 of the vanity unit 122 to which to which the water heater 2 is attached.
It can be seen that the vanity unit 122 of
The water heater 2 of the present disclosure has a smaller volume than the tank 24. Furthermore, the water heater 2 of the present disclosure has smaller dimensions along the z-direction. This may be advantageous because it allows the water heater 2 of the present disclosure to be located closer to the outlet. Therefore, the outlet pipe 128 may be shorter (having length L2) than the outlet pipe 28 of the system shown in
Furthermore, as the water heater 2 of the present disclosure has a smaller volume than the water tank 24, it may be more conveniently located against a surface 32 of the vanity unit 122. This may help to free up space in the vanity unit 122. The space previously occupied by the water tank 24 is shown as a dashed box in
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23207130.8 | Oct 2023 | EP | regional |
