Abstract:
The present invention provides a one-way closed pipeline internal circulation apparatus, including a first water pump and a manifold conversion three-way joint, where an external interface of a secondary pipe of the manifold conversion three-way joint is connected to a water outlet port of the first water pump. When the apparatus is used with a conventional gas water heater, hot water will instantly flow out when a water tap is turned on, and through mixing and transition of a hot water mixing container, other gas water heaters installed have a characteristic of steady and uninterrupted flow of hot water, which not only improves comfort of a user, but also achieves the purpose of saving water resources.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority to Chinese patent application No. 201310262569.0. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the technical field of water heater device, and particularly to a one-way closed pipeline internal circulation apparatus. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Gas water heaters in the prior art, including an integrated gas furnace which supplies both water and heat, have the following common problems: one is that after a water tap is turned on, there will always be some cold water; this is because that a problem of heating water remaining in a pipeline and transitional water before pre-heating the burner in the gas water heaters in the prior art have not been solved. The problem is still present when the water tap is turned on again in a while. Therefore, when applying bath lotion during bathing, many people tend not to turn off the water tap and let the hot water flow out unceasingly. Another problem is that phenomena such as unstable water flow and sharp fluctuation in temperature of the hot water still exists in the one-way closed pipeline internal circulation apparatus in the prior art 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The present invention provides a one-way closed pipeline internal circulation apparatus, which can be installed (embedded or independently) with a water heater in the prior art; in either case, it can be ensured that hot water will flow out instantly when a water tap is turned on. 
         [0005]    To achieve the foregoing objective, the following technical solutions are adopted in the present invention: 
         [0006]    A one-way closed pipeline internal circulation apparatus, including: a first water pump  200  and a manifold conversion three-way joint  300 , where an external interface  301  of a secondary pipe of the manifold conversion three-way joint  300  is connected to a water outlet port  201  of the first water pump  200 . 
         [0007]    Preferably, it further includes: 
         [0008]    a container  100 , where the bottom of the container  100  is also provided with a water outlet pipe  202  and a distal water outlet pipeline  101 , the lower end of the water outlet pipe  202  is connected to the water inlet port of the first water pump  200 , a manifold conversion three-way joint  300  is provided on the distal water outlet pipeline  101 , a secondary pipe  305  is provided in the section of the distal water outlet pipe  101  leading to a distal water use site, one end of the secondary pipe  305  is connected to an internal interface  302  of the secondary pipe of the manifold conversion three-way joint  300 , and the other end of the secondary pipe  305  is extended to a water outlet port of the distal water outlet pipe  101 . 
         [0009]    Preferably, the container is a water pipe, a water tank or a burner pipeline, and an electric heating device is provided inside the container. 
         [0010]    Preferably, the first external interface of the manifold conversion three-way joint  300  is connected to one end of a first section of the distal water outlet pipe, the other end of the first section of the distal water outlet pipe is connected to the container; the second external interface of the manifold conversion three-way joint  300  is connected to one end of a second section of the distal water outlet pipe, and the other end of the second section of the distal water outlet pipe is the water outlet port of the distal water outlet pipe  101 . 
         [0011]    Preferably, the container is also provided with the inner partition boards, and a hot water mixing cavity is formed between the inner partition boards. 
         [0012]    Preferably, a first water temperature sensor  401  is provided on the wall of the container, and a second water temperature sensor  402  is provided in the master channel of the manifold conversion three-way joint. 
         [0013]    Preferably, the apparatus further includes a housing, where the housing is disposed outside the container and encloses the container, a thermal insulating layer is provided between the housing and the container, the first water pump and the manifold conversion three-way joint are located between the container and the housing, one end of the water outlet pipe is located inside the container, the other end of the water outlet pipe is located outside the housing, one end of the second section of the distal water outlet pipe is located between the housing and the container, and the other end of the second section of the distal water outlet pipe is located outside the housing. 
         [0014]    Preferably, the bottom of the container  100  is provided with a water outlet pipe  102 , the water outlet pipe  102  is connected to a water inlet pipe  501  of a water heater  500 , the bottom of the container  100  is also provided with a water inlet pipe  103 , the water inlet tube  103  is connected to a water outlet pipe  502  of the water heater  500 , and a second water pump  203  is also provided on the water outlet pipe  102 . 
         [0015]    Preferably, the manifold conversion three-way joint  300  includes a master channel, and a standpipe vertically set in the middle of the master channel and connected with the master channel, where a secondary pipe is provided in the master channel, one end of the secondary pipe is located at an orifice of the master channel, the other end of the secondary pipe is connected with the standpipe, one end of the master channel has a first external interface  303 , the other end of the master channel has a second external interfaces  304 , the standpipe has an external interface  301  of the secondary pipe, and the second secondary pipe has an internal interface  302  of the secondary pipe. 
         [0016]    By implementing the foregoing technical solution, the following technical effects can be achieved: the one-way closed pipeline internal circulation apparatus provided in the present invention enables a conventional gas water heater (or other container, etc.) installed to effuse hot water instantly when a water tap is turned on, and through mixing and transition of a hot water mixing container, the gas water heater has a characteristic of steady and uninterrupted flow of hot water, which not only improves comfort of a user, but also achieves the purpose of saving water resources. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a schematic structural diagram of a one-way closed pipeline internal circulation apparatus according to the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a schematic structural diagram of another one-way closed pipeline internal circulation apparatus according to the present invention; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  a schematic structural diagram of a manifold conversion three-way joint according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    In order to better understand the technical solutions of the present invention, the embodiments provided in the present invention are described in detail blow in combination with the accompanying drawings. 
         [0021]    An embodiment of the present invention provides a one-way closed pipeline internal circulation apparatus, as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , including 
         [0022]    a first water pump  200  and a manifold conversion three-way joint  300 , where an external interface  301  a secondary pipe of the manifold conversion three-way joint  300  is connected to a water outlet port  201  of the first water pump  200 . The one-way closed pipeline internal circulation apparatus can be installed independently of but can work with other gas water heater cabinet. The one-way closed pipeline internal circulation apparatus can also be embedded into other gas water heater cabinet as a component . When the first water pump is in a working state, the manifold conversion three-way joint is used as a transfer unit; when the pipeline is in the closed state, the liquid in the liquid source container is transported to a distal end of the one-way closed pipeline by the first water pump through the secondary pipe set in the pipeline, and the liquid remaining in the pipeline is continuously propelled to pass through the master channel of the manifold conversion three-way joint and return back to the liquid source container, so as to form a continuous exchange between the liquid remaining in closed pipeline and the liquid in the liquid source container. 
         [0023]    In another embodiment, on the basis of the foregoing embodiment, the apparatus further includes a container  100 , where the bottom of the container  100  is also provided with an water outlet pipe  202  and a distal water outlet pipeline  101 , the lower end of the water outlet pipe  202  is connected to the water inlet port of the first water pump  200 , and a water outlet port  201  is also provided on the first water pump  200 . 
         [0024]    A manifold conversion three-way joint  300  is provided on the distal water outlet pipe  101 , the external interface  301  of the secondary pipe of the manifold conversion three-way joint  300  is connected to the water outlet port  201  of the first water pump  200 , a first secondary pipe  305  is provided inside the distal water outlet pipe  101 , one end of the first secondary pipe  305  is connected to the internal interface  302  of the secondary pipe of the manifold conversion three-way joint  300 , the other end of the first secondary pipe  305  is extended to the water outlet port of the distal water outlet pipe  101 , which can be connected to the water taps and the like. In this embodiment, preferably, the container  100  is a water pipe, a water tank, a burner pipeline or a filtration device; in another embodiment, further, an electric heating device is provided inside the container  100 . When the temperature of the water remaining in the container  100  is lower than a set value, the electric heating function is enabled; when the temperature of the water remaining in the container is higher than the set value, the electrical heating function is in standby state, so as to better maintain the temperature of the water in the pipeline. 
         [0025]    The one-way closed pipeline internal circulation apparatus may have or may not have the container. 
         [0026]    In  FIG. 2 , arrows indicate the direction of water circulation. When a distal gate valve (such as a water tap) of the distal water outlet pipe  101  is in the closed state and the first water pump  200  is working, the liquid in the container can be transported to the water outlet port of the distal water outlet pipe  101  through the first secondary pipe  305  provided inside the distal water outlet pipe  101 , so as to achieve a liquid circulation inside the one-way closed pipeline. When the water pump  200  is working, the flow direction of the liquid in the first secondary pipe  305  in the pipeline  101  is opposite to that of the liquid in the distal end water outlet pipe  101 . 
         [0027]    In a practical application, the outlet and inlet directions of the first water pump  200  can be adjusted, and the part specifications and the like can be adjusted according to actual situations. 
         [0028]    The water inlet port of the one-way closed pipeline internal circulation apparatus can be connected to the hot water outlet port of another water heater (such as a gas water heater, an electric water heater, and the like), so that the water in the pipeline leading to a water use end form a circulation with the water in the container, when the another water heater is in the standby or non-operation state. 
         [0029]    When the another water heater is in the standby state and the temperature of the water in the container is lower than a set value, the second water pump  203  is enabled until the temperature of the water in the container reaches the set value; when the temperature of the water remaining in the hot water pipeline  101  is lower than the set temperature, the first water pump  200  is enabled, so as to form a circulation of water remaining in the container and the pipeline between the container and the water tap (the water tap connected to an orifice of the distal water outlet pipe) through the first secondary pipe  305 , and maintain a suitable and constant temperature. When the temperature reaches the set value, the first water pump  200  enters the standby state. 
         [0030]    In the foregoing embodiment, more particularly, an external interface  303  of the manifold conversion three-way joint  300  is connected to one end of a first section of the distal water outlet pipe, and the other end of the first section of the distal water outlet pipe is connected to the container  100 ; the second external interface  304  of the manifold conversion three-way joint  300  is connected to one end of a second section of the distal water outlet pipe (leading to a water use site, such as the water tap), and the other end of the second section of the distal water outlet pipe is the water outlet port of the distal water outlet pipe  101 . 
         [0031]    In another embodiment, on the basis of the foregoing embodiments, an electric heating device is provided inside the container  100 . When the temperature of the water remaining in the container  100  is lower than the set value, the electric heating function is enabled; when the temperature of the water remaining in the container is higher than the set value, the electrical heating function enters the standby state, so that the temperature of the water in the pipeline can still be remained when the water heater is in the off state. 
         [0032]    In another embodiment, on the basis of the foregoing embodiments, inner partition boards are also provided inside the container  100 , and a hot water mixing cavity is formed between the inner partition boards, so that the outflow hot water of the water heater is more sufficiently mixed with the water in the container, making the temperature of the water outflow finally is more stable and having a better temperature-maintaining effect. 
         [0033]    In another embodiment, on the basis of each of the foregoing embodiments, furthermore, a first water temperature sensor  401  is provided on the wall of the container to detect the temperature of the water in the container; if the temperature of the water is lower than a set temperature, the water circulation or electric heating function is enabled. 
         [0034]    In another embodiment, on the basis of each of the foregoing embodiments, furthermore, a second water temperature sensor  402  is provided in the mater channel of the manifold conversion three-way joint. Through the detection of the second water temperature sensor, the first water pump for circulation is enabled. 
         [0035]    In another embodiment, on the basis of each of the foregoing embodiments, furthermore, the apparatus also includes a housing, where the housing is disposed outside the container and encloses the container, a thermal insulating layer is provided between the housing and the container, the first water pump and the manifold conversion three-way joint are located between the container and the housing, one end of the water outlet pipe is located inside the container, the other end of the water outlet pipe is located outside the housing, one end of the second section of the distal water outlet pipe is located between the housing and the container, and the other end of the second section of the distal water outlet pipe is located outside the housing, thus better maintaining the temperature of the water in the container, and protecting the container  100 , the first water pump, the manifold conversion three-way joint, and other components. 
         [0036]    In another embodiment, on the basis of each of the foregoing embodiments, furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the bottom of the container  100  is provided with a second water outlet pipe  102 , where the second outlet pipe  102  is connected to the water inlet pipe  501  of the water heater  500 , the bottom of the container  100  is also provided with a water inlet pipe  103 , and the water inlet pipe  103  is connected to the water outlet pipe  502  of the water heater  500 . 
         [0037]    In another embodiment, on the basis of each of the foregoing embodiments, furthermore, a second water pump  203  is also provided on the second water outlet pipe  102 . 
         [0038]    In the foregoing embodiments, more preferably, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the manifold conversion three-way joint  300  includes a master channel  320 , and a standpipe  310  vertically set in the middle of the master channel  320  and connected with the master channel; a second secondary pipe  321  is provided in the master channel  320 , one end of the second secondary pipe  321  is located at an orifice of the master channel  320 , and the other end of the second secondary pipe  321  is connected with the standpipe  310 ; one end of the master channel has a first external interface  314 , the other end of the master channel has a second external interface  313 , the standpipe has an external interface  301  of the secondary pipe, and the second secondary pipe has an internal interface  302  of the secondary pipe. 
         [0039]    Installation positions of the component parts, inflow and outflow water routes, positions of the water inlet and outlet ports, size and shape of the hot water mixing container and the number and positions of the partition boards inside the container, and the like, of the apparatus that can effuse hot water instantly according to the embodiments of the invention can be adjusted to suit structures of different device models. 
         [0040]    Although the foregoing gives a detailed description of a one-way closed pipeline internal circulation apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention, modifications may be made to specific embodiments and scope of application by a person of ordinary skill in the art, base on the idea of the embodiments of the present invention. To summarize, the contents disclosed in the present description should not be construed as limiting the present invention.