DETECTOR OF THE FLOWING OF A FLUID IN A PIPE AND ENERGY SAVING DEVICE FOR A HOT WATER SYSTEM USING THIS DETECTOR

摘要

A device for detecting the flowing of a fluid in a pipe, comprising a tubular element vertically mounted on the pipe for serially interconnecting two portions of this pipe. One of these portions is connected to the upper end of the tubular element while the other portion is connected to its lower end. A piston made of a magnetic material is slidably mounted within the tubular element and is therefore free to move along it. A by pass conduit interconnects a part of the tubular element adjacent to its lower end with the portion of the pipe which is connected to the upper end of the tubular element to allow the fluid to flow from the portion of the pipe connected at the lower end of the tubular element to the portion of the pipe connected at its upper end. In operation, the piston moves upwardly in the tubular element as soon as the fluid starts to flow to allow this fluid to flow from the portion of the pipe connected at the lower end of the tubular element to the one connected at its upper end through the by-pass conduit. The piston moves downwardly by gravity to the lower end of the tubular element as soon as the fluid stops flowing. A coil wound around a portion of the tubular element produces an electrical signal every time the piston moves in the tubular element. This detecting device can be mounted on a hot water supply pipe and used in combination with an electronic circuit for saving energy in operating a hot water system comprising a tank for stocking hot water, an apparatus for heating the water within the tank, and a thermostat for controlling the operation of the water heating apparatus in accordance with the temperature of the water in the tank. In this case, the electronic circuit allows or prevents the thermostat to control the water heating apparatus.