Indirectly Heated, Storage Water Heater System
AssigneePVI Industries, Inc.
InventorsCory T. Malone, Michael J. Hubbard
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system is shown for providing domestic hot water for potable use. The energy source is a steam powered heat exchanger. Water is heated in a heat engine package including the heat exchanger, a temperature operated pump and a condensate control valve. The heat package works in conjunction with a water storage package including a water storage tank and an electronic controller which controls the operation of the pump and condensate control valve. The electronic controller is operated so that the control of steam supplied to the system and flow of water through the heat exchanger ensures that steam is only present in the heat exchanger when there is a predetermined high flow rate of water.
Claims16
A system for providing potable, domestic hot water using an indirectly heated, storage water heater system, the system comprising:
- a heat engine package comprising a steam operated heat exchanger, a temperature operated pump and a condensate control valve;
- a storage package including a water storage tank with an internal temperature sensor, the water storage tank being located apart from but plumbed to the steam operated heat exchanger, and an electronic controller operatively associated with the temperature sensor in the water storage tank, the temperature operated pump, and the condensate control valve to control the supply of steam to the heat exchanger and the discharge of condensate therefrom, as well as the flow of hot and cold water to and from the water storage tank;
- wherein the water storage tank has an interior, a cold water inlet and a cold water circulation outlet connected by a conduit to one side of the heat exchanger, a hot water circulation return inlet for communication with the heat exchanger for directing an inlet stream of hot water from the steam operated heat exchanger back into the storage tank interior, and a hot water outlet, and wherein a diffuser nozzle is located within the tank interior at both the cold water inlet and the hot water circulation return inlet to reduce velocity and directionality of the inlet stream of hot water being introduced into the tank interior from the heat exchanger;
- wherein the electronic controller is operated so that the control of steam supplied to the system and flow of water through the heat exchanger ensures that steam is only present in the heat exchanger when there is a predetermined high flow rate of water.
A method for providing potable, domestic hot water to an end user, using an indirectly heated, storage water heater system, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a heat engine package comprising a steam operated heat exchanger, a temperature operated circulating pump and a condensate control valve;
- providing a storage package including a water storage tank with an internal temperature sensor, the water storage tank being located apart from but plumbed to the steam operated heat exchanger, and an electronic controller operatively associated with the temperature sensor in the water storage tank, the temperature operated pump, and the condensate control valve to control the supply of steam to the heat exchanger and the discharge of condensate therefrom, as well as the flow of hot and cold water to and from the water storage tank;
- wherein the water storage tank has an interior, a cold water inlet and a cold water circulation outlet connected by a conduit to one side of the heat exchanger, a hot water circulation return inlet for communicating with the heat exchanger for directing an inlet stream of hot water from the steam operated heat exchanger back into the storage tank interior, and a hot water outlet, and wherein a diffuser nozzle is located within the tank interior at both the cold water inlet and the hot water circulation return inlet to reduce velocity and directionality of the inlet streams of water being introduced into the tank interior;
- wherein the electronic controller is operated so that the control of steam supplied to the system and flow of water through the heat exchanger ensures that steam is only present in the heat exchanger when there is a predetermined high flow rate of water.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.