US 4,330,083 AGranted

Home heating system

OwnerDante Di Fioreinventor

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Abstract

Combustion heat energy from a fireplace or a wood-burning stove is transferred by a circulating flow of water for utilization elsewhere in a home. The heating system includes a chamber-defining structure configured to be positioned in a conventional fireplace or in a conventional wood-burning stove so that water in the chamber is heated by combustion in the fireplace or the stove. In one application the heating system is utilized to transfer heat to a heat-energy-consuming appliance such as a water heater or a clothes dryer. In another application, the heating system is utilized to transfer heat energy to a conventional home hot water heating system. Features of the heating system include a novel construction of a fireplace heating unit, and a specially configured hot-water heater which positively prevents water from the heating system co-mingling with the household drinking water. The system enables a homeowner to utilize a fireplace or a woodburning stove in much the same way a spare tire is used in conjunction with an automobile, namely as an auxiliary or substitute resource which is available when needed.

Claims8

Dependent claims

A heating system, comprising:

(a) heating unit means for positioning in a combustion zone of a fireplace or wood-burning stove, for receiving combustion heat energy and for transferring such heat energy to a circulating flow of water;
(b) conduit means for ducting a circulating flow of water to and from the heating unit means to effect transfer to heat energy from the combustion zone to a remote location;
(c) the heating unit means including:
(i) an upper chamber-defining portion configured to overlie a part of the combustion zone so that water contained in the upper portion is heated by combustion gases and flames impinging on the outer surface of the upper portion;
(ii) a lower chamber-defining portion configured to underlie a part of the combustion zone and to support fuel for combustion;
(d) first valve means for selectively communicating the heating unit means with a heat-energy-consuming appliance capable of utilizing heat energy supplied via a circulating flow of water;
(e) second valve means for selectively communicating the heating unit means with a circulating hot water home heating system whereby the heating unit means can be utilized to deliver heat energy to the home heating system;
(f) riser conduit means communicating the upper and lower chamber-defining portions;
and,
(g) third valve means for controlling the flow of water through the riser conduit means.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.