US 4,363,221 A · Water heating system having a heat pump

Abstract

A water heating system for residential use is provided having a heat pump solely for producing heat energy to heat water. The system includes an insulated storage tank interconnected in a water system and the tank may be provided with secondary heating means such as electric resistance elements for effecting heating of the water in the event that the heat pump is unable to produce sufficient heat as a consequence of ambient environment temperature conditions or if the heating demands exceed the heat pumps capability. A water circulating conduit is connected with the tank and is coupled with the heat pump by a heat exchanger. Positive circulation of water in the conduit is obtained by a pump interconnected therein. A temperature regulating flow control valve may be included in the circulating conduit to result in the water leaving the circulating conduit and either returning to the tank or entering the water system at the maximum desired temperature. A modified form of the system includes a vertically configured heat exchanger which is particularly capable of effecting circulation of water through inducing of thermally convective current.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A water heating system for interconnection into a water system having a pressurized cold water source and a hot water utilization device comprising

a water storage tank with relatively lower and upper zones therein and having first conduit means for interconnecting said tank in series flow relationship in the water system to permit inflow of cold water to said tank at said lower zone and outflow of water from said tank at said upper zone in response to requirements of a utilization device, and
water heating means including second conduit means connected in fluid flow relationship with said storage tank, fluid flow inducing means coupled with said second conduit means in operative relationship for effecting circulation of water therethrough from the lower to the upper zone of said tank, and a closed loop heat pump system including heat obtaining means positionable in heat transferring relationship to a heat source to derive heat therefrom and control means responsive to the water temperature in the storage tank to control operation of said water heating means, said second conduit means and said heat pump system interconnected for effecting a transfer of heat only to water circulating through said second conduit means.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Water heating system having a heat pump

Life of this patent

Water heating system having a heat pump

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16