US 4,747,273 AGranted

Heating and cooling system

AssigneeArtesian Building Systems

InventorsRobert E. Cook, Michael J. Davidson, Maurice A. Rice

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Abstract

An improved heating and cooling system for an associated home or office environment is provided which facilitates efficiency and enhances overall system operation. The operative elements of the heating and cooling system including a compressor, desuperheater, pump, water heater tank, blower, heat exchange unit and central electrical control unit are all contained in a single, common cabinet providing thermal and noise insulation and drain pan-spillage containment. Ambient and stand-by thermal loss is minimized by reason of the cabinet and the proximity of the operative elements therein. Facilitation of the desuperheating function is further provided through defining three distinct water temperature layers within the water heater tank and maintaining predetermined water temperatures within those layers through selective operation of the desuperheater and a bypass arrangement. Internal temperature maintenance in the associated home or office environment is further facilitated through cut-off of the desuperheater function when maximal heat transfer to the environment is desired. Optimization of the energy imparted by water heating elements within the water heater tank provides for improved overall efficiency and reduced operating costs.

Claims19

Dependent claims

An improved heating and cooling system utilizing recovered heat comprising:

a water heater having a tank provided with a cold water inlet and a hot water outlet, at least one water heating means within the tank near said outlet thereby effecting a first water temperature layer within said tank, means for effecting flow of cold water at said inlet to a region within said tank distally located from said outlet and said first water temperature layer and creating a second water temperature layer within said tank, water circulation means having an inlet communicating with said second water temperature layer, pump means coacting with said water circulation means for circulating water therein, desuperheater means for raising the temperature of water received by said circulation means from said second layer, and outlet means disposed within said tank intermediate said first and second water temperature layers creating a third water temperature layer within said tank;
compressor means for effecting heating and cooling functions within the system and having an outlet means for heated compression gases communicating with said desuperheater means and the water circulating in said water circulation means and dissipating heat from said compression gases;
heat exchange means operatively connected to said compressor means;
and
blower means associated with said heat exchange means to provide air flow across the heat exchange means and provide circulation of conditioned air outside a cabinet;
said blower means, heat exchange means, compressor means and tank being disposed in proximity within said cabinet the latter being insulated whereby the heat of the compression gases is substantially retained prior to reaching said desuperheater means.

3 more elements

Improved water heating apparatus for use in an integrated heating and cooling system for conditioning a space, said apparatus having at least a compressor means, heat exchange means and conduit means for transmitting compressor-processed gases to said heat exchange means comprising:

a water heater tank having a cold water inlet and a hot water outlet for water service to the said space, at least one water heating means within the tank near the hot water outlet, thereby effecting a first water temperature layer within said tank and inlet extension means coupled to said cold water inlet to discharge cold water at a region within said tank distally located from said outlet and said first water temperature layer, thereby effecting a second water temperature layer within said tank;
desuperheater means coupled proximate said conduit means for heat transfer from said compressor-processed gases to water circulating in said desuperheater means;
and
circulation means for selectively withdrawing water from said second water temperature layer in said tank, circulating said water through said desuperheater means and discharging said water from said desuperheater means into said tank at a region intermediate said first and second layers, thereby effecting a third water temperature layer within said tank.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.