US 5,325,822 AGranted

Electrtic, modular tankless fluids heater

OwnerGuillermo N. Fernandezinventor

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Abstract

A tankless, flow-through electric water heater whose housing is designed for modular application, where serially connected modules define the path of the fluid being heated, in this case water, through the heater from inlet to final outlet. Each module contains two separate chambers and each chamber is provided with an electric immersion type heating element. The first and last chambers will also have a temperature sensor which will signal an electronic temperature control system. The temperature sensor in the first and last chambers provides signal inputs to energize each heating element of each chamber for a period of time proportional to the temperature difference between first chamber and the desired set leaving temperature of the water, which is set by an adjustable temperature controller (potentiometer), included in this control system. This control system also has a minimum setting point for a "no flow" condition or for the prevention of water freezing, where extreme weather conditions exist.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A heater apparatus designed for heating of a continuous flow of fluids therethrough comprising one or more modules disposed in serial fashion, each of said modules constituting a modular apparatus comprising:

(a) a first chamber and a second chamber each for the receipt of a flow of fluid therethrough and wherein the flow of fluid enters the first chamber at one end and exits it at the other end whereupon it enters the second chamber at one end and exits at the other end;
(b) a first temperature sensing means operably disposed in the first chamber for measuring the temperature of fluid therethrough and a second temperature sensing means operably disposed in the second chamber for measuring the temperature of the flow of fluid therethrough, and a means for comparing the temperature of fluid flow in the first chamber against the temperature of fluid flow in the second chamber;
(c) a heating element disposed in each of said chambers operably connected to said first and second temperature sensing means for measuring the temperature of the flow of fluid through each said first and second chamber and to said means for comparing the differences in temperature of fluid flow therein;
(d) a means for energizing each of said heating elements selectively;
(e) a temperature set means operatively connected to each of said heating elements for the separate actuation thereof;
(f) an electronic means coupling each said temperature measuring means to said temperature set means so that each of said heating elements are selectively energized when the temperature of the flow of fluid in either of the chambers is lower than the temperature set means;
and
(g) said the means for energizing the heating elements comprises means for energizing the heating element immediately proximate to the fluid entering the first module when the temperature of the fluid is below that which is desired and wherein said means for energizing said heating element proximate to the entering fluid in the last module continues to heat the fluid until a preset predetermined temperature is reached.

5 more elements

(a) a first chamber and a second chamber each for the receipt of a flow of fluid therethrough and wherein the flow of fluid enters the first chamber at one end and exits it at the other end whereupon it enters the second chamber at one end and exits at the other end;
(b) a first temperature sensing means operably disposed in the first chamber for measuring the temperature of fluid therethrough and a second temperature sensing means operably disposed in the second chamber for measuring the temperature of the flow of fluid therethrough, and a means for comparing the temperature of fluid flow in the first chamber against the temperature of fluid flow in the second chamber;
(c) a heating element disposed in each of said chambers operably connected to said first and second temperature sensing means for measuring the temperature of the flow of fluid through each said first and second chamber and to said means for comparing the differences in temperature of fluid flow therein;
(d) a means for energizing each of said heating elements selectively;
(e) a temperature set means operatively connected to each of said heating elements for the separate actuation thereof;
(f) an electronic means coupling each said temperature measuring means to said temperature set means so that each of said heating elements are selectively energized when the temperature of the flow of fluid in either of the chambers is lower than the temperature set means;
and
(g) said means for energizing the heating elements comprises means for energizing the heating element immediately proximate to the fluid departing the last module when the temperature of the fluid is below that which is desired and wherein said means for energizing said heating element immediately proximate to the departing fluid in the last module continues to heat the fluid until a preset predetermined temperature is reached.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/780,650Filed 22 Oct 1991 · continuation in part
Granted: 5 Jul 1994
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

F24H 9/2028
Using electrical energy supply: continuous-flow heaters
F24H 1/102
Using electric energy supply: with resistance
F24H 15/132
Preventing overheating: preventing the operation of water heaters with low water levels, e.g. dry-firing
F24H 15/174
Characterised by the purpose of the control: supplying heated water with desired temperature or desired range of temperature