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US 5,709,201 AGranted
Method and apparatus for heating a liquid medium
AssigneeAnser Thermal Technologies, Inc.
InventorEdwin E. Puett, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A heating apparatus draws in a liquid medium through a motor driven, high pressure pump, the liquid medium is greatly increased in pressure and temperature through frictional heating thereof and then the liquid medium is discharged in a heated, reduced pressure state for use directly or for heat exchange with another fluid. A method of utilizing the heating apparatus is also disclosed.
Claims19
An apparatus for heating a liquid medium comprising:
- a liquid passage;
- means for drawing a liquid medium into said liquid passage at a first pressure and a first temperature;
- means for retaining said liquid medium in said liquid passage until said liquid medium is pressurized to a second pressure which is multiple times higher than said first pressure and frictionally heated to a second temperature which is greater than said first temperature;
- means for releasing said liquid medium in a heated state from said liquid passage at a third pressure which is lower than said second pressure;
- a first fluid motor arranged in fluid communication with said liquid passage, wherein said first fluid motor is adapted to be driven by said liquid medium;
- means for sensing an operating parameter of said liquid medium downstream of said drawing means;
- and
- means for automatically controlling the operation of said drawing means based on the sensed operating parameter.
5 more elements
An apparatus for heating a liquid medium comprising:
- a liquid passage;
- means for drawing a liquid medium in said liquid passage at a first pressure and a first temperature;
- means for retaining said liquid medium in said liquid passage until said liquid medium is pressurized to a second pressure which is multiple times higher than said first pressure and frictionally heated to a second temperature which is greater than said first temperature;
- means for releasing said liquid medium in a heated state from said liquid passage at a third pressure which is lower than said second pressure;
- a reservoir, said drawing means taking the liquid medium from said reservoir and said releasing means delivering the liquid medium back to said reservoir;
- means for sensing an operating parameter of said liquid medium downstream of said drawing means;
- and
- means for automatically controlling the operation of said drawing means based on the sensed operating parameter, wherein said liquid passage is immersed in said reservoir which defines an enclosed chamber with the liquid medium extending up to a first level in said chamber, said chamber being provided with inlet and outlet ports with at least said outlet port being located above said first level.
5 more elements
An apparatus for heating a liquid medium comprising:
- a liquid passage;
- means for drawing a liquid medium into said liquid passage at a first pressure and a first temperature;
- means for retaining said liquid medium in said liquid passage until said liquid medium is pressurized to a second pressure which is multiple times higher than said first pressure and frictionally heated to a second temperature which is greater than said first temperature;
- means for releasing said liquid medium in a heated state from said liquid passage at a third pressure which is lower than said second pressure;
- a reservoir, said drawing means taking the liquid medium from said reservoir and said releasing means delivering the liquid medium back to said reservoir;
- a liquid conduit adapted to receive a flow of said liquid medium;
- a heat exchanger having an inlet and an outlet with said inlet being attached to said liquid conduit and said outlet leading to said reservoir;
- means for controlling the flow of said liquid medium within said liquid conduit;
- means for sensing an operating parameter of said liquid medium downstream of said drawing means;
- means for automatically controlling the operation of said drawing means based on the sensed operating parameter;
- and
- said apparatus further comprising, in combination, a hot water tank, said heat exchanger being arranged within said hot water tank.
9 more elements
A method of heating a liquid medium comprising:
- delivering a liquid medium into a liquid conduit at a first pressure and a first temperature;
- pressurizing the liquid medium within the conduit to multiple times higher than said first pressure while frictionally heating the liquid medium to a second temperature which is greater than said first temperature;
- outputting the liquid medium, in a heated state, at a pressure within five times said first pressure;
- driving a fluid motor by the liquid medium;
- sensing an operating parameter of said liquid medium;
- and
- controlling the delivery of the liquid medium into the liquid conduit based on the sensed operating parameter of said liquid medium.
4 more elements
A method of generating and exchanging heat comprising:
- sensing a desired heating condition for a zone;
- drawing a liquid from a reservoir by means of a motor driven pump;
- frictionally heating and raising the pressure of said liquid;
- directing output flow from the pump back to the reservoir;
- continuing to drawing the liquid from the reservoir and frictionally heating the liquid until at least the liquid becomes heated to a predetermined temperature;
- sensing when the liquid has reached the predetermined temperature;
- activating a control member to cause a fluid to flow in heat exchange relationship with the liquid;
- directing the fluid into said zone;
- and
- sensing when the desired heating condition for the zone is reached and then de-activating the motor driven pump.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.