US 6,109,339 A · Heating system

Abstract

A heating system uses a dynamic thermal stabilizer for receiving, mixing, holding and outputting a circulating heat exchange liquid in a fashion similar to the use of a flywheel in the mechanical arts. Liquid is returned to the dynamic thermal stabilizer from both an input heat exchange unit and an output heat exchange unit. A two pump system affords a simple tee fitting arrangement that provides room air heating by directly using hot liquid either from the dynamic thermal stabilizer or directly (and at higher temperature) from the input heat exchange unit itself to automatically achieve an additional boost of room heat using higher temperature liquid. The system can also provide initial short draws of domestic hot water from the dynamic thermal stabilizer alone or long draws of hot water by using the input heat exchange unit as a further source of heat input. The system includes a through-the-wall mounting system that simultaneously provides a source of combustion air and vents exhaust products, a spacer to maintain combustion air and exhaust pipes in spaced-apart relation, and a vent device for maintaining a cool, outer-vent surface. The system is combined with an air conditioning or heat pump system to provide a triple integrated appliance that provides room air heating and cooling and a source of domestic hot water.

Claims42

Dependent claims

A heating system comprising:

a) a dynamic thermal stabilizer;
b) an input heat exchanger;
c) an output heat exchanger;
d) said input heat exchanger connected to receive a liquid from said dynamic thermal stabilizer;
e) said dynamic thermal stabilizer connected to receive said liquid from said input heat exchanger;
f) said output heat exchanger connected to receive said liquid from said input heat exchanger;
g) said dynamic thermal stabilizer connected to receive said liquid from said output heat exchanger;
h) a first subunit housing containing said input heat exchanger and said dynamic thermal stabilizer;
i) an input heat-exchanger housing having:
1) said input heat exchanger contained therein;
2) a burner means for providing heat to said input heat exchanger;
and
3) an exhaust means attached to said input heat exchanger housing for venting combustion products from said burner means;
j) said first subunit housing having a cutout therein for receiving a combustion air supply and said exhaust means;
and
k) a mounting unit for said subunit housing with said mounting unit comprising:
1) a mounting panel with said panel having a thimble cut-out therein;
2) a thimble aligned with said thimble cut-out and attached to said mounting panel in a substantially perpendicular direction to said panel and receiving said exhaust means therein;
and
3) a sidewall extending forward from said mounting panel in a direction substantially perpendicular to said panel and opposite said thimble, said sidewall forming a frame for receiving a portion of said subunit housing and maintaining said exhaust means in spaced apart relation with said thimble.

17 more elements

A heating system comprising a first housing having therein

a) a dynamic thermal stabilizer comprising:
1) a cold-water input;
2) an output heat exchanger input for receiving water from an output heat exchanger;
3) an input heat-exchanger output for providing water to an input heat exchanger;
4) a hot-water output;
and
5) a combined input heat exchanger input/output heat exchanger output for selectively receiving hot water from said input heat-exchanger and providing hot water to said output heat exchanger;
b) an input heat-exchanger housing containing said input heat exchanger with said input heat exchanger comprising:
1) an input heat exchanger input connected to said dynamic thermal stabilizer input heat-exchanger output;
and
2) an input heat-exchanger output;
c) a tee connection connected to:
1) said input heat-exchanger output;
and
2) said dynamic thermal stabilizer combined input heat-exchanger input/output heat-exchanger output;
and
3) said tee connection having a tee output for providing water to said output heat exchanger;
and
d) a mounting unit for said first housing comprising:
1) a mounting panel having an opening for receiving a combustion-air conduit;
2) said combustion-air conduit attached to said mounting panel in a substantially perpendicular orientation to said panel and receiving an exhaust flue therein;
and
3) a sidewall extending forward at substantially a right angle to said panel in a direction opposite said orientation of said combustion-air conduit and forming a frame for receiving a portion of said first housing and maintaining said exhaust flue in spaced-apart relation with said combustion-air conduit.

20 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Heating system

Life of this patent

Heating system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims42