Portable temperature-controlled water heater
OwnerChristopher James Sulzerinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for portably heating water for the purpose of showering or cleanup. A flow of water, originating from a supply container, is warmed as it passes through a heat exchanger transferring energy from a heat source. The heated flow of water is deposited into an accumulating container. The water temperature is actively and automatically controlled by a temperature-responsive valve. Responding to the temperature of the flowing water, the temperature-responsive valve varies the flow of water so as to produce an accurate water temperature within the accumulating container. The flow of water is gravitationally motivated by a pressure head differential between the supply container positioned at an upper elevation and the accumulating container positioned at a lower elevation.
Claims6
A portable water heater comprising:
- a supply container, positioned at a first elevation, said supply container at least partially enclosing a volume of water,
- an accumulating container positioned at a second elevation lower than said first elevation thus causing a pressure head differential between said first elevation and said second elevation,
- a heat exchanger having an inlet and an outlet, said heat exchanger located near a field-supplied heat source, from which energy is absorbed and transferred to a flow of water therein,
- a temperature-responsive valve having
- an inlet,
- an outlet,
- a chamber being in fluid communication with said inlet of said temperature-responsive valve and said outlet of said temperature-responsive valve,
- a primary aperture formed within a surface of said chamber,
- a secondary aperture intersecting said primary aperture along one side,
- a movable valve member having a displacement relative to said primary aperture causing a variable flow restriction,
- a stop for preventing said movable valve member from blocking said secondary aperture thereby causing a maximum flow restriction,
- a temperature-sensitive element positioned within said chamber and having a predetermined response function as a result of applied temperature, and
- a linkage for controllably coupling said response function of said temperature-sensitive element to said displacement of said moveable valve member,
- said temperature-responsive valve configured to have a predetermined temperature setting and causing a minimum flow restriction when the temperature of said flow of water is a predetermined margin greater than said temperature setting and said maximum flow restriction when the temperature of said flow of water is a predetermined margin less than said temperature setting,
- a first duct for fluidly coupling said supply container to said inlet of said heat exchanger, and
- a second duct for fluidly coupling said outlet of said heat exchanger to said inlet of said temperature-responsive valve,
- whereby said flow of water, caused by said pressure head differential, is automatically varied within a predetermined range by said temperature-responsive valve so that said volume of water is transferred from said supply container to said accumulating container at a temperature equal to that of said temperature setting.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.