US20100077969A1 - Method of water heating and distribution - Google Patents
Method of water heating and distribution Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20100077969A1 US20100077969A1 US12/632,876 US63287609A US2010077969A1 US 20100077969 A1 US20100077969 A1 US 20100077969A1 US 63287609 A US63287609 A US 63287609A US 2010077969 A1 US2010077969 A1 US 2010077969A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- water
- chamber
- temperature
- heating
- value
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H1/00—Water heaters, e.g. boilers, continuous-flow heaters or water-storage heaters
- F24H1/18—Water-storage heaters
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
- F28D20/00—Heat storage plants or apparatus in general; Regenerative heat-exchange apparatus not covered by groups F28D17/00 or F28D19/00
- F28D20/0034—Heat storage plants or apparatus in general; Regenerative heat-exchange apparatus not covered by groups F28D17/00 or F28D19/00 using liquid heat storage material
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
- F28D20/00—Heat storage plants or apparatus in general; Regenerative heat-exchange apparatus not covered by groups F28D17/00 or F28D19/00
- F28D2020/0065—Details, e.g. particular heat storage tanks, auxiliary members within tanks
- F28D2020/0086—Partitions
Definitions
- the present invention relates to heating water and maintaining water at two different temperatures in a single tank.
- the invention provides a water heating apparatus including a tank divided into first and second chambers, wherein water in the first chamber has a first temperature and water in the second chamber has a second temperature.
- the water heating apparatus also includes a first outlet for supplying water from the first chamber to a first recipient, a first thermostat configured to measure the first temperature, a second thermostat configured to measure the second temperature, means for heating water in the second chamber, a pump having a pump inlet in fluid communication with the second chamber and a pump outlet in fluid communication with the first chamber, and a controller configured to initiate pumping of water from the second chamber to the first chamber when the first thermostat indicates the first temperature is below a predetermined first value.
- the controller is also configured to initiate heating of water in the second chamber when the second thermostat indicates the second temperature is below a predetermined second value, the second value being greater than the first value.
- the invention provides a water heating and distribution system including a tank divided into first and second chambers, wherein water in the first chamber has a first temperature and water in the second chamber has a second temperature.
- the water heating and distribution system also includes a first outlet, a first recipient for receiving water from the first chamber via the first outlet, a first thermostat configured to measure the first temperature, a second thermostat configured to measure the second temperature, means for heating water in the second chamber, a pump having a pump inlet in fluid communication with the second chamber and a pump outlet in fluid communication with the first chamber, and a controller configured to initiate pumping of water from the second chamber to the first chamber when the first thermostat indicates the first temperature is below a predetermined first value.
- the controller is also configured to initiate heating of water in the second chamber when the second thermostat indicates the second temperature is below a predetermined second value, the second value being greater than the first value.
- the invention provides a method of storing water at two temperatures, the method including providing a tank divided into first and second chambers, storing water in the first chamber at a first temperature, storing water in the second chamber at a second temperature, and heating water in the second chamber when the second temperature is below a predetermined second value.
- the method also includes pumping water from the second chamber to the first chamber when the first temperature is below a predetermined first value, the first values being less than the second value, and permitting water flow from the first chamber to the second chamber while pumping water from the second chamber to the first chamber.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a water heating and distribution system embodying the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the water heating and distribution system of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a water heating and distribution system that is an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a water heating and distribution system that is an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a water heating and distribution system 10 embodying the present invention.
- the water heating apparatus 10 includes a tank 12 and a boiler 14 for heating water in the tank 12 .
- the tank 12 is defined in part by a generally cylindrical tank wall 15 that is preferably insulated to retain heat, and is divided into a first or lower chamber 16 and a second or upper chamber 18 by a baffle 20 .
- the baffle 20 is sealingly connected to the inner surface of the tank 12 about the perimeter of the baffle 20 .
- the baffle 20 is secured within the tank in a substantially horizontal configuration and is substantially flat.
- the baffle 20 also includes a plurality of apertures that permit fluid communication between the lower and upper chambers 16 , 18 .
- a cold water inlet 23 supplies water to the lower chamber 16 . In some embodiments, the cold water inlet 23 could supply water to the upper chamber 18 .
- the tank 12 also includes a first or lower outlet conduit 30 for supplying water from the lower chamber 16 , and includes a second or upper outlet conduit 34 for supplying water from the upper chamber 18 .
- First and second recipients 32 , 36 receive water via the lower and upper conduits 30 , 34 , respectively, which is explained in greater detail below. Water can be drawn from either or both of the first and second outlet conduits 30 , 34 independently.
- the boiler 14 is configured to receive water from the upper chamber 18 via a boiler inlet conduit 40 , heat the water, and return the heated water to the upper chamber 18 via a boiler outlet conduit 42 .
- the boiler 14 only heats water in the upper chamber 18 when necessary.
- the water in the tank 12 can be heated with an electric heating element positioned inside the tank, with a gas burner such as those found on conventional gas water heaters, by a conventional water heater, or by any other suitable means.
- the tank 12 includes a relief valve 43 near the top of the tank 12 to relieve excess pressure that may build within the tank 12 when water is heated.
- a pump 44 is connected to the upper chamber 18 via a pump inlet conduit 46 , and is connected to the lower chamber 16 via a pump outlet conduit 48 .
- the pump 44 transfers hot water from the upper chamber 18 to the lower chamber 16 .
- a controller 50 is employed to control the heating of water in the upper chamber 18 and the pumping of water from the upper chamber 18 to the lower chamber 16 .
- the controller 50 maintains water in the lower and upper chambers 16 , 18 at first and second temperatures, respectively.
- the second temperature is greater than the first temperature.
- the controller 50 is connected to first and second thermostats 51 , 52 .
- the first and second thermostats 51 , 52 are connected to the tank 12 to measure the first and second temperatures, respectively.
- the controller 50 is also connected to the boiler 14 and the pump 44 .
- First and second values defining desired first and second temperatures are assigned to the first and second thermostats 51 , 52 , respectively.
- the controller 50 monitors the first and second temperatures with the first and second thermostats 51 , 52 , and controls heating and pumping as described below to maintain the first and second temperatures at the first and second values.
- the controller 50 sends a signal to the boiler 14 to cycle and heat water in the upper chamber 18 .
- the controller 50 sends a signal to the boiler 14 to cease cycling and heating.
- the controller 50 sends a signal to the pump 44 to transfer warmer water from the upper chamber 18 to the lower chamber 16 .
- water from the lower chamber 16 flows through the apertures in the baffle 20 into the upper chamber 18 .
- the controller 50 sends a signal to the pump 44 to cease pumping.
- a control valve 55 may be included in the pump inlet conduit 46 (see FIG. 3 ) and connected to the controller 50 .
- the control valve 55 can allow water to be pumped from the upper chamber 18 to the lower chamber 16 as described above, or can alternatively allow water to be drawn from the lower chamber 16 via conduit 56 and pumped back into the lower chamber 16 to circulate or stir water in the lower chamber 16 .
- the controller 50 can actuate the control valve 55 to determine whether water from the upper or lower chamber 18 , 16 is supplied to the pump 44 , depending on the temperature requirements at that instant.
- the heating of water in the upper chamber 18 and the pumping of water from the upper chamber 18 to the lower chamber 16 occur independently.
- the controller 50 only activates the boiler 14 or the pump 44 when necessary.
- the controller 50 is preferably configured to have some tolerance to avoid constantly turning the boiler 14 and pump 44 on and off. For example, if the assigned first value is 140 F for the lower chamber 16 , the controller 50 may pump water from the upper chamber 18 into the lower chamber 16 until the first temperature reaches 142 F before turning off the pump 44 , and also may not turn the pump 44 on until the first temperature falls to 138 F.
- a similar principle could be applied to the upper chamber 18 and the boiler 14 . These values are only an example, and could be varied to minimize actuation of the boiler 14 and pump 44 while keeping the first and second temperatures within suitable ranges, depending on the requirements of the first and second recipients 32 , 36 .
- the controller 50 is constantly monitoring the first and second temperatures and controlling heating and pumping to maintain the first and second temperatures, even when water is being drawn from either or both of the lower and upper chambers 16 , 18 .
- FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a first application where potable water at a first temperature is required by the first recipient 32 , and potable water at a second, higher temperature is required by the second recipient 36 .
- An example of this type of application is a commercial kitchen where water at approximately 140 F, for example, is maintained in the lower chamber 16 and is intended for general purpose use, while water at approximately 180 F, for example, is maintained in the upper chamber 18 and is used by dishwashers and other sanitary applications.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 also illustrate the water heating apparatus 10 configured for use in a hydronic heating application.
- the tank 12 includes a first inlet conduit 60 for supplying return water from the first recipient 32 to the lower chamber 16 , and includes a second inlet conduit 62 for supplying return water from the second recipient 36 to the upper chamber 18 .
- the first and second recipients 32 , 36 are first and second hydronic heating systems, respectively, wherein the first and second hydronic heating systems require water at different temperatures.
- the water heating apparatus 10 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 can also be used in alternative embodiment to supply water to three recipients at three temperatures.
- This embodiment assumes that a third recipient 64 requires hot water directly from the boiler 14 , the second recipient 36 requires water at a lower temperature than the third recipient 64 , and the first recipient 32 requires water at a lower temperature than the second recipient 36 .
- a third outlet conduit 66 is configured to supply water from the boiler 14 to the third recipient 64 . Water is maintained at the desired first and second temperatures in the upper and lower chambers 18 , 16 as described above.
- a third inlet conduit 68 supplies water from the third recipient 64 to the boiler inlet conduit 40 .
- FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the water heating and distribution system 10 where the tank 12 includes only the first outlet conduit 30 in the lower chamber 16 rather than first and second outlet conduits 30 , 34 .
- This embodiment is configured to supply water to only the first recipient 32 , and assumes that the first recipient 32 requires water at a lower temperature than the boiler 14 can output while operating in an efficient manner.
- This embodiment is convenient if the first recipient requires water at 140 F, for example, and the boiler 14 is configured to output water at 180 F, for example. In operation, water enters the upper chamber 18 from the boiler 14 at 180 F, while water in the lower chamber 16 is maintained at 140 F as described above with respect to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 . This allows the first recipient 32 to receive water at the desired temperature of 140 F, and allows the boiler 14 to operate in a temperature range for which it was intended.
- the first recipient 32 is a hydronic heating system that requires water at a lower temperature than what the boiler 14 is configured to output. Similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the tank also includes a first inlet 60 for supplying return water from the first recipient 32 to the lower chamber 16 .
- the tank 12 includes first and second outlet conduits 30 , 34 and first and second inlet conduits 60 , 62 .
- the tank 12 is lacking one or more inlet and/or outlet conduit.
- the tank 12 is manufactured with the capacity to include both outlet conduits 30 , 34 and both inlet conduits 60 , 62 .
- a plug may be applied to the tank 12 to replace the inlet and/or outlet conduits that will not be used. This allows a single tank to be manufactured that will satisfy a number of different applications.
- FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a water heating and distribution system 110 according to the present invention.
- the water heating and distribution system 110 shown in FIG. 4 is similar in many ways to the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 1-3 described above. Accordingly, with the exception of mutually inconsistent features and elements between the embodiment of FIG. 4 and the embodiments of FIGS. 1-3 , reference is hereby made to the description above accompanying the embodiments of FIGS. 1-3 for a more complete description of the features and elements (and the alternatives to the features and elements) of the embodiment of FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 4 illustrates the controller 150 connected to the first thermostat 51 and the pump 44 .
- the second thermostat 52 is connected to the boiler 114 .
- the controller 150 is employed to control the pumping of water from the upper chamber 18 to the lower chamber 16 when the first thermostat 51 indicates the first temperature has dropped below the assigned first value.
- the controller 150 is connected to the control valve 55 (as shown in FIG. 3 ) and actuates the control valve 55 to determine whether water from the upper or lower chamber 18 , 16 is supplied to the pump 44 , depending on the temperature requirements in the lower chamber 16 at that instant.
- the boiler 114 is not controlled by the controller 150 . Rather, the boiler 114 is configured to monitor the temperature of the water in the upper chamber 18 and heat the water in the upper chamber 18 when the second thermostat 52 indicates the second temperature has dropped below the assigned second value. When the second temperature has met the second value, the boiler 114 ceases cycling and heating of water from the upper chamber 18 .
Abstract
A method of storing water at two temperatures, the method comprising: providing a tank divided into first and second chambers; storing water in the first chamber at a first temperature; storing water in the second chamber at a second temperature; heating water in the second chamber when the second temperature is below a predetermined second value; pumping water from the second chamber to the first chamber when the first temperature is below a predetermined first value, the first values being less than the second value; and permitting water flow from the first chamber to the second chamber while pumping water from the second chamber to the first chamber.
Description
- This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/458,495, filed Jul. 19, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- The present invention relates to heating water and maintaining water at two different temperatures in a single tank.
- In one embodiment, the invention provides a water heating apparatus including a tank divided into first and second chambers, wherein water in the first chamber has a first temperature and water in the second chamber has a second temperature. The water heating apparatus also includes a first outlet for supplying water from the first chamber to a first recipient, a first thermostat configured to measure the first temperature, a second thermostat configured to measure the second temperature, means for heating water in the second chamber, a pump having a pump inlet in fluid communication with the second chamber and a pump outlet in fluid communication with the first chamber, and a controller configured to initiate pumping of water from the second chamber to the first chamber when the first thermostat indicates the first temperature is below a predetermined first value. The controller is also configured to initiate heating of water in the second chamber when the second thermostat indicates the second temperature is below a predetermined second value, the second value being greater than the first value.
- In another embodiment the invention provides a water heating and distribution system including a tank divided into first and second chambers, wherein water in the first chamber has a first temperature and water in the second chamber has a second temperature. The water heating and distribution system also includes a first outlet, a first recipient for receiving water from the first chamber via the first outlet, a first thermostat configured to measure the first temperature, a second thermostat configured to measure the second temperature, means for heating water in the second chamber, a pump having a pump inlet in fluid communication with the second chamber and a pump outlet in fluid communication with the first chamber, and a controller configured to initiate pumping of water from the second chamber to the first chamber when the first thermostat indicates the first temperature is below a predetermined first value. The controller is also configured to initiate heating of water in the second chamber when the second thermostat indicates the second temperature is below a predetermined second value, the second value being greater than the first value.
- In another embodiment the invention provides a method of storing water at two temperatures, the method including providing a tank divided into first and second chambers, storing water in the first chamber at a first temperature, storing water in the second chamber at a second temperature, and heating water in the second chamber when the second temperature is below a predetermined second value. The method also includes pumping water from the second chamber to the first chamber when the first temperature is below a predetermined first value, the first values being less than the second value, and permitting water flow from the first chamber to the second chamber while pumping water from the second chamber to the first chamber.
- Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a water heating and distribution system embodying the present invention. -
FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the water heating and distribution system ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a water heating and distribution system that is an alternative embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a water heating and distribution system that is an alternative embodiment of the present invention. - Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.
-
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a water heating anddistribution system 10 embodying the present invention. Thewater heating apparatus 10 includes atank 12 and aboiler 14 for heating water in thetank 12. Thetank 12 is defined in part by a generallycylindrical tank wall 15 that is preferably insulated to retain heat, and is divided into a first orlower chamber 16 and a second orupper chamber 18 by abaffle 20. Thebaffle 20 is sealingly connected to the inner surface of thetank 12 about the perimeter of thebaffle 20. Thebaffle 20 is secured within the tank in a substantially horizontal configuration and is substantially flat. Thebaffle 20 also includes a plurality of apertures that permit fluid communication between the lower andupper chambers lower chamber 16. In some embodiments, thecold water inlet 23 could supply water to theupper chamber 18. - The
tank 12 also includes a first orlower outlet conduit 30 for supplying water from thelower chamber 16, and includes a second orupper outlet conduit 34 for supplying water from theupper chamber 18. First andsecond recipients upper conduits - In the illustrated embodiment, the
boiler 14 is configured to receive water from theupper chamber 18 via aboiler inlet conduit 40, heat the water, and return the heated water to theupper chamber 18 via aboiler outlet conduit 42. As explained in greater detail below, theboiler 14 only heats water in theupper chamber 18 when necessary. In alternative embodiments, the water in thetank 12 can be heated with an electric heating element positioned inside the tank, with a gas burner such as those found on conventional gas water heaters, by a conventional water heater, or by any other suitable means. Thetank 12 includes arelief valve 43 near the top of thetank 12 to relieve excess pressure that may build within thetank 12 when water is heated. - A
pump 44 is connected to theupper chamber 18 via apump inlet conduit 46, and is connected to thelower chamber 16 via apump outlet conduit 48. Thepump 44 transfers hot water from theupper chamber 18 to thelower chamber 16. - In the illustrated embodiment of
FIGS. 1-3 , acontroller 50 is employed to control the heating of water in theupper chamber 18 and the pumping of water from theupper chamber 18 to thelower chamber 16. Thecontroller 50 maintains water in the lower andupper chambers controller 50 is connected to first andsecond thermostats second thermostats tank 12 to measure the first and second temperatures, respectively. Thecontroller 50 is also connected to theboiler 14 and thepump 44. First and second values defining desired first and second temperatures are assigned to the first andsecond thermostats controller 50 monitors the first and second temperatures with the first andsecond thermostats - When the
second thermostat 52 indicates the second temperature has dropped below the assigned second value, thecontroller 50 sends a signal to theboiler 14 to cycle and heat water in theupper chamber 18. When the second temperature has met the second value, thecontroller 50 sends a signal to theboiler 14 to cease cycling and heating. - When the
first thermostat 51 indicates the first temperature has dropped below the assigned first value, thecontroller 50 sends a signal to thepump 44 to transfer warmer water from theupper chamber 18 to thelower chamber 16. When water is pumped from theupper chamber 18 to thelower chamber 16, water from thelower chamber 16 flows through the apertures in thebaffle 20 into theupper chamber 18. When the first temperature has met the first value, thecontroller 50 sends a signal to thepump 44 to cease pumping. - In some embodiments, it may be more economical to operate the
pump 44 continuously, rather than turn it on and off as required. In these embodiments, acontrol valve 55 may be included in the pump inlet conduit 46 (seeFIG. 3 ) and connected to thecontroller 50. Thecontrol valve 55 can allow water to be pumped from theupper chamber 18 to thelower chamber 16 as described above, or can alternatively allow water to be drawn from thelower chamber 16 viaconduit 56 and pumped back into thelower chamber 16 to circulate or stir water in thelower chamber 16. Instead of turning thepump 44 on and off, thecontroller 50 can actuate thecontrol valve 55 to determine whether water from the upper orlower chamber pump 44, depending on the temperature requirements at that instant. - The heating of water in the
upper chamber 18 and the pumping of water from theupper chamber 18 to thelower chamber 16 occur independently. To minimize wasted energy, thecontroller 50 only activates theboiler 14 or thepump 44 when necessary. Thecontroller 50 is preferably configured to have some tolerance to avoid constantly turning theboiler 14 and pump 44 on and off. For example, if the assigned first value is 140 F for thelower chamber 16, thecontroller 50 may pump water from theupper chamber 18 into thelower chamber 16 until the first temperature reaches 142 F before turning off thepump 44, and also may not turn thepump 44 on until the first temperature falls to 138 F. A similar principle could be applied to theupper chamber 18 and theboiler 14. These values are only an example, and could be varied to minimize actuation of theboiler 14 and pump 44 while keeping the first and second temperatures within suitable ranges, depending on the requirements of the first andsecond recipients - When water is drawn from the
first outlet conduit 30, replacement water fills thelower chamber 16 from the cold water inlet. When water is drawn from thesecond outlet conduit 34, replacement water enters theupper chamber 18 through the apertures in thebaffle 20 from thelower chamber 16, and replacement water fills thelower chamber 16 from the cold water inlet. Thecontroller 50 is constantly monitoring the first and second temperatures and controlling heating and pumping to maintain the first and second temperatures, even when water is being drawn from either or both of the lower andupper chambers - The
water heating apparatus 10 can be used in numerous applications, including potable water systems and hydronic heating systems.FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a first application where potable water at a first temperature is required by thefirst recipient 32, and potable water at a second, higher temperature is required by thesecond recipient 36. An example of this type of application is a commercial kitchen where water at approximately 140 F, for example, is maintained in thelower chamber 16 and is intended for general purpose use, while water at approximately 180 F, for example, is maintained in theupper chamber 18 and is used by dishwashers and other sanitary applications. -
FIGS. 1 and 2 also illustrate thewater heating apparatus 10 configured for use in a hydronic heating application. In this embodiment, thetank 12 includes afirst inlet conduit 60 for supplying return water from thefirst recipient 32 to thelower chamber 16, and includes asecond inlet conduit 62 for supplying return water from thesecond recipient 36 to theupper chamber 18. In this embodiment, the first andsecond recipients - The
water heating apparatus 10 as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2 can also be used in alternative embodiment to supply water to three recipients at three temperatures. This embodiment assumes that athird recipient 64 requires hot water directly from theboiler 14, thesecond recipient 36 requires water at a lower temperature than thethird recipient 64, and thefirst recipient 32 requires water at a lower temperature than thesecond recipient 36. In this embodiment, athird outlet conduit 66 is configured to supply water from theboiler 14 to thethird recipient 64. Water is maintained at the desired first and second temperatures in the upper andlower chambers third recipient 64 is a hydronic heating system, athird inlet conduit 68 supplies water from thethird recipient 64 to theboiler inlet conduit 40. -
FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the water heating anddistribution system 10 where thetank 12 includes only thefirst outlet conduit 30 in thelower chamber 16 rather than first andsecond outlet conduits first recipient 32, and assumes that thefirst recipient 32 requires water at a lower temperature than theboiler 14 can output while operating in an efficient manner. This embodiment is convenient if the first recipient requires water at 140 F, for example, and theboiler 14 is configured to output water at 180 F, for example. In operation, water enters theupper chamber 18 from theboiler 14 at 180 F, while water in thelower chamber 16 is maintained at 140 F as described above with respect to the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2 . This allows thefirst recipient 32 to receive water at the desired temperature of 140 F, and allows theboiler 14 to operate in a temperature range for which it was intended. - Also illustrated in
FIG. 3 is an embodiment where thefirst recipient 32 is a hydronic heating system that requires water at a lower temperature than what theboiler 14 is configured to output. Similar to the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2 , the tank also includes afirst inlet 60 for supplying return water from thefirst recipient 32 to thelower chamber 16. - In the illustrated embodiments in
FIGS. 1-3 , thetank 12 includes first andsecond outlet conduits second inlet conduits tank 12 is lacking one or more inlet and/or outlet conduit. To lower manufacturing costs, thetank 12 is manufactured with the capacity to include bothoutlet conduits inlet conduits tank 12 is used, a plug may be applied to thetank 12 to replace the inlet and/or outlet conduits that will not be used. This allows a single tank to be manufactured that will satisfy a number of different applications. -
FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a water heating anddistribution system 110 according to the present invention. The water heating anddistribution system 110 shown inFIG. 4 is similar in many ways to the illustrated embodiments ofFIGS. 1-3 described above. Accordingly, with the exception of mutually inconsistent features and elements between the embodiment ofFIG. 4 and the embodiments ofFIGS. 1-3 , reference is hereby made to the description above accompanying the embodiments ofFIGS. 1-3 for a more complete description of the features and elements (and the alternatives to the features and elements) of the embodiment ofFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 4 illustrates thecontroller 150 connected to thefirst thermostat 51 and thepump 44. Thesecond thermostat 52 is connected to theboiler 114. Similar to the embodiments ofFIGS. 1-3 , thecontroller 150 is employed to control the pumping of water from theupper chamber 18 to thelower chamber 16 when thefirst thermostat 51 indicates the first temperature has dropped below the assigned first value. In embodiments where thepump 44 is configured to operate continuously, thecontroller 150 is connected to the control valve 55 (as shown inFIG. 3 ) and actuates thecontrol valve 55 to determine whether water from the upper orlower chamber pump 44, depending on the temperature requirements in thelower chamber 16 at that instant. - In the illustrated embodiment of
FIG. 4 , theboiler 114 is not controlled by thecontroller 150. Rather, theboiler 114 is configured to monitor the temperature of the water in theupper chamber 18 and heat the water in theupper chamber 18 when thesecond thermostat 52 indicates the second temperature has dropped below the assigned second value. When the second temperature has met the second value, theboiler 114 ceases cycling and heating of water from theupper chamber 18.
Claims (6)
1. A method of storing water at two temperatures, the method comprising:
providing a tank divided into first and second chambers;
storing water in the first chamber at a first temperature;
storing water in the second chamber at a second temperature;
heating water in the second chamber when the second temperature is below a predetermined second value;
pumping water from the second chamber to the first chamber when the first temperature is below a predetermined first value, the first value being less than the second value; and
permitting water flow from the first chamber to the second chamber while pumping water from the second chamber to the first chamber.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein heating water in the second chamber includes receiving water from the second chamber in a boiler, heating the water from the second chamber in the boiler, and returning the heated water to the second chamber.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing a baffle dividing the tank into the first and second chambers, the baffle including an aperture through which water from the first chamber flows to the second chamber when water from the second chamber is pumped to the first chamber.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing a first outlet for supplying water from the first chamber to a first recipient.
5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising providing a cold water inlet for receiving cold water in the first chamber, and replenishing water drawn from the first chamber via the first outlet with cold water from the cold water inlet.
6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising providing a second outlet for supplying water from the second chamber to a second recipient, and replenishing water drawn from the second chamber via the second outlet with water from the first chamber through the aperture in the baffle and replenishing water in the first chamber with water from the cold water inlet.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/632,876 US20100077969A1 (en) | 2006-07-19 | 2009-12-08 | Method of water heating and distribution |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/458,495 US7644686B2 (en) | 2006-07-19 | 2006-07-19 | Water heating distribution system |
US12/632,876 US20100077969A1 (en) | 2006-07-19 | 2009-12-08 | Method of water heating and distribution |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/458,495 Division US7644686B2 (en) | 2006-07-19 | 2006-07-19 | Water heating distribution system |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20100077969A1 true US20100077969A1 (en) | 2010-04-01 |
Family
ID=38952151
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/458,495 Expired - Fee Related US7644686B2 (en) | 2006-07-19 | 2006-07-19 | Water heating distribution system |
US12/632,876 Abandoned US20100077969A1 (en) | 2006-07-19 | 2009-12-08 | Method of water heating and distribution |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/458,495 Expired - Fee Related US7644686B2 (en) | 2006-07-19 | 2006-07-19 | Water heating distribution system |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US7644686B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2579780A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11009260B2 (en) | 2018-01-09 | 2021-05-18 | A. O. Smith Corporation | System and method for accellerated heating of a fluid |
Families Citing this family (18)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
AU1139100A (en) * | 1998-10-16 | 2000-05-08 | Silverbrook Research Pty Limited | Improvements relating to inkjet printers |
CN101611272A (en) * | 2006-07-17 | 2009-12-23 | 本·本简 | Boiler with movable inner partition |
WO2009079791A1 (en) * | 2007-12-20 | 2009-07-02 | Boulay Andre | Multi-chamber water heater |
KR100951152B1 (en) * | 2008-02-29 | 2010-04-06 | 주식회사 경동나비엔 | Gas boiler having closed type cistern tank |
US9182115B2 (en) * | 2009-03-12 | 2015-11-10 | Kenneth A. DONGO | Fluid heating system |
SE534695C2 (en) * | 2009-12-23 | 2011-11-22 | Fueltech Sweden Ab | Accumulator |
WO2011133987A1 (en) * | 2010-04-22 | 2011-10-27 | Frederick Johannes Bruwer | Water heater with intermittent energy source |
JP5536680B2 (en) * | 2011-01-13 | 2014-07-02 | 株式会社村上開明堂 | Washer liquid heating device |
US8879897B1 (en) * | 2011-01-19 | 2014-11-04 | Joseph Ciliento | Method and apparatus to deliver heated water for mixing masonry materials |
WO2013071333A1 (en) * | 2011-11-18 | 2013-05-23 | Dux Manufacturing Limited | A hydronic heating system and associated method of operation |
US9405304B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2016-08-02 | A. O. Smith Corporation | Water heater and method of operating a water heater |
US20150264750A1 (en) * | 2014-03-11 | 2015-09-17 | Joe Waldner | Magnetic fluid heating apparatus |
JP6456603B2 (en) * | 2014-05-27 | 2019-01-23 | パーパス株式会社 | Cogeneration system |
CN105387622A (en) * | 2014-09-09 | 2016-03-09 | 富泰华工业(深圳)有限公司 | Water returning device and water returning system |
CN108698568B (en) * | 2016-03-18 | 2021-08-03 | 株式会社村上开明堂 | Heating device for cleaning liquid |
EP3594589B1 (en) * | 2017-04-19 | 2021-06-30 | Mitsubishi Electric Corporation | Heat pump device |
US11359823B2 (en) * | 2018-03-20 | 2022-06-14 | Yanda Zhang | Intelligent hot water heating system with stratified temperature-heating control storage tank |
CN112815418B (en) * | 2020-12-31 | 2021-12-14 | 华春新能源股份有限公司 | Self-current-stabilizing energy storage pool |
Citations (27)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1367093A (en) * | 1916-12-26 | 1921-02-01 | Lyman S Powell | Boiler for vehicle steam-engines |
US1717207A (en) * | 1927-12-28 | 1929-06-11 | Edison Electric Appliance Co | Electric water heater |
US2048393A (en) * | 1936-03-16 | 1936-07-21 | Kroger Rudolf | Triple service water heater and boiler |
US2478836A (en) * | 1946-10-19 | 1949-08-09 | William T Riley | Water heater |
US2823649A (en) * | 1954-11-30 | 1958-02-18 | Elwin E Flynn | Dual tank water heater |
US2834865A (en) * | 1957-07-17 | 1958-05-13 | Sydney N Coates | Two-compartment hot water tank |
US3316894A (en) * | 1965-06-01 | 1967-05-02 | Avy L Miller | Water heating and storage system |
US3351130A (en) * | 1965-12-22 | 1967-11-07 | Patterson Kelley Co | Dual temperature water heating and supply system |
US3437078A (en) * | 1967-10-10 | 1969-04-08 | Axel B Olson | Dual purpose hot water heating boilers |
US3933129A (en) * | 1975-03-06 | 1976-01-20 | Kdi-Sylvan Pools, Inc. | Combined liquid filtering and heating apparatus |
US4203392A (en) * | 1978-03-03 | 1980-05-20 | Mclane Jack S | Heat exchanger |
US4438728A (en) * | 1980-12-29 | 1984-03-27 | Fracaro Eugene E | Multi-stage hot water heating apparatus |
US4469935A (en) * | 1982-06-03 | 1984-09-04 | Francois Candela | Combined domestic use and space heating electric water heater |
US4598694A (en) * | 1985-01-08 | 1986-07-08 | Cromer Charles J | Water heater partition and method |
US4632065A (en) * | 1985-04-17 | 1986-12-30 | Kale Hemant D | Thermal baffle for water heaters and the like |
US5027749A (en) * | 1990-10-16 | 1991-07-02 | Stacey Heating & Plumbing Supplies, Ltd. | High efficiency water heater |
US5076494A (en) * | 1989-12-18 | 1991-12-31 | Carrier Corporation | Integrated hot water supply and space heating system |
US5115491A (en) * | 1990-12-17 | 1992-05-19 | Maier Perlman | Tempering system for storage tank water heaters utilizing inlet and outlet heat exchanger |
US5159918A (en) * | 1992-02-26 | 1992-11-03 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Hot water storage tank for solar collectors |
US5433379A (en) * | 1994-06-21 | 1995-07-18 | Harrison; Charles | Dual tank water heating system |
US5687908A (en) * | 1994-09-28 | 1997-11-18 | Gas Research Institute | Non-condensing dual temperature combination space heating and hot water system |
US5765546A (en) * | 1996-05-30 | 1998-06-16 | Sofame | Direct contact water heater with dual water heating chambers |
US5898818A (en) * | 1997-09-09 | 1999-04-27 | Chen; Chun-Liang | Water feed system at constant temperature keeping the hot water from mixing with the cold water fed during use of the hot water in a single tank |
US6280688B1 (en) * | 1998-11-18 | 2001-08-28 | Tekmar Company | Rinsing device for sample processing components of an analytical instrument |
US6292628B1 (en) * | 2000-01-19 | 2001-09-18 | Majid Z. Khalaf | Steady-temperature water heater and enema device |
US20020117122A1 (en) * | 2000-06-19 | 2002-08-29 | Aquabeat Pty Ltd | Gas water heater |
US6907923B2 (en) * | 2003-01-13 | 2005-06-21 | Carrier Corporation | Storage tank for hot water systems |
-
2006
- 2006-07-19 US US11/458,495 patent/US7644686B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2007
- 2007-02-27 CA CA002579780A patent/CA2579780A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2009
- 2009-12-08 US US12/632,876 patent/US20100077969A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (27)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1367093A (en) * | 1916-12-26 | 1921-02-01 | Lyman S Powell | Boiler for vehicle steam-engines |
US1717207A (en) * | 1927-12-28 | 1929-06-11 | Edison Electric Appliance Co | Electric water heater |
US2048393A (en) * | 1936-03-16 | 1936-07-21 | Kroger Rudolf | Triple service water heater and boiler |
US2478836A (en) * | 1946-10-19 | 1949-08-09 | William T Riley | Water heater |
US2823649A (en) * | 1954-11-30 | 1958-02-18 | Elwin E Flynn | Dual tank water heater |
US2834865A (en) * | 1957-07-17 | 1958-05-13 | Sydney N Coates | Two-compartment hot water tank |
US3316894A (en) * | 1965-06-01 | 1967-05-02 | Avy L Miller | Water heating and storage system |
US3351130A (en) * | 1965-12-22 | 1967-11-07 | Patterson Kelley Co | Dual temperature water heating and supply system |
US3437078A (en) * | 1967-10-10 | 1969-04-08 | Axel B Olson | Dual purpose hot water heating boilers |
US3933129A (en) * | 1975-03-06 | 1976-01-20 | Kdi-Sylvan Pools, Inc. | Combined liquid filtering and heating apparatus |
US4203392A (en) * | 1978-03-03 | 1980-05-20 | Mclane Jack S | Heat exchanger |
US4438728A (en) * | 1980-12-29 | 1984-03-27 | Fracaro Eugene E | Multi-stage hot water heating apparatus |
US4469935A (en) * | 1982-06-03 | 1984-09-04 | Francois Candela | Combined domestic use and space heating electric water heater |
US4598694A (en) * | 1985-01-08 | 1986-07-08 | Cromer Charles J | Water heater partition and method |
US4632065A (en) * | 1985-04-17 | 1986-12-30 | Kale Hemant D | Thermal baffle for water heaters and the like |
US5076494A (en) * | 1989-12-18 | 1991-12-31 | Carrier Corporation | Integrated hot water supply and space heating system |
US5027749A (en) * | 1990-10-16 | 1991-07-02 | Stacey Heating & Plumbing Supplies, Ltd. | High efficiency water heater |
US5115491A (en) * | 1990-12-17 | 1992-05-19 | Maier Perlman | Tempering system for storage tank water heaters utilizing inlet and outlet heat exchanger |
US5159918A (en) * | 1992-02-26 | 1992-11-03 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Hot water storage tank for solar collectors |
US5433379A (en) * | 1994-06-21 | 1995-07-18 | Harrison; Charles | Dual tank water heating system |
US5687908A (en) * | 1994-09-28 | 1997-11-18 | Gas Research Institute | Non-condensing dual temperature combination space heating and hot water system |
US5765546A (en) * | 1996-05-30 | 1998-06-16 | Sofame | Direct contact water heater with dual water heating chambers |
US5898818A (en) * | 1997-09-09 | 1999-04-27 | Chen; Chun-Liang | Water feed system at constant temperature keeping the hot water from mixing with the cold water fed during use of the hot water in a single tank |
US6280688B1 (en) * | 1998-11-18 | 2001-08-28 | Tekmar Company | Rinsing device for sample processing components of an analytical instrument |
US6292628B1 (en) * | 2000-01-19 | 2001-09-18 | Majid Z. Khalaf | Steady-temperature water heater and enema device |
US20020117122A1 (en) * | 2000-06-19 | 2002-08-29 | Aquabeat Pty Ltd | Gas water heater |
US6907923B2 (en) * | 2003-01-13 | 2005-06-21 | Carrier Corporation | Storage tank for hot water systems |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11009260B2 (en) | 2018-01-09 | 2021-05-18 | A. O. Smith Corporation | System and method for accellerated heating of a fluid |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2579780A1 (en) | 2008-01-19 |
US20080017724A1 (en) | 2008-01-24 |
US7644686B2 (en) | 2010-01-12 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US7644686B2 (en) | Water heating distribution system | |
JP7398791B2 (en) | Recirculating fluid heating system | |
AU2007240230B2 (en) | Pumpless combination instantaneous/storage water heater system | |
CN110191664B (en) | Instant response on-demand water heater | |
CA2885348A1 (en) | High capacity water heater | |
CN105091329A (en) | Heat pump water heating system and control method of heat pump water heating system | |
US20070205293A1 (en) | Heated fluid distribution apparatus for combined domestic hot water supply and space heating system in closed loop | |
WO2004070286A2 (en) | System to heat liquid with electromagnetic energy | |
US20210063024A1 (en) | Tankless water heater with integrated variable speed pump | |
EP1566598A1 (en) | Instant electric water heater | |
JPS63210535A (en) | Hot water space heater | |
CN113757773A (en) | Heating stove and control method thereof | |
KR101464690B1 (en) | Small inverter electric boiler | |
JP5090019B2 (en) | Hot water storage water heater | |
CN111609559B (en) | Novel multifunctional water outlet device | |
GB2200733A (en) | Instantaneous water heaters for showers | |
CN218495361U (en) | Water supply system | |
JPH03186151A (en) | Large capacity hot water supplying apparatus | |
CN114981597A (en) | Double-loop electric boiler (variants) | |
KR200277360Y1 (en) | Electrical boiler | |
IL274509B2 (en) | A water heating system | |
JPH02133752A (en) | Electric hot water device | |
JP4001002B2 (en) | Electric water heater | |
GB2248674A (en) | Waterheating apparatus | |
GB2469904A (en) | Fluid heating arrangement |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: AOS HOLDING COMPANY,DELAWARE Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:THREATT, GARY S.;HOLLIMAN, HOWARD C.;OLSON, ROBERT E.;AND OTHERS;SIGNING DATES FROM 20060616 TO 20060719;REEL/FRAME:023647/0812 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |