HEAT EXCHANGE SYSTEM

Abstract

The present invention relates a novel heat exchange system. More particularly, the invention concerns a heat exchange system for use in bathing apparatus, including showers, bathtubs and whirlpools. Advantageously, this system is simple to install, maintain and clean and can easily be integrated in a limitless variety of bathing apparatus.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/850,239 filed May 7, 2001, which claims priority on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/202,250 filed May 5, 2000, hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference into this application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates a novel heat exchange system. More particularly, the invention relates to a heat exchange system for use with bathing apparatus, including showers, bathtubs and whirlpools, that is easy to install, maintain and clean.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Heat exchange systems for use with showers or other bathing apparatus are known in the art. They are used to recover heat from hot or warm waste water. In each of these systems, the spent water flows on one side of a heat exchanger before flowing out into the drainage system. Incoming cold water flows on the other side of the heat exchanger element and is thereby preheated before being mixed in a mixer with hot water or before entering a hot water heating device to be heated further.

Sample patent applications and patents in the field include the following: Canadian Patent Application No. 2,566,351; Canadian Patent Application No. 2,559,296; United States Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0194916; International Patent Application No. PCT/SE00/01548; International Patent Application No. PCT/US2007/019689; International Patent Application No. PCT/GB2008/002129; UK Patent GB 2 052 698; German Patent No. DE 3319638; German Patent No. DE 3804534; German Patent No. DE 3919544; German Patent No. DE3932871; German Patent No. DE 4406971; German Patent No. DE 8600554; German Patent No. DE 19723148; German Patent No. DE 29709630; German Patent No. DE 29717073; German Patent No. DE 29806939; German Patent No. DE 29815304; German Patent Publication No. DE 202007007907; and Dutch Patent No. NL 1014215.

In many instances, the heat exchanger is installed beyond the drain of the bathing apparatus and thus comes into with warm waste water after the water has flowed through the drain. There are a number of disadvantages with this kind of arrangement. First, heat that might otherwise have been captured is dissipated as it goes through the drain. Secondly, installing a heat exchanger beyond a drain unit requires the expertise of a professional plumber, as it is usually connected directly to the plumbing system in one manner or another. Finally, heat exchangers of this type can be inconvenient to clean, repair or replace, because they are not readily accessible.

In addition, many heat exchange devices that are currently available are based on a coil system of some kind. Over time, the accumulation of dirt and minerals from the waste water can impede the efficiency of such devices. In some cases, their complexity can make maintenance and repair difficult.

The present invention seeks to overcome some of the limitations of heat exchangers that are currently available.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Advantageously, the system of present invention has a simple and clean design, allowing for ready access to the heat exchange element for maintenance, repair and replacement. It is also easy to install in a bathing apparatus and therefore does not necessarily require the intervention of a plumbing professional.

The present invention provides a heat exchange device to recover hot water from bathing apparatus. The invention has particular, but not exclusive, application to showers.

The basic features of the invention include: (a) a shower or bathtub base; and (b) a heat exchange plate made of a conductive material. The heat exchange device may further include (c) a cover positioned over the heat exchange plate that serves as a standing platform for the bather and that compliments the shower or bathtub base. The base further includes a draining element through which used water is evacuated from the shower or bathtub.

The heat exchange plate is positioned at the bottom of the shower or bathtub base, usually flush with the bottom surface. In one embodiment, the bather is in direct contact with the heat exchanger, either partially or completely, when using the bathing apparatus.

As stated above, the heat exchanger may optionally be concealed by a cover, which is manufactured in a shape and size that is suitable to cover the opening created by the base. The cover is made of a non-conductive material. In a specific embodiment, the base, heat exchange plate and cover all have a square or rectangular geometric shape.

Most of the water originating from of the showerhead or faucet of the bathing apparatus flows on top of the heat exchanger before reaching the drainage system. The heat exchanger may be covered either fully or partially with a non-conductive material.

The heat exchange system may include a dam that serves to control the flow of the waste water to the drain of the bathing apparatus. By slowing down the flow, the warm waste water is kept in contact with the heat exchange plate for a longer duration, enhancing heat transfer. Other elements may be substituted for or used with the dam to achieve this purpose, such as channels or dividing elements, as would be appreciated by a person of skill in the art.

In any embodiment, the heat exchanger is part of the bathing apparatus and the entire assembly is water tight.

Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows (A) an assembled view of a first embodiment of the heat exchange system of the present invention and (B) an exploded view of this system;

FIG. 2 shows (A) an alternative assembled view of the heat exchanger system shown in FIG. 1, and (B) an exploded view of this system;

FIG. 3 shows (A) a second alternative assembled view of the heat exchanger system shown in FIG. 1, and (B) an exploded view of this system;

FIG. 4 shows (A) a third alternative assembled view of the heat exchanger system shown in FIG. 1, and (B) an exploded view of this system;

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the heat exchange system of the present invention, wherein: (A) is a top plan view of the system, (B) is a side view of the system taken along line A-A of FIG. 5(A); and (C) is an exploded view of the system;

FIG. 6 shows an alternative to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, wherein: (A) is a top plan view of the system, (B) is a side view of the system taken along line A-A of FIG. 6(A); and (C) is an exploded view of the system;

FIG. 7 shows a second alternative to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, wherein: (A) is a top plan view of the system, (B) is a side view of the system taken along line A-A of FIG. 7(A); and (C) is an exploded view of the system;

FIG. 8 shows a third alternative to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, wherein: A) is a top plan view of the system, (B) is a side view of the system taken along line A-A of FIG. 8(A); (C) is a side view of the system taken along line B-B; (D) is a side view of the system taken along line C-C of FIG. 8(A); (E) is a perspective view of the system fully assembled; and (F) is a perspective view of the system without its cover;

FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment of the heat exchange system of the present invention; wherein: (A) is a top plan view of the system, (B) is a side view of the system taken along line A-A of FIG. 9(A); and (C) is a perspective view of the system fully assembled;

FIG. 10 shows an alternative to the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, wherein: (A) is a top plan view of the system, (B) is a side view of the system taken along line A-A of FIG. 10(A); and (C) is an exploded view of the system; and

FIG. 11 shows a fourth embodiment of the heat exchange system of the present invention, wherein: (A) is a top plan view of the system, (B) is a side view of the system taken along line A-A of FIG. 11(A); and (C) is a perspective, partially exploded view of the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As will be described more particularly below, the invention comprises four embodiments, and these embodiments can include additional features.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a first embodiment of the invention wherein the heat exchange system is generally designated by the number 10. The system comprises a bathing apparatus 2, illustrated here as a tray-like element that is convenient for a shower. The system further comprises a heat exchange element 4, which is in the general form of a plate, and a gasket 3 for sealing the heat exchanger within the bathing apparatus. In order to allow waste water to be eliminated from the bathing apparatus 2, a drain 8 is provided.

In operation, the heat exchange element 4 is connected to a cold water source (not shown). When warm from the showerhead or warm waste water from the bather falls onto the heat exchange element 4, heat from the water is captured by the heat exchange element and used to warm the cold water that flows through the body of the heat exchanger element, in keeping with heat exchange principles known in the art. The cold water, which has now been partially heated by the captured energy from the waste water, exits from the heat exchanger (not shown), where it is directed to a mixer or to a hot water tank, once again in keeping with heat exchange principles known in the art.

Use of a heat exchange system as described above results in energy conservation and is thus ecological sound. The simplicity of the heat exchange system exemplified here has several advantages. It facilitates cleaning and maintenance of the bathing system and, in distinction to what is currently available commercially, is very simple to install and/or replace.

The heat exchange element 4 is conveniently shown as a plate or plate-like structure having a relative large surface area. The surface area and the thickness of the plate may be altered or otherwise designed with a view to increasing surface area exposure to warm shower or waste water to maximize the efficiency of the heat exchange. While illustrated as a rectangle in FIG. 1, the heat exchange element 4 can in practice assume any geometry that is required to fit within the shape of a desired bathing apparatus.

The heat exchange element 4 may be made of any heat conductive material, including, without limitation, any metal, concrete or stones, composites comprising a polymer, or a conductive material, like graphite.

FIG. 2 shows an alternative version of the heat exchange system illustrated in FIG. 1. In this version, a non-conductive material 9, shown here as a series of circles, is applied on the surface of the heat exchange element 4 and serves as a barrier between the bather and the heat exchange element. It will be appreciated that the shape, size, configuration and/or pattern of the non-conductive material 9 is(are) limited only by creativity. The non-conductive material can be made of wood, rubber, plastic or any other synthetic material that is suitable for the desired purpose. It may in some instances serve the dual purpose of preventing the bather from slipping while in the bathing apparatus.

FIG. 3 shows a slightly modified version of the heat exchange system illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this specific version, two small “dams” or dam-like elements 12 have been introduced in the bottom of the bathing apparatus in the vicinity of the drain 8 in order to control water flow through the controlled opening 14. Warm shower or waste water remains in contact with the heat exchange element 4 for a longer duration than in the absence of the dams 12, which enhances heat transfer from the water to the heat exchange element.

A number of dams or dam-like elements 12 can be introduced into a bathing apparatus 2 so as to create one, or more than one, controlled opening(s) 14. This allows the discharge of warm waste water to be controlled, and therefore allows modulation of the effective heat transfer. The dams or dam-like elements 12 may be integral to the bathing apparatus 2 or added to said bathing apparatus as separate elements thereto.

FIG. 4 is yet another modified version of the heat exchange system illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. This version combines the dams or dam-like elements 12 of the heat exchange system of FIG. 3 with the non-conductive material 9 of FIG. 2.

Turning now to FIGS. 5 to 8, an alternative embodiment of the invention is presented. As illustrated in FIG. 5, this embodiment consists of a heat exchange system 20 comprising a bathing apparatus 22, a heat exchange element 24 and a cover 29. This cover is positioned over the heat exchange element and serves to enclose the bathing apparatus 22. A drain 28 is included in the base of the bathing apparatus to allow the warm shower or waste water to leave the system. The heat exchange element optionally includes one or more spacers 25, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 8. The spacers create a distance between the heat exchange element and the cover 29.

The cover 29 is made of any non-conductive material. Suitable non-conductive materials include, without limitation, plastic, composite materials, wood or wood-like materials or materials including wood (which may optionally be imbibed with a preservative, such as Accoya® or a resin-impregnated material), bamboo, organic materials, glass or ceramic. The cover 29 may optionally include openings 30 or the equivalent thereof to enhance water flow from the cover's surface to the heat exchange element 24. These openings 30 are also used to assist in the lifting of the cover from the bathing apparatus for cleaning or maintenance purposes.

FIG. 6 shows a slightly different embodiment from that appearing in FIG. 5 wherein two “dams” or dam-like elements 32, similar to those in FIGS. 3 and 4, have been included to control water flow to the drain. A controlled opening (not shown) analogous to that in FIGS. 3 and 4 serves to delay flow of the shower and waste water towards the drain.

FIG. 7 shows another variation of the heat exchange systems illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. In this version, a series of discontinuous dividers 34, or the equivalent thereof, have been included within the bathing apparatus 22. The purpose of these discontinuous dividers 34 is to keep warm shower and waste water within the confines of the bathing apparatus for a longer time in order to enhance heat transfer to the heat exchange element 24. The buoys or equivalent thereof may be an integral part of the bathing apparatus 24 (i.e., cast at the same time as the bathing apparatus itself) or otherwise attached as a separate element to the bathing apparatus.

FIG. 8 shows yet another variation of the heat exchange systems shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. This variation is very similar to that shown in FIG. 7, but includes a water channel 36 that surrounds the opening of the bathing apparatus 22 where the heat exchange element 24 is positioned. Warm shower or waste water accumulates in this channel 36 in proximity to the heat exchange element 24. As a result, the warm shower or waste water remains in contact with the heat exchange element for a longer time, enhancing heat transfer and thereby increase the overall efficiency of the heat exchange system.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a third embodiment of the heat exchange system of the present invention. In this embodiment, the heat exchange system 50 comprises a bathing apparatus 54 that is made of a conductive material. The bathing apparatus is the heat exchange element in this particular embodiment. The bathing apparatus 54 may be comprised of one or more elements, wherein each element is made of a conductive material. As shown in FIG. 9, a surface 56 is made of the same conductive material as the bathing apparatus 54, or of a different conductive material, but is fully attached to the bathing apparatus. This surface 56 is optionally covered, partially or totally, with a non-conductive material. A gasket or other sealing means may be optionally included in order to ensure that the bathing apparatus is water-tight.

In the variation of this embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 10, a surface 57 is made of a non-conductive material. This surface 57 is removable from the bathing apparatus 54 and is made of a non-conductive material, or of a conductive material that is partially or totally covered with a non-conductive material.

As shown in FIG. 9, the heat exchange system 50 further includes a drain 58. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 10, water from the shower may flow in a channel 59 running between the surface 57 and the bathing apparatus 54. The drain 58 is located beneath the surface in this version of the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 shows a fourth embodiment of the heat exchange system of the present invention. In this embodiment, the heat exchange system 70 comprises a bathing apparatus 72 and one or more heat exchange elements 74. The top of the bathing apparatus 76 may be fully integrated with its base, or optionally, a separate cover. The heat exchange elements are not flat like those in the other embodiments of the invention but consist of rectangles whose width, height and length can be modified so as to increase effective surface area and hence promote heat exchange. This embodiment may offer a solution that is more suitable to the styles of certain baths and showers.

As with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 11 comprises a cover 76 made of a non-conductive material. This cover can include an opening 78 that is positioned either in the cover 76 or in the bathing apparatus 72. Once again, this opening facilitates access to the system for cleaning and maintenance purposes.

In any embodiment, the heat exchanger is part of the bathing apparatus and the entire assembly is water tight.

The embodiments of the invention all have the advantage of simplicity. Installing a heat exchange system as described above can be conveniently done in an existing bathing system or in a new one. Features of the invention, such as the limited number of components and their ability to be removed from each other in a relatively easy manner, allowing for ready cleaning, maintenance and replacement.

In addition, the selection of embodiments allows for even greater flexibility. Depending on the style and function of the bathing apparatus, a heat exchange system can be selected to best accomplish heat exchange.

The above-described embodiments of the invention are intended to be examples only. Variations, alterations and modifications can be made to the particular embodiments described herein by those of skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A heat exchange system comprising a bathing apparatus with a drain element and a heat exchange element having a generally flat surface, wherein said heat exchange element is positioned against the bottom surface of said bathing apparatus and serves a platform surface upon which a bather can stand or sit.

2. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 1, further comprising a gasket to seal said heat exchange element within said bathing apparatus.

3. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 1, wherein a non-conductive material is applied partially or completely on the surface of the heat exchange element.

4. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 1, further comprising one or more dams or dam-like elements.

5. A heat exchange system comprising a bathing apparatus with a drain element, a heat exchange element having a generally flat surface, wherein said heat exchange element is positioned against the bottom surface of said bathing apparatus and a cover made of a non-conductive material serving as a platform surface upon which a bather can stand or sit.

6. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 5, wherein said bathing apparatus includes one or more spacers.

7. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 5, wherein said cover is made of one piece or multiple pieces of non-conductive material.

8. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 7, wherein said cover is made of multiple pieces having different thicknesses.

9. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 7, wherein said cover is made of multiple pieces having similar thicknesses.

10. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 5, wherein said cover includes one or more openings or the equivalent thereof to allow water to reach said heat exchange element.

11. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 5, further comprising one or more dams or dam-like elements.

12. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 5, further comprising a series of discontinuous dividers or the equivalent thereof.

13. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 5, further comprising a water channel that surrounds the opening of the bathing apparatus.

14. A heat exchange system comprising a bathing apparatus with a drain element, wherein said bathing apparatus is made of a conductive material that is suitable for heat exchange and wherein said bathing apparatus includes a platform surface upon which a bather can stand or sit.

15. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 11, wherein said platform surface is made of or at least partially covered with a non-conductive material.

16. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 11, wherein said system includes a surrounding channel or the equivalent thereof.

17. A heat exchange system comprising a bathing apparatus with a drain element, and one or more heat exchange elements within said bathing apparatus, wherein said bathing apparatus includes a platform surface upon which a bather can stand or sit.

18. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 17, wherein said heat exchange elements are generally rectangular in shape.

19. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 1, wherein said heat exchange elements is a metal, concrete, stone, a composite comprising a polymer or graphite.

20. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 5, wherein said non-conductive material is plastic, a composite material, wood, a wood-like material, a material including wood, bamboo, organic materials, glass or ceramic.

21. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 20, wherein said wood is optionally treated.

22. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 1, which is water tight.

23. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 1, which is part of a shower, bath or whirlpool.

24. A heat exchanger system as defined in claim 1, which has at least one inlet and one outlet for water to flow inside said heat exchange element before being sent to a mixer or hot water tank.

25. A heat exchanger system as defined in claim 1, which has at least one inlet and one outlet for water to flow inside said heat exchange element before being sent to a reservoir.

26. A heat exchange system comprising a bathing apparatus and a heat exchange element, wherein said heat exchange element is in the bottom of said bathing apparatus, flush with the bottom surface thereof and covered with a non conductive material so that a bather is not directly in contact with said heat exchange element.

27. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 26, wherein water accumulates behind a dam with at least one controlled opening before reaching the drainage system without restriction.

28. A heat exchange system comprising a bathing apparatus and a heat exchange element, wherein said heat exchange element is in the bottom of said bathing apparatus, flush with the bottom surface, and wherein a bather is in direct contact with said heat exchange element.

29. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 28, wherein water accumulates behind a dam with at least one controlled opening before reaching the drainage system without restriction.

30. A heat exchange system comprising a bathing apparatus and a heat exchange element, wherein said heat exchange element is in the bottom of said bathing apparatus, flush with the bottom surface thereof and covered with a non conductive material so that a bather is not directly in contact with said heat exchange element, and wherein all the waste water is channeled away from the drain in said bathing apparatus in order to have all the waste water flow on said heat exchange element before reaching the drainage system without restriction.

31. A heat exchange system comprising a bathing apparatus and a heat exchange element, wherein said heat exchange element is in the bottom of said bathing apparatus, flush with the bottom surface thereof and covered with a non conductive material so that a bather is not directly in contact with said heat exchange element, wherein all the waste water is directed to flow on at least one side of said heat exchange element, and wherein water waste water accumulates behind one or more dams or dam-like elements with at least one controlled opening before reaching the drain without restriction.

32. A heat exchange system comprising a bathing apparatus and a heat exchange element, wherein said bathing apparatus is surrounded with a channel and the bottom of said channel is the heat exchanger, and wherein all the waste water is channeled away from the drain in said bathing apparatus in order to have all the waste water flow on said heat exchange element before reaching the drainage system without restriction.