Gas and electric heating system
The gas and electric heating system has combination gas and electric heat generators to provide energy to a steam-generating boiler. The system utilizes a blue-flame, gaseous-fuel burner disposed externally of the boiler in one embodiment and a flame jet burner in a second embodiment. Electrical heating elements are positioned inside the boiler. Steam generated in the boiler flows to a heating core. The core is positioned in an air duct. Heat is transferred from the core to air flowing through the duct. The heated air flows from the duct into an area to be heated. Controls are provided to correlate the functions of the various components in the system.
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 12/007,108, filed Jan. 7, 2008.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to heating systems. More specifically, the present invention is drawn to a gas and electric heating system having a boiler that utilizes both gaseous fuel and electric energy to generate steam.
2. Description of the Related Art
Potential shortages of gas and oil and pollution generated during hydrocarbon combustion have caused builders to consider electric energy as a cleaner alternative for heating steam-producing boilers. However, the high costs of producing electricity and the relative inefficiency of using only electric power to generate steam render this alternative economically imprudent. The heating industry and the consumer would certainly welcome a heating system that could incorporate the best features of both an electric and a hydrocarbon-fueled, steam-generated heating system. Thus, a gas and electric heating system solving the aforementioned problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe gas and electric heating system is a high-efficiency heating system that employs combination gas and electric heat generators to provide energy to a boiler that generates steam. In one embodiment, the system comprises a blue-flame, gaseous-fuel burner disposed externally of the boiler to provide heat to a steam-generating boiler. A second embodiment employs a jet flame burner having a heating tube disposed in the boiler. Both embodiments employ electrical heating elements positioned inside the boiler. Steam generated in the boiler flows to a heating core. The core is positioned in an air duct so that heat is transferred from the core to air flowing through the duct. The heated air flows from the duct into an area to be heated. Controls are provided to correlate the functions of the various components in the system. The duct can be oriented in any direction (horizontal, down-flow, up-flow, etc.). Accordingly, the instant invention presents a heating system that employs a combination of energy sources to produce steam. The heating system is effective and efficient and may reduce the user's annual heating bill up to 80%. The system provides for an arrangement of improved elements for the purposes described that are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.
These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSAttention is first directed to
Water is fed to boiler tank 20 via water conduit 24. Shutoff valve 26, low-water cutout valve and switch 28, and water-feeder sensor 30 control the flow of water through conduit 24. A drain valve 32 and pressure-relief valve 34 are disposed on boiler tank 20 for obvious safety reasons. Electric heating elements 36, 38 (shown in phantom lines) are positioned within the interior of boiler tank 20. Two elements are preferred. It should be noted however, that one element or more than two elements may be used, if suitable.
Energy applied to boiler tank 20 by flame 15 and electrical elements 36, 38 combine to generate steam. The generated steam flows from boiler tank 20 through conduit 40 and into heating core 42. Gauge 44 is positioned on conduit 40 to monitor the temperature and pressure of steam flow. Control 46 functions to regulate and monitor the pressure of the steam. Heating core 42 is positioned in the exit duct 50a of blower 50. Blower-driven air is heated as it flows over core 42 and into space S (the space that is to be warmed by the heated air). A control sensor 52 is disposed at the exit of duct 50a to monitor blower output and air temperature. A relatively small bleeder line 54 allows an amount of steam to pass from the core directly into space S for humidification purposes. A conventional thermostat 64 is disposed in space S to control system operation in the usual manner.
Circuitry for controlling operation of the system is illustrated in
As best seen in
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. A gas and electric heating system, comprising:
- a boiler tank forming a steam producing chamber;
- a flame jet burner for generating burning gases,
- a heating duct positioned adjacent the flame jet burner for receiving the burning gases, the heating duct being disposed within the boiler tank;
- at least one electric heating element positioned in the steam producing chamber; and
- a first conduit connected to the boiler tank for supplying water to the steam producing chamber.
2. The gas and electric heating system according to claim 1, further including an inducer positioned in said heating duct to enhance the flow of burning gases in said heating duct.
3. The gas and electric heating system according to claim 2, further including a third conduit connected to said boiler tank for conveying steam from said steam producing chamber.
4. The gas and electric heating system according to claim 1, further including means on said first conduit for controlling the flow of water to said boiler tank.
5. A gas and electric heating system, comprising:
- a boiler tank forming a steam producing chamber;
- a flame jet burner for generating burning gases,
- a heating duct positioned adjacent the flame jet burner for receiving the burning gases, the heating duct being disposed within the boiler tank;
- a plurality of electric heating elements positioned in the steam producing chamber;
- a heating core connected to the steam producing chamber for receiving steam therefrom;
- an air blower having an air duct, the heating core being positioned in the air duct;
- a first conduit connected to the boiler tank for supplying water to the steam producing chamber; and
- means disposed on the first conduit for controlling the flow of water to the boiler tank.
6. The gas and electric heating system according to claim 5, further including:
- second and third conduits connecting said boiler tank to said heating core for supplying steam from said steam producing chamber to said heating core; and
- means disposed on the second and the third conduits for controlling the supply of steam from said steam producing chamber to said heating core.
7. A gas and electric heating system, comprising:
- a boiler tank forming a steam producing chamber;
- a flame jet burner for generating burning gases,
- a heating duct positioned adjacent the flame jet burner for receiving the burning gases, the heating duct disposed within the boiler tank;
- a plurality of electric heating elements positioned in the steam producing chamber;
- a heating core connected to the steam producing chamber for receiving steam therefrom;
- an air blower having a duct for providing heated air into an area to be warmed by the heated air, the heating core being positioned in the duct;
- a first conduit connected to the boiler tank for supplying water to the steam producing chamber;
- means disposed on the first conduit for controlling the flow of water to is the boiler tank; and
- a small bleeder line connected to the heating core, the bleeder line opening into the area to be warmed for supplying humidifying steam to the area.
8. The gas and electric heating system according to claim 7, further including:
- second and third conduits connecting said boiler tank to said heating core for supplying steam from said steam-producing chamber to said heating core; and
- means disposed on the second and third conduits for controlling the supply of steam from said steam producing chamber to said heating core.
9. The gas and electric heating system according to claim 8, further including a control sensor disposed in said duct for controlling said blower.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 28, 2008
Publication Date: Jul 9, 2009
Inventor: Bernard H. Azrikam (Niles, IL)
Application Number: 12/219,764
International Classification: F24H 1/00 (20060101); F22B 1/28 (20060101);