HEATING SYSTEM

Abstract

The non-polluting heating system employs heated oil as a heat transfer medium. The oil is heated by hydraulic circulation and only requires motive apparatus to insure the flow of the oil in a closed system. The system includes a plurality of centrifugal oil filters and reducer fittings. A conventional, high-efficiency, indirect heat exchanger is utilized to transfer heat from the oil to air that flows into the confines of a structure (house, building, etc.) to be heated. Thermostats are employed to control operation of the system.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/443,505, filed Feb. 16, 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally relates to heat exchange systems, and particularly to a non-polluting, heating system that employs oil as a heat exchange medium.

2. Description of the Related Art

To avert the specter of global warming, most experts recommend that hydrocarbon pollutants released to the atmosphere should be vastly curtailed. A large percentage of hydrocarbon pollutants occur when providing heat for homes and businesses. These pollutants are produced by the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, wood, etc.) to provide the energy needed to power most conventional heating systems. Reduction of the use of the aforementioned fossil fuels would thereby decrease the amount of pollutants and enhance the abatement of global warming. The art would certainly welcome a heating system that would eliminate the need for burning fossil fuels. Thus, a heating system solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The non-polluting heating system employs heated oil flowing through a closed system as a heat transfer medium. The oil is heated by means of hydraulic circulation and only requires motive means to ensure the flow of the oil in the closed system. The system includes a plurality of centrifugal oil filters and reducer fittings. A conventional, high-efficiency heat exchanger is utilized to transfer heat from the oil to air. The air flows into the confines of a structure (house, building, etc.) to be heated. Thermostats are employed to control operation of the system.

Accordingly, the invention presents a heating system that does not rely on the burning of fossil fuels. The system is efficient, economical and non-polluting. The invention provides for improved elements thereof in an arrangement 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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a non-polluting heating system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a non-polluting heating system according to the present invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, the oil-heating portion of the non-polluting heating system 10 is generally indicated in phantom lines. As indicated above, oil heated in the system 10 is pumped via a conduit 12 into an indirect heat exchanger 14. A blower or fan 16 propels air 18 through the exchanger 14 where the air picks up heat (indirectly) from the oil. The heated air flows through an air supply duct 20 and exits into a room or space to be heated. Another duct 20a provides a return path for recirculation of the air 18. A thermostat 24 disposed in the room or space to be heated controls operation of the blower 16 in a conventional manner.

The oil heating arrangement is best seen in the schematic of FIG. 2. An electric motor M is coupled to a hydraulic pump P for operating the same. In keeping with the non-polluting intent, the electric energy provided to the power motor M may be generated by a non-polluting energy source (solar, nuclear, geothermal, etc.) via an electric power source E. Oil is pumped in a closed cycle via conduits 12, 12a through heat exchanger 14. A plurality of centrifugal oil filters 28 and reducer fittings 30 are interspersed along conduits 12, 12a. Only mechanical components, including the centrifugal oil filters 28 and the reducer fittings 30, are utilized to cause the oil to heat up. This phenomenon is caused due to excitation of the oil molecules, causing the oil to heat up to a temperature range of approximately 180-250° F., depending on the number of filters 28 and fittings 30 inserted in the conduits 12, 12a. A filler cap 32 is provided to add oil to the system when needed. A safety valve 34 is utilized to shut off the system if low oil flow is detected. A thermostat 36 is provided to control operation of the blower 16 relative to the temperature of the pumped oil.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A non-polluting heating system, comprising:

a heat exchanger;

a blower for blowing air to be heated through the heat exchanger;

a closed cycle supply system for supplying a flow of heated oil to the heat exchanger; and

mechanical means for causing the oil to be heated while flowing through the closed cycle supply system.

2. The non-polluting heating system according to claim 1, wherein said heat exchanger is an indirect heat exchanger.

3. The non-polluting heating system according to claim 1, including a motor-operated pump connected in said closed cycle supply system for moving oil therethrough.

4. The non-polluting heating system according to claim 1, wherein said closed cycle supply system includes a first conduit connected to said heat exchanger for supplying heated oil to said heat exchanger for indirectly heating said air, and a second conduit connected to said heat exchanger for returning cooled oil from said heat exchanger after the oil has indirectly heated said air.

5. The non-polluting heating system according to claim 1, wherein said mechanical means for causing said oil to be heated includes centrifugal oil filters.

6. The non-polluting heating system according to claim 1, wherein said mechanical means for causing said oil to be heated includes reducer fittings.

7. A non-polluting heating system, comprising:

an indirect heat exchanger;

a blower for blowing air to be heated through the indirect heat exchanger;

a closed cycle supply system for supplying a flow of heated oil to the heat exchanger;

a pump connected in said closed cycle supply system for moving said oil through the closed cycle supply system;

an electric motor connected to said pump for driving said pump; and

mechanical means for causing the oil to be heated while flowing through the closed cycle supply system.

8. The non-polluting heating system according to claim 7, wherein said electric motor is powered by electric energy generated by a non-polluting energy source.

9. The non-polluting heating system according to claim 7, wherein said pump is a hydraulic pump.

10. The non-polluting heating system according to claim 7, wherein said closed cycle supply system includes a first conduit connected to said heat exchanger and said pump for supplying heated oil to said heat exchanger for indirectly heating said air, and a second conduit connected to said heat exchanger and said pump for returning cooled oil from said heat exchanger after the oil has indirectly heated said air.

11. The non-polluting heating system according to claim 10, wherein said mechanical means for causing said oil to be heated includes an array of centrifugal oil filters disposed in said first conduit and said second conduit.

12. The non-polluting heating system according to claim 10, wherein said mechanical means for causing said oil to be heated includes an array of reducer fittings disposed in said first conduit and said second conduit.

13. A non-polluting heating system, comprising:

an indirect heat exchanger;

a blower for blowing air to be heated through the indirect heat exchanger;

a closed cycle supply system for supplying a flow of heated oil to the heat exchanger;

a hydraulic pump disposed in said closed cycle supply system for moving said oil through the closed cycle supply system;

a thermostat positioned to measure the temperature of said oil and connected to said blower for controlling operation of said blower relative to the temperature of said oil;

a safety valve for detecting oil flow in said closed cycle supply system, whereby said safety valve functions to shut down the heating system if the oil flow is too low;

an electric motor connected to said pump for driving said pump; and

mechanical means for causing the oil to be heated while flowing through the closed cycle supply system.

14. The non-polluting heating system according to claim 13, wherein said electric motor is powered by electric energy generated by a non-polluting energy source.

15. The non-polluting heating system according to claim 13, wherein said closed cycle supply system includes a first conduit connected to said heat exchanger and said pump for supplying heated oil to said heat exchanger for indirectly heating said air, and a second conduit connected to said heat exchanger and said pump for returning cooled oil from said heat exchanger after the oil has indirectly heated said air.

16. The non-polluting heating system according to claim 15, wherein said mechanical means for causing said oil to be heated includes an array of centrifugal oil filters disposed in said first conduit and said second conduit.

17. The non-polluting heating system according to claim 16, wherein said mechanical means for causing said oil to be heated includes an array of reducer fittings disposed in said first conduit and said second conduit.