Having Heat Exchange Feature Patents (Class 122/18.1)
  • Patent number: 11788735
    Abstract: A heating and hot-water supply device includes a combustion means, a heat exchanger, a circulation passage, a circulation means, a bypass passage, a distribution means, a hot-water supply heat exchanger, a water supply passage, a hot-water supply passage, and a control means. The heat exchanger heats a heating heat-medium to a target heat medium temperature. The distribution means distributes the heating heat-medium to the circulation passage and the bypass passage. The control means is capable of adjusting a distribution ratio of the distribution means to be adaptable to a heating operation, a hot-water supply operation, and a simultaneous heating and hot-water supply operation. At the time of transition from the heating operation to the simultaneous heating and hot-water supply operation, in a case where the heating terminal for performing heating is a warm air heater, the control means raises the target heat medium temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: NORITZ CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihisa Kageyama, Hiroshi Morimoto
  • Patent number: 11466895
    Abstract: Provided is an exterior case for a hot water unit which can be produced in a simple operational process with high productivity and with low costs without environmental pollution even if a complex pattern or the like is formed, in which the overall design properties are favorable. There is provided an exterior case used for accommodating a hot water device for hot water production or hot water storage therein, and an ink jet printing layer representing at least one of letters, symbols, figures, and patterns is provided on a paint layer of a metal plate constituting the exterior case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: NORITZ CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Fukui, Hiroshi Fujii
  • Patent number: 11346551
    Abstract: A gas flare for burning waste gas comprises a stack with an upper chimney space, a lower combustion chamber, and a burner having one or more flame outlets positioned in the combustion chamber. A primary combustion air intake of the burner is in fluid communication with an ambient air intake to source primary combustion air therefrom. An airflow control device resides in a position operable to regulate secondary air flow from the ambient air intake to the flame outlet of the burner without obstructing the primary combustion air intake of said burner. The stack features a double hull design to preheat the ambient air as it travels to the burner, and a liquid containment/vaporization chamber is installed below the burner in heat exchange relationship with the preheated airflow path to the burner, whereby the chamber is warmed by the pre-heated combustion air and radiant heat from the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Emission Rx Ltd.
    Inventors: Justin Bouchard, Jeffrey Nelson
  • Patent number: 11339965
    Abstract: A portable vaporizer for heating a liquid-phase fuel. The vaporizer comprising a reservoir having a least one wall for containing a heat-conducting fluid within the reservoir. A heating tube extending into the reservoir such that the heating tube is in fluid contact with the heat-conducting fluid. The heating core has and inlet through which the liquid-phase fuel will flow and an outlet through which the vaporized liquid-phase fuel will flow. A heating core comprising an electric heating element placed within the reservoir to heat the heat-conducting fluid and vaporize the liquid-phase fuel passing through the heating tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Inventor: Eric Champagne
  • Patent number: 11041658
    Abstract: There is provided a method of producing an exterior case for a hot water unit including a pressing process in which press processing is performed on a flat metal plate, and a component part of an exterior case used for accommodating a hot water device for hot water production or hot water storage therein is formed; and a painting process in which any of letters, symbols, figures, and patterns is painted on the component part of the exterior case, wherein the painting process includes an ink jet printing process in which ink jet printing is performed on the flat metal plate and an ink jet printing layer is formed, and wherein the pressing process is performed after the ink jet printing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: NORITZ CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Fukui, Hiroshi Fujii
  • Patent number: 10775038
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a gaseous medium comprising steam, said steam being produced from a first fluid medium separated from the exhaust gas from combustion of a fuel in a steam generating step, said fuel being provided for burning for providing energy for heating said first fluid medium, comprising the steps of mixing the steam thus produced with exhaust gas from combustion of said fuel; and supplying at least one chemical substance different from air and water to said steam and exhaust gas mixture. The invention also relates to a device for producing a gaseous medium comprising steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Steamex Group Sverige AB
    Inventor: Michael Abrahamsson
  • Patent number: 10732193
    Abstract: An inertial measurement unit includes a first spherical gimbal comprising a first lattice structure including a first plurality of trusses defining a first plurality of interstitial voids between the first plurality of trusses. The inertial measurement unit further includes a second spherical gimbal comprising a second lattice structure including a second plurality of trusses defining a second plurality of interstitial voids between the second plurality of trusses. The first spherical gimbal is positioned inside of the second spherical gimbal and pivotally coupled to the second spherical gimbal to form a gap between the first spherical gimbal and the second spherical gimbal. The inertial measurement unit further includes an instrument mount positioned within and pivotally coupled to the first spherical gimbal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Stephen Butscher
  • Patent number: 10222091
    Abstract: A heating unit for heating fluid is described having a first manifold having at least one inlet, a second manifold connected to the first manifold and having at least one outlet, and a third manifold. The heating unit also includes one or more heating systems which extend from the third manifold to the first manifold via the second manifold, where the one or more heating systems have an inner tube and an outer tube. Further, the heating unit includes a fluid flow path from the at least one inlet to the at least one outlet via the first manifold, an area between the inner tube and outer tube, the interior of the inner tube and the second manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: EEMAX, INC.
    Inventors: Jeff Hankins, Chris Hayden, Eric Jurczyszak
  • Patent number: 9903610
    Abstract: An exhaust case having the first exhaust gas flow path for flowing combustion exhaust gas passing upward through a heat exchange, behind a water-shielding plate and for guiding the combustion exhaust gas onto the water-shielding plate toward an exhaust vent, and having the second exhaust gas flow path for flowing a part of combustion exhaust gas into a space between the water-shielding plate and a horizontal plate part and further into the exhaust vent. A ventilation hole is provided for an upright plate part extending from the rear end of the horizontal plate part in order to flow combustion exhaust gas into the space, and is provided in the substantially horizontal direction. Accordingly, the exhaust case is inhibited to become large scaled, and a superior exhaust noise-reduction effect, a suppression effect of combustion oscillation of the burner, and a waterproof performance are able to be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: NORITZ CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masamitsu Ishikado, Takehiro Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9610518
    Abstract: A fluid vapor distillation system. The system includes a control system for controlling a fluid vapor distillation apparatus including a blow down controller for controlling a blow down valve, a source flow controller for controlling a source flow valve, and a blow down level sensor in communication with a blow down controller and a source flow controller, the blow down level sensor sends signals related to the blow down level to the blow down controller and the source flow controller indicative of the blow down level, wherein the source flow controller actuates the source flow valve based at least on the blow down level sensor signals, and wherein the blow down controller actuates the blow down valve based at least on the blow down level sensor signals, whereby the blow down level and the source flow level are maintained using the blow down level sensor signals as input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Ryan K. LaRocque, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Stephen M. Ent, Andrew A. Schnellinger, Prashant Bhat, Stanley B. Smith, III, Otis L. Clapp
  • Patent number: 9604858
    Abstract: A fluid vapor distillation system. The system includes a control system for controlling a fluid vapor distillation apparatus including a blow down controller for controlling a blow down valve, a source flow controller for controlling a source flow valve, and a blow down level sensor in communication with a blow down controller and a source flow controller, the blow down level sensor sends signals related to the blow down level to the blow down controller and the source flow controller indicative of the blow down level, wherein the source flow controller actuates the source flow valve based at least on the blow down level sensor signals, and wherein the blow down controller actuates the blow down valve based at least on the blow down level sensor signals, whereby the blow down level and the source flow level are maintained using the blow down level sensor signals as input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Ryan K. LaRocque, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Andrew A. Schnellinger, Prashant Bhat, Otis L. Clapp, Stanley B. Smith, III, Stephen M. Ent
  • Patent number: 9310069
    Abstract: A very high efficiency steam producing heater and boiler is disclosed wherein an outer vault encases an inner casing with a small exhaust passage there between. The walls of the casing contain a series of capillary tubes through which water flows. A combustion chamber in the lower portion of the casing provides a source of heat for the water which flows from the casing into a series of water drums located near the combustion chamber. From the water tubes, the heated water then passes through a serpentine series of steam tubes and then upward into one or more steam drums. Steam passes through the steam drums out of the casing and vault for commercial or residential usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Inventor: Martin Cain
  • Patent number: 9038575
    Abstract: A tube disposed in the combustion chamber of a standing pilot type fuel-fired water heater is used to increase the overall efficiency of the water heater by improving the heat transfer from the pilot flame to the tank during standby periods by funneling the standing pilot flame upwardly through the tube in a manner concentrating the pilot flame heat against an underside portion of the bottom head of the water heater tank. To further increase water heater efficiency, the pilot burner is of a dual input type. Various pilot burner operational algorithm modes are disclosed for causing the pilot burner to operate at a high firing rate during main burner operation, and at a low firing rate during standby periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: RHEEM MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Jozef Boros, Ashwin Rao, Subbramanian Thenappan, David L. Gibbons
  • Publication number: 20150114317
    Abstract: A diesel heater has two compartments with the components which are frequently serviced being located in one of the compartments which is easily accessible to the user. The heater is of reduced size and weight for smaller coaches and boats and the control system allows for maximum safety and flexibility in operating from AC power, engine power or burner combustion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL THERMAL RESEARCH
    Inventors: VICTOR WILLIAM JOHNSON, NADER KIAROSTAMI
  • Patent number: 9004018
    Abstract: The efficiencies of illustrative embodiments of vertical center flue type fuel-fired base water heaters are improved by installing in the water heaters variously configured tubular condensing type secondary heat exchangers of smaller diameters than the associated center flues. The efficiency increases are achieved with components and manufacturing processes similar to those utilized in the base water heaters and secondary heat exchanger materials similar to those in the tank portions of the base water heaters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jozef Boros, Qian Zhang, Yoshiki Semba, Subbu Thenappan
  • Publication number: 20150020756
    Abstract: A device for heating a flowing medium (e.g., water), wherein the device comprises a heating module and a heat exchanger enclosed by an insulating material comprising a vacuum-packed core material. The heating module and the heat exchanger may further be received in a housing having a number of walls, wherein the vacuum-packed core material is arranged between one of the walls and the heating module and/or the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventor: Peter Jan Cool
  • Patent number: 8931438
    Abstract: A condensing fuel-fired appliance has a condensate trap that includes a trap body; a float; a flue gas inlet port for the introduction of flue gas into the interior region of the trap body; a condensate outlet port for the discharge of condensate from the interior region; and a flue gas outlet port for the discharge of flue gas from the interior region of the trap body. The float is configured to move in response to condensate collected in the interior region of the trap body to a position to substantially block the discharge of flue gas from the interior region through the flue gas outlet port. The float is also configured to move to a position to substantially block the discharge of flue gas from the interior region through the condensate outlet port when there is little or no condensate in the interior region of the trap body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Laars Heating Systems Company
    Inventors: Bertram L. Walters, Richard A. Williamson
  • Patent number: 8919296
    Abstract: A hot water supply system includes a first tank for storing hot water for heating; a second tank for storing hot water to be supplied to a hot water tap; a heater circulation path for supplying the hot water of the first tank to a heater; a first path that includes a first heat transfer portion surrounding the exposed portion of the second tank to the inside of the first tank and that connects the first tank to a forward portion of the heater circulation path so that the hot water of the first tank can be supplied to the heater through the first heat transfer portion; and a second path that includes a second heat transfer portion disposed along the first heat transfer portion, and that allows heat exchange between the hot water of the second tank and the hot water flowing through the first heat transfer portion due to the flow, in the second heat transfer portion, of the hot water of the second tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kou Komori, Yuichi Yakumaru, Atsushi Kakimoto, Tomoichiro Tamura
  • Publication number: 20140373794
    Abstract: A hot water storage tank-type condensing boiler having a multi-stage structure is provided where the upper end plate of a water tank exposed to a firebox is formed to have a multi-stage structure so that the distances at which each portion of the upper end plate is exposed to a flame are the same to uniformly heat water filled within the water tank at each of the portions. In addition, like the upper end plate, the lower end plate may be formed to have a multi-stage structure so that the distances between each of the stages of the upper end plates and each of the stages of the lower end plate are the same. Thus, furnace tubes passing through the upper and lower end plates may have the same length to improve productivity and provide the same combustion load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: Sung-Hwan Choi
  • Patent number: 8887322
    Abstract: A portable hot water heater for larger-scale applications including emergency use, situations involving hazardous materials, and the like. The hot water heater advantageously efficiently and rapidly heats large quantities of water for providing a stream of hot water for immediate use. The hot water heater includes a pump that can draw water from any suitable water source, a power source, a heating assembly that quickly and efficiently heats the water as it flows through the heating assembly. The heating assembly is attached to a shower head or other fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Taph, LLC
    Inventor: Trevor Adrian
  • Patent number: 8844471
    Abstract: An apparatus for heating water having three vertically aligned water heating process sections. The upper section includes an annular water storage tank disposed around a combustion chamber having a downward firing burner. The intermediate section, disposed vertically below the upper section receives flue gas from the combustion chamber, which flue gas is cooled and dehumidified, producing a hot condensate which collects in a passive condensate flow control device disposed proximate the bottom of the intermediate section. The lower section, disposed vertically below the intermediate and separated therefrom by the passive condensate flow control device receives hot condensate from the flow control device, which is used to preheat and humidify air, such as room air, which is then recycled to the combustion process of the upper section for use as combustion air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventors: Paul Eric Glanville, Mark Jacob Khinkis, Aleksandr Pavlovich Kozlov, David Charles Kalensky
  • Publication number: 20140261384
    Abstract: A coupling device for attaching an external heat source to a high-throughput steam cooker enables the steam cooker to be used with a wide variety of heat sources and fuels. The coupling device includes a heat flow chamber that provides efficient, effective heat transfer from the heat source to a heat sink in thermal communication with the steam cooker, thereby facilitating steam generation in a steam cooker assembly. The heat source may be a liquid-fueled heat source to facilitate transport and storage of fuel to remote locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Cooper
  • Publication number: 20140230805
    Abstract: A gas hot water heating device and a system with heating function are disclosed. The device includes a combustion device (1), an inlet (E) and an outlet (G) of a hot water pipeline (2), an inlet (I) and an outlet (H) of a heating loop (3), and a water tank (4). The device also includes a first heat exchanger (5), a second heat exchanger (6) and a third heat exchanger (7). A flue gas outlet (1-2) of the combustion device (1) is connected with flue gas passages of the first heat exchanger (5) and the second heat exchanger (6) in order and in series. A first water flow passage (5-1) and a second water flow passage (5-2) are arranged in the first heat exchanger (5), and the water tank (4) and the first water flow passage (5-1) of the first heat exchanger (5) are communicated between the inlet (E) and the outlet (G) of the hot water pipeline (2) in series. The second heat exchanger (6) and the third heat exchanger (7) can exchange heat with water in the water tank (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventors: Dayan Bi, Baolin Liu, Bu Qiu
  • Patent number: 8807093
    Abstract: A water heater has a tank having an upper and a lower domes which are penetrated by tubular flues in a 1-1-5 arrangement of a first flue connected to a second flue which in turn is connected to tertiary condensing flues. A gas-fired burner on the upper dome fires into the first flue. Both the first and second flue have heat exchange capacity enhanced by a multiplicity of rectangular metal fins welded in a helical arrangement. Some or all of the fins in the first flue may be stainless steel, while the remaining fins may be a different material, such as mild steel. The first and second flues are arranged to remove approximately 82-89 percent of the heat generated by the burner with minimal or no formation of condensate. Approximately 5.5-9 percent of the heat generated by combustion in the burner is removed in third flues where condensation takes place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Bock Water Heaters, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael B. Steinhafel
  • Publication number: 20140209043
    Abstract: A jacket for a hot water heater appliance includes a top, bottom, front, back, and a fastener. The top is configured to insulate an upper portion of a hot water tank. The bottom is configured to insulate a lower portion of the hot water tank. The front is configured to insulate a front portion of the hot water tank. The back is configured to insulate a back portion of the hot water tank. The fastener is configured to releaseably fasten the front to the back. The top, bottom, front and back include expanded polypropylene (EPP) configured to provide insulation to the hot water tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Ryan Hardesty, Dan Karch, David King, Aaron Smith
  • Patent number: 8770153
    Abstract: A first period during which drain is not substantially generated on a surface of a water tube (4) of a heat exchanger (B1), and a second period as a transition during which an amount of drain on the surface of the water tube (4) is increased are provided. There are a plurality of kinds of fan-controlling data in which operation control contents of the fan (13) in the first and second periods in correspondence with change of conditions of entering water temperature or combustion level of the burner (1). The fan-controlling data are stored in a data table (90) of a controller (9). The controller (9) controls the fan (13) in accordance with the data, and an initial air-fuel ratio of combustion driving of the burner (1) is stabilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Noritz Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsurou Hamada, Yoshinori Kanda, Hideaki Yoshitomi
  • Publication number: 20140182521
    Abstract: A fluid heating system, comprising: a heater having an inlet and an outlet; a storage vessel; a fluid mixer having a first inlet for receiving fluid stored in or passing through the storage vessel, a second inlet for receiving fluid from a cold fluid supply, and an outlet for supplying fluid to the heater inlet; wherein in a first mode the heater is operable to heat fluid in the storage vessel, and in a second mode the fluid mixer is mixes fluid from or passing through the storage vessel with fluid from the cold fluid supply at a predefined volumetric ratio to provide mixed fluid to the inlet of the heater to be heated further to an output temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Zenex Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Christopher C. Farrell
  • Patent number: 8763564
    Abstract: A water heater includes a storage tank for storing water, a combustion chamber, a burner positioned in the combustion chamber, and a heat exchanger positioned in the storage tank. The burner produces products of combustion. The heat exchanger receives the products of combustion from the combustion chamber and transfers heat from the products of combustion to the water stored in the storage tank. The heat exchanger includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is positioned above the combustion chamber and the lower portion is positioned below the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Ayman Abdel-Rehim, Yonghua Cheng, Larry N. Chanasyk
  • Publication number: 20140150733
    Abstract: A water heater includes a water pipe form by bending a pipe. The entire water pipe leans related to a vertical plane to expose all the section to a burner thereunder. All the sections of the water pipe lean downwards related to a horizontal plane. It will make the water in the water in the water pipe flows backwards when no water is supplied to the water heater. Therefore, there will never be water remaining in the water pipe to get rid of the jam problem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: GRAND MATE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: CHUNG-CHIN HUANG, CHIN-YING HUANG, HSIN-MING HUANG, HSING-HSIUNG HUANG, KUAN-CHOU LIN, YEN-JEN YEH
  • Patent number: 8740611
    Abstract: A fuel-fired high capacity liquid heating appliance, representatively a boiler or a water heater, has a fluid heat exchanger extending around a combustion chamber into which first and second fuel burners extend, the first and second burners respectively having associated blowers for supplying combustion air thereto. Illustratively, the combustion chamber is oval-shaped, with the burners extending into opposite ends the combustion chamber If one of the burners is not firing while the other burner is firing, a control system starts the non-firing burner's blower, to protect it from overheating by the firing burner, if the control system senses an excess temperature in the non-firing burner. The heat exchanger comprises a series of fluid receiving tubes extending between baffle-free header structures iteratively sized to equalize fluid flow rates through the heat exchanger tubes over a wide flow rate range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Raymond I. Hallit
  • Patent number: 8695539
    Abstract: A water heater includes combustion means (burner) that combusts fuel and generates exhaust; heat exchange means (primary heat exchanger and secondary heat exchanger) that exchanges heat of the exhaust for supplied water; bypassing means (bypass pipe) that makes the supplied water flow to an outlet of the heat exchange means; exchanged heat temperature detection means (exchanged heat temperature sensor) that detects temperature of the supplied water after heat exchange; flow rate adjustment means (bypass valve) that adjusts a volume of the supplied water flowing into the bypassing means and the heat exchange means; and a control unit that controls the flow rate adjustment means so as to make a predetermined volume of the supplied water or over flow to the heat exchange means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Purpose Company Limited
    Inventors: Kazushi Iwama, Akito Watanabe, Jun Aiso
  • Publication number: 20140096726
    Abstract: A tube disposed in the combustion chamber of a standing pilot type fuel-fired water heater is used to increase the overall efficiency of the water heater by improving the heat transfer from the pilot flame to the tank during standby periods by funneling the standing pilot flame upwardly through the tube in a manner concentrating the pilot flame heat against an underside portion of the bottom head of the water heater tank. To further increase water heater efficiency, the pilot burner is of a dual input type. Various pilot burner operational algorithm modes are disclosed for causing the pilot burner to operate at a high firing rate during main burner operation, and at a low firing rate during standby periods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jozef Boros, Ashwin Rao, Subbramanian Thenappan, David L. Gibbons
  • Patent number: 8656867
    Abstract: A novel water heat exchanger with a helix coil incorporated into a stainless steel elongated variable diameter cylindrical housing. A buffer tank is incorporated within the lumen of the helix coil. In one embodiment, the heat exchanger utilizes a radial direct-firing burner and a blower-driven hot flue gas to heat water for domestic and commercial use. In one embodiment, at least a rope seal is disposed between adjacent coil loops of a portion of the helix coil for enhancing heat transfer to the helix coil. In one embodiment, solar and electric heating systems are combined with the helix coil heat exchanger and disposed within the buffer tank to provide supplemental heating. In another embodiment, the heat exchanger further comprises a Stirling engine comprised of a free piston having hot and cold ends that is disposed within the cavity taken up the buffer tank, wherein the hot end receives heat from the burner and the cold end is cooled by the incoming cold water line to form an electric power generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Intellihot Green Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sridhar Deivasigamani, Sivaprasad Akasam
  • Publication number: 20140034742
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for heating two mutually separated liquids, wherein a first liquid is intended for heating a building and wherein the second liquid is tap water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: ATAG VERWARMING NEDERLAND B.V.
    Inventors: Rudi MEINEN, Gideon Andreas Ferdinand BLIJ
  • Publication number: 20140026824
    Abstract: In an oil field fracing operation, a direct fire heater is provided that is mobile and self-contained on a trailer chassis. The direct fire heater has the maximum heat exchange possible between a burning gas and the fracing fluid by direct contact therewith. Recirculation is provided to maintain the fracing fluid at the desired temperature. A stack for the direct fire heater is removable for movement from one frac job or frac water heating site to another. Pellets in the stack helps insure a more complete heat exchange between the fracing fluid and the burning gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: ROCANDA USA INC.
    Inventors: Andrew M. Romocki, John R. O'Hehir, Carroll D. Gorrell, Rodney C. Kummer, William K. Howard
  • Publication number: 20130284117
    Abstract: An on demand tankless water heater system that is capable of quickly delivering water within a desired temperature range. The tankless water heater provides a hybrid heating method that contains a primary heating system and a secondary heating system disposed in a buffer tank that cooperate to facilitate control of output water temperature during water usage. A pressure differential switch detects low flow demand and allows the secondary heating system to provide immediate heating to the water. This secondary heating system provides a faster temperature response and fine tuning of output water temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Sridhar Deivasigamani, Sivaprasad Akasam
  • Publication number: 20130263765
    Abstract: Pipe insulation, such as may be used to insulate the condensate pipe of a heating appliance such as condensing boiler, the pipe insulation comprising a flexible internal conduit surrounded by a flexible layer of insulation, in which the layer of insulation comprise fibers between which is trapped air. Typically, the insulation layer can comprise a silica nanoporous aerogel with reinforcing fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: LINTHWAITE LIMITED
    Inventor: David Raymond Merrick
  • Publication number: 20130220237
    Abstract: A self-contained portable heating system to heat a stored liquid in a storage tank to a desired temperature is provided. The system can comprise operatively connected components such as a generator to power a burner that can transfer energy from a combustion product, from for example, a fuel supplied by an attached fuel tank, to a heat transfer fluid through the use of a boiler. The heat transfer fluid can transfer heat from the boiler 24 to a heat exchanger which can then transfer heat to the stored liquid in the tank. The tank can also comprise a circulating pump that can circulate the heat transfer fluid and an expansion tank that can receive the heat transfer fluid when it expands as a result of being heated. In some embodiments, the heating components can be supplied separately from storage tank so that they can be retrofit onto an existing tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventor: Stevan Dobi
  • Publication number: 20130219894
    Abstract: A boiler unit comprises an enclosure including: a first circuit of a first fluid heat exchange medium, the first circuit N having a heating device to heat the first medium, a boost heat exchanger, a valve and a first manifold; a second circuit of a second heating system fluid heat exchange medium, the second circuit having a flow and return port of the boiler unit, a second manifold and said boost heat exchanger for exchange of heat between said first and second heat exchanger media when said valve is open; a space in the enclosure receiving an auxiliary unit to be driven substantially exclusively by said first fluid heat exchange medium; and a boiler control unit to control operation of the heating device according to heat demand of the heating device and otherwise irrespective of the auxiliary unit when connected; and an organic rankine cycle (ORC) unit comprising: a third fluid heat exchange medium circuit, the circuit including a condenser adapted for connection to said second manifold to provide heat to
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: John J. Bannister, Geoffrey M. Barker, Iain Henshaw, Timothy Whitechurch, Neil S. Bright
  • Patent number: 8469283
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an exemplary supplemental heating system including a hydrodynamic heater and a heat exchanger. The hydrodynamic heater includes a hydrodynamic chamber disposed within an interior cavity of the hydrodynamic heater. The hydrodynamic chamber is operable for selectively heating a fluid present within the hydrodynamic chamber when the heating apparatus is connected to a fluid supply source. The hydrodynamic heater includes an inlet port fluidly connected to a discharge port of the heat exchanger, and a discharge port fluidly connected to an inlet port of the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes a heat exchanger core disposed within an interior cavity of the heat exchanger. A wall at least partially defines the interior cavity of the hydrodynamic heater and the interior cavity of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Ventech, LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy J. Sanger, Franco Garavoglia
  • Publication number: 20130152876
    Abstract: A water heating system including a water container having a cold water inlet that connects to a water supply, a hot water outlet, a water heater outlet and a water heater inlet; an instantaneous water heater mounted to the water container and having a tank supply inlet connected to the water heater outlet, a tank supply outlet connected to the water heater inlet, a burner, and a heat exchanger located adjacent the burner between the tank supply inlet and the tank supply outlet; a pump connected between the water container and the instantaneous water heater that moves water between the water container and the instantaneous water heater; and a controller that operates the pump and the burner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: RINNAI AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventor: RINNAI AMERICA CORPORATION
  • Patent number: 8450666
    Abstract: A water boiling device includes a heat tank unit received in a machine body, a high frequency induction heater, and a heat pipe unit. The heat tank unit includes first and second heating tanks in communication with each other. Outside water can flow into the first and second heating tanks. The high frequency induction heater includes a heat pipe induction coil and first and second induction coils. The heat pipe unit includes first and second heating pipes. An upper section of each heating pipe is received in one of the heating tanks, and a lower section of each heating pipe extends out of the heating tanks and is inserted into the heat pipe induction coil. The first and second heating tanks will heat up to heat the water in the first and second heating tanks when a high frequency current is passed through the heat pipe induction coil and first and second induction coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Inventors: Shun-Chi Yang, Mao-Hsiung Yang, Tsung-Chuan Yang, Fang-Ming Wu, Cheng-Yen Wu
  • Publication number: 20130061821
    Abstract: An exhaust channel of a combustion apparatus is defined by an upper sloping plate and a lower sloping plate. The lower sloping plate contains a rising part and a lower sloping wall. A water droplet baffle plate is positioned across an interspace from the rising part. The interspace is brought into fluid communication with the exhaust channel through an upper surface opening while being brought into fluid communication with a bottom of a heat exchange chamber through a communication opening. A collision wall part of the water droplet baffle plate is disposed in close proximity to a lowest fine tube so as to oppose against a combustion exhaust flow. Water droplets adhere onto the collision wall part. Water droplets failing to adhere to the collision wall part fall through the upper surface opening positioned over an upper end of the collision wall part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: NORITZ CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuki Maeshima, Hidefumi Koda
  • Publication number: 20130042823
    Abstract: Disclosed is a heat exchanger, and a method for heating a working fluid. The heat exchanger includes a burner, a combustion section, and a condenser section positioned below the combustion section such that exhaust from the burner passes through the spiral coils and to the condenser. In an example of this disclosure, the combustion section includes a plurality of spiral coils radially spaced apart relative to one another, and the condenser section includes a plurality of U-bend coils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventor: Seyed Jafar Mirjalali
  • Patent number: 8375898
    Abstract: A heat exchanger of a non-condensing storage type boiler for preventing condensation is provided. The heat exchanger include a heating water outflow port installed on an upper portion of the boiler, a heating water inflow port installed lower than the heating water outflow port, and an internal pipe extending spirally from the heating water inflow port and being installed in a water tube of the boiler. The internal pipe is connected to an extension pipe that extends through a re-entry outlet passing through a wall of the boiler to be connected with a re-entry inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Kyungdong Navien Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tae-Sik Min
  • Patent number: 8376243
    Abstract: Disclosed is a boiler for providing hot water to a heating system of a building and for simultaneously producing hot domestic water. This boiler comprises a heating tank provided with a water inlet and a water outlet through which water for use in the heating system circulates and an adjacent chamber annexed to the heating tank. This adjacent chamber is in direct communication with the heating tank and containing means for heating the water. The boiler also comprises a heat exchanger provided with a water inlet and a water outlet through which circulates the domestic water. This heat exchanger is made of a plurality of tubular coils of helicoidal shape that are located within the heating tank in order to allow heat transfer between the hot water within the heating tank and the domestic water that circulates within the tubular coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Gestion M.J.P.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Louis Cloutier
  • Patent number: 8333169
    Abstract: A water heater especially for bathroom includes a hair filter (1), a water self pumping pump (2), a heat exchanger (3), a water valve (5), a controller (6), an operator (7), three water flow resistance amplifiers (8) and a waste water tank (9). The heat exchanger can recover the heat from the waste water during bathing and preheat cold water. The waste water tank can reuse the waste bath water for flushing toilets. Said parts are assembled by pipes and electric circuits and arranged on the proper position in the bathroom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Inventors: Shaohua Su, Qing Tan
  • Patent number: 8327810
    Abstract: An application for a method of heating water includes transferring the water from a water supply into an inner tank of the water heater which is held within an outer tank, transferring the water from the inner tank into an outer tank and then to supply a building with hot water. The water in the outer tank is heated with hot gasses, partially cooling to intermediate temperature gasses. The water in the inner tank is heated with the intermediate temperature gasses, further cooling the intermediate temperature gasses into cooler gasses that are then exhausted out of the water heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Armstrong Hot Water Inc.
    Inventors: George R. Arnold, Donald E. Woollen
  • Publication number: 20120305105
    Abstract: A hot-water supply heat exchanger having a mixing valve and a mixing valve integrated adopter are provided to facilitate control of hot water temperature with a simplified pipe structure. A hot-water supply heat exchanger comprises a heat exchange part (100), a heating water inlet (212), a heating water outlet (214), a cold water inlet (222), a hot water outlet (224), and a mixing valve (230). The heat exchange part allows heat exchange between hot water provided from a main heat exchanger (20) with cold water. The heating water inlet draws hot water into the heat exchanger. The to heating water outlet discharges the hot water heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger. The cold water inlet draws the cold water into the heat exchange part. The hot water outlet discharges the cold water that is heat-exchanged with heating water in the heat exchange part. The mixing valve mixes the hot water discharged through the hot water outlet with cold water provided from the cold water inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: Kyungdong Navien Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Tae-Sik Min
  • Patent number: 8322313
    Abstract: A hot water storage type hot water supply device is capable of heating water inside a hot water storage tank appropriately, thereby preventing energy waste. A circulating pump is operated and a burner is incinerated, when the average of detected temperatures from water temperature detectors falls below a predetermined lower limit temperature. The burner is extinguished when an accumulated heating amount from the beginning of operation of a heat source equipment becomes equal to or more than a target heating amount necessary for elevating the total amount of water in the hot water storage tank to a preset hot water delivery temperature. The circulating pump is continuously operated after extinguishing the burner, until an accumulated circulated water amount of a circulating path becomes equal to or more than a predetermined water amount set to be equal to or more than a capacity of the hot water storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Rinnai Corporation
    Inventors: Tamotsu Yamaoka, Masakazu Ando