Compact Heating Systems With Controls Patents (Class 237/8D)
  • Patent number: 5903060
    Abstract: A combined heat and electricity generating unit is suitable for use in single family homes and the like. When it is operating it provides heat for heating the home and electricity for use by the electricity consuming devices in the home and the excess is available for sale to the power utility. It includes an air compressor, a fuel pump, a turbine driven by heated combustion products and an electric motor-generator for driving the fuel pump and air compressor and converting energy produced by the turbine to electricity. In an alternate embodiment the electric motor-generator is replaced by an electric motor and an electric generator. In the case where gaseous fuel is used the fuel pump may be a positive displacement gas compressor. The pressurized combustion products enable a particularly efficient and inexpensive heat exchanger. The air compressor maintains a slight vacuum in the housing thereby eliminating risk of combustion products escaping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Inventor: Peter Norton
  • Patent number: 4550689
    Abstract: Disclosed is a gas instantaneous water heater for use in boats or recreational vehicles comprising a housing divided into a large upper portion and a small lower portion. A gas valve and electric filament lighter are controlled by an electronic module which opens the gas valve and ignites the gas in response to a signal from a sensor capable of sensing water flow or a pressure drop. The heater employs a photoelectric flame sensor and a thermal override switch to shut off the gas in the event the igniter fails to ignite the gas or if the water temperature is excessively high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1985
    Inventor: Gerry Wolter
  • Patent number: 4297987
    Abstract: A package heat exchange system is disclosed having a burner positioned in the central plenum of a substantially cylindrical heat exchanger. A fuel-air mixture is supplied through a blower supplied with fuel from a pressure regulator which requires a somewhat less than atmospheric pressure at the blower inlet to draw gaseous fuel through the pressure regulator. A solenoid-operated, positive pressure valve in the main gasline provides the heat exchanger with an enriched gas mixture on ignition. The enrichment valve automatically closes after 30 seconds of operation. Air for combustion is drawn through a series of orifice plates positioned between the regulator and the blower. The fuel-to-air ratio may be altered by changing the size and/or number of the holes in one of the orifice plates. Further, one of the orifice plates may be deformable so as to form a seal, and to supply a predetermined quantity of air to the burner for combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1981
    Assignee: Amana Refrigeration, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence C. Bushee
  • Patent number: 4116380
    Abstract: A device for controlling the heating of a hot water boiler includes a first temperature sensor sensing the temperature of the boiler liquid and operating means adapted to switch a control switch. It also includes an outside temperature sensor to be arranged elsewhere and comprising a liquid-filled reservoir which communicates via a capillary with a tubular coil spring of the control device, which spring also actuates means which are adapted to switch the first switch. The tubular coil spring is arranged to actuate with an outer winding means adapted to change, through this actuation, the relative position of elements of the control switch and hence the temperature at which the control switch is switched under the control of the first temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1978
    Assignee: Eerste Nederlandse Fabriek van Manometers BV
    Inventor: Dorotheus Donkervoort
  • Patent number: 4077568
    Abstract: The invention relates to a housing suitable for containing a boiler with its associated water tank and it consists of an upper part which for storage and transport can be telescoped over the lower part and when required for use can be raised to form an upper extension of the lower part and fixed in position. The lower part preferably carries pivoted flaps adapted to form an extension of the plan size of the lower part greater than the plan size of the upper part but which can be folded to enable the upper part to be telescoped down over the lower part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1978
    Assignee: Intercity Electric & Mechanical Services Ltd.
    Inventor: Richard May