Water heater

The improved water heater is a combustion reaction based water heating apparatus. The improved water heater is used to heat fresh water for domestic and light industrial purposes. The improved water heater includes a tank and an enhanced heating device. The insulating structure stores the water during and after the heating process. The enhanced heating device: a) contains the combustion reaction; and, b) transfers through a heat exchange mechanism the heat generated by the combustion reaction to the water contained within the insulating structure. The enhanced heating device includes a heat exchange apparatus. When compared to a traditional exhaust flue, the heat exchange apparatus more efficiently transfers heat between the heated exhaust gases from the combustion reaction and the water contained in the insulating structure.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of heat exchange and heat exchange apparatus, more specifically, a single medium heat exchange apparatus with a) stationary conduit incorporated into the tank; and, b) heat exchange occurring across the conduit wall. (F28D1/06)

This disclosure is related to the operation of a traditional combustion-based water171heating apparatus. An example of a traditional combustion-based water171heating apparatus is a traditional water171heater commonly found in domestic and light industrial settings. By combustion based is meant that a fuel is burned in a combustion process to generate the heat necessary to heat the fresh water171contained within the combustion based water171heating device. This disclosure assumes that the fuel is a natural gas. Those skilled in the chemical and plumbing arts will recognize that other fuel sources may be substituted into the combustion process without undue experimentation.

The traditional combustion-based water171heating apparatus comprises a tank101and a heating mechanism. The heating mechanism heats fresh water171contained within the tank101.

The tank101is a containment structure that stores the water171heated by the traditional combustion-based water171heating apparatus. The tank101is an enclosed insulating structure111formed from an insulating material161sandwiched between an inner shell162and an outer shell163. The tank101further comprises a fresh water171inlet, a heated water171outlet, a drain valve112and an overflow pipe113. The heated water171outlet is a pipe that removes heated water171that is contained in the tank101. The fresh water171inlet is a pipe that replaces the removed heated water171with fresh water171. The drain valve112is a pipe that further comprises a valve. The drain valve112allows for the rapid removal of water171from the tank101during maintenance activities. The overflow pipe113is a pipe that allows the tank101to drain excess water171that may accumulate in the tank101.

The heating mechanism: a) contains the combustion reaction; and, b) transfers through a heat exchanger the heat generated by the combustion to the water171contained within the tank101. The heating mechanism comprises a water conduit121, a combustion chamber122, an exhaust flue, and a thermostat135. The combustion chamber122is an isolated chamber in which that combustion reaction occurs. The water conduit121comprises a piping network that feeds fresh water into the tank101. The exhaust flue is a pipe that transports the heated exhaust gases generated by the combustion reaction through the water171stored within the tank101before discharging the heated exhaust gases into the atmosphere. The thermostat135is a well-known and documented electrical switching feedback device used to control the temperature of the water171contained in the tank101.

The heat exchange between the heated exhaust gases and the water171occurs using heat conduction through the walls of the pipe that forms the exhaust flue.

One drawback of the traditional water171heating apparatus is that most of the heat generated by combustion is exhausted into the atmosphere instead of being transferred into the water171. Clearly, a more efficient method of heat exchange would benefit the process.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The improved water heater is a combustion reaction based water heating apparatus. The improved water heater is configured to heat fresh water for domestic and light industrial purposes. The improved water heater comprises a tank and an enhanced heating device. The tank comprises an insulating structure. The insulating structure stores the water during and after the heating process. The enhanced heating device: a) contains the combustion reaction; and, b) transfers through a heat exchange mechanism the heat generated by the combustion reaction to the water contained within the insulating structure. The enhanced heating device comprises a heat exchange apparatus. When compared to a traditional exhaust flue, the heat exchange apparatus more efficiently transfers heat between the heated exhaust gases from the combustion reaction and the water contained in the insulating structure.

In this respect, before explaining the current embodiments of the improved water heater in detail, it is to be understood that the improved water heater is not limited in its applications to the details of construction and arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustration. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the concept of this disclosure may be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the improved water heater.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

The improved water heater100(hereinafter invention) is a combustion reaction based water171heating apparatus. The invention100is configured to heat fresh water171for domestic and light industrial purposes. The invention100comprises a tank101and an enhanced heating device102. The tank101comprises an insulating structure111. The insulating structure stores the water171during and after the heating process. The enhanced heating device102: a) contains the combustion reaction; and, b) transfers through a heat exchange mechanism the heat generated by the combustion reaction to the water171contained within the insulating structure111. The enhanced heating device102comprises a heat exchange apparatus123. When compared to a traditional exhaust flue, the heat exchange apparatus123more efficiently transfers heat between the heated exhaust gases from the combustion reaction and the water171contained in the insulating structure111.

The tank101is a fluid impermeable containment structure. The tank101stores water171during and after the heating process. The tank101is an insulating structure111designed to inhibit cooling of the water171after heating. The tank101roughly follows the form of the tank101of a traditional combustion-based water171heating apparatus. The tank101is formed with the apertures and form factors necessary to accommodate the operation of the enhanced heating device102. The tank101comprises an insulating structure111, a drain valve112, and an overflow pipe113.

The insulating structure111forms the water171containment space of the tank101. The design of the insulating structure111inhibits the transfer of heat from the interior of the tank101to the exterior of the tank101. The insulating structure111roughly follows the form of the insulating structure111of a traditional combustion-based water171heating apparatus. The insulating structure111is formed with the apertures and form factors necessary to accommodate the operation of the enhanced heating device102.

The insulating structure111comprises an insulating material161, an inner shell162, and an outer shell163. The insulating material161of the tank101is analogous to the function and construction of the insulating material161of the tank101of the traditional combustion-based water171heating apparatus. The inner shell162of the tank101is analogous to the function and construction of the inner shell162of the tank101of the traditional combustion-based water171heating apparatus. The outer shell163of the tank101is analogous to the function and construction of the outer shell163of the tank of the traditional combustion-based water171heating apparatus.

The drain valve112is a pipe and valve used to drain water171from the insulating structure111for maintenance purposes. The function and the construction of the drain valve112of the tank101of the invention100is analogous to the function and construction of the drain valve112of a traditional combustion-based water171heating apparatus.

The overflow pipe113is a pipe that allows the tank101of the invention100to drain excess water171that may accumulate in the tank101. The function and the construction of the overflow pipe113of the tank101of the invention100is analogous to the function and construction of the overflow pipe113of a traditional combustion-based water171heating apparatus. The overflow pipe113further comprises a pressure release valve114. The pressure release valve114is a ball valve that prevents the backflow of water from the overflow pipe113back into the tank101.

The enhanced heating device102is the heating apparatus of the invention100. The enhanced heating device102is a combustion-based structure. The enhanced heating device102replaces the traditional exhaust flue of a traditional combustion-based water171heating apparatus with a plurality of networked exhaust flues131. The enhanced heating device102comprises a water conduit121, a combustion chamber122, and a heat exchange apparatus123.

The water conduit121include a pipe that transports fresh water into the tank101for heating. The function and the construction of the water conduit121of the enhanced heating device102is analogous to the function and construction of the water conduit121of the traditional combustion-based water171heating apparatus.

The water conduit121comprises a hot water supply141and a water intake142. The hot water supply141is a pipe selected from the water conduit121that transports heated water from the tank101. The water intake142is a pipe selected from the water conduit121that transports fresh water into the tank101.

The combustion chamber122is an enclosed chamber positioned in a segregated space within the interior of the tank101. The combustion reaction of the enhanced heating device102occurs within the combustion chamber122. The function and the construction of the combustion chamber122of the enhanced heating device102is analogous to the function and construction of the combustion chamber122of the traditional combustion-based water171heating apparatus.

The heat exchange apparatus123forms the structure of the enhanced heating device102that exchanges heat from the heated exhaust gas generated by the combustion reaction. The heat exchange apparatus123: a) transports the heated exhaust gas generated by the combustion reaction from the combustion chamber122to the manifold132in such a manner that, b) heat from the heated exhaust gas generated by the combustion reaction is exchanged with the water171stored in the tank101. The heat exchange apparatus123comprises a plurality of networked exhaust flues131, a manifold132, an exhaust pump133, a discharge pipe134, and a thermostat135.

The applicant prefers that each of the plurality of networked exhaust flues131be a 1.25 inch pipe of a type selected from the group consisting of type K, type L, and type M. The use of such a pipe increases the heat transfer efficiency of the invention100by over fifty percent relative to the four-inch exhaust flue commonly used in a traditional combustion-based water171heating apparatus.

The plurality of networked exhaust flues131is a piping network formed from commercially available cylindrical metal pipes. The plurality of networked exhaust flues131are fluidically interconnected such that the heated exhaust gas generated by the combustion reaction flows through each of the plurality of networked exhaust flues131as it is discharged from the combustion chamber122. The metal walls of each of the plurality of networked exhaust flues131forms a conductive structure that transfers heat from the heated exhaust gas generated by the combustion reaction to the water171using a conductive process.

The plurality of networked exhaust flues131allows the enhanced heating device102to present a greater heat exchange surface area between the enhanced heating device102and the water171when compared to a traditional combustion-based water171heating apparatus. In the first potential embodiment of the disclosure, the plurality of networked exhaust flues131is designed such that, the effective heat transfer surface area of the heat exchange apparatus123is at least 25% greater than the heat transfer surface of the exhaust flue of an analogous traditional combustion-based water171heating apparatus. By analogous is meant that the water171of the tank101of the invention100and the tank101of the traditional combustion-based water171heating apparatus are identical.

The plurality of networked exhaust flues131comprises a first exhaust flue151, a second exhaust flue152, a third exhaust flue153, a fourth exhaust flue154, and a fifth exhaust flue155.

The first exhaust flue151is an exhaust flue selected from the plurality of networked exhaust flues131that transports heated exhaust gas generated by the combustion reaction from the combustion chamber122to the manifold132.

The second exhaust flue152is an exhaust flue selected from the plurality of networked exhaust flues131that transports heated exhaust gas generated by the combustion reaction from the combustion chamber122to the manifold132.

The third exhaust flue153is an exhaust flue selected from the plurality of networked exhaust flues131that transports heated exhaust gas generated by the combustion reaction from the combustion chamber122to the manifold132.

The fourth exhaust flue154is an exhaust flue selected from the plurality of networked exhaust flues131that transports heated exhaust gas generated by the combustion reaction from the combustion chamber122to the manifold132. The fifth exhaust flue155is an exhaust flue selected from the plurality of networked exhaust flues131that transports heated exhaust gas generated by the combustion reaction from the combustion chamber122to the manifold132.

The end of each exhaust flue selected from the plurality of networked exhaust flues131that is distal from the combustion chamber122forms a fluidic connection with the manifold132. The manifold132transports and merges the flow of the heated exhaust gas generated by the combustion reaction transported through each exhaust flue selected from the plurality of networked exhaust flues131into a single gas flow.

The exhaust pump133is a mechanical device. The exhaust pump133generates a pressure differential used to: a) draw fresh air from the atmosphere into the combustion chamber122; b) from the combustion chamber122and through the plurality of networked exhaust flues131to the manifold132; c) through the manifold132into the intake of the exhaust pump133; from which, d) the exhaust pump133discharges the heated exhaust gas generated by the combustion reaction through the discharge pipe134into the atmosphere. The exhaust pump133mounts between the manifold132and the discharge pipe134.

The discharge pipe134is a piping structure that transports the heated exhaust gas generated by the combustion reaction from the exhaust pump133into the atmosphere.

The thermostat135is a commercially available electrical device. The thermostat135is a feedback system that ignites and extinguishes the combustion reaction within the combustion chamber122such that the water171contained within the tank101is maintained within a previously determined temperature range. The use of a thermostat135is well-known and documented in the electrical arts.

The following definitions were used in this disclosure:

Ball Valve: As used in this disclosure, a ball valve is a type of commercially available pressure release valve.

Pressure release valve: As used in this disclosure, a pressure release valve is a valve that permits the flow of fluid in a single direction. Within selected potential embodiments of this disclosure, the pressure release valve is a commercially available product that is selected from the group consisting of a ball valve and a Tesla valve.

Combustion: As used in this disclosure, combustion refers to a reduction-oxidation reaction wherein oxygen and a hydrocarbon are combined to release energy, carbon dioxide, and water. In general usage, the meaning of combustion is often extended to describe a reaction between oxygen and a fuel source, such as a hydrocarbon modified by functional groups, which releases energy.

Drain: As used in this disclosure, a drain is a fitting that is used to remove a fluid from a device.

Exterior: As used in this disclosure, the exterior is used as a relational term that implies that an object is not contained within the boundary of a structure or a space.

Fan: As used in this disclosure, a fan is a pump that moves a gas. The first potential embodiment of this disclosure assumes that the fan is a mechanical device with rotating blades used to create a flow or current of a gas.

Feedback: As used in this disclosure, feedback refers to a system, including engineered systems, or a subsystem further comprising an “input” and an “output” wherein the difference between the output of the engineered system or subsystem and a reference is used as, or fed back into, a portion of the input of the system or subsystem. Examples of feedback in engineered systems include, but are not limited to, a fluid level control device such as those typically used in a toilet tank, a cruise control in an automobile, a fly ball governor, a thermostat, and almost any electronic device that comprises an amplifier. Feedback systems in nature include, but are not limited to, thermal regulation in animals and blood clotting in animals (wherein the platelets involved in blood clotting release chemical to attract other platelets)

Fluid: As used in this disclosure, a fluid refers to a state of matter wherein the matter is capable of flow and takes the shape of a container it is placed within. The term fluid commonly refers to a liquid or a gas.

Fluidic Connection: As used in this disclosure, a fluidic connection refers to a tubular structure that transports a fluid from a first object to a second object. Methods to design and use a fluidic connection are well-known and documented in the mechanical, chemical, and plumbing arts.

Gas: As used in this disclosure, a gas refers to a state (phase) of matter that is fluid and that fills the volume of the structure that contains it. Stated differently, the volume of a gas always equals the volume of its container.

Insulating Material: As used in this disclosure, an insulating material is a structure that inhibits, and ideally prevents, the transfer of heat through the insulating material. Insulating materials may also be used to inhibit or prevent the transfer of sound or the conduction of electricity through the insulating material. Methods to form insulating materials include, but are not limited to: 1) the use of materials with low thermal conductivity; and, 2) the use of a structural design that places a vacuum within the insulating material within the anticipated transfer path of the heat, sound, or electric current flow.

Insulating Structure: As used in this disclosure, an insulating structure is a structure that inhibits, and ideally prevents, the transfer of heat through the insulating structure. Insulating structures may also be used to inhibit or prevent the transfer of sound through the insulating structure. Methods to form insulating structures include, but are not limited to: 1) the use of materials with low thermal conductivity; and, 2) the use of a structural design that places a vacuum within the insulating structure within the anticipated transfer path of the heat or sound.

Interior: As used in this disclosure, the interior is used as a relational term that implies that an object is contained within the boundary of a structure or a space.

Liquid: As used in this disclosure, a liquid refers to a state (phase) of matter that is fluid and that maintains, for a given pressure, a fixed volume that is independent of the volume of the container.

Manifold: As used in this disclosure, a manifold is a pipe or chamber having several ports through which liquid or gas is gathered or distributed.

Natural Gas: As used in this disclosure, the term natural gas refers to a gaseous fuel used to provide energy through combustion. The primary component of natural gas (typically >80%) is methane. Common secondary components include, but are not limited to, ethane, propane, butane, pentane, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and water vapor. Traces of alkenes, alkynes, cyclic carbon compounds and aromatic carbon compounds may also be found.

Pipe: As used in this disclosure, a pipe is a hollow prism-shaped device that is suitable for use in transporting a fluid. The line that connects the center of the first base of the prism to the center of the second base of the prism is referred to as the axis of the prism or the centerline of the pipe. When two pipes share the same centerline they are said to be aligned. In this disclosure, the terms inner dimension of a pipe and outer dimension are used as they would be used by those skilled in the plumbing arts.

Pump: As used in this disclosure, a pump is a mechanical device that uses suction or pressure to raise or move fluids, compress fluids, or force a fluid into an inflatable object. Within this disclosure, a compressor refers to a pump that is dedicated to compressing a fluid or placing a fluid under pressure.

Shell: As used in this disclosure, a shell is a structure that forms an outer covering intended to contain an object. Shells are often, but not necessarily, rigid or semi-rigid structures that are intended to protect or insulate the object contained within it.

Thermostat: As used in this disclosure, a thermostat is a device that monitors the temperature of a space such that the thermostat 1) operates a switch when the measured temperature exceeds or falls below a first preset temperature; and, 2) performs the opposite operation on the switch when the measured temperature falls below or exceeds a second preset temperature. Tradition: As used in this disclosure, a tradition refers to: 1) a set of thoughts or expectations regarding a subject or object; or, 2) a method of using an object; that, 3) is perceived to be widely or commonly shared across a population of people; and that, 4) is perceived to be widely or commonly shared across at least two generations within the population of people.

Valve: As used in this disclosure, a valve is a device that is use to control the flow of a fluid (gas or liquid) through a pipe, tube, or hose.