Patent Publication Number: US-4369917-A

Title: Central heating system

Description:
This invention relates to a central heating system having a boiler 10 using a liquid as a heat carrying medium 12, 14 and provided with a burner 16 for heating the liquid. The burner includes an electrically operated pump 18 for the fuel supply, an electrically operated fan 20 for supplying the combustion air, and electrically operated ignition electrodes 22. The system eventually also includes an electrically operated pump 24 for circulating of the heat carrying medium. 
     An object of the invention is to provide a system, of this type, which is independent of the distribution of electricity over general power lines. These lines are now and then exposed to break downs, which, in the case of a long extended loss of power, especially during the winter, causes considerable disadvantages to one, who for heating his house is dependent of such electric power. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide such a heating system which can be used, also, in places which have not been or cannot be reached by the general power lines of the power companies. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a system which can be located in a normal boiler-room without requiring such extra steps as may be required if the electric current consumpting apparatus is constantly fed from a diesel operated electric generator. Or in the case of a power failure, such a generator should be started to supply, only in these cases, the electric current consumpting apparatus, with the necessary power. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a system which, without any considerable extra costs, can be dimensioned to give the boiler-room the necessary lighting current or even to give the whole house its entire household current. This applies especially to weekend and holiday cottages and similar buildings. 
    
    
     The single sheet of drawing schematically shows the inventive heating system. 
    
    
     According to the present invention the system includes a chargeable electric battery 26, an electric generator 30 for charging said battery, a steam engine 32 and a steam generator 28. The steam generator is located so that it directly or indirectly is heated by the flame 34 of the burner, thereby generating steam to be supplied for operating the steam engine. The rotational movement of the steam engine is transferred at belt 36 to the electric generator, which is dimensioned to give a charging electric energy which exceeds the total electric energy required by the electric consumpting apparatus. 
     Thus, according to the invention, a burner operated boiler (e.g. for oil firing) is provided with a steam generator which supplies a steam engine with steam. This steam engine rotates an electric generator, charging one or more batteries. These batteries can be connected in parallel or series in order to provide enough capacity and the voltage required, e.g. 24 volts. The batteries operates the electric apparatus which is necessary for the heating system, such as an oil pump 18, fan 20 and ignition electrodes 22 for the burner 16. Usually there also is a pump 24 for circulating the water utilized as the heat carrying medium. The electric generator must be so dimensioned that it generates a charging electric energy which exceeds the sum of the total electric energy required by the electric current consumpting apparatus. 
     The steam generator 28 is so located that it directly or indirectly rceives from the burner flame the heat required by the steam generator. 
     When the boiler is started, all required energy is taken from the battery. Not until the steam generator has begun to generate steam can the steam engine and thus the electric generator assist in supplying electric current. 
     The water to the steam generator is supplied from the pressurized water system of the boiler, with the water moved by a circulation pump 24. A level control 38 device is used to limit the water level in the steam generator 28. Between this generator and the steam engine is a relief valve 40, which opens and releases the steam to a suitable part of the water system of the boiler 16, if the steam pressure exceeds a certain value. 
     The exhaust steam from the steam engine is condensed by being released into the same water system 42. 
     The present invention is of special importance for weekend or holiday cottages or other houses in the Alps or other mountain regions, which cannot use the regular power lines. It is also possible to utilize, during summer time, the wind and operate the electric generator 30 or a separator generator 46 by an air propeller 44 to charge the batteries, when the boiler is not needed for heating purposes. In that way, the air power provides the required household electric current. When during the same time sun heat collectors 48 are used, it is also possible to provide hot water which is supplied to a hot-water tank 50, which during winter time is served from the central heating device. 
     Through the use of the invention it is possible to provide an electric charging device which can be used indoors without any annoying or dangerous exhaust gases.