AQUA DYNAMIC WATER HEATER BASED SPACE HEATING SYSTEM

Abstract

A fluid-based heating apparatus that utilizes a centrifugal system with coupled friction heater to provide efficient heating by circulating fluids through the apparatus. The apparatus further including a central shaft connected to a motor drive that facilitates agitation of the fluid against frictional surfaces within the apparatus to generate heat.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to heating devices and systems, such as for heating interior spaces of dwellings and commercial, healthcare, retail and manufacturing facilities.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Energy conservation, for cost control purposes, has nearly always been a concern for consumers and businesses alike. As unrelated, but more pressing concerns from climate change come more into focus, conservation of energy becomes, not merely an economic issue, but one of ultimate quality of life, and even of survival, by some accounts.

Heating interior spaces during cold weather months is (relative to the space at issue) a very expensive and high-energy consumption undertaking. Even with the advances of heat pump technology, the acquisition costs for the most efficient units (around 23 SEER) likely prohibitive for most homeowners, and are unarguably cost-prohibitive for larger, commercial spaces. Even these most efficient units' energy consumption are significant, to the point that most homeowners, for example, spend a substantial portion of their Winter budgets on heating costs, at least in cold weather climates.

Whatever the heating solution (perhaps with the exception of purely wind turbine power-driven heaters or geothermal heating), there nearly always is the need for a more cost-effective space heating solution.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus where the shaft is observed running through the apparatus, the cooling coil and drive means are excluded. The supply tube is observed on the left while the pitot heater tube is observed on the right, while the centrifugal system is observed on the top while the friction heater is observed on the bottom.

FIG. 2 is a front sectional view of the apparatus thereof where the supply tube is observed head on, while the pitot heater tube is observed routing out of the centrifuge aperture and into the friction heater.

FIG. 3 is a top sectional view of the apparatus thereof where the supply tube and pitot heater tube is observed inside of the centrifuge aperture, and the centrifuge shaft aperture and plurality of centrifuge cleaning apertures are observable.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus where the centrifuge chamber is observed near the top, the centrifuge is exterior to the centrifuge chamber, and the assorted friction plates and apertures thereof are observable beneath the main shroud but above the main shroud cover.

FIG. 5 is an exploded front view of the apparatus thereof.

FIG. 6 is an exploded right view of the apparatus thereof where the waste water port can be seen facing the viewer and the slight incline of the bottom surface of the centrifuge chamber is visible.

FIG. 7 is an exploded top view of the apparatus thereof where the centrifuge is exterior to the centrifuge chamber.

FIG. 8 is a bottom sectional view of the apparatus where the main shroud shaft aperture can be observed around the shaft where sealants are excluded.

FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view of a reactor with associated heat exchanger.

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of a reactor with associated heat exchanger.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

A very cost-effective heating solution arises from the current inventor's solutions in a seemingly unrelated technology—that of water purification. Much of the discussion to follow is of the core technology as utilized in the present heating system.

By way of further background, prior art water purification systems typically require disposable filters and membranes coupled with a heating element driven through a resistive coil. The coils can fail especially if coming in contact with the fluids involved. In order to mitigate coil failure, a water pump-fed rotational centrifugal system for producing solid-contaminant free water is utilized, where the centrifuged solid contaminant is held to the interior cylindrical walls of the centrifuge and a pitot tube syphons the contaminate free water down into a frictional heater below the centrifuge and operates on the same rotational torque bestowed to the shaft. This friction heater uses frictional cavitation to produce a phase change in the water, resulting in water vapor or steam that further purifies the fluid, and either during or proceeding complete cavitation of the water the apparatus would syphon the water vapor into a cooling coil to expedite natural condensation and deposit the post-processing now water into an appropriate extraneous vessel (unless, in the case of heating systems as with the present invention, the water is re-circulated back to the reactor for cyclical processing and heat production).

The friction heater (“reactor”) is not only a much-improved means for water purification but also a very cost-effective heat source (when compared to conventional heating technology). This is true, whether one puts to double-duty an actual water purification system by associating it with a heat exchanger and blower as described below, or utilizes a glycol solution as the fluid and continuously circulates the solution through the reactor and the heat exchanger. Even initial efficiency calculations indicated that, on a per-BTU basis, heat produced and delivered into a building space requires less energy—by a double-digit percentage basis—than the next available, most cost-effective option for spaces considered.

In reference to FIGS. 1-8, the present invention relates to a water heater (“reactor”)-based space heating system. In certain embodiments, the reactor is free of filtration or membranes and operates through rotational centrifugal motion to (in the case of actual water purification) produce potable water through three systems comprised of a centrifugal system 101, a friction heater 102, and a plurality of extraneous systems. The reactor centrifugal system is further comprised of a centrifuge chamber 201b, a centrifuge 201a, a supply tube 203, and a pitot heater tube 204.

The centrifuge chamber is further comprised of a centrifuge chamber aperture, and a waste water port 613. The centrifuge is further still comprised of a centrifuge aperture 306, a centrifuge shaft aperture 307, and a plurality of centrifuge cleaning apertures 308. The friction heater is further comprised of a main shroud 402a, a dynamic friction plate 410, and a shroud cover plate 412. The main shroud is further still comprised of a first static friction plate 409, a second static friction plate 411, and a plurality of main shroud apertures.

The first static friction plate is still further comprised of at least one first static friction plate aperture, while the second static friction plate is still further comprised of at least one second static friction plate aperture. The shroud cover plate is further still comprised of a plurality of shroud cover plate protrusions and a shroud cover aperture. The plurality of extraneous systems is further comprised of a shaft, a motor drive, and a cooling coil.

The centrifugal system 101 is located at the top of the apparatus and performs the process of centrifuging water (non-potable water, in the case of water to be purified, as opposed to not necessarily such [the above-referenced glycol, for example] when used in the context of a heating system), causing any weighted solid contaminants to allocate against the interior walls of the centrifuge structure.

The centrifuge chamber 401b is a generally cylindrical shaped body that houses the centrifuge within and allow the supply tube and pitot heater tube to affix to the apparatus. The centrifuge chamber possesses a top-located aperture that allows the centrifuge to be inserted and contain the waste, or other input water produced by the system as a byproduct of the purified water.

The interior bottom surface of the centrifuge chamber may optionally have a small inclined plane producing a basal height higher at the center of the centrifuge chamber, lower at the outer edges of the centrifuge chamber to allow waste water produced by the system to more easily be removed from the system (or, in the case of non-water purifying systems, to be re-introduced to the system).

The centrifuge chamber is intended to remain stationary while the centrifuge is permitted to move. A centrifuge chamber aperture is located on the top of the centrifuge chamber, allowing the insertion of the centrifuge.

The centrifuge chamber may additionally comprise a closure system optionally or a fluid focused guard. The centrifuge chamber aperture additionally allows the supply tube and pitot heater tube to enter the centrifuge chamber and the centrifuge. Located on the exterior wall of the centrifuge chamber extending outward is a waste water port that allows the waste water of the system to be removed from the system through the act of flushing the centrifuge either during a set interval or once a certain degree of solid waste materials, preferably with the aid of a flocculant. As mentioned, in the case of a system used only for heating, there would not likely be any waste water, but rather a fluid (glycol or aqueous glycol, for example) that would ideally be recirculated to the system for an endless circuit of continuous heating.

The centrifuge 401a is a generally shelled out cylinder that is located and housed in the centrifuge chamber to allow collection of any waste materials and impurities in the circulated fluid. The centrifuge utilizes centrifugal forces to force any heavier solids and waste material to the cylindrical wall of the centrifuge, thereby producing fluid (once waste water, if applicable) free of solid contaminants, and those are syphoned by a pitot tube internally located in the housing of the centrifuge with its open end facing the tangential velocity of the water.

The top facing surface of the centrifuge is flared inward to allow the collection of water (or other circulated fluid) along the interior of the cylindrical walls without worry of the water breaking over the height of the walls of the centrifuge. The centrifuge aperture 306 is located on the top facing surface of the centrifuge that allows the supply tube and the pitot heater tube to be fed through and provide and remove fluid located on the interior of the centrifuge. The centrifuge aperture will generally be of a geometry as dictated by the centrifuge. Located on the bottom surface of the centrifuge at its center and bored through is a centrifuge shaft aperture that facilitates the attachment to a shaft that allows the rotation of the centrifuge when the aperture is in operation. Located on the same bottom surface in radial symmetry around the centrifuge shaft aperture but further radially outward is the plurality of centrifuge cleaning apertures that are preferably 3 in count and preferably smaller than the centrifuge shaft aperture.

A supply tube 103 is fed preferably from one cardinal edge of the centrifuge chamber that directs the supply of non-potable water (in the case of water purification systems, with or without heating utility) or other fluids (when used solely for heating and fluids are logically recirculated). For water purification, optional flocculent may also be so introduced.

The supply tube is intended to affix to the side of the centrifuge chamber and through the centrifuge aperture to allow direct deposit of fluids to the interior of the centrifuge and may utilize any cross-sectional geometry including curvilinear, rectilinear, trilinear, and so on. The pitot heater tube 104 is located in the interior of the centrifuge with its open end facing the oncoming tangential velocity of the centrifuged water. The pitot heater tube further runs through the centrifuge aperture, along the exterior of the centrifuge chamber at a cardinal location perpendicular to the supply tube, and deposits into the side wall of the friction heater where the centrifuged water is disposed from for heated purification.

In reference to FIGS. 4-8, located below the centrifuge system (401a and 401b) is a friction heater that utilizes friction produced through the cavitation of the centrifuged water to produce a phase change from the heat produced. The main shroud 402a is produced of a generally cylindrical body that is concentric and beneath the centrifuge chamber, preferably of a similar diameter to the centrifuge chamber. The main shroud is preferably produced of a heat resistant or resilient material such as ceramic or metal to handle the phase change temperatures of the water or other fluid as produced by cavitation. The main shroud is intended to remain stationary during operation of the apparatus.

Located on the upper interior face of the main shroud is the first static friction plate 409 that remains stationary while the system is in use and concentric with the main shroud. The first static friction plate possesses an annularly disposed cavitation surface along it's disc shape, facing the interior of the main shroud that induces frictional cavitation and agitation of the fluid to generate the heat (in the case of purifying waste water—as is necessary for the phase change). A first static friction plate shaft aperture must be present to allow the shaft to run fully through the apparatus, but the shaft is not secured to the first static friction plate. Located away from the center near the cavitation surface ring is at least one first static friction plate aperture that bores fully through the first static friction plate allowing the transfer of centrifuged water and water vapor to move through. Beneath the first static friction plate and dynamic friction plate 410 is the second static friction plate 411 that is preferably secured and further preferably flush with the shroud cover plate.

The second static friction plate is similar in design, size, and geometry with its cavitation surface opposed to the first static friction plate. Similar to the first static friction plate aperture is the second static friction plate aperture that is located in a similar location mirroring the first friction plate. Located along the bottom surface of the main shroud is the plurality of main shroud apertures that are disposed equidistant and axially symmetric about the annular surface. The plurality of main shroud apertures engages with the plurality of shroud cover plate protrusions to secure the main shroud closed.

The dynamic friction plate 410 is located between the first and second static friction plates and concentric to the main shroud. The dynamic friction plate is the only one of the friction plates that is preferably moving with a cavitation surface on both sides of the disc structure. The dynamic friction plate additionally comprises a dynamic friction plate aperture located concentrically at the center of the dynamic friction plate and engages with the shaft. The dynamic friction plate may additionally comprise at least one dynamic friction plate aperture that is located between the annular cavitation surface and the dynamic friction plate shaft aperture located concentric to the center of the structure. The shroud cover plate 412 is located beneath the main shroud and seals the friction heater closed to prevent leakage from the bottom. The shroud cover plate is a generally disc shaped plate that engages specifically with the main shroud. Located on the top facing surface of the shroud cover plate is the plurality of shroud cover plate protrusions. The plurality of shroud cover plate protrusions engages with the plurality of main shroud apertures to ensure a firm seal and mitigating rotation. The shroud cover aperture is located concentric and at the center of the shroud cover plate intended to allow the shaft to run through the apparatus with means to prevent leakage of fluid or water vapor. The shroud cover aperture does not secure to the shaft itself and is intended to remain stationary with the shroud cover plate.

The plurality of extraneous systems forms necessary but exterior or non-descript structures to the system to provide a functional operation of the apparatus. The shaft 105 is a generally thin axle or cylindric shaped rod that runs through the apparatus engaging with the centrifuge and the dynamic friction plate to facilitate rotation driven by the motor drive system. A motor drive is desired to produce a fast rotation of the apparatus, notably to facilitate the centrifugal, separating force instituted on the water, and sustaining the cavitation forces during operation. Preferably a 40 hp motor is preferred that engages with the shaft to produce an adequate rotation for centrifugal and cavitation heating purposes.

Referring in part to FIGS. 9-10, for a heater system of the present invention, post-reactor, heated fluids and vapors are circulated to a heat exchanger 915. Effluent of the heat exchanger returns the fluid to the reactor system for cyclical heating. In conventional fashion for HVAC and like systems, a blower (not shown in the figures) propels air through the heat exchanger and into the to-be-heated space.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A fluid-based heating system comprising: a centrifugal system comprising: a centrifuge arranged within a centrifuge chamber;fluid supply means for communicating a fluid into said centrifuge;a friction heater arranged below said centrifugal system comprising: a main housing shroud;a dynamic friction plate disposed within said main housing shroud;a shroud cover plate configured to sealingly engage with said main housing shroud; andfluid transfer means for transferring said fluid from said centrifuge to said friction heater.

2. The fluid-based heating system of claim 1 wherein said fluid is water.

3. The fluid-based heating system of claim 1 wherein said fluid is a glycol solution.

4. The fluid-based heating system of claim 1 wherein said fluid supply means is attached to an exterior surface of said centrifuge chamber and extends through a centrifuge aperture.

5. The fluid-based heating system of claim 1 further comprising: a central shaft configured to engage said centrifuge through a central shaft aperture, said central shaft further configured to cause said centrifuge to rotate when a rotational force is applied to said central shaft.

6. The fluid-based heating system of claim 5 wherein said rotational force is provided by a motor drive operationally coupled to said central shaft.

7. The fluid-based heating system of claim 5 further comprising a cooling coil.

8. The fluid-based heating system of claim 5 wherein said main housing shroud further comprises: a first static friction plate positioned above said dynamic friction plate, said first static friction plate having an annularly disposed cavitation surface, said first static friction plate configured to receive said central shaft through a first static friction plate shaft aperture.

9. The fluid-based heating system of claim 8 wherein said main housing shroud further comprises: a second static friction plate positioned below said dynamic friction plate, said second static friction plate having an annularly disposed cavitation surface, said second static friction plate configured to be securingly engaged to and substantially flush with said shroud cover plate.