Patent Application
20100089552
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a system for recovering heat energy from household systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
Appliances in the home such as hot water heaters, furnaces, dryers, and the like exhaust hot air to the outside of the home, wasting heat energy that could otherwise be used.
A heat energy recovery system including a process chamber. Wherein a manifold conduit such as a pipe passes through the walls of the chamber at two locations to provide a winding within the process chamber such that as heated exhaust air from a household appliance flows through the process chamber, heat energy is retained by water flowing within the manifold conduit. The manifold conduit is in fluid communication with a thermally insulated tank defining a chamber therein which can contain the water and be used for retaining the higher volumes of heat energy, the chamber inside of the tank is airtight with respect to the atmosphere, and insulated such that heat energy from the water will not be lost. The heat energy recovery system further includes a pump and control system for recirculating the water from the manifold conduit to the insulated tank or to divert the heated water to other locations within the house such as a water heater.
In the drawings:
Referring to the drawings, and in particular to
The heat energy recovery system 10 can include one or several processing chambers 12. For example, a user may wish to only recover heat energy lost from the drying process and thus only one processing chamber would be used. Alternatively, a user may wish to be highly efficient and separate processing chambers 12 can be connected to all of the above-mentioned household appliances as shown in
The processing chamber 12 can include an enclosure body 26 that defines an interior space through which fluid from the exhaust pipe 24 can flow. The enclosure body 26 can be made out of galvanized steel, aluminum, or other suitable material. The enclosure body 26 can be insulated and sealed with a suitable insulation such as fiberglass batting, aluminum foil, rubber foam, or plastic. Each processing chamber 12 has an inlet to direct exhaust from the household appliance to the interior space. Each processing chamber has an outlet to receive exhaust from the interior space and to direct the exhaust outside of the processing chamber 12. Normally, such exhaust would be vented outside the house.
The interior chamber can contain a manifold conduit 22 (shown in phantom) for assisting in the heat energy recovery process. The manifold conduit 22 has an inlet fluid port 28 that extends inward through the enclosure body 26 into the interior chamber and an outlet fluid port 30 that extends outward through the enclosure body 26. The inlet fluid port 28 connects with a feed hose 32 and the outlet port connects with a return hose 34.
The storage assembly 14 can include a cabinet 36 enclosing a fluid storage tank 38 (shown in phantom) to which the feed hoses 32 and return hoses 34 are fluidly coupled. The fluid storage tank 38 can be made of fiberglass, steel, PVC or other suitable material, and can be insulated. Preferably, the fluid storage tank 38 will have the ability to handle 150 psi or more of pressure before failure. The storage assembly 14 can also have a relief valve 40 and a drain valve 42 for the fluid storage tank 38 that can be provided on an exterior of the storage assembly 14 and immediately accessible by the user or hidden behind a cover, such as an access panel, hatch, or door. The storage assembly 14 is shown adapted for use with a typical wall outlet 44 to power the heat energy recovery system 10.
Thus, the manifold conduit 22 in each process chamber 12 has an inlet connected to the fluid storage tank 38 to receive the water to flow therethrough, and an outlet connected to the fluid storage tank 38 to return the water. The exterior of the manifold conduit 22 contacts the exhaust from the household appliance to derive heat energy therefrom while the interior of the manifold conduit 22 contacts the water to supply heat energy thereto. The manifold conduit 22 can be made out of copper metal or any suitable high thermal conductivity material to facilitate the heat energy transfer from the exhaust to the manifold conduit 22 to the water.
The manifold conduit 54 comprises a generally rectilinear outer framework 140. The framework 140 comprises end tubes 142, each formed into a generally identical rectilinear configuration, and fluidly coupled by longitudinally disposed parallel header conduits 62 and longitudinally disposed parallel connector conduits 64. Each conduit 62, 64 is fluidly coupled with one side tube 144 of an opposed pair of end tubes 142 at the midpoint of the side tube 144.
Each pair of opposed conduits 62, 64 is fluidly coupled to one of a plurality of generally identical heat energy transfer coils 60. The heat energy transfer coils 60 are formed into a generally rectilinear frame-like configuration, each coil 60 being parallel to the end tubes 142 and to each other. The heat energy transfer coils 60 occupy the midportion of the framework 140. The coils 60 are alternately coupled with a pair of header conduits 62, and connector conduits 64, as illustrated in
The exterior of the heat energy transfer coils 60, header conduits 62, connector conduits 64, and end tubes 142 contacts the heated exhaust fluid from the household appliance to derive heat energy therefrom, while the interior of the heat energy transfer coils 60, header conduits 62, connector conduits 64, and end tubes 142 carries the fluid having a second temperature, also known as the fluid heat storage medium, which receives heat energy from the heat energy transfer coils 60, header conduits 62, connector conduits 64, and end tubes 142, to thereby raise the temperature of the fluid heat storage medium.
One example of the manifold conduit 54 has been described and illustrated. Other configurations can be employed. For example, the configuration of the outer framework and the heat energy transfer coils can be circular, polygonal, or other suitable configurations. The longitudinal and lateral dimensions can be selectively increased or decreased. For example, the length can be increased, thereby enabling a greater number of coils 60 to be utilized. With a greater number of coils and/or an increase in lateral dimensions, additional header conduits 62 and connector conduits 64 can be used and coupled with the coils 60 to facilitate the efficient distribution of the water throughout the larger manifold conduit 54.
Referring back to
The remainder of the discussion regarding the control assembly 72 will be in the context of a domestic hot water system wherein the fluid heat storage medium is water. In essence, the heat energy recovery system 10 is fluidly coupled with a water supply, such as a local water utility, or a private well. A water heater can be coupled with the water supply to provide heated water to household users. Alternatively, the water can be diverted by the control assembly 72 so that otherwise unused heat energy can supplementally heat the water prior to the water entering the water heater and being distributed.
Referring again to
Water can also be supplied from the fluid storage tank 38 to the manifold conduit 22 of one or more process chambers 12 when the valve 84 is open and the valve 82 is closed. Alternatively, water can be supplied from the fluid storage tank 38 to the water heater 20 when the valve 82 is open and the valves 80, 84 are closed. To maintain a selected water level in the heat energy recovery system, the fluid storage tank 38 can also receive water directly from the water supply. Valve 78 must be open to distribute water from a domestic water supply to the fluid storage tank 38. If valve 78 is closed but valve 80 is open, the water supplied by the domestic water supply can be distributed to water heater 20.
For water to be directed from the manifold conduits 22 to the water heater 20 through the water heater feed 94, the valves 74, 76, 78, 80 must be open, and valve 82 must be closed.
The temperature sensor 86 in the process chamber 12 can sense the temperature of heated exhaust from the furnace 18, and send a signal through the communication cable 70 and control lead 92 to the controller 68 to operate the heat energy recovery system 10. The controller 68 can then signal the appropriate valves 76, 78, 80, 82, 84 and the pump 74 to supply water from the fluid storage tank 38 to the manifold conduit 22. The water can travel from the fluid storage tank 38 housed in the storage assembly 14 through a feed hose 32 and into the inlet fluid port 46. After traveling through the manifold conduit 22 (
Once inside the control assembly, the water can be pumped by the pump 74 to either the fluid storage tank 38 or the water heater 20. The user can choose where the water is to be distributed, and input the selection into the control panel 66. The water can even be directed outside of the heat energy recovery system 10 and into the water heater 20 where the water can be utilized by the user. Thus, the water warmed through the heat energy recovery system 10 can be used in the household without a need for it being heated by the hot water heater.
The control assembly 72 can continue to circulate the water until the temperature sensor 86 senses no more hot air is being introduced inside the process chamber 12. Alternatively, the control assembly 72 can continue to circulate fluid having a second temperature until the temperature sensor 86 senses no more hot air is being generated, and the humidity sensor 88 senses no moist air inside the process chamber 12.
The control assembly 72 illustrated in
In
The processing chamber 96 can include a cabinet 98 that defines an interior chamber 100 through which fluid from the dryer hot air exhaust pipe 24 can flow. The processing chamber 96 can include an inlet port 102 for receiving the heated exhaust air and directing it to the interior chamber 100. The processing chamber 96 can include an outlet port 104 for directing exhaust air outside of the processing chamber 96.
The interior chamber 100 can contain a manifold conduit 106 for assisting in the heat energy recovery process. The manifold conduit 106 has a conduit inlet port 108 that extends inward through a wall of the cabinet 98 into the interior chamber 100 and a conduit outlet port 110 that extends outward through a wall of the cabinet 98. The conduit inlet port 108 connects with a feed hose 32 and the conduit outlet port 110 connects with a return hose 34. Thus, the manifold conduit has an inlet connected to the fluid storage tank 38 through the control assembly 72 to receive the water to flow therethrough, and an outlet connected to the fluid storage tank 38 through the control assembly 72 to return the water. The exterior of the manifold conduit 106 contacts the exhaust from the household appliance located in the interior chamber 100 to derive heat energy therefrom while the interior of the manifold conduit 106 contacts the water to supply heat energy thereto.
Instead of utilizing heated exhaust air to heat water, the hot dryer exhaust can be diverted into a room to heat the room. The processing chamber 96 can include a lint filter device 112. The lint filter device 112 can include a lint filter inlet port 114, a filter 116, and a lint filter outlet port 118. The lint filter inlet port 114 can be connected with the exhaust conduit 24 of the dryer 16 and the lint filter outlet port 118 can be connected to the inlet port 102 of the processing chamber 96 through a connector 120.
The processing chamber 96 can also include an air direction valve 122. The air directional valve 122 can receive the exhaust from the outlet port 104. The air directional valve 122 can then either direct the exhaust through a first exit port 124 into the room, or through a second exit port 126, the exhaust conduit 24, and outside the building. The air direction valve 122 enables a user to selectively redirected heat and humidity into the home. If it is desired that heat and humidity not be added into the interior of the home the first exit port 124 can be covered by a cover 128. Thus, the air directional valve 122 can be selectively used by the user to direct heat and humidity to the inside of the house, or to the outside of the house.
Activating the air direction valve 122 to direct the hot air exhaust directly into a building can be useful in the fall, winter, and spring seasons when additional heat and humidity may be desired. During the summer, a user can opt not to direct extra heat and humidity into the building, and thus the air valve control can be operated so that hot air is exhausted outside the building.
Alternatively, if the user wishes to direct additional heat, but not humidity, into the building, the cover 128 can be placed on the first exit port 124 and the exhaust air can be allowed to enter the chamber 130 through an air valve 132. By opening the air valve 132, exhaust air enters the chamber 130 before exiting the processing chamber 96 through the outlet port 104 and being directed outside of the house through the second exit port 126. The chamber 130 can be fabricated of a highly heat energy conductive material, such as copper, and heat energy can radiate from the chamber 130 into the building. When additional heat is not desired, the air valve 132 can be closed and exhaust air will not enter the chamber 130.
During operation of the dryer 16, hot moist air can be exhausted through the exhaust pipe 24 and into the lint filter device 112. The hot moist air exits the lint filter device 112 and enters the inlet port 102 of the processing chamber 96. As the hot moist air is directed through the processing chamber 96, it contacts the surface of the manifold conduit 106. The manifold conduit 106 absorbs heat energy from the hot moist air and cools the air. The hot moist air can cool down to the point that the moisture in the air becomes liquid water. This liquid water can drip down the inside of the processing chamber 96 and be drained through a drain port 134. The cooled air can exit the processing chamber 96 through an outlet port 104 where it can enter the air directional valve 122 to then be directed inside the home or outside the home, depending on the preference of the user.
The processing chambers connected with the furnace and hot water heater are similar but less complex than that required for the dryer and will not be described in detail. Such processing chambers do not contain a lint filter device, because one is unnecessary. Further, such processing chambers do not include an air direction valve. Thus, the cooled air exits from an outlet port of the processing chamber before being directed outside of the house.
While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation. Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the scope of the forgoing disclosure and drawings without departing from the spirit of the invention, which is defined in the appended claims.
