초록 ▼

Batch-type water heating apparatus includes a heat exchanger in which water is heated as it is circulated therethrough, a water storage zone, a flow control device, a water pump, and associated water lines connecting these components to form a closed water circulating loop. Additional water lines as

Batch-type water heating apparatus includes a heat exchanger in which water is heated as it is circulated therethrough, a water storage zone, a flow control device, a water pump, and associated water lines connecting these components to form a closed water circulating loop. Additional water lines associated with the flow control device provide for the withdrawal of heated water from the loop and the addition of make-up water to the loop as water is withdrawn therefrom. The flow control device includes a valve and a thermostat for sensing the water temperature at the outlet of the storage zone. The flow control device is operable to position the valve to facilitate withdrawal of heated water from the loop when the sensed temperature exceeds a predetermined value and to position the valve to facilitate circulation of water around the loop when the sensed temperature is below a predetermined value.

대표청구항 ▼

1. Batch-type water heating apparatus comprising a water heater including a water storage tank having an upper portion communicating with a hot water delivery pipe and a lower portion communicating with a make-up water pipe; a water circulating loop including water circulating means, a heat exchange

1. Batch-type water heating apparatus comprising a water heater including a water storage tank having an upper portion communicating with a hot water delivery pipe and a lower portion communicating with a make-up water pipe; a water circulating loop including water circulating means, a heat exchanger in which water is heated, a water storage zone, and flow control means sensitive to the water temperature in said loop; and means associated with said flow control means for commmunicating said loop with said upper tank portion and for communicating said lower tank portion with said loop; said flow control means being operable to divert heated water from said loop to said upper tank portion and to divert make-up water from said lower tank portion to said loop when the sensed water temperature in said loop exceeds a predetermined value, and said flow control means being operable to facilitate the circulation of water around said loop when the sensed water temperature in said loop is below said predetermined value. 2. Batch-type water heating apparatus comprising a water heater including a water storage tank; a water circulating loop including a pump, a heat exchanger, and a water storage zone; means establishing fluid communication from the outlet of said zone to the upper portion of said tank and establishing fluid communication from the lower portion of said tank to said loop; and flow control means sensitive to the water temperature in said loop, said flow control means preventing said fluid communication when the sensed water temperature in said loop is below a predetermined value and allowing said fluid communication when the sensed water temperature in said loop exceeds a predetermined value. 3. The batch-type water heating apparatus of claim 1, said flow control means including valve means; and said communicating means including a heated water outlet line communicating said loop with said upper tank portion and including a make-up water inlet line communicating said lower tank portion with said loop; said flow control means being operable to position said valve means to direct the flow of heated water from said loop through said outlet line to said upper tank portion and to direct the flow of make-up water from said lower tank portion through said inlet line to said loop when the sensed temperature exceeds said predetermined value, and said flow control means being operable to position said valve means to direct the flow of water around said loop when the sensed temperature is below said predetermined value. 4. The batch-type water heating apparatus of claim 3, said valve means blocking one of said lines when positioned to direct the flow of water around said loop. 5. The batch-type water heating apparatus of claim 2, said flow control means being sensitive to the water temperature in said zone. 6. The batch-type water heating apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a heat pump, said heat exchanger being the condenser of said heat pump. 7. The batch-type water heating apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a heat pump, said heat exchanger being the condenser of said heat pump. 8. The batch-type water heating apparatus of claim 3, said flow control means including means sensing the water temperature in said storage zone. 9. The batch-type water heating apparatus of claim 2, said zone including a coiled water storage line with a diffuser at its inlet. 10. The batch-type water heating apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a heat pump, said heat exchanger being the condenser of said heat pump. 11. The batch-type water heating apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a heat pump, said heat exchanger being the condenser of said heat pump. 12. The batch-type water heating apparatus of claim 6, said tank including a tank thermostat, said apparatus further comprising means responsive to said tank thermostat for actuating said water circulating means, said heat pump and said flow control means. 13. The batch-type water heating apparatus of claim 7, said tank including a tank thermostat, and said apparatus further comprising means responsive to said tank thermostat for actuating said water circulating means, said heat pump and said flow control means. 14. The batch-type water heating apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a heat pump, said heat exchanger being the condenser of said heat pump. 15. The batch-type water heating apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a heat pump, said heat exchanger being the condenser of said heat pump. 16. The batch-type water heating apparatus of claim 10, said tank including a tank thermostat, and said apparatus further comprising means responsive to said tank thermostat for actuating said water circulating means, said heat pump and said flow control means. 17. The batch-type water heating apparatus of claim 11, said tank including a tank thermostat, and said apparatus further comprising means responsive to said tank thermostat for actuating said water circulating means, said heat pump and said flow control means. 18. The batch-type water heating apparatus of claim 4, said one line being said outlet line. 19. The batch-type water heating apparatus of claim 4, said one line being said inlet line. 20. The batch-type water heating apparatus of claim 14, said tank including a tank thermostat, and said apparatus further comprising means responsive to said tank thermostat for actuating said water circulating means, said heat pump and said flow control means. 21. The batch-type water heating apparatus of claim 15, said tank including a tank thermostat, and said apparatus further comprising means responsive to said tank thermostat for actuating said water circulating means, said heat pump and said flow control means.