초록 ▼

A heat recovery system (including associated methods, apparatus and controls for implementing such a system) integrated in a hot water heating system that is combinable with an air conditioning loop containing hot gas wherein the hot water system selectively utilizes heat recovered from the hot gas

A heat recovery system (including associated methods, apparatus and controls for implementing such a system) integrated in a hot water heating system that is combinable with an air conditioning loop containing hot gas wherein the hot water system selectively utilizes heat recovered from the hot gas to produce and store hot water at a preselected temperature level requiring the use of only a single water storage tank. According to one aspect of the invention, hot gas is taken from the air conditioning loop and placed directly into a heat exchanger coil immersed in the water storage tank for selective use therein to produce hot water. According to a further aspect of the invention, a control means is provided to monitor and analyze water temperatures at a plurality of locations within the water storage tank; determine the presence of hot gas and its temperature; and, as a function of the set point for the hot water heating system, selectively activate at least one of a plurality of heaters located in the water storage tank. The heaters include a heat exchanger that may be energized by the hot gas when the gas is at a desirable temperature and available for use; and at least one other heating element, such as electrically energizable heating elements.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A heat recovery system integrated in a hot water heating system combinable with an air conditioning loop containing hot gas wherein said hot water system selectively utilizes heat recovered from said hot gas to produce and store hot water at a preselected temperature leve

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A heat recovery system integrated in a hot water heating system combinable with an air conditioning loop containing hot gas wherein said hot water system selectively utilizes heat recovered from said hot gas to produce and store hot water at a preselected temperature level in a single storage tank contained therein, comprising:(a) means for determining the presence and temperature of hot gas in said air conditioning loop;(b) means for determining the temperature of water stored in said water sotrage tank;(c) a heat exchanger located within said tank that is energized by said gas;(d) a plurality of heating elements, each located in separate planes within said tank; and(e) control means for selectively activating said heat exchanger and at least one of said plurality of heating elements as a function of said preselected temperature level, the determined presence an temperature of hot gas in said air conditioning loop and the determined temperature of water stored in said water storage tank, wherein said control means further comprises:(e1) processing means used to control the selective activation of said heat exchanger and at least one of said plurality of heating elements as a function of said preselected temperature level, the determined presence and temperature of hot gas in said air conditioning loop and the determined temperature of water stored in said water storage tank; and(e2) activation means, coupled to said processing means and a power supply, for selectively enabling the flow of hot gas to said heat exchanger and selectively energizing of at least one of said plurality of heating elements under the control of said processing means, wherein said activation means further comprises:(e2a) bypass means for enabling hot gas in said air conditioning loop to bypass said hot water heating system so long as the determined temperature of water stored in said tank remains above a first predetermined threshold value;(e2b) gas diverter means for enabling hot gas in said air conditioning loop to enter said heat exchanger whenever the determined temperature of the water stored in said tank falls below a second predetermined threshold value and hot gas is present in said air conditioning loop; and(e2c) switching means for selectively switching on at least one heating element included in said plurality of heating elements whenever the determined temperature of water stored in said tank falls below a third predetermined threshold value independent of the presence of hot gas in said air conditioning loop and for selectively switching on at least one other heating element included in said plurality of heating elements whenever the determined temperature of water stored in said tank falls below a fourth predetermined threshold value and hot gas is not present in said air conditioning loop.