US3666918A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electric powered water heating system
Assignee: HARSCH Corp (HARSCO)
•
Filing: 1971-03-11
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Granted: 1972-05-30
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Expires: 1991-03-11
Abstract
Abstract A water heating system including a tank for storing heated water for withdrawal to a point of use and having a cold water inlet for replenishing withdrawn water; a conduit having an immersion heater therewithin, the conduit having a water intake manifold for delivering water from the tank to pass in heat exchange relation with the immersion heater and having a heated water outlet arranged in flow communication with the point of use, the manifold having openings arranged in flow communication with different levels within the tank at which levels different water temperatures may exist, whereby the temperature of water passing into heat exchange relationship with the heater is an integral of the temperatures of water from the different levels; and a temperature sensor for controlling the rate of heat input to water passing through the conduit as a function of the integral temperature.
Inventors
- 👤 John A Clark Jr
- 👤 Lemuel J Morgan
- 👤 Robert F Kirschner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 22:49
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24H; F24H1/00; F24H1/18; F24H1/20; F24H1/201; F24H1/202; F24H9/00; F24H9/0005; F24H9/001; F24H9/0015; F24H9/0021
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
A water heating system comprising in combination: tank means for storing heated water for withdrawal to a point of use, said tank means having a cold water inlet to replenish water withdrawn therefrom; conduit means communicating with the tank means; heating means for heating water as it passes through said conduit means; said conduit means having water intake means for delivering water from said tank means to pass in heat exchange relation with said heating means and further having heated water outlet means arranged in flow communication with said point of use, said conduit intake means including a vertically disposed intake manifold open to a plurality of levels within said tank means at which levels significantly different water temperatures may be expected to exist during operation, whereby the temperature of water passing into heat exchange relationship with said heating means is an integral of the temperatures of water from said plurality of levels; and temperature sensing means responsive to the temperature of the water passing through the conduit means for controlling the rate of heat input thereto.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
A water heating system comprising in combination: tank means for storing heated water for withdrawal to a point of use, said tank means having a cold water inlet to replenish water withdrawn therefrom; conduit means communicating with the tank means; heating means for heating water as it passes through said conduit means; said conduit means having water intake means for delivering water from said tank means to pass in heat exchange relation with said heating means and further having heated water outlet means arranged in flow communication with said point of use, said conduit intake means including a vertically disposed intake manifold open to a plurality of levels within said tank means at which levels significantly different water temperatures may be expected to exist during operation, whereby the temperature of water passing into heat exchange relationship with said heating means is an integral of the temperatures of water from said plurality of levels; and temperature sensing means responsive to the temperature of the water passing through the conduit means for controlling the rate of heat input thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said temperature sensing means controls operation of said heating means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said intake manifold has a plurality of water intake openings arranged in spaced relationship substantially throughout the vertical extent of said manifold.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said temperature sensing means is arranged to sense the temperature of water passing through said conduit after passing in heat exchange relation with said heating means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said heating means is an electrically energized heater.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system according to claim 5, wherein said heater includes a plurality of separately energizable heating elements, and said temperature sensing means progressively energizes individual ones of said heating elements in response to progressive changes in the temperature of the water passing through said conduit means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
87 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said conduit means includes a substantially horizontally disposed shroud located at least partially within said tank means, said shroud having an intake end portion and an outlet end portion connected in flow communication with said conduit outlet means, said intake manifold having a plurality of vertically spaced water intake openings and an outlet opening, said outlet opening being connected in flow communication with said shroud intake end portion, and said heating means is an immersion heater arranged within said shroud.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
A system according to claim 7 wherein said heater is an electrically energizable heater having a plurality of separately energizable heating elements, and said temperature sensing means progressively energizes individual ones of said heating elements in response to progressive changes in the temperature of the water passing through said conduit means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
208 words
A water heating system comprising in combination: a tank for storing heated water; means for withdrawing heated water from the tank; means for supplying cold water to the tank to replenish water withdrawn therefrom; conduit means having an inlet end portion and an outlet end portion communicating with the interior of the tank; means for circulating water through the conduit means; means for heating the water as it passes through the conduit means; means responsive to the temperature of the water passing through the conduit means for regulating the rate of heat input thereto; and means for dampening fluctuation in the temperature of the water passing through the conduit means, including a vertically disposed water intake manifold interposed between the inlet end portion of the conduit means and the interior of the tank and open to the tank interior at a plurality of levels therein at which significantly different water temperatures may be expected to exist during operation, whereby water from said levels is taken in concurrently by the manifold, combined therein and delivered to the inlet end portion of the conduit means at a temperature which is an integral of the different water temperatures at said levels for passage in heat exchange relation with the heating means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
208 words
A water heating system comprising in combination: a tank for storing heated water; means for withdrawing heated water from the tank; means for supplying cold water to the tank to replenish water withdrawn therefrom; conduit means having an inlet end portion and an outlet end portion communicating with the interior of the tank; means for circulating water through the conduit means; means for heating the water as it passes through the conduit means; means responsive to the temperature of the water passing through the conduit means for regulating the rate of heat input thereto; and means for dampening fluctuation in the temperature of the water passing through the conduit means, including a vertically disposed water intake manifold interposed between the inlet end portion of the conduit means and the interior of the tank and open to the tank interior at a plurality of levels therein at which significantly different water temperatures may be expected to exist during operation, whereby water from said levels is taken in concurrently by the manifold, combined therein and delivered to the inlet end portion of the conduit means at a temperature which is an integral of the different water temperatures at said levels for passage in heat exchange relation with the heating means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A heating system according to claim 9, wherein said temperature responsive means controls operation of said heating means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
A heating system according to claim 9, wherein said water intake manifold is disposed within said tank and has intake openings arranged in spaced relationship substantially throughout the vertical extent thereof and a single outlet opening connected to the inlet end portion of the conduit means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A heating system according to claim 9, wherein said conduit outlet end portion introduces water into said tank adjacent the upper end thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
52 words
A heating system according to claim 9, wherein said conduit means includes a substantially horizontally disposed shroud located at least partly within said tank, said water intake manifold is connected in flow communication with the inner end of the shroud, and said heating means is an immersion heater arranged within said shroud.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
53 words
A heating system according to claim 13, wherein said heating means is an electrically energized heater having a plurality of separately energizable heating elements, and said temperature responsive means progressively energizes individual ones of said heating elements in response to progressive changes in the temperature of the water passing through said conduit means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
A heating system according to claim 14, wherein said watEr circulating means includes pump means for producing positive circulation of water through said conduit means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
A heating system according to claim 13, wherein said temperature responsive means is arranged to sense the temperature of water passing through said conduit means after passing in heat exchange relation with said immersion heater.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
A heating system according to claim 9, wherein said water circulating means includes means for controlling the rate of flow of water passing therethrough, and said temperature responsive means controls operation of said flow rate control means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
A heating system according to claim 17, wherein said flow rate control means is a variable capacity water pump.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
A heating system according to claim 17, wherein said flow rate control means is a water flow control valve.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
A heating system according to claim 9, wherein said temperature responsive means is arranged to sense the temperature of water passing through said conduit means after passing in heat exchange relation with said heating means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
A heating system according to claim 9, wherein said temperature responsive means is arranged to sense the temperature of water before passing into heat exchange relation with said heating means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
193 words
In a water heating system including a tank for storing heated water, outlet means for withdrawing water from the tank, inlet means for supplying cold water to the tank to replenish withdrawn water, conduit means having an inlet end portion and an outlet end portion in communication with the tank, means for circulating water through the conduit means, and means for heating water passing through the conduit means, the improvement comprising: means for dampening fluctuation in the temperature of the water passing through the conduit means, including a vertically disposed water intake manifold interposed between the inlet end portion of the conduit means and the interior of the tank and open to the tank interior at a plurality of levels therein at which significantly different water temperatures may be expected to exist during operation, whereby water from said plurality of levels is taken in concurrently by the manifold, combined therein and delivered to said conduit means at a temperature which is an integral of the different water temperatures at said levels; and means responsive to the temperature of the water passing through the conduit means for regulating the rate of heat input thereto.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
193 words
In a water heating system including a tank for storing heated water, outlet means for withdrawing water from the tank, inlet means for supplying cold water to the tank to replenish withdrawn water, conduit means having an inlet end portion and an outlet end portion in communication with the tank, means for circulating water through the conduit means, and means for heating water passing through the conduit means, the improvement comprising: means for dampening fluctuation in the temperature of the water passing through the conduit means, including a vertically disposed water intake manifold interposed between the inlet end portion of the conduit means and the interior of the tank and open to the tank interior at a plurality of levels therein at which significantly different water temperatures may be expected to exist during operation, whereby water from said plurality of levels is taken in concurrently by the manifold, combined therein and delivered to said conduit means at a temperature which is an integral of the different water temperatures at said levels; and means responsive to the temperature of the water passing through the conduit means for regulating the rate of heat input thereto.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
A heating system according to claim 22 wherein said manifold is located within the tank and has a plurality of water intake openings arranged in spaced relationship substantially throughout the vertical extent thereof.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
157 words
A water heating system including a water storage tank having a heated water outlet connection leading from an upper level thereof, and a cold water inlet connection into a lower level thereof, a water intake manifold having a series of water intake openings in communication with different levels of the interior of said tank and a single outlet opening, a conduit system having a water intake end portion connected in fluid communication with said manifold outlet opening, and its water outlet end portion delivering into the system adjacent said tank outlet connection, a regulatable output heater disposed in association with said conduit system for heating water therein, means causing circulation of water through said conduit system, and a temperature sensing device responsive to fluctuations in temperature of the water passing from said heater through said conduit system operable to regulate the operation of said heater whereby to deliver water through said conduit system at a desired temperature.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
157 words
A water heating system including a water storage tank having a heated water outlet connection leading from an upper level thereof, and a cold water inlet connection into a lower level thereof, a water intake manifold having a series of water intake openings in communication with different levels of the interior of said tank and a single outlet opening, a conduit system having a water intake end portion connected in fluid communication with said manifold outlet opening, and its water outlet end portion delivering into the system adjacent said tank outlet connection, a regulatable output heater disposed in association with said conduit system for heating water therein, means causing circulation of water through said conduit system, and a temperature sensing device responsive to fluctuations in temperature of the water passing from said heater through said conduit system operable to regulate the operation of said heater whereby to deliver water through said conduit system at a desired temperature.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
A water heating system as set forth in claim 24, wherein said intake manifold is located inside said tank.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
A water heating system as set forth in claim 25, wherein said intake manifold comprises a vertically standing conduit having apertures through the side waLl portion thereof at vertically spaced intervals therealong.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
A water heating system as set forth in claim 26, wherein said intake manifold extends only throughout the lower elevation of the interior of said tank.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
35 words
A water heating system as set forth in claim 26, wherein said conduit system outlet end portion comprises a horizontally extended perforated tube located inside said tank in the region of the uppermost level thereof.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
59 words
A water heating system as set forth in claim 28, wherein said heater comprises an electric immersion type heater enclosed within an open-ended shroud defining a portion of said conduit system, and wherein said shroud includes staggered baffle means interiorly of said shroud causing the water passing therethrough to follow zig-zag paths in heat exchange relation with said heater.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
A water heating system as set forth in claim 29, wherein said baffle means are arranged to cause the water to follow a vertically undulant path.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
A water heating system as set forth in claim 29, wherein said baffles are arranged to cause the water to follow a horizontally undulant path.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
A water heating system as set forth in claim 24, wherein there is provided a manually adjustable device for modulating the rate of flow of water through said conduit system.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
60 words
A water heating system as set forth in claim 29, wherein said shroud extends at one end outside of said tank, and wherein said water circulation means comprises a pump, and wherein said conduit system includes piping leading in open communication from the outer end of said shroud through said pump and thence into said conduit system outlet end portion.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said water intake manifold has a plurality of water intake openings located at said different levels within the tank means and a single outlet opening.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system according to claim 9, wherein said water intake manifold includes a plurality of vertically spaced intake openings and a single outlet opening, said outlet opening being connected to the inlet end portion of the conduit means.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system according to claim 22, wherein said intake manifold includes a plurality of vertically spaced intake openings and a single outlet opening, said outlet opening being connected to the inlet end portion of said conduit means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-30 | 1975-11-29 | 1976-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-30 | 1979-11-29 | 1980-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-30 | 1983-11-29 | 1984-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |