Abstract A hydronic heating system includes a heat exchanger, a container, and a micro-wave heating means associated with the container for heating water therein. The container and heat exchanges are connected by a closed circulation loop which includes a storage tank between the container and heat exchanger and a by-pass means to allow flow of water from the heat exchanger to flow directly to the storage tank without passing through the container. A valve is provided in the circulation loop downstream of the by-pass means. A temperature sensor in the storage tank controls operation of a switch in circuit with the valve and micro-wave heating means. When the temperature of the water in the storage tank is below a predetermined temperature, the switch is closed to simultaneously activate the micro-wave heating means and to open the valve to allow water to flow from the heat exchanger into the container. When the water temperature in the storage tank is above the predetermined temperature, the switch is opened to simultaneously de-activate the microwave heating means and to close the valve to divert water from the heat exchanger through the by-pass means into the storage tank. The by-pass means is provided with a check valve and a pump circulates the water through the closed circulation loop.
A hydronic heating system comprising a heat exchanger, a container for water, means for heating water in the container comprising a source of micro-wave energy, a guide means having walls which reflect micro-wave energy generated by the said source and direct the micro-waves towards the container, a wall common to said guide means and said container whIch is transparent to microwaves, means forming a closed circulation loop between the heat exchanger and the container, means for circulating the water in said closed loop between the heat exchanger and the container, a water storage means between the outlet of the container and the inlet of the heat exchanger and having means for accommodating expansion of water in the system and for the escape of air from the system, by-pass means in the circulation loop between the heat exchanger and the container for by-passing the container to allow water flowing from the heat exchanger to flow directly to the storage means, a check valve in said by-pass means which prevents flow of water from the container through the by-pass means, and means responsive to the temperature of the water in the system externally of the container for directing flow of water from the heat exchanger to the storage means while by-passing the container, said temperature responsive means comprising a valve in the circulation loop downstream of the by-pass means for diverting flow of water flowing from the heat exchanger towards the container into the by-pass, and thermostatic means for simultaneously activating the source of micro-wave energy and opening the last said valve for flow of water from the heat exchanger into the container when the temperature of the water in the system externally of the container is below a predetermined temperature and for simultaneously deactivating the source of micro-wave energy and closing said valve to divert the water from the heat exchanger through said by-pass means into the storage means when the temperature of the water in the system externally of the container is at least equal to said predetermined temperature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
339 words
A hydronic heating system comprising a heat exchanger, a container for water, means for heating water in the container comprising a source of micro-wave energy, a guide means having walls which reflect micro-wave energy generated by the said source and direct the micro-waves towards the container, a wall common to said guide means and said container whIch is transparent to microwaves, means forming a closed circulation loop between the heat exchanger and the container, means for circulating the water in said closed loop between the heat exchanger and the container, a water storage means between the outlet of the container and the inlet of the heat exchanger and having means for accommodating expansion of water in the system and for the escape of air from the system, by-pass means in the circulation loop between the heat exchanger and the container for by-passing the container to allow water flowing from the heat exchanger to flow directly to the storage means, a check valve in said by-pass means which prevents flow of water from the container through the by-pass means, and means responsive to the temperature of the water in the system externally of the container for directing flow of water from the heat exchanger to the storage means while by-passing the container, said temperature responsive means comprising a valve in the circulation loop downstream of the by-pass means for diverting flow of water flowing from the heat exchanger towards the container into the by-pass, and thermostatic means for simultaneously activating the source of micro-wave energy and opening the last said valve for flow of water from the heat exchanger into the container when the temperature of the water in the system externally of the container is below a predetermined temperature and for simultaneously deactivating the source of micro-wave energy and closing said valve to divert the water from the heat exchanger through said by-pass means into the storage means when the temperature of the water in the system externally of the container is at least equal to said predetermined temperature.