US4351159A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Energy recovery system
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 1981-03-05
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Granted: 1982-09-28
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Expires: 2001-03-05
Abstract
Abstract A method of providing auxiliary hot water to a hot water system wherein water is conducted into the system from a water supply and divided into a cold water branch and a hot water branch with the hot water branch including a hot water heating tank and each branch terminating downstream at a valve. The water to be heated in the hot water heating tank is introduced into the bottom of the tank and expelled out the top thereof for delivery to the hot water branch valve. Water is conducted from the cold water branch to refrigerating apparatus having a condenser, evaporator and compressor. Water is circulated in heat transfer relationship with the condenser and preferably also with the compressor to heat the water and the auxiliary hot water is pumped into the hot water branch between the hot water heating tank and the hot water branch valve when the temperature of the heated water is above 110° F.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank A. Schumacher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 23:26
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24D; F24D17/00; F24D17/02; F24D17/0036; F25; F25B; F25B29/00; F25B29/003; F25B2339/00; F25B2339/04; F25B2339/047; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B10/00; Y02B10/20; Y02B10/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A method of providing auxiliary hot water to a water system including: (a) conducting water into the system from a water supply, (b) dividing the incoming water at a junction into a cold water branch and a hot water branch said hot water branch including a hot water heating tank, each branch terminating downstream at a valve, (c) introducing water to be heated into the bottom of the hot water heating tank and expelling hot water out the top thereof for delivery to the hot water branch valve, (d) conducting water from the cold water branch to refrigerating apparatus having a condenser, evaporator and compressor, constantly when the refrigerating apparatus is operating, (e) circulating the water in heat transfer relationship with the condenser to heat the water, and (f) pumping the heated water from the refrigerating apparatus into the hot water branch between the hot water heating tank and the hot water branch valve when the temperature of the heated water is above 110° F.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
165 words
A method of providing auxiliary hot water to a water system including: (a) conducting water into the system from a water supply, (b) dividing the incoming water at a junction into a cold water branch and a hot water branch said hot water branch including a hot water heating tank, each branch terminating downstream at a valve, (c) introducing water to be heated into the bottom of the hot water heating tank and expelling hot water out the top thereof for delivery to the hot water branch valve, (d) conducting water from the cold water branch to refrigerating apparatus having a condenser, evaporator and compressor, constantly when the refrigerating apparatus is operating, (e) circulating the water in heat transfer relationship with the condenser to heat the water, and (f) pumping the heated water from the refrigerating apparatus into the hot water branch between the hot water heating tank and the hot water branch valve when the temperature of the heated water is above 110° F.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the cold water is also circulated in heat transfer relationship with the compressor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein flow of water from the refrigerating apparatus to the cold water branch is prevented by a backflow check valve when the cold water branch valve is open.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 1 wherein hot water in excess of the capacity of the hot water heating tank is expelled from the hot water branch between the hot water heating tank and the junction of the hot water branch and the cold water branch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the hot water in excess of the capacity of the hot water heating tank is expelled by opening a temperature sensitive valve at a water temperature slightly above ambient.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2042812A
Cited
US2125842A
Cited
US2700279A
Cited
US3301002A
Cited
US4141222A
Cited
US4270359A
Cited
US4293093A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-09-27 | 1986-03-29 | 1986-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-09-27 | 1990-03-29 | 1990-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-09-27 | 1994-03-29 | 1994-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |