CA1114794A - Dual zone heating unit - Google Patents
Dual zone heating unitInfo
- Publication number
- CA1114794A CA1114794A CA371,588A CA371588A CA1114794A CA 1114794 A CA1114794 A CA 1114794A CA 371588 A CA371588 A CA 371588A CA 1114794 A CA1114794 A CA 1114794A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- heating
- fluid
- heating unit
- conduit means
- tank
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H1/00—Water heaters, e.g. boilers, continuous-flow heaters or water-storage heaters
- F24H1/22—Water heaters other than continuous-flow or water-storage heaters, e.g. water heaters for central heating
- F24H1/225—Water heaters other than continuous-flow or water-storage heaters, e.g. water heaters for central heating electrical central heating boilers
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Steam Or Hot-Water Central Heating Systems (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
An improved heating unit for a recirculating hot-water heating system includes a small-diameter tank of inverted U-shape. In each leg of the tank a vertically oriented heating element extends upwardly from the lower-most end of the leg. Heat-transfer fluid enters each leg at the lowermost end thereof, passes upwardly in each leg being heated by the heating element therein, and exits to the appropriate flow conduit system through a single outlet in the top cross-flow portion. The heating elements are not subjected to any cantilever forces, do not develop hot spots or detrimental coating and provide for uniform effec-tive heating at very low power ratings in comparison to prior art heating units.
An improved heating unit for a recirculating hot-water heating system includes a small-diameter tank of inverted U-shape. In each leg of the tank a vertically oriented heating element extends upwardly from the lower-most end of the leg. Heat-transfer fluid enters each leg at the lowermost end thereof, passes upwardly in each leg being heated by the heating element therein, and exits to the appropriate flow conduit system through a single outlet in the top cross-flow portion. The heating elements are not subjected to any cantilever forces, do not develop hot spots or detrimental coating and provide for uniform effec-tive heating at very low power ratings in comparison to prior art heating units.
Description
$147~4 The present invention relates to heating systems in general and to an improved hot-water heating system in particular.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hot-water heating systems have been known for many years, such systems utilizing a heat source such as an oil ~`
or gas-fired furnace or an electric heater, appropriate con-duit means leading from the furnace or heater to the areas to be heated, appropriate heat radiators in the areas to be heated and return conduits for returning the cooled heat-transfer medium, usually water, to the heat source. Such systems in the past have been somewhat cumbersome although progress has been made in radiator technology. There has not been much effort, however, directed to the heat source itself so as to reduce the volume of heat-transfer fluid required or to increase the efficiency of the heat source.
One attempt at reducing the volume of heat-transfer fluid, hereinafter referred to as water, and improving the heat source is found in Canadian Patent No. 1j013,017 issued June 28th, 1977 to-~ene Lacelle. That patent teaches a ; cylindrical horizontal heating tank of relatively small dia-meter (4 inches in I.D.~ having elongated heating elements projecting inwardly from opposite ends of the tank. Water flows into the tank at each end, is heated, and flows out of the tank through two longitudinally spaced apart outlets adjacent the center of the tank. The patentee suggests that heating elements of 20KW in 12 inch diameter tanks have been used successfully although it is not clear whether the same - 1 - ~ :.
'. . ,' , : -'" ' . ' ' ' , , " ~ ,: ', -.
~14~4 rating is required for a 4 inch diameter tank. The in-vention of this patent is intended to provide for improved cooling of the heating elements, reduced incidence of hot spots and reduced coating of the elements.
While the invention of the aforementioned patent is a step in the right direction there is still a possibility that the heating elements therein, if not properly serviced, could eventually sag in use and short out on the tank casing as they are mounted in a cantilever fashion. Furthermore it is not clear that the flowing water would be effectively heat-ed in the upper portion of the tank adjacent the ends and this could lead to hot spots on the elements in that area which in turn could lead to failure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention, on the other hand, eliminates the problems of the aforementioned system by providing a small-diameter heating tank in the form of an inverted U-shape.
Each downwardly directed leg of the tank houses an upright heat-ing element fixed to the lower end of the leg. Water flows -~
into each leg adjacent the lowermost end of the element c~n-tained therein, then upwardly, being heated by the elements, and exits through a single outlet at the top of the tank.
The elements extend upwardly throughout substantially the entire length of each leg. Prototype heating systems using this heating unit (3 inch ID and 60 inch total length) have demonstrated that an average three-bedroom house can be adequate- -ly heated using heating elements rated at only 4500 watts.
The system in this form used a volume of only 9 gallons of water. Furthermore the inverted U-shape of the heating ~ank ~.
: . ..
- , . . . : , .
- .. .. ..
. . , , . ~. , - ~ -. - : . : ~ - . . . . .
, -1~147~4 - can be housed in a very compact insulated housing, pro-viding the house-holder with increased space in his base-ment, due to the elimination of any large heat sources, such as a furnace. Also, by utilizing vertically oriented heat-ing elements with the water entering the tank at the lower-most ends, the chance of hot spots developing is substantially eliminated as is the incidence of coating (assuming proper maintenance of course). Vertical heating elements are not subjected to downward forces as in the aforementioned patent and there should be no worry about mechanical failure.
In summary of the above, the present invention is seen as providing a heating unit for use in a heating system utilizing a heat transfer fluid comprising: a heating tank of generally inverted U-shape having an upper cross-flow por-tion and a pair of spaced-apart leg portions in fluid communi-cation with said cross-flow portion and depending therefrom;
a fluid inlet in each leg portion adjacent the lowermost end thereof; a fluid outlet centrally located in the uppermost surface of the cross-flow portion; and an elongated electrical heating element contained in each of said leg portions and extending from the lowermost end thereof upwardly to adjacent said cross-flow portion; whereby heat transfer fluid entering the leg portions via the inlets may be heated in the leg por-tions by the elements before exitting the tank via the outlet.
The present invention also contemplates providing a heating system utilizing a heat transfer fluid, at least one radiator for transferring heat from the fluid to a space to be heated, a heating unit for heating the fluid, feed conduit means for the passage of heated fluid from the heating unit to the radiator, and return conduit means for the passage of .
~ ~ - 3 -:
7~4 cooled fluid from the radiator to the heating unit, the improvement wherein the heating unit comprises: a heating tank of generally inverted U-shape, having an upper cross-flow portion and a pair of spaced apart leg portions in fluid communication with the cross-flow portion and depend-ing therefrom; a fluid inlet for each leg portion positioned adjacent the lowermost end thereof and connected to the return conduit means; a fluid outlet centrally located in the uppermost surface of the cross-flow portion and connected to the feed conduit means; and an elongated electrical heat- ;
ing unit contained in each of the leg portions and extending from the lowermost end thereof to adjacent the cross-flow por-tion, the heating unit for each leg portion being centrally positioned therein; whereby heat transfer fluid contained in the system, including the tank, radiator and conduit means, is heated in the leg portions, exits the tank via the outlet, is fed to the radiator via the feed conduit means and after transferring heat to the space via the radiator is returned to the tank via the return conduit means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure -1 shows the general layout, partly in section of the heating system according to the present invention.
DES IPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With particular reference to Figure 1 of the drawings, ; the heating system 10 of the present invention will be described.
Heating system 10 utilizes a novel heating unit 12 which lies at the heart of the invention~ As seen in Figure 1 heating unit 12 is of a generally inverted U-shape, having an upper ~ cross-flow portion 14 and a pair of depending leg portions 16 `: :
, - 4 -. . . . . . . - - - - .. . - . . . -.
- . . :
: . : . . .
- : ... . . ~
~147~4 each of which is in smooth fluid connection with the cross-flow portion 14. Each leg portion 16 is closed at its lowermost end by an end wall 18.
Adjacent the lowermost end of each leg portion 16, just above the end wail 18 is a fluid inlet 20 which in turn is connected to an inlet pipe 22. The inlet pipes 22 are directed towards each other and are connected to a cen-tral tee fitting 24 which in turn is connected to a return ..
condu~t 26.
Centrally located in the uppermost surface of the corss-flow portion 14 is a fluid outlet 28 w.hich is teed to an enlarged outlet manifold pipe 30. Pipe 30 is in turn neck-ed down to a feed conduit 32 which in turn is teed (or other-wise) to branch feed conduits 34. The bran~h.conduits lead to heat transfer radiators (not shown) which are positioned in the spaces, such as rooms of a house, to be heated. The radiators are also connected via appropriate branch lines to the return conduit 26 so as to establish a closed heating system comprising the heating unit 12, the feed and return conduits 32, 26, the branch conduits 34 and the radiators.
A heat transfer fluid, such.as water fills the entire heating system.
Returning to the heating unit 12, it is also seen that an elongated electrical heating element 36 is centrally position-ed in each leg portion 16. Each heating element extends up-wardly from the end wall 18 to an upper end adjacent the cross-flow portion and is externally connected as at 38 to a suit-able source of electricity. Typically, I have found that heat-ing elements rated at 4500 watts are sufflcient to heat an - average 3 bedroom house.
~ 5 -. : , ~
' : ' ' , ~' . '' .
, L1147~4 One of the significant features of the heating unit of the present invention is its small, compact size. I
have found that an appropriate diameter for the cross-flow and leg portions is a mere 3 inches (I.D.) which permits an extremely compact unit and provides, with two 4500 watt heating elements, the equivalent of 50,000 B.T.U. of heating capacity. With two 5000 wat elements the capaclty is raised to 110,000 B.T.U. Since the volume of fluid contained in the heating unit is only 1.5 gallons it can be readily cal-culated that the total length of the heating unit is only about 5 feet, giving a length for each portion, assuming equal lengthsJof only 20 inches. For a typical 3 bedroom house I have found that a total volume of heat transfer fluid (water) of only 9 gallons is required, this including the volume passing through the heating unit 12.
Returning now to Figure 1 other aspects of the heating system 10 will be described. First of all it is seen that a branch line 40 is provided, which line is connected via a shut-off valve 42 to a source of heat transfer fluid such as the main water line for the building to be heated. Also included in the branch line 40 is a pressure relief valve 44 which may be seit at an appropriate pressure of say 30 pounds per square inch so that if that pressure exist$ in the branch line 40 or in the return line 26 the vaive 44 will open to , -~ relieve the pressure. Since the normal operating pressure of the system is in the order of 15 pounds per square inch it is doubtful that valve 44 will be actually operated with any frequency. As a further precaution I provide an aquastat 46 in the cross-flow portion 14 of the tank. This unit is con-, ,, i ,. , . . ... .. --. ~, -- , . . . .
, , , ,: ,:
.. , . .' , ' . ' ~' ' -. ', : ', , - : . :. . - .
., , , , , . . : , .. . - : . .: ~ , : . . , 1~147~4 nected to the elements 36 to turn them off It the pressure within the tank 12 rises too high and this is thus a further safety measure beyond the relief valve 44. The aquastat 46 may be used in conjunction with the room thermostat to fur-ther limit heating of the fluid.
Connected to return line 26 is a circulation pump 48. This pump maintains the pressure within the system and also effects flow of the fluid through the system. The pump is controlled by the thermostat and is independent of the heating elements 36. Even if the elements are not oper-ating the heat transfer fluid is still circulated through the system~
Also connected to the return conduit, just before the inlets to the tank 12 are a temperature gauge 50 and a pressure gauge 52. The temperature gauge provides an indication of the temperature of the fluid as it enters the tank 12 and when -compared to the reading of temperature gauge 54 positioned in the feed conduit 32 adjacent the outlet 28 it is possible to ascertain the temperature differential of the fluid and thus the general efficiency of the system. The pressure gauge 52 is set so as to maintain the pressure within the tank 12 at the -~ predetermined operating pressure, suggestea above as being 15 pounds per square inch.
On the outlet side of the tank the manifold 30 is con-nected to an expansion tank 56 which acts as~ a further pressure control, preventing excess pressure buildup due to overheating.
The tank 56 is provided with an air purger (not shown) which continuously separates and collects any air from the heat transfer fluid. Air in the system can reduce the effective-,, : . .
.: . . . . .. ~ ~ : . . - . , :
-: - . . . . . - -: - .
:. . . : . -~
. ~ , , : . .
: . . : .
.. . . . . .
1~147~4 ness and efficiency of the heating system and can even-tually lead to maintenance problems. Such difficulties are avoided with an air purger provided as indicated.
A temperature gauge 58 provides a reading giving the temperature of the heated heat transfer fluid as it leaves the heating unit. A fluid flow valve 58 can be used to control circulation of the heat transfer fluid and a further valve, gate valve 60, may be provided, which valve is normally open but can be quickly closed to stop fluid circulation. This valve would be closed in an emergency or whenever repair work might be necessary for the overall system. A similar gate valve 62 may be provided in the return line 26. A drain valve 64 may be provided in the lowermost portion of the return line for draining fluid ! from the system. Finally, the leg portions 16 may be pro-vided with a level sensor 66 which will shut the elements 36 off should the fluid level in the heating unit 12 be too low. If the unit is adequately maintained these sensors should never operate, although they do provide an extra measure of safety.
- ....... .. . . .
.. . . . . , , , ~ . .
.. . - . . . . . . . . .
.. . .
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hot-water heating systems have been known for many years, such systems utilizing a heat source such as an oil ~`
or gas-fired furnace or an electric heater, appropriate con-duit means leading from the furnace or heater to the areas to be heated, appropriate heat radiators in the areas to be heated and return conduits for returning the cooled heat-transfer medium, usually water, to the heat source. Such systems in the past have been somewhat cumbersome although progress has been made in radiator technology. There has not been much effort, however, directed to the heat source itself so as to reduce the volume of heat-transfer fluid required or to increase the efficiency of the heat source.
One attempt at reducing the volume of heat-transfer fluid, hereinafter referred to as water, and improving the heat source is found in Canadian Patent No. 1j013,017 issued June 28th, 1977 to-~ene Lacelle. That patent teaches a ; cylindrical horizontal heating tank of relatively small dia-meter (4 inches in I.D.~ having elongated heating elements projecting inwardly from opposite ends of the tank. Water flows into the tank at each end, is heated, and flows out of the tank through two longitudinally spaced apart outlets adjacent the center of the tank. The patentee suggests that heating elements of 20KW in 12 inch diameter tanks have been used successfully although it is not clear whether the same - 1 - ~ :.
'. . ,' , : -'" ' . ' ' ' , , " ~ ,: ', -.
~14~4 rating is required for a 4 inch diameter tank. The in-vention of this patent is intended to provide for improved cooling of the heating elements, reduced incidence of hot spots and reduced coating of the elements.
While the invention of the aforementioned patent is a step in the right direction there is still a possibility that the heating elements therein, if not properly serviced, could eventually sag in use and short out on the tank casing as they are mounted in a cantilever fashion. Furthermore it is not clear that the flowing water would be effectively heat-ed in the upper portion of the tank adjacent the ends and this could lead to hot spots on the elements in that area which in turn could lead to failure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention, on the other hand, eliminates the problems of the aforementioned system by providing a small-diameter heating tank in the form of an inverted U-shape.
Each downwardly directed leg of the tank houses an upright heat-ing element fixed to the lower end of the leg. Water flows -~
into each leg adjacent the lowermost end of the element c~n-tained therein, then upwardly, being heated by the elements, and exits through a single outlet at the top of the tank.
The elements extend upwardly throughout substantially the entire length of each leg. Prototype heating systems using this heating unit (3 inch ID and 60 inch total length) have demonstrated that an average three-bedroom house can be adequate- -ly heated using heating elements rated at only 4500 watts.
The system in this form used a volume of only 9 gallons of water. Furthermore the inverted U-shape of the heating ~ank ~.
: . ..
- , . . . : , .
- .. .. ..
. . , , . ~. , - ~ -. - : . : ~ - . . . . .
, -1~147~4 - can be housed in a very compact insulated housing, pro-viding the house-holder with increased space in his base-ment, due to the elimination of any large heat sources, such as a furnace. Also, by utilizing vertically oriented heat-ing elements with the water entering the tank at the lower-most ends, the chance of hot spots developing is substantially eliminated as is the incidence of coating (assuming proper maintenance of course). Vertical heating elements are not subjected to downward forces as in the aforementioned patent and there should be no worry about mechanical failure.
In summary of the above, the present invention is seen as providing a heating unit for use in a heating system utilizing a heat transfer fluid comprising: a heating tank of generally inverted U-shape having an upper cross-flow por-tion and a pair of spaced-apart leg portions in fluid communi-cation with said cross-flow portion and depending therefrom;
a fluid inlet in each leg portion adjacent the lowermost end thereof; a fluid outlet centrally located in the uppermost surface of the cross-flow portion; and an elongated electrical heating element contained in each of said leg portions and extending from the lowermost end thereof upwardly to adjacent said cross-flow portion; whereby heat transfer fluid entering the leg portions via the inlets may be heated in the leg por-tions by the elements before exitting the tank via the outlet.
The present invention also contemplates providing a heating system utilizing a heat transfer fluid, at least one radiator for transferring heat from the fluid to a space to be heated, a heating unit for heating the fluid, feed conduit means for the passage of heated fluid from the heating unit to the radiator, and return conduit means for the passage of .
~ ~ - 3 -:
7~4 cooled fluid from the radiator to the heating unit, the improvement wherein the heating unit comprises: a heating tank of generally inverted U-shape, having an upper cross-flow portion and a pair of spaced apart leg portions in fluid communication with the cross-flow portion and depend-ing therefrom; a fluid inlet for each leg portion positioned adjacent the lowermost end thereof and connected to the return conduit means; a fluid outlet centrally located in the uppermost surface of the cross-flow portion and connected to the feed conduit means; and an elongated electrical heat- ;
ing unit contained in each of the leg portions and extending from the lowermost end thereof to adjacent the cross-flow por-tion, the heating unit for each leg portion being centrally positioned therein; whereby heat transfer fluid contained in the system, including the tank, radiator and conduit means, is heated in the leg portions, exits the tank via the outlet, is fed to the radiator via the feed conduit means and after transferring heat to the space via the radiator is returned to the tank via the return conduit means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure -1 shows the general layout, partly in section of the heating system according to the present invention.
DES IPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With particular reference to Figure 1 of the drawings, ; the heating system 10 of the present invention will be described.
Heating system 10 utilizes a novel heating unit 12 which lies at the heart of the invention~ As seen in Figure 1 heating unit 12 is of a generally inverted U-shape, having an upper ~ cross-flow portion 14 and a pair of depending leg portions 16 `: :
, - 4 -. . . . . . . - - - - .. . - . . . -.
- . . :
: . : . . .
- : ... . . ~
~147~4 each of which is in smooth fluid connection with the cross-flow portion 14. Each leg portion 16 is closed at its lowermost end by an end wall 18.
Adjacent the lowermost end of each leg portion 16, just above the end wail 18 is a fluid inlet 20 which in turn is connected to an inlet pipe 22. The inlet pipes 22 are directed towards each other and are connected to a cen-tral tee fitting 24 which in turn is connected to a return ..
condu~t 26.
Centrally located in the uppermost surface of the corss-flow portion 14 is a fluid outlet 28 w.hich is teed to an enlarged outlet manifold pipe 30. Pipe 30 is in turn neck-ed down to a feed conduit 32 which in turn is teed (or other-wise) to branch feed conduits 34. The bran~h.conduits lead to heat transfer radiators (not shown) which are positioned in the spaces, such as rooms of a house, to be heated. The radiators are also connected via appropriate branch lines to the return conduit 26 so as to establish a closed heating system comprising the heating unit 12, the feed and return conduits 32, 26, the branch conduits 34 and the radiators.
A heat transfer fluid, such.as water fills the entire heating system.
Returning to the heating unit 12, it is also seen that an elongated electrical heating element 36 is centrally position-ed in each leg portion 16. Each heating element extends up-wardly from the end wall 18 to an upper end adjacent the cross-flow portion and is externally connected as at 38 to a suit-able source of electricity. Typically, I have found that heat-ing elements rated at 4500 watts are sufflcient to heat an - average 3 bedroom house.
~ 5 -. : , ~
' : ' ' , ~' . '' .
, L1147~4 One of the significant features of the heating unit of the present invention is its small, compact size. I
have found that an appropriate diameter for the cross-flow and leg portions is a mere 3 inches (I.D.) which permits an extremely compact unit and provides, with two 4500 watt heating elements, the equivalent of 50,000 B.T.U. of heating capacity. With two 5000 wat elements the capaclty is raised to 110,000 B.T.U. Since the volume of fluid contained in the heating unit is only 1.5 gallons it can be readily cal-culated that the total length of the heating unit is only about 5 feet, giving a length for each portion, assuming equal lengthsJof only 20 inches. For a typical 3 bedroom house I have found that a total volume of heat transfer fluid (water) of only 9 gallons is required, this including the volume passing through the heating unit 12.
Returning now to Figure 1 other aspects of the heating system 10 will be described. First of all it is seen that a branch line 40 is provided, which line is connected via a shut-off valve 42 to a source of heat transfer fluid such as the main water line for the building to be heated. Also included in the branch line 40 is a pressure relief valve 44 which may be seit at an appropriate pressure of say 30 pounds per square inch so that if that pressure exist$ in the branch line 40 or in the return line 26 the vaive 44 will open to , -~ relieve the pressure. Since the normal operating pressure of the system is in the order of 15 pounds per square inch it is doubtful that valve 44 will be actually operated with any frequency. As a further precaution I provide an aquastat 46 in the cross-flow portion 14 of the tank. This unit is con-, ,, i ,. , . . ... .. --. ~, -- , . . . .
, , , ,: ,:
.. , . .' , ' . ' ~' ' -. ', : ', , - : . :. . - .
., , , , , . . : , .. . - : . .: ~ , : . . , 1~147~4 nected to the elements 36 to turn them off It the pressure within the tank 12 rises too high and this is thus a further safety measure beyond the relief valve 44. The aquastat 46 may be used in conjunction with the room thermostat to fur-ther limit heating of the fluid.
Connected to return line 26 is a circulation pump 48. This pump maintains the pressure within the system and also effects flow of the fluid through the system. The pump is controlled by the thermostat and is independent of the heating elements 36. Even if the elements are not oper-ating the heat transfer fluid is still circulated through the system~
Also connected to the return conduit, just before the inlets to the tank 12 are a temperature gauge 50 and a pressure gauge 52. The temperature gauge provides an indication of the temperature of the fluid as it enters the tank 12 and when -compared to the reading of temperature gauge 54 positioned in the feed conduit 32 adjacent the outlet 28 it is possible to ascertain the temperature differential of the fluid and thus the general efficiency of the system. The pressure gauge 52 is set so as to maintain the pressure within the tank 12 at the -~ predetermined operating pressure, suggestea above as being 15 pounds per square inch.
On the outlet side of the tank the manifold 30 is con-nected to an expansion tank 56 which acts as~ a further pressure control, preventing excess pressure buildup due to overheating.
The tank 56 is provided with an air purger (not shown) which continuously separates and collects any air from the heat transfer fluid. Air in the system can reduce the effective-,, : . .
.: . . . . .. ~ ~ : . . - . , :
-: - . . . . . - -: - .
:. . . : . -~
. ~ , , : . .
: . . : .
.. . . . . .
1~147~4 ness and efficiency of the heating system and can even-tually lead to maintenance problems. Such difficulties are avoided with an air purger provided as indicated.
A temperature gauge 58 provides a reading giving the temperature of the heated heat transfer fluid as it leaves the heating unit. A fluid flow valve 58 can be used to control circulation of the heat transfer fluid and a further valve, gate valve 60, may be provided, which valve is normally open but can be quickly closed to stop fluid circulation. This valve would be closed in an emergency or whenever repair work might be necessary for the overall system. A similar gate valve 62 may be provided in the return line 26. A drain valve 64 may be provided in the lowermost portion of the return line for draining fluid ! from the system. Finally, the leg portions 16 may be pro-vided with a level sensor 66 which will shut the elements 36 off should the fluid level in the heating unit 12 be too low. If the unit is adequately maintained these sensors should never operate, although they do provide an extra measure of safety.
- ....... .. . . .
.. . . . . , , , ~ . .
.. . - . . . . . . . . .
.. . .
Claims (7)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A heating unit for use in a heating system utilizing a heat transfer fluid comprising;
a heating tank of generally inverted U-shape having an upper cross-flow portion and a pair of spaced-apart leg portions in fluid communication with said cross-flow portion and depending therefrom;
a fluid inlet in each leg portion adjacent the lower-most end thereof;
a fluid outlet centrally located in the uppermost surface of said cross-flow portion; and an elongated electri-cal heating element contained in each of said leg portions and extending from the lowermost end thereof upwardly to adjacent said cross-flow portion;
whereby heat transfer fluid entering said leg portions via said inlets may be heated in said leg portions by said elements before exitting said tank via said outlet.
a heating tank of generally inverted U-shape having an upper cross-flow portion and a pair of spaced-apart leg portions in fluid communication with said cross-flow portion and depending therefrom;
a fluid inlet in each leg portion adjacent the lower-most end thereof;
a fluid outlet centrally located in the uppermost surface of said cross-flow portion; and an elongated electri-cal heating element contained in each of said leg portions and extending from the lowermost end thereof upwardly to adjacent said cross-flow portion;
whereby heat transfer fluid entering said leg portions via said inlets may be heated in said leg portions by said elements before exitting said tank via said outlet.
2. A heating unit according to claim 1 and including temperature sensing means in said cross-flow portion electri-cally connected to said heating elements to control operation of said heating elements.
3. In a heating system utilizing a heat transfer fluid, at least one radiator for transferring heat from said fluid to a space to be heated, a heating unit for heating said fluid, feed conduit means for the passage of heated fluid from said heating unit to said radiator, and return conduit means for the passage of cooled fluid from said radiator to said heating unit, the improvement wherein said heating unit com-prises:
a heating tank of generally inverted U-shape, having an upper cross-flow portion and a pair of spaced apart leg portions in fluid communication with said cross-flow portion and depending therefrom;
a fluid inlet for each leg portion positioned adjacent the lowermost end thereof and connected to said conduit means;
a fluid outlet centrally located in the uppermost surface of said cross-flow portion and connected to said feed conduit means; and an elongated electrical heating unit contained in each of said leg portions and extending from the lowermost end thereof to adjacent said cross-flow portion, the heating unit for each leg portion being centrally positioned therein;
whereby heat transfer fluid contained in said system, including said tank, radiator and conduit means, is heated in said leg portions, exits said tank via said outlet, is fed to said radiator Via said feed conduit means and after transferring heat to said space via said radiator is returned to said tank via said return conduit means.
a heating tank of generally inverted U-shape, having an upper cross-flow portion and a pair of spaced apart leg portions in fluid communication with said cross-flow portion and depending therefrom;
a fluid inlet for each leg portion positioned adjacent the lowermost end thereof and connected to said conduit means;
a fluid outlet centrally located in the uppermost surface of said cross-flow portion and connected to said feed conduit means; and an elongated electrical heating unit contained in each of said leg portions and extending from the lowermost end thereof to adjacent said cross-flow portion, the heating unit for each leg portion being centrally positioned therein;
whereby heat transfer fluid contained in said system, including said tank, radiator and conduit means, is heated in said leg portions, exits said tank via said outlet, is fed to said radiator Via said feed conduit means and after transferring heat to said space via said radiator is returned to said tank via said return conduit means.
4. The system of claim 3 including circulation pump means in said return conduit means for effecting flow of said heat transfer fluid through said system.
5. The system of claim 4 including a pressure controlled source of fresh heat transfer fluid to replenish any fluid lost from the system.
6. The system of claim 4 including means for sensing temp-erature and pressure of the heat transfer fluid in the return conduit means.
7. The system of claim 6 including means for sensing temperature of the heat transfer fluid in the feed conduit means adjacent said outlet.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA371,588A CA1114794A (en) | 1981-02-24 | 1981-02-24 | Dual zone heating unit |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA371,588A CA1114794A (en) | 1981-02-24 | 1981-02-24 | Dual zone heating unit |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1114794A true CA1114794A (en) | 1981-12-22 |
Family
ID=4119277
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA371,588A Expired CA1114794A (en) | 1981-02-24 | 1981-02-24 | Dual zone heating unit |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1114794A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2542428A1 (en) * | 1983-03-11 | 1984-09-14 | Lecerf Didier | Electrically-operated, pressureless heating boiler without expansion vessel, in particular for a domestic central heating installation |
| FR2828270A1 (en) * | 2001-08-01 | 2003-02-07 | Gretel | Electric central heating system, use two inverted U heaters one to supply radiators and other under floor circuit |
-
1981
- 1981-02-24 CA CA371,588A patent/CA1114794A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2542428A1 (en) * | 1983-03-11 | 1984-09-14 | Lecerf Didier | Electrically-operated, pressureless heating boiler without expansion vessel, in particular for a domestic central heating installation |
| FR2828270A1 (en) * | 2001-08-01 | 2003-02-07 | Gretel | Electric central heating system, use two inverted U heaters one to supply radiators and other under floor circuit |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |