GB2508865A

GB2508865A - Fluid system comprising two separate fluid chambers having respective heating elements

Info

Publication number: GB2508865A
Application number: GB1222487.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jonathan David Reeves
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-12-13
Filing date: 2012-12-13
Publication date: 2014-06-18
Anticipated expiration: 2032-12-13
Also published as: GB201222487D0; GB2508865B

Abstract

The fluid system 1 comprises: a first (feed) chamber 2 having a cold fluid inlet 10,12, a first heater 14 and a first temperature controller 16,18 suitable for detecting the temperature of fluid inside the first chamber and controlling activation of the first heater based upon the detected temperature; and a second (dispensing) chamber 4 having a hot fluid outlet 26, a second heater 20 and a second temperature controller 22 suitable for detecting the temperature of fluid inside the second chamber and controlling activation of the second heater based upon the detected temperature. The first and second chambers are in fluid communication with one another via an orifice 8 or passageway. The system is preferably a water heating system whereby water is heated to a higher temperature in the second chamber than the first. The system may include a steam exhaust 28 located on an inclined upper wall 30 of the second chamber so that steam is directed towards the exhaust. The exhaust may have a steam valve, wherein the steam valve closes when water is passing through the outlet.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR HEATING WATER

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION None.

BACKGROUND TO THE PRESENT INVENTION

Conventional water tanks heat water therein and then dispense hot water when it is demanded. When hot water is dispensed the tank is then refilled with cold water and a heating element inside the tank reheats the water to the desired temperature. However, if the demand for hot water is relatively high in terms of volume or frequency, then the temperature of the water inside the tank will drop significantly because the tank will be refilled with a relatively large proportion of cold water. The heating element must then reheat all of the water in the tank, which may take a relatively long period of time. If there is demand for hot water in the meantime then this demand will not be able to be met.

It is therefore desired to provide an improved hot water tank system and an improved method of heating water.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention provides a hot water tank system comprising: a feed chamber having an inlet for a cold water pipe, a first heater element inside said chamber and a temperature control mechanism for detecting the temperature of water inside said feed chamber and controlling the activation of said heater element based on the temperature detected; and a dispenser chamber having an outlet for a hot water pipe, a second heater element inside said dispenser chamber and a temperature control mechanism for detecting the temperature of water inside said dispenser chamber and controlling the activation of said second heater element based on the temperature detected; wherein the two chambers are in fluid communication with each other through an orifice or passageway such that fluid in said feed chamber may flow into said dispenser chamber.

According to the present invention, hot water may be dispensed from the dispenser chamber and the dispenser chamber may then be refilled with heated water from the feed chamber. As such, when water is dispensed, the dispenser chamber is re-filled with relatively hot water and is not diluted with cold water as in conventional tank systems. The dispenser chamber is therefore able to maintain the water therein at a high temperature relatively easily, even if there is a frequent or relatively large demand to dispense hot water. The tank system therefore remains ready to dispense hot water for a greater proportion of time than conventional tanks.

Preferably, the inlet for the cold water pipe is arranged at the bottom of the feed chamber.

The system preferably comprises said cold water pipe and a valve associated with said cold water pipe. The cold water pipe and valve may be configured to introduce water into the feed chamber through said inlet when the valve is open and to prevent water being introduced into the feed chamber through said inlet when the valve is closed. The dispenser chamber preferably comprises a water sensor arranged and configured to detect when the dispenser chamber has been filled to a predetermined level, and the system may be configured so as to open said valve when the water level is below the predetermined level and to close said valve when water is at oi above the piedetermined level.

The tank system may comprise said hot water pipe and the hot water pipe may be arranged so as to extend into said dispenser chamber such that its exit opening is positioned below said predetermined level. In use, this allows the exit opening to remain below the surface of the water in the dispenser chamber.

The dispenser chamber preferably comprises a steam outlet arranged at the top of the dispenser chamber for allowing steam and/or air to exit the dispenser chamber. The dispenser chamber may have parallel opposing side walls and an upper wall extending between the side walls, wherein the upper wall is angled relative to a plane that is perpendicular to the side walls such that, in use, steam rises up and is directed along said upper wall towards one of the side walls. The steam outlet is preferably arranged relative to the upper wall such that rising steam is directed towards the steam outlet by the upper wall in use. The steam outlet may form part of a steam pipe in which there is located a steam valve. The tank system preferably comprises a steam valve control mechanism configured to detect when water is being dispensed from said dispenser chamber through said hot water outlet, to close said steam valve when water is being dispensed and to open said steam valve when water is not being dispensed. This prevents steam and/or air being sucked into the dispenser chamber when hot water is being dispensed.

The temperature control mechanism of the feed chamber comprises at least one temperature sensor for measuring water temperature inside the feed chamber, the at least one temperature sensor being arranged at the top and/or bottom and/or middle of the height of the feed chamber. Alternatively, the temperature control mechanism of the feed chamber may comprise a temperature sensor arranged in an upper region of the feed chamber and a temperature sensor arranged in a lower region of the feed chamber.

The temperature control mechanism of the dispenser chamber comprises at least one temperature sensor for measuring water temperature inside the dispenser chamber, the at least one temperature sensor being arranged at the top and/or bottom and/or middle of the height of the dispenser chamber. Alternatively, the temperature control mechanism of the dispenser chamber comprises a temperature sensor arranged in an upper region of the dispenser chamber and a temperature sensor arranged in a lower region of the dispenser chamber.

The temperature control mechanism in the feed chamber may be configured to activate the first heater element only until a temperature sensor in the feed chamber detects a first temperature, and the temperature control in the dispenser chamber may be configured to activate the second heater element only until a temperature sensor in the dispenser chamber detects a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature.

The heater element of the teed chamber is preterably located at the bottom of the feed chamber and/or the heater element of the dispenser chamber is preferably located at the bottom of the dispenser chamber.

The oritice or passageway between the feed chamber and the dispenser chamber preferably opens into the top of the feed chamber. The orifice or passageway between the feed chamber and the dispenser chamber may open into the top of the dispenser chamber or the bottom of the dispenser chamber.

Most preferably, the teed chamber and dispenser chamber are arranged adjacent to each other and are separated by an inter-chamber wall, and the orifice is through the inter-chamber wall. The feed chamber may be arranged side-by-side with the dispenser chamber. This is particularly preterred for a commercial tank system wherein the chambers are relatively large. Alternatively, the feed chamber may be arranged on top ot the dispenser chamber. This arrangement is particularly preterred for a non-commercial or domestic tank system that is required to relatively small and compact.

Although the invention has been described as being suitable for heating water, it will be appreciated that the tank system may be used to heat other fluids instead of water.

The present invention also provides a method ot heating water in a hot water tank system comprising: providing a feed chamber having a tirst heater element therein; maintaining water in the feed chamber at a preset temperature using said heater element; providing a dispenser chamber having a second heater element therein; maintaining water in the dispenser chamber at a preset temperature using said second heater element; dispensing heated water from said dispenser chamber; and retilling said dispenser chamber with heated water from said feed chamber.

The hot water tank system used in this method may be the tank system described above and may include any one or combination of optional teatures described in relation thereto.

According to a preferred method, the feed chamber and dispenser chamber may be interconnected by an oritice or passageway and the orifice or passageway is arranged such that as water is dispensed from the dispenser chamber, heated water automatically flows from the teed chamber into the dispenser chamber through said orifice or passageway.

The method preferably comprises feeding cold water into the feed chamber when or after hot water is dispensed from the dispenser chamber, such that the cold water displaces heated water in the feed chamber in a manner that it passes into the dispenser chamber through the oritice or passageway.

A water sensor preferably detects it the dispenser chamber has been filled with water to a predetermined level, and cold water is then automatically fed into the feed chamber when the water sensor detects that the water level in the dispenser chamber is below the predetermined lever. Cold water may be prevented from entering the feed chamber when the water sensor detects water above or at the predetermined level in the dispenser chamber. The water sensor preterably controls a valve in a cold water pipe arranged to feed cold water into the teed chamber.

The method may comprise providing a steam pipe at the top of said dispenser chamber for allowing steam to exit said dispenser chamber, and controlling a valve in the steam pipe so as to close the steam pipe when hot water is being dispensed from dispenser chamber and to open the steam pipe at other times.

Although the method has been described as for heating water, it will be appreciated that the method may heat other fluids instead of water. Accordingly, the present invention also provides a method of heating fluid in a tank system comprising: providing a feed chamber having a first heater element therein; maintaining fluid in the feed chamber at a preset temperature using said heater element; providing a dispenser chamber having a second heater element therein; maintaining fluid in the dispenser chamber at a preset temperature using said second heater element; dispensing heated fluid from said dispenser chamber; and refilling said dispenser chamber with heated fluid from said feed chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a tank system wherein the feed chamber and dispenser chamber are arranged side by side; and Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of a tank system wherein the feed chamber and dispenser chamber are arranged one on top of the other.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a tank 1 according to the present invention, comprising two hot water chambers 2,4 provided side by side. A feed chamber 2 is provided adjacent a dispenser chamber 4 and the chambers 2,4 are separated by an inter-chamber wall 6. The two chambers 2,4 are in fluid communication with each other via an orifice 8 in the inter-chamber wall 6. A cold water pipe 10 is provided for supplying cold water into the feed chamber 2. The cold water pipe 10 preferably has its outlet 12 arranged at the bottom of the feed chamber 2. The feed chamber 2 comprises a heating element 14 for heating the water within the feed chamber 2. The feed chamber 2 also has two temperature sensors 16,18 for monitoring the temperature of water within the feed chamber 2 and for use in controlling the heating element 14 based on the temperature detected.

The dispenser chamber 4 also comprises a heating element 20 for heating the water within the dispenser chamber 4. The dispenser chamber 4 also has a temperature sensor 22 for monitoring the temperature of water within the dispenser chamber 4 and for use in controlling the heating element 20 based on the temperature detected. The temperature sensor 22 is arranged away from the heater element 20 and in the upper region of the dispenser chamber 4. The dispenser chamber 4 also comprises a water lever sensor 24 for controlling when the tank 1 is filled by water from the cold water pipe 10. A hot water outlet pipe 26 extends from inside the dispenser chamber 4 to outside of the dispenser chamber 4 for dispensing hot water from the dispenser chamber 410 a user.

The opening in the end of the hot water pipe 26 that is within the dispenser chamber 4 is arranged in the chamber 4 below the level of the water sensor 24. A steam pipe 28 also extends from inside the dispenser chamber 4 to outside of the dispenser chamber 4 for allowing steam to exit the dispenser chamber 4. The opening in the end of the steam pipe 28 that is within the dispenser chamber 4 is arranged in the chamber 4 above the level of the water sensor 24.

The upper wall 30 of the chamber 4 extends in a plane which is angled relative to the suiface of the water 32 in the dispenser chamber 4. The upper wall 30 rises upwaids away from the surface of the water 32 in the direction from the inter-chamber wall 6 to the opposite wall 34 of the dispenser chamber 4. The headspace 36 above the surface of the water 32 therefore increases in a direction from the inter-chamber wall 6 towards the opposite wall 34. The opening in the steam pipe 28 is located adjacent the opposite wall 34.

The operation of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 will now be described. Cold water is fed into the feed chamber 2 from the cold water pipe 10. The water fills up the feed chamber 2 and then begins to pass through the orifice 8 in the inter-chamber wall 6.

The dispenser chamber 4 then begins to fill with water until the water reaches the water sensor 24. At this point in time the water sensor 24 activates a valve that shuts off the cold water feed from the cold water pipe 10. Once the water has reached the water sensor 24, temperature control circuits are activated and the temperature sensors 16,18,22 determine the temperature of water in the two chambers 2,4. The temperature control circuit controls the heater element 14 in the feed chamber 2 until the temperature sensors 16,18 detect the desired temperature, which is preferably 94 to 95 degrees centigrade. The temperature control circuit also controls the heater element 20 in the dispenser chamber 4 until the temperature sensor 22 detects the desired temperature, which is preferably 96 degrees centigrade.

When a user wishes to draw hot water from the dispenser chamber 4 a valve is activated to open the conduit through the hot water pipe 26. The opening to the hot water pipe 26 is below the level of the water sensor 24, preferably by 1 to 3 centimetres, and so is below the surface of the water 32. Hot water then leaves the dispenser chamber 4 through the hot water pipe 26 and is delivered to the user. This causes the water level 32 in the dispenser chamber 4 to drop below the level of the water sensor 24. When this occurs, the valve in the conduit of the cold water pipe 10 is opened again and cold water is filled into the bottom of the feed chamber 2. This displaces water at the top of the feed chamber 2, which has been preheated in the feed chamber 2 by the heating element 14, such that this preheated water passes through the orifice 8 in the inter-chamber wall 6 and into the dispenser chamber 4. The dispenser chamber 4 is therefore topped up with pre-heated water and the level of water in the dispenser chamber 4 rises until the surface of the water 32 meets the water sensor 24. At this point in time, the valve in the cold water pipe 10 is closed again such that cold water is prevented from being introduced into the feed chamber 2.

If movement of water from the feed chamber 2 into the dispenser chamber 4 causes the temperature of the water in the dispenser chamber 4 to drop slightly and undesirably then this will be detected by the temperature sensor 22 and the water will be heated to the desired temperature for dispensing. It will be appreciated that heat will be lost from the dispenser chamber 4 over time and the temperature sensor 22 and temperature control circuits also serve to counteract this heat loss.

When cold water is introduced into the feed chamber 2 this will be detected by one or both of the temperature sensors 16,18 and the control circuits will activate the heater element l4so as to heat the water until one or both of the temperature sensors 16,18 detect the desired temperature. The provision of both lower and upper temperature sensors 16,18 enables the lower temperature sensor 16 to detect the influx of cold water relatively quickly and activate the heater element 14. In contrast, the upper temperature sensor 18 monitors the temperature of the water in the upper region of the feed chamber 2, which is the water that will move into the dispenser chamber 4 for refilling it. The upper temperature sensor 18 therefore ensures that the water in the upper region of the feed chamber 2 is maintained at the desired temperature, e.g. to counteract heat loss from the feed chamber 2.

It will be appreciated that the dual chamber tank system 1 of the present invention prevents the hot water in the dispenser chamber 4 from being significantly diluted with cold water when water is being dispensed to a user and the tank 1 is consequently being refilled with cold water. Rather, the dispenser chamber 4 is refilled with water that has already been heated in the feed chamber 2. The dispenser chamber 4 is therefore only required to reheat the water in the dispenser chamber 4 by a relatively small amount, if at all, after it has been refilled to replace the water dispensed to the user. The dispenser chamber 4 is therefore able to maintain the water therein at a high temperature relatively easily, even when hot water is being dispensed and the chamber 4 is being refilled.

It will be appreciated that heating the water in the dispenser chamber 4 may cause steam to be generated. This steam rises upwards from the surface of the water 32 and because the top wall 30 of the dispenser chamber 4 is sloped upwards, the steam is directed along the top wall 30 and towards the steam outlet 28. The opening to the steam outlet 28 is above the water sensor 24 and hence above the surface of the water 32, enabling steam to exit the dispenser chamber 4. Any air present in the dispenser chamber 4 may also exit through the steam outlet 28. This ensures that air and steam do not build up at the top of the dispenser chamber 4 and force their way into the hot water pipe 26 whilst water is being dispensed from the dispenser chamber 4. Spluttering of the water at the dispensing end of the hot water pipe 26 is therefore prevented.

The steam outlet 28 is connected to a steam pipe which preferably has a valve therein. This valve is automatically controlled such that when hot water is being dispensed out of the dispenser chamber 4 the valve closes, and when hot water is not being dispensed out of the dispenser chamber 4 the valve opens. The valve prevents steam and/or air being drawn into the dispenser chamber 4 by the falling pressure within the dispenser chamber 4 when hot water is being dispensed from the chamber 4 through the hot water pipe 26. The valve is preferably a solenoid valve.

Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of a tank 1 according to the present invention.

The tank and chambers are substantially the same as those described in relation to Fig. 1, except that the two chambers are stacked one top of the other. Accordingly, like elements have been designated with the same reference numbers. A lower feed chamber 2 is provided adjacent an upper dispenser chamber 4 and the chambers 2,4 are separated by an inter-chamber wall 6. The two chambers 2,4 are in fluid communication with each other via an orifice 8 in the inter-chamber wall 6. A cold water pipe 10 is provided for supplying cold water into the feed chamber 2. The cold water pipe 10 in Fig. 2 extends through both chambers 2,4, although it may bypass the chambers 2,4 and enter only the feed chamber 2 through a side or bottom wall of the feed chamber 2. The cold water pipe 10 preferably has its outlet 12 arranged at the bottom of the feed chamber 2. The feed chamber 2 comprises a heating element 14 for heating the water within the feed chamber 2. The feed chamber 2 also has two temperature sensors 16,18 for monitoring the temperature of water within the feed chamber 2 and for use in controlling the heating element 14 based on the temperature detected.

The dispenser chamber 4 also comprises a heating element 20 for heating the water within the dispenser chamber 4. The dispenser chamber 4 also has a temperature sensor 22 for monitoring the temperature of water within the dispenser chamber 4 and for use in controlling the heating element 20 based on the temperature detected. The temperature sensor 22 is arranged away from the heater element 20 and in the upper region of the dispenser chamber 4. The dispenser chamber 4 also comprises a water lever sensor 24 for controlling when the tank 1 is filled by water from the cold water pipe 10. A hot water outlet pipe 26 extends from inside the dispenser chamber 4 to outside of the dispenser chamber 4 for dispensing hot water from the dispenser chamber 4 to a user.

The upper wall 30 of the dispenser chamber 4 extends in a plane which is angled relative to the surface of the water 32 in the dispenser chamber 4. The upper wall 30 rises upwards away from the surface of the water 32 in the direction from one side wall of the chamber 38 to the opposite side wall of the chamber 34. The headspace 36 above the surface of the water 32 therefore increases in a direction from one side wall of the chamber 38 to the opposite side wall of the chamber 34. The opening in the steam pipe 28 is located adjacent the opposite wall 34.

The operation of the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 will now be described. Cold water is fed into the feed chamber 2 from the cold water pipe 10. The water fills up the feed chamber 2 and then begins to pass through the orifice 8 in the inter-chamber wall 6.

When a user wishes to draw hot water from the dispenser chamber 4 a valve is activated to open the conduit through the hot water pipe 26. The opening to the hot water pipe 26 is below the level of the water sensor 24, preferably by 1 to 3 centimetres, and so is below the surface of the water 32. Hot watei then leaves the dispensei chamber 4 through the hot water pipe 26 and is delivered to the user. This causes the water level 32 in the dispenser chamber 4 to drop below the level of the water sensor 24. When this occurs, the valve in the conduit of the cold water pipe 10 is opened again and cold water is filled into the bottom of the feed chamber 2. This displaces water at the top of the feed chamber 2, which has been preheated in the feed chamber 2 by the heating element 14, such that this preheated water passes through the orifice 8 in the inter-chamber wall 6 and into the dispenser chamber 4. The dispenser chamber 4 is therefore topped up with pre-heated water and the level of water in the dispenser chamber 4 rises until the surface of the water 32 meets the water sensor 24. At this point in time, the valve in the cold water pipe 10 is closed again such that cold water is prevented from being introduced into the feed chamber 2.

If movement of water from the feed chamber 2 into the dispenser chamber 4 causes the temperature of the water in the dispenser chamber 4 to drop slightly and undesirably then this will be detected by the temperature sensor 22 in the dispenser chamber 4 and the water in this chamber 4 will be heated to the desired temperature for dispensing. It will be appreciated that heat will be lost from the dispenser chamber 4 over time and the temperature sensor 22 and temperature control circuits also serve to counteract this heat loss.

When cold water is introduced into the feed chamber 2 this will be detected by one or both of the temperature sensors 16,18 and the control circuits will activate the heater element 14 so as to heat the water until one or both of the temperature sensors 16,18 detect the desired temperature. The provision of both lower and upper temperature sensors 16,18 enables the lower temperature sensor 16 to detect the influx of cold water relatively quickly and activate the heater element 14. In contrast, the upper temperature sensor 18 monitors the temperature of the water in the upper region of the feed chamber 2, which is the water that will move into the dispenser chamber 4 for refilling it. The upper temperature sensor 16 therefore ensures that the water in the upper region of the feed chamber 2 is maintained at the desired temperature, e.g. to counteract heat loss from the feed chamber 2.

It will be appreciated that the dual chamber tank system 1 of this embodiment prevents the hot water in the dispenser chamber 4 from being significantly diluted with cold water when water is being dispensed to a user and the tank 1 is consequently being refilled with cold water. Rather, the dispenser chamber 4 is refilled with water that has already been heated in the feed chamber 2. The dispenser chamber 4 is therefore only required to reheat the water in the dispenser chamber 4 by a relatively small amount, if at all, after it has been refilled to replace the water dispensed to the user. The dispenser chamber 4 is therefore able to maintain the water therein at a high temperature relatively easily, even when hot water is being dispensed and the chamber 4 is being refilled.

It will be appreciated that heating the water in the dispenser chamber 4 may cause steam to be generated. This steam rises upwards from the surface of the water 32 and because the top wall 30 of the dispenser chamber 4 is sloped upwards, the steam is directed along the top wall 30 and towards the steam outlet 28. The opening to the steam outlet 28 is above the water sensor 24 and hence above the surface of the water 32, enabling steam to exit the dispenser chamber 4. Any air present in the dispenser chamber 4 may also exit through the steam outlet 28. This ensures that air and steam do not build up at the top of the dispenser chamber 4 and force their way into the hot water pipe 26 whilst water is being dispensed from the dispenser chamber 4. Spluttering of the water at the dispensing end of the hot water pipe 2 is therefore prevented.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the accompanying claims.

For example, the chambers 2,4 may be steel lined chambers, preferably lined with stainless steel. Preferably, the heating elements 14,20 are coated in stainless steel and all internal elements in the chambers 2,4 may be made from or coated with stainless steel.

One or both chambers 2,4 may be surrounded in a heat insulating material, such as heat insulation foam. The insulating material may be formed as a one piece sleeve to be slid over the chambers 2,4 to keep the heat in.

It will also be appreciated that the valves discussed herein may be automatically controlled valves, such as solenoid operated valves. For example, the water sensor 24 preferably automatically controls the valve in the cold water feed pipe lOso as to fill the tank 1 with cold water when the water level 32 is below the water sensor 24.

Although the orifice 8 has been described herein as an orifice 8 in the inter-chamber wall 6 of two adjoined chambers 2,4, it is contemplated that in a less preferred arrangement the chambers 2,4 could be in fluid communication via a passageway, such as a pipe. In such an arrangement, the feed chamber 2 and dispenser chamber 4 may be spaced apart from each other and connected by the passageway. Water is preferably not pumped between the chambers 2,4, but the chambers, orifice 8 and cold water feed 10 are arranged relative to each other and the cold water feed 10 is controlled such that when the water level 32 drops in the dispenser chamber 4 then water is biased from the feed chamber 2 into the dispenser chamber 4 through the orifice or passageway.

It is also contemplated that the present invention may be used to heat fluids other than water. -10-

Claims

Claims: 1. A hot water tank system comprising: a feed chamber having an inlet for a cold water pipe, a first heater element inside said chamber and a temperature control mechanism for detecting the temperature of water inside said feed chamber and controlling the activation of said heater element based on the temperature detected; and a dispenser chamber having an outlet for a hot water pipe, a second heater element inside said dispenser chamber and a temperature control mechanism for detecting the temperature of water inside said dispenser chamber and controlling the activation of said second heater element based on the temperature detected; wherein the two chambers are in fluid communication with each other through an orifice or passageway such that fluid in said feed chamber may flow into said dispenser chamber.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the inlet for the cold water pipe is arranged at the bottom of the feed chamber.
3. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the system comprises said cold water pipe and a valve associated with said cold water pipe, and wherein said cold water pipe and valve are configured to introduce water into the feed chamber through said inlet when the valve is open and to prevent water being introduced into the feed chamber through said inlet when the valve is closed.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the dispenser chamber comprises a water sensor arranged and configured to detect when the dispenser chamber has been filled with water to a predetermined level, and wherein the system is configured so as to open said valve when the water level is below the predetermined level and to close said valve when water is at or above the predetermined level.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the tank comprises said hot water pipe and the hot water pipe is arranged so as to extend into said dispenser chamber such that its exit opening is positioned below said predetermined level, such that in use the exit opening is below the surface of the water in the dispenser chamber.
6. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the dispenser chamber comprises a steam outlet arranged at the top of the dispenser chamber for allowing steam and/or air to exit the dispenser chamber.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the dispenser chamber has parallel opposing side walls and an upper wall extending between the side walls, wherein the upper wall is angled relative to a plane that is perpendicular to the side walls such that, in use, steam rises up and is directed along said upper wall towards one of the side walls.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the steam outlet is arranged relative to said upper wall such that rising steam is directed towards the steam outlet by the upper wall in use.
9. The system of claim 6, 7 or 8, wherein the steam outlet forms part of a steam pipe in which there is located a steam valve, wherein the tank system comprises a steam valve control mechanism configured to detect when water is being dispensed from said dispenser chamber through said hot water outlet, to close said steam valve when water is being dispensed and to open said steam valve when water is not being dispensed.
10. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the temperature control mechanism of the feed chamber comprises at least one temperature sensor for measuring water temperature inside the feed chamber, the at least one temperature sensor being arranged at the top and/or bottom and/or middle of the height of the feed chamber; or wherein the temperature control mechanism of the feed chamber comprises a temperature sensor arranged in an upper region of the feed chamber and a temperature sensor arranged in a lower region of the feed chamber.
11. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the temperature control mechanism of the dispenser chamber comprises at least one temperature sensor for measuring water temperature inside the dispenser chamber, the at least one temperature sensor being arranged at the top and/or bottom and/or middle of the height of the dispenser chamber; or wherein the temperature control mechanism of the dispenser chamber comprises a temperature sensor arranged in an upper region of the dispenser chamber and a temperature sensor arranged in a lower region of the dispenser chamber.
12. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the temperature control mechanism of the feed chamber is configured to activate the first heater element only until a temperature sensor in the feed chamber detects a first temperature, and wherein the temperature control mechanism of the dispenser chamber is configured to activate the second heater element only until a temperature sensor in the dispenser chamber detects a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature.
13. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the heater element of the feed chamber is located at the bottom of the feed chamber and/or wherein the heater element of the dispenser chamber is located at the bottom of the dispenser chamber.
14. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the orifice or passageway between the feed chamber and the dispenser chamber opens into the top of the feed chamber.
15. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the orifice or passageway between the feed chamber and the dispenser chamber opens into the top of the dispenser chamber. -12-
16. The system of any one of claims 1-14, wherein the orifice or passageway between the feed chamber and the dispenser chamber opens into the bottom of the dispenser chamber.
17. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the feed chamber and dispenser chamber are arranged adjacent to each other and are separated by an inter-chamber wall, and wherein the orifice is through the inter-chamber wall.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the feed chamber is arranged side-by-side with the dispenser chamber.
19. The system of claim 17, wherein the feed chamber is arranged on top of the dispenser chamber.
20. A method of heating water in a hot water tank system comprising: providing a feed chamber having a first heater element therein; maintaining water in the feed chamber at a preset temperature using said heater element; providing a dispenser chamber having a second heater element therein; maintaining water in the dispenser chamber at a preset temperature using said second heater element; dispensing heated water from said dispenser chamber; and refilling said dispenser chamber with heated water from said feed chamber.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the hot water tank system is a tank system as claimed in any one of the claims 1-19.
22. The method of claim 20 or 21, wherein the feed chamber and dispenser chamber are interconnected by an orifice or passageway and wherein the orifice or passageway is arranged such that as water is dispensed from the dispenser chamber, heated water automatically flows from the feed chamber into the dispenser chamber through said orifice or passageway.
23. The method of claim 20, 21 or 22, comprising feeding cold water into the feed chamber when or after hot water is dispensed from the dispenser chamber, such that the cold water displaces heated water in the feed chamber in a manner that it passes into the dispenser chamber through the orifice or passageway.
24. The method of any one of claims 20-23, wherein a water sensor detects if the dispenser chamber has been filled with water to a predetermined level, and wherein cold water automatically is fed into the feed chamber when the water sensor detects that the water level in the dispenser chamber is below the predetermined lever and cold water is -13-prevented from entering the feed chamber when the water sensor detects water above or at the predetermined level in the dispenser chamber.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein the water sensor controls a valve in a cold water pipe arranged to feed cold water into the feed chamber.
26. The method of any one of claims 20-25, comprising providing a steam pipe at the top of said dispenser chamber for allowing steam to exit said dispenser chamber, and controlling a valve in the steam pipe so as to close the steam pipe when hot water is being dispensed from dispenser chamber and to open the steam pipe at other times.
27. A method of heating fluid in a tank system comprising: providing a feed chamber having a first heater element therein; maintaining fluid in the feed chamber at a preset temperature using said heater element; providing a dispenser chamber having a second heater element therein; maintaining fluid in the dispenser chamber at a preset temperature using said second heater element; dispensing heated fluid from said dispenser chamber; and refilling said dispenser chamber with heated fluid from said feed chamber. -14-Amendment to the claims have been filed as follows Claims: 1. A hot water tank system comprising: a feed chamber having an inlet for a cold water pipe, a first heater element inside said chamber and a temperature control mechanism for detecting the temperature of water inside said feed chamber and controlling the activation of said heater element based on the temperature detected; and a dispenser chamber having an outlet for a hot water pipe, a steam outlet arranged at the top of the dispenser chamber for allowing steam to exit the dispenser chamber, a second heater element inside said dispenser chamber and a temperature control mechanism for detecting the temperature of water inside said dispenser chamber and controlling the activation of said second heater element based on the temperature detected; wherein the two chambers are in fluid communication with each other through an orifice or passageway such that fluid in said feed chamber may flow into :.". said dispenser chamber; and * * wherein the temperature control mechanism of the feed chamber is * : * : 20 configured to activate the first heater element only until a temperature sensor in the * ** feed chamber detects a first temperature, and wherein the temperature control * * "s mechanism of the dispenser chamber is configured to activate the second heater element only until a temperature sensor in the dispenser chamber detects a second * temperature that is higher than the first temperature. 5s* 52. The system of claim 1, wherein the inlet for the cold water pipe is arranged at the bottom of the feed chamber.3. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the system comprises said cold water pipe and a valve associated with said cold water pipe, and wherein said cold water pipe and valve are configured to introduce water into the feed chamber through said inlet when the valve is open and to prevent water being introduced into the feed chamber through said inlet when the valve is closed.4. The system of claim 3, wherein the dispenser chamber comprises a water sensor arranged and configured to detect when the dispenser chamber has been filled with water to a predetermined level, and wherein the system is configured so as to open said valve when the water level is below the predetermined level and to close said valve when water is at or above the predetermined level. *15. The system of claim 4, wherein the tank comprises said hot water pipe and the hot water pipe is arranged so as to extend into said dispenser chamber such that its exit opening is positioned below said predetermined level, such that in use the exit opening is below the surface of the water in the dispenser chamber.6. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the dispenser chamber has parallel opposing side walls and an upper wall extending between the side walls, wherein the upper wall is angled relative to a plane that is perpendicular to the side walls such that, in use, steam rises up and is directed along said upper wall towards one of the side walls.7. The system of claim 6, wherein the steam outlet is arranged relative to said upper wall such that rising steam is directed towards the steam outlet by the upper wall in use.8. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the steam outlet forms part of a steam pipe in which there is located a steam valve, wherein the tank system :.. comprises a steam valve control mechanism configured to detect when water is * * being dispensed from said dispenser chamber through said ht water outlet, to r": 20 close said steam valve when water is being dispensed and to open said steam *:*::* valve when water is not being dispensed.9. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the temperature control mechanism of the feed chamber comprises at least one temperature sensor for *: 25 measuring water temperature inside the feed chamber, the at least one temperature sensor being arranged at the top and/or bottom and/or middle of the height of the feed chamber; or wherein the temperature control mechanism of the feed chamber comprises a temperature sensor arranged in an upper region of the feed chamber and a temperature sensor arranged in a lower region of the feed chamber.10. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the temperature control mechanism of the dispenser chamber comprises at least one temperature sensor for measuring water temperature inside the dispenser chamber, the at least one temperature sensor being arranged at the top and/or bottom and/or middle of the height of the dispenser chamber; or wherein the temperature control mechanism of the dispenser chamber comprises a temperature sensor arranged in an upper region of the dispenser chamber and a temperature sensor arranged in a lower region of the dispenser chamber.11. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the heater element of the feed chamber is located at the bottom of the feed chamber and/or wherein the heater element of the dispenser chamber is located at the bottom of the dispenser chamber.12. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the orifice or passageway between the feed chamber and the dispenser chamber opens into the top of the feed chamber.13. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the orifice or passageway between the feed chamber and the dispenser chamber opens into the top of the dispenser chamber.14. The system of any one of claims 1-12, wherein the orifice or passageway between the feed chamber and the dispenser chamber opens into the bottom of the dispenser chamber.15. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the feed chamber and * * dispenser chamber are arranged adjacent to each other and are separated by an 20 inter-chamberwall, and wherein the orifice is through the inter-chamberwall.16. The system of claim 15, wherein the feed chamber is arranged side-by-side with the dispenser chamber.L: 25 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the feed chamber is arranged on top of the dispenser chamber.18. The system of claim 4, wherein the steam outlet is arranged in the dispenser chamber above the predetermined level.19. A method of heating water in a hot water tank system comprising: providing a feed chamber having a first heater element therein; heating water in the feed chamber to a preset temperature using said heater element; providing a dispenser chamber having a second heater element therein and a steam outlet arranged at the top of the dispenser chamber for allowing steam to exit the dispenser chamber; heating water in the dispenser chamber to a preset temperature using said second heater element, wherein the preset temperature of the water in the * dispenser chamber is higher than the preset temperature of the water in the feed chamber; dispensing heated water from said dispenser chamber; and refilling said dispenser chamber with heated water from said feed chamber.20. The method of claim 19, wherein the hot water tank system is a tank system as claimed in any one of the claims 1-18.21. The method of claim 19 or 20, wherein the feed chamber and dispenser chamber are interconnected by an orifice or passageway and wherein the orifice or passageway is arranged such that as water is dispensed from the dispenser chamber, heated water automatically flows from the feed chamber into the dispenser chamber through said orifice or passageway.22. The method of claim 21, comprising feeding cold water into the feed chamber when or after hot water is dispensed from the dispenser chamber, such that the cold water displaces heated water in the feed chamber in a manner that it passes into the dispenser chamber through the orifice or passageway.r 20 23. The method of any one of claims 19-22, wherein a water sensor detects if the dispenser chamber has been filled with water to a predetermined level, and wherein cold water automatically is fed into the feed chamber when the water sensor detects that the water level in the dispenser chamber is below the predetermined lever and cold water is prevented from entering the feed chamber L: 25 when the water sensor detects water above or at the predetermined level in the dispenser chamber.24. The method of claim 23, wherein the water sensor controls a valve in a cold water pipe arranged to feed cold water into the feed chamber.25. The method of claim 23 or 24, wherein the steam outlet is arranged in the dispenser chamber above the predetermined level.26. The method of any one of claims 20-25, comprising providing a steam pipe at the top of said dispenser chamber for allowing steam to exit said dispenser chamber, wherein the steam outlet forms part of the steam pipe, and controlling a valve in the steam pipe so as to close the steam pipe when hot water is being dispensed from dispenser chamber and to open the steam pipe at other times.