IES990814A2 - Central heating - Google Patents

Abstract

A central heating reservoir (1) has heated liquid inlets (4) and cooled liquid outlets (5) and is formed for engagement on or about a central heating cylinder (20) such that heat is transferred from liquid passing between the inlets (4) and the outlets (5) to the heating cylinder (20). The reservoir (1) defines a cylinder-receiving cavity (21) that allows for retro fitting to an installed cylinder (20). Independent or interconnected radiator heating circuits are connected between the inlets (4) and the outlets (5) and additional circuits can be easily connected. <Figure 3>

Description

Traditionally the interaction between these systems occurs when water heated by a central heating boiler is passed through an internal coil of a domestic water-heating cylinder. The coil allows heat from the central heating system to be transferred to the water stored in the cylinder.

There are a number of problems associated with the use of such coils. When this method heating domestic water is used the delays can be excessive. This is true even when zone ~Jsj>lation techniques are employed. Additionally, retrofitting coils of this type to existing C“ j E/linders is not possible as the cylinders are of necessity sealed. Furthermore, the number bf central heating circuits which can be efficiently connected to the coil is limited.

There is therefore a need for a central heating system which will overcome the aforementioned problems.

/El j Accordingly, there is provided a central heating reservoir of the type having a heated liquid inlet and a cooled liquid outlet, the reservoir being formed for engagement on or about a heating cylinder such that heat is transferred from liquid passing between the inlet and outlet to the heating cylinder. In this way water or oil based heat carriers can be passed around the cylinder so that heat is efficiently transferred to the cylinder. As the reservoir is designed to engage on an exterior surface of the cylinder the system can be easily fitted to existing systems.

Preferably, the central heating reservoir defines a cavity for receiving, the. cylinder. In this way the cylinder can be snugly mounted within the cavity and securely held in position. Heat is transferred from the reservoir to the cylinder about the entire contact surface, this increased contact area greatly enhances the efficiency of heat transfer. This will reduce the IE990814 time required to heat the water in the cylinder thus improving responsiveness of the water heating system.

Preferably, the reservoir is formed as a hollow U-Section shell structure. Forming the reservoir as a shell structure results in a light component part that can be easily installed or removed.

Ideally, the water heating system is provided as a one-piece unit. This reduces the overall number of parts and allows for ease of manufacture and installation inherently reducing the overall cost of the product.

In one embodiment, a heat transferring facilitator is interposed between the reservoir and the cylinder. This allows for expansion of the component parts and reduces the risk of welding between the cylinder and the reservoir due to high temperatures while providing insulation of the water-heating cylinder to prevent reverse heat transfer.

In one embodiment, the facilitator is provided by sand.

Ideally, the reservoir is manufactured from stainless steel, copper or aluminum thereby providing the necessary heat transfer characteristic while also delivering the strength and rigidity required.

Ideally, the reservoir is provided as a cylinder-housing jacket.

Preferably, the liquid is pumped within the jacket between the inlet and the outlet.

In a further embodiment, the hot water circulates due to convection.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a central heating reservoir having a plurality of heated liquid inlets and a plurality of cooled liquid outlets, the reservoir being formed for engagement on or about a heating cylinder such that heat is transferred from liquid passing between the inlets and outlets to the heating cylinder. In IE990814 this way water or oil based heat carriers can be passed around the cylinder so that heat is efficiently transferred to the cylinder. As the reservoir is designed to engage on an exterior surface of the cylinder the system can be easily fitted to existing systems.

Ideally, the reservoir is adaptable for use in conjunction with one or more boilers.

Preferably, the reservoir incorporates means for connection to a plurality of independent or interconnected radiator circuits.

In one arrangement the reservoir incorporates an anti vacuum valve.

Preferably, the reservoir includes a safety release valve to prevent accidental damage to the system.

Preferably, the reservoir also includes an automatic air vent.

The invention will hereinafter be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show by way of example only, one embodiment of central heating reservoir according to the invention.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is an elevation view of a central heating reservoir in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the central heating reservoir of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a view of the central heating reservoir of Fig. 1 in combination with a water-heating cylinder; Fig. 4 is a plan view of a water heating system as shown in Fig. 3; IE990814 Fig. 5 is an elevation view of an alternative central heating reservoir in accordance with the invention; and Fig. 6 is an elevation view of an alternative central heating system in accordance with the invention; and Fig. 7 is a plan view of the central heating reservoir ofFig. 6.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1 and 2 there is shown a central heating reservoir in accordance with the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The reservoir 1 has two heated liquid inlets 4 and two cooled liquid outlets 5, the reservoir 1 being formed for engagement on or about a central heating cylinder 20 such that heat is transferred from liquid passing between the inlets 4 and the outlets 5 to the heating cylinder 20.

The reservoir 1 defines a cylinder receiving cavity 21 between a hollow base 2 and a connected upstanding liquid carrying sidewall 3 on the base 2. The sidewall 3 is terminated in an annular top section 6 away from the base 2, the top section carrying an anti vacuum valve 7, a safety valve 8 and an automatic air vent 9.

In use, hot water from a standard boiler system (not shown) is pumped or gravity fed via the inlets 4 through the reservoir 1 to the outlets 5. Liquid emerging from the outlets 5 can then be routed into domestic radiator circuits (not shown) supplying heating for a house.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4 there is shown a water heating system in accordance with the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 100. The water heating system 100 has the reservoir 1 connected and carrying a water-heating cylinder 20. The cylinder 20 fills the cavity 21 to ensure a maximum contact area between the reservoir 1 and the cylinder 20.

In use, hot water is pumped through the water inlets 4 and circulates within the reservoir 1.

Heat is transferred through the wall of the reservoir 1 to the contact surface of the cylinder IE990814 thereby heating the water in the cylinder 20 from locations around the entire surface area of the cylinder. Hot water from the reservoir 1 is tapped off to radiator circuits through the outlets 5.

Referring now to Fig. 5 there is shown another embodiment of a water heating system in accordance with the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 500.

In this arrangement a heat transferring facilitator 501 is interposed between the reservoir I and the cylinder 20. This allows for expansion of the component parts and reduces the risk of welding between the cylinder and the reservoir due to high temperatures while providing insulation of the water-heating cylinder to prevent reverse heat transfer.

Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7 there is shown an alternative central heating system in accordance with the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 600. The system 600 has a reservoir 601 and a domestic water cylinder 620. The central heating reservoir 601 has heated liquid inlet tappings 610, 611,612 and 613 and cooled liquid outlet tappings 614, 615, 616 and 617. The reservoir 601 is formed with a U shaped section to define a cavity for engagement on and about the heating cylinder 620 such that heat is transferred from liquid passing between the inlet tappings 610, 611, 612, 613 and the outlet tappings 614, 615, 616 and 617 to the heating cylinder 620.

The reservoir 1 may optionally be fitted with a heat exchanger shown as 603 and with an electric immersion heater 604. Heated water from the system 600 is drawn from the hot water outlet 605 and is supplied from the cold water inlet 606. As illustrated in previous embodiments this system has a safety valve 607 an automatic air vent or open vent 608 and an anti vacuum valve 609. When the system is not used to heat water in the cylinder 620 this may be achieved using a conventional immersion 618.

It is an important feature of the current invention that the reservoir is adaptable for use in conjunction with one or more boilers. This can be achieved by connecting additional tappings to the reservoir. It is also an important feature of the invention that the reservoir IE990814 incorporates means for connection to a plurality of independent or interconnected radiator circuits by way of inlet and outlet tapping combinations.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the U section shape of reservoir described and that it may equally be implemented with a base providing a seat for the cylinder. Similarly it will be appreciated that the reservoir may fully enclose the cylinder as a sealed unit. Depending on system requirement the reservoir may also be equipped with a variety of heating devices either interactively connected to a cylinder immersion or acting independently.

Claims (1)

1. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific details described herein which are given by way of example only and that various modifications and alterations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.