U.S. patent application number 12/435126 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-17 for heat exchange system.
Invention is credited to Steve Donnelly, Daniel Leblanc, Guy Lemire, Marco Morin, Dominyk Roy.
Application Number | 20090308569 12/435126 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41265536 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090308569 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Roy; Dominyk ; et
al. |
December 17, 2009 |
HEAT EXCHANGE SYSTEM
Abstract
The present invention relates a novel heat exchange system. More
particularly, the invention concerns a heat exchange system for use
in bathing apparatus, including showers, bathtubs and whirlpools.
Advantageously, this system is simple to install, maintain and
clean and can easily be integrated in a limitless variety of
bathing apparatus.
Inventors: |
Roy; Dominyk; (Quebec,
CA) ; Donnelly; Steve; (Quebec, CA) ; Lemire;
Guy; (Quebec, CA) ; Leblanc; Daniel; (Quebec,
CA) ; Morin; Marco; (Quebec, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Diane Dunn McKay, Esq.;PORZIO, BROMBERG & NEWMAN, P.C.
Suite 201, 29 Thanet Road
Princeton
NJ
08540
US
|
Family ID: |
41265536 |
Appl. No.: |
12/435126 |
Filed: |
May 4, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61050018 |
May 2, 2008 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
165/53 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02B 30/56 20130101;
F28D 9/0062 20130101; F24D 2200/20 20130101; F28F 2270/00 20130101;
Y02B 30/566 20130101; F28D 21/0012 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/53 |
International
Class: |
F24H 9/00 20060101
F24H009/00 |
Claims
1. A heat exchange system comprising a bathing apparatus with a
drain element and a heat exchange element having a generally flat
surface, wherein said heat exchange element is positioned against
the bottom surface of said bathing apparatus and serves a platform
surface upon which a bather can stand or sit.
2. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 1, further comprising
a gasket to seal said heat exchange element within said bathing
apparatus.
3. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 1, wherein a
non-conductive material is applied partially or completely on the
surface of the heat exchange element.
4. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 1, further comprising
one or more dams or dam-like elements.
5. A heat exchange system comprising a bathing apparatus with a
drain element, a heat exchange element having a generally flat
surface, wherein said heat exchange element is positioned against
the bottom surface of said bathing apparatus and a cover made of a
non-conductive material serving as a platform surface upon which a
bather can stand or sit.
6. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 5, wherein said
bathing apparatus includes one or more spacers.
7. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 5, wherein said cover
is made of one piece or multiple pieces of non-conductive
material.
8. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 7, wherein said cover
is made of multiple pieces having different thicknesses.
9. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 7, wherein said cover
is made of multiple pieces having similar thicknesses.
10. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 5, wherein said
cover includes one or more openings or the equivalent thereof to
allow water to reach said heat exchange element.
11. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 5, further
comprising one or more dams or dam-like elements.
12. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 5, further
comprising a series of discontinuous dividers or the equivalent
thereof.
13. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 5, further
comprising a water channel that surrounds the opening of the
bathing apparatus.
14. A heat exchange system comprising a bathing apparatus with a
drain element, wherein said bathing apparatus is made of a
conductive material that is suitable for heat exchange and wherein
said bathing apparatus includes a platform surface upon which a
bather can stand or sit.
15. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 11, wherein said
platform surface is made of or at least partially covered with a
non-conductive material.
16. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 11, wherein said
system includes a surrounding channel or the equivalent
thereof.
17. A heat exchange system comprising a bathing apparatus with a
drain element, and one or more heat exchange elements within said
bathing apparatus, wherein said bathing apparatus includes a
platform surface upon which a bather can stand or sit.
18. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 17, wherein said
heat exchange elements are generally rectangular in shape.
19. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 1, wherein said heat
exchange elements is a metal, concrete, stone, a composite
comprising a polymer or graphite.
20. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 5, wherein said
non-conductive material is plastic, a composite material, wood, a
wood-like material, a material including wood, bamboo, organic
materials, glass or ceramic.
21. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 20, wherein said
wood is optionally treated.
22. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 1, which is water
tight.
23. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 1, which is part of
a shower, bath or whirlpool.
24. A heat exchanger system as defined in claim 1, which has at
least one inlet and one outlet for water to flow inside said heat
exchange element before being sent to a mixer or hot water
tank.
25. A heat exchanger system as defined in claim 1, which has at
least one inlet and one outlet for water to flow inside said heat
exchange element before being sent to a reservoir.
26. A heat exchange system comprising a bathing apparatus and a
heat exchange element, wherein said heat exchange element is in the
bottom of said bathing apparatus, flush with the bottom surface
thereof and covered with a non conductive material so that a bather
is not directly in contact with said heat exchange element.
27. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 26, wherein water
accumulates behind a dam with at least one controlled opening
before reaching the drainage system without restriction.
28. A heat exchange system comprising a bathing apparatus and a
heat exchange element, wherein said heat exchange element is in the
bottom of said bathing apparatus, flush with the bottom surface,
and wherein a bather is in direct contact with said heat exchange
element.
29. A heat exchange system as defined in claim 28, wherein water
accumulates behind a dam with at least one controlled opening
before reaching the drainage system without restriction.
30. A heat exchange system comprising a bathing apparatus and a
heat exchange element, wherein said heat exchange element is in the
bottom of said bathing apparatus, flush with the bottom surface
thereof and covered with a non conductive material so that a bather
is not directly in contact with said heat exchange element, and
wherein all the waste water is channeled away from the drain in
said bathing apparatus in order to have all the waste water flow on
said heat exchange element before reaching the drainage system
without restriction.
31. A heat exchange system comprising a bathing apparatus and a
heat exchange element, wherein said heat exchange element is in the
bottom of said bathing apparatus, flush with the bottom surface
thereof and covered with a non conductive material so that a bather
is not directly in contact with said heat exchange element, wherein
all the waste water is directed to flow on at least one side of
said heat exchange element, and wherein water waste water
accumulates behind one or more dams or dam-like elements with at
least one controlled opening before reaching the drain without
restriction.
32. A heat exchange system comprising a bathing apparatus and a
heat exchange element, wherein said bathing apparatus is surrounded
with a channel and the bottom of said channel is the heat
exchanger, and wherein all the waste water is channeled away from
the drain in said bathing apparatus in order to have all the waste
water flow on said heat exchange element before reaching the
drainage system without restriction.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 09/850,239 filed May 7, 2001, which claims priority on
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/202,250 filed May 5,
2000, hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference into this
application.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates a novel heat exchange system.
More particularly, the invention relates to a heat exchange system
for use with bathing apparatus, including showers, bathtubs and
whirlpools, that is easy to install, maintain and clean.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Heat exchange systems for use with showers or other bathing
apparatus are known in the art. They are used to recover heat from
hot or warm waste water. In each of these systems, the spent water
flows on one side of a heat exchanger before flowing out into the
drainage system. Incoming cold water flows on the other side of the
heat exchanger element and is thereby preheated before being mixed
in a mixer with hot water or before entering a hot water heating
device to be heated further.
[0004] Sample patent applications and patents in the field include
the following: Canadian Patent Application No. 2,566,351; Canadian
Patent Application No. 2,559,296; United States Patent Application
Publication No. 2004/0194916; International Patent Application No.
PCT/SE00/01548; International Patent Application No.
PCT/US2007/019689; International Patent Application No.
PCT/GB2008/002129; UK Patent GB 2 052 698; German Patent No. DE
3319638; German Patent No. DE 3804534; German Patent No. DE
3919544; German Patent No. DE3932871; German Patent No. DE 4406971;
German Patent No. DE 8600554; German Patent No. DE 19723148; German
Patent No. DE 29709630; German Patent No. DE 29717073; German
Patent No. DE 29806939; German Patent No. DE 29815304; German
Patent Publication No. DE 202007007907; and Dutch Patent No. NL
1014215.
[0005] In many instances, the heat exchanger is installed beyond
the drain of the bathing apparatus and thus comes into with warm
waste water after the water has flowed through the drain. There are
a number of disadvantages with this kind of arrangement. First,
heat that might otherwise have been captured is dissipated as it
goes through the drain. Secondly, installing a heat exchanger
beyond a drain unit requires the expertise of a professional
plumber, as it is usually connected directly to the plumbing system
in one manner or another. Finally, heat exchangers of this type can
be inconvenient to clean, repair or replace, because they are not
readily accessible.
[0006] In addition, many heat exchange devices that are currently
available are based on a coil system of some kind. Over time, the
accumulation of dirt and minerals from the waste water can impede
the efficiency of such devices. In some cases, their complexity can
make maintenance and repair difficult.
[0007] The present invention seeks to overcome some of the
limitations of heat exchangers that are currently available.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Advantageously, the system of present invention has a simple
and clean design, allowing for ready access to the heat exchange
element for maintenance, repair and replacement. It is also easy to
install in a bathing apparatus and therefore does not necessarily
require the intervention of a plumbing professional.
[0009] The present invention provides a heat exchange device to
recover hot water from bathing apparatus. The invention has
particular, but not exclusive, application to showers.
[0010] The basic features of the invention include: (a) a shower or
bathtub base; and (b) a heat exchange plate made of a conductive
material. The heat exchange device may further include (c) a cover
positioned over the heat exchange plate that serves as a standing
platform for the bather and that compliments the shower or bathtub
base. The base further includes a draining element through which
used water is evacuated from the shower or bathtub.
[0011] The heat exchange plate is positioned at the bottom of the
shower or bathtub base, usually flush with the bottom surface. In
one embodiment, the bather is in direct contact with the heat
exchanger, either partially or completely, when using the bathing
apparatus.
[0012] As stated above, the heat exchanger may optionally be
concealed by a cover, which is manufactured in a shape and size
that is suitable to cover the opening created by the base. The
cover is made of a non-conductive material. In a specific
embodiment, the base, heat exchange plate and cover all have a
square or rectangular geometric shape.
[0013] Most of the water originating from of the showerhead or
faucet of the bathing apparatus flows on top of the heat exchanger
before reaching the drainage system. The heat exchanger may be
covered either fully or partially with a non-conductive
material.
[0014] The heat exchange system may include a dam that serves to
control the flow of the waste water to the drain of the bathing
apparatus. By slowing down the flow, the warm waste water is kept
in contact with the heat exchange plate for a longer duration,
enhancing heat transfer. Other elements may be substituted for or
used with the dam to achieve this purpose, such as channels or
dividing elements, as would be appreciated by a person of skill in
the art.
[0015] In any embodiment, the heat exchanger is part of the bathing
apparatus and the entire assembly is water tight.
[0016] Other objects, advantages and features of the present
invention will become apparent upon reading of the following
non-restrictive description of embodiments thereof, given by way of
example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 shows (A) an assembled view of a first embodiment of
the heat exchange system of the present invention and (B) an
exploded view of this system;
[0018] FIG. 2 shows (A) an alternative assembled view of the heat
exchanger system shown in FIG. 1, and (B) an exploded view of this
system;
[0019] FIG. 3 shows (A) a second alternative assembled view of the
heat exchanger system shown in FIG. 1, and (B) an exploded view of
this system;
[0020] FIG. 4 shows (A) a third alternative assembled view of the
heat exchanger system shown in FIG. 1, and (B) an exploded view of
this system;
[0021] FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the heat exchange system
of the present invention, wherein: (A) is a top plan view of the
system, (B) is a side view of the system taken along line A-A of
FIG. 5(A); and (C) is an exploded view of the system;
[0022] FIG. 6 shows an alternative to the embodiment shown in FIG.
5, wherein: (A) is a top plan view of the system, (B) is a side
view of the system taken along line A-A of FIG. 6(A); and (C) is an
exploded view of the system;
[0023] FIG. 7 shows a second alternative to the embodiment shown in
FIG. 5, wherein: (A) is a top plan view of the system, (B) is a
side view of the system taken along line A-A of FIG. 7(A); and (C)
is an exploded view of the system;
[0024] FIG. 8 shows a third alternative to the embodiment shown in
FIG. 5, wherein: A) is a top plan view of the system, (B) is a side
view of the system taken along line A-A of FIG. 8(A); (C) is a side
view of the system taken along line B-B; (D) is a side view of the
system taken along line C-C of FIG. 8(A); (E) is a perspective view
of the system fully assembled; and (F) is a perspective view of the
system without its cover;
[0025] FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment of the heat exchange system
of the present invention; wherein: (A) is a top plan view of the
system, (B) is a side view of the system taken along line A-A of
FIG. 9(A); and (C) is a perspective view of the system fully
assembled;
[0026] FIG. 10 shows an alternative to the embodiment shown in FIG.
9, wherein: (A) is a top plan view of the system, (B) is a side
view of the system taken along line A-A of FIG. 10(A); and (C) is
an exploded view of the system; and
[0027] FIG. 11 shows a fourth embodiment of the heat exchange
system of the present invention, wherein: (A) is a top plan view of
the system, (B) is a side view of the system taken along line A-A
of FIG. 11(A); and (C) is a perspective, partially exploded view of
the system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] As will be described more particularly below, the invention
comprises four embodiments, and these embodiments can include
additional features.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a first embodiment
of the invention wherein the heat exchange system is generally
designated by the number 10. The system comprises a bathing
apparatus 2, illustrated here as a tray-like element that is
convenient for a shower. The system further comprises a heat
exchange element 4, which is in the general form of a plate, and a
gasket 3 for sealing the heat exchanger within the bathing
apparatus. In order to allow waste water to be eliminated from the
bathing apparatus 2, a drain 8 is provided.
[0030] In operation, the heat exchange element 4 is connected to a
cold water source (not shown). When warm from the showerhead or
warm waste water from the bather falls onto the heat exchange
element 4, heat from the water is captured by the heat exchange
element and used to warm the cold water that flows through the body
of the heat exchanger element, in keeping with heat exchange
principles known in the art. The cold water, which has now been
partially heated by the captured energy from the waste water, exits
from the heat exchanger (not shown), where it is directed to a
mixer or to a hot water tank, once again in keeping with heat
exchange principles known in the art.
[0031] Use of a heat exchange system as described above results in
energy conservation and is thus ecological sound. The simplicity of
the heat exchange system exemplified here has several advantages.
It facilitates cleaning and maintenance of the bathing system and,
in distinction to what is currently available commercially, is very
simple to install and/or replace.
[0032] The heat exchange element 4 is conveniently shown as a plate
or plate-like structure having a relative large surface area. The
surface area and the thickness of the plate may be altered or
otherwise designed with a view to increasing surface area exposure
to warm shower or waste water to maximize the efficiency of the
heat exchange. While illustrated as a rectangle in FIG. 1, the heat
exchange element 4 can in practice assume any geometry that is
required to fit within the shape of a desired bathing
apparatus.
[0033] The heat exchange element 4 may be made of any heat
conductive material, including, without limitation, any metal,
concrete or stones, composites comprising a polymer, or a
conductive material, like graphite.
[0034] FIG. 2 shows an alternative version of the heat exchange
system illustrated in FIG. 1. In this version, a non-conductive
material 9, shown here as a series of circles, is applied on the
surface of the heat exchange element 4 and serves as a barrier
between the bather and the heat exchange element. It will be
appreciated that the shape, size, configuration and/or pattern of
the non-conductive material 9 is(are) limited only by creativity.
The non-conductive material can be made of wood, rubber, plastic or
any other synthetic material that is suitable for the desired
purpose. It may in some instances serve the dual purpose of
preventing the bather from slipping while in the bathing
apparatus.
[0035] FIG. 3 shows a slightly modified version of the heat
exchange system illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this specific
version, two small "dams" or dam-like elements 12 have been
introduced in the bottom of the bathing apparatus in the vicinity
of the drain 8 in order to control water flow through the
controlled opening 14. Warm shower or waste water remains in
contact with the heat exchange element 4 for a longer duration than
in the absence of the dams 12, which enhances heat transfer from
the water to the heat exchange element.
[0036] A number of dams or dam-like elements 12 can be introduced
into a bathing apparatus 2 so as to create one, or more than one,
controlled opening(s) 14. This allows the discharge of warm waste
water to be controlled, and therefore allows modulation of the
effective heat transfer. The dams or dam-like elements 12 may be
integral to the bathing apparatus 2 or added to said bathing
apparatus as separate elements thereto.
[0037] FIG. 4 is yet another modified version of the heat exchange
system illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. This version combines the dams or
dam-like elements 12 of the heat exchange system of FIG. 3 with the
non-conductive material 9 of FIG. 2.
[0038] Turning now to FIGS. 5 to 8, an alternative embodiment of
the invention is presented. As illustrated in FIG. 5, this
embodiment consists of a heat exchange system 20 comprising a
bathing apparatus 22, a heat exchange element 24 and a cover 29.
This cover is positioned over the heat exchange element and serves
to enclose the bathing apparatus 22. A drain 28 is included in the
base of the bathing apparatus to allow the warm shower or waste
water to leave the system. The heat exchange element optionally
includes one or more spacers 25, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 8.
The spacers create a distance between the heat exchange element and
the cover 29.
[0039] The cover 29 is made of any non-conductive material.
Suitable non-conductive materials include, without limitation,
plastic, composite materials, wood or wood-like materials or
materials including wood (which may optionally be imbibed with a
preservative, such as Accoya.RTM. or a resin-impregnated material),
bamboo, organic materials, glass or ceramic. The cover 29 may
optionally include openings 30 or the equivalent thereof to enhance
water flow from the cover's surface to the heat exchange element
24. These openings 30 are also used to assist in the lifting of the
cover from the bathing apparatus for cleaning or maintenance
purposes.
[0040] FIG. 6 shows a slightly different embodiment from that
appearing in FIG. 5 wherein two "dams" or dam-like elements 32,
similar to those in FIGS. 3 and 4, have been included to control
water flow to the drain. A controlled opening (not shown) analogous
to that in FIGS. 3 and 4 serves to delay flow of the shower and
waste water towards the drain.
[0041] FIG. 7 shows another variation of the heat exchange systems
illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. In this version, a series of
discontinuous dividers 34, or the equivalent thereof, have been
included within the bathing apparatus 22. The purpose of these
discontinuous dividers 34 is to keep warm shower and waste water
within the confines of the bathing apparatus for a longer time in
order to enhance heat transfer to the heat exchange element 24. The
buoys or equivalent thereof may be an integral part of the bathing
apparatus 24 (i.e., cast at the same time as the bathing apparatus
itself) or otherwise attached as a separate element to the bathing
apparatus.
[0042] FIG. 8 shows yet another variation of the heat exchange
systems shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. This variation is very similar to
that shown in FIG. 7, but includes a water channel 36 that
surrounds the opening of the bathing apparatus 22 where the heat
exchange element 24 is positioned. Warm shower or waste water
accumulates in this channel 36 in proximity to the heat exchange
element 24. As a result, the warm shower or waste water remains in
contact with the heat exchange element for a longer time, enhancing
heat transfer and thereby increase the overall efficiency of the
heat exchange system.
[0043] FIGS. 9 and 10 show a third embodiment of the heat exchange
system of the present invention. In this embodiment, the heat
exchange system 50 comprises a bathing apparatus 54 that is made of
a conductive material. The bathing apparatus is the heat exchange
element in this particular embodiment. The bathing apparatus 54 may
be comprised of one or more elements, wherein each element is made
of a conductive material. As shown in FIG. 9, a surface 56 is made
of the same conductive material as the bathing apparatus 54, or of
a different conductive material, but is fully attached to the
bathing apparatus. This surface 56 is optionally covered, partially
or totally, with a non-conductive material. A gasket or other
sealing means may be optionally included in order to ensure that
the bathing apparatus is water-tight.
[0044] In the variation of this embodiment of the invention shown
in FIG. 10, a surface 57 is made of a non-conductive material. This
surface 57 is removable from the bathing apparatus 54 and is made
of a non-conductive material, or of a conductive material that is
partially or totally covered with a non-conductive material.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 9, the heat exchange system 50 further
includes a drain 58. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 10, water from
the shower may flow in a channel 59 running between the surface 57
and the bathing apparatus 54. The drain 58 is located beneath the
surface in this version of the embodiment of the invention.
[0046] FIG. 11 shows a fourth embodiment of the heat exchange
system of the present invention. In this embodiment, the heat
exchange system 70 comprises a bathing apparatus 72 and one or more
heat exchange elements 74. The top of the bathing apparatus 76 may
be fully integrated with its base, or optionally, a separate cover.
The heat exchange elements are not flat like those in the other
embodiments of the invention but consist of rectangles whose width,
height and length can be modified so as to increase effective
surface area and hence promote heat exchange. This embodiment may
offer a solution that is more suitable to the styles of certain
baths and showers.
[0047] As with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the
embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 11 comprises a cover 76
made of a non-conductive material. This cover can include an
opening 78 that is positioned either in the cover 76 or in the
bathing apparatus 72. Once again, this opening facilitates access
to the system for cleaning and maintenance purposes.
[0048] In any embodiment, the heat exchanger is part of the bathing
apparatus and the entire assembly is water tight.
[0049] The embodiments of the invention all have the advantage of
simplicity. Installing a heat exchange system as described above
can be conveniently done in an existing bathing system or in a new
one. Features of the invention, such as the limited number of
components and their ability to be removed from each other in a
relatively easy manner, allowing for ready cleaning, maintenance
and replacement.
[0050] In addition, the selection of embodiments allows for even
greater flexibility. Depending on the style and function of the
bathing apparatus, a heat exchange system can be selected to best
accomplish heat exchange.
[0051] The above-described embodiments of the invention are
intended to be examples only. Variations, alterations and
modifications can be made to the particular embodiments described
herein by those of skill in the art without departing from the
scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *