U.S. patent application number 12/381804 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-23 for heating system and method using a fireplace.
Invention is credited to James D. Minogue.
Application Number | 20100237156 12/381804 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42736652 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100237156 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Minogue; James D. |
September 23, 2010 |
Heating system and method using a fireplace
Abstract
A heating system and method includes a water circulation system
for heating the interior of a building. The system further includes
a boiler for storing and alternatively heating the water, and a
fireplace jacket positioned in a fireplace of the building. The
fireplace jacket includes a serpentine shaped length of pipe for
circulating water. Fireplace jacket inlet and outlet ports
communicate with the boiler for circulating the water in a closed
system. A heating system control system manages the circulation of
the water in the circulation system. The control system includes a
safety unit having a thermometer, and the control system
automatically circulates the water when the water is heated to a
specified temperature. The control system automatically switches
between using fossil fuel to heat the water in the boiler and using
the fireplace jacket to heat the water in the boiler.
Inventors: |
Minogue; James D.; (Bohemia,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
James D. Minogue
74 Hill Drive
Bahemia
NY
11716
US
|
Family ID: |
42736652 |
Appl. No.: |
12/381804 |
Filed: |
March 17, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
237/59 ; 126/502;
126/513; 237/65; 237/81 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24D 2200/10 20130101;
F24B 1/183 20130101; F24B 1/187 20130101; F24D 19/1009 20130101;
F24D 11/004 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
237/59 ; 126/513;
126/502; 237/65; 237/81 |
International
Class: |
F24D 3/02 20060101
F24D003/02; F24B 1/183 20060101 F24B001/183; F24B 1/187 20060101
F24B001/187; F24D 3/00 20060101 F24D003/00 |
Claims
1. A heating system, comprising: a water circulation system for
heating the interior of a building; a boiler for storing and
alternatively heating the water; a fireplace jacket positioned in a
fireplace of the building and remote from the boiler, the fireplace
jacket including a serpentine shaped length of pipe for circulating
water therethrough, the fireplace jacket including an inlet port
and an outlet port, the fireplace jacket inlet and outlet ports
communicating with the boiler for circulating the water in a closed
system, the jacket inlet port allowing ingress of cold water and
the jacket outlet port allowing egress of hot water to the boiler;
and a heating system control system for managing the circulation of
the water in the circulation system, the control system including a
safety unit having a thermometer and the control system
automatically circulates the water when the water is heated to a
specified temperature, the control system switching between using
fossil fuel to heat the water in the boiler and using the fireplace
jacket to heat the water in the boiler.
2. The heating system of claim 1, wherein the water circulating in
the fireplace jacket is heated by a fire in the fireplace, the
water exits the fireplace jacket at the outlet port and proceeds to
the boiler.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the control system automatically
starts and stops circulation of the water when the temperature of
the water in system rises to, and falls from the pre set
temperature.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the control system prevents a
hazardous condition by using a safety value.
5. The system of claim 2, wherein the fireplace jacket includes a
thermostat positioned within the pipe for determining the
temperature of the water in the fireplace jacket, and the fireplace
jacket includes a safety unit for preventing excessive pressure of
the hot water when the pressure of the water in the fireplace
jacket rises to a dangerous level.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein safety unit of the fireplace
jacket is a safety value.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the building is a residential
house.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the fireplace jacket provides a
single pathway through the serpentine shaped length of pipe for
circulating water therethrough in a predetermined path.
9. A method for heating the interior of a building, comprising:
storing and alternatively heating water using a boiler; circulating
the heated water in a water circulation system for heating an
interior of a building; positioning a fireplace jacket in a
fireplace of the building and remote from the boiler, the fireplace
jacket including a serpentine shaped length of pipe for circulating
water therethrough, the fireplace jacket including an inlet port
and an outlet port, the fireplace jacket inlet and outlet ports
communicating with the boiler for circulating the water in a closed
system, the jacket inlet port allowing ingress of cold water and
the jacket outlet port allowing egress of hot water to the boiler;
and managing the circulation of the water in the circulation system
using a heating system control system, the control system
automatically circulates the water when the water is heated to a
specified temperature, the control system automatically switching
between using fossil fuel to heat the water in the boiler and using
the fireplace jacket to heat the water in the boiler.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: heating the water
circulating in the fireplace jacket in the fireplace using a fire
in the fireplace, such that the water exits the fireplace jacket at
the outlet port and proceeds to the boiler, and determining when
the water temperature reaches the specified temperature using a
temperature probe in the control system to allow circulation of the
hot water to the boiler and then the circulation system in the
interior of the building for heating the interior of the
building.
11. The method of claim 9, further including: preventing
circulation of the water when the temperature of the water in the
fireplace jacket falls below a specified jacket water temperature
using a thermostat positioned within the pipe of the fireplace
jacket for determining temperature of the water circulating in the
fireplace jacket, and using a safety unit in the fireplace jacket
to prevent unsafe pressure build up in the fireplace jacket.
12. The method of claim 9, further comprising: circulating the
water in the fireplace jacket through in a predetermined path
providing a single pathway through the serpentine shaped length of
pipe.
13. A heat exchanger, comprising: a fireplace jacket for
positioning in a fireplace of a building and remote from a boiler,
the fireplace jacket including a serpentine shaped length of pipe
for circulating water therethrough, the fireplace jacket including
an inlet port and an outlet port, the fireplace jacket inlet and
outlet ports communicating with the boiler for circulating the
water in a closed system, the jacket inlet port allowing ingress of
cold water and the jacket outlet port allowing egress of hot water
to the boiler; and a single pathway through the serpentine shaped
length of pipe of the heat exchanger for circulating water
therethrough in a predetermined path.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the fireplace jacket includes a
thermostat positioned within the pipe for determining the
temperature of the water in the fireplace jacket, and the fireplace
jacket includes a safety unit for preventing excessive pressure
build up of the hot water when the temperature and pressure of the
water in the fireplace jacket exceed a specified jacket water
pressure and temperature.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein safety unit of the fireplace
jacket is a safety value.
16. The heat exchanger of claim 14, wherein the fireplace jacket is
connected to a water circulation system for heating the interior of
a building and the boiler for storing and alternatively heating the
water.
17. The heat exchanger of claim 16, wherein the heat exchanger is
connected to a heating system control system for managing the
circulation of the water in the circulation system, the control
system including a safety unit having a thermometer and the control
system automatically circulates the water when the water is heated
to a specified temperature, the control system automatically
switches between using fossil fuel to heat the water in the boiler
and using the fireplace jacket to heat the water in the boiler.
18. The heating exchanger of claim 17, wherein the water
circulating in the fireplace jacket is heated by a fire in the
fireplace, the water exits the fireplace jacket at the outlet port
and proceeds to the boiler, the boiler includes a temperature probe
for determining when the water temperature reaches a specified
boiler water temperature for the control system to allow
circulation of the hot water through the circulation system in the
interior of the building for heating the interior of the building.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a heating system and method
of heating employing the system, and more specifically, relates to
a heating system and method using a wood burning fireplace.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The use of wood burned in an open fire as a heat source has
historically been a common heat source and is increasingly popular
as fuel oil, gas, as well as electricity prices increase. However,
known wood burning devices and system in fireplaces have failed to
provide heating and/or hot-water heating requirements of a
building, typically a residential home.
[0003] Known heating systems for heating a building or for heating
hot water for the building include using the heat from an open wood
burning fireplace. However, typical system have not been successful
in integrating conventional heating or hot-water heating systems
with auxiliary heating capabilities from a wood burning
fireplace.
[0004] Another known device includes a grate adapted to support
wood for a fire disposed in a fireplace. The grate has hollow
interior portions in water-communication with water chambers on the
bottom and back of the fireplace. Water is also circulated through
a jacket and absorbs heat from the fire burning within the
fireplace, and then the hot water by convection passes out a water
outlet.
[0005] Another system includes a fireplace to heat water for
radiators in a house. Other systems use a fireplace in conjunction
with a standard oil or gas-fired furnace to heat water for the
radiators. These systems partially operate using wood fuel as
opposed to entirely using oil or gas. However, these systems may
have disadvantages relating to convenience and comfort, efficiency,
control, and safety. For example, a house may become uncomfortably
warm when using a fireplace to heat radiator water. Further,
systems may pose a safety hazard in if improperly installed or
configured such that high pressures and/or temperatures occur
within the system.
[0006] It would therefore be desirable for a heating device and
heating system employing the device to provide an effective
auxiliary heating system using a wood burning fireplace. It would
further be desirable for a heating device and system to provide
ease of switching between a conventional heating system using
fossil fuels and a wood burning system. Additionally, there is a
need for a wood burning device and system which provides safety
feature ensuring safe usage in a home or other building.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In an aspect of the present invention, a heating system
includes a water circulation system for heating the interior of a
building. A boiler stores and alternatively heats the water. A
fireplace jacket is positioned in a fireplace of the building and
is remote from the boiler. The fireplace jacket includes a
serpentine shaped length of pipe for circulating water
therethrough. The fireplace jacket includes an inlet port and an
outlet port, and the fireplace jacket inlet and outlet ports
communicate with the boiler for circulating the water in a closed
system. The jacket inlet port allows ingress of cold water and the
jacket outlet port allows egress of hot water to the boiler. A
heating system control system manages the circulation of the water
in the system. The control system includes a safety unit having a
thermometer and the control system automatically circulates the
water when the water is heated to a specified temperature. The
control system has a transfer unit for switching between using
fossil fuel to heat the water in the boiler and using the fireplace
jacket to heat the water in the boiler.
[0008] In a related aspect, the water circulating in the fireplace
jacket is heated by a fire in the fireplace, and the water exits
the fireplace jacket at the outlet port and proceeds to the
boiler.
[0009] The control system quickly dissipates excess heat when the
temperature of the water in the system exceeds a specified
temperature. A thermostat may be used for determining the
temperature of the water circulating in the fireplace jacket, and
the fireplace jacket may include a safety unit for release of the
hot water when the temperature of the water in the fireplace jacket
exceed a specified temperature. The building may be a residential
house. In a related aspect, the system provides a single pathway
through the serpentine shaped length of pipe for circulating water
therethrough in a predetermined path.
[0010] In another aspect of the invention, a method for heating the
interior of a building comprises: storing and alternatively heating
water using a boiler; circulating the heated water in a water
circulation system for heating an interior of a building;
positioning a fireplace jacket in a fireplace of the building and
remote from the boiler, the fireplace jacket including a serpentine
shaped length of pipe for circulating water therethrough, the
fireplace jacket including an inlet port and an outlet port, the
fireplace jacket inlet and outlet ports communicating with the
boiler for circulating the water in a closed system, the jacket
inlet port allowing ingress of cold water and the jacket outlet
port allowing egress of hot water to the boiler; and managing the
circulation of the water in the circulation system using a heating
system control system, the control system including a safety unit
having a thermometer and the control system automatically lowering
the temperature by activating all the building heating zones if the
temperature of the water exceeds a specified temperature as
indicated by the thermometer, the control system having a transfer
unit for switching between using fossil fuel to heat the water in
the boiler and using the fireplace jacket to heat the water in the
boiler.
[0011] In a related aspect, the method may further include: heating
the water circulating in the fireplace jacket in the fireplace
using a fire in the fireplace, such that the water exits the
fireplace jacket at the outlet port and proceeds to the boiler, and
the boiler includes thermostats for determining when the water
temperature reaches a specified temperature for the control system
to allow circulation of the hot water through the circulation
system in the interior of the building for heating the interior of
the building.
[0012] In another aspect of the invention, a heat exchanger
includes a fireplace jacket for positioning in a fireplace of a
building and remote from a boiler. The fireplace jacket includes a
serpentine shaped length of pipe for circulating water
therethrough. The fireplace jacket includes an inlet port and an
outlet port, the fireplace jacket inlet and outlet ports
communicating with the boiler for circulating the water in a closed
system, and the jacket inlet port allows ingress of cold water and
the jacket outlet port allows egress of hot water to the boiler. A
single pathway through the serpentine shaped length of pipe of the
heat exchanger circulates water therethrough in a predetermined
path.
[0013] In a related aspect, the fireplace jacket includes a
thermostat positioned within the pipe for determining the
temperature of the water in the fireplace jacket. The safety unit
of the fireplace jacket may be a safety value. In a related aspect,
the fireplace jacket is connected to a water circulation system for
heating the interior of a building and the boiler for storing and
alternatively heating the water. The heat exchanger may be
connected to a heating system control system for managing the
circulation of the water in the system. The control system
automatically switches between using fossil fuel to heat the water
in the boiler and using the fireplace jacket to heat the water in
the boiler. In a related aspect, the water circulating in the
fireplace jacket is heated by a fire in the fireplace, and the
water exits the fireplace jacket at the outlet port and proceeds to
the boiler.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] These and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be
read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the heating system
and heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the invention;
and
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the heat exchanger shown in
FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] Referring to FIG. 1-3, a heat exchanger device 10 according
to an embodiment of the invention is adapted for use in a fireplace
80 to provide heat through a heating system 100 to provide heat for
a room or a whole house. The heating exchanger device 10 connects
to a primary hydronic boiler 150 using inlet port 112 and outlet
110. The outlet 110 of the heat exchanger device 10 transfers hot
water to the boiler 150, and the inlet 112 transfers cooled water
into the device 10. Hydronic boilers are used in generating heat
for residential and industrial purposes. The heat exchanger device
10 may replace the wood cradle in a fire place. A control system
105 includes a control panel 120 is used for managing the heating
system 100 and may automatically run the heating system 100. The
control system 105 is used for managing the home heating system and
automatically runs the heating system with the house thermostats
172.
[0018] In an aspect of the invention, the heating system 100 is a
reverse heat zone. More specifically, a typical heating zone 170
(with circulator pumps 178) receives hot water from a boiler and
distributes heat from the hot water to the living area of a home
(or building or the like) and is regulated by setting a thermostat
172. The heating system 100 of the present invention does the
reverse. The present heating system 100 produces hot water by
thermal transfer from the fire in a fireplace to circulating water
and feeds the boiler 150 that hot water. The main aquastat of the
boiler 150 initiates the fuel combustion when the water in the
boiler's jacket reaches a low set point of the aquastat control.
When the wood fuel system 100 is in operation and the fire in the
fireplace is heating the water, the control system 105 is
satisfied, i.e., meeting operating specification, and thus the
boiler doesn't burn any fuel, e.g., oil. The control system will
come on and shut off as need be automatically as the fire dies out
or is restocked. Once installed, the system 100 is fully automatic.
The owner of the system 100 only has to make and tend to a fire as
they would normally do in their fireplace. The system 100 is
designed such that if the fireplace is heating the circulating
water excessively, the heat is transferred and stored in the
interior of the house (or such) making the efficiency higher. If
excess heat is generated either by extensive heating or where the
water is heated to a high temperature, the excess heat can be
directed to living spaces that usually require heat using the
control systems function.
[0019] The system 100 further includes three mechanical safety
systems. The primary safety system 130 is designed to work as a
first safety control, for example, if a power outage occurs, or a
port is inadvertently left closed, or some other abnormal operating
condition occurs that would cause an overheat situation in the
system 100. As the heating device attaches into and becomes part of
the existing heating boiler 150, the original pressure/temperature
safety port 151 (of the boiler 150), as well as the main system
expansion tank 152 provide an over temperature/pressure control. A
temperature/pressure safety port 130 is positioned within the
control system to mechanically provide fail safe protection against
an unsafe over heat/over pressure condition. A safety unit is
embodied as a burst port which is part of the fireplace jacket and
provides a fail safe condition should the connection between the
jacketed heat exchanger and control system become disconnected, or
plugged. A blow out port 116 is fitted into the pipe 20 of the
fireplace jacket 10, as shown in FIG. 2.
[0020] More specifically, the primary safety control is embodied as
a mechanical temperature/pressure relief port 130 that is part of
the system's 100 control or management component. A secondary
safety design feature (shown in FIG. 2) provides a fail safe
condition to prevent the heat exchanger device 10 from rupturing in
the event of an over pressure condition in the system 100. The
secondary safety design feature is embodied as a blow out plug 140
(shown in FIG. 2) located in heat exchanger 10 which is positioned
in the fire box (fireplace) 80 (FIG. 4). The plug is not affected,
i.e., does not respond to the temperature of the water inside the
system, only to the pressure of the water within the system 100. It
is a weak link in the heat exchanger 10 which provides egress,
blows out, of the water in the system if the water pressure exceeds
a specified value.
[0021] The control system has operational features that first
prevent the temperature from getting to a dangerous level, and
safely venting the system if an over temperature or over pressure
condition arises. The control system also automatically detects
when a fire is heating the jacketed water and switches from burning
fossil fuel to wood fuel. Further, the control system automatically
detects when the wood fuel is not providing adequate heat and
switches back to using the fossil fuel for the heating fuel.
[0022] The temperature/pressure safety port is positioned within
the control system to mechanically provide fail safe protection
against an unsafe over heat/over pressure condition. When a high
temperature probe in the control system reaches its set point it
activates all the circulator pumps to quickly dissipate the heat
throughout all radiators in a building.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the heat exchanger 10 comprises
serpentine or coil shaped tubing or pipe 20 also shaped as a
grating and placed in the fireplace 80 (FIG. 3). The heat exchanger
10 is designed to includes water circulating therethrough. The
design of the heat exchanger 10 allows for expansion and
contraction as the temperature of the circulating water changes.
When a fire is made in the fireplace 80, the water is heated and
reaches a temperature set point, for example 175 degrees F. The
coil shaped heat exchanger is superior to known jacketed heating
exchanger and systems because the water is forced to take a defined
path through the heat exchanger, and therefore, the water heats
evenly. The design of the heat exchanger 10 also heats the cool
return water quickly, and provides the supply water with the most
heat possible. The heat exchanger 10 is also removable if need be.
The heat exchanger is connected to a typical heating system at a
return and supply points with a pipe union. The supply and return
piping as well as the electrical connection to the temperature
probe are drilled through the fireplace wall or floor and then
sealed with a high temperature sealant. The entire heat exchanger
10 is located within the fireplace box 80, and behind the front
plane of the fireplace 80. This would be behind fireplace doors if
such are installed.
[0024] In one embodiment, the control system 105 of the heating
system 100 includes a control panel 120 and is mounted near to the
boiler 150, usually on a wall 108. The control system 105 is
mounted in a location with consideration to the
temperature/pressure relief port 130. In the event the relief port
130 is opened, the heated water and possibly steam is vented in a
safe way. The control system 105 is connected at the bottom to the
boiler 150 at junction 154 (FIG. 1). The bottom of the control
system 105 has supply and return boiler connections 158, 156,
respectively. The supply side of the control system 105 connects
into the boiler 150 at the boiler's 150 return side 154. In this
way, the water returning from the heating zones has transferred the
heat into the living spaces, and therefore is cooler, and is
supplied to the heat exchanger 10 for reheating. The return side of
the control system 105 is connected at junction 162 to the boiler
150 at the boiler's 150 supply side junction 162. In this way the
heated water from the heating system 100 can supply the heating
zones if thermostats 172 in the house are calling for heat. If the
thermostats are satisfied, the hot water reverse circulates through
the boiler 150 and is stored within until needed. When the system
reaches the high temperature set point (typically 200 degrees F.),
the control system 105 overrides the thermostats and distributes
this excess heat to the house, the returning cool water comes back
into the heating system 100 and brings the temperature below the
high temp set point and the house, and thermostats regain control
of the heating zones. The top connections of the control system 105
connect to the heat exchanger 10 by pipes to the appropriate
supply/return sides. The connections from the control system 105 to
the boiler 150 have shut off valves 160, 118 so the system 100 can
be isolated from the boiler 150 and drained without effecting the
operation of the boiler 150 if desired.
[0025] While the present invention has been particularly shown and
described with respect to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be
understood by those skilled in the art that changes in forms and
details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of
the present application. It is therefore intended that the present
invention not be limited to the exact forms and details described
and illustrated herein, but falls within the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *