Two-pipe heat pump system with isolated tank coil for domestic hot water
US5772113A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 20, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jun 30, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 20, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S165/353
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An engine-driven heat pump system is disclosed in which the waste heat from the engine is used to only heat the water contained in a water heater. Space heating may be then provided by circulating the water through an air-handling unit. In order to simplify the operation, the engine's coolant is circulated through a tube surrounding the heater's storage tank. Any risk of contamination to the potable water supply is removed by venting the region surrounding the coolant-to-water heat exchanger. This is achieved by assuring that a surrounding insulation layer does not form a seal over the heat exchanger and by using a non-setting thermally conductive paste between the tube and tank.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.