Apparatus and control method for a hybrid tankless water heater
First Claim
1. A hybrid tankless water heating system having a system input and a system output and configured to provide a water supply, wherein said hybrid tankless water heating system is housed in an enclosure having a top and comprises:
- a heat exchanger having an input and an output,a buffer tank having an input and an output,an internal recirculation flow watercourse,a pump,a modulating valve,a main flow path having an inlet and an outlet, wherein said main flow path outlet is connected to said system output,wherein said input of said buffer tank is fluidly connected to said output of said heat exchanger thereby positioning said buffer tank at a downstream location from said heat exchanger, and said internal recirculation flow watercourse fluidly connects said main flow path inlet and said main flow path outlet, creating a means for simultaneously circulating water through both said buffer tank and said heat exchanger as modulated by said modulating valve and all of said heat exchanger, said buffer tank and said pump are fluidly disposed on said main flow path.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An on demand tankless water heater system that is capable of quickly delivering water within a desired temperature range. The tankless water heater provides a hybrid heating method that contains a primary heating system and a secondary heating system disposed in a buffer tank that cooperate to facilitate control of output water temperature during water usage. A pressure differential switch detects low flow demand and allows the secondary heating system to provide immediate heating to the water. This secondary heating system provides a faster temperature response and fine tuning of output water temperature.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A hybrid tankless water heating system having a system input and a system output and configured to provide a water supply, wherein said hybrid tankless water heating system is housed in an enclosure having a top and comprises:
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a heat exchanger having an input and an output, a buffer tank having an input and an output, an internal recirculation flow watercourse, a pump, a modulating valve, a main flow path having an inlet and an outlet, wherein said main flow path outlet is connected to said system output, wherein said input of said buffer tank is fluidly connected to said output of said heat exchanger thereby positioning said buffer tank at a downstream location from said heat exchanger, and said internal recirculation flow watercourse fluidly connects said main flow path inlet and said main flow path outlet, creating a means for simultaneously circulating water through both said buffer tank and said heat exchanger as modulated by said modulating valve and all of said heat exchanger, said buffer tank and said pump are fluidly disposed on said main flow path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A hybrid tankless water heating system having a system input and a system output and configured to provide a water supply, wherein said hybrid tankless water heating system is housed in an enclosure having a top, comprising:
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a differential pressure switch system having a first sensing end and a second sensing end; a heat exchanger having an input and an output; and a buffer tank having an input and an output, wherein said input of said buffer tank is fluidly connected to said output of said heat exchanger thereby positioning said buffer tank at a downstream location from said heat exchanger, and said first sensing end is disposed onto said input of said heat exchanger and said second sensing end is disposed onto said output of said buffer tank, whereby said differential pressure switch system is configured to detect low water flow situations. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A hybrid tankless water heating system having a system input and a system output and configured to provide a water supply, wherein said hybrid tankless water heating system is housed in an enclosure having a top, comprising:
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a heat exchanger having an input and an output; a buffer tank having an input and an output; an internal recirculation flow watercourse which fluidly connects said output of said buffer tank to said input of said heat exchanger thereby creating a means for simultaneously circulating water through both said buffer tank and said heat exchanger; an internal recirculation system having a timer integrated therewith such that said internal recirculation system is activated for a predetermined length of time, thereby minimizing a temperature variation and a wait time of said system output water; and an antibacterial hot water flush mode feature for said internal recirculation system, wherein said input of said buffer tank is fluidly connected to said output of said heat exchanger thereby positioning said buffer tank at a downstream location from said heat exchanger, and said antibacterial hot water flush mode feature sanitizes said water supply.
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14. A hybrid tankless water heating system having a system input and a system output and configured to provide a water supply, wherein said hybrid tankless water heating system is housed in an enclosure having a top, comprising:
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an external circulation system; an antibacterial hot water flush mode feature for said external circulation system; a heat exchanger having an input and an output; and a buffer tank having an input and an output, wherein said input of said buffer tank is fluidly connected to said output of said heat exchanger thereby positioning said buffer tank at a downstream location from said heat exchanger, both said system input and system output are fluidly connected to each other via said external circulation system such that said water supply is set in motion for a predetermined length of time, thereby minimizing a water temperature variation and a wait time of said system output, and said antibacterial hot water flush mode feature sanitizes said water supply.
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15. A hybrid tankless water heating system having a system input and a system output and configured to provide a water supply, wherein said hybrid tankless water heating system is housed in an enclosure having a top, comprising:
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a means for generating an alarm signal activated by a cooperating sensor; a heat exchanger having an input and an output; and a buffer tank having an input and an output, wherein said input of said buffer tank is fluidly connected to said output of said heat exchanger thereby positioning said buffer tank at a downstream location from said heat exchanger, and said cooperating sensor is a sensor selected from the group consisting of a moisture sensor, condensate level sensor, and flue gas temperature sensor, thereby providing a means for detecting a plurality of common system problems.
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16. A hybrid tankless water heating system having a system input for an inlet flow and a system output for an outlet flow, the hybrid tankless water heating system comprising:
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a heat exchanger having an input and an output, a buffer tank having an input and an output, and a three way valve having a valve input, a first valve output and a second valve output, wherein the output of the buffer tank is fluidly connected to the system output, the input of the buffer tank is fluidly connected to the first valve output of the three way valve, the second valve output of the three way valve is fluidly connected to the system output, the output of the heat exchanger is fluidly connected to the valve input of the three way valve, and the input of the heat exchanger is fluidly connected to the system input; and wherein the three way valve has a plurality of valve states corresponding to three basic predetermined flow conditions consisting of; flow from the valve input of the three way valve being entirely directed to the first valve output, flow from the valve input of the three way valve being entirely directed to the second valve output, and flow from the valve input of the three way valve being divided between the first valve output and the second valve output in a predetermined ratio. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification