Granted Patent B2

US 7,044,398 · App. 10/899,837 · Granted May 16, 2006

Abstract

Claims (38)

1. An integrated fixture for hydronic heating systems, for transferring heat from a higher-temperature loop to a lower-temperature loop, the fixture comprising:

a casting;

higher-temperature supply and return ports formed in a first portion of the casting;

lower-temperature supply and return ports formed in a second portion of the casting;

a higher-temperature loop pump volute formed in the first portion of the casting and configured to accept an impeller of a higher-temperature loop pump;

a lower-temperature loop pump volute formed in the second portion of the casting and configured to accept an impeller of a lower-temperature loop pump; and

a heat exchanger in fluid communication with both the higher-temperature loop and the lower-temperature loop;

wherein liquid from the higher-temperature loop enters the integrated fixture through the higher-temperature supply port, passes through a first side of the heat exchanger, and leaves the integrated fixture through the higher-temperature return port, and

wherein liquid circulating in the lower-temperature loop enters the integrated fixture through the lower-temperature return port, passes through a second side of the heat exchanger, receiving heat from the water in the higher-temperature loop, and leaves the integrated fixture through the lower-temperature supply port.

2. The fixture of claim 1 wherein the integrated fixture is for a radiant heating system, the higher-temperature loop is a heating unit loop, and the lower-temperature loop is a radiant loop.

3. The fixture of claim 1 further comprising a check valve in the path followed by liquid traveling from the heating unit supply port to the higher-temperature pump, or in the path from the higher-temperature pump to the heating unit return port.

4. The fixture of claim 1 further comprising an electrical circuit installed on the heat exchanger, the electrical circuit comprising control circuitry for responding to a thermostat to control the higher-temperature and lower-temperature pumps.

5. The fixture of claim 1 wherein the heat exchanger is removable from the casting.

6. The fixture of claim 1 wherein the radiant loop supply and return ports are located so that the ports are spaced apart by a distance approximating the spacing of the radiant supply and return ports on radiant heat flow manifolds.

7. The fixture of claim 1 wherein the casting comprises a plurality of castings joined together by close-fitting, mating connections sealed with O-ring type seals.

8. The fixture of claim 7 wherein the first and second casting portions are provided in separate castings.

9. The fixture of claim 1 further comprising a housing surrounding at least a portion of the casting.

10. The fixture of claim 9 further comprising an electronic control panel mounted on the housing.

11. The fixture of claim 1 further comprising a seal between the heat exchanger and the casting.

12. The fixture of claim 11 wherein the seal comprises a pair of sealing rings.

13. The fixture of claim 1 wherein the fixture is configured to isolate the higher-temperature loop and lower temperature-loop from each other.

14. A method of supplying heat to a hydronic heating system comprising:

(a) providing an integrated fixture for transferring heat from a higher-temperature loop to a lower-temperature loop, the fixture comprising:

(i) a casting;

(ii) higher-temperature supply and return ports formed in a first portion of the casting;

(iii) lower-temperature supply and return ports formed in a second portion of the casting;

(iv) a higher-temperature loop pump volute formed in the first portion of the casting and configured to accept an impeller of a higher-temperature loop pump;

(v) a lower-temperature loop pump volute formed in the second portion of the casting and configured to accept an impeller of a lower-temperature loop pump, and

(vi) a heat exchanger in fluid communication with both the higher-temperature loop and the lower-temperature loop;

(b) heating liquid in the higher-temperature loop with a heating unit;

(c) delivering liquid from the higher-temperature loop to the fixture through the higher-temperature supply port, so that the liquid passes through a first side of the heat exchanger and leaves the fixture through the higher-temperature return port, and

(d) delivering liquid circulating in the lower-temperature loop to the fixture through the lower-temperature return port, so that it passes through a second side of the heat exchanger, receiving heat from the water in the higher-temperature loop, and leaves the fixture through the lower-temperature supply port.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising (e) using the liquid in the higher-temperature loop as potable water.

16. The method of claim 14 or 15 further comprising adding to the water in the lower-temperature loop an additive that would not be suitable for use in potable water.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the additive comprises a glycol.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein step (b) is performed by a domestic hot water heater.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein step (b) is performed by a boiler.

20. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of removing and repairing or replacing the heat exchanger.

Assignments (10)