Heat recovery system for use with a washing appliance

1. A heat recovery system for use with a washing appliance having a tub, said heat recovery system comprising:

a heat exchanger comprising a first tube and a second tube, the second tube extending through said first tube such that said first tube and said second tube are substantially concentric; and

a first end connector configured to couple to a first end portion of said first tube and a first end portion of said second tube, said first end connector formed as one-piece and comprising:

a first connection portion configured to couple in flow communication with said first tube;

a second connection portion configured to couple in flow communication with said second tube; and

a coupling portion defined between said first connection portion and said second connection portion,

wherein said coupling portion is configured to couple said second tube in flow communication with said second connection portion, and wherein said coupling portion is configured to extend axially beyond said first end portion of said second tube toward said second connection portion.

2. A heat recovery system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said first connection portion is coupled to said first tube by sealing said first connection portion to said first tube, and said second connection portion is coupled to said second tube by sealing said second connection portion to said second tube.

3. A heat recovery system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said first end connector further comprises a coupling sleeve configured to couple about said first tube and said second tube.

4. A heat recovery system in accordance with claim 3 , wherein said first end connector further comprises a passage portion defined between said first connection portion and said coupling sleeve, said passage portion configured to provide flow communication between said first tube and said first connection portion.

5. A heat recovery system in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising a second end connector coupled to a second end portion of said first tube and a second end portion of said second tube, said second end connector formed as one-piece and comprising:

said first connection portion coupled in flow communication with said first tube; and

said second connection portion coupled in flow communication with said second tube.

6. A heat recovery system in accordance with claim 5 , wherein said second end connector further comprises:

a coupling sleeve configured to couple about said first tube and said second tube;

a passage portion defined, between said third connection portion and said coupling sleeve, said passage portion configured to provide flow communication between said first tube and said third connection portion; and

a coupling portion defined between said third connection portion and said fourth connection portion, said coupling portion configured to couple said second tube in flow communication with said fourth connection portion.

7. A washing appliance, comprising:

a tub; and

a heat recovery system coupled in flow communication with said tub, said heat recovery system comprising:

a heat exchanger configured to couple to a water supply line and a drain line, said heat exchanger comprising a first tube and a second tube, the second tube extending through said first tube such that said first tube and said second tube are substantially concentric; and

a first end connector coupled to a first end portion of said first tube and a first end portion of said second tube, said first end connector formed as one-piece and comprising:

a first connection portion configured to couple in flow communication with said first tube and the water supply;

a second connection portion configured to couple in flow communication with said second tube and the drain line; and

a coupling portion defined between said first connection portion and said second connection portion,

wherein said coupling portion is configured to couple said second tube in flow communication with said second connection portion, and wherein said coupling portion is configured to extend axially beyond said first end portion of said second tube toward said second connection portion.

8. A washing appliance in accordance with claim 7 , further comprising a heating element positioned within said tub.

9. A washing appliance in accordance with claim 7 , further comprising a second end connector coupled to a second end portion of said first tube and a second end portion of said second tube, said second end connector formed as one-piece and comprising:

said first connection portion coupled in flow communication with said first tube and an inlet of said tub; and

said second connection portion coupled in flow communication with said second tube and an outlet of said tub.

10. A washing appliance in accordance with claim 7 , further comprising a holding tank coupled in flow communication between said tub and said first tube of said heat exchanger.

11. A washing appliance in accordance with claim 10 , further comprising a flow control device coupled between said holding tank and said tub, said flow control device configured to control a flow of water from said holding tank into said tub.

12. A washing appliance in accordance with claim 7 , further comprising a pump coupled in flow communication between said tub and said second tube of said heat exchanger, said pump configured to channel heated drain water from said tub to said heat exchanger.

13. A heat, recovery system for use with a washing appliance having a tub, said heat recovery system comprising:

a heat exchanger configured to couple to a water supply line and a drain line, said heat exchanger comprising a first tube and a second tube, the second tube extending through said first tube such that said first tube and said second tube are substantially concentric; and

a first end connector configured to couple to a first end portion of said first tube and a first end portion of said second tube, said first end connector formed as one-piece and comprising:

a first connection portion configured to couple said first tube and the water supply line in flow communication;

a second connection portion configured to couple said second tube and the drain line in flow communication; and

a coupling portion defined between said first connection portion and said second connection portion,

wherein said coupling portion is configured to couple said second tube in flow communication with said second connection portion, and wherein said coupling portion is configured to extend axially beyond said first cud portion of said second tube toward said second connection portion.

14. A heat recovery system in accordance with claim 13 , wherein the first end portion of said second tube extends beyond the first end portion of said first tube.

15. A heat recovery system in accordance with claim 13 , further comprising a second end connector configured to couple to a second end portion of said first tube and a second end portion of said second tube, said second end connector formed as one-piece and comprising:

said first connection portion configured to couple said first tube and an inlet of the tub in flow communication; and

said second connection portion configured to couple said second tube anal an outlet of the tub in flow communication.

16. A heat recovery system in accordance with claim 13 , further comprising a holding tank configured to couple in flow communication between the tub and said first tube of said heat exchanger.

17. A heat recovery system in accordance with claim 16 , further comprising a flow control device coupled between said holding tank and the tub, said flow control device configured to control a flow of water from said holding tank into the tub.

18. A heat recovery system in accordance with claim 13 , further comprising a pump configured to couple in flow communication between the tub and said second tube of said heat exchanger.

19. A heat recovery system in accordance with claim 13 , wherein said first tube is formed from a plastic material, said second tube is formed from a metallic material, and said first end connector is formed from a non-metallic material.