Heated fluid distribution apparatus for combined domestic hot water supply and space heating system in closed loop

Abstract

A combined domestic hot water supply and space heating system includes a single water heating system, one or more space heating systems and a heated fluid distribution apparatus. The apparatus has piping that provides communication between the apparatus, the water heating system, the space heating system, a fresh water source, and a house tap. The apparatus also includes a by-pass heat exchanger that has a heat source side that communicates with the water heating system, and a space heating system side that communicates with the space heating system.

1 . A heated fluid distribution apparatus for a combined domestic hot water supply and space heating system, wherein the combined domestic hot water supply and space heating system comprises a water heating system and a space heating system, the apparatus comprising: 
 a) a cold water inlet fitting that is adapted to be connected to a fresh water source;    b) a hot water outlet fitting that is adapted to be connected to a house plumbing fixture;    c) a water outlet fitting that is adapted to communicate with an inlet of the water heating system;    d) a water inlet fitting that is adapted to communicate with an outlet of the water heating system;    e) a space inlet fitting that is adapted to communicate with a space heating system return fitting of the space heating system;    f) a space outlet fitting that is adapted to communicate with a space heating system inlet fitting of the space heating system; and    g) a by-pass heat exchanger that comprises a heat heat source side that is adapted to communicate with the water heating system, and a space heating system side that is adapted to communicate with the space heating system.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a primary loop circulation pump, and a secondary circulation pump, wherein the heat source side of the by-pass heat exchanger comprises a source inlet that is adapted to communicate the water heating system, and a source outlet that is connected to the primary loop pump, wherein the space heating system side of the by-pass heat exchanger comprises a space inlet that is connected to the secondary loop pump for reheating water from the space heating system and a space outlet for returning heated water to the space heating system.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the working fluid directions are opposite with each other between the heat source side and the space heating system side in the by-pass heat exchanger.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a priority device, a three way valve and a control board for prioritizing domestic hot water, wherein the priority device is connected to the control board, wherein the control board controls activation and deactivation of the three way valve, the primary circulation pump, and the secondary circulation pump.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the control board is adapted to communicate with a house room thermostat for turning on/off of the space heating system.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the three way valve communicates with the water inlet fitting, the source inlet of the by-pass heat exchanger, and the hot water outlet fitting.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising an expansion tank and an air separator between the space outlet of the by-pass heat exchanger and the space outlet fitting, wherein the expansion tank and the air separator balance pressure and automatically eliminate air in water flows.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a thermostatic mixing valve, which communicates with the space outlet of the by-pass heat exchanger and the space inlet fitting, and comprises an outlet that is connected to the space outlet fitting.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the primary circulation pump communicates with the source outlet of the by-pass heat exchanger and the water outlet fitting.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the primary circulation pump provides water head that is high enough to activate a flow sensor for the water heating system.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the secondary circulation pump communicates with the space inlet fitting and the space inlet of the by-pass heat exchanger.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the secondary circulation pump has a predetermined flow rate, wherein the predetermined flow rate is determined depending on the space heating system.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an anti-scalding valve, wherein the anti-scalding valve communicates with the cold water inlet fitting and the water inlet fitting and has an outlet that is connected to the hot water outlet fitting.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the temperature of water from the anti-scalding valve is set to about 120° F.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature and pressure gauge that indicates incoming hot water temperature from the outlet of the water heating system.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a water check valve that prevents return water backflow to the cold water inlet fitting.  
   
   
       17 . A combined domestic hot water supply and space heating system comprising: 
 a) a water heating system;    b) a space heating system; and    c) a heated fluid distribution apparatus;    wherein the heated fluid distribution apparatus comprises:    1) a cold water inlet fitting that is adapted to be connected to a fresh water source;    2) a hot water outlet fitting that is adapted to be connected to a house plumbing fixture;    3) a water outlet fitting that communicates with an inlet of the water heating system;    4) a water inlet fitting that communicates with an outlet of the water heating system;    5) a space inlet fitting that communicates with a space heating system return fitting of the space heating system; and    6) a space outlet fitting that communicates with a space heating system inlet fitting of the space heating system; and    7) a by-pass heat exchanger that comprises a heat heat source side that communicates with the water heating system, and a space heating system side that communicates with the space heating system.    
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the heated fluid distribution apparatus further comprises a primary loop circulation pump, and a secondary circulation pump, wherein the heat source side of the by-pass heat exchanger comprises a source inlet that is adapted to communicate the water heating system, and a source outlet that is connected to the primary loop pump, wherein the space heating system side of the by-pass heat exchanger comprises a space inlet that is connected to the secondary loop pump for reheating water from the space heating system and a space outlet for returning heated water to the space heating system.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the water heating system is an on demand flow through tankless water heater.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the water heating system is a fully modulating device, which can supply hot water at a predetermined temperature ranging from about 100° F. to about 180° F.