Device for preparing hot water, in particular for domestic applications

Abstract

A device which is used for preparing hot water, in particular for domestic applications, by recovering heat from waste water, preferably waste water from a sink and/or a dishwasher or washing machine includes a heat pump having an evaporator and a condenser, and a waste water container which collects the waste water. The waste water container is placed in thermal contact with the evaporator and constructed as a cylindrical hollow body with a waste water inlet and a waste water outlet. A hot water reservoir is in thermal contact with the condenser. Accommodated in the hollow body of the waste water container is an agitating apparatus, and a valve is provided at the waste water outlet to cut a flow of waste water through the waste water outlet.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A device for preparing hot water, comprising:
 a heat pump having an evaporator and a condenser;   a waste water container collecting waste water and placed in thermal contact with the evaporator, said waste water container being constructed as a cylindrical hollow body having a waste water inlet and a waste water outlet;   a hot water reservoir in thermal contact with the condenser;   an agitating apparatus accommodated in the hollow body, said agitating apparatus including a drive shaft running coaxially in the waste water container and agitating elements arranged on the drive shaft; and   a valve provided at the waste water outlet to cut a flow of waste water through the waste water outlet.   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16  for use in domestic application. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the heat pump is a compression heat pump. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 16 , for use in the recovery of heat from waste water from a sink and/or a dishwasher or washing machine. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the agitating elements are constructed in the form of a worm. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the agitating elements are structured in a way as to form a closure for waste water. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the agitating elements are constructed to contact a wall surface of the waste water container. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the agitating elements are constructed at a distance to a facing wall surface of the waste water container to thereby define a gap there between. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 16 , further comprising a motor to drive the drive shaft. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the drive shaft together with the agitating elements and the motor is constructed as a structural unit which is removably connected to the waste water container for cleaning purposes. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the waste water container is arranged inclined at an angle with a fall toward the waste water outlet. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 16 , further comprising a preliminary heat exchanger for fresh water, said preliminary heat exchanger being provided on the waste water container. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein the preliminary heat exchanger is formed by a coiled pipe running in a spiral shape around a housing of the waste water container. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein the evaporator has a coiled pipe, said coiled pipe of the preliminary heat exchanger and said coiled pipe of the evaporator being arranged in a manner of a common bifilar winding. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein the hot water reservoir has an inlet provided in a lower region of the hot water reservoir, said inlet being connected to an outlet of the preliminary heat exchanger. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the hot water reservoir has a hot water outlet, said condenser and said hot water outlet being arranged in an upper region of the hot water reservoir. 
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 16 , further comprising a common heat insulation enclosing the waste water container, the heat pump and the hot water reservoir.