Systems, assemblies, and methods of reducing head loss in heating devices

Abstract

Low head loss systems are detailed. The systems may include chambers having low impedance to water flow therethrough and repositionable gates or other valves within the chambers. The valves may direct water as a function of whether an associated heating device is active. At least some gates may incorporate poppet valves or other high-flow by-passes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pool-water heater manifold in fluid communication with other components of a pool-water circulation system, the manifold comprising:
 a. an inlet for receiving pool water from another component of the pool-water circulation system;   b. an outlet for transferring pool water to another component of the pool-water circulation system;   c. a low-restriction chamber configured to allow water to flow from the inlet to the outlet;   d. a plurality of openings for directing water to a heating device;   e. a barrier positioned at least partially within the chamber; and   f. means for repositioning the barrier from a first position, in which the barrier obstructs passage through the chamber of substantially all of the water received by the inlet, to a second position, in which the barrier allows passage through the chamber of substantially all of the water received by the inlet.   
     
     
         2 . A pool-water heater manifold according to  claim 1  in which the barrier has a solid face having an area approximately the same as a cross-sectional area of the low-restriction chamber. 
     
     
         3 . A pool-water heater manifold according to  claim 2  in which the barrier-repositioning means comprises an axle attached to the barrier. 
     
     
         4 . A pool-water heater manifold according to  claim 1  in which the barrier comprises a gate having a predominantly solid face with an opening therein. 
     
     
         5 . A pool-water heater manifold according to  claim 4  further comprising a poppet valve assembly incorporated into the gate. 
     
     
         6 . A pool-water heater manifold according to  claim 5  in which the poppet valve assembly comprises (a) a disc of approximately the same size as the opening and (b) means for biasing the disc toward a position in which it closes the opening 
     
     
         7 . A pool-water heater manifold according to  claim 6  in which the biasing means is a coil spring. 
     
     
         8 . A pool-water heater manifold according to  claim 7  in which the poppet valve assembly further comprises a stem. 
     
     
         9 . A pool-water heater manifold according to  claim 1  positioned internally of a housing containing the heating device. 
     
     
         10 . A pool-water heater manifold according to  claim 1  positioned externally of a housing containing the heating device. 
     
     
         11 . A method of operating a pool-water heating system comprising:
 a. causing pool water to enter a manifold of a heating device; and   b. positioning a barrier within the manifold so as to allow pool water to flow from an inlet of the manifold to an outlet of the manifold without significant restriction if the heating device is inactive or from the inlet of the manifold to the heating device when the heating device is active.   
     
     
         12 . A method of operating a pool-water heating system according to  claim 11  further comprising permitting a poppet valve assembly incorporated into the barrier to open when water flow to the heating device is greater than a threshold. 
     
     
         13 . A pool-water heater comprising:
 a. a housing;   b. a heating device within the housing; and   b. a manifold within the housing and comprising:
 i. an inlet for receiving water; 
 ii. a water outlet; 
 iii. a low-restriction chamber configured to allow water to flow from the inlet to the outlet; 
 iv. a plurality of first openings for directing water to the heating device; 
 v. a plurality of second openings for receiving water returning from the heating device; 
 vi. a barrier positioned at least partially within the chamber; and 
 vii. means for repositioning the barrier from a first position, in which the barrier obstructs passage through the chamber of substantially all of the water received by the inlet, to a second position, in which the barrier allows passage through the chamber of substantially all of the water received by the inlet. 
   
     
     
         14 . A pool-water heater according to  claim 13  in which the heating device comprises a plurality of tubes. 
     
     
         15 . A pool-water heater according to  claim 13  the barrier is not plumbed externally of the housing. 
     
     
         16 . A pool-water heater according to  claim 13  further comprising a poppet valve assembly positioned at least partly within the manifold. 
     
     
         17 . A pool-water heater according to  claim 16  in which the poppet valve assembly is incorporated into the barrier.