Waste heat recovery system

Abstract

A waste heat recovery system is provided. The system comprises: a water storage device, a heat exchanger coil, a water source, a valve and a pump. The heat exchanger coil is connected to the refrigerator and extends into the water storage device, wherein the heat exchanger coil is configured to absorb the heat energy generated from the refrigerator so as to heat water in the water storage device to a first temperature. The water source is configured to supply water. The valve is connected between the water source and the water storage device and is configured to control a flow of water from the water source into the water storage device. The pump is connected to the water storage device and is configured to control the output of water from the water storage device to at least one external device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heat recovery system for a refrigerator, comprising:
 a water storage device;   a heat exchanger coil, connected to the refrigerator and extending into the water storage device, wherein the heat exchanger coil is configured to absorb the heat energy generated from the refrigerator so as to heat water in the water storage device to a first temperature;   a water source, configured to supply water;   a valve, connected between the water source and the water storage device and configured to control a flow of water from the water source into the water storage device; and   a pump, connected to the water storage device and configured to control the output of water from the water storage device to at least one external device.   
     
     
         2 . The heat recovery system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a control unit configured to control an on/off function of the pump and the valve. 
     
     
         3 . The heat recovery system according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger coil is integrated with and disposed in the refrigerator. 
     
     
         4 . The heat recovery system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature detector disposed in the water storage device and configured to detect a water temperature inside the water storage device, wherein when the water temperature inside the water storage device reaches a predetermined temperature, the pump is turned on to output the water in the water storage device to the at least one external device. 
     
     
         5 . The heat recovery system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a water level detector disposed in the water storage device and configured to detect a water level inside the water storage device, wherein the valve is opened when the water level inside the water storage device is equal to or less than a first water level, and the valve is closed when the water level in the water storage device level is equal to or greater than a second water level, wherein the second water level is higher than the first water level. 
     
     
         6 . The heat recovery system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first temperature is between 20 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         7 . The heat recovery system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one external device includes: a water heater, a thermos bottle, a hot water bag, and/or a hot water tank. 
     
     
         8 . A heat recovery system for a refrigerator, comprising:
 a water storage device;   a heat exchanger coil, connected between the refrigerator and the water storage device, wherein the heat exchanger coil is configured to absorb the heat energy generated from the refrigerator so as to heat water in the water storage device to a first temperature;   a water source, configured to supply water;   a valve, connected between the water source and the water storage device and configured to control a flow of water from the water source into the water storage device;   a first pump, connected between the water storage device and the heat exchanger coil and configured to control the flow of water from the water storage device to the heat exchanger coil; and   a second pump, connected to the water storage device and configured to control the output of the water from the water storage device to at least one external device.   
     
     
         9 . The heat recovery system according to  claim 8 , further comprising a control unit, configured to control the on/off function of the first pump, the second pump, and the valve. 
     
     
         10 . The heat recovery system according to  claim 8 , wherein the heat exchanger coil is integrated with and disposed in the refrigerator. 
     
     
         11 . The heat recovery system according to  claim 8 , further comprising a temperature detector disposed in the water storage device and configured to detect a water temperature inside the water storage device, wherein when the water temperature inside the water storage device reaches a predetermined temperature, the second pump is turned on to output water in the water storage device to the at least one external device. 
     
     
         12 . The heat recovery system according to  claim 8 , further comprising a water level detector disposed in the water storage device and configured to detect a water level inside the water storage device, wherein the valve is opened when the water level inside the water storage device is equal to or less than a first water level, and the valve is closed when the water level in the water storage device level is equal to or greater than a second water level, wherein the second water level is higher than the first water level. 
     
     
         13 . The heat recovery system according to  claim 8 , wherein the first temperature is between 20 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         14 . The heat recovery system according to  claim 8 , wherein the at least one external device includes: a water heater, a thermos bottle, a hot water bag, and/or a hot water tank. 
     
     
         15 . A method of recovering heat from a refrigerator, comprising the steps of:
 providing a water storage device;   providing a heat exchanger coil connected to the refrigerator and extending into the water storage device;   absorbing the heat energy generated from the refrigerator with the heat exchanger coil;   heating water in the water storage device to a first temperature with the absorbed heat energy;   providing a water source;   providing a valve, connected between the water source and the water storage device for controlling a flow of water from the water source into the water storage device;   providing a pump, connected to the water storage device and configured to control the output of water from the water storage device to at least one external device; and   outputting water in the water storage device to at least one external device when the temperature in the water storage device reaches a predetermined temperature.