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.

Claims

1. A method of operating a pool-water circulation system, comprising: a. causing pool water to be received by an inlet of a manifold also comprising an outlet, a chamber, a gate positioned at least partially within the chamber, and first openings; b. electrically activating or deactivating a heating device by respectively electrically connecting the heating device to, or electrically disconnecting the heating device from, a source of electrical power; and c. causing an automatic actuator to position the gate so as to allow the pool water to flow from the inlet to the outlet without significant restriction if the heating device is electrically deactivated or from the inlet, through the first openings, to a heat exchanger for heating when the heating device is electrically activated.

2. A method according to claim 1 in which the heat exchanger comprises tubes having second openings in liquid communication with the first openings.

3. A method according to claim 2 in which the gate has a solid face having an area approximately the same as a cross-sectional area of the chamber.

4. A method according to claim 3 in which, when positioning the gate, the automatic actuator causes movement of an axle attached to the gate.

5. A method of operating a pool-water Circulation system, comprising: a. causing pool water to be received by an inlet of a manifold also comprising an outlet, a chamber, a gate (i) positioned at least partially within the chamber and (ii) having a solid face having an area approximately the same as a cross-sectional area of the chamber, and first openings; b. electrically activating or deactivating a heating device by respectively electrically connecting the heating device to, or electrically disconnecting the heating device from, a source of electrical power; c. causing an automatic actuator to position the gate, by causing movement of an axle attached to the gate, so as to allow the pool water to flow from the inlet to the outlet without significant restriction if the heating device is electrically deactivated or from the inlet, through the first openings, to a heat exchanger for heating when the heating device is electrically activated, the heat exchanger comprising tubes having second openings in liquid communication with the first openings; and d. configuring a valve assembly positioned at least partially within the chamber to open, thus allowing pool water to bypass the gate, when a force exerted by the pool water against the valve assembly exceeds a predetermined amount.

6. A method according to claim 5 in which the valve assembly comprises a poppet valve.

7. A method of operating a pool-water circulation system, comprising: a. causing pool water to be received by an inlet of a manifold also comprising an outlet, a chamber, a gate positioned at least partially within the chamber, and first openings; b. electrically activating or deactivating a heating device by respectively electrically connecting the heating device to, or electrically disconnecting the heating device from, a source of electrical power; and c. causing an automatic actuator to position the gate so as to allow a substantially greater volume of the pool water to flow from the inlet, through the first openings, to a heat exchanger for heating when the heating device is electrically activated than when the heating device is electrically deactivated.

8. A method of operating a pool-water circulation system, comprising: a. causing pool water to be received by an inlet of a manifold also comprising an outlet, a chamber, a gate positioned at least partially within the chamber, and first openings; b. electrically activating or deactivating a heating device by respectively electrically connecting the heating device to, or electrically disconnecting the heating device from, a source of electrical power; and c. causing an automatic actuator to position the gate so as (i) to allow the pool water to flow from the inlet to the outlet without significant restriction if the heating device is electrically deactivated or (ii) to allow a substantial volume of the pool water to flow from the inlet, through the first openings, to a heat exchanger for heating when the heating device is electrically activated.

9. A method of operating a pool-water circulation system, comprising: a. causing pool water to be received by an inlet of a manifold also comprising an outlet, a chamber, a gate positioned at least partially within the chamber, and first openings; b. electrically activating or deactivating a heating device by respectively electrically connecting the heating device to, or electrically disconnecting the heating device from, a source of electrical power; c. causing an automatic actuator to position the gate so as to allow a substantially greater volume of the pool water to flow from the inlet, through the first openings, to a heat exchanger for heating when the heating device is electrically activated than when the heating device is electrically deactivated; and d. configuring a valve assembly positioned at least partially within the chamber to open, thus allowing pool water to bypass the gate, when a force exerted by the pool water against the valve assembly exceeds a predetermined amount.

10. A method of operating a pool-water circulation system, comprising: a. causing pool water to be received by an inlet of a manifold also comprising an outlet, a chamber, a gate positioned at least partially within the chamber, and first openings; b. electrically activating or deactivating a heating device by respectively electrically connecting the heating device to, or electrically disconnecting the heating device from, a source of electrical power; c. causing an automatic actuator to position the gate so as (i) to allow the pool water to flow from the inlet to the outlet without significant restriction if the heating device is electrically deactivated or (ii) to allow a substantial volume of the pool water to flow from the inlet, through the first openings, to a beat exchanger for beating when the heating device is electrically activated; and d. configuring a valve assembly positioned at least partially within the chamber to open, thus allowing pool water to bypass the gate, when a force exerted by the pool water against the valve assembly exceeds a predetermined amount.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional, partially-schematic view of an exemplary manifold including technology of the present invention and with a repositionable gate in a “closed” position.

(2) FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional, partially-schematic view of the manifold of FIG. 1 with the repositionable gate in an “open” position.

(3) FIG. 3 is perspective view of an alternative gate of the present invention into which is incorporated a poppet valve assembly.

(4) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the gate of FIG. 3 with the poppet valve assembly exploded.

(5) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the manifold of FIGS. 1-2 to which tubes are attached.

(6) FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional, partially-schematic view of an exemplary manifold including technology of the present invention and with the repositionable gate of FIG. 3 in a “closed” position.

(7) FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional, partially-schematic view of the manifold of FIG. 6 with the repositionable gate of FIG. 3 in an “open” position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) Illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 and 5 is exemplary manifold 10. Manifold 10 may include at least one inlet 14 and at least one outlet 18. Also shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 5 is optional second inlet 22. Depending on how manifold 10 is plumbed in a water circulation system, either of inlets 14 or 22 may be connected so as to receive circulating water. Typically the other of inlets 14 or 22 would be plugged, although conceivably both inlets 14 and 22 could be used simultaneously.

(9) Included in manifold 10 may be plural openings 26 and 30. Openings 26 preferably, although not necessarily, are aligned, as preferably are openings 30. A corresponding set of openings 26 and 30 may function as inlet and outlet of an associated tube 34 of a heat exchanger or similar device. FIG. 5 shows six such tubes 34, although more or fewer tubes 34, or “tubes” of different shape, may be utilized instead. Also included in manifold 10 may be poppet valve assembly 36.

(10) Shown especially in FIG. 2 is low-restriction chamber 38 within manifold 10. Chamber 38 preferably is sized and shaped so as to provide substantial volume through which water may flow. Accordingly, if water is not obstructed as it travels from inlet 14 or 22 through chamber 38 to outlet 18, head loss of the flowing water is anticipated to be minimal—or at least materially less than with current manifold designs.

(11) FIG. 2 illustrates a barrier, in the form of gate 42, in its “open,” or second, position. In this position gate 42 does not materially obstruct water flow through chamber 38. Gate 42 advantageously may be in this open position when a heating device connected to manifold 10 is inactive, resulting in a low-resistance water path existing through the chamber 38. Little or no water hence enters tubes 34 when no water heating is occurring, reducing wear of the tubes 34 otherwise caused by the flowing water.

(12) FIG. 1, by contrast, details gate 42 in its “closed,” or first, position. In this position gate 42 obstructs substantially all water flow through chamber 38. Water entering manifold 10 through an inlet 14 or 22 hence is directed to openings 26 and into tubes 34 for heating. Heated water returns to manifold 10 through openings 30 and travels to outlet 18 to continue the circulation process. Excess pressure of water entering manifold 10 in this instance may cause poppet valve assembly 36 to open, hence creating a second flow path to outlet 18.

(13) Repositioning of gate 42 may be caused by any appropriate device. Preferably gate 42 is actuated by a solenoid configured to turn axle 46 which is connected to the gate 42. Rotation of axle 46 in turn causes gate 42 to pivot between (at least) its first and second positions. Persons skilled in the art will recognize that gate 42 may move in other manners, or actuated by other devices, instead though.

(14) Gate 42 beneficially may have a solid face 50 sized and shaped to prevent passage of water when in the closed position (i.e. the area of face 50 is approximately the same as a cross-sectional area of at least some portion of chamber 38). FIGS. 3-4 depict an alternate gate 42A in which otherwise-solid face 50A includes an opening 54. Placed behind opening 54 may be poppet valve assembly 58 including disc 62, stem 66, and coil spring 70. Spring 70 biases disc 62 so as normally to close opening 54, thus normally causing face 50A to obstruct flowing fluid it encounters. Should water flow through inlet 14 or 22 exert against face 50A a force exceeding a predetermined amount, however, it will overcome force of spring 70 and push disc 62 away from opening 54. This action produces a bypass path into and through chamber 38 to outlet 18 and serves to regulate flow rate into the heat exchanger.

(15) Incorporating poppet valve assembly 58 into gate 42 avoids any need for the separate poppet valve assembly 36 appearing in FIGS. 1-2. Such a modified manifold 10′ is depicted in FIGS. 6-7, in which gate 42A is shown in “closed” and “open” positions, respectively. Clear from FIGS. 7-8 is that, because gate 42A already includes poppet valve assembly 58, no separate assembly 38 is needed.

(16) The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of the present invention. Modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.