Detached fluid temperature control system

Abstract

A system for heating water which is primarily used for swimming pools, spas or other recreational purposes comprising a heater assembly having a heating element mounted within a housing in heat exchanging relation to water passing there through, wherein the heating element is formed of a titanium material and is structurally configured to maximize heat exchange by incorporating a substantially twisted orientation of the heating element relative to a central longitudinal axis thereof. The system further contemplates the heating element containing heat exchange fluid passing there through, wherein the heating element is remotely spaced from a compressor assembly which processes the heat exchange fluid to accomplish a rise in temperature of the water being heated. Additional embodiments include a filter assembly of cooperative dimension disposed in predetermined relation to the heating element within a common housing for concurrent filtering and heating of the water passing there through, wherein the heating element and the filter assembly may be disposed in a substantially combined operative orientation or alternatively, spaced apart in an at least partially segregated relation but within the same housing.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] This invention is directed to an assembly for heating water of the type primarily used in recreational facilities such as, but not limited to, swimming pools, spas, etc. An “add-on” heater assembly is used independently of or in direct combination with a filter assembly and includes a heating element structurally configured to maximize heat exchange with the water being heated. The heater assembly is positioned in close proximity to the water delivery area and at a remotely spaced distance from a compressor, to which it is detachably connected. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Recreational facilities including swimming pools, spas, and the like have become increasingly popular in a home or private environment. The popularity of such facilities has increased even in geographical areas which do not enjoy a warmer or more temperate environment. Accordingly, in order that such recreational facilities can ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] The present invention is directed to a system for heating water of the type used primarily for recreational facilities such as, but not limited to, swimming pools, hot tubs, spas, etc. Moreover, the system of the present invention comprises a heater assembly including a housing, which may differ in dimension and configuration dependent upon a specific application, but is structured to facilitate the passage of the water therethrough. A heating element is mounted within the housing and is structured, disposed and configured to facilitate and maximize heat exchange between the heat exchange fluid passing through the heating element and the water within and / or passing through the housing.

[0010] In order to accomplish appropriate processing of the heat exchange fluid, a compressor assembly is connected in fluid communication with the heating element but is disposed at a remotely spaced distance there from. More specifically, the compressor is located a sufficient distance from the point of delivery of the heating water in order to eliminate or reduce any inconvenience of participants of the recreational facility which may be caused by the operating characteristics of the compressor assembly and its associated operative components. By way of example only and as explained in greater detail hereinafter, the continued or periodic operation of the compressor assembly and the components and control assemblies associated therewith, may be sufficiently noisy to be annoying to occupants of a swimming pool if the compressor assembly is located in the general proximity of the pool or other recreational facility to which the heated water is supplied.

[0011] According, one feature of the heating system of the present invention is the remote location or distancing of the heater assembly and the compressor assembly from one another, wherein the heater assembly is located in the general vicinity and much closer to the swimming pool or other recreational facility to which the heated water is being delivered. This proximate location of the heater assembly further facilitates a heating of the pool water in close proximity to its area of delivery and use thereby rendering the overall heating system more efficient. Further structural features include a detachable connection between the heating element and / or housing and the compressor assembly and its associated operative components thereby facilitating installation, replacement, repair and maintenance of the heater assembly and its components.

[0012] It is of course recognized that efficient heating of the recreational water, while passing through the housing, is based, at least in part, on the disposition, size and configuration of the heating element disposed in heat transferring relation to the water passing through the housing. As such, the heating element comprises an exterior surface having a predetermined configuration structured to maximize heat exchange with the water within the housing. Moreover, while the exterior surface configuration of the heating element may vary within certain prescribed parameters, a most preferred predetermined configuration of the exterior surface of the heating element is generally defined by a substantially twisted orientation of said heating element about a central longitudinal axis thereof. The “twisted orientation” of the heating element will result in an exterior surface configuration which may be generally described as a “twirled” or even “thread-like” configuration extending along all or at least a significant majority of the heating element. As a result, the exterior surface which comes in contact with the water being heated is effectively increased based upon the overall length of the heating element mounted within the interior of the housing. The resulting predetermined twisted orientation thereby comprises an increased exposed outer or exterior surface of the heating element in order to “maximize” or significantly increase the heat exchange area and the degree of heat exchange between the heat exchange fluid passing through the heating element and the water being exposed to the heating element within the housing. Another feature directly associated with the heating element is it being preferably formed from a titanium material to further facilitate heat exchange. In addition, the titanium has a long and effective operable life in that it is resistant to erosion and corrosion thereby extending the operable life of the entire heating system. However, it is emphasized that the heating element may be formed of materials other than Titanium such as, but not limited to cupro nickel and / or stainless steel.

[0014] Yet another structural modification and preferred embodiment of the present invention is the direct combining of the filter assembly and the heating element in a common housing, wherein a structural modification of this cooperative embodiment includes the elongated heating element disposed in a substantially helical configuration and in surrounding relation to the heater assembly. In this embodiment, the overall size and / or configuration of the filter element may be reduced or structurally modified so as to facilitate its cooperative and direct placement relative to the heating element in a manner which facilitates both the filtering and heating of the water passing through the common housing.

Problems solved by technology

By way of example only and as explained in greater detail hereinafter, the continued or periodic operation of the compressor assembly and the components and control assemblies associated therewith, may be sufficiently noisy to be annoying to occupants of a swimming pool if the compressor assembly is located in the general proximity of the pool or other recreational facility to which the heated water is supplied.

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