Vapor Corp.

James L McKenney

Robert H Stevenson

A thermal storage heater system for heating fluids includes a storage tank for accumulating and storing energy in the form of a quantity liquid heated to a high temperature by an electric immersion heating element in the tank. A source of a first fluid to be heated is connected to the inlets of pilot and primary heat exchangers immersed in the high temperature liquid for transferring heat to the first fluid. A first circuit connects the outlet of the pilot heat exchanger to a point of use. A second fluid circuit connects the outlet of the primary heat exchanger to the point of use and includes a spring-loaded pressure sensitive check valve responsive to the flow rate in the first circuit for regulating the flow of fluid through the primary heat exchanger in response to a change in flow indicative of insufficient heating of the fluid by the pilot heat exchanger. The system includes an additional heat exchanger for heating a second fluid to be heated. The pilot, primary and additional heat exchangers each comprise at least one U-shaped tube immersed in the liquid with each tube having an inlet and an outlet aligned in a horizontal plane. A condenser is provided at the outlet of the pilot heat exchanger and additional heat exchanger for condensing any entrained steam in the heated fluid. The condenser for the additional heat exchanger includes a central spray tube connecting the source of second fluid to the inlet of the U-shaped tube, a concentric outer shell connecting the outlet of the U-shaped tube to the point of use, and a radially corrugated imperforate baffle therebetween.

Electric thermal storage heater system for heating fluids

A load controller, primarily intended for use in systems having geographically distributed, energy utilizing loads, and employing stored energy heating apparatus. The controller (1, 10) disclosed, in conjunction with a stored energy heater (3, 4), when installed on an energy distribution system having a multiplicity of heaters and controllers, adjusts individual heater storage (3), providing adequate energy for varying heat requirements of individual heaters after a mandatory 'off' period (46, 47, 49, 51), thereby greatly reducing the overall peak energy or demand requirements on a central energy source. Alternate embodiments utilize a microprocessor (300) to provide close control of heater storage and improve efficiency. Digital display (307) and a keyboard input are provided for adjusting system constants and evaluating unit operation.

Load controller having time integrated demand

A load controller, primarily intended for use in systems having geographically distributed, energy utilizing loads, and employing stored energy heating apparatus. The controller (1, 10) disclosed, in conjunction with a stored energy heater (3, 4), when installed on an energy distribution system having a multiplicity of heaters and controllers, adjusts individual heater storage (3), providing adequate energy for varying heat requirements of individual heaters after a mandatory 'off' period (46, 47, 49, 51), thereby greatly reducing the overall peak energy or demand requirements on a central energy source.

Load controller

A heating system includes a heat storage tank containing a heat transfer fluid (water) electrically heated to a high temperature. A tube/shell heat exchanger having a pair of fluid flow paths arranged in counter flow relationship is provided for extraction of heat from storage tank by the circulation of the heat transfer fluid therethrough. Conduit means connect the outlet of the tank to the inlet of the first flow path. The outlet of the first flow path is connected to the inlet of a temperature responsive diverter valve having a pair of outlets. A first diverter valve outlet is connected to the inlet of the tank and the second diverter valve outlet is connected to the inlet of the first flow path. A pump responsive to the temperature at the outlet of the first flow path causes the heat transfer fluid to be circulated when the temperature at the outlet drops. The pump and diverter valve are so arranged that flow of heat transfer fluid is established through the first flow path and the second outlet of the diverter valve, thereby bypassing the heat storage tank, prior to establishment of the flow of heat transfer fluid through the first flow path, first diverter valve outlet and the tank, to thus allow utilization of stored heat without flashing of the liquid to be heated flowing through the second flow path of the heat exchanger.

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Norwell, MA, United States of America

James L McKenney