Heating system

Abstract

A water heating system uses a heated fluid storage tank to deliver a continuous supply of water heated to a desired temperature, such as between 100°-130° F. The system also includes a furnace with altitude-sensitive control circuitry to provide multiple sources of heat for the heating system in the most effective way given the altitude at which the system is located. The system also includes a micro-controller that adjusts certain system components in response to changes in atmospheric pressure conditions that are measured by an atmospheric-pressure sensor component: There is also an automatic-air-bleeder subsystem with an optical or ultrasonic sensor mounted adjacent a suitable air accumulator. Also included is an air-release solenoid and a fuel return line.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A heat management system connectable to a hydronic heating system that includes a combustion fan and a combustion-air-intake opening, comprising: 
 an atmospheric-pressure sensor capable of sending signal information about changes in atmospheric pressure; and    a controller coupled to the sensor and programmed to control the speed of the combustion fan based upon signal information received from the sensor.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the controller is programmed to control the size of the opening while maintaining the speed of the combustion fan constant.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the controller is a micro-controller.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the controller is a micro-controller.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the micro-controller is programmed automatically to increase the speed of the combustion fan upon receiving signal information from the sensor that the atmospheric pressure is lower and to decrease the speed of the combustion fan if the sensor sends signal information that atmospheric pressure is higher.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the micro-controller is programmed automatically to increase the size of the opening upon receiving signal information from the atmospheric-change sensor that the atmospheric pressure is lower and to decrease the size of the opening if the sensor sends signal information that atmospheric pressure is higher.  
     
     
         7 . A heat management system connectable to a hydronic heating system that includes a combustion fan and a combustion-air-intake opening, comprising: 
 an atmospheric-change sensor capable of sending signal information about changes in atmospheric pressure; and    a controller coupled to the sensor and programmed automatically to change the speed of the combustion fan based upon signal information received from the sensor that an incremental change in atmospheric pressure has occurred.    
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the controller is programmed to change the size of the opening while maintaining the speed of the combustion fan constant based upon signal information received from the sensor that an incremental change in atmospheric pressure has occurred.  
     
     
         9 . A heat management system connectable to a hydronic heating system with control circuitry, comprising: 
 an automatic air bleeder including a sensor mounted adjacent an air accumulator and structured to send signal information to the control circuitry; and    wherein the control circuitry is coupled to the air bleeder to activate it upon receiving signal information from the sensor.    
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the sensor is chosen from the group consisting of an optical or ultrasonic sensor.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the accumulator is chosen from the group consisting of substantially transparent glass, clear glass, a plastic tube, or a rubber tube.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9  further including an air-release solenoid and a fuel return line.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10  further including an air-release solenoid and a fuel return line.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11  further including an air-release solenoid and a fuel return line.  
     
     
         15 . A heat management system connectable to a hydronic heating system that includes a fuel-metering device, comprising: 
 an atmospheric-pressure sensor capable of sending signal information about changes in atmospheric pressure; and    a controller coupled to the sensor and programmed to control the amount of fuel delivered to the system via the fuel-metering device based upon signal information received from the sensor.