Heating system for potable water and relatively small areas

Abstract

A supplemental heating system for heating a first fluid such as potable water. The supplemental heating system is configured for use in a recreational vehicle having a primary heating system that also heats the first fluid. The supplemental heating system includes a heating element that heats a second fluid and a heat exchanging component removably fitted into the recreational vehicle and having a first fluid conduit for permitting the first fluid to enter and exit the heat exchanging component, and a second fluid conduit for permitting the second fluid to enter and exit the heat exchanging component. Heat from the second fluid is transferred to the first fluid within the heat exchanging component and thereby provides a heating operation of the first fluid independent of the heating system of the recreational vehicle.

1 . A supplemental heating system for heating a first fluid, the supplemental heating system being configured for use in a recreational vehicle, the recreational vehicle having a primary heating system that also heats the first fluid, the supplemental heating system comprising: 
 a heating element that heats a second fluid;    a heat exchanging component removably fitted into the recreational vehicle and having a first fluid conduit for permitting the first fluid to enter and exit the heat exchanging component, and a second fluid conduit for permitting the second fluid to enter and exit the heat exchanging component;    wherein heat from the second fluid is transferred to the first fluid within the heat exchanging component and thereby provide a heating operation of the first fluid independent of the heating system of the recreational vehicle.    
   
   
       2 . The supplemental heating system of paragraph  1 , wherein the supplemental heating system heats the first fluid prior to the primary heating system heating the fluid.  
   
   
       3 . A supplemental potable water heater for a recreational vehicle, the vehicle having a primary potable water heating system installed therein that heats potable water, the supplemental potable water heater comprising: 
 a heating element;    a heat exchanging component that transfers heat generated by the heating element to the potable water prior to the potable water being heated by the primary potable water heating system, thereby tending to provide a substantially constant flow of potable water at a predetermined temperature.    
   
   
       4 . The supplemental potable water heater of paragraph  3 , further including: 
 a heating fluid that transfers heat from the heating element to the potable water;    a first conduit that directs the potable water into and out of the heat exchanging component; and    a second conduit that directs the heating fluid into and out of the heat exchanging component.    
   
   
       5 . The supplemental potable water heater of paragraph  4 , further comprising a tempering valve configured to mix selectively the potable water flowing into the first conduit with the potable water flowing from the first conduit, thereby to vary the temperature of the potable water flowing from the first conduit.  
   
   
       6 . The supplemental water heater of paragraph  3 , wherein the supplemental water heater is retrofittable into the recreational vehicle.  
   
   
       7 . A heating system for a recreational vehicle, comprising: 
 a primary water heater located in the recreational vehicle;    a primary water storage vessel associated with the primary water heater;    a pre-heater in communication with and installed upstream of the primary water heater;    a secondary water storage vessel associated with the pre-heater, the secondary water storage vessel having a substantially smaller water volume storage capacity than that of the primary water storage vessel;    wherein the pre-heater heats water prior to the water being heated by the primary heater, thereby tending to provide a substantially constant flow of water at a preselected temperature.    
   
   
       8 . The heating system of paragraph  7 , further including: 
 a heating fluid that transfers heat from the pre-heater to the water;    a first conduit that directs the water into and out of the pre-heater; and    a second conduit that directs the heating fluid into and out of the pre-heater.    
   
   
       9 . The heating system of paragraph  7 , further comprising a tempering valve that is configured to mix selectively the water flowing into the first conduit with the water flowing out of the first conduit to vary the temperature of the water flowing out of the first conduit.  
   
   
       10 . The heating system of paragraph  7 , wherein the pre-heater is powered independent of the primary heating system and the recreational vehicle.  
   
   
       11 . A heating system for a vehicle living environment comprising: 
 a first source of heat for a first fluid;    a second source of heat for the first fluid;    at least one space heater within which the first fluid circulates to provide heat to the living environment;    a valve to allow the first fluid to bypass the space heater and to allow the first fluid to flow through the space heater;    the valve being controlled by a thermostat to allow the first fluid to circulate through the space heater when the thermostat indicates heat is needed in the living environment, and to bypass the space heater when the thermostat. indicates heat is not required for the living environment.    
   
   
       12  The heating system of  claim 11  wherein the thermostat is adjustable.  
   
   
       13 . The heating system of  claim 11  wherein the first source of heat is a fuel-powered heater and the second source of heat is an AC-powered heater.  
   
   
       14 . The heating system of  claim 13 , further comprising a potable-water circuit for carrying potable water and a first heat exchanger between the first fluid and the potable water, the first heat exchanger exchanging heat from the first fluid to the potable water.  
   
   
       15 . The heating system of  claim 11 , further comprising a third source of heat for the first fluid.  
   
   
       16 . The heating system of  claim 14  wherein the third source of heat is an engine of a vehicle.  
   
   
       17 . The heating system of  claim 15  wherein the third source of heat heats a second fluid, and further comprising a second heat exchanger between the second fluid and the first fluid to exchange heat between the second fluid and the first fluid.  
   
   
       18 . The heating system of  claim 14  further comprising a first fluid pump to pump the first fluid through the first heat exchanger carrying the first fluid and the potable water.  
   
   
       19 . A water heating system for a vehicle with a vehicle living environment, comprising: 
 a heater-fluid loop with heater fluid therein;    an engine circuit with engine fluid therein;    a space-heating loop used for heating a vehicle living environment and being operable to allow the heater fluid to circulate therein;    a first heat source to heat said engine fluid;    a second heat source to heat said heater fluid;    a valve to route the heater fluid through the space-heating loop and to bypass the space-heating loop;    the valve being operably connected to a thermostat for measuring the temperature of the vehicle living environment and for instructing the valve to route the heater fluid through the space-heating loop and to bypass the space-heating loop.    
   
   
       20 . The water heating system of  claim 19  wherein the thermostat is adjustable.  
   
   
       21 . The water heating system of  claim 19  wherein the first heat source is an engine of a vehicle.  
   
   
       22 . The water heating system of  claim 21  wherein the second heat source is a fuel-powered heater.  
   
   
       23 . The water heating system of  claim 19  further comprising a third heat source to heat the heater fluid.  
   
   
       24 . The water heating system of  claim 23  wherein the third source of heat is an AC-powered heater.  
   
   
       25 . A heating system for heating an environment within a vehicle, the heating system comprising: 
 a first heater;    a first fluid circulating through said first heater and a potable-water-heat exchanger;    a second fluid circulating through the potable-water-heat exchanger and being heated by the first fluid in the potable-water-heat exchanger, the second fluid being potable water.    
   
   
       26 . The heating system of  claim 25  wherein the second fluid is potable water.  
   
   
       27 . The heating system of  claim 25  further comprising a second heater.  
   
   
       28 . The heating system of  claim 27  wherein the second heater heats the first fluid.  
   
   
       29 . The heating system of  claim 28  wherein the first heater is a fuel-powered heater and the second heat source is an AC-powered heater.