Heated fluid distribution apparatus for combined domestic hot water supply and space heating system

Abstract

A combined domestic hot water supply and space heating system includes a single water heating system, one or more space heating systems and a heated fluid distribution apparatus. The apparatus has piping that provides communication between the apparatus, the water heating system, the space heating system, a fresh water source, and a house tap. The apparatus also includes anti-scalding device, a temperature and pressure gauge that monitors hot water temperature, a priority device that controls flows between the pipes and other safety and maintenance devices.

1 . A heated fluid distribution apparatus for a combined domestic hot water supply and space heating system, wherein the combined domestic hot water supply and space heating system comprises a water heating system and a space heating system, the apparatus comprising: 
 a) a cold water inlet fitting that is adapted to be connected to a fresh water source;    b) a hot water outlet fitting that is adapted to be connected to a house plumbing fixture;    c) a water outlet fitting that is adapted to communicate with an inlet of the water heating system;    d) a water inlet fitting that is adapted to communicate with an outlet of the water heating system;    e) a space inlet fitting that is adapted to communicate with a,space heating system return fitting of the space heating system; and    f) a space outlet fitting that is adapted to communicate with a space heating system inlet fitting of the space heating system;    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an anti-scalding valve, wherein the anti-scalding valve communicates with the cold water inlet fitting and the water inlet fitting and has an outlet that is connected to the hot water outlet fitting.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the temperature of water from the anti-scalding valve is set to about 120° F.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature and pressure gauge that indicates incoming hot water temperature from the outlet of the water heating system.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising two three-way valves that changes the combined domestic hot water supply and space heating system into a bypass mode in which the combined domestic hot water supply and space heating system is operated for providing domestic hot water to the house plumbing fixture.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising a priority device and a control board for prioritizing domestic hot water, wherein the priority device is connected to the control board, wherein the control board controls activation and deactivation of the three way valves.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the control board is adapted to communicate with a house room thermostat for turning on/off of the space heating system.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising an anti-scalding valve, wherein the anti-scalding valve communicates with the cold water inlet fitting and the water inlet fitting and has an outlet that is connected to the hot water outlet fitting.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising an expansion tank and an air separator between the water inlet fitting and the cold water inlet fitting, wherein the expansion tank and the air separator balance pressure and automatically eliminate air in water flows between the water inlet fitting and the cold water inlet fitting.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a thermostatic mixing valve, which communicates with the water inlet fitting and the space inlet fitting, and comprises an outlet that is connected to the space outlet fitting.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a circulation pump between the space inlet fitting and the water outlet fitting.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an expansion tank and an air separator between the water inlet fitting and the cold water inlet fitting, wherein the expansion tank and the air separator balance pressure and automatically eliminate air in water flows between the water inlet fitting and the cold water inlet fitting.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a thermostatic mixing valve, which communicates with the water inlet fitting and the space inlet fitting, and comprises an outlet that is connected to the space outlet fitting.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a circulation pump between the space inlet fitting and the water outlet fitting.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the circulation pump provides water head that is high enough to activate a flow sensor for the water heating system.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the circulation pump comprises a check valve that prevents backflow from the water outlet fitting to the space outlet fitting.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a space check valve that prevents cold water backflow to the space heating system.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a water check valve that prevents return water backflow to the cold water inlet fitting.  
   
   
       19 . A combined domestic hot water supply and space heating system comprising: 
 a) a water heating system;    b) a space heating system; and    c) a heated fluid distribution apparatus;    wherein the heated fluid distribution apparatus comprises:    1) a cold water inlet fitting that is adapted to be connected to a fresh water source;    2) a hot water outlet fitting that is adapted to be connected to a house plumbing fixture;    3) a water outlet fitting that communicates with an inlet of the water heating system;    4) a water inlet fitting that communicates with an outlet of the water heating system;    5) a space inlet fitting that communicates with a space heating system return fitting of the space heating system; and    6) a space outlet fitting that communicates with a space heating system inlet fitting of the space heating system.    
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the water heating system is an on demand flow through tankless water heater.  
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the water heating system is a fully modulating device, which can supply hot water at a predetermined temperature ranging from about 100° F. to about 180° F.