Heat exchange system

Abstract

The present invention relates a novel heat exchange system. More particularly, the invention concerns a heat exchange system for use in bathing apparatus, including showers, bathtubs and whirlpools. Advantageously, this system is simple to install, maintain and clean and can easily be integrated in a limitless variety of bathing apparatus.

1 . A heat exchange system comprising a bathing apparatus with a drain element and a heat exchange element having a generally flat surface, wherein said heat exchange element is positioned against the bottom surface of said bathing apparatus and serves a platform surface upon which a bather can stand or sit. 
   
   
       2 . A heat exchange system as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a gasket to seal said heat exchange element within said bathing apparatus. 
   
   
       3 . A heat exchange system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein a non-conductive material is applied partially or completely on the surface of the heat exchange element. 
   
   
       4 . A heat exchange system as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising one or more dams or dam-like elements. 
   
   
       5 . A heat exchange system comprising a bathing apparatus with a drain element, a heat exchange element having a generally flat surface, wherein said heat exchange element is positioned against the bottom surface of said bathing apparatus and a cover made of a non-conductive material serving as a platform surface upon which a bather can stand or sit. 
   
   
       6 . A heat exchange system as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said bathing apparatus includes one or more spacers. 
   
   
       7 . A heat exchange system as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said cover is made of one piece or multiple pieces of non-conductive material. 
   
   
       8 . A heat exchange system as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said cover is made of multiple pieces having different thicknesses. 
   
   
       9 . A heat exchange system as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said cover is made of multiple pieces having similar thicknesses. 
   
   
       10 . A heat exchange system as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said cover includes one or more openings or the equivalent thereof to allow water to reach said heat exchange element. 
   
   
       11 . A heat exchange system as defined in  claim 5 , further comprising one or more dams or dam-like elements. 
   
   
       12 . A heat exchange system as defined in  claim 5 , further comprising a series of discontinuous dividers or the equivalent thereof. 
   
   
       13 . A heat exchange system as defined in  claim 5 , further comprising a water channel that surrounds the opening of the bathing apparatus. 
   
   
       14 . A heat exchange system comprising a bathing apparatus with a drain element, wherein said bathing apparatus is made of a conductive material that is suitable for heat exchange and wherein said bathing apparatus includes a platform surface upon which a bather can stand or sit. 
   
   
       15 . A heat exchange system as defined in  claim 11 , wherein said platform surface is made of or at least partially covered with a non-conductive material. 
   
   
       16 . A heat exchange system as defined in  claim 11 , wherein said system includes a surrounding channel or the equivalent thereof. 
   
   
       17 . A heat exchange system comprising a bathing apparatus with a drain element, and one or more heat exchange elements within said bathing apparatus, wherein said bathing apparatus includes a platform surface upon which a bather can stand or sit. 
   
   
       18 . A heat exchange system as defined in  claim 17 , wherein said heat exchange elements are generally rectangular in shape. 
   
   
       19 . A heat exchange system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said heat exchange elements is a metal, concrete, stone, a composite comprising a polymer or graphite. 
   
   
       20 . A heat exchange system as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said non-conductive material is plastic, a composite material, wood, a wood-like material, a material including wood, bamboo, organic materials, glass or ceramic. 
   
   
       21 . A heat exchange system as defined in  claim 20 , wherein said wood is optionally treated. 
   
   
       22 . A heat exchange system as defined in  claim 1 , which is water tight. 
   
   
       23 . A heat exchange system as defined in  claim 1 , which is part of a shower, bath or whirlpool. 
   
   
       24 . A heat exchanger system as defined in  claim 1 , which has at least one inlet and one outlet for water to flow inside said heat exchange element before being sent to a mixer or hot water tank. 
   
   
       25 . A heat exchanger system as defined in  claim 1 , which has at least one inlet and one outlet for water to flow inside said heat exchange element before being sent to a reservoir. 
   
   
       26 . A heat exchange system comprising a bathing apparatus and a heat exchange element, wherein said heat exchange element is in the bottom of said bathing apparatus, flush with the bottom surface thereof and covered with a non conductive material so that a bather is not directly in contact with said heat exchange element. 
   
   
       27 . A heat exchange system as defined in  claim 26 , wherein water accumulates behind a dam with at least one controlled opening before reaching the drainage system without restriction. 
   
   
       28 . A heat exchange system comprising a bathing apparatus and a heat exchange element, wherein said heat exchange element is in the bottom of said bathing apparatus, flush with the bottom surface, and wherein a bather is in direct contact with said heat exchange element. 
   
   
       29 . A heat exchange system as defined in  claim 28 , wherein water accumulates behind a dam with at least one controlled opening before reaching the drainage system without restriction. 
   
   
       30 . A heat exchange system comprising a bathing apparatus and a heat exchange element, wherein said heat exchange element is in the bottom of said bathing apparatus, flush with the bottom surface thereof and covered with a non conductive material so that a bather is not directly in contact with said heat exchange element, and wherein all the waste water is channeled away from the drain in said bathing apparatus in order to have all the waste water flow on said heat exchange element before reaching the drainage system without restriction. 
   
   
       31 . A heat exchange system comprising a bathing apparatus and a heat exchange element, wherein said heat exchange element is in the bottom of said bathing apparatus, flush with the bottom surface thereof and covered with a non conductive material so that a bather is not directly in contact with said heat exchange element, wherein all the waste water is directed to flow on at least one side of said heat exchange element, and wherein water waste water accumulates behind one or more dams or dam-like elements with at least one controlled opening before reaching the drain without restriction. 
   
   
       32 . A heat exchange system comprising a bathing apparatus and a heat exchange element, wherein said bathing apparatus is surrounded with a channel and the bottom of said channel is the heat exchanger, and wherein all the waste water is channeled away from the drain in said bathing apparatus in order to have all the waste water flow on said heat exchange element before reaching the drainage system without restriction.