Heat energy recovery system

Abstract

A heat energy recovery system recovers heat energy from a fluid having a first temperature flowing through a conduit. The conduit includes a manifold chamber through which the fluid flows. A manifold conduit is located within the manifold chamber and contains a fluid heat storage material at a second temperature lower than the first temperature. A storage assembly has a chamber enclosed therein and fluidly coupled with the manifold conduit for storing the fluid heat storage material. The heat energy can be transferred from the fluid having the first temperature to the fluid heat storage material having the second temperature.

1 . A heat energy recovery system for recovering heat energy from a first fluid having a first temperature flowing through a conduit, the system comprising:
 a conduit having a manifold chamber through which the first fluid flows;   a manifold conduit located within the manifold chamber and containing a fluid heat storage material at a second temperature lower than the first temperature;   a storage assembly having a chamber enclosed therein and fluidly coupled with the manifold conduit for storing the fluid heat storage material;   wherein the heat energy is transferred from the first fluid having the first temperature to the fluid heat storage material having the second temperature.   
     
     
         2 . The system as defined in  claim 1  further comprising a control assembly to recirculate the fluid heat storage material within the heat energy recovery system and to selectively divert the fluid heat storage material outside the heat energy recovery system. 
     
     
         3 . The system as defined in  claim 2  wherein the control assembly further comprises:
 a controller;   a pump; and   at least one valve operably coupled to the controller to direct the fluid heat storage material outside the heat energy recovery system.   
     
     
         4 . The system as defined in  claim 3  wherein the pump is actuated in response to a predetermined level of fluid heat storage material within the chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The system as defined in  claim 1  wherein the tank is thermally insulated to inhibit heat energy flow between the chamber and the external environment. 
     
     
         6 . The system as defined in  claim 1  wherein the fluid heat storage material is water. 
     
     
         7 . The system as defined in  claim 1  wherein the manifold conduit is a pipe and the interior of the pipe provides fluid flow communication with the chamber, the interior of the pipe being sealed to prevent fluid flow communication between the manifold chamber and the interior of the pipe. 
     
     
         8 . A heat energy recovery system for recovering heat energy from exhaust air having a first temperature, the system comprising:
 a conduit having a manifold chamber through which the exhaust air flows;   a manifold conduit located within the manifold chamber and containing water at a second temperature lower than the first temperature;   a storage assembly comprising a chamber enclosed therein and fluidly coupled with the manifold conduit for storing the water;   wherein the heat energy is transferred from the exhaust air to the water.   
     
     
         9 . A heat energy recovery system for a household appliance comprising:
 an appliance conduit fluidly coupled with the household appliance and defining a manifold chamber for conveying heated fluid from the household appliance;   a storage tank defining a storage chamber therein;   a quantity of water contained within the storage chamber;   a manifold conduit housed within the manifold chamber, a portion of which extends inward through a wall of the appliance conduit into the manifold chamber and extends outward through a wall of the appliance conduit for fluid coupling of the manifold conduit with the storage tank, the storage tank storing water from the manifold conduit, a wall of the manifold conduit contacting the water to supply heat energy thereto.