Separable heat pump and water heater

Abstract

A water heater device with an integrated modular heat pump is described. The water heater device has an insulated glass-lined casing for storing water to be heated. One or more resistive heating elements are provided in the casing for heating water. A cold water conduit introduces water in a lower portion of the casing and a hot water conduit extracts hot water from an upper portion of the casing. Detachable supports are provided to support the modular heat pump in close proximity to the water heater. The refrigeration system of the heat pump has a condensation coil having a refrigerant conduit in heat exchange relationship with a water circulation conduit to heat water in the water circulation conduit pumped from the lower portion of the casing through a supply conduit and returned to the casing by a return conduit. Detachable couplings are provided to easily detach the cold water conduit, the hot water conduit and the supply conduit and return conduit when repair and maintenance require it.

We claim,: 
     
         1 . A water heater device with an integrated modular heat pump, said water heater device having an insulated glass-lined casing for storing water to be heated, one or more resistive heating elements for heating water in said casing, a cold water conduit for introducing water in a lower portion of said casing, a hot water conduit for extracting heated water from an upper portion of said casing, support means for supporting said modular heat pump in close proximity to said water heater device, said modular heat pump having a refrigeration system including a condensation coil, said condensation coil having a refrigerant conduit in heat exchange relationship with a water circulation conduit to heat water in said water circulation conduit pumped from said lower portion of said casing through a supply conduit and returned to said casing by a return conduit; and detachable coupling means for detachable connection of said cold water conduit, said hot water conduit, said supply conduit and return conduit. 
     
     
         2 . A hot water heater device with an integrated modular heat pump as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said detachable coupling means are connectors capable of being removed and re-engaged to disconnect said modular heat pump from said water heater for the replacement or servicing of said water heater or modular heat pump. 
     
     
         3 . A hot water heater device with an integrated modular heat pump as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said connectors are quick-type screw connectors or soldered connectors capable of being disconnected and re-connected by a trade person. 
     
     
         4 . A hot water heater device with an integrated modular heat pump as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said supply conduit is a dip tube extending in said glass lined casing and having an inlet end disposed in said lower portion of said casing to draw cooler water therefrom, and a pump associated with a conduit section connected to said dip tube exteriorly of said water heater. 
     
     
         5 . A hot water heater device with an integrated modular heat pump as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said supply conduit is disposed exteriorly of said casing and has a lower end section disposed in said lower portion of said casing to draw cooler water therefrom, and a pump associated with said supply conduit. 
     
     
         6 . A hot water heater device with an integrated modular heat pump as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said pump is located inside said modular heat pump. 
     
     
         7 . A hot water heater device with an integrated modular heat pump as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said pump is located inside said modular heat pump. 
     
     
         8 . A hot water heater device with an integrated modular heat pump as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said return conduit is a dip tube extending in said glass lined casing and having an outlet end disposed at a level of approximately ⅔ from a top end of said tank. 
     
     
         9 . A hot water heater device with an integrated modular heat pump as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said refrigeration system further includes a refrigerant loop having a compressor for increasing the temperature of a refrigerant gas pumped therethrough in said loop, an evaporator coil and a fan to convect ambient air across said evaporator coil where heat from said ambient air is absorbed by said refrigerant and cooled dehumidified air is exhausted, heated refrigerant at an outlet of said evaporator coil is then expanded by an expansion valve and fed through said condensation coil to heat water circulated in said water circulation conduit. 
     
     
         10 . A hot water heater device with an integrated modular heat pump as claimed in  claim 9  wherein there is further provided a controller to monitor water temperature in said casing and to control the operation of said modular heat pump and the operation of said one or more resistive heating elements to satisfy user settings. 
     
     
         11 . A hot water heater device with an integrated modular heat pump as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said support means is a disconnectable support secured to a top end of said water heater device. 
     
     
         12 . A hot water heater device with an integrated modular heat pump as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said support means is a support secured in close proximity to said water heater device independent therefrom. 
     
     
         13 . A hot water heater device with an integrated modular heat pump as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said water heater device is a domestic hot water heater.