Bi-heating water tank

Abstract

A bi-heating hot water tank comprising a first compartment including a water inlet for receiving cold water, and a second compartment including a heating element for heating water. The two compartments are in fluid communication with each other whereby the second compartment receives the water from the first compartment. The hot water is discharged from the second compartment using a conduit that passes within the first compartment prior to exiting the water tank to preheat the water in the first compartment prior to entering the second compartment. This arrangement allows for reducing the operation time of the heating element, and for providing hot water at higher temperatures and for longer periods of time.

1 . A water heater comprising:
 a first compartment comprising a water inlet for receiving water from a water source;   a second compartment;   a first conduit for connecting between the first compartment and the second compartment for filling the second compartment with water received from the first compartment;   a heating element provided in the second compartment for heating the water in the second compartment;   a second conduit for discharging hot water from the water heater, said second conduit having a hot water inlet provided in the second compartment; said second conduit extends through the first compartment prior to exiting the water heater;   
       wherein the heated water exiting the water heater in the second conduit preheats the water in the first compartment prior to entering the second compartment. 
     
     
         2 . The water heater of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the second conduit that circulates within the first compartment defines a helix. 
     
     
         3 . The water heater of  claim 2 , wherein the first conduit is provided within an inner circumference of the second conduit. 
     
     
         4 . The water heater of  claim 2 , wherein the first conduit is coaxial with the helix defined by the second conduit. 
     
     
         5 . The water heater of  claim 1 , wherein the first compartment has a first volume which is smaller than a second volume of the second compartment. 
     
     
         6 . The water heater of  claim 5 , wherein the first volume forms about 35% to about 40% of a sum of the first volume and the second volume. 
     
     
         7 . The water heater of  claim 1 , wherein the first compartment and the second compartment are substantially equal in size. 
     
     
         8 . The water heater of  claim 1 , wherein the first conduit and the second conduit extend through a surface that is common between the first compartment and the second compartment. 
     
     
         9 . The water heater of  claim 8 , wherein the surface is made of a heat conductive material. 
     
     
         10 . The water heater of  claim 1 , wherein:
 an outlet of the first conduit is provided at an upper region of the second compartment;   the heating element is provided at a lower region of the second compartment; and   an inlet of the second conduit is provided adjacent the heating element.   
     
     
         11 . The water heater of  claim 1 , further comprising a second heater in the first compartment. 
     
     
         12 . A water heater comprising:
 a first compartment comprising a water inlet for receiving water from a water source;   a second compartment comprising a heating element for heating water received from the first compartment; the second compartment being greater in size than the second compartment; and   a hot water conduit for discharging hot water from the second compartment;   
       wherein the hot water conduit circulates within the first compartment prior to exiting the water heater for pre-heating the water in the first compartment prior to entering into the second compartment.