Systems, methods and apparatuses for automatic regulation of water temperature

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for automatic regulation of water temperature. The apparatus comprises a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a condenser that receives refrigerant from the compressor and reduces the temperature of the refrigerant by exchanging the refrigerant's heat with air surrounding the condenser, an expanding valve that receives refrigerant from the condenser and transforms the refrigerant in a high pressure state to a low pressure state, and an evaporator that receives refrigerant from the expanding valve and facilitates heat exchange between the low temperature refrigerant and a high temperature water. The evaporator comprises of two adjacent chambers that share a common wall. The first chamber is configured to receive the refrigerant and the second chamber is configured to receive the water, and the refrigerant and water exchange heat through the common wall. The heat exchange results in the reduction of water temperature and an increase in the refrigerant's temperature.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for automatic regulation of water temperature comprising:
 a compressor for compressing a refrigerant;   a condenser that receives refrigerant from the compressor for reducing the temperature of the refrigerant by exchanging the refrigerant's heat with air surrounding the condenser;   an expanding valve that receives refrigerant from the condenser for transforming the refrigerant in a high pressure state to a low pressure state; and   an evaporator that receives refrigerant from the expanding valve for facilitating heat exchange between the low temperature refrigerant and a high temperature water resulting in the reduction of water temperature and an increase in the refrigerant's temperature, wherein the evaporator comprises of two adjacent chambers that share a common wall.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first chamber is configured to receive the low temperature refrigerant and the second chamber is configured to receive the high temperature water, and wherein the refrigerant and water exchange heat through the common wall. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the high temperature water is continuously supplied to the evaporator using a water pump. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein a pressure sensor is disposed inline with the water pump such that the pressure sensor measures a pressure of water in an outlet line that is fed by the water pump. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the water pump, in response to the pressure sensor detecting a drop in water pressure, automatically compensates for the water pressure drop by pumping more water into the outlet line with the water pump. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a frame made of corrosion resistant stainless steel material is disposed on the apparatus thereby fully enclosing the apparatus. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a dust-proof enclosure is disposed on the apparatus thereby fully enclosing the apparatus. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for automatic regulation of water temperature comprising:
 a compressor for compressing a refrigerant;   a condenser that receives refrigerant from the compressor for reducing the temperature of the refrigerant by exchanging the refrigerant's heat with air surrounding the condenser;   an expanding valve that receives refrigerant from the condenser for transforming the refrigerant in a high pressure state to a low pressure state; and   an evaporator that receives refrigerant from the expanding valve for facilitating heat exchange between the low temperature refrigerant and a high temperature water resulting in the reduction of water temperature and an increase in the refrigerant's temperature;   wherein the high temperature water is supplied to the evaporator using a water pump; and   a pressure sensor is disposed inline with the water pump such that the pressure sensor measures a pressure of water in an outlet line that is fed by the water pump.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein evaporator comprises of two adjacent chambers that share a common wall. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the first chamber is configured to receive the low temperature refrigerant and the second chamber is configured to receive the high temperature water, and wherein the refrigerant and water exchange heat through the common wall. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the water pump, in response to the pressure sensor detecting a drop in water pressure, automatically compensates for the water pressure drop by pumping more water into the outlet line with the water pump. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein a frame made of corrosion resistant stainless steel material is disposed on the apparatus thereby fully enclosing the apparatus. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein a dust-proof enclosure is disposed on the apparatus thereby fully enclosing the apparatus. 
     
     
         14 . An automatic water temperature regulation control apparatus comprising: an electronic control module;
 an ambient air temperature sensor positioned in the ambient air, wherein the ambient air temperature sensor is in communication with the electronic control module and provides a first signal to the electronic control module, and wherein the electronic control module processes the first signal to determine the ambient air temperature;   a compressor pressure sensor positioned at an outlet of a compressor, wherein the compressor pressure sensor is in communication with the electronic control module and provides a second signal to the electronic control module, and wherein the electronic control module processes the second signal to determine the compressor's output pressure;   an outdoor coil temperature sensor positioned on an outdoor coil, wherein the outdoor coil temperature sensor is in communication with the electronic control module and provides a third signal to the electronic control module, and wherein the electronic control module processes the third signal to determine the outdoor coil temperature; and   a water temperature sensor positioned inline with a water output pipe, wherein the water temperature sensor is in communication with the electronic control module and provides a fourth signal to the electronic control module, and wherein the electronic control module processes the fourth signal to determine the temperature of the water being outputted.   
     
     
         15 . The control apparatus of  claim 14  wherein a second water temperature sensor is positioned inline with a water return pipe, wherein the second water temperature sensor is in communication with the electronic control module and provides a fifth signal to the electronic control module, and wherein the electronic control module processes the fifth signal to determine the temperature of the water being inputted into the apparatus. 
     
     
         16 . The control apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the electronic control module is programmed to measure the compressor's running time and compare the compressor's running time to a preset maximum running time, wherein the electronic control module is further programmed to stop the compressor if the compressor's running time exceeds the preset maximum running time. 
     
     
         17 . The control apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the electronic control module is configured to switch off the compressor if the pressure in the compressor is determined to be higher than a pre-set pressure point. 
     
     
         18 . The control apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the electronic control module is configured to further process the first signal to determine whether a freezing condition exists, wherein upon the determination that a freezing condition exits, the electronic control module is configured to switch off the apparatus. 
     
     
         19 . The control apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the electronic control module is configured to further process the fourth signal to determine whether a freezing condition exists, wherein upon the determination that a freezing condition exits, the electronic control module is configured to switch off the apparatus. 
     
     
         20 . The control apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the electronic control module is configured to further process the fifth signal to determine whether a freezing condition exists, wherein upon the determination that a freezing condition exits, the electronic control module is configured to switch off the apparatus.