Hydronic heater

Abstract

An apparatus for heating a hydronic heating fluid comprising a casing body having an inlet and an outlet adjacent to the inlet and a fluid flow path between the inlet and outlets. The flow path extends along first and second substantially straight sections with a return bend therebetween. The apparatus further includes a heating element located within one of the first or second sections of the flow path. The second end may include a threaded heater bore aligned with the second section wherein the heating element is threadably insertable into the second section through the heater bore. The first end may include a pump in fluidic communication with the inlet, the pump being operable to draw the heating fluid in through the inlet and to discharge the heating fluid through the first section of the casing body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for heating a hydronic heating fluid comprising:
 a casing body having an inlet and an outlet adjacent to  1  inlet and a fluid flow path between said inlet and outlets, wherein said flow path extends along first and second substantially straight sections with a return bend therebetween; and   a heating element located within one of said first or second sections of said flow path.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first and second straight sections are substantially parallel to each other. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said first and second straight sections extend substantially horizontal. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said casing extends between first and second ends wherein said inlet and outlet are located at said first end and said return bend is located at said second end. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said second end includes a heater bore aligned with said second section wherein said heating element is securable within said second section through said heater bore. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said second section includes a heat sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said heating element is turned off in response to said heat sensor sensing a predetermined set temperature. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said return bend further includes a fluid expansion chamber. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said return bend further includes a an air separator. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said air separator extends from a topmost portion of said casing body. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first end includes a pump in fluidic communication with said inlet, said pump being operable to draw said heating fluid in through said inlet and to discharge said heating fluid through said first section of said casing body. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said inlet and outlet extend substantially downwardly from said casing body proximate to said first end thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said inlet and outlet are formed through a common leg extending from said casing body. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  further comprising a distribution manifold having a riser engageable upon said downspout. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein said riser includes a supply conduit in fluidic communication with said outlet of said casing body and a return conduit in in fluidic communication with said inlet of said casing body. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said supply and return conduits are formed within a common tubular member. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said distribution manifold includes a supply connection in fluidic communication with said supply conduit operable to be connected to a supply line of a hydronic heating tube and a return connection in fluidic communication with return conduit operable to be connected to a return line of a hydronic heating tube 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first section includes a fill and release valve with a diverter valve therebetween. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first section includes a gauge operable to indicate at least one condition of a fluid therein. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said casing body is formed of connectable first and second casing halves. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein said first and second casing halves are secured to each other with fasteners. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein said first and second casing halves are sealed to each other with a sealing member.