US 11,690,474 B2
Heating apparatus
Paul Coleman, Halifax (GB)
Appl. No. 16/477,314
Filed by Paul Coleman, Halifax (GB)
PCT Filed Jan. 15, 2018, PCT No. PCT/GB2018/050100
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jul. 11, 2019,
PCT Pub. No. WO2018/134570, PCT Pub. Date Jul. 26, 2018.
Claims priority of application No. 1700860 (GB), filed on Jan. 18, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2020/0029729 A1, Jan. 30, 2020
Int. Cl. A47J 31/44 (2006.01); A47J 31/54 (2006.01); A47J 31/057 (2006.01)
CPC A47J 31/545 (2013.01) [A47J 31/0573 (2013.01); A47J 31/4403 (2013.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for heating drinking water, the apparatus comprising:
a heat source for generating steam;
a first passageway in fluid communication with and directly connected to the heat source for transporting the steam away from the heat source;
a valve for reducing steam pressure from the heat source to the first passageway;
an inlet for receiving the drinking water;
an outlet for expelling the drinking water;
a second passageway, distinct from the first passageway, in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet and configured to convey the drinking water from the inlet to the outlet;
a heat exchanger for transferring heat between the first and second passageways, the second passageway including a portion for conveying the drinking water, which has been heated at the heat exchanger, to the outlet;
a first pump for delivering water to the second passageway;
a second pump for draining water or non-condensable gasses from the first passageway, and
a controller for maintaining pressure of the steam within the first passageway at a pressure of less than 1 bar absolute, wherein
the first passageway (i) comprises a de-superheater interposed between the heat source and the heat exchanger and (ii) is configured to convey the steam from the heat source, to the de-superheater, and then to the heat exchanger, and
the valve is located in the first passageway (i) between the heat source and the heat exchanger and (ii) between the heat source and the de-superheater.