Stratified Hot Water Insulated Tube Storage System Integrated into Building Interstitial Space

The United States Government has rights in this invention pursuant to Contract No. DE-AC36-08G028308 between the U.S. Department of Energy and the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

Embodiments relate to hot water supply system and hot water supply operations.

Small modular hotel rooms and apartments typically do not have enough floor area available to include a hot water tank (typically requiring at least 10 ftof floor space). Large centralized natural gas hot water systems located on the roof or in a large mechanical room are typically used. One alternative is to use a low-cost, relatively small (40-100 gallon) heaters rated for domestic hot water temperatures and pressures. However, this alternative does not completely solve the floor area issue. Another alternative is instantaneous electric water heaters. However, such instantaneous electric water heaters require a large electrical infrastructure.

A need exists in the art for meeting the demands for hot water specifically in rooms of small or limited floor space.

One embodiment is related to a hot water storage system. In one embodiment, the system includes at least one oversized diameter tube coupled to and in fluid communication with a building hot water source; and at least one plumbing line diameter tube coupled to and in fluid communication with at least the at least one oversized diameter tube.

Another embodiment is related to a stratified hot water storage system integrated into a building interstitial space. In one embodiment, the hot water storage system includes an oversized diameter tube having a first diameter; a first plumbing line diameter tube coupled to and in fluid communication with the oversized diameter tube and the building hot water source, the first plumbing line diameter tube having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter; and a second plumbing line diameter tube coupled to and in fluid communication with the oversized diameter tube and a water source, the second plumbing line diameter tube having a third diameter smaller than the first diameter.

An object of at least one other embodiment is related to a method for providing hot water in a building. In one embodiment, the method includes heating water in a building hot water source forming the hot water; and providing the hot water to an oversized diameter tube, forming stored hot water in the oversized diameter tube. The method further includes receiving a demand for the hot water and meeting a least a portion of the demand for the hot water using the stored hot water in the oversized diameter tube.

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings.

The following detailed description should be read with reference to the drawings in which similar elements in different drawings are numbered the same. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict illustrative embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

One or more embodiments relate to a stratified hot water storage system integrated into a building having interstitial space. Specifically,depicts a building generally designated, a multiuse building for example, but other buildings are contemplated. As illustrated, buildingcontains several rooms including one or more bathrooms, one or more kitchens, one or more common or meeting roomsand one or more hallways. As shown, buildingdefines one or more interstitial spaces. As shown the interstitial spacescomprise intermediate space located between floors, ceilings, walls and support beams, and the like used to provide space for the building'smechanical systems and elementswhich may include wiring, duct work, blowers, and the like.

As illustrated, one embodiment of the present invention includes a stratified hot water storage systempositioned, at least partially, in the interstitial spacesconnected to and in fluid communication with one or more hot water sourcesvia one or more plumbing line diameter tubes, where the hot water sourcesincludes a heat pump water heater, an instantaneous water heater, a solar water heater, a tank water heater and/or a tankless water heater. In one or more embodiments, the plumbing line diameter tubeis between about ½″ and 1″ in diameter but embodiments are contemplated in which the tubeis between about ¾″ and 1″ in diameter. In one or more embodiments tubeis selected from materials including lead, copper, and high-density polyethylene such as HDPE, PEX-a, PEX-b, and/or CPVC.

further illustrates hot water storage systemis fluidly coupled to one or more bathroom plumbing fixturesincluding a tub spigot, a sink faucet, a shower spigot, a shower head, a hot tub/whirlpool, a washing machine and the like, and one or more kitchen plumbing fixturesincluding a dishwasher, a kitchen or sink faucet, a hot water dispenser, a washing machine and the like via one or more plumbing line diameter tubes. In one or more embodiments, buildingincludes one or more cold water suppliesand drainpipes (not shown). It should be appreciated that all or a portion of the plumbing line diameter tubemay be insulated.

depicts an enlarged view of a horizontally arrayed hot water storage systemdepicted in the circle labeledin, whiledepicts an enlarged view of a vertically arrayed hot water storage systemdepicted in the circle labeledinall in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. Bothdepict the hot water storage systemincluding at least one oversized diameter tubecoupled to and in fluid communication with at least the building hot water sourcevia one or more plumbing line diameter tubes. Further, the at least one oversized diameter tubeis coupled to and in communication with one or more bathroom plumbing fixturesand/or one or more kitchen plumbing fixturesvia one or more plumbing line diameter tubes.

further depict the at least one oversized diameter tubeis removably or non-removably coupled to one or more plumbing line diameter tubesvia a storage constriction. In one or more embodiments the at least one oversized diameter tubehas a diameter ranging between about 3″ and 6″ although larger diameters are contemplated and is selected from materials including lead, copper, and high-density polyethylene such as HDPE, PEX-a, PEX-b and/or CPVC. It should be appreciated that the at least one oversized diameter tubeand the plumbing line diameter tubeare comprised of the same material (i.e., the same high-density polyethylene material such as HDPE for example) or different material (i.e., one tube is comprised of HDPE and another tube is comprised of PEXa for example). It should be appreciated that all or a portion of the at least one of the oversized diameter tubeis insulated.

As provided above, the at least one oversized diameter tubeis removably or non-removably coupled to one or more plumbing line diameter tubesvia a storage tube constriction. Embodiments are contemplated wherein the storage tube constrictionmay be selected from a group consisting of pipe cement, PEX heating, a collar crimping application, threaded couplings, a coupling reduction fitting and the like.

depicts a high-level block diagram of the hot water storage systemofwhere the plurality of oversized diameter tubesare positioned in a serial arrangement, whiledepicts the plurality of oversized diameter tubesare positioned in a serial arrangement.

In the embodiments illustrated in, the hot water storage systemincludes one or more plumbing line diameter tubesin fluid communication with a cold water source, a municipal water source for example (not shown), such that a cold water supplyis provided to one or more hot water sources. One or more plumbing line diameter tubesis illustrated in fluid communication with the one or more hot water sources, such that a hot water supplyis provided to the plurality of oversized diameter tubes, which in turn are in fluid communication with the one or more bathroom plumbing fixturesand/or one or more kitchen plumbing fixtures. The system illustrated infurther includes a pumpin fluid communication with water return, cold water supplyand/or one or more hot water supplies. It should be appreciated that, while three oversized diameter tubesare shown, more or less are contemplated. Further, systemcould include a control device coupled to at least the hot water source, oversized diameter tubes, and pumpto control the heat and flow through the system.

depicts one embodiment of the storage tube constriction, specifically a coupling reduction fittingincluding clampsand. Specifically, the coupling reduction fittingis made of a rubber or silicone material and includes large endadapted to receive the at least one oversized diameter tubeand small endadapted to receive the at least one plumbing line diameter tube. As shown, large endincludes first clampadapted to removably secure the at least one oversized diameter tubein large endwhile smaller endincludes second clampadapted to removably secure the at least one plumbing line diameter tubein small end.

depicts another embodiment of the storage tube constriction, including threaded coupling. Specifically, the storage tube constrictionincludes large endadapted to receive the at least one oversized diameter tubeand small endadapted to receive the at least one plumbing line diameter tube. As shown, large endincludes threaded couplingadapted to threadedly, removably secure the at least one oversized diameter tubein large endwhile smaller endincludes threaded couplingadapted to threadably, removably secure the at least one plumbing line diameter tubein small end.

depicts yet another embodiment of the storage tube constriction. Again, the storage tube constrictionincludes large endadapted to receive the at least one oversized diameter tubeand small endadapted to receive the at least one plumbing line diameter tube. It should be appreciated that the at least one oversized diameter tubeis non-removably secured in large endand the at least one plumbing line diameter tubeis non-removably secured in small endby means of PEX heating, collar crimping and/or gluing as is well known in the art.

depicts a flowchart illustrating a method, generally designated, of providing hot water using a stratified hot water storage system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, methodincludes heating water in a building hot water supply forming the hot water, blockand providing the hot water to an oversized diameter tube, forming stored hot water in the oversized diameter tube, block. Methodfurther includes receiving a demand for the hot water, blockand meeting a least a portion of the demand for the hot water using the stored hot water in the oversized diameter tube, block.

Having described the basic concept of the embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing detailed disclosure is intended to be presented by way of example. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations and various improvements of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the spirited embodiments as recited in the appended claims. Additionally, the recited order of the elements or sequences, or the use of numbers, letters or other designations therefor, is not intended to limit the claimed processes to any order except as may be specified. All ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible sub-ranges and combinations of sub-ranges thereof. Any listed range is easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etc. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etc. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all language such as up to, at least, greater than, less than, and the like refer to ranges which are subsequently broken down into sub-ranges as discussed above. As utilized herein, the terms “about,” “substantially,” and other similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in conjunction with the common and accepted usage by those having ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. As utilized herein, the term “approximately equal to” shall carry the meaning of being within 15, 10, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 percent of the subject measurement, item, unit, or concentration, with preference given to the percent variance. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the exact numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, the embodiments are limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereto. All publications and patent documents cited in this application are incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent document were so individually denoted.

All numeric values are herein assumed to be modified by the term “about”, whether or not explicitly indicated. The term “about” generally refers to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited value (e.g., having the same function or result). In many instances, the terms “about” may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure.

The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers within that range (e.g. 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, and 5).

One skilled in the art will also readily recognize that where members are grouped together in a common manner, such as in a Markush group, the present invention encompasses not only the entire group listed as a whole, but each member of the group individually and all possible subgroups of the main group. Accordingly, for all purposes, the present invention encompasses not only the main group, but also the main group absent one or more of the group members. The present invention also envisages the explicit exclusion of one or more of any of the group members in the claimed invention.