US4386500A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Water heater heat exchange apparatus, kit, and method of installation
Assignee: KAUFFMAN KYLE DONN
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Filing: 1981-04-01
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Granted: 1983-06-07
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Expires: 2001-04-01
Abstract
Abstract A heat saving conversion unit for hot water heaters of conventional type consisting of a heat exchanger attachment together with appropriate connecting apparatus provided in kit form, and the method of use thereof, which includes a stainless steel outer casing provided with inlet and outlet water connections and a heat exchange tubing structure consisting of an outer tubing of stainless steel and an inner structure of soft copper for receiving hot refrigerant gases therethrough to extract the normally wasted heat therefrom and in turn heat the water passing thereby. A feature is in the connection of this attachment to the conventional drain plug opening and popoff valve openings of the conventional type hot water heater. Furthermore, an extension tube is contained with the kit for insertion into the popoff valve opening of the tank so that the hot water from the heat exchanger attachment exits into the hot water tank lower than the upper electric heating element when the kit is used with an electric type hot water heater.
Inventors
- 👤 Boyd Sigafoose
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 10:47
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24H; F24H9/00; F24H9/12; F24H9/13; F24H9/133; F24D; F24D17/00; F24D17/02; F24H4/00; F24H4/02; F24H4/04; F25; F25B; F25B39/00; F25B39/04; F25B2339/00; F25B2339/04; F25B2339/047
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
A method of saving energy which is otherwise usually wasted comprising; providing a heat exchanger structure having at least one set of inlet/outlet lines for the flow of hot refrigeration gases therethrough and another set of inlet/outlet lines for the flow of liquid to be heated therethrough; connecting said first set of inlet/outlet lines in series with a heating/cooling compressor-condensor system; connecting said second set of inlet/outlet lines to an existing hot water tank and system without any pump therewith for the purpose aforesaid; said second connecting step further including connecting the inlet line of said second set of inlet/outlet lines to the hot water heater at the conventional drain plug opening thereof; and said inlet line connection of said second set of inlet/outlet lines being made by plumbing elements having rigid structural strength for the purpose of supporting the heat exchanger structure physically from the drain plug opening of the hot water heater, and said outlet line connection of said second set of inlet/outlet lines being made by plumbing elements having flexibility for making this connection with the maximum of ease and flexibility.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
184 words
A method of saving energy which is otherwise usually wasted comprising; providing a heat exchanger structure having at least one set of inlet/outlet lines for the flow of hot refrigeration gases therethrough and another set of inlet/outlet lines for the flow of liquid to be heated therethrough; connecting said first set of inlet/outlet lines in series with a heating/cooling compressor-condensor system; connecting said second set of inlet/outlet lines to an existing hot water tank and system without any pump therewith for the purpose aforesaid; said second connecting step further including connecting the inlet line of said second set of inlet/outlet lines to the hot water heater at the conventional drain plug opening thereof; and said inlet line connection of said second set of inlet/outlet lines being made by plumbing elements having rigid structural strength for the purpose of supporting the heat exchanger structure physically from the drain plug opening of the hot water heater, and said outlet line connection of said second set of inlet/outlet lines being made by plumbing elements having flexibility for making this connection with the maximum of ease and flexibility.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
181 words
A method of saving energy which is otherwise usually wasted comprising; providing a heat exchanger structure having at least one first set of inlet/outlet lines for the flow of hot refrigeration gases therethrough and another second set of inlet/outlet lines for the flow of liquid to be heated therethrough; connecting said first set of inlet/outlet lines in series with a heating/cooling compressor-condensor system; connecting said second set of inlet/outlet lines to an existing hot water tank and system without any pump in series therewith for the purpose aforesaid, said second connecting step including connecting the outlet line of said second set of inlet/outlet lines to the hot water heater at the conventional popoff valve opening thereof; said hot water heater normally being energized by electricity and including both an upper and lower electric heating element; the further additional step of adding an extension pipe of sufficient length at the popoff valve opening to force the inputted hot water from the heat exchanger structure to be discharged into the conventional hot water tank at a point below the upper heating element thereof.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
181 words
A method of saving energy which is otherwise usually wasted comprising; providing a heat exchanger structure having at least one first set of inlet/outlet lines for the flow of hot refrigeration gases therethrough and another second set of inlet/outlet lines for the flow of liquid to be heated therethrough; connecting said first set of inlet/outlet lines in series with a heating/cooling compressor-condensor system; connecting said second set of inlet/outlet lines to an existing hot water tank and system without any pump in series therewith for the purpose aforesaid, said second connecting step including connecting the outlet line of said second set of inlet/outlet lines to the hot water heater at the conventional popoff valve opening thereof; said hot water heater normally being energized by electricity and including both an upper and lower electric heating element; the further additional step of adding an extension pipe of sufficient length at the popoff valve opening to force the inputted hot water from the heat exchanger structure to be discharged into the conventional hot water tank at a point below the upper heating element thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said second connecting step further includes connecting the inlet line of said second set of inlet/outlet lines to the hot water heater at the conventional drain plug opening thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said outline line connecting step to the popoff valve opening includes using plumbing elements which are partially flexible for ease of installation of the heat exchanger structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said inlet line connecting step additionally includes, said inlet line connection being made by plumbing elements having rigid structural strength for the purpose of supporting the heat exchanger structure physically from the drain plug opening of the hot water heater.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-06-06 | 1986-12-06 | 1987-06-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-06-06 | 1990-12-06 | 1991-06-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-06-06 | 1994-12-06 | 1995-06-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |