Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1
TITLE
COIL HEAT EXCHANGER FOR POOL
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a heat exchanger.
More
particularly but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a coil
heat
exchanger for a pool.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A pool heat pump heat exchanger is traditionally designed as a
reservoir in the form of a shell in which the water to be heated circulates.
This water
comes into contact with a metal coil in which a condensing refrigerant
circulates.
Condensation is an exothermic process that releases heat energy that is
transmitted
to the pool water which increases in temperature. These types of heat
exchangers
are commonly used for pools such as hot tubs, Jacuzzis and spas where hot
water
is needed throughout use.
[0004] Nevertheless, shell and coil heat exchangers have found wide
ranging
use in commerce and industry. The shells are usually cylindrical and contain
helically coiled tubing. The tube coils are also usually cylindrical in shape.
The
shells may also contain multiple co-coiled concentric helical coils of tubing
in a single
shell. The shells may be provided as a single reservoir piece with an inlet, a
fluid
reservoir housing the coil and an outlet and mounted to a supporting bottom
wall.
For example, the lower boundary of the shell may be formed of a radially
extending
flange for being connected to a complementary structure formed on the bottom
supporting wall with a seal therebetween. The shell may include a larger
reservoir
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body with the inlet and smaller sized cap enclosure with the outlet. The shell
may
be also made of two casing halves clamped together by a pair of generally semi-
annular clamp members for example. In this example, the bottom half casing of
the
shell includes an inlet and the top half casing includes the outlet. The
combined
shell forms the reservoir for housing the coil and receiving fluid therein for
heat
exchange.
[0005] The design challenge of an efficient exchanger is to maximize
the
contact of cold water with the coil so as to transfer as much heat as possible
thus
raising the temperature of the pool water outlet.
OBJECTS
[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a coil heat
exchanger
for a pool such as a swimming pool, a hot tub, a jacuzzi, a spa and the like.
[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a heat
exchanger for
thermally conditioning a fluid medium.
[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a reservoir for a
heat
exchanger for thermally conditioning a fluid medium.
SUMMARY
[0009] In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure there
is
provided a heat exchanger for thermally conditioning a fluid medium, the heat
exchanger comprising: a reservoir for receiving the fluid medium and defining
an
outer surface and an opposite inner surface defining a cavity for the fluid
medium to
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circulate therein, and inlet and outlet ports in fluid communication with the
cavity for
respectively providing the fluid medium to flow in and out of the cavity; a
helicoidal
coil conduit positioned within the cavity about the inner surface and
circumscribing
an area of the cavity and comprising a thermal conditioning fluid therein for
thermally
conditioning the fluid medium when in contact therewith; and an obstacle
extending
along a length thereof within the area and defining a contiguous obstacle
surface
being spaced apart from the reservoir inner surface for providing a distance
therebetween that increases along the length of the obstacle, wherein the
obstacle
provides for the fluid medium in the cavity to circulate about the obstacle
surface
along the length thereof.
[0010] In an embodiment of the heat exchanger, the inner surface
defines a
pair of opposite end surfaces and a peripheral surface therebetween. In an
embodiment, the obstacle extends from one of the opposite end surfaces towards
the other one of the opposite end surfaces. In an embodiment, the obstacle is
spaced apart from the other one of the opposite end surfaces. In an
embodiment,
the obstacle is contiguous with the one of the opposite end surfaces. In an
embodiment, the outlet port is positioned at or near the other one of the
opposite
end surfaces. In an embodiment, the other one of the opposite end surfaces
defines
a center thereof, the outlet port being positioned at or near the center
thereof. In an
embodiment, the outlet port is positioned at the center of the other one of
the
opposite end surfaces. In an embodiment, the inlet port is positioned at or
near the
one of the opposite end surfaces.
[0011] In an embodiment of the heat exchanger, the reservoir defines
top
and bottom ends thereof, the outlet port being positioned at or near the top
end and
the inlet port being positioned at or near the bottom end, the obstacle
extending
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within the area from the bottom end towards the top end and the length thereof
defining a height of the obstacle. In an embodiment, the inner surface defines
opposite top and bottom end surfaces and a peripheral surface therebetween,
the
obstacle extending along its height from the bottom end surface towards the
top end
surface. In an embodiment, the obstacle is spaced apart from the top end
surface.
In an embodiment, the obstacle is contiguous with the bottom end surface. In
an
embodiment, the top end of the reservoir defines a center thereof, the outlet
port
being positioned at or near the center of the reservoir top end. In an
embodiment,
the outlet port is positioned at the center of the reservoir top end.
[0012] In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is
provided a reservoir for a heat exchanger for thermally conditioning a fluid
medium,
the heat exchanger comprising a helicoidal coil conduit comprising a thermal
conditioning fluid therein for thermally conditioning the fluid medium when in
contact
therewith, the reservoir comprising: a shell for receiving the fluid medium
and
comprising an outer wall and an opposite inner wall defining a cavity for the
fluid
medium to circulate therein, inlet and outlet port being formed through the
shell and
in fluid communication with the cavity for respectively providing the fluid
medium to
flow in and out of the cavity; and an obstacle extending along a length
thereof within
the cavity and defining a contiguous obstacle surface being spaced apart from
the
inner wall for providing a distance therebetween that increases along the
length of
the obstacle and provides for receiving the helicoidal coil therein, wherein
the
obstacle provides for the fluid medium in the cavity to circulate about the
obstacle
surface along the length thereof.
[0013] In an embodiment of the reservoir, the inner wall defines a
pair of
opposite end walls and a peripheral wall therebetween. In an embodiment, the
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obstacle extends from one of the opposite end walls towards the other one of
the
opposite end walls. In an embodiment, the obstacle is spaced apart from the
other
one of the opposite end walls. In an embodiment, the obstacle is contiguous
with
the one of the opposite end walls. In an embodiment, the outlet port is
positioned
at or near the other one of the opposite end walls. In an embodiment, the
other one
of the opposite end walls defines a center thereof, the outlet port being
positioned
at or near the center thereof. In an embodiment, the outlet port is positioned
at the
center of the other one of the opposite end walls. In an embodiment, the inlet
port
is positioned at or near the one of the opposite end walls.
[0014] In an embodiment of the reservoir, the shell defines top and bottom
ends thereof, the outlet port being positioned at or near the top end and the
inlet
port being positioned at or near the bottom end, the obstacle extending within
the
cavity from the bottom end towards the top end and the length thereof defining
a
height of the obstacle. In an embodiment, the inner wall defines opposite top
and
bottom end walls and a peripheral wall therebetween, the obstacle extending
along
its height from the bottom end wall towards the top end wall. In an
embodiment, the
obstacle is spaced apart from the top end wall. In an embodiment, the obstacle
is
contiguous with the bottom end wall. In an embodiment, the top end of the
shell
defines a center thereof, the outlet port being positioned at or near the
center of the
shell top end. In an embodiment, the outlet port is positioned at the center
of the
shell top end.
[0015] In an embodiment of the heat exchanger and/or of the
reservoir, the
obstacle comprises a conical configuration.
[0016] In an embodiment of the heat exchanger and/or of the
reservoir, the
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cavity defines a center thereof, the obstacle being positioned at the cavity
center.
[0017] In an embodiment of the heat exchanger and/or of the
reservoir, the
inlet port is tangential relative to the cavity and or the inner surface.
[0018] In an embodiment of the heat exchanger and/or of the
reservoir, the
cavity is a cylindrical cavity.
[0019] In an embodiment of the heat exchanger and/or of the
reservoir, the
inner surface is cylindrically configured.
[0020] In an embodiment of the heat exchanger and/or of the
reservoir, the
thermal conditioning fluid comprises a condensing refrigerant for transmitting
heat
energy to the fluid medium.
[0021] In an embodiment of the heat exchanger and/or of the
reservoir, the
fluid medium is water.
[0022] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the outer surface of the
reservoir
is defined by the outer wall of the shell.
[0023] In an embodiment of the disclosure the inner surface of the
reservoir
is defined by the inner wall of the shell.
[0024] Other objects, advantages and features of the present
disclosure will
become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description
of
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illustrative embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference
to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] In the appended drawings:
[0026] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the heat exchanger in
accordance with a non-limiting illustrative embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0027] Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C are respective schematic
representations of
obstacle configurations for the heat exchanger in accordance with respective
non-
limiting illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0028] Figure 3 is a lateral view of a heat exchanger in accordance with a
non-limiting illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0029] Figure 4 is a lateral side view of a heat exchanger in
accordance with
another non-limiting illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0030] Figure 5 is a perspective top, and lateral side view of the
heat
exchanger of Figure 4;
[0031] Figure 6 is a perspective, top and lateral side view of a heat
exchanger
in accordance with a further non-limiting illustrative embodiment of the
present
disclosure;
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[0032] Figure 7 is a perspective, bottom and lateral side view of the
heat
exchanger of Figure 6;
[0033] Figure 8 is a perspective and lateral sectional view of the
heat
exchanger of Figure 6 taken along line 8-8 thereof;
[0034] Figure 9 is the same sectional view of Figure 8 without the
helicoidal
coil conduit positioned therein;
[0035] Figures 10A, 10B, 10C, are top views of a reservoir of a heat
exchanger in accordance with still another non-limiting illustrative
embodiment of
the present disclosure showing a fluid flow therein;
[0036] Figure 11 is a schematic sectional representation of a top portion
of a
reservoir a heat exchanger in accordance with still a further non-limiting
illustrative
embodiment of the present disclosure showing the top of the reservoir mounted
to
the bottom main shell body of the reservoir;
[0037] Figure 12 is a top perspective view of the top portion of a
reservoir
heat exchanger with the top cap being removed from the main shell body in
accordance with a non-limiting illustrative embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0038] Figure 13 is a lateral view of the top cap mounted to the main
shell
body shown in Figure 12;
[0039] Figure 14 is a bottom perspective view of the top cap shown in
Figure
12;
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[0040] Figure 15 is a bottom perspective view of the top cap with a
top
obstacle mounted at the undersurface of the top cap.
[0041] It is understood that the drawings form part of the
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0042] Generally stated and in accordance with an embodiment of
disclosure, there is provided a heat exchanger for thermally conditioning a
fluid
medium. The heat exchanger comprises a reservoir for receiving the fluid
medium.
The reservoir comprises a shell defining an outer wall and an opposite inner
wall.
The outer wall defines an outer surface and the inner wall defines an inner
surface.
The inner surface defines a cavity for the fluid medium to circulate therein.
Inlet and
outlet ports are in fluid communication with the cavity for respectively
providing the
fluid medium to flow in and out of the cavity. The inlet and outlet ports are
formed
through the shell. A helicoidal coil conduit is positioned within the cavity
about the
inner surface and circumscribes an area of the cavity. The helicoidal coil
conduit
comprises a thermal conditioning fluid therein for thermally conditioning the
fluid
medium when in contact therewith. An obstacle extends along its length within
the
area and defines a contiguous obstacle surface that is spaced apart from the
reservoir inner surface for providing a distance therebetween. This distance
increases along the length of the obstacle from one end of its length to the
other
end of its length. The obstacle provides for fluid medium in the cavity to
circulate
about its surface and along its length.
[0043] In an embodiment, the cavity is cylindrical and defines bottom
and top
end thereof and the obstacle is conical (i.e. cone shaped) and is positioned
in the
center of the cavity and extends along the height of the cavity from the
bottom end
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thereof towards the top end thereof providing a gap between the top end of the
cone
and the top end of the cavity. The cavity receives the fluid medium at its
bottom
end and releasing the fluid medium from its top end. The fluid medium
circulates in
the cavity and rotates about the conical obstacle from the bottom to the top
end. In
an embodiment, the fluid medium enters the cavity along a tangential pathway
relative and vertically escapes the cavity at a center of the cavity top end.
[0044] With reference to Figures, non-limiting embodiments will now
be
described to further exemplify the disclosure.
[0045] Turning to Figure 1, there is shown a schematic representation
of a
heat exchanger 10 in accordance with a non-limiting illustrative embodiment of
the
present disclosure.
[0046] The heat exchanger 10 includes a reservoir 12 and a helicoidal
coil
conduit 14 positioned therein. The reservoir 12 receives fluid medium such as
water therein, including pool water. The term "pool" includes, without
limitation,
swimming pools, hot tubs, Jacuzzis, spas, sauna baths, plunge baths/pools,
hammam baths, whirlpools and the like as is known in the art. The reservoir 12
defines an outer surface 16A and an opposite inner surface 16B. The inner
surface
16B defines the cavity 18 of the reservoir 12 which receives the fluid medium
therein. The fluid medium circulates in the cavity 18 from an inlet port 20 to
the
outlet port 22. The helicoidal coil conduit 14 is positioned about the inner
surface
16B and provides for thermally conditioning the fluid medium in contact
therewith as
is known in the art.
[0047] The helicoidal coil conduit 14 circumscribes an area 24 within
the
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cavity 18. An obstacle 26 extends within this area 24 of the cavity 18 and
defines a
contiguous outer obstacle surface 27. The obstacle 26 is positioned at a
distance
A from the inner surface 16B and this distance increases along the length L of
the
obstacle 26.
[0048] In a non-limiting example, the reservoir 12 is so positioned as to
define
a bottom end 28 and a top end 30 thereof, thus the cavity 18 is bounded by a
bottom
inner surface end 29 and a top inner surface end 31 and is circumscribed a
peripheral inner surface 17 between ends 29 and 31. The obstacle 28 extends
along a height of the cavity 18 from the top end 29 towards the top end 31.
Thus,
the length L of the obstacle 26 defines the height thereof. As such, the
distance A
between the obstacle surface 27 and the inner surface 16B increases along the
height L between the bottom end 29 towards the top end 31.
[0049] Accordingly, the obstacle 26 of the disclosure can be provided
in a
variety of shapes in which the width W therefor decreases along its height
from a
bottom end 29 to a top end 31 providing for the increasing distance A between
the
obstacle surface 27 and the inner surface 16B. For example. The obstacle 26 is
conical or has a cone-like shape. As such, the contiguous surface 27 is linear
from
the bottom base 34 of the conical obstacle 26 to the top summit 36 thereof.
[0050] The terms conical or cone-shaped includes herein without
limitation
conic, conoid, conoidal, coned, frusto-conical and the like as is understood
by the
skilled artisan within the context of the present disclosure.
[0051] Figures 2A, 2B, 2C show other non-limiting examples of
obstacle
configurations 26A, 26B and 26C. Obstacle 26A has a bullet or oval type
conical
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shape. Obstacle 26B has a shape made up of a plurality of piled tori with
decreasing
diameters. Obstacle 260 has a more angular type configuration. Other
configurations include pyramidal type structures, funnel shapes, pointed
shapes,
configurations, tapered shapes, strobilate or strobiloid shapes for example.
These
shapes have a decreasing width along their height from bottom to top in order
to
increase the distance between their contiguous outer surface and the inner
surface
defining the cavity space. The skilled artisan can thus contemplate other
suitable
structures and configurations within the context of the present disclosure.
[0052] A gap or space 38 is provided between the summit 36 and the
top end
31. The base 34 is mounted to the inner surface bottom end 29.
[0053] The inlet port 20 is positioned at or near the bottom end 28
of the
reservoir and thus near the bottom end 29 of the cavity 18. The inlet port 20
is
tangential relative to the cavity 18.
[0054] In an embodiment, the cavity 18 defined by the inner surface
16B is
cylindrical, and the inlet port 20 defines a pathway 21 that is tangential
relative to
the cylindrical configuration of the cavity 18 so as to generate a fluid
rotation
following the inner surface 16B.
[0055] In an embodiment, the obstacle 26 is positioned at the center
C of the
cavity 18.
[0056] The fluid is caused to circulate in such a way as to rotate around
and
along the surface 27 of the obstacle 26 as flows into the cavity 18 rising
along the
length of the obstacle 26. The cavity 18 is thus defined by the cylindrical
space S
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formed by the distance A between the cylindrical peripheral inner surface 17
and
the contiguous linear surface 27 of the conical obstacle 26. The cylindrical
space S
increases as fluid rises upwardly in the cavity. The continues to rise above
the
summit 36 within the unobstructed gap 38 of the cavity 18.
[0057] The base 34 of the conical obstacle 26 has the largest width or
diameter and thus assists the tangential flow of the fluid at pathway 21.
[0058] The inlet port 20 is positioned at or near the top end 30 of
the reservoir
12 and thus at or near the top end 31 of the cavity 18. In this example outlet
port
22 is positioned at the top end 31 and at the center C of the cavity 18. In
contrast
to a tangentially positioned outlet that tends to break the rotation and
directly suck
the fluid that passes under the exit, the foregoing position of outlet port 22
provides
for minimizing the effect of the outlet on the rotation of the circulating
fluid by allowing
a straight upward (i.e. vertical) flow 23. The fluid circulates freely in
rotation without
losing rotational speed before releasing and heading towards outlet port exit
22.
[0059] As explained, the shape of the obstacle 26 of the present disclosure
comprises a cone shape or conical configuration or other like shapes that
increase
the distance (or cavity diameter) between its outer contiguous surface and the
inner
reservoir surface defining the cavity from the fluid inlet to the fluid
outlet. Therefore,
the shape of the obstacle 26 has a decreasing width (or diameter) along its
length
(e.g. height) from the fluid inlet 20 to the fluid outlet 22. This shape
provides for the
circulating fluid to rotate thereabout on its contiguous surface 27. The base
34 of
this shape being larger (greater width or diameter) assists the tangential
fluid inlet
20 in the rotation of the fluid while preventing the creation of a low-
pressure zone in
the center C of the rotation. This has the effect of limiting the amount of
fluid that
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will direct to the outlet port 22 exit and thus increase the fluid flow
rotation and
contact with the coil 14. The reduction of the diameter (width) of the
obstacle 26
shape along it height L gradually releases the fluid from its rotation to move
towards
the outlet 22 (i.e. from a narrower cavity space S to a gradually increasing
cavity
space S) thereby limiting the suction effect of the outlet 22 which could
force the
rotating fluid jet to reduce its speed and go straight out.
[0060] The foregoing has the effect of maximizing the contact time
between
the fluid and the coil 14 while maintaining a high speed of fluid. These
parameters
have a direct influence on the amount of heat extracted from the coils and
therefore
on the output temperature of the fluid (such as pool water for example as
provided
herein).
[0061] In one example, there was an 18% increase in water temperature
gain
compared to the gain in a reservoir without the obstacle 26 provided herein.
[0062] It should be noted that the position of the reservoir 12 need
not be
.. upright but may also be provided in horizontal, slanted, reversed (inlet on
top, outlet
at bottom), diagonal and like positions depending on industrial/commercial use
and
size thereof as can be contemplated by the skilled artisan.
[0063] With reference to Figure 3, there is shown a heat exchanger 50
in
accordance with a non-limiting illustrative embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0064] The heat exchanger 50 includes a reservoir in the form of a hollow
shell 52 having a cylindrical configuration and comprises a bottom half casing
54A
and a top half casing 54B that are clamped together via an annular clamp 56.
The
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shell 52 includes an outer wall 56 defining the outer surface thereof. The
shell 52
defines bottom and top ends thereof, 58A and 58B respectively. The bottom half
casing 54A includes the inlet port 60 at the bottom end 58A and the top half
casing
54B includes the outlet port 62 at the top end 58B which is not positioned at
the
center C of the top end 58B but tangentially positioned relative to the
cylindrical shell
52 in this example.
[0065] Figures 4 and 5 show a heat exchanger 70 comprising a
reservoir in
the form of a cylindrical shell 72 comprising a top enclosure 74 defining the
top end
76B of the shell whereas the cylindrical shell main body 73 defines the bottom
end
76A of the shell 72. The shell 72 comprises an outer wall 78 defining the
outer
surface thereof. The inlet port 80 is tangentially positioned near or at the
bottom
end 76A and the outlet port 82 near or at the top end 76B providing an outlet
tube
84 with a tangentially positioned outlet opening 86 and receiving end 88
positioned
near the center C relative to the cylindrical shell 72 in this example.
[0066] The internal contents of heat exchangers 50 and 70 are not shown
here for concision purposes only as they include the coil and obstacle
configurations
described herein.
[0067] With reference to Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9, the heat exchanger
100 will
be described in accordance with a non-limiting illustrative embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0068] The heat exchanger 100 includes a reservoir 102 comprising a
hollow
shell including a main shell body 104 and a cap enclosure 106 mounted thereto.
The reservoir shell 102 comprises an outer wall 108 and an opposite inner wall
110
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and defines top and bottom end thereof, 112 and 114, respectively. The outer
wall
108 defines the outer surface of the reservoir 102 and inner wall 110 defines
the
inner surface of the reservoir 102. This inner surface 110 defines a cavity
116 for
receiving the fluid medium therein and for providing the fluid medium to
circulate
therein. The inner wall 110 defines a bottom wall 118 at the bottom end 114 of
the
reservoir 102, a top all wall 120 at the top end 112 of the reservoir 102 and
a
peripheral wall 122 therebetween. Accordingly, the bottom wall 118 defines the
inner surface bottom end, the top wall 120 defines the inner surface top end,
and
the peripheral wall 122 defines the peripheral inner surface. In this example,
the
inner surface 110 is cylindrical and thus the cavity 116 defined thereby is
cylindrical
and defines a center C thereof.
[0069] A helicoidal coil conduit 124 is positioned within the cavity
116 about
the inner peripheral wall 122 and between the bottom and tope walls 118 and
120,
respectively. The coil 124 circumscribes an area 126 of the cavity 116.
[0070] The bottom end 112 of the reservoir shell inwardly protrudes into
the
cavity 116 forming an external pocket 128. The foregoing formation provides
for an
obstacle 130 to inwardly extend within the cavity 116 and particularly within
area
126 so that the coil 124 is positioned between peripheral wall 122 and the
obstacle
130. The base of the obstacle 130 is contiguous with the bottom wall 118 and a
junction thereof and upwardly extends along a height L thereof towards the top
wall
120 where it defines a free summit end 134 that is spaced apart from the top
wall
120 providing a gap 136 therebetween. In the example herein the height L of
the
obstacle 130 is greater than the height G of the gap 136. In another
embodiment,
L is equal to G. In a further embodiment, L is between 50% to 80% of the
height H
of the cavity 118 defined between the bottom wall 118 and the top wall 120. In
an
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embodiment L is between 60%-75% of H. n an embodiment, L is less than G.
[0071] The obstacle 130 has a conical shap e with a decreasing width
W (or
diameter) from its base 132 towards its summit 134 thereby increasing the
distance
A between its external surface 131 and the peripheral inner surface 122 from
its
base 132 towards its summit 134. The foregoing thus defines a cavity lower
section
138 beneath gap and increases in size from the bottom wall 118 as it merges
into
gap 136. The center C of the cone 130 is at the center C of the cylindrical
cavity
116. The peripheral wall 122 and the bottom wall 118 define a junction curved
and
circular guiding wall section 140 therebetween.
[0072] An inlet port 142 is positioned near the bottom end 114 of the
reservoir
through the peripheral wall 122 and the junction 140 with the bottom 118 in
order to
provide a fluid flow directly along the curved circular wall section 140. The
inlet port
142 comprises a conduit 144 defining an outer opening 146 and an inner opening
148 which is contiguous with the curved junction wall 140. The conduit 144
defines
a channel 148 that is tangential relative to the cavity 118. Thus, the fluid
flow 150
in the channel 148 hits the junction 140 along a straight line and follows its
circular
pathway in tandem with following the circular pathway of the surface 131 of
the
conical obstacle 130 at the base 132 flowing upwardly along the vertical yet
circular
peripheral wall 122 and the surface 131 having a progressively decreasing
diameter
thereby being provided with a progressively increasing cavity section 138 as
fluid
flows into the gap 136 above summit 134.
[0073] The foregoing fluid circulation is better shown in Figures
10A, 10B and
10C, where a reservoir 200 (here only the bottom main shell body is shown),
receives water F at its bottom end, that enters in a straight line, yet
rotates about
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the conical obstacle 202 along the inner surface 204 as shown by circular
arrow 206
rising upwardly along the height of the conical obstacle 202 towards its
summit 208.
[0074] The coil 124 is thus immersed in the fluid flow described
above. The
fluid gradually decreases its rotational speed as it moves upwardly thereby
providing
greater time of contact between the fluid and the coil 124 and greater surface
area
of contact as the lower cavity section 138 progressively increases in size.
The lower
cavity section being narrowest near the bottom end 114 of the reservoir where
the
fluid finds its point of entry (inlet 142). This exposes a greater surface
area of fluid
F to the coil 122, as the fluid is sandwiched between the conical obstacle 130
and
the inner peripheral surface 122 within a narrower initial flow pathway that
gradually
increases as cavity section 138 widens. Thus, the greatest surface area of the
fluid
exposed to the coil 124 is at the bottom (near end 114) and as the fluid
progressively
moves into a greater space as it rises, the exposed surface area decreases
along
with the rotation speed. The foregoing provides for optimal heating of the
fluid.
[0075] The helicoidal coil conduit 124 is tubular and provides channels 125
for the refrigerant therein to provide thermal conditioning as discussed
herein.
[0076] An outlet port 152 is formed through the reservoir shell 102
and
positioned at the top end 112 of the reservoir. The outlet port 152 comprises
a
conduit 154 with first and second conduits sections 154A and 154B. Conduit
section
154A is positioned at the center C of the op end 112 which is co-linear with
the
center of the cavity 116 and the center of the obstacle 130 and the center of
rotation
of the fluid F. The conduit section 154A defines a vertical channel 156A that
receives exiting fluid therein along a vertical pathway 158. The fluid thus
escapes
the cavity 116 at gap section 138 along a vertical straight line into channel
146. The
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conduit 154 bends at conduit bend 155 and provides for the second conduit
section
154B which is horizontally positioned along the reservoir top end 112 to
define a
horizontal channel 156B that provides a horizontal or tangential pathway 160
for
fluid exit.
[0077] With particular reference to Figure 11, the top cap enclosure 106
has
an annular flat flange 170 and the main shell body 104 includes an annular
flange
172 forming a channel 174 for receiving a sealing element 176 therein that is
contact
with flange 170 when flanges 170 and 172 are clamped together via annular
clamp
178.
[0078] With reference to Figures 12 to 15, a top cap enclosure 106' has an
annular gap 200 to fit a gasket or 0-ring therein to be pushed into the top
open end
202 of a the main shell body 104' and fitted into a recessed portion 204
thereof
defining an bottom annular shoulder 206. The main shell body 104' includes an
annular threaded portion 208 near its top open end for receiving a
complementary
threaded seal (now shown) for mutual interference fit therewith.
[0079] The cap 106' has an undersurface 210 with mounting elements
212
for receiving a top obstacle in the form disk 214 that provides for the water
to
circulate thereabout so as to send the water towards the outlet at a greater
speed,
effectively 'squeezing' the water out of the cannister. The mounting elements
212
are vertical finger elements such as threaded bosses for example. A passageway
gap 216 is provided between there disk 214 and the undersurface 210 of the cap
206', water flows into this tight gap into the outlet 218 defined by a
vertical part 220
and a horizontal part 222 leading to the water exit.
CA 3061927 2019-11-19
20
[0080] The various features described herein can be combined in a
variety
of ways within the context of the present disclosure so as to provide still
other
embodiments. As such, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive. Moreover,
the
embodiments discussed herein need not include all of the features and elements
illustrated and/or described and thus partial combinations of features can
also be
contemplated. Furthermore, embodiments with less features than those described
can also be contemplated. It is to be understood that the present disclosure
is not
limited in its application to the details of construction and parts
illustrated in the
accompanying drawings and described hereinabove. The disclosure is capable of
other embodiments and of being practiced in various ways. It is also to be
understood that the phraseology or terminology used herein is for the purpose
of
description and not limitation. Hence, although the present disclosure has
been
provided hereinabove by way of non-restrictive illustrative embodiments
thereof, it
can be modified, without departing from the scope, spirit and nature thereof
and of
the appended claims.
CA 3061927 2019-11-19
