SELF-POWERED PUMP FOR HEATED LIQUID, FLUID HEATING AND STORAGE TANK AND FLUID HEATING SYSTEM EMPLOYING SAME, TYPICALLY TO ALLOW FOR STORAGE TANK OF SOLAR POWER HEATED WATER TO BE LOCATED LOWER THAN SOLAR PANELS

摘要

584774 In one aspect, a self-powered pump for heated liquid is provided. The pump includes an airtight container for containing the heated liquid. A heated liquid inlet pipe extends upwardly into the container such that its end is within the container. A heated liquid outlet is lower than the end of the inlet pipe. A breathing pipe extends upwardly into the container such that its end is within the container and is higher than both of the outlet and the end of the inlet pipe but lower than an interior side of the container top. An opposite end of the breathing pipe is outside the container, lower than the container base, and is received by an open container such that the opposite end can become submerged in heated liquid accumulated within the open container during pump operation. A fluid or liquid heating system incorporating the self-powered pump may operate without external power for the pump. In another aspect, a fluid heating and storage tank is provided. The tank includes a storage tank for a primary fluid having a primary fluid inlet and a primary fluid outlet and an apparatus for flowing a secondary fluid through the storage tank in isolation from the primary fluid. The apparatus includes first and second pipes and a heat exchanger. The first pipe extends through the storage tank and is mounted at its ends to first and second fittings in the wall of the storage tank. The second pipe also extends through the storage tank and is mounted at its ends to third and fourth fittings in the wall of the storage tank. The heat exchanger is disposed within the storage tank and fluidly interconnects the first and second pipes. The tank may be capable of standing in more than one orientation. A fluid heating system including the fluid heating and storage tank and a heater may or may not, in different embodiments, use a pump to circulate secondary fluid through the heater, which may be a solar heater.