Gas and electric heating system

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to heating systems. More specifically, the present invention is drawn to a gas and electric heating system having a boiler that utilizes both gaseous fuel and electric energy to generate steam.

2. Description of the Related Art

Potential shortages of gas and oil and pollution generated during hydrocarbon combustion have caused builders to consider electric energy as a cleaner alternative for heating steam-producing boilers. However, the high costs of producing electricity and the relative inefficiency of using only electric power to generate steam render this alternative economically imprudent. The heating industry and the consumer would certainly welcome a heating system that could incorporate the best features of both an electric and a hydrocarbon-fueled, steam-generated heating system. Thus, a gas and electric heating system solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

The gas and electric heating system is a high-efficiency heating system that employs combination gas and electric heat generators to provide energy to a boiler that generates steam. The system comprises a blue-flame, gaseous-fuel burner disposed externally to provide heat to a steam-generating boiler, and electrical heating elements that are positioned inside the boiler. Steam generated in the boiler flows to a heating core. The core is positioned in an air duct so that heat is transferred from the core to air flowing through the duct. The heated air flows from the duct into an area to be heated. Controls are provided to correlate the functions of the various components in the system. The duct can be oriented in any direction (horizontal, down-flow, up-flow, etc.).

Accordingly, the instant invention presents a heating system that employs a combination of energy sources to produce steam. The heating system is effective and efficient and may reduce the user\'s annual heating bill up to 80%. The system provides for an arrangement of improved elements for the purposes described that are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.

These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

Attention is first directed to FIG. 1, wherein the gas and electric heating system is diagrammatically illustrated and is generally indicated at 10. System 10 comprises a blue-flame, gaseous-fuel, burner manifold assembly 12. Gaseous fuel is provided via conduit 14 to the manifold assembly 12. Primary and secondary combustion air is provided in a conventional manner in quantities to allow blue-flame combustion. A pilot burner 12a is positioned adjacent manifold assembly 12 and functions to ignite the mixture of fuel and air to produce a flame indicated at 15. Valves 16 and 18 control the flow of gas to manifold assembly 12 and pilot burner 12a. Flame 15 is directed to heat boiler tank 20 to generate steam therein. A flame shield 22 surrounds the space between manifold assembly 12 and boiler tank 20. Flame shield 22 functions to concentrate the heat to an area beneath the boiler tank 20 and to prevent extraneous air from entering the flame area, thereby allowing the flame to burn steadily.

Water is fed to boiler tank 20 via water conduit 24. Shutoff valve 26, low-water cutout valve and switch 28, and water-feeder sensor 30 control the flow of water through conduit 24. A drain valve 32 and pressure-relief valve 34 are disposed on boiler tank 20 for obvious safety reasons. Electric heating elements 36, 38 (shown in phantom lines) are positioned within the interior of boiler tank 20. Two elements are preferred. However, one element or more than two elements may be used, if suitable.