CA3061927C

CA3061927C - Coil heat exchanger for pool

Info

Publication number: CA3061927C
Application number: CA3061927A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Yannick Sirois; Charles Langevin-Bouffard; Geoffrey Pelsise; Mathieu Bergeron
Original assignee: Nirvana Chauffe Piscine Inc
Current assignee: Nirvana Chauffe Piscine Inc
Priority date: 2019-11-19
Filing date: 2019-11-19
Publication date: 2020-08-18
Anticipated expiration: 2039-11-19
Also published as: CA3061927A1

Abstract

A heat exchanger for thermally conditioning a fluid medium comprises a reservoir defining an outer surface and an opposite inner surface defining 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. A helicoidal coil conduit is positioned within the cavity about the inner surface, circumscribing an area of the cavity, and providing 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 that increases along the length of the obstacle. The obstacle provides for fluid medium in the cavity to circulate about its surface and along its length.

Description

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

2 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

3 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

4 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

5 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

6 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

7 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;

8 [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;

9 [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

10 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

11 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

12 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

13 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

14 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 and a top half casing 54B that are clamped together via an annular clamp 56.
The

15 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

16 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

17 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

18 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

19 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 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 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.

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.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. 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 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.

2. A heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the inner surface defines a pair of opposite end surfaces and a peripheral surface therebetween.

3. A heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein the obstacle extends from one of the opposite end surfaces towards the other one of the opposite end surfaces.

4. A heat exchanger according to claim 3, wherein the obstacle is spaced apart from the other one of the opposite end surfaces.

5. A heat exchanger according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the obstacle is contiguous with the one of the opposite end surfaces.

6. A heat exchanger according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the outlet port is positioned at or near the other one of the opposite end surfaces.

7. A heat exchanger according to claim 6, wherein the other one of the opposite end surfaces defines a center thereof, the outlet port being positioned at or near the center thereof.

8. A heat exchanger according to claim 7, wherein the outlet port is positioned at the center of the other one of the opposite end surfaces.

9. A heat exchanger according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the inlet port is positioned at or near the one of the opposite end surfaces.

10. A heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein 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 within the area from the bottom end towards the top end and the length thereof defining a height of the obstacle.

11. A heat exchanger according to claim 10, wherein 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.

12. A heat exchanger according to claim 11, wherein the obstacle is spaced apart from the top end surface.

13. A heat exchanger according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the obstacle is contiguous with the bottom end surface.

14. A heat exchanger according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein 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.

15. A heat exchanger according to claim 14, wherein the outlet port is positioned at the center of the reservoir top end.

16. A heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the obstacle comprises a conical configuration.

17. A heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the cavity defines a center thereof, the obstacle being positioned at the cavity center.

18. A heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 or 17, wherein the inlet port is tangential relative to the cavity and or the inner surface.

19. A heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the cavity is a cylindrical cavity.

20. A heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the inner surface is cylindrically configured.

21. A heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the thermal conditioning fluid comprises a condensing refrigerant for transmitting heat energy to the fluid medium.

22. A heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the fluid medium is water.

23. 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.

24. A reservoir according to claim 23, wherein the inner wall defines a pair of opposite end walls and a peripheral wall therebetween.

25. A reservoir according to claim 24, wherein the obstacle extends from one of the opposite end walls towards the other one of the opposite end walls.

26. A reservoir according to claim 25, wherein the obstacle is spaced apart from the other one of the opposite end walls.

27. A reservoir according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the obstacle is contiguous with the one of the opposite end walls.

28. A reservoir according to any one of claims 24 to 27, wherein the outlet port is positioned at or near the other one of the opposite end walls.

29. A reservoir according to claim 28, wherein the other one of the opposite end walls defines a center thereof, the outlet port being positioned at or near the center thereof.

30. A reservoir according to claim 29, wherein the outlet port is positioned at the center of the other one of the opposite end walls.

31. A reservoir according to any one of claims 24 to 30, wherein the inlet port is positioned at or near the one of the opposite end walls.

32. A reservoir according to claim 23, wherein 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.

33. A reservoir according to claim 32, wherein 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.

34. A reservoir according to claim 33, wherein the obstacle is spaced apart from the top end wall.

35. A reservoir according to claim 33 or 34, wherein the obstacle is contiguous with the bottom end wall.

36. A reservoir according to any one of claims 32 to 35, wherein 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.

37. A reservoir according to claim 36, wherein the outlet port is positioned at the center of the shell top end.

38. A reservoir according to any one of claims 23 to 37, wherein the obstacle comprises a conical configuration.

39. A reservoir according to any one of claims 23 to 38, wherein the cavity defines a center thereof, the obstacle being positioned at the cavity center.

40. A reservoir according to any one of claims 23 or 39, wherein the inlet port is tangential relative to the cavity and or the inner wall.

41. A reservoir according to any one of claims 23 to 40, wherein the cavity is a cylindrical cavity.

42. A reservoir according to any one of claims 23 to 41, wherein the inner wall is cylindrically configured.

43. A reservoir according to any one of claims 23 to 42, wherein the thermal conditioning fluid comprises a condensing refrigerant for transmitting heat energy to the fluid medium.

44. A reservoir according to any one of claims 23 to 43, wherein the fluid medium is water.