| 摘要 |
<p>An automatic water heating and distilling apparatus (160) is provided having a hot water reservoir (162), an evaporator tank (172), a condenser (184), a distilled water reservoir (186) and a control mechanism (198, 200, 202). Water is boiled within the evaporator tank generating steam which is condensed in the condenser to form distilled water. The heat rejected during condensation is transferred into the hot water reservoir (162). The distilled water reservoir (186) has an input coupled to the condenser, an output (190) for distilled water, and an overflow (208) so that excess distilled water is returned to the evaporator tank. The control mechanism automatically regulates the operation of a heater (176) within the evaporator to maintain the water in the hot water reservoir within a selected operating range. Various alternative embodiments are also disclosed including a hot water heating apparatus (100) utilizing an enclosed heat transfer device (110) partially filled with liquid having a boiling point above the selected temperature for the water to be heated. A heat transfer device (110) is provided with a reservoir portion (112) for accumulating liquid and a relatively higher condensive portion (114) in cooperation with the hot water reservoir (102). A heater (116), a temperature sensor (120), and a control mechanism (120, 150, 152) are likewise provided to automatically maintain the water in the hot water reservoir within a selected temperature range.</p> |
