Hot water delivery
AssigneeUponor Innovation AB
InventorDuane L. Adelman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A domestic pipe system for delivery of hot water includes hot water source (10) and a piping to a faucet (12). The piping comprises a splitter (14), two pipes (20, 22) and a controller (16), the controller having a housing, first and second inlets (24, 26), an outlet (28), and a thermally actuated valve. The first inlet is a permanently open inlet whereas the second inlet is opened depending on the temperature of water arriving at the controller. Stagnant water that cooled down only runs through the first pipe (20) until the temperature exceeds a preset threshold. Than the controller (16) opens the second inlet such that the stagnant cold water from the second pipe can be mixed gradually with the hot water from the first pipe. Thus, the user receives warm water earlier than if both pipes need to be emptied.
Claims20
An apparatus for delivery of fluid, said apparatus comprising a mixing chamber, a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet, wherein said first inlet admits a first flow into said mixing chamber, wherein said second inlet admits a second flow into said mixing chamber, and wherein said outlet permits a third flow to exit said mixing chamber, wherein said first flow has a first-flow temperature, wherein said second flow has a second flow temperature, wherein said third flow has a third flow temperature, wherein said first flow and said second flow originate from a source maintained at a first temperature, wherein said second-flow temperature at said second inlet is initially at a second temperature, wherein as said second flow continues, said second-flow temperature at said second inlet approaches said first temperature, wherein said third flow has a third-flow temperature at said outlet that is initially at said second temperature, wherein as said second flow continues, said third-flow temperature at said outlet approaches said first temperature, wherein said third flow comprises said second flow, and wherein an extent to which said first flow contributes to said third flow is controllable in response to said third-flow temperature, wherein said fluid comprises hot water, wherein said apparatus comprises a controller, wherein said controller comprises a housing, said first inlet, said second inlet, said outlet, and a thermally actuated valve, wherein said housing defines a mixing chamber for receiving water from said first and second inlets, wherein said first inlet is a permanently open inlet for enabling water to enter said mixing chamber, wherein said second inlet is an inlet for enabling water to enter said mixing chamber depending on a position of said thermally-actuated valve, wherein said controller outlet is an outlet that enables water to exit said mixing chamber, and wherein said thermally-actuated valve opens said second inlet when a temperature of water in said mixing chamber exceeds a threshold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.