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US 12,709,876 B2Granted
Control process for reducing water waste in water heating systems, corresponding control device and recirculation valve
OwnerCristiano Gazzalle Ferrettiinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This environmentally friendly invention refers to a control process for reducing water waste in hot water installations, carried out by a recirculation valve and/or a control device, through the control of water flow and its direction according to temperature, with application at any point of consumption with hot water available, with the purpose of avoiding waste by recirculating cold or unheated water at the desired temperature existing in the water pipe between the consumption and heating points, with the advantage of being completely mechanical, without requiring any electrical installation or dedicated hydraulic installation.
Claims9
Water recirculation valve control device of the control process for reducing water waste in water heating systems, characterized by being provided with a lid (T), a lid sealing ring (OT), a base seal ring (OB), of a shaft (E), a shaft seal ring (OE), a guide (G), a guide seal ring (OG), a locking device (AT), a seat (AS), a temperature sensing device (EC) with a force pin (P), a plunger (EB), a suitable elastic medium (M), a housing (C), an upper housing sealing ring (OC-1) and a lower housing sealing ring (OC-2);
- the lid (T), hollow, cylindrical in shape, staggered into an upper part of the lid (TS) and a lower part of the lid (TI), with the lid sealing ring (OT), of the o-ring type, between the upper part of the lid (TS) and the lower part of the lid (TI), with the upper part of the lid (TS) equipped with an external side channel (ROT), for fixing the base o-ring type sealing ring (OB), and a hole in the lid (OTE), circular in shape, passing, and aligned with the central segment of the shaft (ECC) of the shaft (E), and with the lower part of the lid (TI) in diameter smaller than the top part of the lid (TS), externally threaded and with internal vertical channels for fitting the upper part of the seat (ASS), and with an internal channel for fitting the locking ring (AT), in a U shape;
- the shaft (E), with the upper shaft segment (ES), cylindrical in shape, threaded and with the shaft through hole (OPE), with the central shaft segment (ECC), cylindrical, hollow and with a slightly larger diameter than the diameter of the upper shaft segment (ES), with the ringed shaft segment (EA), hollow, ring-shaped, around the central shaft segment (ECC), with a lateral channel (CLE), for fixation of the o-ring type shaft sealing ring (OE), and aligned with the guide hole (OGE), and with the lower segment of the shaft (EI), hollow and of prismatic shape with a hexagonal section to fit the guide (G);
- the guide (G), hollow, cylindrical in shape, stepped into an upper guide part (GS) and a lower guide part (GI), with the upper guide part (GS) having an outer circular channel (ROG), for fixing the guide sealing ring (OG), of the o-ring type, and a guide hole (OGE), passing, cylindrical in shape and aligned with the ring segment of the shaft (EA), and with the part lower part of the guide (GI) with a smaller diameter than that of the upper part (GS), externally threaded on the left, for threaded fitting with the upper part of the seat (ASS) and equipped with internal longitudinal channels for fitting the shaft (E);
- the seat (AS), hollow, stepped into a seat upper part (ASS) and a seat lower part (ASI), the seat upper part (ASS) externally of prismatic shape of hexagonal section, fitted into the lower part of the lid (TI), internally circular in shape, internally threaded on the left to thread the lower part of the guide (GI), and the lower part of the seat (ASI) in a cylindrical shape of small thickness;
- the temperature sensing device (EC) with the force pin (P), metallic, cylindrical in shape, aligned with the piston hole (OEB) and internally fitted to the lower segment of the shaft (EI);
- the plunger (EB), with the outer part (PEB), made of rubber or similar, in the shape of a ring and with sealing protrusions (SEB) around the center of the outer face, and with the inner part (IEB), metallic, of small thickness cylindrical shape, with the piston hole (OEB), through, circular in shape and aligned with the temperature sensing device (EC) and with the through holes (OPEB), circular, of small diameter and distributed radially;
- the appropriate elastic means (M), of the helical type and fitted to the lower part of the housing (CI) and the lower part of the piston (EB);
- the housing (C), hollow and of small thickness, with the upper part of the housing (CAS), cylindrical in shape, with internal thread for fixing the lower part of the lid (TI), with the upper external side channel (RC-1), for fitting the upper housing sealing ring (OC-1), of the o-ring type, with the lower external side channel (RC-2), for fitting the lower housing sealing ring (OC-2), o-ring type, with lower water flow holes (OIC) and upper water flow holes (OSC), through, circular, radially arranged and distributed on the lateral surface, and with the lower part of the housing (CI), hollow, with a prismatic shape with a hexagonal section on the outside and a circular shape on the inside;
- the connection between the device components is carried out as follows:
- 5a) The temperature sensing device (EC) with the force pin (P) is fitted into the plunger hole (OEB), with the force pin (P) facing upwards;
- 5b) The appropriate elastic medium (M) is placed inside the housing (C);
- 5c) The temperature sensing device (EC) with the force pin (P) and the plunger (EB) are placed on the appropriate elastic medium (M) inside the housing (C);
- 5d) The shaft sealing ring (OE) is fixed in the side channel (CLE) of the shaft ring segment (EA);
- 5e) The shaft (E) is assembled with the guide (G), with the lower segment of the shaft (EI) fitted into the channels in the lower part of the guide (GI);
- 5f) The guide sealing ring (OG) is fixed in the outer circular channel (ROG) of the guide (G);
- 5g) The assembly with the shaft (E) and guide (G) is fixed inside the lid (T) and secured with the locking ring (AT);
- 5h) The lid sealing ring (OT) is fixed between the top of the lid (TS) and the bottom of the lid (TI), and the base sealing ring (OB) is fixed in the outer side channel (ROT) of the lid (T);
- 5i) The seat (AS) is fixed to the guide (G) by the upper part of the seat (ASS) and fitted into the channels in the lower part of the lid (TI), with the internal threaded part of the upper seat (AS) being fitted with the external threaded part of the lower part of the guide (GI);
- 5j) The assembly with the temperature sensing device (EC), the force pin (P), the plunger (EB), the suitable elastic medium (M) and the housing (C), is joined with the assembly with the lid (T), shaft (E), guide (G) and seat (AS);
- and
- 5k) The housing sealing rings (OC-1) and (OC-2) are fixed in the two external side channels (RC-1) and (RC-2.
18 more elements
Water recirculation valve of the control process for reducing water waste in water heating systems, in the configuration for a point of consumption with tap positioned with the handle vertically (axis (E) vertically), characterized by having the control device (DC) inserted into a sink base (BP), the axis (E) having its reach increased with the use of the axis adapter (AE), which is threaded onto the axis (E) and secured with the pin locking (PT) and have a sink base lid (TBP);
- the sink base lid (TBP) hollow, cylindrical in shape, stepped into a top sink lid (TBPS), externally threaded, and a bottom sink lid (TBPI), internally threaded and aligned with the nozzle (BB) from the base to the sink (BP);
- the shaft adapter (AE), with the upper segment (AES) in a cylindrical shape with grooves distributed radially on the external side, with the central segment (AEC) in a cylindrical shape and with the lower segment (AEI), threaded from the inside for fitting of the axis (E) and with two lateral oblong holes (REI) for the locking pin (PT) to pass through;
- the locking pin (PT), cylindrical in shape;
- the sink base (BP), with a base body (CB), cylindrical in shape, hollow, of small thickness, which serves as a housing for mounting the control device (DC), with a nozzle (BB), threaded externally, and with three externally threaded connections and diameters compatible with standard commercial fittings, with the connections being a water inlet (RA), a hot water outlet (SQ) and a cold water outlet (SF), the hot water (SQ) and the cold water outlet (SF) positioned on opposite sides of the base body (CB) and at different levels in relation to the base of the base body (CB), the hot water outlet (SQ) in upper position in relation to the cold water outlet (SF), the hot water outlet (SQ), aligned with the upper water flow holes (OSC) of the housing (C), with a hot water outlet hole (OQ) and the cold water outlet (SF), with a cold water outlet orifice (OF) and equipped with a snap-type cold water check valve (VAF), or similar.
1 more element
Water recirculation valve of the control process for reducing water waste in water heating systems, in the configuration for a point of consumption with tap positioned with the handle horizontally (axis (E) horizontal), with the recirculation valve (VR), a mixer (MX) and the cold water valve (RAF) built into the wall, characterized by having the control device (DC) inserted into a shower tray (BC) with a shower tray lid (TBC) and the shaft (E) has its reach increased by using the shower shaft adapter (ACE), threaded onto the shaft (E) and secured with the locking pin (PT);
- the shower base lid (TBC) hollow, with the shower base lid (OTBC) hole and stepped into a shower tray lid (TBCS) top, cylindrical in shape and externally threaded, in a central part of the shower tray lid (TBCC), of prismatic shape with hexagonal section, and in a lower part of the shower tray lid (TBCI), of cylindrical shape, internally threaded and aligned with the main body of the shower tray (CBC);
- the shower shaft adapter (ACE), with the upper part (PAS) in a cylindrical shape with grooves distributed radially on the external side, with the central segment (PAC) in a cylindrical shape and with the lower segment (PAI), threaded from the inside and with side cavities (PAL) for the passage of the locking pin (PT);
- the shower base (BC), with a cylindrical, hollow and externally threaded main body of the shower base (CBC), which serves as a housing for mounting the control device (DC), with a central body of the base (CCBC) with three connections for water pipes of diameters compatible with standard commercial fittings and arranged in a “T” shaped structure, one being a connection for the shower's hot water inlet (CEQ), internally threaded and with a hot water inlet through hole (OCEQ), a shower hot water outlet connection (CSQ), externally threaded and with a hot water outlet through hole (OCSQ), and a recirculating cold water outlet (SFB), with a through hole for the hot water outlet (OSFB), with a shower cold water check valve, snap type or similar, inserted into the recirculation cold water outlet (SFB).
Control process control device for reduction of water waste in water heating systems for single-handle faucets, characterized by being equipped with a housing (CA), a lever support (SA), two pins (PI-1) and (PI-2), a lever (AL), a guide wire (AG), a limit switch (FC), a clip washer (ARP), a guide (DIR), a device temperature sensor (EC) with a force pin (P), a spacer washer (ARE), a divider (DIV), a divider seal ring (OVD), a seal (VED), a suitable elastic medium (MO) and a base (BA);
- The housing (CM) has a stepped cylindrical shape and has an upper part (CMS), cylindrical with a circular through hole, a lower part (CMI), cylindrical, hollow and with a diameter larger than the upper part (CMS), with an internal section with thread (CMR) and two locking holes (OTL), rectangular and with guide relief;
- The lever support (SA) has a cylindrical upper part (SAS), with a cross-shaped hole (OSA) and four circular pin holes (OPI), two on each face concentric with each other, one part lower (SAI), hexagonal in shape, with four oblong holes (OI) through, with an entrance (ESA), shaped like two staggered concentric circles and a rectangular hole through on its lower face;
- The lever (AL), with a stepped prismatic shape, has a hole (OSAL) on its upper face and has two flaps (AAL) on its lower part, each flap (AAL) contains a lower hole (OIAL) that positions and retains the wire guide (AG);
- The limit switch (FC), shaped like an oblong section with a hexagonal central hole, has a thread (RFC) on its rounded external sides, has an inlet in both parallel straight sections of the upper face and has a circular inlet (ECFC) partial on its lower face;
- The director (DIR), with a hollow cylindrical shape, has an oblong hole (ODIR) through it, has two semicircular tabs (ADIR) that allow the limit switch (FC) to be fitted, and has a smooth upper face (FSDIR) that sits the clip washer (ARP) connected to the temperature sensing device (EC);
- The clip washer (ARP), with a stepped cylindrical shape with a central hole (OARP), circular through hole and a central inlet (EARP) of larger diameter, on its lower face;
- The divider (DIV), cylindrical in shape, has an upper face (FSDIV) that contains an oblong arched entrance (EADIV), contains a central hole (OCDIV) through and contains two sectioned holes (OSDIV), through, in circular segment format;
- has a lower face (FIDIV) that contains three cylindrical elongations (EDIV) with a hole (OEDIV) inside that meets the arched entrance (EADIV) of the upper face (FSDIV);
- has a channel (CDIV) on its side for seating the divider sealing ring (OVD);
- and
- The base (BA), cylindrical in shape, has two extrusions (EOBA) with an “eye” shaped section, has an extrusion (ECBA), with a section shaped like two tangent circles with a semicircle in its lower part, which contains a through circular hole (OLBA) and contains a through hole (OSBA) in the shape of a “half-moon”, has two locks (TR) opposite each other and has a channel (CBA) on its side;
- in its inner part, it has three through holes (OIBA), partially obstructed by the extrusions (EOBA) and (ECBA), which accommodate the cylindrical elongations (EDIV) of the divider (DIV), it has a central circular inlet (EBA), which accommodates the appropriate elastic medium (M), and has a housing (ALB) that accommodates the seal (VED);
- the connection between the device components being carried out as follows:
- 9a) The lower part of the temperature sensing device (EC), with the force pin (P), is fitted and fixed in the hole in the spacer washer (OAR) and subsequently in the central hole of the divider (ODV), with the pin, force (P) facing upward;
- 9b) The upper part of the temperature sensing device (EC) is fitted through the central hole of the director (ODR) and then fitted and fixed in the hole of the clip washer (OAP);
- 9c) The suitable elastic medium (MO) is placed inside the base central inlet (EBA);
- 9d) The seal (VED) is positioned in the base housing (ALB);
- 9e) The divider sealing ring (OVD) is fitted to the divider side channel (CDIV);
- 9f) The temperature sensing device (EC) with the force pin (P), the washer (ARE), the divider (DIV), the director (DIR) and the clip washer (ARP) are placed on the elastic medium adequate (M) within the base (BA);
- 9g) The lever (AL) is fitted to the inside of the lever support (SA), being fixed by the pins (PI-1) and (PI-2);
- 9h) The guide wire (AG) is partially bent, positioned in the lower holes of the lever support (OI) coinciding with the lower holes of the lever (OIAL), and bent again to be positioned in the other holes (OI);
- 9i) The lever support (SA), together with the lever (AL) and the guide wire (AG), is fitted to the limit switch (FC), which in turn, is fitted to the internal cavity of the housing (CA);
- and
- 9j) The housing (CA), together with the lever (AL), lever support (SA), the pins (PI-1) and (PI-2), the guide wire (AG) and the limit switch (FC), is fixed to the base (BA), with the latches (TR-1) and (TR-2) fitted into the side locking holes (OTL-1) and (OTL-2), respectively.
21 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.