Tap liquid savings in a liquid distribution system
Assignee3Eflow AB
InventorErik Abbing
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A liquid distribution system having at least one liquid conduit extending from a liquid source to a liquid tap and a method for substantially retaining the temperature of a liquid in the liquid distribution system. When a tapping operation is finished, the liquid is evacuated from the liquid conduit, and a gas is brought into the liquid conduit in order to replace the liquid therein and cause the liquid to flow backwards to the liquid source. When liquid is to be tapped from the liquid tap, the gas is evacuated from the liquid conduit.
Claims23
A method for substantially retaining the temperature of a liquid in a liquid distribution system having at least one liquid conduit (7, 8) extending from a liquid source (1, 2, 3) to a liquid tap (9, 10) comprising the steps of
- evacuating the liquid from the liquid conduit when a tapping operation is finished, by generating a backward pressure gradient in said liquid conduit, causing the liquid to flow backwards towards said liquid source (1, 2, 3), while letting a gas flow into the liquid conduit and replace the backwardly flowing liquid therein,
- stopping said backward flow of liquid when the liquid conduit is evacuated, and
- evacuating the gas from the liquid conduit when liquid is to be tapped from said liquid tap, by generating a forward pressure gradient in said liquid conduit causing the liquid to flow from said liquid source (1, 2, 3) to said liquid tap (9, 10).
A liquid distribution system, substantially retaining the temperature of a liquid being distributed and having at least one liquid conduit (7, 8) extending from a liquid source (1, 2, 3) to a liquid tap (9, 10), characterized in that the system comprises
- a pressure controlling device (5, 3, 11, 12) for generating a backward pressure gradient in said liquid conduit causing, when a tapping operation is finished, the liquid to flow backwards towards said liquid source, and
- a valve device (17, 18) adapted to let in gas to replace said liquid in said liquid conduit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.