System and Method for Conserving Water Supplied by a Hot Water Tank
OwnerJoseph Stecewyczinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention is a water conservation system for conserving water supplied by a hot water tank, the system functioning to selectively open a diverter fluid path extending between a hot water supply line and a cold water supply line, and operating a return module to return unheated water in the hot water supply line back to the hot water tank using the cold water supply line until the water in the hot water supply line flows hot.
Claims20
A water conservation system suitable for conserving water supplied by a hot water tank having a cold water supply line attached to the hot water tank and a hot water supply line providing water from the hot water tank to a user, said water conservation system comprising:
- a diverter module adapted to selectively open a diverter fluid path extending between the hot water supply line and the cold water supply line in response to an action of the user;
- and
- a return module connected to the cold water supply line, said return module adapted to return water to the hot water tank in response to said opening of said diverter fluid path.
A method suitable for conserving water supplied by a hot water tank having a cold water supply line supplying the hot water tank and a hot water supply line providing water from the hot water tank to a user upon the opening of a hot water faucet, said method comprising the steps of:
- sensing movement of water in the hot water supply line when the hot water faucet is opened;
- if the temperature of the water in the hot water supply line proximate the hot water faucet is below a specified temperature, diverting the water in the hot water supply line from the hot water faucet to the hot water tank;
- and
- if the sensed temperature of the water in the hot water supply line proximate the hot water faucet is at or above said specified temperature, allowing the water in the hot water supply line to flow to the hot water faucet.
A diverter module suitable for use in a water conservation system having a hot water tank in fluid communication with a cold water supply line and a hot water supply line, said diverter module comprising:
- a diverter housing having a substantially elliptical cross section;
- a diverter input gate hingedly attached to a first end of said diverter housing;
- a diverter output gate hingedly attached to a second end of said diverter housing;
- a bi-metallic cantilever spring rotatably attached to a spring pivot pin, said spring pivot pin attached to an inside surface of said diverter housing;
- a first connecting rod attached to said diverter input gate and to a first arm of said bi-metallic cantilever spring;
- and
- a second connecting rod attached to said diverter output gate and to a second arm of said bi-metallic cantilever spring.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.