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US 2026/0266476 A1Published application
Electric hot water micro-tank preheater unit
OwnerPeter James Doran, Travis Jerome Caseyinventors
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OwnerPeter James Doran, Travis Jerome Caseyinventors
Estimating the term…
An apparatus improves the delivery time of hot water to a point of use, such as a sink tap. The system is housed in a container with connectors for integration to hot water piping and a mains power connection. Inside the container is a micro-tank containing an electric heating element controlled by a thermostat. A safe tray collects any escaping water, while a water sensor detects leaks. The sensor is linked to a battery-powered three-way solenoid valve that directs water either to the micro-tank for heating or through bypass pipework. Integrated piping includes isolation, non-return, pressure reduction, and temperature and pressure relief valves. During normal operation, the apparatus rapidly reheats cooled water from the supply, ensuring a seamless flow of hot water. If a leak occurs, water is diverted directly to the tap, alerting the user while maintenance is arranged. This integration minimizes energy waste and prevents disruption.
An apparatus containing a small electric hot water storage tank or micro-tank is connected in-line on a hot water service supply pipe close in proximity upstream to the fixture, such as a hot water tap, being served. The effect is to dramatically decrease the wait time for hot water to be delivered to the tap by providing heated water from the micro tank at the same time as cooled water in the hot water service line enters the micro-tank. The storage volume of the micro-tank is to be greater than the volume of water in the length of hot water service supply pipework delivering water from the main heated water source to the apparatus, ensuring the apparatus delivers hot water until the incoming supply from the main heated water source has reached its intended hot temperature. At this point hot water entering the micro-tank undergoes natural convection and makes its way to the micro-tank outlet quicker than the cooler water being reheated, thus creating a seamless flow of hot water at the hot water tap and eradicating an unwanted large drop in the water temperature being delivered. Once the water in the micro-tank has reached the desired temperature, the thermostatic control switches the heating element off to save energy and protect the micro-tank from overheating.
Main components of the apparatus are all housed within a container with integral 50 mm deep safe tray for the containment of water in the unlikely event of water escaping from the micro-tank, and this integral safe tray is built-in rather than needing a standard, separate, stand-alone safe tray. The floor of the container includes a raised set of platforms on which the micro-tank is positioned. Clear of the platform, an electronic water sensor is located on the floor of the container to offer the earliest possible detection of the presence of escaped water and provide a higher level of protection for the internal components and prevention of property damage. The electronic sensor is wired to a battery powered 3-way solenoid valve located immediately downstream of the incoming water pipe connector. The 3-way solenoid valve directs water flow to pipework either extending to the micro-tank inlet or to bypass pipework that bypasses the micro-tank and exits the container via the outgoing hot water pipe connecter, to allow the ongoing use of the hot water tap by the end user. The resulting disruption of the apparatus to deliver hot water in a timely manner is noticed by the user of the tap. Normal operation of the hot water tap can continue while maintenance on the apparatus is scheduled to return it to optimal operation.
The pipework extending to the micro-tank inlet incorporates a pressure reduction valve and a pressure vessel and the micro unit contains thermostatic controls, all to minimize the chances of any water discharging via the temperature and pressure relief valve, which is acting as a last-resort failsafe, into the removeable water containment tray. The water containment tray is only large enough to capture the water produced during testing of the temperature and pressure relief valve and can be removed and emptied before being reinstated within the apparatus. Water entering the containment tray as a result of a malfunction will overflow into safe tray and lead to the disruption of optimal operation of the apparatus. Therefore, the built-in safe tray does not require a drain connection.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.