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US 5,511,579 AGranted
Water conservation recirculation system
OwnerWilliam D. Priceinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention is a water conservation system that provides instant hot water at a user's sink. The system includes a backflow line positioned between the cold water line and a thermal switch. A check valve is placed in the backflow line to prevent hot water from entering the cold water supply. A thermal switch that contacts the flow of water is used to give a more accurate measurement of the hot water temperature. This system prevents large quantities of warm water from being pumped into the cold water supply.
Claims7
A water recirculation system comprising:
- a hot water source and a cold water source;
- a hot water delivery line connected between said hot water source and at least one plumbing fixture;
- a cold water delivery line connected between said cold water source and said plumbing fixture;
- said hot water delivery line and said cold water delivery line being in communication with each other through a recirculation line;
- said recirculation line including a pump and a temperature control switch, wherein said pump is activated by said temperature control switch when the temperature of the water in said recirculation line falls below a preselected value;
- a backflow line connecting said cold water delivery line to said recirculation line so a portion of the water from the cold water line flows past said temperature control switch, wherein a portion of the water moved by said pump towards the cold water delivery line is also directed into said backflow line;
- and
- a directional valve positioned in said backflow line so that water can only flow from the cold water delivery line to the temperature control switch.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.