Apparatus for recovering and saving chilled water in hot water lines having adjustable thermostatic control
OwnerJohn E. Hall, Jr.inventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A water saving device for use with domestic hot water systems of the noncirculating storage tank heater type uses a hydraulic motor to drive a water pump to pump water from the hot water pipe to a cold water pipe. Pumping begins when a hot water tap connected to the device is turned on and the water in the hot water pipe is cold. Pumping continues until a temperature sensing element senses that hot water has reached the water saving device and actuates a valve. When hot water is present at the device, the valve permits the hot water to pass directly to the tap instead of driving the hydraulic motor.
Claims19
A method of conserving water by pumping cold water in a hot water line into a cold water line when hot water is desired from a hot water tap, comprising:
- connecting a water pump which is operated by a hydraulic motor between a hot water line and a cold water line near a hot water tap where hot water is desired;
- directing water from the hot water line through the hydraulic motor to operate the water pump when the hot water tap is opened to obtain hot water, the water pump thereby pumping a portion of the water that would normally flow from the open tap into the cold water line so that only a portion of the normal flow flows from the hot water tap;
- sensing when the water in the hot water line near the tap reaches a predetermined temperature;
- and
- stopping the pump and allowing normal flow of water from the hot water tap when the sensed temperature of the water near the tap reaches the predetermined temperature.
Apparatus for pumping cold water in a hot water line into cold water line, comprising:
- a hot water inlet;
- a hot water outlet;
- at least one cold water connection;
- a hydraulic motor;
- a water pump actuated by the hydraulic motor, wherein the pump is connected to pump water from the hot water inlet to the cold water connection;
- a valve having one position wherein water is directed from the hot water inlet to the hydraulic motor and water pump, and another position wherein the water is allowed to flow from the hot water inlet to the hot water outlet bypassing the hydraulic motor and pump;
- and
- a temperature sensing element for sensing the temperature of water flowing into the apparatus from the hot water inlet and for controlling the valve, whereby the valve directs water to the hydraulic motor and pump when the temperature of the water flowing into the apparatus from the hot water inlet is below the preset temperature, and allows flow of the water from the hot water inlet to the hot water outlet bypassing the hydraulic motor and pump when the water flowing into the apparatus from the hot water inlet is above the preset temperature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.