Plumbing freeze protection system
OwnerJames F. Parkinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A plumbing freeze protection system comprises a fluid connection between a water supply line and a waste line. The fluid connection bypasses a plumbing fixture fluidly connected to the water supply line. A valve operable with the fluid connection alternately prevents water flow from the water supply line to the waste line, and allows water flow from the water supply line to the waste line within about 25 percent of maximum volumetric flow rate of the water supply line through the fluid connection. A timer is adapted to control the valve. The valve is open for a predetermined time period to deliver a short duration, high volumetric flow rate of water to the waste line to minimize ice formation in, and remove existing ice from, the water supply and waste lines.
Claims19
A plumbing freeze protection system, comprising:
- a fluid connection between a water supply line and a waste line, wherein the fluid connection bypasses a plumbing fixture fluidly connected to the water supply line;
- a valve operable with the fluid connection to alternately prevent water flow from the water supply line to the waste line, and allow water flow from the water supply line to the waste line at a high volumetric flow rate defined as being within 25 percent of maximum volumetric flow rate of the water supply line through the fluid connection;
- and
- a timer adapted to control the valve, wherein the timer is adapted to open the valve for a predetermined time period to deliver a the high volumetric flow rate of water to the waste line to minimize ice formation in, and remove existing ice from, the water supply and waste lines,
- wherein the water supply line includes a cold water line and a hot water line, and further comprising a mixing valve at the fluid connection between the water supply line and the waste line, the mixing valve fluidly connecting the cold water line and the hot water line, such that flow through the mixing valve allows for flow through the cold and hot water lines to minimize ice formation in, and remove existing ice from, the cold and hot water lines.
A plumbing maintenance system, comprising:
- a plurality of fluid connections between a water supply line and a plurality of waste lines, each waste line being fluidly connected with a trap seal;
- a manifold to form, at least in part, the plurality of fluid connections between the water supply line and the plurality of waste lines
- a valve operable with the plurality of fluid connections to alternately prevent water flow from the water supply line to the plurality of waste lines, and allow water flow from the water supply line to the plurality of waste lines;
- and
- a timer adapted to control the valve, wherein the timer is adapted to open the valve for a predetermined time period to deliver the water flow to the plurality of waste lines to maintain water in the trap seals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.