Systems and Methods for Water Conservation

• US 20130061944A1
• Filed: 09/12/2011
• Published: 03/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steven Fuller Tarantino
• Original Assignee: Steven Fuller Tarantino
• Inventors: Tarantino, Steven Fuller
• Granted Patent: US 9,074,356 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/101.27
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 1/042 Details thereof, e.g. valves or pumps
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 1/048 Systems for collecting not used fresh water
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 2001/045 using household water
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/01 for combinations of baths, showers, sinks, wash-basins, closets, urinals, or the like combinations of baths, douches, or the like, A47K4/00; cell-like units for special technical purposes E04B1/34869; panels adapted for locating conduits E04C2/52; ducts for installation lines E04F17/08
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2536 Float controlled weir or valve

Abstract

A system is described herein comprising a diverter valve operable to divert at least a portion of water flowing through a first water line to a first volume; a first float valve controlling water flow from a second water line to a second volume; and a second float valve controlling water flow from the first volume to the second volume.

Claims

1. A system comprising;

a diverter valve operable to divert at least a portion of water flowing through a first water line to a first volume;

a first float valve controlling water flow from a second water line to a second volume; and

a second float valve controlling water flow from the first volume to the second volume.

2. The system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a first tank housing the first volume and a second tank housing the second volume.

3. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the first and second volumes are compartments of a single tank.

4. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the second float valve comprises a concentric float valve.

5. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the second float valve comprises a float and arm valve.

6. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the float and arm valve is oriented in an approximately vertical orientation.

7. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the first float valve establishes a desired fill height in the second volume and the first volume is positioned higher that the desired fill height.

8. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the first volume is at least twice as large as the second volume.

9. A system comprising;

a hot water line;

a cold water line;

a mixing valve assembly receiving water from the hot water line and cold water line and outputting water to a mix line;

a diverter valve receiving water from the mix line and having a first output and a second output;

a dispenser positioned to receive water from the first output; and

a tank positioned to receive water from the second output.

10. The system as recited in claim 9 wherein the dispenser is selected from the group of dispensers comprising a showerhead, shower wand, showerhead—

wand combination and a tub spout.

11. The system as recited in claim 9 further comprising a thermostatic shutoff valve positioned to receive water from said second output.

12. The system as recited in claim 9 further comprising a temperature indicator indicating water temperature in said mix line.

13. The system as recited in claim 9 further comprising a check valve positioned to receive water from said second output.

14. The system as recited in claim 9 wherein the cold water line is a first cold water line, the diverter valve is arranged to flow water through the second output to a first volume, and the system further comprises a first float valve regulating water from a second cold water line to a second volume and a second float valve regulating water from the first volume to the second volume.

15. The system as recited in claim 9 wherein the diverter valve is a three way diverter valve.

16. The system as recited in claim 9 wherein the diverter valve is arranged to flow water through the second output to a first volume, and the system further comprises a flapper valve regulating water from the first volume to a second volume.

17. The system as recited in claim 9 wherein the tank is an outdoor water storage tank.

18. A system for directing cooled water standing in a hot water line to a toilet cistern, said system comprising:

a storage tank;

a valve operable to direct at least a portion of the cooled standing water to the storage tank; and

a float valve controlling water flow from the storage tank to the toilet cistern.

19. The system as recited in claim 18 wherein the valve is a diverter valve.

20. The system as recited in claim 18 wherein the hot water line delivers water to a showerhead.