WATER CONSERVING SHOWER SYSTEMS

• US 20170356172A1
• Filed: 08/28/2017
• Published: 12/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aqua View, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Aqua View, Inc.
• Inventors: Searcy, Gus
• Granted Patent: US 10,538,902 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/18 Roses; Shower heads with means for adding soap or the like E03C1/046; jet regulators E03C1/08
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/3093 Recirculation valves, i.e. the valve element opens a passage to the nozzle and simultaneously closes at least partially a return passage the feeding means
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/045 diverting initially cold water in warm water supply
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/0408 Water installations especially for showers E03C1/06 takes precedence; shower heads B05B1/18
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 2001/0418 having temperature indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 2201/30 Diverter valves in faucets or taps
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 11/12 using changes in colour, translucency or reflectance
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/02 for measuring temperature of moving fluids or granular materials capable of flow
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/026 of moving liquids
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 2207/00 Application of thermometers in household appliances

Abstract

A plumbing system for a shower or the like includes a mixing valve operable for delivering a water flow of adjustable temperature from a water source to a dispensing device downstream from the mixing valve. The system further includes a diverter valve between the mixing valve and the dispensing device, and operable to divert a selectively variable portion of the water from the mixing valve back to the water source. A thermochromic thermal indicator, downstream from the mixing valve, may advantageously provide a visible indication of the water flow having achieved a predetermined temperature. The thermal indicator may be a thermochromic PVC conduit, or it may be a fitting having an inlet, an outlet, a thermochromic PVC element therebetween, and a barrier located between the inlet and the outlet so as to define a flow path that includes an interior surface of the thermochromic element.

Claims

1. A water-conserving plumbing system, comprising:

a cold water source having an unpressurized inlet and an outlet;

a water heater having an inlet and an outlet;

a mixing valve having a first inlet configured to receive cold water from the cold water source, a second inlet configured to receive hot water from the outlet of the water heater, and an outlet, the mixing valve being operable to produce a water mixture in the outlet of the hot water and the cold water in variable proportions;

a pump configured to deliver cold water under pressure from the outlet of the cold water source to the first inlet of the mixing valve and to the inlet of the water heater;

a diverter valve downstream from the mixing valve and having an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the mixing valve, the diverter valve being operable to direct a variable proportion of the water received from the mixing valve outlet selectively to one of a first diverter valve outlet and a second diverter valve outlet;

a water dispensing device fluidly coupled to the first diverter valve outlet; and

a return conduit fluidly coupling the second diverter valve outlet to the unpressurized inlet of the cold water source.

2. The water-conserving plumbing system of claim 1, further comprising:

a thermal indicator fluidly coupled to the outlet of the mixing valve so as to receive the water mixture therefrom, the thermal indicator being configured to change from a first color to a second color in response to the water mixture reaching a predetermined transition temperature.

3. The shower system of claim 2, wherein the thermal indicator is located upstream from the diverter valve.

4. The shower system of claim 2, wherein the thermal indicator is located downstream from the second diverter valve outlet.

5. The shower system of claim 2, wherein the thermal indicator includes a thermochromic element.

6. The shower system of claim 5, wherein the thermochromic element is made of a PVC material and a thermochromic pigment.

7. In a water delivery system including a mixing valve operable for delivering an adjustable water mixture of cold water and hot water from a water source to a water dispensing device through an outlet conduit fluidly coupling the mixing valve to the water dispensing device, the improvement comprising:

a diverter valve coupled to the outlet conduit downstream from the mixing valve so as to receive the water mixture from the mixing valve, the diverter valve being operable to vary selectively proportions of the water mixture respectively delivered to the water dispensing device and to an unpressurized inlet of the water source through a return conduit.

8. The water delivery system of claim 7, further comprising:

a thermal indicator fluidly coupled to the outlet of the mixing valve so as to receive the water mixture therefrom, the thermal indicator being configured to change from a first color to a second color in response to the water mixture reaching a predetermined transition temperature.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the thermal indicator is located upstream from the diverter valve.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the thermal indicator is located downstream from the diverter valve.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the thermal indicator includes a thermochromic element.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the thermochromic element is made of a PVC material and a thermochromic pigment.

13. The system of claim 7, wherein the first position of the diverter valve is a first rotational position, and the second position of the diverter valve is a second rotational position.

14. The system of claim 7, wherein the first position of the diverter valve is a first axial position, and the second position of the diverter valve is a second axial position.