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Recirculation hot water system

  • US 5,205,318 A
  • Filed: 07/21/1992
  • Issued: 04/27/1993
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A system for delivering, to a demand site located in a home, a quantity of potable water, at an ambient temperature and at an elevated temperature, comprising:

  • a main potable water delivery path for generally directing said potable water;

    a closeable bifurcated flow path communicatively coupled to said main delivery path and for directing said water to said demand sites, said bifurcated path including a first flow path for directing said potable water generally at said elevated temperature, and a second flow path for directing said potable water generally at said ambient temperature;

    heater means installed in said first flow path, for heating said potable water to said elevated temperature;

    a manifold including a temperature responsive valve, a first inlet, a second inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet, wherein said first inlet connection is communicatively coupled to said first flow path and said second inlet connection is communicatively coupled to said second flow path, and said manifold is internally ported so as to communicatively couple said first flow path to said second flow path, wherein said temperature responsive valve is responsive to a temperature of said water flowing in said first flow path and is operative to permit said water to flow from said first flow path, through said manifold, and into said second flow path if said temperature is below a predetermined temperature level;

    pump means inserted in said first flow path between said heater means and said manifold, for pumping said water at said elevated temperature through said first flow path;

    faucet means communicatively coupled to said first outlet and said second outlet, for delivering said water to said demand site;

    actuation means for selectively energizing said pump means to cause water to flow;

    whereby if said pump means is energized and if said water flowing in said first flow path is below said predetermined temperature level, then said pump means causes said water to flow from said first flow path, through said manifold, into said second flow path until said actuation means de-energizes said pump or said water flowing in said first flow path is at or above said predetermined temperature level.

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