Water conservation delivery system using temperature-controlled by-pass circuit
First Claim
1. Method of conserving water in a heated water dispensing system comprising the steps of supplying cold and hot water to a temperature adjustment valve;
- adjusting the valve to select a desired water temperature by selecting mixing hot and cold water;
dispensing the water at the selected desired temperature;
sensing the temperature of the mixed water before it is dispensed; and
diverting water from said dispensing location to thereby prevent water from being dispensed and returning the water to a source of the hot or cold water only when the temperature sensed is outside a predetermined water temperature range, whereby water is conserved by recirculation of mixed water which cannot be used because its temperature is outside the desired predetermined water temperature range.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A temperature controlled water recirculation system includes an adjustment valve for adjusting the quantities of water received from hot and cold water lines are fed to a shower nozzle. A controller, such as a temperature sensor, a timer, fluid flow meter, or the like is used for establishing the point at which a diverting valve diverts water from a recirculating return line to a shower nozzle. The return valve, therefore, determines at point in time recirculation ceases and dispensing of the water commences. In this way, water is conserved by recirculation of mixed water which cannot be used because its temperature is below or above a pre-selected threshold temperature.
94 Citations
20 Claims
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1. Method of conserving water in a heated water dispensing system comprising the steps of supplying cold and hot water to a temperature adjustment valve;
- adjusting the valve to select a desired water temperature by selecting mixing hot and cold water;
dispensing the water at the selected desired temperature;
sensing the temperature of the mixed water before it is dispensed; and
diverting water from said dispensing location to thereby prevent water from being dispensed and returning the water to a source of the hot or cold water only when the temperature sensed is outside a predetermined water temperature range, whereby water is conserved by recirculation of mixed water which cannot be used because its temperature is outside the desired predetermined water temperature range.
- adjusting the valve to select a desired water temperature by selecting mixing hot and cold water;
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2. Water recirculation system comprising a first supply means for supplying cold water;
- second supply means for supplying hot water;
adjusting valve means for selectively mixing the hot and cold water of said first and second supply means to select a desired water temperature;
water dispensing means for dispensing water at said selected desired temperature;
sensing means for sensing the temperature of the mixed water before it is dispensed by said water dispensing means;
water return means for diverting water from said water dispensing means to at least one of said supply means only when the temperature sensed by said sensing means is outside a predetermined water temperature range, whereby water is conserved by recirculation of mixed water which cannot be used because its temperature is outside the desired predetermined water temperature range. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
- second supply means for supplying hot water;
Specification