Universal water and energy conservation system

• US 5,775,372 A
• Filed: 07/05/1996
• Issued: 07/07/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John A. Houlihan
• Original Assignee: John A. Houlihan
• Inventors: Houlihan, John A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US08/675,967
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• Field of Search: 137/624.12, 137/337, 137/389, 137/390, 137/563, 137/565, 417/12, 417/32
• US Class Current: 137/624.12
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 17/00 Domestic hot-water supply systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6497 Hot and cold water system having a connection from the hot to the cold channel
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86397 With independent valve controller

Abstract

An on demand, multi-faceted, programmable, electronically and electromechanically controlled, water and energy conservation system, easily segmented and adaptable to the limitations of varying structures, specific conservation goals and each user'"'"'s economic considerations. The energy saver segment and one of several water saver segments may be combined into a complete system, configurational to differing conditions and useable with any pressurized water supply. The invention may also be configured for installation in existing, new or add-on structures. Preselected opening and closing of remotely actuated valves alters conduit paths, to avoid water waste down the drain, waiting for hot water. Hot water delivered from the hot water supply is completely used, eliminating the energy waste of hot water cooling in the pipes. On command from radio control unit (11) or remote control unit (9), power control (21) energizes flow controller (22) pre-programed to selectively energize and de-energize remotely actuated valve (61) or (62), and pump (66) of flow control unit (10), to simultaneously deliver hot water and re-circulate standing water in applicable conduits (32), (40), and (42), or (52), to hot water supply (31). Automatically, or by the user'"'"'s override command, near the end of the selected use cycle, another conduit path is provided. Cold water supply pressure (12) to hot water supply (31) is interrupted through normally open, remotely actuated valve (94) and is re-directed through normally closed, remotely actuated valve (93), forcing delivered hot water to the open outlet, until used. The system operates only when commanded.

Claims

1. A plumbing system having a pressurized cool water supply, a plurality of cool water outlets and a plurality of hot water outlets, having a cool water supply conduit for the purpose of coupling said cool water supply to a cool water inlet of a hot water supply means and a second cool water supply conduit in fluid communication with a plurality of branched cool water service conduits to each cool water outlet, and having a hot water supply conduit for the purpose of coupling a hot water outlet of said hot water supply means to a plurality of hot water service conduits, each branched to a hot water outlet, a water and energy conservation system, remotely controlled, for supplying hot water on command, without permitting water to be wasted down the drain, and for, automatically by programmed timed command or optionally by a user'"'"'s remote command, utilizing all of the hot water delivered to any hot water outlet from said hot water supply means, configured so as to be capable of segmentation, at the discretion of the user, for independent operation as a water saver segment only or as an energy saver segment only, comprising in combination:

(a) a power source;

(b) a power distribution means for distributing power to selected components activated by remote command;

(c) a remote control means in electrical continuity with said water and energy conservation system;

(d) a radio control means in radio communication with said water and energy conservation system;

(e) a radio receiving means in radio communication with said radio signal remote control means;

(f) a power control means to direct the application of power;

(g) a pump;

(h) a plurality of separate return conduits, each in separate fluid communication with a separate said hot water service conduit and each in fluid communication with separate inlets of a water saver segment;

(i) a flow control unit comprising;

said water saver segment including a plurality of separate, remotely actuated valves, normally closed to flow, the inlet side of each separate valve in fluid communication with each separate hot water use point through each said separate return conduit and the outlets of the valves joined in fluid communication with the inlet of said pump, the outlet of said pump in fluid communication with said cool water supply conduit to said hot water supply and

(j) an energy saver segment including a first remotely actuated valve means normally open-to-flow, the inlet of the valve in fluid communication with the cool water supply conduit and the outlet of the valve in fluid communication with said cool water inlet of said hot water supply means and a second remotely actuated valve means, normally closed-to-flow, the inlet of the valve in fluid communication with the cool water supply conduit and the outlet of the valve in fluid communication with the hot water supply conduit;

(k) a first check valve to limit back flow through the first valve means;

(l) a second check valve to limit back flow through the second valve means;

(m) a programmable controller means in electrical continuity with said water saver segment, said energy saver segment and said power source.

2. A water and energy conservation system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of visual and/or audio signaling means are included for the purpose of alerting the system user to the operating condition of said water and energy conservation system.

3. A water and energy conservation system according to claim 1 wherein an over-ride command capability is included for the purpose of lengthening or shortening a programmed hot water use cycle.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the flow control unit is initially configured for independent operation as an energy saver segment, to which a water saver segment may later be conveniently attached, thus making up a complete water and energy conservation system.

5. A system according to claim 1 wherein the flow control unit is initially configured for independent operation as a water saver segment, to which an energy saver segment may later be conveniently attached, thus making up a complete water and energy conservation system.

6. A water and energy conservation system according to claim 1 wherein the system is configured in a manner that makes an activate signal mandatory, before the system will permit hot water to be delivered to any outlet.

7. A system according to claim 1 in an expanded configuration for installation in a multi unit complex such as motels, hotels, military quarters, college dormitories, or other multiple use point structures.

8. A plumbing system having a pressurized cool water supply, a plurality of cool water outlets and a plurality of hot water outlets, having a cool water supply conduit for the purpose of coupling the cool water supply to a cool water inlet of a hot water supply means and a second cool water supply conduit in fluid communication with a plurality of branched cool water service conduits to each cool water outlet, and having a hot water supply conduit for the purpose of coupling a hot water outlet of said hot water supply means to a plurality of hot water service conduits branched to each hot water outlet, a water and energy conservation system remotely controlled for supplying hot water on command, without permitting water to be wasted down the drain, and for automatically by programmed timed command or optionally by a user'"'"'s remote command, utilizing all of the hot water delivered to a hot water use area from said hot water supply means, configured so as to be capable of segmentation, at the discretion of the user, for independent operation as a water saver segment only, or as an energy saver segment only, comprising in combination:

(a) a power source;

(b) a power distribution means for distributing power, to selected components activated by remote command;

(c) remote control means in electrical continuity with said water and energy conservation system;

(d) a radio signal remote control means;

(e) a radio receiving means in radio communication with said radio signal remote control means, for the purpose of receiving radio commands;

(f) a power control means, to direct the application of power;

(g) a pump;

(h) a plurality of manual crossover control valves, each in separate fluid communication with the hot water service conduit and the cool water service conduit of its specific water use area;

(i) a flow control unit comprising a water saver segment including a normally-closed-to-flow, remotely actuated valve and said pump, the inlet side of the valve in fluid communication with the cool water supply and the outlet of the valve in fluid communication with the inlet of said pump, the outlet of said pump in fluid communication with said cool water cool water supply conduit to said hot water supply and

(j) an energy saver segment including a first remotely actuated valve means normally open-to-flow, the inlet of the valve in fluid communication with the cool water supply conduit and the outlet of the valve in fluid communication with said cool water inlet of said hot water supply means and a second remotely actuated valve means, normally closed-to-flow, the inlet of the valve in fluid communication with the cool water supply conduit and the outlet of the valve in fluid communication with the hot water supply conduit;

(k) a first check valve to limit back flow through the first valve;

(l) a second check valve to limit back flow through the second valve;

(m) a programmable controller means in electrical continuity with said water saver segment, said energy saver segment and said power source.

9. A water and energy conservation system according to claim 8, wherein a plurality of visual and/or audio signaling means are included for the purpose of alerting the system user to the operating condition of said water and energy conservation system.

10. A water and energy conservation system according to claim 8 wherein an over-ride command capability may be included for the purpose of lengthening or shortening a programmed hot water use cycle.

11. A system according to claim 8, wherein the flow control unit is initially configured for independent operation as an energy saver segment, to which a water saver segment may later be conveniently attached, thus making up a complete water and energy conservation system.

12. A system according to claim 8, wherein the flow control unit is initially configured for independent operation as a water saver segment, to which an energy saver segment may later be conveniently attached, thus making up a complete water and energy conservation system.

13. A water and energy conservation system according to claim 8, wherein the system may be configured in a manner that makes an activate signal mandatory, before the system will permit hot water to be delivered to any outlet.

14. A system according to claim 8 in an expanded configuration for installation in a multi unit complex such as motels, hotels, military quarters, college dormitories, or other multiple use point structures.