Hot water system

• US 7,779,857 B2
• Filed: 03/16/2007
• Issued: 08/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Act Incorporated, Advanced Conservation Technology Distribution, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Act Incorporated
• Inventors: Acker, Larry K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hepperle; Stephen
• Assistant Examiner(s): BROWN, PHYLLIS MACADE
• Application Number:
  US11/724,794
• Publication Number:
  US 20080223451A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,257 Days
• Field of Search: 137/337, 137/571, 236/12.11
• US Class Current: 137/337
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 17/0026 with conventional heating means F24D17/0036 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 17/0078 Recirculation systems
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 19/1051 for domestic hot water
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6497 Hot and cold water system having a connection from the hot to the cold channel

Abstract

A hot water system includes a hot water source; a hot water delivery line connected between the hot water source and at least one plumbing fixture along with a cold water delivery line connection between said plumbing fixture, a cold water source and said hot water source; a pump, interconnected between the hot and cold water delivery lines, enables circulation of water from the hot water delivery line through the cold water delivery line and into the hot water source, thus eliminating the need for a separate recirculation line. A thermostatic valve is disposed in a serial arrangement with the pump between the hot and cold water lines for blocking flow of water from the hot water line into the cold water line when the pump is not operating.

Claims

1. A hot water system comprising:

a hot water source;

a hot water delivery line connected between said hot water source and at least one plumbing fixture;

a cold water delivery line connection between said plumbing fixture, a cold water source and said hot water source;

a pump connected between the hot and cold water delivery lines, at a point remote from said hot water source, and proximate the plumbing fixture for circulation of water from the hot water delivery line through the cold water delivery line and into the hot water source;

a controller for causing the pump means to circulate water from the hot water line into the cold water line proximate said plumbing fixture and back to the hot water source when a plumbing fixture hot water valve is turned on;

a temperature sensor, connected to said control means, for causing said controller to stop the pump in order to prevent heated water from being circulated through the cold water delivery line; and

a thermostatic valve disposed in a serial arrangement with said pump between the hot and cold water lines, for blocking flow of water from the hot water line into the cold water line when said pump is not operating, operation of said thermostatic valve being independent from said temperature sensor, and controlled at a separate temperature setting.

2. The hot water system according to claim 1 further comprising a manual switch, connected to said controller, for causing the controller to turn on the pump.

3. The hot water system according to claim 1 further comprising a flow detector, disposed in said hot water delivery line and connected to said controller, for causing the controller to turn on the pump.

4. The hot water system according to claim 1 wherein said temperature sensor is disposed in a water line connecting the hot water delivery line and the pump.

5. The hot water system according to claim 4 wherein said temperature sensor is configured for detecting a selected water temperature and in response thereto causing the controller to stop the pump.

6. The hot water system according to claim 4 wherein said temperature sensor is configured for detecting a temperature increase and in response thereto causing the controller to stop the pump.