Commercial hot water control system

• US 8,505,498 B2
• Filed: 12/17/2009
• Issued: 08/13/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Conservation Technology Distribution, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Advanced Conservation Technology Distribution, Inc.
• Inventors: Acker, Larry K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, Gregory A
• Application Number:
  US12/641,236
• Publication Number:
  US 20110146593A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,335 Days
• Field of Search: 122/20.R, 237/2.R, 237/8.A, 237/8.B, 237/2.A, 237/19, 137/337, 137/571
• US Class Current: 122/20.R
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/85986 Pumped fluid control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86389 Programmer or timer

Abstract

A commercial hot water system includes a boiler, a storage tank, and a hot water delivery line connected between the storage tank and at least one plumbing fixture along with a cold water delivery line connection between said plumbing fixture, a cold water source and said boiler. A pump, interconnected between the hot and cold water delivery lines, enables circulation of water to the fixtures. A timer and controller provides for turning on the pump and a temperature sensor, connected to the controller, is effective in stopping the pump to prevent heated water from being circulated through the cold water line.

Claims

1. A commercial hot water system comprising:

a) a boiler;

b) a hot water storage tank interconnected with said boiler;

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

d) a pump connected between said boiler and the storage tank for circulation of water from the storage tank to said fixture and return to said storage tank;

e) a controller for causing said pump to circulate the water back to the hot water source when hot water at a plumbing fixture is turned on; and

f) a temperature sensor located on the hot water delivery line upstream from the plumbing fixture, connected to said controller, wherein said temperature sensor is structured to detect a hot water temperature increase of two degrees or more, and to cause the controller to stop the pump if said hot water temperature increase is exceeded in order to prevent heated water from being circulated.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. The hot water system of claim 1 further comprising a timer, connected to said controller, for causing the controller to turn on the pump at a preset time.