Hot water recirculation system technologies
First Claim
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1. A device for use with a hot water recirculation system containing a hot water source, a flow sensor downstream from said source, a booster pump downstream from said sensor, and a plumbing fixture downstream from said pump, said device comprising:
- a controller configured for coupling to said sensor and said pump, said controller operative in one of a calibration mode and a control mode when coupled to said sensor and said pump,in said calibration mode, said controller determines a resting flow rate and an in-use flow rate via said sensor, said resting rate determined when said pump avoids pumping water and said fixture avoids drawing water, said in-use rate determined when said pump pumps water and said fixture draws water pumped via said pump, said controller determines a first time period indicative of time for returning from at least said in-use rate to said resting rate when said pump avoids pumping water and said fixture avoids drawing water, said controller receives an input from a user for a second time period,in said control mode, said controller controls said pump to pump water for duration of said second period based on said input in response to sensing at least said in-use rate via said sensor, said controller controls said pump to avoid pumping water immediately after expiration of said second period for duration of at least said first period, andwherein in said control mode, said controller selectively periodically enters a refresh mode and activates the pump, not in response to sensing at least said in-use rate via said sensor.
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Abstract
Technologies for use with a hot water recirculation system containing a hot water source, a flow sensor downstream from the source, a booster pump downstream from the sensor, and a plumbing fixture downstream from the pump are provided. The technologies enable a controller to couple to the sensor and the pump, and operate in a calibration mode and a control mode. Such operations can increase energy efficiency of the pump and increase operational longevity of the pump.
16 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A device for use with a hot water recirculation system containing a hot water source, a flow sensor downstream from said source, a booster pump downstream from said sensor, and a plumbing fixture downstream from said pump, said device comprising:
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a controller configured for coupling to said sensor and said pump, said controller operative in one of a calibration mode and a control mode when coupled to said sensor and said pump, in said calibration mode, said controller determines a resting flow rate and an in-use flow rate via said sensor, said resting rate determined when said pump avoids pumping water and said fixture avoids drawing water, said in-use rate determined when said pump pumps water and said fixture draws water pumped via said pump, said controller determines a first time period indicative of time for returning from at least said in-use rate to said resting rate when said pump avoids pumping water and said fixture avoids drawing water, said controller receives an input from a user for a second time period, in said control mode, said controller controls said pump to pump water for duration of said second period based on said input in response to sensing at least said in-use rate via said sensor, said controller controls said pump to avoid pumping water immediately after expiration of said second period for duration of at least said first period, and wherein in said control mode, said controller selectively periodically enters a refresh mode and activates the pump, not in response to sensing at least said in-use rate via said sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A hot water recirculation system comprising:
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a hot water source; a flow sensor downstream from said source; a booster pump downstream from said sensor; a plumbing fixture downstream from said pump; a controller coupled to said sensor and said pump, said controller operative in one of a calibration mode and a control mode, in said calibration mode, said controller determines a resting flow rate and an in-use flow rate via said sensor, said resting rate determined when said pump avoids pumping water and said fixture avoids drawing water, said in-use rate determined when said pump pumps water and said fixture draws water pumped via said pump, said controller determines a first time period indicative of time for returning from at least said in-use rate to said resting rate when said pump avoids pumping water and said fixture avoids drawing water, said controller receives an input from a user for a second time period, in said control mode, said controller controls said pump to pump water for duration of said second period based on said input in response to sensing at least said in-use rate via said sensor, said controller controls said pump to avoid pumping water immediately after expiration of said second period for duration of at least said first period, and wherein in said control mode, said controller selectively periodically enters a refresh mode and activates the pump, not in response to sensing at least said in-use rate via said sensor. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for use with a hot water recirculation system, for use by a user, containing a hot water source, a flow sensor downstream from said source, a booster pump downstream from said sensor, and a plumbing fixture downstream from said pump, and a proximity sensor for detecting presence of the user, said method comprising:
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coupling a controller to said flow sensor and said pump, said controller programmed for operation in one of a calibration mode and a control mode; operating said controller in said calibration mode such that said controller determines a resting flow rate and an in-use flow rate via said flow sensor, said resting rate determined when said pump avoids pumping water and said fixture avoids drawing water, said in-use rate determined when said pump pumps water and said fixture draws water pumped via said pump, said controller determines a first time period indicative of time for returning from at least said in-use rate to said resting rate when said pump avoids pumping water and said fixture avoids drawing water, said controller receives an input from a user for a second time period; operating said controller in said control mode such that said controller controls said pump to pump water for duration of said second period based on said input in response to sensing at least said in-use rate via said flow sensor, said controller controlling said pump to avoid pumping water immediately after expiration of said second period for duration of at least said first period, and said controller controls said pump to periodically pump water for a refresh period unless said proximity sensor determines that the user is not present, not in response to sensing at least said in-use rate via said flow sensor. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification