GB2489120A - Water saving system for reducing cold water from a hot tap when the tap is first turned on - Google Patents
Water saving system for reducing cold water from a hot tap when the tap is first turned on Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2489120A GB2489120A GB1208217.8A GB201208217A GB2489120A GB 2489120 A GB2489120 A GB 2489120A GB 201208217 A GB201208217 A GB 201208217A GB 2489120 A GB2489120 A GB 2489120A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- water
- valve
- cold water
- line
- hot
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 164
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000010926 purge Methods 0.000 description 7
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000001143 conditioned effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000284 extract Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011010 flushing procedure Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000035939 shock Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03B—INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER
- E03B7/00—Water main or service pipe systems
- E03B7/04—Domestic or like local pipe systems
- E03B7/045—Domestic or like local pipe systems diverting initially cold water in warm water supply
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A20/00—Water conservation; Efficient water supply; Efficient water use
- Y02A20/40—Protecting water resources
- Y02A20/411—Water saving techniques at user level
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
- Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
- Heat-Pump Type And Storage Water Heaters (AREA)
- Domestic Hot-Water Supply Systems And Details Of Heating Systems (AREA)
- Temperature-Responsive Valves (AREA)
Abstract
The invention comprises a water saving system (2 figure 1) which reduces the amount of cold water when a top tap is first turned on. The system comprises a first input 14, which receives cooled water from a hot water line (10 figure 1), a second input 28, which receives cold water from a cold water line (4 figure 1), and an output 16, from which cold water from either the first or second inputs is fed into a cold water line terminating in a cold water outlet i.e. a cistern 22. The system further comprises a thermostatic valve 18, having a sensor, which may be an electrical or a mechanical sensor, and having a first position and a second position, wherein, when the sensor senses the temperature of water in the hot water line is above a set level, the valve is moved from the first position to the second position, allowing the user access to cold water from the cold water line only. When the sensor senses the temperature of water in the hot water line is below a set level, the valve is moved from the second position to the first position, thereby allowing the user of the cold water outlet to access the cooled water from the hot water.
Description
-I -
SYSTEM OF WATER CONSERVAI1ON
Field of the nvention
The invention is in the field of systems of water conservation or water saving.
The instance of drought is becoming increasingly common in the UK and elsewhere, and governments and indMduais Look for ways to conserve water in order to make the best they can of a Limited resource. Further, on an individual level, many have been conditioned to place greater importance on environmental and agreenss issues than have previous generations.
A further environmental issue is raised by the wasting of hot water, which is that hot water costs money and energy to heat. Savings on both are advantageous to the indMdual and to the planet and are similarly sought after.
ft is an aim of this invention to address the problems of water and energy efficiency.
More prosaically, there is the widely known and experienced problem of turning on the hot tap and getting cold water, in the first instance, and having to run the tap for a period until hot water comes through.
ft is an object amongst others of the present invention to attempt to solve this problem.
ama of the invention S In a first aspect, the invention comprises a water saving system comprising a first input, for in use receiving cooled water from a hot water Line, a second input for, in use receiving cold water from a cold water Line, and an output, for outputting cold water from either of the first and second inputs into a cold water line terminating in a cold water outlet, the system further comprising one thermostatic valve, the valve comprising a sensor and io having an first position and a second position, wherein when, in use, the sensor senses the temperature of water in the hot water line is above a set leveL the valve is moved from the first position to the second position allowing the user access to cold water from the cold water Line only, and when the sensor senses the temperature of water in the hot water line is below a set level, the valve is moved from the second position to the first positIon, thereby allowing the user of the cold water outlet to access the cooled water from the hot water line, n the present invention, an attempted solution to the problems is supplied. By diveffing the cooled water from the hot water line to a cold water line, water is saved from being wasted, and is removed from the hot line so that the user does not experience the shock of cold water coming through the hot tap, or have to run off litres of cold water before the hot water arrives.
The solution is particularly advantageous due to its simplicity; it doesnt require a pump for exampit Preferably the system aLso comprises a nonreturn valve on the hot water line, placed prior to the thermostatic valve and a nonreturn valve on the cold water Line, placed prior to the thermostatic valve.
The nonreturn valves ensure that the amount of water flowing back through the thermostatic valve is minimised, Preferably, the system also comprises a shut off valve on the hot water line placed prior to the nonreturn valve Preferably, the system also comprises a water storage tank, placed after the thermostatic valve, The provision of a tank, such as a cistern or expansion vessel, is advantageous because it allows a facility for the extraction of cooled water from the hot line even when there is no immediate demand from a user.
Preferably5 the shut off valve comprises a timer, allowing the valve to be opened and shut at pr&set times.
The timer valve allows for the effective overriding of the thermostatic valve, which can be useful at times of day when immediate hot water is not required or when it is not cost effective or practical to run the heating agent.
Preferably the system also comprises a pressure reducing valve, in fluid communication with the cold water line, the said valve being set so as to maintain the water pressure in the cold water line at a lower level than the water pressure in the hot water line, the system further comprising a pressure sensor valve on the hot water line and a vessel in fluid communication with both hot and cold water lines, wherein when a demand is placed on the hot water line, pressure in the hot water line is reduced by the demand, and cooled water already in the hot water line flows into the vesseL and when the hot water in the hot water Line heats up to the level at which the thermostatic valve is set, the thermostatic valve diverts it towards the demand and wherein when a demand is subsequently placed on the cold water line, the contents of the vessel are used prior to any other cold water source.
The provision of the combination of pressure valves and vessel provides for a system which positively extracts the cooled water for storage and positively reintroduces it for subsequent use.
The invention also comprises a water saving system substantially as described herein, with reference to and as illustrated by any appropriate combination of the accompanying text and/or drawings.
fliEfDescritionoftbeFiures The invenflon will now be described in detail with reference to the figures of which.: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a watersaving system of the invention; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of a thermostatic value of the invention; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of a further system of the invention; Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of a still further system of the invention; and Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of a still further system of the invention.
QtAfled Descri tionof the Preferred Embodiments At Figure 1, there is shown a wateNsaving system indicated generally at 2, The system 2 comprises a cold water line 4 running to a cold output 6. Cold water line 4 also runs to heating agent 8 which may for example be a combi boiler or cylinder. The water heated by heating agent 8 runs through hot line 10 to hot output 12 which here is a hot tap but may he another type of output A purging line 14 leads from the hot line 10 to a further length of cold line 16 with a thermostatic valve 18 bridging the said purging tine 14 and said further cold line 16. The further cold line 1$ outputs at a flush toilet 20. The cistern 22 of the flush toilet is fed from the hot line 10 when cooled water is present in said hot line 10. This feeding is facilitated by the movement of the thermostatk vaLue 18 into a first position; the thermostatic valve comprises a sensor 24 which detects temperature which may itself simply be a part of the mechanical valve. The sensor 24 may either be mechanical or electronic or a mixture of both. When the water in the hot line 10 heats up the sensor 24 senses this and moves the thermostatic valve 18 into a second position wher&n the hot line 10 no longer has access to the further cold One 1$ through purging One 14. When a toilet is used generally handwashing follows, cold water from the hot tap has, in conventional water system, been run off until the warm water arrives. With long pipe runs and/or a combi boiler this could amount to several litres each handwash a following a flush, which is wasted if the bathroom is not regularly used. The system described herein serves to save this water.
The sensor 24 of the thermostatic valve 18 is in this embothment set to change from the first position to the second position when a temperature just above a given normal io ambient temperature is reached.
At Figure 2 is shown in detail a thermostatic valve 18 through which hot water is being channelled vIa purging line 14, and the said thermostatic vaLve 18 is providing a junction between the purging line 14 and the further cold line 16 which inputs into a flushing toilet.
ia Also shown here are non-return valves 26, 28; a first nonreturn vaLve 26 being on purging Line 14 and a second nonreturn valve 28 being on further cold Line 16.
Figure 3 illustrates generally a more complex version of the system. Here a cold water line or feed 33 is taken from a cold supply 32 and a hot water line or feed 35 is taken from a hot supply 34 with the cold water feed 33 eventuaLly exiting at a toilet cistern or water using facility 36. The flow path to facility 36 is fitted with a two way, adjustable thermostatic valve 38, which allows water from the hot water Line 35 to flow to the utility when the temperature of water in the hot Line 35 is lower than the valve's set temperature, or moves into a closed position, barring the path of the hot water line 35 to the water cistern or watefrusing utility 36, when the temperature of water in the hot line is greater than the valve set temperature.
The thermostatic valve 38 may operate electrically and may detect water temperature via on or more sensors 40 and feedback data from those sensors 40 into a control system 42.
ao Alternatively the thermostatic valve 38 may be entirety mechanical in operation in the manner of a radiator valve. The valve 38 is arranged so that when the hot supply has cooled, Le it is lower than the set temperature at which the valve 38 changes position, water will be allowed to pass through valve port 44 to the cistern 36. Second valve port will be shut at that point. However, when water from the hot line 35 reaches the valve 38 set temperature the valve 38 doses first port 44 and opens second port 46 thus allowing water to flow to the cistern 36 from the hot water line 35.
In this embodiment there is a non-return valve 48 to prevent water from the cold line 33 entering the hot line 35. Similarly there is a non-return valve 50 to prevent water from the hot Une 35 entering the cold water line 33 This embodiment further comprises valve 52. Valve 52 can have manual operation or be motorised, with motor control exercised via an electric swftch 56. When valve 52 is shut water from the hot water line 35 cannot be used and when valve 52 is open it can. In this embodiment a timer 54 can be used to control the valve's electric on/off switch 56.
Figure 4 shows generally a similar version of the invention and with the exception that this variant is fitted with a three port valve 60 which can be manual or motorised via an electric switch. When valve port 62 is open, water from the hot water line 35 can be used to fill cistern 36 and when closed water from the hot water line 35 cannot be used, although of course at the same time thermostatic valve 38 should he set so as to allow the flow of water through the cold water line 33 via port 63.
At Figure 4 is generally illustrative of a further system which comprises a cold water tine 82 which leads to a heating agent 84 after the operation of which it becomes a hot water line 86 The cold water line 82 also Leads directly to an output here a tap 88. The hot water line 86 leads via thermostatIc valve 90 to a hot output 92, which here is a tap. The cold water line 82 comprises a pressure reducing valve 94 which in use serves to reduce the pressure in the cold line 82 leading to tap 88 to lower than that of the hot line 86 leading to tap 92. When, in use, hot tap 92 is opened, the pressure in the hot water line 96 is reduced, Following pressure reduction in line 96 pressure sensor valve 94 opens permitting the cooled water in hot water line 86 to pass from the length of hot water line 86, (as long as thermostatic valve 90 allows) down purge line 98 and to expansion vessel 100, which fills with cooled water diverted by thermostatic valve 90. Subsequently, when the cold tap 88 is utilised the demand is drawn from the expansion vesseL 100 first, thus utilising the water which would otherwise he thrown away. The Length of hot line 86 subsequent the thermostatic valve 96 has been purged of cooled water and will operate in a conventional manner during subsequent use.
The differential in pressure is detected by a pressure-sensor 102 which feeds back to pressure reducing valve 94. Numerous stop vaLves 104, 106, 108 and 110 prevent the unauthorised flow of hot water into a cold Line 82 or cold water into a hot line 86,96 In an authorlsed fashion. An additionaL pressure reguLating valve 95 can optionally be fitted to line 86. This will enable the pressure to be balanced between hot Line 86 and vessel 100.
Claims (7)
- SCLMMS1. A water saving system comprising: a first input for in use receiving cooled water from a hot water line, a second input for, in use, receiving cold water from a cold water Une and an output for outputting cold water from efther of the first and second inputs into a cold water line terminating in a cold water outlet, the system further comprising one thermostatic valve, the valve comprising a sensor and having an first position and a second position, wherein when, in use, the sensor senses the temperature of water in the hot water line is above a set level, the valve is moved from the first position to the second position, allowing the user access to cold water from the cold water line only, and when the sensor senses the temperature of water in the hot water line is below a set level, the valve is moved from the second position to the first position, thereby allowing the user of the cold water outlet to access the cooled water from the hot water line.
- 2. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a nonreturn valve on the hot water line, placed prior to the thermostatic valve and a nonreturn valve on the cold water line, placed prior to the thermostatic valve.
- 3. A system according to either claim I or claim 2, further comprising a shut off valve on the hot water line placed prior to the nonreturn valve
- 4. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the system further comprises a water storage tank, placed after the thermostatic valve.
- 5. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the shut off valve comprises a timer allowing the valve to be opened and shut at pr&set times.
- 6. A system according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a pressure reducing valve in fluid communication with the cold water line, the said valve being set so as to maintain the water pressure n the cold water fine at a lower Level than the water pressure in the hot water One, the system further comprising a pressure sensor valve on the hot water fine and a vessel in S fluid communication with both hot a.nd cold water fines; wherein when a demand is placed on the hot water line, pressure in the hot water line is reduced by the demand, and cooled water already in the hot water line flows into the vessel and when the hot water in the hot water line heats up to the level at which the thermostatic valve is set, the thermostatic valve diverts it towards the demand; and wherein when a demand is subsequently placed on the cold water line, the contents of the vessel are used prior to any other cold water source.
- 7. A water saving system substantially as described herein, with reference to and as is illustrated by any appropriate combination of the accompanying text and/or drawings.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1208217.8A GB2489120B (en) | 2012-05-10 | 2012-05-10 | System of water conservation |
| GB1210356.0A GB2489348B (en) | 2012-05-10 | 2012-06-12 | Improvements to system of water conservation |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1208217.8A GB2489120B (en) | 2012-05-10 | 2012-05-10 | System of water conservation |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB201208217D0 GB201208217D0 (en) | 2012-06-20 |
| GB2489120A true GB2489120A (en) | 2012-09-19 |
| GB2489120B GB2489120B (en) | 2015-04-15 |
Family
ID=46396826
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1208217.8A Expired - Fee Related GB2489120B (en) | 2012-05-10 | 2012-05-10 | System of water conservation |
| GB1210356.0A Expired - Fee Related GB2489348B (en) | 2012-05-10 | 2012-06-12 | Improvements to system of water conservation |
Family Applications After (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1210356.0A Expired - Fee Related GB2489348B (en) | 2012-05-10 | 2012-06-12 | Improvements to system of water conservation |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (2) | GB2489120B (en) |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GR20160100161A (en) * | 2016-04-04 | 2017-11-30 | Νικολαος Γεωργιος Ζαφειρακης | System for fast hot water supply |
| WO2019155098A1 (en) * | 2018-02-07 | 2019-08-15 | Water Saver, S.L. | Plumbing assembly and method for operating same |
| US11460222B1 (en) * | 2019-04-15 | 2022-10-04 | Chris Lee Nelson | Automatic hygienic hot water expediter device |
| WO2023037025A1 (en) * | 2021-09-09 | 2023-03-16 | Sonet Sola Antoni | System for recovering non-hot water in a domestic hot water installation |
| US12442541B1 (en) | 2019-04-15 | 2025-10-14 | Chris Lee Nelson | Automatic hygienic hot water expediter device |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5452740A (en) * | 1993-12-16 | 1995-09-26 | Bowman; Gerald E. | Water conservation system |
| US6536464B1 (en) * | 2000-10-25 | 2003-03-25 | Grundfos Pumps Manufacturing Corporation | Thermostatically controlled bypass valve and water circulating system for same |
| GB2461177A (en) * | 2008-06-27 | 2009-12-30 | John Philip Cooper | Water recovery system |
| WO2010134770A2 (en) * | 2009-05-22 | 2010-11-25 | (주) 피아이피 | Cold/hot water supply system with an improved control unit |
Family Cites Families (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IL198341A0 (en) * | 2009-04-23 | 2011-07-31 | Shay Popper | Water supply system and method |
-
2012
- 2012-05-10 GB GB1208217.8A patent/GB2489120B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2012-06-12 GB GB1210356.0A patent/GB2489348B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5452740A (en) * | 1993-12-16 | 1995-09-26 | Bowman; Gerald E. | Water conservation system |
| US6536464B1 (en) * | 2000-10-25 | 2003-03-25 | Grundfos Pumps Manufacturing Corporation | Thermostatically controlled bypass valve and water circulating system for same |
| GB2461177A (en) * | 2008-06-27 | 2009-12-30 | John Philip Cooper | Water recovery system |
| WO2010134770A2 (en) * | 2009-05-22 | 2010-11-25 | (주) 피아이피 | Cold/hot water supply system with an improved control unit |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GR20160100161A (en) * | 2016-04-04 | 2017-11-30 | Νικολαος Γεωργιος Ζαφειρακης | System for fast hot water supply |
| WO2019155098A1 (en) * | 2018-02-07 | 2019-08-15 | Water Saver, S.L. | Plumbing assembly and method for operating same |
| US11460222B1 (en) * | 2019-04-15 | 2022-10-04 | Chris Lee Nelson | Automatic hygienic hot water expediter device |
| US12442541B1 (en) | 2019-04-15 | 2025-10-14 | Chris Lee Nelson | Automatic hygienic hot water expediter device |
| WO2023037025A1 (en) * | 2021-09-09 | 2023-03-16 | Sonet Sola Antoni | System for recovering non-hot water in a domestic hot water installation |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2489348B (en) | 2015-04-15 |
| GB201210356D0 (en) | 2012-07-25 |
| GB2489120B (en) | 2015-04-15 |
| GB201208217D0 (en) | 2012-06-20 |
| GB2489348A (en) | 2012-09-26 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20170510 |