US3795789A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Residential water heaters
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-09-21
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Granted: 1974-03-05
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Expires: 1991-09-21
Abstract
Abstract Water from a cold water feed pipe passes through a control valve assembly to a small container which is provided with an electric resistance heater. The control valve assembly has a member which occupies a rest position in the water flow path and is movable to a displaced position outside the flow path to energize the electric heater when water is flowing toward a tap outlet. The displaceable member moves in a vertical tubular body, and its movement is transmitted to a heater-actuating liquid metal switch by a linkage which includes an axially movable rod connected to the displaceable member, a pin which engages the rod, said pin extending from a shaft which is pivoted in and extends outside the tubular body. The liquid metal switch is supported by the shaft outside the chamber. Return of the displaceable member to its rest position is by gravity and by fluid pressure applied to the displaceable member through a counterflow conduit.
Inventors
- 👤 M Valentino
- 👤 T Malzoni
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:35
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24H; F24H9/00; F24H9/20; F24H9/2007; F24H9/2014; F24H1/00; F24H1/10; F24H1/101; F24H1/102; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/6416; Y10T137/6606
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
258 words
A water supply system comprising a cold water feed pipe, a container receiving water from the cold water feed pipe, an electric heating means located in the container for heating water therewithin, a heateR control assembly located between the cold water feed pipe and the container, said control assembly affording a principal flow path from the cold water feed pipe to the container, said control assembly having a vertical tubular body, a rod axially slidable within the tubular body and displaceable means attached to and movable with the rod, said displaceable means being movable under the influence of flowing water from a rest position in the principal flow path to a displaced position outside the principal flow path, said displaceable means having a first surface confronting the principal flow path and a second surface facing in an opposite direction than the first surface, a pivoted shaft extending through and projecting outside the tubular body, means connecting the rod to the shaft to rotate the shaft upon axial movement of the rod, and a liquid metal switch means supported on the end of said shaft externally of said body for energizing the heating means in response to movement of the displaceable means to its displaced position and for deactivating the heating means in response to movement of the displaceable means to its rest position, and a counterflow conduit means connected between a location downstream of the displaceable means and the second surface of the displaceable means to permit fluid pressure to restore the displaceable means to its rest position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
258 words
A water supply system comprising a cold water feed pipe, a container receiving water from the cold water feed pipe, an electric heating means located in the container for heating water therewithin, a heateR control assembly located between the cold water feed pipe and the container, said control assembly affording a principal flow path from the cold water feed pipe to the container, said control assembly having a vertical tubular body, a rod axially slidable within the tubular body and displaceable means attached to and movable with the rod, said displaceable means being movable under the influence of flowing water from a rest position in the principal flow path to a displaced position outside the principal flow path, said displaceable means having a first surface confronting the principal flow path and a second surface facing in an opposite direction than the first surface, a pivoted shaft extending through and projecting outside the tubular body, means connecting the rod to the shaft to rotate the shaft upon axial movement of the rod, and a liquid metal switch means supported on the end of said shaft externally of said body for energizing the heating means in response to movement of the displaceable means to its displaced position and for deactivating the heating means in response to movement of the displaceable means to its rest position, and a counterflow conduit means connected between a location downstream of the displaceable means and the second surface of the displaceable means to permit fluid pressure to restore the displaceable means to its rest position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the displaceable means is gravitationally urged toward its rest position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the displaceable means is a pair of spaced apart frusto-conical disks mounted on the rod.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1 having counterweight means mounted on the shaft outside the tubular body to move the displaceable means to its rest position upon cessation of flow of water through the principal flow path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 1 having check valve means positioned in the principal flow path downstream of the displaceable means and upstream of the connection between the principal flow path and the counterflow conduit means, said check valve means being oriented to permit the flow of water from the control assembly to the container.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
244 words
A water supply system comprising, a cold water feed pipe, a container receiving water from the cold water feed pipe, an electric heating means located in the container for heating water therewithin, a heater control assembly located between the cold water feed pipe and the container, said control assembly affording a principal flow path from the cold water feed pipe to the container and having a displaceable means which is movable under the influence of flowing water from a rest position in the principal flow path to a displaced position outside the principal flow path, said displaceable means having a first surface confronting the principal flow path and a second surface facing in an opposite direction than the first surface, actuating means having an electrical switch for energizing the heating means in response to movement of the displaceable means to its displaced position and for deactivating the heating means in response to movement of the displaceable means to its rest position, a counterflow conduit means connected between a location downstream of the displaceable means and the second surface of the displaceable means to permit fluid pressure to restore the displaceable means to its rest position and, check valve means positioned in the principal flow path downstream of the displaceable means and upstream of the connection between the principal flow path and the counterflow conduit means, said check valve means being oriented to permit the flow of water from the control assembly to the container.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
244 words
A water supply system comprising, a cold water feed pipe, a container receiving water from the cold water feed pipe, an electric heating means located in the container for heating water therewithin, a heater control assembly located between the cold water feed pipe and the container, said control assembly affording a principal flow path from the cold water feed pipe to the container and having a displaceable means which is movable under the influence of flowing water from a rest position in the principal flow path to a displaced position outside the principal flow path, said displaceable means having a first surface confronting the principal flow path and a second surface facing in an opposite direction than the first surface, actuating means having an electrical switch for energizing the heating means in response to movement of the displaceable means to its displaced position and for deactivating the heating means in response to movement of the displaceable means to its rest position, a counterflow conduit means connected between a location downstream of the displaceable means and the second surface of the displaceable means to permit fluid pressure to restore the displaceable means to its rest position and, check valve means positioned in the principal flow path downstream of the displaceable means and upstream of the connection between the principal flow path and the counterflow conduit means, said check valve means being oriented to permit the flow of water from the control assembly to the container.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-04 | 1977-09-03 | 1978-03-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-04 | 1981-09-03 | 1982-03-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-04 | 1985-09-03 | 1986-03-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |