US3799181A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hot water supply system and method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-09-05
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Granted: 1974-03-26
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Expires: 1992-09-05
Abstract
Abstract A hot water supply system and method adapted for use in residental and/or commercial edifices. The hot water supply system provides for water at a predetermined temperature to be passed through a faucet for use. Where the water temperature is less than the required predetermined temperature, the water is recirculated to a hot water heater. The system includes a pumping mechanism for forcing recirculated water into the hot water heater. Further, the system provides a mechanism for directing water in a predetermined flow path responsive to the water temperature. The flow path of the water is either through the faucet or directed back to the hot water heater dependent on the aforementioned water temperature.
Inventors
- 👤 H Maddren
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 01:58
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K31/00; F16K31/02; G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/01; G05D23/13; G05D23/1393; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0318; Y10T137/6416; Y10T137/6497
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A hot water supply system, comprising; a. at least one valved faucet for passing water from said hot water supply system only when said water is at least at a predetermined temperature; b. a hot water heater connected to said faucet by a water inlet pipe and a water recirculation pipe; c. means for piping water through said inlet pipe and said recirculation pipe to said hot water heater, said pumping means being operable only when said valved faucet is open; and, d. temperature actuated means for directing water in a predetermined flow path when said valved faucet is open, said flow path being a function of said water temperature as follows; 1. water temperature below said predetermined temperature, flow path being from inlet pipe to recirculation pipe only, for recirculation of said heater; 2. water temperature at least at predetermined temperature, flow path from inlet pipe to valved faucet only.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
A hot water supply system, comprising; a. at least one valved faucet for passing water from said hot water supply system only when said water is at least at a predetermined temperature; b. a hot water heater connected to said faucet by a water inlet pipe and a water recirculation pipe; c. means for piping water through said inlet pipe and said recirculation pipe to said hot water heater, said pumping means being operable only when said valved faucet is open; and, d. temperature actuated means for directing water in a predetermined flow path when said valved faucet is open, said flow path being a function of said water temperature as follows; 1. water temperature below said predetermined temperature, flow path being from inlet pipe to recirculation pipe only, for recirculation of said heater; 2. water temperature at least at predetermined temperature, flow path from inlet pipe to valved faucet only.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
water temperature at least at predetermined temperature, flow path from inlet pipe to valved faucet only.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
water temperature at least at predetermined temperature, flow path from inlet pipe to valved faucet only.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
The not water supply system as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for directing said water includes electrical circuit means for actuating said faucet responsive to said water temperature, said electrical circuit means passing water into said faucet when said water is at said predetermined temperature and recirculating said water to said hot water heater when said water temperature is less than said predetermined temperature.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
The hot water supply system as recited in claim 2 wherein said electrical circuit means includes solenoid valve means connected to said faucet for (1) passing water into said faucet when said water is at said predetermined temperature and (2) recirculating said water to said hot water heater when said water is at a temperature less than said predetermined temperature.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
71 words
The hot water supply system as recited in claim 3 wherein said electrical circuit means includes: a. means for determining said temperature of said water passing into said faucet; and, b. relay means connected to said temperature determining means and said solenoid value means for maintaining a continuous electrical path from said determining means to said solenoid valve means when said temperature of said water is less than said predetermined temperature.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
70 words
The hot water supply system as recited in claim 4 wherein said deterMining means includes a thermal switch, said thermal switch for (1) maintaining a continuous electrical path to said solenoid valve means when said water temperature is less than said predetermined temperature, and (2) breaking said electrical path to said solenoid value means when said water temperature is at said predetermined temperature thereby directing water flow through said faucet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
The hot water supply system as recited in claim 5 wherein said relay means includes a first relay switch and a second relay switch, said first relay switch for maintaining a continuous electrical path from said thermal switch to said solenoid valve means when said relay means is electrically activated from a voltage supply line.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The hot water supply system as recited in claim 6 wherein said second relay switch maintains a continuous electrical path from said voltage supply line to said pump when said relay means is electrically activated from said voltage supply line.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The hot water supply system as recited in claim 7 including means for initially actuating said relay means, said actuation means for electrically connecting said relay means to said voltage supply line when said water temperature is less than said predetermined temperature.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
The hot water supply system as recited in claim 8 including circuit means for maintaining an electrical path from said voltage supply line to said relay means when said initial actuation means is removed from providing an electrical connection from said voltage supply line to said relay means.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of providing water at a predetermined temperature to flow from a valved faucet, including the steps of; a. determining the temperature of said water available near said faucet from a hot water heater; b. opening said valved faucet; c. preventing said water from flowing through said open valved faucet and only recirculating said water to said hot water heater when said water temperature is less than said predetermined temperature, said recirculation being forced only when said valved faucet is open and said water is at less than said predetermined temperature; and, d. preventing said water from recirculating and directing said water solely through said faucet when said water is at least at said predetermined temperature.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of providing water at a predetermined temperature to flow from a valved faucet, including the steps of; a. determining the temperature of said water available near said faucet from a hot water heater; b. opening said valved faucet; c. preventing said water from flowing through said open valved faucet and only recirculating said water to said hot water heater when said water temperature is less than said predetermined temperature, said recirculation being forced only when said valved faucet is open and said water is at less than said predetermined temperature; and, d. preventing said water from recirculating and directing said water solely through said faucet when said water is at least at said predetermined temperature.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as recited in claim 10 wherein the step of recirculating said water includes the step of energizing a solenoid value connected to said faucet for blocking a water path through said faucet.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as recited in claim 11 wherein the step of recirculating said water includes the step of energizing a pump for forcing said recirculated water into said hot water heater.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as recited in claim 12 wherein the step of directing said water through said faucet includes the step of deenergizing said solenoid value means for blocking a water path to said hot water heater.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method as recited in claim 13 wherein the step of determining said temperature of said water includes the step of maintaining a continuous electrical connection from a voltage supply line to said solenoid value when said water temperature is less than said predetermined temperature.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-25 | 1977-09-24 | 1978-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-25 | 1981-09-24 | 1982-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-25 | 1985-09-24 | 1986-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |