US3929153A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gravity hot water circulating system and flow regulator therefor
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-03-11
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Granted: 1975-12-30
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Expires: 1995-03-11
Abstract
Abstract A system for continuously maintaining heated water at one or more fixtures which are connected to the outlet of a hot water heater. The fixtures are also return-connected to an inlet of the hot water heater by way of a flow regulator or valve having a valve head of plastic-like material which acts as a stop-check flow regulator float. The stop-check flow regulator float opens in response to the circulation of heated water in the returnconnection and closes either in the absence of heated water in the return-connection or the introduction of cold water to be heated by the water heater to thereby prevent the cold water to be heated from entering the return-connection and disrupting circulation.
Inventors
- 👤 William E Hasty
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 15:46
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24D; F24D17/00; F24D17/0078; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/6416; Y10T137/6497; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/85954; Y10T137/85962
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
276 words
A system for maintaining heated water at one or more fixtures, said system comprising: a. fixture means, b. water heater means having an inlet for introducing cold water to be heated to said water heater means and an outlet, said outlet being connected by piping to said fixture means for supplying heated water to said fixture means, said fixture means being further connected by piping to said inlet for returning heated water to said inlet, at least a portion of said return piping being graded with respect to the horizontal to facilitate movement of said heated water in the vertical direction and to permit any air present in said return piping to easily rise to the highest point in the system to thereby insure the required circulation of said heated water in said return piping, c. air vent means connected to said return piping at said highest point for permitting said air to be dispelled from said system; and d. flow regulating means connected between said fixture means and said cold water inlet, said flow regulating means having a valve head which is closed by gravity during the absence of circulating heated water in said return piping and during the introduction of cold water at said inlet to thereby prevent said cold water from entering said return piping and disrupting said circulation, and said valve head being opened in response to pressure exerted adjacent said valve head by the circulating heated water in said return piping between said fixture means and said flow regulating means to thereby permit the return of heated water to said cold water inlet and maintain heated water at said fixture means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
276 words
A system for maintaining heated water at one or more fixtures, said system comprising: a. fixture means, b. water heater means having an inlet for introducing cold water to be heated to said water heater means and an outlet, said outlet being connected by piping to said fixture means for supplying heated water to said fixture means, said fixture means being further connected by piping to said inlet for returning heated water to said inlet, at least a portion of said return piping being graded with respect to the horizontal to facilitate movement of said heated water in the vertical direction and to permit any air present in said return piping to easily rise to the highest point in the system to thereby insure the required circulation of said heated water in said return piping, c. air vent means connected to said return piping at said highest point for permitting said air to be dispelled from said system; and d. flow regulating means connected between said fixture means and said cold water inlet, said flow regulating means having a valve head which is closed by gravity during the absence of circulating heated water in said return piping and during the introduction of cold water at said inlet to thereby prevent said cold water from entering said return piping and disrupting said circulation, and said valve head being opened in response to pressure exerted adjacent said valve head by the circulating heated water in said return piping between said fixture means and said flow regulating means to thereby permit the return of heated water to said cold water inlet and maintain heated water at said fixture means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fixture means comprises a plurality of separate fixtures connected at various locations to said heated water supply piping, the last of said fixtures being at a location furthest from said water heater means, and said return piping being connected to said supply piping at said furthest location.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flow regulating means is a stop check-type float valve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said valve head is made of plastic-like material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said supply piping is graded with respect to the horizontal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as set forth in claim 5 wherein the rate of grade of said graded portion is approximately one-half inch for every ten feet of piping.
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) | 1978-12-29 | 1979-06-30 | 1979-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-29 | 1983-06-30 | 1983-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-29 | 1987-06-30 | 1987-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |