Abstract A water and energy conserving apparatus for supplying pre-heated water to a hot water heater and for cooling at least one refrigeration unit using a compressible medium in a food serving establishment comprising, a pre-heater tank adapted to receive water from a cold water source and having a cold water inlet line connected to the cold water source and a cold water outlet line. A heat exchanger which is associated with the refrigeration unit is connected to the cold water output line coming from the tank. A hot water output line is connected between the heat exchanger and the tank for returning water from the heat exchanger to the tank. The compressible medium which is hot is supplied from the refrigeration unit to the heat exchanger and the water flowing through the heat exchanger cools the compressible medium thus picking up heat. A circulator is connected into the hot water output line for circulating water from the tank to the heat exchanger and back. A drain line is connected to the heated water output line and includes a normally closed solenoid valve. The drain line is connected to a drain and is provided to vent water from the pre-heater tank. A thermostat is connected to the cold water output line coming from the tank to sense the temperature. The thermostat is connected to a power supply which powers the solenoid and when the temperature of water in the cold water output line rises above a selected value, which is preferably in the vicinity of 85 degrees Fahrenheit, the solenoid valve is energized to open the flow of water in the drain line and vent water from the pre-heater tank. A pre-heater water line is connected between the pre-heater tank and the hot water heater to supply pre-heated water to the hot water heater to conserve energy used in heating the otherwise cold water normally supplied to the hot water heater.
A water and energy conserving apparatus for supplying pre-heated water to a hot water heater and for cooling at least one refrigeration unit using a compressible medium in a food serving establishment comprising: a pre-heater tank adapted to be connected to a supply of cold water for receiving cold water therefrom; a cold water input line connected to said pre-heater tank and adapted to be connected to the source of cold water to supply cold water to said pre-heater tank; a cold water output line connected to said pre-heater tank; a heat exchanger connected to said cold water output line for receiving the compressible medium from the refrigeration unit and cooling the medium; a heated water output line connected to said heat exchanger and to said pre-heater tank for supplying water heated by the compressible medium in said heat exchanger to said pre-heater tank; circulator means connected to at least one of said cold water output line and said heated water output line for circulating water between said pre-heater tank and said heat exchange; a drain line connected to at least one of said cold water output line and said heated water output line for venting water to a drain; valve means connected to said drain line for normally closing the flow of water therein; thermostat means connected to said cold water output line for sensing the temperature of water therein; said thermostat means connected to said valve means for opening said valve means and permitting a flow of water in said drain line when the temperature of water in said cold water output line rises above a selected temperature; and, a pre-heated water line connected between said pre-heater tank and the hot water heater for supplyin pre-heated water to the hot water heater.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
294 words
A water and energy conserving apparatus for supplying pre-heated water to a hot water heater and for cooling at least one refrigeration unit using a compressible medium in a food serving establishment comprising: a pre-heater tank adapted to be connected to a supply of cold water for receiving cold water therefrom; a cold water input line connected to said pre-heater tank and adapted to be connected to the source of cold water to supply cold water to said pre-heater tank; a cold water output line connected to said pre-heater tank; a heat exchanger connected to said cold water output line for receiving the compressible medium from the refrigeration unit and cooling the medium; a heated water output line connected to said heat exchanger and to said pre-heater tank for supplying water heated by the compressible medium in said heat exchanger to said pre-heater tank; circulator means connected to at least one of said cold water output line and said heated water output line for circulating water between said pre-heater tank and said heat exchange; a drain line connected to at least one of said cold water output line and said heated water output line for venting water to a drain; valve means connected to said drain line for normally closing the flow of water therein; thermostat means connected to said cold water output line for sensing the temperature of water therein; said thermostat means connected to said valve means for opening said valve means and permitting a flow of water in said drain line when the temperature of water in said cold water output line rises above a selected temperature; and, a pre-heated water line connected between said pre-heater tank and the hot water heater for supplyin pre-heated water to the hot water heater.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said valve means comprises a power supply connected to said thermostat means and a normally closed solenoid valve connected to said power supply.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said circulator means comprises a circulator pump and is in said heated water output line.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said heat exchanger comprises a double tube structure having an inner tube connected between said cold water output line and said heated water output line and an outer tube connected to a flow of the compressible medium in said refrigeration unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 further including a check valve in said cold water output line for insuring a flow of water from said cold water output line to said heat exchanger and thereafter through said heated water output line to said pre-heater tank.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
80 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 further including a bypass line connected between said cold water input line and said pre-heated water line, a valve in said bypass line and a valve in said cold water input line, said valve in said bypass line being openable and said valve in said cold water input line being closable to stop the flow of water to said apparatus and direct water directly from the cold water supply to the hot water heater.