AU2010200757A1

AU2010200757A1 - Water diversion system

Info

Publication number: AU2010200757A1
Application number: AU2010200757A
Authority: AU
Inventors: John TOLLEY
Original assignee: Tolley Joan
Current assignee: Tolley Joan
Priority date: 2009-07-28
Filing date: 2010-03-01
Publication date: 2011-02-17

Description

P/00/01I Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT (ORIGINAL) Name of Applicant: John Tolley, of 283 McIvor Road, Harcourt, Victoria 3453 Actual Inventor: John Tolley Address for Service: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE, Patent & Trademark Attorneys, of I Nicholson Street, Melbourne, 3000, Victoria, Australia Ph: 03 9254 2777 Fax: 03 9254 2770 Attorney Code: DM Invention Title: Water diversion system The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: C \NRPorbI\DCC\RJC\2744866 1 DOC - 1/3/10 C:\NRPOrtb\DCC\KXM\274480 L DOC.26/02/2010 WATER DIVERSION SYSTEM Technical Field of the Invention 5 The present invention relates to a water diversion system; and a process for supplying hot water to a faucet. Background of the Invention 10 Some households include hot water systems with hot water heating units located significant distances from faucets of the basins, baths and showers, for example. This is particularly the case in rural settings where the hot water heating unit is fed by a tank of water. In such systems, it can take forty five seconds, or more, to get hot water from the heating unit to the taps in the bathroom, kitchen, or laundry, for example. 15 Most people are disinclined to stand under a shower of cold water, for example. This is particularly the case on a cold winter's morning. As such, cold water is allowed to pass through the shower head until the water arrives at an acceptable temperature. In a system where it takes a period of forty five seconds to reach an acceptable temperature, about 10 20 litres of cold water is lost down the drain every time the hot water tap is turned on. In this example, over the course of a year, assuming an average house has three showers and three basin uses per day, a total of 21,360 litres of water is wasted waiting for hot water. In times of water storage shortages, it is important to minimise water loss. As such, it is 25 generally desirable to minimise water loss through faucets in showers, basins and bath tubs, and the like, whilst waiting for the water to come through at an acceptable temperature. It is generally desirable to overcome or ameliorate one or more of the above mentioned 30 difficulties, or at least provide a useful alternative.

C:\NRortnblDCC\KXM\U74480 1. DOC-26/)2/2010 -2 Summary of the Invention In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a water diversion system, including: 5 (a) a water heating unit for supplying water to a faucet through a supply conduit; (b) a switch coupled to a section of the supply conduit proximal to the faucet; and (c) a water storage unit coupled to the switch by a storage conduit, wherein, when actuated, the switch diverts water from the supply conduit to the water storage unit so as to release cold water from the supply conduit before the faucet is opened. 10 Preferably, the switch includes an actuator and a solenoid valve coupled between said proximal section of the supply conduit and said storage conduit, the actuator being operable to selectively electrically couple the solenoid valve to a power source so as to selectively divert water being supplied from the water heating unit between the faucet and 15 the water storage unit. Preferably, when activated, the actuator electrically couples the solenoid valve to the power source so that the solenoid valve diverts water supplied to said proximal section of the supply conduit by the water heating unit to the water storage unit. 20 Preferably, when activated, the actuator electrically couples the solenoid valve to the power source for a period of time "T" after which it electrically isolates the solenoid valve from the power source so that the solenoid valve inhibits supply of water to the water storage unit. 25 Preferably, the actuator is adjustable to change the predetermined period of time "T" to correspond to the time that it takes for hot water to arrive at the faucet from the water heating unit. 30 In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a process for supplying hot water to a faucet using the system claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, C:\NRPorb\DCC\KXM\27448 0 DOC-26/02/2010 -3 including the steps of: (a) activating the switch to divert water from the supply conduit to the water storage unit; (b) activating the switch to inhibit supply of water to the water storage unit; and 5 (c) opening the faucet. Preferably, the step of activating the switch to divert water from the supply conduit to the water storage unit is effected for a period of time "T". 10 Preferably, the step of opening the faucet is effected after said period of time "T". Preferably, the period of time "T" corresponds with the time that it takes for hot water to arrive at the faucet from the water heating unit. 15 Brief Description of the Drawings Preferred embodiments of the present invention are hereafter described, by way of non limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: 20 Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a water diversion system; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the system shown in Figure 1 in another condition of use; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of another water diversion system; and Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the system shown in Figure 3 in another condition of 25 use. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention The system 10 shown in Figure 1 is used to divert unwanted cold water away from a faucet 30 12. The system 10 includes a water heating unit 14 for supplying water to the faucet 12 through a supply conduit 16; a switch 18 coupled to a section 20 of the supply conduit 16 C:WRPonbWlCC\KXM\27448&0 I.DOC-2602/2010 -4 proximal to the faucet 12; and a water storage unit 22 coupled to the switch 18 by a storage conduit 24. As particularly shown in Figure 2, when actuated, the switch 18 diverts water from the supply conduit 16 to the water storage unit 22 so as to release cold water from the supply conduit 16 before the faucet 12 is opened. A person can thereby operate the system 5 10 to ensure that only hot water is released from the faucet 12 when opened. All unwanted cold water from the supply conduit is diverted to the water storage unit 22 for later use. A person can perform the following steps to ensure the hot water is released from the faucet 12: 10 1. Actuate the switch 18 so that water flows from the water heating unit 14, through the supply conduit 16, into the water storage unit 22 in the manner shown in Figure 2; 2. Wait for a period of time "T" to elapse to ensure that water travelling along 15 the length of the supply conduit 16 reaches a suitably hot temperature; 3. Actuate the switch 18 to so that water no longer diverts into the water storage unit 22, as shown in Figure 1; and 4. Open the faucet 12. 20 By performing the above mentioned steps, the water released from the faucet 12 is of a suitably hot temperature. All unwanted cold water is diverted to the water storage unit 22 for later use. The water heating unit 14 is preferably any suitable gas or electric hot water unit of 25 suitable size and shape to supply hot water to the various faucets 12 of a house. The supply conduit 16 and the storage conduit 24 are preferably made of any suitable material for transferring hot water between. For example, the supply conduit 16 and the storage conduit are made of copper piping. 30 The switch 18 includes an actuator 26 and a solenoid valve 28 coupled between the proximal section 20 of the supply conduit 16 and the storage conduit 24. The actuator 26 C:\NRPotbrDCC\KXM\2744880 .DOC-26/022OIO -5 is preferably any device suitable for selectively electrically coupling the solenoid valve 28 to a power source. The solenoid valve 28 is preferably any device suitable for diverting water from the water heating unit 14 between the faucet 12 and the water storage unit 22. In a default condition of use, the solenoid valve 28 prevents water from being supplied to 5 the water storage unit 22. When coupled to the power source by the actuator 26, the solenoid valve 28 diverts water being supplied from the water heating unit 14 to the water storage unit 22. The actuator 26 is, for example, a timer switch which, when activated, electrically couples 10 the solenoid valve 28 to a 240 V AC source for a predetermined period of time "T". Alternatively, the actuator 26 is a pneumatic timer switch which, when activated, electrically couples the solenoid valve 28 to a 12 V DC source for a predetermined period of time "T". In either embodiment, when electrically connected to the power source, the solenoid valve 28 diverts water being supplied from the water heating unit 14 to the water 15 storage unit 22 for a period of time "T" after which it returns to the default condition of use. The actuator 26 is preferably adjustable to change the predetermined period of time "T" to correspond with the time that it takes for hot water to arrive at the faucet 12 from the water heating unit 14. The actuator 26 is, for example, a Pneumatic Timer 319 Series manufactured by Clipsal TM. 20 The solenoid valve 28 is, for example, a MV80 - Mini Solenoid Valve manufactured by TM HR Products . Alternatively, any other device suitable for diverting water could be used. 25 The switch 18 includes a gate valve 30 to work in cooperation with the solenoid valve 28. The gate valve 30 is adapted to isolate the solenoid valve 28 for maintenance or to take it out for service, for example. The gate valve 30 is preferably a 20 mm valve. In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, the water heating unit 14 is supplied with water 30 from the water storage unit 22 through a return conduit 32. This arrangement is designed for rural houses which typically rely on a large water storage unit 22 to supply the house C \NRPnbPDCCKXM2744801 I DOC-26/02/2010 -6 with water. An alternative system 100 is shown in Figures 3 and 4. The system 100 operates in an analogous way to the system 10 and like parts are identified with like reference numerals. 5 In the system 100, the water heating unit 14 is supplied with water from city or town water mains 102. The water heating unit 14 and the switch 18 are robust enough to cope with the pressure of water supplied by the water mains 102. 10 While we have shown and described specific embodiments of the present invention, further modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art. We desire it to be understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular forms shown and we intend in the append claims to cover all modifications that do not depart from the spirit and scope of this invention. 15 Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. 20 The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

Claims

1. A water diversion system, including: (a) a water heating unit for supplying water to a faucet through a supply 5 conduit; (b) a switch coupled to a section of the supply conduit proximal to the faucet; and (c) a water storage unit coupled to the switch by a storage conduit, wherein, when actuated, the switch diverts water from the supply conduit to the 10 water storage unit so as to release cold water from the supply conduit before the faucet is opened.

2. The system claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch includes an actuator and a solenoid valve coupled between said proximal section of the supply conduit and 15 said storage conduit, the actuator being operable to selectively electrically couple the solenoid valve to a power source so as to selectively divert water being supplied from the water heating unit between the faucet and the water storage unit.

3. The system claimed in claim 2, wherein, when activated, the actuator electrically 20 couples the solenoid valve to the power source so that the solenoid valve diverts water supplied to said proximal section of the supply conduit by the water heating unit to the water storage unit.

4. The system claimed in claim 3, wherein, when activated, the actuator electrically 25 couples the solenoid valve to the power source for a period of time "T" after which it electrically isolates the solenoid valve from the power source so that the solenoid valve inhibits supply of water to the water storage unit.

5. The system claimed in claim 4, wherein the actuator is adjustable to change the 30 predetermined period of time "T" to correspond to the time that it takes for hot water to arrive at the faucet from the water heating unit.

6. The system claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the power source is a C:R'Portbl\DCC\KXM\274480- 1. DOC-26/02/2010 240 V AC source.

7. The system claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the power source is a 12 V DC source. 5

8. The system claimed in any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the switch includes a gate valve.

9. The system claimed in any one of claims I to 8, wherein the water storage unit 10 supplies water to the water heating unit through a return conduit.

10. The system claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the water heating unit is supplied with mains water. 15

11. A process for supplying hot water to a faucet using the system claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, including the steps of: (a) activating the switch to divert water from the supply conduit to the water storage unit; (b) activating the switch to inhibit supply of water to the water storage unit; and 20 (c) opening the faucet.

12. The process claimed in claim 11, wherein the step of activating the switch to divert water from the supply conduit to the water storage unit is effected for a period of time "T". 25

13. The process claimed in claim 12, wherein the step of opening the faucet is effected after said period of time "T".

14. The process claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the period of time "T" 30 corresponds with the time that it takes for hot water to arrive at the faucet from the water heating unit.