AU2012283759B2

AU2012283759B2 - Hot water tap and system with diversion feature

Info

Publication number: AU2012283759B2
Application number: AU2012283759A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ian HODGKINS
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-07-13
Filing date: 2012-07-12
Publication date: 2016-10-13
Anticipated expiration: 2032-07-12
Also published as: AU2012283759A1; WO2013006914A1

Abstract

The invention provides a hot water tap with a tap body (40), a tap inlet (10), a usage outlet (20), a diversion outlet (30), and a movable handle (50) extending out of the tap body and engaging a valve (70,80) disposed within the tap body (40) positioned to control passage of water from the tap inlet (10) to the tap outlets (20,30). The valve (70,80) is operable by a user through manipulation of the handle (50) between a closed position, a diversion position and a usage position. In the closed position flow of water through both outlets is prevented. In the diversion position a sample flow of water is permitted through the usage outlet and a diversion flow of water is permitted through the diversion outlet, the sample flow being sufficient for the user to feel how hot the water is, and the diversion flow being greater than the sample flow. In the usage position a usage flow greater than the sample flow is permitted through the usage outlet, and flow of water through the diversion outlet is prevented.

Description

HOT WATER TAP AND SYSTEM WITH DIVERSION FEATURE FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to hot water taps and systems containing hot water taps.

BACKGROUND

[0002] It is a common experience that substantial time and water is wasted by the need to run a hot water tap before use to clear the hot water pipe of cooled water located in the pipe between the tap and the stored hot water. There is therefore a need to provide an improved tap that can help reduce the wastage of water and/or time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] According to a first broad aspect of the invention there is provided a hot water tap having a tap body, a tap inlet, a usage outlet a diversion outlet; and a movable handle extending out of the tap body and engaging a valve disposed within the tap body positioned to control passage of water from the tap inlet to the tap outlets; wherein the valve is operable by a user through manipulation of the handle between: a closed position whereby flow of water through both outlets is prevented; a diversion position whereby a sample flow of water is permitted through the usage outlet and a diversion flow of water is permitted through the diversion outlet, the sample flow being sufficient for the user to feel how hot the water is, and the diversion flow being greater than the sample flow; and a usage position whereby a usage flow greater than the sample flow is permitted through the usage outlet, and flow of water through the diversion outlet is prevented.

[0004] In one embodiment, the valve comprises adjacent upstream and downstream sections that move relative to each other to provide the inlet, diversion and usage positions by mutual alignment and misalignment of apertures in each section. The apertures in each section may comprise: an upstream main aperture and an upstream sample aperture both in the upstream section in communication with the tap inlet; and in the downstream section, a downstream diversion aperture in communication with the diversion outlet, and a downstream usage aperture and a downstream sample aperture both in communication with the usage outlet; wherein when the valve is in the closed position all the apertures are misaligned, when the valve is in the diversion position the upstream main aperture and the downstream diversion apertures are aligned and the upstream sample aperture is aligned with the downstream sample aperture, and when the valve is in the usage position the upstream main aperture and the downstream usage apertures are aligned. The downstream sample aperture and the downstream usage aperture may be provided by separate apertures or by a single aperture. The upstream and downstream sections may comprise ceramic discs.

[0005] In one embodiment, the sample flow is less than 20 percent of the diversion flow.

[0006] In one embodiment, the sanple flow is less than 15 percent of the diversion flow.

[0007] In one embodiment, a the sample flow is about 10 percent of the diversion flow.

[0008] In one embodiment, the diversion flow is comparable to a the usage flow.

[0009] In one embodiment, a hot water tap of the first broad aspect is attached through the usage outlet to a water saving shower head having a restricted maximum flow rate, the valve being shaped and sized so that a rate of the diversion flow is larger than the restricted maximum flow rate, thereby allowing use of the diversion position to provide an accelerated water warm-up time.

[0010] According to a second broad aspect of the invention there is provided a water saving system comprising: a hot water tap of the first broad aspect; a diverting pipe attached to the diversion outlet; and a reservoir into which the diverting pipe feeds to store for water exiting the diversion outlet for reuse .

[0011] In one embodiment, the system comprises more than one of the hot water taps and corresponding drainage pipes.

[0012] In one embodiment, the system comprises an outlet connected to a garden watering system, a swimming pool and/or a toilet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a hot water tap according to an embodiment of the first broad aspect of the invention; [0014] Figure 2 shows a combination perspective and crosssectional view of the tap of Figure 1, with an expanded representation of the valve in the diversion position.

[0015] Figure 3 shows a combination perspective and crosssectional view of the tap of Figure 1, with an expanded representation of the valve in the usage position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0016] An embodiment of the current invention will now be described.

[0017] Referring first to Figure 1, a cross-sectional view of a hot water tap according to an embodiment of the first broad aspect of the invention is shown. The tap has a tap inlet 10, a usage outlet 20 and a diversion outlet 30 attached to tap body 40. A tap handle 50 extends out of the tap body 40 and engages via spindle 60 an upstream section 70 of a valve. Upstream section is rotated by rotation of the spindle as handle 50 is turned, relative to fixed downstream section 80. Sections 70 and 80 are ceramic discs of the kind commonly found in conventional taps, but with special apertures and arrangements as described below. The valve, tap body 40 and diversion guide 90 defines an inlet water chamber 41, a usage water chamber 42 and a diversion water chamber 43.

[0018] Referring now to Figure 2, a combination perspective and cross-sectional view of the tap of Figure 1 is shown, with an expanded representation of the valve and handle 50 in the diversion position. Upstream section 70 is a ceramic disc and has an upstream main aperture 71 and upstream sample aperture 72. Downstream section 80 is a matching ceramic disc engaging the upstream section on opposing faces and providing an otherwise watertight seal between inlet chamber 41 and the outlet chambers, except for alignment of any of upstream apertures 71 and 72 with any of downstream diversion aperture 81, downstream usage aperture 83 and downstream sample aperture 82. The position shown in this Figure 2 is the diversion position, where upstream diversion apertures 71 and 81 are aligned, allowing a diversion flow of water from the inlet 10 through the aligned apertures 71,81 and through diversion outlet 30 as shown by flow arrows. Also, upstream sample aperture 72 and downstream sample aperture 82 are aligned, allowing a sample flow of water from the inlet 10 through the aligned apertures 72,82 and through the usage outlet 20, as shown by flow arrows.

[0019] Referring now to Figure 3, the handle 50 and valve are shown in the usage position. In the usage position, only upstream usage aperture 71 admits a usage flow of water through alignment with downstream usage aperture 83, as shown by flow arrows. Upstream sample aperture 72 is misaligned and is not visible in the diagram, being hidden behind spindle 60.

[0020] The apertures are sized and positioned so that the rate of santple flow is sufficient for the user to feel how hot the water is as the stream flows, but is less than the rate of the diversion flow (typically about 10 percent of the diversion flow but may be 15 or 20 percent or more) [0021] In a typical installation, hot water is supplied through a hot water pipe attached to the inlet 10, and the usage outlet is plumbed to direct water to a particular end use of the hot water such as a faucet in a basin or bath, or a shower head. A plastic diverting pipe is attached to the diversion outlet. The diverting pipe feeds to a reservoir which may typically be located in a roof space or outdoors. The reservoir may contain an outlet to direct water for re-use, activated manually or ‘ f . automatically depending on demand or water level in the reservoir. Re-use applications include flushing a toilet, topping up a swimming pool, or watering a garden user.

[0022] In typical use, a user is able to manipulate the handle from a closed position with no apertures aligned an all flow prevented, first to the diversion position where a small sample flow exits the usage outlet sufficient to allow the user to monitor the water temperature before a usable temperature is reached. The majority of the unused cold or lukewarm water (which is wasted in conventional taps) passes down the diverting pipe to the reservoir for later re-use. Once the cold or lukewarm water clears the pipe and the sample flow reaches the desired temperature, the user turns the handle so that the valve moves to the usage position where the diverting flow is prevented and an appropriate usage flow exits the faucet or shower head.

[0023] In some embodiments, installations do not necessarily need to provide a re-use for the diverted water or a reservoir. Even if the tap is plumbed so that the diverted water is . connected to a drain and wasted, the invention provides an advantage over conventional taps in that the clearance of cold or lukewarm water can occur at a maximum rate, unconstrained by practical flow limitations at the outlet such as splashing in a basin or by physical flow limitations such as are designed into water-saving shower heads. Consequently the user is able to obtain hot water more rapidly.

[0024] Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that many variations may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0025] For example, any valve arrangement that achieves the aim of providing the diversion position is contemplated, not just the ceramic disc embodiment shown. Second, the apertures shown in the embodiment can be any convenient shape, and in alternative embodiments the valve can be designed so that the downstream sample aperture 82 and the downstream usage aperture 83 are provided by a single aperture. Further, the scope of the invention extends to mixer taps that incorporate cold and hot water inlets and mix the hot and cold water. As is known in the art, such taps comprise additional chambers and an adjustable mixer valve for varying the proportion of cold water.

Accordingly, the term "hot water tap" used in the description and claims is intended to encompass mixer taps that supply hot, cold or warm water.

[0026] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

[0027] It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Claims

1. A hot water tap with a tap body, a tap inlet, a usage outlet, a diversion outlet, and a movable handle extending out of the tap body and engaging a valve disposed within the tap body positioned to control passage of water from the tap inlet to the tap outlets; wherein the valve is operable by a user through manipulation of the handle between: a closed position whereby flow of water through both outlets is prevented; a diversion position whereby a sample flow of water is permitted through the usage outlet and a diversion flow of water is permitted through the diversion outlet, the sample flow being sufficient for the user to feel how hot the water is, and the diversion flow being greater than the sample flow; and a usage position whereby a usage flow greater than the sample flow is permitted through the usage outlet, and flow of water through the diversion outlet is prevented.

2. The hot water tap of claim 1 wherein the valve comprises adjacent upstream and downstream sections that move relative to each other to provide the inlet, diversion and usage positions by mutual alignment and misalignment of apertures in each section.

3. The hot water tap of claim 2 wherein the apertures in each section comprise: an upstream main aperture and an upstream sample aperture both in the upstream section in communication with the tap inlet; and in the downstream section, a downstream diversion aperture in communication with the diversion outlet, and a downstream usage aperture and a downstream sample aperture both in communication with the usage outlet; wherein when the valve is in the closed position all the apertures are misaligned, when the valve is in the'diversion position the upstream main aperture and the downstream diversion apertures are aligned and the upstream sample aperture is aligned with the downstream sample aperture, and when the valve is in the usage position the upstream main aperture and the downstream usage apertures are aligned.

4. The hot water tap of claim 3 wherein the downstream sample aperture and the downstream usage aperture are provided by a single aperture.

5. The hot water tap of claim 3 wherein the downstream sample aperture and the downstream usage aperture are provided by separate apertures.

6. The hot water tap of claim 3 wherein the upstream and downstream sections comprise ceramic discs. .

7. The hot water tap of claim 1 wherein the sample flow is less than 20 percent of the diversion flow.

8. The hot water tap of claim 1 wherein the sample flow is less than 15 percent of the diversion flow. . i . . J .

9. The hot water tap of claim 1 wherein the sample flow is about 10 percent of the diversion flow.

10. The hot water tap of claim 1 wherein the diversion flow is comparable to a usage flow.

11. A hot water tap as claimed in claim 1 attached through the usage outlet to a water saving shower head having a restricted maximum flow rate, the valve being shaped and sized so that a rate of the diversion flow is larger than the restricted maximum flow rate, thereby allowing Use of the diversion position to provide an accelerated water warm-up time.

12. A water saving system comprising: a hot water tap as claimed in claim 1; a diverting pipe attached to the diversion outlet; and a reservoir into which the diverting pipe feeds to store for water exiting the diversion outlet for re-use.

13. Λ water saving system as claimed in claim 12, comprising more.than one of the hot water taps and corresponding drainage pipes.

14. A water saving system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the reservoir comprises an outlet connected to a garden watering system, a swimming pool and/or a toilet.