CA1294851C - Electrically actuated plumbing system - Google Patents
Electrically actuated plumbing systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA1294851C CA1294851C CA000536245A CA536245A CA1294851C CA 1294851 C CA1294851 C CA 1294851C CA 000536245 A CA000536245 A CA 000536245A CA 536245 A CA536245 A CA 536245A CA 1294851 C CA1294851 C CA 1294851C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- cold water
- hot
- water
- valve means
- outlet
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Abstract
A central water control is disclosed having a hot water manifold for receiving hot water, a cold water manifold for receiving cold water and valves for controlling the flow of water from the manifolds to remotely located taps wherein electrical control devices are located near the taps in order to provide electrical signals for controlling the valves in order to control the flow of hot and cold water to the taps.
Description
rp ~L 910 -12115 - CA
ELECTRICALLY ACq'UATl~D PLlJMBING S~STJ3M
BACKGROUND OF TH:E INVENTION
. . .
The present invention relates to an electrically actuated plumbing system for the distribution of hot and cold water through a structure such as a building and, more particularly, to such a system in which the hot and cold water valves are located in a central location and contained in an enclosure so that low pressure conduit can be used to deliver water to taps throughout the structure under the control of electrical signals from electrical control devices located proximately to the water dispensing taps.
Conventional plumbing systems require copper-or-high pressure plastic tubing to distribute both hot water from the hot water heater as well as cold water to a structure ' 5 water consuming appliances such as sinks, toilets, bath tubs, showers, dishwashers and the like. Two valves (faucets) or a mixing valve are then necessary at many of these appliances to control the dispensing of the hot and cold water from the taps. Such conventional plumbing s~stems are very expensive to install since copper or high pressure pla~qtic tubing cannot be easily bent but requires T and elbow connectors for cornering the tubing.
Furthermore each appliance requires two tubing runs i~ bot~ hot and cold water are to be supplied to the appliance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
. . _ , . ..
The present invention greatly reduces the expense of plumbing installations and yields many other advantages by providing a water control center having a hot water manifold for receiving hot water, a cold water manifold for receiving cold water, and valves connected to the manifolds for distributing the hot and cold water throughout a structure in response to electrical control signals received ~rom electrical control devices located proximately to the water dispensing taps of the structure.
The manifolds and the valves can be mounted in a single cabinet which greatly facilitates installation.
If the valves are arranged to mix hot and cold water to a desired temperature, the water supplied by the water control centre can be distributed to each appliance using a single conduit. The conduit, besides carrying the water, can also carry the electrical signals generated by electrical control devices located at the taps to the valves located in the water control centre ~or selecting the water to be carried by the conduit.
2a 64l59-945 In accordance wlth the present lnventlon there 18 provided a control system ~or a hot and cold water plumbing system of a structure wherein sald control system controls the supply of hot and cold water to remote tap means whlch dlspense sald hot and cold water, said con~rol system compr~slng: central control means havlng a cold water manlfold for receivin~ cold water, a hot water manlfold for recelvlng hot water, valve means havlng a cold water lnlet connected to sai~ cold water manl~old for receiving col~
water and a hot water inlet connected to ~aid hot water manlfold for receiving hot water and outlet means for supplying hot an~
cold water, and electrlcal lnput means for controlllng sald valve means; electrlcal means located proxlm~tely to said remote tap means for providing electrlcal control slgnals to control the dispensing of said hot and cold water1 and, electrical and water condult means ~or carrying water ~rom said outlet means to sald remot~ tap means and for carrylng said electrlcal control signal~
from sald remote electrical control mean~ to sai~ electrical lnput means.
. In accordance wlth the pre~ent lnvenklon there i8 ~150 provlded a control sy~tem Eor a hot and cold water plumbln~ ~ystem o~ a ~tructure wherein ~ald control. system controls the ~upply of hot and cold water to remote tap mean~ whlch dl~pen~es sald hot : and cold water, sald control sy~tem compr1sing2 central control means having a cold water manl~old for recelving col~ water, a hot water manlfold for recelving hot water, valve means havlng a cold water inlet connected to said cold water mani~old for recelvln~
cold water and a hot water inle~ connected to sald hot water ::
,.,.,~ '~
" .
2b 6~15~ ~45 manlfold for receiving hot wa~er and outlet means for supplying hot and cold water, and electrical means for controlllny said valve means; electrical control means located proximately to said remote tap means for provldlng electrlcal control slgnals to control the dispen~lng of sald hot and cold water~ and, flexlble condult means having electrlcal wires embe~ded thereln ~or carrylng water from sald outlet means to sald remote tap means and ~or carrylng said electrlcal control slgnals from sald remotP
electrlcal control means to sald electrlcal input means.
In accordance with the present invenklon there ls also provlded a central controller for controlltng the supply of hot and cold water to a water dispenslng tap of a structure comprising: a cold water manlfold havin~ means for recelvlng cold water, a-hot water manl~old havlng means ~or receivlng hot water, valve means havlng a cold water lnlet connecte~ to said col~ water manifold for receivlng cold water and a hot water lnlet connected to said hot water man~fold ~or recelvlng hot wa~er an~ outlet means for supplying hot and cold outlet water, said hot and cold ou~let water belng useable by sald water dl~pensin~ tap; and, electrical lnput means connected to sal~ valve means, said electrlcal ~nput means havlng means for receiving electrlcal control slgnals ~or controlling said valve means to contro~ said hot and cold water supplled by sald outlet means.
LD~
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
. .
These and other features and advantages will become more apparent from a detailed consideration of the invention when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows a conventional plur~ing system located within a structure;
Figure 2 shows the electrically actuated plumbing system according to the present invention;
Figure 3 shows the water control centre of Figure 2 in more detail;
Figure 4 shows a water consuming appliance with its water supply conduit, electrical control devices, a single tube installation, and Figure 5 shows a possible r~n~irm~tr~n of a section of the electrical and water conduit useful with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
, The conventional plumbing system 10 is shown in Figur~ 1 and includes water meter 11 for monitoring water consumption within a building such as the house partially shown in Fi~ure 1. Water meter 11 receives water from water main 12 and supplie8 the water through valve 13 to cold water supply pipes 14. Water heater 15 receives cold water from cold water supply pipes 14, heats the water, and supplies hot water to hot water supply pipes 18 through valve 17.
Located throughout the structure are various water consuming appliances. One such appliance, sink 21, has hot water control valve 24 for controlling the dispensing of hot water from hot water supply pipes 13 and stop valve 25. Cold water is supplied from pipes 14 to sink 21 through stop valve 26. Stop valves 25 and 26 can be operated to disconnect the sink from the water system whenever maintenance is to be performed on the sink.
Cold water valve 27 controls th~ dispensing of cold water from cold water pipes lg to sink 21. Toilet 22 is connected to cold water pipes 14 through stop valve ~8. Bath tub 23 is connected to cold water pipes 14 through stop valve 31 and to ho~ water pipes 18 through stop valve 32. Cold water valve 33 controls the dispensing of cold water and hot water valve 34 controls the dispensing of hot water to tub 23. Similar stop valves and faucet valves are located at the other water consuming appliances of the house such as kitchen sink 41, dish washer 42, basement sink 43, and furnace 44 to which a humidifier may be attached for using cold water.
As can be seen from Fi~ure 1, all of the piping run throughout the structure must be able to withstand high pressure since the final faucet valves are located at the water consuming appliances rather than closer to water Main 12. Furthermore, each appliance which uses both hot and cold water must have two pipes runni.ng ~o it, ore Eor hot water and one Eor cold water.
~' :~ .
",. , . ~ .. . . .
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Piping which is of sufficient strenyth to withstand high pressure is typically made of copper (or high strength PVC) is inflexible, and consequently requires joints to be formed such as by solder, glue or threads, so that installaticn of the conventional plumbing system is very expensive and time consuming.
The advantages of the present invention can be seen by reviewing Figure 2. Plumbing system 50 shown in Figure 2 includes water control centre 51 connected to water main 52 through shut off valve 53 which can be operated whenever the water control centre 51 needs servicing or maintenance. Instead of dual piping running to each water consuming appliance, only a single piping run is necessary if the water controlling valves are located within water control centre 51. Thus, sink 54 located in the bathoom has a single bathroom sink supply run 55, toilet 56 has a single toilet supply run 57 and bath tub 58 has a single bath tub supply run 59. In the case of a combination of bath tub and shower-head, this can be achieved either by two independent supply runs, or by a single sùpply run with a conventional switching or diverting mechanism. Kitchen slnk 60 has a single kitchen ~ink supply run 61 and dishwasher 62 has a single supply run 63. As shown in Figure 2, the only water consuming appliance which uses a double run is basement sink 64 which receives hot water over hot water run 65 and cold water by way of cold water run 66. Hot water valve 67 controls the dispensing of hot water to sink 64 and cold water valve 68 controla the dispensing of cold water to sin]c 64~
Double runs 65, 66 and valves 67, 68 are located at sink 64 instead of within control centre 51 in case of power failure.
In the system shown in Figure 2, electrical devices such as switches are used for controlling the valves located within the water control centre 51 for regulating the water supply to the water consuming appliances. Since electrical signals are used and since power failures without battery backup will terminate the electrical signals, the preferred system will have a battery backup (Fig. 3,81). In the event of failure of both the electrical supply and the battery, one water appliance (64) with water under a non-électric control mechanism may also be reguired.
Figure 3 shows the water control centre in more detail.
Water control centre 70 includes a water meter 71 connected to main 72 for measuring water consumption within a building. The water from meter 71 flows through backflow preventer 73 (optional), pressure reducing valve 74 (optional), water filter 75 (optional), pressure relief valve 76 (which may or may not be optional depending upon local codes) and then to cold water manifold 77 and to pipe 78~ Pipe 78 supplies cold water to the water heater and returns hot water through pipe 79 to hot water manifold 80. A drain is provided to drain off water from the various devices as shown. Backup battery 81 may be provided for powering the remote electrical switches which control the 7 ~g~
valves within the water control centre and for powering any optional electronics 82 that are included within water control centre 70. Electrical connectors can be provided at 82 for receiving necessary electrical connectionsO
Cold water valves 91A, 91B, 91C...9lN are provided having inputs connected to the cold water manifold and outputs connected to either mixing pipes or to cold water pipes depending on the type of appliance to be supplied by the valves. Hot water valves 92A, 92B, 92C..~92N are provided having inlets connected to the hot water manifold and outlets connected either to mixing pipes or to hot water pipes depending on the type of appliance to be supplied by the valves. Thus, for example, cold water valve 91A and hot water valve 92A have outputs manifolded together to supply a combination of hot and cold water to an appliance such as a sink which is to receive both hot and cold water. On the other hand, cold water valve 91N has no output manifold so that straight cold water is to be supplied to whatever appliance is directly con~ected to it. For example, an ice cube maker in a refrigerator should receive straight cold water. Separate hot and cold water valves such as 9~A and 92A can be replaced by a single mixing valve which is de~igned to regulate the amount of hot and cold water to be 8 ~ 3~
mixed for supply to a single output. ~lternatively, instead of manifolding the outputs of a hot water valve and a cold water valve within the water control centre, separate piping runs can be made to the water consuming appliances, although this approach reduces the advantage of the present invention since it doubles the piping runs.
Associated with each valve is an electric valve actuator such as actuators 93A, 93B, 93C...93N. These valve actuators respond to electrical signals from electrical control devices located at the appliance in order to supply the proper amount of hot and/or cold water to a desired temperature.
Figure 4 shows an example of such electircal devices which may be located at a water consuming appliance. In the case of Figure 4, the water consuming appliance is sink 101 being supplied with water from a single pipe 102, which carries hot and/or cold water from the water control centre to tap 106 of sink 101. Electrical devices 103, 104 and 105 are provided proximately to sink 101 in order to control the water supply through pipe 102. For example, these devices can be single pole, double throw switches having an intermediate off position 90 that the electric actuators associated with each of the valves can be driven in a more open direction or a more closed . ~ ........................... .
direction or, in the intermediate po~ition of this switch, can be held at any preselected position. Switch 103 may control cold water and switch 105 may control hot water. Switch 104 may be added which is designed to drive both the hot and cold water valves to a predetermined position for dispensing, for example, luke warm water to sink 101.
Figure 5 shows a section of conduit which can be used for the piping between the water consuming appliances and the water control centre. This conduit can be flexible plastic or rubber and can include electrical wires 110 for carrying the electrical control signals from the water controlling electrical switches, such as switches 103-105, to the water control centre. Thus, electrical and water conduit 111 shown in Figure 5 can conduct water from the water control centre to the water consuming appliances and can conduct the electrical control signals from the electrical control devices back to the water control centre for regulating the amount and temperature of the water supplied to the water consuming appliance.
As can be seen, the system according to the present invention is easy to install since low pressure flexible conduit can be used without the need for cutting, splicing, glueing or soldering. Moreover, single conduits can be used for feeding both hot and cold water to the structure's water consurniny appliances. The present system el~iminates or reduces noise caused by the high velocity flow of water rushing through the high pressure pipes since the proposed plurnbing system can operate at low pressure. Also eliminated is the pressure fall off usually associated when a pipe or tube is used to feed more than one outlet. The stop valves located at the water consuming appliance can also be eliminated by use of the present invention. These and other advantages are achi~vable by the present invention.
;. ~ . . . , ~ .
ELECTRICALLY ACq'UATl~D PLlJMBING S~STJ3M
BACKGROUND OF TH:E INVENTION
. . .
The present invention relates to an electrically actuated plumbing system for the distribution of hot and cold water through a structure such as a building and, more particularly, to such a system in which the hot and cold water valves are located in a central location and contained in an enclosure so that low pressure conduit can be used to deliver water to taps throughout the structure under the control of electrical signals from electrical control devices located proximately to the water dispensing taps.
Conventional plumbing systems require copper-or-high pressure plastic tubing to distribute both hot water from the hot water heater as well as cold water to a structure ' 5 water consuming appliances such as sinks, toilets, bath tubs, showers, dishwashers and the like. Two valves (faucets) or a mixing valve are then necessary at many of these appliances to control the dispensing of the hot and cold water from the taps. Such conventional plumbing s~stems are very expensive to install since copper or high pressure pla~qtic tubing cannot be easily bent but requires T and elbow connectors for cornering the tubing.
Furthermore each appliance requires two tubing runs i~ bot~ hot and cold water are to be supplied to the appliance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
. . _ , . ..
The present invention greatly reduces the expense of plumbing installations and yields many other advantages by providing a water control center having a hot water manifold for receiving hot water, a cold water manifold for receiving cold water, and valves connected to the manifolds for distributing the hot and cold water throughout a structure in response to electrical control signals received ~rom electrical control devices located proximately to the water dispensing taps of the structure.
The manifolds and the valves can be mounted in a single cabinet which greatly facilitates installation.
If the valves are arranged to mix hot and cold water to a desired temperature, the water supplied by the water control centre can be distributed to each appliance using a single conduit. The conduit, besides carrying the water, can also carry the electrical signals generated by electrical control devices located at the taps to the valves located in the water control centre ~or selecting the water to be carried by the conduit.
2a 64l59-945 In accordance wlth the present lnventlon there 18 provided a control system ~or a hot and cold water plumbing system of a structure wherein sald control system controls the supply of hot and cold water to remote tap means whlch dlspense sald hot and cold water, said con~rol system compr~slng: central control means havlng a cold water manlfold for receivin~ cold water, a hot water manlfold for recelvlng hot water, valve means havlng a cold water lnlet connected to sai~ cold water manl~old for receiving col~
water and a hot water inlet connected to ~aid hot water manlfold for receiving hot water and outlet means for supplying hot an~
cold water, and electrlcal lnput means for controlllng sald valve means; electrlcal means located proxlm~tely to said remote tap means for providing electrlcal control slgnals to control the dispensing of said hot and cold water1 and, electrical and water condult means ~or carrying water ~rom said outlet means to sald remot~ tap means and for carrylng said electrlcal control signal~
from sald remote electrical control mean~ to sai~ electrical lnput means.
. In accordance wlth the pre~ent lnvenklon there i8 ~150 provlded a control sy~tem Eor a hot and cold water plumbln~ ~ystem o~ a ~tructure wherein ~ald control. system controls the ~upply of hot and cold water to remote tap mean~ whlch dl~pen~es sald hot : and cold water, sald control sy~tem compr1sing2 central control means having a cold water manl~old for recelving col~ water, a hot water manlfold for recelving hot water, valve means havlng a cold water inlet connected to said cold water mani~old for recelvln~
cold water and a hot water inle~ connected to sald hot water ::
,.,.,~ '~
" .
2b 6~15~ ~45 manlfold for receiving hot wa~er and outlet means for supplying hot and cold water, and electrical means for controlllny said valve means; electrical control means located proximately to said remote tap means for provldlng electrlcal control slgnals to control the dispen~lng of sald hot and cold water~ and, flexlble condult means having electrlcal wires embe~ded thereln ~or carrylng water from sald outlet means to sald remote tap means and ~or carrylng said electrlcal control slgnals from sald remotP
electrlcal control means to sald electrlcal input means.
In accordance with the present invenklon there ls also provlded a central controller for controlltng the supply of hot and cold water to a water dispenslng tap of a structure comprising: a cold water manlfold havin~ means for recelvlng cold water, a-hot water manl~old havlng means ~or receivlng hot water, valve means havlng a cold water lnlet connecte~ to said col~ water manifold for receivlng cold water and a hot water lnlet connected to said hot water man~fold ~or recelvlng hot wa~er an~ outlet means for supplying hot and cold outlet water, said hot and cold ou~let water belng useable by sald water dl~pensin~ tap; and, electrical lnput means connected to sal~ valve means, said electrlcal ~nput means havlng means for receiving electrlcal control slgnals ~or controlling said valve means to contro~ said hot and cold water supplled by sald outlet means.
LD~
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
. .
These and other features and advantages will become more apparent from a detailed consideration of the invention when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows a conventional plur~ing system located within a structure;
Figure 2 shows the electrically actuated plumbing system according to the present invention;
Figure 3 shows the water control centre of Figure 2 in more detail;
Figure 4 shows a water consuming appliance with its water supply conduit, electrical control devices, a single tube installation, and Figure 5 shows a possible r~n~irm~tr~n of a section of the electrical and water conduit useful with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
, The conventional plumbing system 10 is shown in Figur~ 1 and includes water meter 11 for monitoring water consumption within a building such as the house partially shown in Fi~ure 1. Water meter 11 receives water from water main 12 and supplie8 the water through valve 13 to cold water supply pipes 14. Water heater 15 receives cold water from cold water supply pipes 14, heats the water, and supplies hot water to hot water supply pipes 18 through valve 17.
Located throughout the structure are various water consuming appliances. One such appliance, sink 21, has hot water control valve 24 for controlling the dispensing of hot water from hot water supply pipes 13 and stop valve 25. Cold water is supplied from pipes 14 to sink 21 through stop valve 26. Stop valves 25 and 26 can be operated to disconnect the sink from the water system whenever maintenance is to be performed on the sink.
Cold water valve 27 controls th~ dispensing of cold water from cold water pipes lg to sink 21. Toilet 22 is connected to cold water pipes 14 through stop valve ~8. Bath tub 23 is connected to cold water pipes 14 through stop valve 31 and to ho~ water pipes 18 through stop valve 32. Cold water valve 33 controls the dispensing of cold water and hot water valve 34 controls the dispensing of hot water to tub 23. Similar stop valves and faucet valves are located at the other water consuming appliances of the house such as kitchen sink 41, dish washer 42, basement sink 43, and furnace 44 to which a humidifier may be attached for using cold water.
As can be seen from Fi~ure 1, all of the piping run throughout the structure must be able to withstand high pressure since the final faucet valves are located at the water consuming appliances rather than closer to water Main 12. Furthermore, each appliance which uses both hot and cold water must have two pipes runni.ng ~o it, ore Eor hot water and one Eor cold water.
~' :~ .
",. , . ~ .. . . .
r3~
Piping which is of sufficient strenyth to withstand high pressure is typically made of copper (or high strength PVC) is inflexible, and consequently requires joints to be formed such as by solder, glue or threads, so that installaticn of the conventional plumbing system is very expensive and time consuming.
The advantages of the present invention can be seen by reviewing Figure 2. Plumbing system 50 shown in Figure 2 includes water control centre 51 connected to water main 52 through shut off valve 53 which can be operated whenever the water control centre 51 needs servicing or maintenance. Instead of dual piping running to each water consuming appliance, only a single piping run is necessary if the water controlling valves are located within water control centre 51. Thus, sink 54 located in the bathoom has a single bathroom sink supply run 55, toilet 56 has a single toilet supply run 57 and bath tub 58 has a single bath tub supply run 59. In the case of a combination of bath tub and shower-head, this can be achieved either by two independent supply runs, or by a single sùpply run with a conventional switching or diverting mechanism. Kitchen slnk 60 has a single kitchen ~ink supply run 61 and dishwasher 62 has a single supply run 63. As shown in Figure 2, the only water consuming appliance which uses a double run is basement sink 64 which receives hot water over hot water run 65 and cold water by way of cold water run 66. Hot water valve 67 controls the dispensing of hot water to sink 64 and cold water valve 68 controla the dispensing of cold water to sin]c 64~
Double runs 65, 66 and valves 67, 68 are located at sink 64 instead of within control centre 51 in case of power failure.
In the system shown in Figure 2, electrical devices such as switches are used for controlling the valves located within the water control centre 51 for regulating the water supply to the water consuming appliances. Since electrical signals are used and since power failures without battery backup will terminate the electrical signals, the preferred system will have a battery backup (Fig. 3,81). In the event of failure of both the electrical supply and the battery, one water appliance (64) with water under a non-électric control mechanism may also be reguired.
Figure 3 shows the water control centre in more detail.
Water control centre 70 includes a water meter 71 connected to main 72 for measuring water consumption within a building. The water from meter 71 flows through backflow preventer 73 (optional), pressure reducing valve 74 (optional), water filter 75 (optional), pressure relief valve 76 (which may or may not be optional depending upon local codes) and then to cold water manifold 77 and to pipe 78~ Pipe 78 supplies cold water to the water heater and returns hot water through pipe 79 to hot water manifold 80. A drain is provided to drain off water from the various devices as shown. Backup battery 81 may be provided for powering the remote electrical switches which control the 7 ~g~
valves within the water control centre and for powering any optional electronics 82 that are included within water control centre 70. Electrical connectors can be provided at 82 for receiving necessary electrical connectionsO
Cold water valves 91A, 91B, 91C...9lN are provided having inputs connected to the cold water manifold and outputs connected to either mixing pipes or to cold water pipes depending on the type of appliance to be supplied by the valves. Hot water valves 92A, 92B, 92C..~92N are provided having inlets connected to the hot water manifold and outlets connected either to mixing pipes or to hot water pipes depending on the type of appliance to be supplied by the valves. Thus, for example, cold water valve 91A and hot water valve 92A have outputs manifolded together to supply a combination of hot and cold water to an appliance such as a sink which is to receive both hot and cold water. On the other hand, cold water valve 91N has no output manifold so that straight cold water is to be supplied to whatever appliance is directly con~ected to it. For example, an ice cube maker in a refrigerator should receive straight cold water. Separate hot and cold water valves such as 9~A and 92A can be replaced by a single mixing valve which is de~igned to regulate the amount of hot and cold water to be 8 ~ 3~
mixed for supply to a single output. ~lternatively, instead of manifolding the outputs of a hot water valve and a cold water valve within the water control centre, separate piping runs can be made to the water consuming appliances, although this approach reduces the advantage of the present invention since it doubles the piping runs.
Associated with each valve is an electric valve actuator such as actuators 93A, 93B, 93C...93N. These valve actuators respond to electrical signals from electrical control devices located at the appliance in order to supply the proper amount of hot and/or cold water to a desired temperature.
Figure 4 shows an example of such electircal devices which may be located at a water consuming appliance. In the case of Figure 4, the water consuming appliance is sink 101 being supplied with water from a single pipe 102, which carries hot and/or cold water from the water control centre to tap 106 of sink 101. Electrical devices 103, 104 and 105 are provided proximately to sink 101 in order to control the water supply through pipe 102. For example, these devices can be single pole, double throw switches having an intermediate off position 90 that the electric actuators associated with each of the valves can be driven in a more open direction or a more closed . ~ ........................... .
direction or, in the intermediate po~ition of this switch, can be held at any preselected position. Switch 103 may control cold water and switch 105 may control hot water. Switch 104 may be added which is designed to drive both the hot and cold water valves to a predetermined position for dispensing, for example, luke warm water to sink 101.
Figure 5 shows a section of conduit which can be used for the piping between the water consuming appliances and the water control centre. This conduit can be flexible plastic or rubber and can include electrical wires 110 for carrying the electrical control signals from the water controlling electrical switches, such as switches 103-105, to the water control centre. Thus, electrical and water conduit 111 shown in Figure 5 can conduct water from the water control centre to the water consuming appliances and can conduct the electrical control signals from the electrical control devices back to the water control centre for regulating the amount and temperature of the water supplied to the water consuming appliance.
As can be seen, the system according to the present invention is easy to install since low pressure flexible conduit can be used without the need for cutting, splicing, glueing or soldering. Moreover, single conduits can be used for feeding both hot and cold water to the structure's water consurniny appliances. The present system el~iminates or reduces noise caused by the high velocity flow of water rushing through the high pressure pipes since the proposed plurnbing system can operate at low pressure. Also eliminated is the pressure fall off usually associated when a pipe or tube is used to feed more than one outlet. The stop valves located at the water consuming appliance can also be eliminated by use of the present invention. These and other advantages are achi~vable by the present invention.
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Claims (15)
1. A control system for a hot and cold water plumbing system of a structure wherein said control system controls the supply of hot and cold water to remote tap means which dispense said hot and cold water, said control system comprising:
central control means having a cold water manifold for receiving cold water, a hot water manifold for receiving hot water, valve means having a cold water inlet connected to said cold water manifold for receiving cold water and a hot water inlet connected to said hot water manifold for receiving hot water and outlet means for supplying hot and cold water, and electrical input means for controlling said valve means;
electrical means located proximately to said remote tap means for providing electrical control signals to control the dispensing of said hot and cold water;
and, electrical and water conduit means for carrying water from said outlet means to said remote tap means and for carrying said electrical control signals from said remote electrical control means to said electrical input means.
central control means having a cold water manifold for receiving cold water, a hot water manifold for receiving hot water, valve means having a cold water inlet connected to said cold water manifold for receiving cold water and a hot water inlet connected to said hot water manifold for receiving hot water and outlet means for supplying hot and cold water, and electrical input means for controlling said valve means;
electrical means located proximately to said remote tap means for providing electrical control signals to control the dispensing of said hot and cold water;
and, electrical and water conduit means for carrying water from said outlet means to said remote tap means and for carrying said electrical control signals from said remote electrical control means to said electrical input means.
2. The control system of claim 1 wherein said electrical and water conduit means comprises a flexible conduit having electrical wires embedded therein.
3. The control system of claim 2 wherein said valve means comprises hot water valve means having said hot water inlet as an inlet thereto and cold water valve means having said cold water inlet as an inlet thereto, and wherein said outlet means comprises a first outlet from said hot water valve means and a second outlet from said cold water valve means, said first and second outlets being connected together and to said flexible conduit.
4. The control system of claim 3 wherein said central control means comprises a housing containing said hot and cold water manifolds, said hot water valve means, said cold water valve means and said electrical input means.
5. The control system of claim l wherein said central control means comprises a housing containing said hot and cold water manifolds, said valve means, and said electrical input means.
6. The control system of claim 5 wherein said valve means comprises hot water valve means having said hot water inlet as an inlet thereto and cold water valve means having said cold water inlet as an inlet thereto, and wherein said outlet means comprises a first outlet from said hot water valve means and a second outlet from said cold water valve means, said first and second outlets being connected together and to said electrical and water conduit means.
7. The control system of claim 1 wherein said valve means comprises hot water valve means having said hot water inlet as an inlet thereto and cold water valve means having said cold water inlet as an inlet thereto, and wherein said outlet means comprises a first outlet from said hot water valve means and a second outlet from said cold water valve means, said first and second outlets being connected together and to said electrical and water conduit means.
8. A control system for a hot and cold water plumbing system of a structure wherein said control system controls the supply of hot and cold water to remote tap means which dispenses said hot and cold water, said control system comprising:
central control means having a cold water manifold for receiving cold water, a hot water manifold for receiving hot water, valve means having a cold water inlet connected to said cold water manifold for receiving cold water and a hot water inlet connected to said hot water manifold for receiving hot water and outlet means for supplying hot and cold water, and electrical means for controlling said valve means;
electrical control means located proximately to said remote tap means for providing electrical control signals to control the dispensing of said hot and cold water;
and, flexible conduit means having electrical wires embedded therein for carrying water from said outlet means to said remote tap means and for carrying said electrical control signals from said remote electrical control means to said electrical input means.
central control means having a cold water manifold for receiving cold water, a hot water manifold for receiving hot water, valve means having a cold water inlet connected to said cold water manifold for receiving cold water and a hot water inlet connected to said hot water manifold for receiving hot water and outlet means for supplying hot and cold water, and electrical means for controlling said valve means;
electrical control means located proximately to said remote tap means for providing electrical control signals to control the dispensing of said hot and cold water;
and, flexible conduit means having electrical wires embedded therein for carrying water from said outlet means to said remote tap means and for carrying said electrical control signals from said remote electrical control means to said electrical input means.
9. The control system of claim 8 wherein said central control means comprises a housing containing said hot and cold water manifolds, said valve means, and said electrical input means.
10. The control system of claim 9 wherein said valve means comprises hot water valve means having said hot water inlet as an inlet thereto and cold water valve means having said cold water inlet as an inlet thereto, and wherein said outlet means comprises a first outlet from said hot water valve means a second outlet from said cold water valve means, said first and second outlets being connected together and to said flexible conduit means.
11. The control system of claim 8 wherein said valve means comprises hot water valve means having said hot water inlet as an inlet thereto and cold water valve means having said cold water inlet as an inlet thereto, and wherein said outlet means comprises a first outlet from said hot water valve means and a second outlet from said cold water valve means, said first and second outlets being connected together and to said flexible conduit means.
12. A central controller for controlling the supply of hot and cold water to a water dispensing tap of a structure comprising:
a cold water manifold having means for receiving cold water, a hot water manifold having means for receiving hot water, valve means having a cold water inlet connected to said cold water manifold for receiving cold water and a hot water inlet connected to said hot water manifold for receiving hot water and outlet means for supplying hot and cold outlet water, said hot and cold outlet water being useable by said water dispensing tap; and, electrical input means connected to said valve means, said electrical input means having means for receiving electrical control signals for controlling said valve means to control said hot and cold water supplied by said outlet means.
a cold water manifold having means for receiving cold water, a hot water manifold having means for receiving hot water, valve means having a cold water inlet connected to said cold water manifold for receiving cold water and a hot water inlet connected to said hot water manifold for receiving hot water and outlet means for supplying hot and cold outlet water, said hot and cold outlet water being useable by said water dispensing tap; and, electrical input means connected to said valve means, said electrical input means having means for receiving electrical control signals for controlling said valve means to control said hot and cold water supplied by said outlet means.
13. The central controller of claim 12 further comprising a housing containing said hot and cold water mainfolds, said valve means, and said electrical input means.
14. The control system of claim 13 wherein said valve means comprises hot water valve means having said hot water inlet as an inlet thereto and cold water valve means having said cold water inlet as an inlet thereto, and wherein said outlet means comprises a first outlet from said hot water valve means and a second outlet from said cold water valve means, said first and second outlets being connected together for supplying a mixture of hot and cold water, said hot water valve means and said cold water valve means being contained within said housing.
15. The control system of claim 12 wherein said valve means comprises hot water valve means having said hot water inlet as an inlet thereto and cold water valve means having said cold water inlet as an inlet thereto, and wherein said outlet means comprises a first outlet from said hot water valve means and a second outlet from said cold water valve means, said first and second outlets being connected together for supplying a mixture of hot and cold water.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000536245A CA1294851C (en) | 1987-05-04 | 1987-05-04 | Electrically actuated plumbing system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000536245A CA1294851C (en) | 1987-05-04 | 1987-05-04 | Electrically actuated plumbing system |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1294851C true CA1294851C (en) | 1992-01-28 |
Family
ID=4135570
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000536245A Expired - Lifetime CA1294851C (en) | 1987-05-04 | 1987-05-04 | Electrically actuated plumbing system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1294851C (en) |
-
1987
- 1987-05-04 CA CA000536245A patent/CA1294851C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |