Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
  • E03B—INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER
  • E03B7/00—Water main or service pipe systems
  • E03B7/04—Domestic or like local pipe systems
  • E03B7/045—Domestic or like local pipe systems diverting initially cold water in warm water supply

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a tap, and in particular to a hot water tap having a water run off conduit.
• Domestic hot water is generally supplied from a hot water tank or boiler remote from the individual hot water taps throughout the building. This results in the well-known situation of having to let the tap 'run' for a period of time whilst the hot water makes its way to the tap.
• the user turns on the tap causing initially cold water to be supplied.
• the supplied water then gradually heats to a temperature sufficient for use.
• the initially cold or warming water normally drains away as the user waits for the water to heat up to the desired temperature and, since this wastage is repeated each time a hot water tap is turned on, the cumulative waste over a period of time can be significant.
• GB2309731 provides a conventional tap having a main tap valve, which tap includes in addition a secondary passage through which the initially cold water runs off either to a collection tank or to drain.
• the control of water flow in the secondary passage is achieved by an auxiliary valve.
• auxiliary valve only opens when the main tap valve itself is open. In use therefore an amount of cold water will exit the main tap outlet which may not be desirable and which can be wasteful.
• auxiliary valve when utilising water from a combi boiler may lead to the temperature of the water supplied being below that expected.
• the main tap valve still being open during use enables the user to check that the water is the required temperature, which is of particular advantage when the ancillary valve is manually operated. Without such ability to check however, the user would find it more difficult to efficiently utilise the tap and can waste energy.
• a tap suitable for the supply of hot water, said tap being of the kind known per se and which includes a primary valve whose operation enables a user to draw off water, and including a secondary fluid passage, the secondary fluid passage communicating with the primary fluid passage such that when an auxiliary valve is opened, water flows through the secondary fluid passage, the tap including a temperature measuring device to measure the temperature of water flowing through the tap, said temperature measuring device being operable to activate a warning means when the water temperature reaches a preset value.
• the warning means alerts the user who can then open the primary valve of the tap to run the hot water in conventional fashion.
• the warning means is preferably an audio signal to alert the user even when the user is outside the room in which the tap is located.
• the warning means is a visual indicator.
• the auxiliary valve closes automatically on the pre-set temperature value having been reached to minimise energy losses through running off heated water.
• the tap includes temperature adjustment means enabling a user to set the temperature at which the auxiliary valve issues the alert and closes. This enables the user to control the temperature of a volume of water issuing through the primary valve.
• a water supply and/or storage system including one or more taps substantially as described above.
• Figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a tap and water supply
• Figure 2 illustrates a second embodiment of a tap and water supply
• Figures 3a, 3b illustrate water plumbing systems suitable for incorporation of a tap.
• the present invention seeks to reduce both energy and water consumption by providing an adaptation to a conventional tap.
• the adaptation is suitable for incorporation into a hot tap or a mixer tap and is also adaptable for use as part of a shower.
• a source such as a hot water storage tank, for example an immersion heater (Figure 3a), or from a combi boiler ( Figure 3b).
• Figure 3a an immersion heater
• Figure 3b a combi boiler
• the source is separated from the taps, often at a distance of several metres, the water in the pipework between the two locations (referred to in the art as 'dead leg') is usually cooler than required.
• the answer to this problem typically is to run off the cooler water to drain.
• a solution to this wastage of water was provide in GB2309731 in which a second pipe was included along with a valve controlling flow through that pipe which allows the cooler water to be directed back into a water storage vessel for later use.
• the valve opening to open the second pipe was however only to be deployed when the primary tap valve was open.
• the present invention comprises a tap 10 supplied by primary pipework 1 1 from a boiler or storage vessel.
• the arrows A indicate the direction of water flow within the tap 10.
• Secondary pipework 12 is in communication with the primary pipework 1 1. When the secondary valve 13 is open therefore water can flow freely between the primary and secondary pipework 1 1, 12.
• Secondary pipework 12 can lead the water back to the boiler, hot water cylinder or simply grey water storage.
• Figure 1 shows the tap in its 'off position, i.e. with the tap valve 14 seatingly engaging tap valve seat 15 so as to prevent water flowing through the tap 10.
• the auxiliary valve 13 is also closed to prevent flow of water through the secondary pipework 12. This is the normal, not in use status of the tap 10.
• the secondary valve 13 When a user requires hot water, the secondary valve 13 is actuated by means of a button, lever or also a sensing device 16 which can sense the close proximity of a user to the sensing device 16.
• the water initially cold, flows through the pipework.
• the temperature of the water is measured by a sensor (not illustrated) incorporated within the secondary valve housing 17.
• an audible signal is generated by the audible means 18 which alerts the user to the tap being ready to dispense hot water.
• the pre-set value is optionally lower than the final desired value of the water to flow out of the tap 10. This should act to reduce the amount of hot water allowed to flow into the secondary pipework 12.
• the secondary valve 13 closes when the water reaches the pre-set value and the user opens the primary valve 14 to draw off the required amount of hot water. The amount of water wasted is thereby reduced.
• FIG. 1 further shows the presence of a temperature control 19, by means of which the temperature at which the signal is activated and the valve automatically closed can be adjusted.
• a tap 20 has a primary valve 14.
• the primary pipework 11 supplies the tap 20 with hot water.
• certain taps, such as soft water taps have little space to incorporate the secondary pipework 12 of Figure 1.
• the secondary pipework 22 diverts at a fork from the primary pipework to lead the cooler water away.
• the secondary valve 23 is therefore located on said secondary pipework 22, remote from the other elements such as the audible means.
• the valve 23 is connected to these other elements by a connector 24, such as a wire, although a wireless connection can be contemplated.
• the user is made aware of the temperature having been reached by means of a visible signal.
• means is also provided to inform the user as to whether the water at the hot water source, such as a hot water cylinder is at the required temperature.
• both a means of generating an audible signal and a visual signal are included.
• the temperature of the water is adjusted by mixing the water in the tap or below the tap.
• the temperature can also be brought to the desired value by adjusting the water temperature at the heat source. This can be carried out by means of a wire linkage to the heat source or by a remote sensing device.
• the above system can be used to ensure that cold water only is allowed to come out of a designated cold tap.
• the water reaching the cold tap can be lukewarm or tepid. This can be quite unpleasant if the water is intended for drinking.
• the cold tap is allowed to run until cold water comes through. This is again wasteful of water and also of the thermal energy in the water.
• the valve 13 can be set to open if the water is above a certain temperature rather than below. Similarly, when the water temperature drops below that value, the signal is given off to alert the user, and the valve 13 is optionally closed automatically.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
• Heat-Pump Type And Storage Water Heaters (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

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ID=48607319

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (2)

Cited By (1)

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Family Cites Families (3)

• 2013
  • 2013-05-22 WO PCT/GB2013/051342 patent/WO2013175210A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2013-05-22 EP EP13728236.4A patent/EP2852711A1/de not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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