ES2219198A1 - Running water saving installation, has control device located in common point of cold and hot water circuits such that control device is operated by user to allow passage of water from hot water circuit to cold water circuit - Google Patents

Abstract

The installation has a cold water circuit operated in pressure smaller than pressure of a hot water circuit. A control device is located in a common point of the cold and hot water circuits such that the control device is operated by a user to allow passage of water from the hot water circuit to the cold water circuit based on temperature determined by a temperature-sensitive part.

Description

Installation and procedure for saving Water.

The present invention is intended to give Know an installation and a procedure to save water.

The present invention is intended to increase water saving and comfort, especially in facilities running water consumption that have hot water circuits and cold water and common consumption points for both circuits

This type of installation is present, by example, in modern homes, which currently have, in their whole, hot sanitary water.

In these facilities, when the user request hot water at a point of consumption, usually the tap, you must wait a certain time until the temperature of the water leaving the point of consumption reaches the temperature required This is inconvenient, because contact with water cold is always annoying, especially in the case of babies and children of young age. Therefore, water is usually released through the consumption point until it reaches the temperature required by the user. This implies an unnecessary waste of water, at a time when the one that the authorities concern about saving Water is very big.

The present invention aims at following:

- Have hot water without contact with cold water

- Achieve significant water savings

- Contribute to environmental policy current.

All this with means that involve an investment minimum in relation to the savings and the comfort that it entails.

To achieve these objectives, this invention consists of a procedure for saving water in drinking water installations of the type comprising cold water and hot water circuits and at least one point of common consumption, which includes a transfer of water from the circuit of hot water to the cold water circuit before hot water consumption, during a time such that, at the end of the transfer, hot water circuit water at the point of consumption has the required temperature. This way you get Increase the comfort of the installation. The water transferred to cold water circuit may be used later, thus achieving a remarkable water saving.

Preferably, the subsequent use of the water transferred to the cold water circuit will comprise an intermediate storage and a subsequent transfer of the stored water to a consumption point of the installation through the own
installation.

Similarly, the present invention consists of a installation of running water consumption, of the type comprising cold water and hot water circuits and at least one point of common consumption for both circuits, characterized:

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because the circuit of cold water operates at a lower pressure than the water circuit hot,

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for at least one device located at a common consumption point for circuits of hot and cold water, which includes an operable control by the user that allows water to pass through the water circuit heat the cold water circuit and a device that determines, by means sensitive to temperature, the time during which both circuits communicate, and

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by situated means in the cold water circuit for the evacuation of the water volume coming from the hot water circuit, comprising said means an intermediate storage warehouse.

In preferred embodiments, there will be available means that allow the reuse of water from the tank intermediate through installation, when consumption occurs in it, returning stored water to the circuits of water for consumption at points of consumption.

Preferably, the evacuation means they will include devices for closing the water inlet to cold water circuit, and opening of the evacuation mechanism, and Pressure sensitive means of the cold water circuit.

Preferably, said evacuation means they will include means sensitive to the time that regulate the time of opening and closing of said opening devices of the evacuation and closing mechanism of the cold water circuit.

In preferred embodiments, the means time-sensitive will comprise a timer whose time of Performance is determined during installation.

Preferred embodiments will be characterized also by having means that disable said mechanism water reuse when the water evacuation mechanism It is in operation.

Also, preferred embodiments of said device located at the points of consumption will be characterized by be attachable to faucets known in the market.

The communication time between the circuit hot and cold water will be determined by means sensitive to temperature, or it will be fixed, being regulated during the device installation.

For better compression, it is attached as explanatory but not limiting example some drawings of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 is a diagram of an installation of water consumption according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of a water saving device, according to the present invention, coupled to a tap for hot and cold water.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the device of figure 2, where the internal elements are observed of the water saving device and its connection to the circuit water and with the tap.

The present invention is based on an installation of consumption of running water of known type than in the particular case of the example shown in figure 1 corresponds to an installation of running water of a house, of known type, composed of a first common section (1) that as seen in figure 1, In this case, it presents a cutting key (19) and a regulator of the installation pressure (20), a hot water circuit (2) with boiler system (22), a cold water circuit (3) and at least a consumption point (4), in this case a tap for cold water and hot.

Characteristic of the present invention, the tap (4) has a device (5) that can be operated by the user. In the example shown in figure 2, the device drive is made by means of a button (6) provided with a spring.

The installation object of the present invention It is also characterized in that the cold water circuit (3) operates at a pressure lower than that of the hot water circuit (2). In the case of the particular embodiment shown in figure 1, this is achieved by a pressure regulator (7) located at the beginning of the cold water circuit (3). Also characteristically, the cold water circuit (3) has means to evacuate the volume of water that can come through the device (5), to which it is made reference in figure 1 with numeral (8). Said device Start-up means must be provided when the device (5) allow a volume from the hot water circuit (2) Enter the cold water circuit (3). In the example shown, this is achieved by two solenoid valves (9), (9 ') that simultaneously open the device (8) and close the entrance of cold water to the circuit (3), said solenoid valves (9), (9 ') governed by a pressure sensitive mechanism (10), for example a pressure switch

Preferably, the present invention provides that the evacuation device includes a deposit intermediate (11). In the example shown, the intermediate tank (11) it also has a level (15) to indicate an excess or a defect of filling the device (11). A typical capacity value of cited deposit (11) for use in homes is 50 liters approximately.

Also preferably, the present invention provides that the water stored in the intermediate tank (11) be reused through the consumption facility itself of water by means of a device, referred to in the Figure 1 with numeral (12), and connecting the intermediate tank With the installation of water. In the example shown, the device (12) It comprises a pump (13) for supplying water from the tank (11) to the circuit (3), which is governed by a pressure switch (14), The reuse device (12) also has a valve non-return (16) that prevents filling of the tank through the water reuse device. In the example shown and to achieve perfect coordination between the devices of evacuation (8) and reuse (12), a timer (17) and a relay (18) in the installation.

Figure 2 shows a particular embodiment of the device (5). In this particular embodiment, the device (5) can be attached to any tap (4) of those existing in the market through standard fittings or connections (22), (22 '). The set is covered by a trim cover (21) from which only the control (6) stands out, which in the present example It consists of a button operated by a spring. If the button is operated (6) the device (5) contacts the water circuits hot and cold water for a time determined by the media temperature sensitive available, for example a spring heat sensitive When the water coming from the water circuit hot (2) reaches the required temperature, the device leaves to communicate the hot water (2) and cold (3) circuits and allows the water outlet through the point of consumption (4). If particular of the embodiment shown, the button (6) jumps again to its initial position when the hot water temperature reaches the required temperature, indicating to the user that already It has hot water. A typical required temperature value for installation of water consumption in homes is 38ºC.

The process according to the invention is characterized by understanding the steps of water transfer from the hot water circuit (2) to the water circuit cold (3) before the consumption of hot water and a subsequent use of the volume of water transferred to the water circuit cold (3). Said use preferably comprises a storage and a subsequent transfer to a point of consumption of the installation through the water circuits.

As detailed below, the installation of the example shown implements the step of water transfer from the hot water circuit (2) to the cold water circuit (3) by using the device savings (5) located at the points of consumption, performs the storage by operating the device evacuation (8) and achieves the aforementioned transfer of stored water by means of the reuse device (12).

When the user requires hot water, will activate the device (5), which in the case of the example, will get by pressing the button (6). The device (5) will allow the passage from the hot water circuit (2) to the cold water circuit (3) during time marked by the temperature sensitive mechanisms of the device (5).

The operation of the evacuation device (8) of the example is as follows. When communicating water circuits hot (2) and cold water (3) there is an increase in pressure of the cold water circuit (3). This increase in pressure triggers the pressure switch (10) which in turn activates, through the timer (17), the evacuation device (8) opening the solenoid valve (9) of intermediate tank inlet (11) and closing the solenoid valve (9 ') water inlet to the cold water circuit (3). In addition, to through the relay (18) of the evacuation device (8), disconnect the reuse means (12), disabling the pressure switch signal (14). This circuit situation is maintained. for a time determined by the timer (17). Time determined by the timer may, for example, be fixed, determined during the installation of circuits (2) and (3) of such that the determined time is greater than the time that take the water coming from the hot water circuit (2) in reach the required temperature at the farthest point of consumption. As a variant, it will be possible to make the duration of said situation of temperature sensitive mechanisms, or pressure at a certain point of the water circuit, or even of the position of the button (6).

The operation of the device Reuse (12) is as follows. When requesting cold water from circuit (3) through the point of consumption (4), the opening of the tap (4) causes a pressure drop in the circuit (3), which actuates the pressure switch (14). The signal from the pressure switch (14) starts the pump (13), which carries water from the tank (11) to the cold water circuit (3). When the tap (4) closes, the pump (13) causes an increase in circuit pressure (3), which returns to produce a signal from the pressure switch (14) that stops the pump (13). The pressure level of the pressure switch (14) must be lower than the pressure switch (10). In another preferred embodiment, the Pump operation (13) may also be governed by a signal from the level (15) of the intermediate tank (11), of such that the pump (13) is prevented from functioning if the reservoir (11) does not have a certain level of water required.

There are numerous variants of the examples here shown to fall within the present invention. So by for example, the evacuation means (8) may include a pump of tank filling (11), whose operation will be governed by means of the pressure switch (10) in a manner similar to how the valve (9) in the example shown. This way you will get a higher water transfer speed of the water circuit hot (2) to the cold water circuit (3). It will also be possible use the tank drain pump (13) for this purpose (11). In this case, a system of solenoid valves governed through the pressure switches (10) and) 14) will be installed at the entrance and exit of the pump (13), so that the pump (13) is achieved fill the intermediate tank (11), or empty it, as require hot water or cold water, respectively, at the point of consumption (4). In another variant the installation may present the pressure switches (10) and (14) in the same device, likewise, the valves (9) and (9 ') may be replaced by a three-way valve performing the same function. The time determined in the example shown by the timer (17) could alternatively be determined by the operation of the device (5), or by the pressure or temperature of a cold water circuit point (3), such that the time during which the device is activated evacuation (8) and the reuse device is disabled (12) match the communication time between the circuits of hot water (2) and cold water (3). Other embodiments may dispense with the relay (18), and even the timer (17). Other possible variation is to connect the device reuse (12) between the intermediate tank (11) and the entrance to the hot water circuit (2). It will also be possible, for example, dispense with the reuse device (12), or even also of the intermediate tank (11). In this case, the device evacuation (8) may be reduced to an opening valve all-nothing commanded by pressure, so that open when the cold water circuit pressure (3) rises to the pressure level of the hot water circuit (4), performing the water reuse in another circuit or application. On the other hand, The invention is not limited to the individual installation shown in the figure, being able to apply the installation, for example, to installations in homes that have sanitary hot water centralized, or even to installations of buildings with circuits centralized hot and cold water.

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It will also be possible for the device (5) located at the point of consumption to have controls, of known type, to regulate the required hot water temperature. It will also be possible to have different configurations than those shown, in particular it will be possible to be integrated and form a set with a tap (4). It will also be possible to generate other known types of visual or audible signals to warn the user, when the temperature at the point of consumption (4) reaches the temperature

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Everything that does not affect, alter, change or modify the essence of the installation and the procedure described, will be variable for the purposes of this
invention.

Claims (16)

1. Installation of running water consumption, of the type comprising cold water and hot water circuits and at least one common consumption point for both circuits, characterized :

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because the circuit of cold water operates at a lower pressure than the water circuit hot,

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for at least one device located at a common consumption point for circuits of hot and cold water, which comprises a control that can be operated by the user that allows the passage of water from the hot water circuit to the cold water circuit and a device that determines, by temperature sensitive media, the time during which communicate both circuits, and

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by situated means in the cold water circuit for the evacuation of the water volume coming from the hot water circuit, comprising said means an intermediate storage warehouse.

2. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the tank has at least one level to detect a low level of filling and its capacity is approximately 50 liters. 3. Installation of running water, according to claims 1 or 2, characterized by having means that allow the reuse of water from the intermediate tank through the installation, when there is a consumption in it, returning the stored water to the water circuits for consumption at points of consumption. 4. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pressure difference between the hot water circuit and the cold water circuit is caused by a pressure regulator located in the cold water circuit. 5. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the evacuation means comprise devices for closing the cold water inlet to the cold water circuit, and opening the evacuation mechanism, and pressure sensitive means of the cold water circuit 6. Installation according to claim 5, characterized in that the evacuation means comprise time-sensitive means that regulate the opening and closing time of said opening devices of the evacuation mechanism and closing of the cold water circuit. 7. Installation according to claim 6, characterized in that the time-sensitive means comprise a timer whose actuation time is determined during installation. 8. Installation according to any of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the means for reusing water from the intermediate tank comprise a pump to bring water from the intermediate tank back to the installation, a non-return valve to prevent the passage of water from the circuit to the intermediate tank and pressure sensitive means that govern the start-up and stop of the

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9. Installation according to claim 8, characterized in that the reuse means connect the intermediate tank with the cold water circuit. 10. Installation according to claims 8 or 9, characterized by having means sensitive to the level of the tank that prevent the pump from starting when the tank does not reach a required safety level. 11. Installation according to any of claims 3 to 10, characterized by having means that disable said water reuse mechanism when the water evacuation mechanism is in operation. 12. Installation according to claim 11, characterized in that said means which disable the reuse mechanism comprise a relay. 13. Installation according to any of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the temperature sensitive means of said device located at a common consumption point for hot and cold water circuits comprise a spring
heat sensitive 14. Installation, according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that said device located at a common consumption point for hot and cold water circuits comprises connections that allow it to be coupled to the faucets known in the market. 15. Procedure for saving water in drinking water installations of the type comprising cold water and hot water circuits and at least one point of common consumption, which includes a transfer of water from from the hot water circuit to the cold water circuit with prior to the consumption of hot water, during a time such that at the end of the transfer the hot circuit water in the consumption point has the temperature required for its consumption, and a subsequent use of the volume of water transferred to cold water circuit 16. The method for saving water, according to claim 15, characterized in that the use of the water transferred to the circuit comprises the intermediate storage steps and subsequent transfer to a consumption point of the installation through the water circuits.