GB2088029A

GB2088029A - Domestic hot water unit

Info

Publication number: GB2088029A
Application number: GB8127452A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1980-09-17
Filing date: 1981-09-11
Publication date: 1982-06-03
Also published as: GB2088029B

Abstract

This invention relates to a plumbing unit in which all the plumbing fitments such as a cold water storage tank or a pressure reducing valve, a water heater, with or without a hot water storage tank with all the necessary pipe work and valves related thereto is installed within a kitchen sink unit. The unit may include a pump to pressurise the complete domestic water system. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Plumbing combination unit This invention relates to a plumbing combination unit in which all the plumbing fitments are installed within a single unit which is advantageously a kitchen sink unit. The unit is particularly suitable for use in domestic dwellings.

In conventional domestic plumbing arrangements the individual plumbing elements are installed in various locations within the dwelling which very often leads to a duplication of pipe work and also increases the installation cost.

It is an object of this invention to obviate the difficulties inherent in conventional systems by providing a unit in which these elements are combined.

According to the invention a plumbing unit comprises, in combination, means to reduce the water pressure, a water heater and related pipe work, an inlet for water from a mains water supply, an outlet for hot water and an outlet for cold water.

In the preferred form of the invention a pump is included in the unit which is capable of pumping the water at a predetermined pressure, the means to reduce the water pressure may be either a pressure reducing valve or a cold water storage tank, advantageously provided with a ball valve, and the heater may be either an immersion heater or a hot water boiler preferably with a storage tank for the hot water.

Although the plumbing unit will be capable of use in industrial applications it is primarily intended for domestic applications and the unit may conveniently include a sink or basin and the outside of the unit may be designed to blend in with commercial available kitchen units.

The invention is further described with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a diagrammatic perspective view of a plumbing unit according to the invention.

It will be appreciated that the unit shown in the drawing is merely one example of a number of possible combinations according to the invention.

The unit 10 shown in the drawing includes a mains water inlet 12 which is controlled by a stop cock 14. This is branched to supply the cold water tap 1 6 to the sink and to an inlet 1 8 to the cold water storage tank 20. The tank 20 is provided with an outlet 22 which leads via an automatic pump 24 to a boiler 26 and to the domestic cold water outlet via a pipe 28.

From the boiler 26 the hot water is led to a storage cylinder 30 and from there, via a pipe 32 it is led to the domestic hot water outlet of the unit 10 and to a vent 34 which is provided with an expansion valve 36.

The cold water taps in the house are connected to the cold water outlet at the back of unit 10 while the hot water taps in the house are connected to the hot water outlet at the back of the unit, the cold water tap 38 on the unit itself branching off from the domestic hot water supply pipe 32 inside the unit itself.

The water flow in the unit is as follows: water direct from the mains supplies the kitchen sink cold water tap 1 6 and the cold water storage tank 20 which contains a ball valve. From this supply, the water will be pumped at either 100 Kpa to the basins, baths, showers and toilets as well as pressurising the hot water cylinder, through the boiler 26, which, in turn, will supply the hot water taps.

The hot water cylinder can be direct or indirect and heated either by gas, an immersion heater or a combination of the two, depending on the demand, the boiler 26 shown in the drawing being gas operated or assisted and being provided with a flue 40.

If central heating is required (pressure systems) the appropriate connections will be made at the side of the unit 10. The diagram shows only the pipes and connections for central heating return flow 42, that is flow from the central heating system into the boiler 26 of the unit 10 and the pipe 44 for the hot water flow from the boiler to the system. It will be appreciated that relief valves and the like will need to be provided, which may, of course, be housed within the unit 10. In addition the valves, pressure reducing valves, controls, safety valves and drain plugs normally used in domestic plumbing will be included in the unit 10.

The unit can be connected directly to the mains water supply using a pressure control and relief valve to replace the cold water supply and, if the mains water pressure is sufficient a pressurising pump will not be necessary.

1. A plumbing unit comprising, in combination, means to reduce the water pressure, a water heater, and related pipe work, an inlet for water from a mains water supply, an outlet for heated water and an outlet for cold water.

2. A plumbing unit according to claim 1 which includes a pump capable of pumping the water at a predetermined pressure.

3. A plumbing unit according to either of claims 1 or 2 which includes a hot water storage vessel.

4. A plumbing unit according to any one of the preceding claims in which the means to reduce the water pressure is a pressure reducing valve.

5. A plumbing unit according to any one of the claims 1 to 3 in which the means to reduce the water pressure is a storage tank which is provided with a ball valve.

6. A plumbing unit according to any one of the preceding claims in which the water heater includes an immersion heater.

7. A plumbing unit according to any one of the preceding claims in which the unit is adapted for use in domestic dwellings.

8. A plumbing unit according to any one of the preceding claims which includes a basin, sink or the like.

9. A plumbing unit according to any one of the preceding claims which is adapted for attachment to a central heating system 10.

10. A domestic plumbing system including a

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Plumbing combination unit This invention relates to a plumbing combination unit in which all the plumbing fitments are installed within a single unit which is advantageously a kitchen sink unit. The unit is particularly suitable for use in domestic dwellings. In conventional domestic plumbing arrangements the individual plumbing elements are installed in various locations within the dwelling which very often leads to a duplication of pipe work and also increases the installation cost. It is an object of this invention to obviate the difficulties inherent in conventional systems by providing a unit in which these elements are combined. According to the invention a plumbing unit comprises, in combination, means to reduce the water pressure, a water heater and related pipe work, an inlet for water from a mains water supply, an outlet for hot water and an outlet for cold water. In the preferred form of the invention a pump is included in the unit which is capable of pumping the water at a predetermined pressure, the means to reduce the water pressure may be either a pressure reducing valve or a cold water storage tank, advantageously provided with a ball valve, and the heater may be either an immersion heater or a hot water boiler preferably with a storage tank for the hot water. Although the plumbing unit will be capable of use in industrial applications it is primarily intended for domestic applications and the unit may conveniently include a sink or basin and the outside of the unit may be designed to blend in with commercial available kitchen units. The invention is further described with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a diagrammatic perspective view of a plumbing unit according to the invention. It will be appreciated that the unit shown in the drawing is merely one example of a number of possible combinations according to the invention. The unit 10 shown in the drawing includes a mains water inlet 12 which is controlled by a stop cock 14. This is branched to supply the cold water tap 1 6 to the sink and to an inlet 1 8 to the cold water storage tank 20. The tank 20 is provided with an outlet 22 which leads via an automatic pump 24 to a boiler 26 and to the domestic cold water outlet via a pipe 28. From the boiler 26 the hot water is led to a storage cylinder 30 and from there, via a pipe 32 it is led to the domestic hot water outlet of the unit 10 and to a vent 34 which is provided with an expansion valve 36. The cold water taps in the house are connected to the cold water outlet at the back of unit 10 while the hot water taps in the house are connected to the hot water outlet at the back of the unit, the cold water tap 38 on the unit itself branching off from the domestic hot water supply pipe 32 inside the unit itself. The water flow in the unit is as follows: water direct from the mains supplies the kitchen sink cold water tap 1 6 and the cold water storage tank 20 which contains a ball valve. From this supply, the water will be pumped at either 100 Kpa to the basins, baths, showers and toilets as well as pressurising the hot water cylinder, through the boiler 26, which, in turn, will supply the hot water taps. The hot water cylinder can be direct or indirect and heated either by gas, an immersion heater or a combination of the two, depending on the demand, the boiler 26 shown in the drawing being gas operated or assisted and being provided with a flue 40. If central heating is required (pressure systems) the appropriate connections will be made at the side of the unit 10. The diagram shows only the pipes and connections for central heating return flow 42, that is flow from the central heating system into the boiler 26 of the unit 10 and the pipe 44 for the hot water flow from the boiler to the system. It will be appreciated that relief valves and the like will need to be provided, which may, of course, be housed within the unit 10. In addition the valves, pressure reducing valves, controls, safety valves and drain plugs normally used in domestic plumbing will be included in the unit 10. The unit can be connected directly to the mains water supply using a pressure control and relief valve to replace the cold water supply and, if the mains water pressure is sufficient a pressurising pump will not be necessary. CLAIMS

10. A domestic plumbing system including a plumbing unit according to any one of the preceding claims.

11. A plumbing unit substantially as described in this specification with reference to the accompanying drawing.

12. A domestic plumbing system substantially as described in this specification with reference to the accompanying drawing.