GB2269417A

GB2269417A - Augmented domestic water system

Info

Publication number: GB2269417A
Application number: GB9216836A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Francis Barlow
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-08-07
Filing date: 1992-08-07
Publication date: 1994-02-09
Also published as: GB9216836D0

Abstract

A domestic water system 12 comprises a conventional header tank 14 with a mains cold water supply 16 controlled by a ball cock 18. A tank 24 is provided which is fed from the outlets of a washing machine 28 and bath 30. A submersible pump is located in the tank 24 for pumping water to the header tank 14 for subsequent re-use in a hot water tank 52 and toilet. <IMAGE>

Description

Water Conservation This invention relates to a method of conserving water and also a domestic water system for use in conserving water.

In recent years much of England has experienced unprecedented drought conditions. Also, such conditions are commonplace in other parts of the world. When such conditions are experienced it is necessary to conserve water. In domestic situations much water is usually thrown away when it is only mildly dirty and is not heavily soiled. This is obviously very wasteful.

According to the present invention there is provided a domestic water system, the system comprising means for collecting used water from one or more first water using processes, and means for supplying said used water to one or more second water using processes.

The system preferably comprises means for storing said used water prior to supplying to said second processes.

The storing means may comprise a water tank, which may be locatable underground.

Pump means may be provided for pumping said used water to the or each second process. The pump means may be locatable within the storing means, preferably submerged in the used water, and desirably submerged at a required relatively small distance below the surface of the water.

Means for filtering the used water may be provided, and the filtering means may filter the used water at any of: prior to entering the storing means; in the storing means; or between the storing means and the or each second process. The filter-ing means may comprise a filter located in the storing means through which the used water passes upon entering the storing means.

The system may comprise a header tank connected to the storing means. The pump means is preferably selectively operable to pump used water from the storing means to the header tank when the latter is not full.

The pump means may be operable by a ball cock in the header tank which contacts a switch to turn off the pump means when the header tank is full. A mains water supply is preferably also provided for the header tank.

The first water using process may comprise a bath and/or a washing machine. Rain water may also be supplied to the storing means. The second water using process may comprise a hot water system and/or a toilet cistern.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of conserving water, the method comprising collecting used water from one or more first domestic water using processes and re-using said water in one or more second domestic water using processes.

The method preferably comprises using apparatus according to any of the preceding seven paragraphs.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic partially cut-away view of a house with a water system according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic layout of part of the system of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of part of the apparatus used in the system of Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is a side view of a further part of the apparatus used in the system of Fig. 1.

The drawings show a house 10 with a water system 12. The system 12 comprises a conventional header tank 14 located in a standard position such as in the loft.

A mains cold water supply 16 leads from the ground to the tank 14, and the supply of cold water into the tank 14 is controlled by a convention ball cock 18 located on the tank 14. A branch 20 extends from the supply 16 and leads to e.g. the bath and hand wash basins. Obviously other branches can be provided as is required. A stop cock 22 is provided in the supply 16 between the branch 20 and the tank 14. The stop cock 22 may be operable for example from the bathroom.

A tank 24, which is shown in most detail in Fig.

3, is located underground in the garden. A supply pipe 26 extends into an upper part of the tank 24. The pipe 26 connects with the outlets of, for example, a washing machine 28 and bath 30.

A submersible pump 32, which will be described in more detail below, is provided in the tank 24. The pump 32 connects via flexible tubing 34 to two outlet pipes 36,38. A first of the pipes 36 connects to a manhole cover 40 or the like and is usable when emptying the tank 24 for maintenance or cleaning purposes. The other outlet pipe 38 extends into the house 10 and leads upwardly to the header tank 14. A further ball cock 42 is provided on the end of the pipe 38 leading into the tank 14. The ball cock 42 is best seen in Fig. 4. The ball cock 42 is of conventional construction but also includes an electrical pressure switch 44 which is pressed when the ball is uppermost when closing the ball cock 42. The switch 44 is connected via a cable 46, which extends essentially parallel to the pipe 38, to the pump 32.The pump 32 is so connected that unless the ball cock 42 is fully closed the pump 32 will run pumping water from the tank 24 up the pipe 38 into the header tank 14. A switch and/or overload facility 48 may be provided in the cable 46.

A further pipe 50 extends downwardly from the tank 14 in a conventional manner to supply water to a hot water tank 52. A branch pipe 54 extends off the pipe 50 and leads to the toilet.

The tank 24 is of generally cylindrical configuration and has a removable lid 56. The supply pipe 26 enters an upper part thereof. An overflow pipe 58 also extends from an upper part of the tank 24. A main filter 60 extends across the tank 24 below the pipes 26,58. The filter 60 may be of any suitable type and preferably is of a type to remove soap from the water. Further filters (not shown) may be provided, and these may be located within or along the route of the pipe 38. The pump 32 is mounted below a float 62 so as to be submerged a short distance below the surface of water in the tank 24. This ensures that the pump collects the generally cleanest water in the tank 24 leaving solid material at the bottom of the tank 24.

The cable 46 extends through the float 62 into the pump 32.

In use, when the washing machine 28 or bath 30 is used the water discharged therefrom flows through the pipe 26 and into the tank 24 passing through the filter 60. The water from the tank 24 is pumped by the pump 32 up the pipe 38 into the header tank 14 as and when required. This once used water is then further used in the toilet and hot water system by passing through the pipe 50 into the tank 53 or through branch pipe 54. If there is not sufficient water in the tank 24 then fresh mains water can be supplied through the pipe 16 by opening the tap 22.

There is thus described a relatively simple apparatus and method for conserving water in a domestic situation. This enables the re-use of only slightly soiled water in processes where fresh water is not required. The apparatus is of relatively simple construction and can thus be inexpensively and robustly manufactured. If required water could be taken from and supplied to many other processes. Also rain water could be directed into the tank 24 for re-use.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The apparatus used can take many different forms and many different arrangements of pipework could be used.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

Claiins : -

1. A domestic water system, the system comprising means for collecting used water from one or more first water using processes, and means for supplying said used water to one or more second water using processes.

2. A system according to claim 1, in which means for storing said used water prior to supplying to said second processes are provided.

3. A system according to claim 2, in which the storing means comprises a water tank.

4. A system according to claims 2 or 3, in which the storing means is locatable underground.

5. A system according to any of claims 2 to 4, in which pump means are provided for pumping said used water to the or each second process.

6. A system according to claim 5, in which the pump means are locatable within the storing means.

7. A system according to claim 6, in which the pump means are locatable submerged in the used water.

8. A system according to claim 7, in which the pump means are locatable submerged at a required relatively small distance below the surface of the water.

9. A system according to any of the preceding claims, in which means for filtering the used water are provided.

10. A system according to claim 9 when dependent on any of claims 2 to 8, in which the filtering means filters the used water at any of: prior to entering the storing means; in the storing means; or between the storing means and the or each second process.

11. A system according to claim 10, in which the filtering means comprises a filter located in the storing means through which the used water passes upon entering the storing means.

12. A system according to claim 2 or any of claims 3 to 11 when dependent on claims 2, in which a header tank connected to the storing means is provided.

13. A system according to claim 12 when dependent on at least claim 5, in which the pump means is selectively operable to pump used water from the storing means to the header tank when the latter is not full.

14. A system according to claim 13, in which the pump means is operable by a ball cock in the header tank which contacts a switch to turn off the pump means when the header tank is full.

15. A system according to claims 13 or.14, in which a mains water supply is also provided for the header tank.

16. A system according to any of the preceding claims, in which the first water using process comprises a bath and/or a washing machine.

17. A system according to any of the preceding claims, in which the second water using proces comprises a hot water system and/or a toilet cistern.

18. A system according to claim 2 or any of claims 3 to 17 when dependent on claim 2, in which rain water is also supplied to the storing means.

19. A method of conserving water, the method comprising collecting used water from one or more first domestic water using processes and re-using said water in one or more second domestic water using processes.

28. A method according to claim 19, in which the first water using process comprises a bath and/or a washing machine.

21. A method according to claims 19 or 20, in which the second water using process comprises a hot water system and/or a toilet cistern.

22. A method according to any of claims 19 to 21, in which the method comprises using apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 18.

23. A domestic water system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

24. A method of conserving water substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

25. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed in the foregoing specification or claims and/or shown in the drawings, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.