WO2016099247A1

WO2016099247A1 - Water-saving system using an automatic recirculation valve

Info

Publication number: WO2016099247A1
Application number: PCT/MX2015/000220
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hugo Iván SALAZAR UGARTE; Santiago Israel RODRIGUEZ OLGUIN
Original assignee: Inventure & Co, S.A. De C.V.
Priority date: 2014-12-18
Filing date: 2015-12-18
Publication date: 2016-06-23
Also published as: MX2014015777A

Abstract

The invention relates to a water-saving system using an automatic recirculation valve that connects the hot water pipe to the cold water pipe, comprising: a button (1) that opens a communication gate (15) between the two pipes; a thermo-element (2) which releases the button when the hot water arrives at the valve; a lock plate (3) which maintains the button actuated as the hot water arrives at the valve; a reception chamber (17) which connects the valve to the hot water pipe and which stores hot water in order to allow time for the operation of the aforementioned thermo-element (2); and an outlet chamber (18) which is a complementary space to the reception chamber (17) for the storage of water and which connects the valve to the cold water pipe. The valve includes a remote activation/deactivation transmitter which transmits a signal to a pump installed in the heater-feed pipe in order to start/stop the recirculation cycle.

Description

WATER SAVING SYSTEM BY AUTOMATIC VALVE OF

RECIRCULATION

CAIVIPO OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system for saving water, by the recirculation of! cold water that is contained between the heater and the keys of showers and sinks and that is traditionally allowed to run while waiting for hot water to reach the shower or sink. This system communicates the cold water pipes with the hot water pipes and returns the water through the same pipe, without leaving it, directly to the heater and is used in any installation that supplies hot water by means of üaves mixing either traditional systems of two keys or mono-command systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION!

At present, the üaves pass systems and water mixers (such as shower heads and sinks) are built to allow the mixing of cold water with hot water once the latter has reached from the heater to the shower or sink. The problem lies in the fact that the cold water that is stored in the pipe, between the heater and the shower or sink, for example, must be left running, while the hot water reaches the mixer in the shower or sink.

The options that have been proposed so far to recirculate the water or repel it and take advantage of it in other sanitary facilities, require installation work that involves modifications in the constructions or integrating deposits and equipment of storage which limits the possibility that most households and businesses consider the alternative for e! Just to save water.

Similarly, the existing recircuation alternatives that do not require installation work in construction such as the timed pumping system (of the type of the brand! Grundfos), the activation by remote control (of the type of the Eco- trademark Care) or the automatic hot water release (of the type of the Aqua Return brand) consider incorporating a bypass system (or recirculation pump itself) in the sink hoses farthest from the heater using a pump of recirculation that is activated by the effect of a timer or when opening the key! hot water in the sink and that makes e! hot water to the sink that has the bypass or bypass system. However, this model has several drawbacks such as the fact that the hot water reaches the last bath even when the one to be used is the closest to the heater, which implies an extra energy expenditure and also that the hot water passes down the center pipe! but it does not go directly to the shower that is being used so that the cold water that is still between the central pipe and the shower is still wasted. Another drawback is the fact that it is necessary to connect the pump to a source of electrical energy that must be close to the installation point as well as the fact that it is "always open" systems that maintain the possibility that the pipes remain permanently connected which It is difficult to regulate the temperature because the water is mixed from the "bypass" before reaching the mixer.

In the case of new constructions, the current alternatives are to install a hot water pipe independent of the cold water pipe such as chains of hotels from a third return pipe that requires the use of around 50% extra pipe for each sanitary installation in order to keep the hot water constantly circulating, returning the water that is cooling towards the heater, which in addition to complicating The system with materials that remain encapsulated in the construction making access difficult for any modification, maintenance or repair, also increases the cost of installation. include an extraordinary amount of pipe and is not energy efficient because it keeps the hot water circulating permanently even when it is not going to be used.

All this limits the developers to consider the option,

Patent application MX / a / 2ü 12/011441 (PCT X2013 / 000115), by Hugo Íván Salazar ligarte, of international publication date 04/10/2014, called "Water recirculation system between hot water and water pipes cold ", describes a system that allows to avoid the waste of cold water that is allowed to run while waiting for hot water to reach from the heater to the showers, where the system comprises an extension element, a split nut, a complementary recirculation chamber, a connection between the cold water and hot water lines or valves controlled with a passage valve that, if opened, allows the flow of water from the hot water pipe to the cold water circuit to carry carry out the recirculation of the water until the hot water reaches the mixer and thus avoid wasting water, where the bypass valve can be operated manually or semi-automatically, with the Use of a pump that is automatically operated to send the water from the hot water circuit to the cold water circuit. In said application, the kií is described and protected to create the water-saving system comprising, from at least one extension element to create a flow diversion between the mixing valve keys, a split nut, at least one complementary chamber of recsrculation and at least one means of connection.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

It is an objective of the present invention to help solve problems related to the waste of cold water that is allowed to run while waiting for hot water to reach from the heater to the showers.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a recirculation system that communicates the hot and cold water pipes to achieve a bypass or bypass directly from the installation of the showers or sinks without the need to install a complementary pipe of return or make special electrical connections.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide an automatic valve element that opens and closes the communication between the hot and cold water pipes and which has a gate element that is kept closed and prevents communication between the two water pipes and that when the device is operated and the gate is opened, then the communication between the pipes is allowed while the water circulates back to the heater, it also has a thermal element that is activated when the hot water reaches the valve and serves to release the valve lock and a spring element that closes the valve automatically. Another objective of this system is to keep the communication between the two pipes permanently blocked and only allows the communication gate or valve to open when the e! mechanism so that the cold water contained in the hot water pipe passes, directly through the cold water pipe back to the water heater (boSier) and as soon as the hot water arrives at the thermal device and ¡or actuated, the communication between the pipes is closed again until it is required to use it again.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication system between the recirculation valve that is mounted on the shower or the sink and the recircuation pump that is mounted on the heater supply line and that is integrated with an element remote signal to operate the recirculation pump, a recirculation pump and a remote switch element that turns the pump on and off when it receives the signal from the remote signal element.

A further objective of the present invention is to use a single pump that is installed in the cold water supply pipe of the heater, specifically where the water pipe is connected to the heater which allows, independently of the point at which Momentary communication occurs between the hot and cold water pipes, the water can always be sent specifically to the point where the communication occurs.

Similarly, this system allows a more efficient and economical infrastructure with a single pump that serves the entire system. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present system is especially focused on being used as a complementary system to the existing pass-through systems and water mixers of sprinklers and iavabos, as well as in piping installation systems that feed water in new constructions, this system is integrated of a module that incorporates a valve that can be produced with the same infrastructure with which the existing parts are produced and with a simple configuration of production and assembly line, so that the system is it installs, for new constructions, in the water outlets that were previously mounted during the construction by means of a "T" of diversion, in the single-key systems it is connected by means of the diversion and connection element that is installed in the body of the mixing valve of the key and in the systems of two traditional keys it is connected by means of the chambers of location and connection installed on the recessed elements of the mixer keys. Thus, the present invention refers to a system for saving water, by recirculating the cold water that is contained between the heater and the shower and / or washbasin faucets and which consists in providing an automatic valve element that opens or closes the communication between the hot water and cold water pipes and that has a safety element for the water that keeps it open while the water circulates back through the circuit to the heater by means of a recirculation pump that is mounted on the supply pipe of the heater and which is integrated with a remote signal element to operate it, a thermal element to release the valve lock and a spring element that automatically closes the valve and a wireless communication system between the recirculation valve that is mounted on the shower or the sink and bom

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 is a top view of the valve (A) in which the button (1) the release thermoset (2) the locking plate (3) the insertion edge of the locking plate (4) is identified the hot water inlet port (5) the cold water relief port (6) on the transmitter switch (7) and on / off transmitter (8).

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the Sa valve (A) in which the different internal elements are identified as the button (1), release thermocouple (2), blocking point (3), edge of Biochecking plate insert (4), hot water inlet port (5), cold water relief port (6), button shaft (9), gate plunger (10), magnet (11), slot lock (12), button lock spring (13), piston spring (14), communication gate (15), gate stop (16), reception chamber (17), exit chamber (18) and the gate chamber (19).

Figure 3 is a diagram of the installation of the valve (A) object of the present invention, in the pipeline of a new construction.

Figure 4 is a diagram of the installation of the valve (A) object of the present invention, in a traditional two-key mixer system.

Figure 5 is a diagram of the installation of the valve (A) object of the present invention, in a single lever mixer system.

Figure 6 is a view of the complete recirculation circuit showing the water storage tank (Tq), the pump (B) with its remote switch (! R), the cold water supply pipe (TAF), the hot water pipe (TAC), the heater (C) and the valve (A) installed in the pipeline of a new construction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As illustrated in Figure 1, the present invention relates to a valve system comprising a valve (A) that can be produced in metal, plastic or resin among other materials; by processes of molding, casting, injection, stamping or machining among others that may vary if it affects e! scope of this patent and in which a button (1) is integrated that a! actuated allows the flow of water between the hot water and cold water pipes, an iiberation thermoelement (2) that, upon arrival of the hot water, closes the system and cancels the water flow, a blocking plate (3), an edge of insertion of the blocking plate (4), a hot water inlet port (5), a cold water relief port (8), a transmitter switch (7), an activation / deactivation transmitter (8) that when the button is pressed, it sends a signal! to the remote pump switch (IR) to turn it on or off when the button is deactivated.

With support in Figures 1, 2 and 6, said valve system is comprised of a valve that has a hot water inlet port (5) which is an area of connection to the hot water pipe through which the water that is pushed, from the heater (C), by the pump (B) and that when the water enters, it is directly with the back of the release thermoelement (2) that will begin to act as soon as the hot water reaches the device.

The button (1) is the element that activates the system and houses inside the magnet (11) that when it is aligned with the transmitter switch (7) activates it and it sends the signal to the remote pump switch (IR) that keeps it on for as long as the device is in operation mode and when the button (1) is released, the magnet will misalign the transmitter switch (7) which interrupts the signal sent by the on / off transmitter (8) by deactivating the pump (B).

With support in Figures 1 and 2, the button (1) is integrated from an axis (9) that joins the button with the gate plunger (10) that keeps the communication gate (15) of the cameras locked when the button (1) is released and the gate piston (10) is pressed against the gate stop (18) by the piston spring (14). Thus, when the button (1) is pressed and locked by the action of the locking plate (3), the piston spring (14) is compressed and the gate piston (10) is separated from the stopper of the gate ( 16) allowing the passage of water from the receiving chamber (17) to the outlet chamber (18) and from there through the cold water pipe, back to the heater (C). As indicated, for the purpose of a better description of the communication system, reference is made to the illustrated mode of a button but which can also be integrated by a ball valve or any other mechanism that allows to open and close the water flow without this affects the scope of this patent.

For its correct operation, the present system keeps the communication between the two water pipes permanently blocked and only the communication gate (15) is opened when the mechanism is actuated by pressing button (1) with e! so that the cold water that is contained in the hot water pipe (TAC) passes directly through the cold water pipe (TAF) back to the water heater (C) and as soon as the hot water arrives at the thermoset of release (2) and So actua, the communication between the water pipes is closed again until it is required to use it again. The valve (A) has a locking plate (3) that keeps the button locked by moving its insertion edge of the locking plate (4) into the groove of the lock (12) by action of the button lock spring (13) that maintains pressure in the opposite direction to the displacement of the release thermoset (2) and that allows e! insertion edge of the locking plate (4) moves into the locking groove (12) when it is aligned with the insertion edge of the locking plate (4) and prevents the plunger spring (14 ) move up the button (1) keeping the communication of the hot and cold water pipes open.

The blocking plate (3) receives the action of the release thermoset (2) that as soon as the hot water reaches the valve body (A) through the hot water inlet port (5), it generates a pressure opposite to the lock spring action of! button (13) which releases the button (1) when the insertion edge of the locking plate (4) moves out of the locking slot (12) allowing the piston spring (14) to push the button (1). For a better description, a thermal element is shown that works when the material contained inside is expanded by the action of heat but an element that works by deformation of a bimeta can also be used! or any other that reacts physically to an increase in temperature without affecting the scope of this patent,

It is a characteristic of the proposed system that the release thermo-element (2) that is used in the device, does not close the communication between the water pipes by itself nor is it used to bioqueate the water flow directly but is used to actuate the locking plate (3) and release the button (1) that keeps the communication between the water pipes open through the gate plunger (10). When the locking plate (3) is actuated by the release thermoset (2) the button (1) is released which allows the gate piston (10) to biocheck the communication between the pipes. The valve body (A) has a hot water inlet port (5) through which the water coming from the heater (C) enters the reception chamber (17) that stores a quantity of water with e ! in order to compensate for the time it takes for the release thermoelement (2) to operate the locking plate (3) long enough to release the button (1) and thus decrease the amount of hot water that passes to the cold water pipe while deactivate the system Water passes from! To the reception chamber (17) through the gate chamber (19) which is e! space in which the plunger of the gate (10) moves, towards the exit chamber (18) which is a complementary space to the reception chamber to store more water momentarily while the release thermoelement (2) finishes its displacement and release the button (1) by closing the communication gate (15) and deactivating the on / off transmitter (8).

The valve body (A) has a cold water relief port (8) that connects the valve body (A) to the cold water pipe allowing it to return to the heater. When the water leaves the valve body (A), it enters the cold water pipe and is pushed by the pump (B) back to the heater (C) to restart the cycle.

The present invention is proposed as a complement to the pipe installations that feed the sprinklers with water in the new constructions in the installations with single lever and in the installations with two traditional keys.

As illustrated in Figure 3, the valve (A) is installed in the new constructions, connecting to water outlets (S) that were previously mounted during construction by means of a "T" deviation (T) and communicates the hot water pipe (TAC) with the cold water pipe (TAF) directly from the pipes. As illustrated in Figure 4, the valve (A) is installed in Sos traditional two-key systems and is connected by means of the deflection and connection chambers (CDC) that are installed on Sos elements of the mixer keys and allow the communication between the hot water pipe (TAC) and the cold water pipe (TAF).

As illustrated in Figure 5, the valve (A) is installed in a single lever mixer system connected by means of a diverting and connecting element (EDC) through its bypass channels (CD) and installed Jan! Sa body mixing valve of the faucet and allows communication between the hot water pipe (TAC) and the cold water pipe (TAF),

As illustrated in Figure 6, the system incorporates a pump (B) with its remote switch (IR) that is installed in the cold water supply pipe (TAF) of the heater (C) and that pushes the water through the pipe of hot water (TAC) to pass through the valve (A) and return through the cold water pipe (TAF) to the heater (C) fulfilling the purpose of recirculation.

In support of Figures 1, 2 and 6 the activation / deactivation transmitter (8) integrates with the remote pump switch (IR) a remote communication system that operates when the activation / deactivation transmitter (8) sends a signal to activate the pump (B) and start the recirculation cycle when button (1) is activated and end the recirculation cycle when button (1) is released. With support in Figures 1, 2 and 6, the system incorporates a pump (B) of low power and low power consumption that is installed in the cold water pipe (TAF) that feeds the heater (C) and that It is activated by the signal it receives at a remote switch (IR), from the on / off transmitter (8).

Claims

EIVlNDfCACIO EN Having described my invention sufficiently, I consider it as a novelty and therefore I claim my exclusive property, what is contained in the following claims:

1. An automatic water saving recirculation valve system that connects the hot water pipe (TAC) with the cold water pipe (TAF) characterized in that it comprises:

a) A button (1) that opens a communication gate (15);

b) A release thermoelement (2) that releases the button (1) when the hot water reaches the valve (A);

c) A locking plate (3) that keeps the button (1) activated while e! hot water reaches the valve (A);

d) A hot water inlet port (5) that communicates with a receiving chamber (17) that stores hot water to allow time for operation of the release thermoelement (2);

e) A communication gate (15) that opens when the button (1) is actuated and communicates the reception chamber (17) with the output chamber (18);

f) An outlet chamber (18) that complements the water storage of the receiving chamber (17) and that communicates the valve with the cold water pipe (TAF) by means of a cold water relief port (6) .

2. An automatic water saving recirculation valve system according to claim 1, characterized in that the button (1) has an axle (9) which has a gate plunger (10) at its end which opens the communication between hot and cold water pipes when activated and closes when ibera by action of the release element (2) and the piston is pushed by the piston spring (14).

3. An automatic water saving recsculation valve system according to claim 1, characterized in that the button has a locking slot (12) into which the insertion edge of the locking plate (4) is inserted. to keep the button activated while the hot water reaches the valve (A).

4. An automatic water saving recsculation valve system according to claim 1, characterized in that the button (1) houses in its structure a magnet (11) that aligns with the transmitter interrutor (7) and drives it by inductive effect.

5. An automatic water saving recirculation valve system according to claim 1, characterized in that the blocking plate (3) has an insertion edge of the blocking plate (4) which is inserted into the groove of lock (12) of! button (1) by the action of the locking spring of! button (13) and keeps it in the open position while the water circulates and while the hot water reaches the valve (A).

8. An automatic water saving recirculation valve system according to claim 1, characterized in that the release thermocouple (2) presses against the blocking plate (3) counteracting the effect of! button lock spring (13) and releasing button (1) when hot water reaches the valve (A).

7. An automatic water saving recirculation valve system according to claim 1, characterized in that the button (1) keeps the communication between the hot water pipe (TAC) and the cold water pipe (TAF) permanently closed until the moment it is activated.

8. A remote communication system that integrates a transmitter of activation / deactivation (8) that sends a signal to the remote pump switch (IR) to start the recirculation cycle when button (1) is activated and end the recirculation cycle when button (1) is released.

9. A low power and low power consumption pumping system consisting of a pump (B) that is installed in the cold water pipe (TAF) that feeds the heater (G) and is activated by the signal it receives on a remote switch (IR), coming from! on / off transmitter (8).

10. An automatic valve system that establishes a means of communication between the hot water pipe (TAC) and the cold water pipe (TAF) that allows the recirculation of the cold water that is allowed to run while waiting for the hot water.

An automatic valve system that establishes a means of communication between the hot water pipe (TAC) and Sa cold water pipe (TAF) according to claim 10, characterized in that it can be used in new installations from the connection of Sa valve with the pipes by means of a "T" deviation (T).

An automatic valve system that establishes a means of communication between the hot water pipe (TAC) and the cold water pipe (TAF) according to claim 10, characterized in that it can be used in traditional two-key systems by connecting it by means of the deflection and connection chambers (CDC) that are installed on the recessed elements of the mixer keys.

13. An automatic valve system that establishes a means of communication between the hot water pipe (TAC) and the cold water pipe (TAF) according to claim 10, characterized in that it can be used in a liave mixer system single-lever connecting by means of a diverting and connecting element (EDC) that is installed in the body of the mixing valve of the key.