WO2023240324A1

WO2023240324A1 - Arrangement applied to water reuse and saving systems for showers and taps with gas heating

Info

Publication number: WO2023240324A1
Application number: PCT/BR2022/000004
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thiago Martins FARIAS
Original assignee: Farias Thiago Martins
Priority date: 2022-06-13
Filing date: 2022-06-13
Publication date: 2023-12-21

Abstract

This product is intended for use in the building industry, water saving and sustainability sectors. The present subject matter relates to an anti-waste system that can be applied to showers and taps with gas heating. The system, with easy installation and low cost, can be replicated in new homes and adapted to existing complexes, with its main function being the redirection of the first litres of water that would be wasted until the water reaches the ideal temperature for use, and can be used by builders, developers, condominium managers and homeowners in general who use gas heating systems. The system offers its users an easy, efficient and low cost way, encouraging them to make ever better use of a natural resource that is so important and is slowly dwindling.

Description

ARRANGEMENT APPLIED IN WATER REUSE AND SAVING SYSTEM FOR SHOWERS AND FAUCETS WITH GAS HEATING

[001] This object refers to an anti-waste system that can be applied to showers and taps with a gas heating system. The system, easy to install and low cost, can be replicated in new homes and adapted to existing complexes, with its main function being to redirect the first liters of water that would otherwise be wasted, until it is at the ideal temperature for use.

[002] The system can be used by construction companies, developers, condominium administrators and by home owners in general, who use a gas heating system.

[003] This is intended to offer an easy, efficient and cheap way to its users, encouraging them to increasingly save a natural resource that is so important and that is gradually reducing.

[004] The system solves the problem of waste, redirecting the water before heating to the condominiums' cistern system, before even leaving the shower or tap. The water will only be released when it is at the ideal temperature.

[005] The system can be installed in new constructions or adapted to existing buildings, therefore its installation and application system will be according to each need, with variations in some components being possible - according to the piping and shaft spaces available for lowering of the pipe, and may even provide for an additional external plumb in addition to small renovations in the bathrooms, if necessary.

[006] The type of actuation of the valve that directs the water can be manual, electronic controlled by a previously programmed temperature difference or electronic controlled by a previously programmed opening time.

[007] The manual drive system installation is carried out with registration three-way, with manual activation in the hot water line, before mixing the mixer. In this case, the user must manipulate the first register to later open the mixer register.

[008] In the example of this drive system, the user manually activates the valve, placing it in position 1-2 so that the first volumes of water are directed back to the cistern. After a certain period has passed (with the experience of checking how long it takes for the water to come out hot after opening the shower), he turns the valve to position 1-3, directing the water to the mixer. By then activating the mixer, hot water will come out. To supply the apartments there will always be a shaft with a water plume, with the addition of another water plumb to drain water to the cistern. For taps, the activation takes place in the same way.

[009] If the user leaves it in position 1-2 for longer than necessary, there will be no problem with waste, as all water that passes through this position will be returned to the cistern. In this case, the user will pay for the consumption of water that is being released, however, as the water returns to the cistern, it can be considered that there will be a reduction in the general water consumption of the condominium since the water will be reused and consequently there will be a reduction in cost. which is shared among all residents.

[010] The electronic system controlled by temperature difference consists of the installation of a three-way valve and electric actuator, which will act in conjunction with a thermostat, after the conventional registration of the mixer. The operating principle of the system is similar to the manual one, but with an automatic actuation mechanism. In this case, the user will need to activate the mixer valve and wait for the water to come out of the shower after reaching the desired temperature. The minimum desired temperature must be selected directly on the thermostat display. The equipment consists of a valve, actuator, thermostat, sensor, and must have an electrical point for the actuator and thermostat and connections for network interconnection. In this case, for now it is not viable to use it on countertop taps, as the water outlet point is already connected directly to the mixer.

[011] The operating system is also very simple. Whenever the valve is opened, the valve must be open to flow 1-2 and as soon as the sensor indicates the temperature selected on the thermostat, the valve will automatically change the water flow to flow 1-3. Flow 1-2 comprises the return network to the building's cistern.

[012] The temperature to be programmed on the valve must always be less than or equal to that of the heater so that the valve changes the flow after reaching the programmed temperature. If the temperature is higher in the valve, it will never change the flow position because the water will never reach the temperature programmed in the valve.

[013] The electronic system controlled by opening time consists of the installation of a switch-type flow switch that will act in conjunction with a delay timer relay, after the conventional registration of the mixer. The operating principle of the system is similar to the previous one, with an automatic actuation mechanism. The user will need to activate the mixer valve and wait for the water to come out of the shower after a certain time, adjusted by the user, once. To use the system correctly - depending on each apartment, the resident can (with the system turned off) check how long the hot water takes. After this check, just set the timer relay to the time it identified with the system turned off and turn it on/program it into the system. There will never be a need to touch the timer again. The system will now be functional and programmed correctly.

[014] In this case, whenever the valve is opened, the valve will be open at flow 1-2 and as soon as the time set on the timer passes, the valve will automatically change the water flow to flow 1-3. Flow 1-2 comprises the return network to the building's cistern. Drawbacks observed due to lack of current solution or solutions

[015] Currently, a large amount of water wastage is observed in apartments with gas water heating systems.

[016] The water that is retained in the pipes between the heater and the equipment (showers and taps) is not heated and when activating the shower (or tap) all the still water is wasted, this waste is a serious environmental problem if we consider the entire population world that has this system in its apartments and the volume of water is wasted.

[017] The economic problem is automatically linked to such waste, as all water that is used is billed both as water supply and also as sewage demand, affecting these volumes, financial values that are not being used by the taxpayer.

[018] Water is a natural resource that is already lacking in many regions and countries, therefore it must be increasingly preserved and valued.

[019] Current systems that allow such savings are much more expensive, complex and depend on major works to be installed, generating discomfort and often causing the user to give up on such installation.

Solution

[020] Thinking about offering a practical, safe and efficient solution, the system in question was developed. Which has benefits related to practicality in use. Avoid inconvenience. Reduce water bills and provide savings directly into the consumer's pocket, with a very short return on invested capital. The result can be monitored from the first month of installation. The system is easy to install and use. It can be adapted according to each need/installation. It can be adapted according to each need/installation. Does not harm the environment. Increases marketing potential. It has industrial feasibility and innovations worthy of this patent privilege.

State of the art [021] Current systems are expensive, difficult to install, cannot be installed on all shower/tap models, and require a large workforce at the time of implementation.

[022] For a perfect visualization and understanding of the “ARRANGEMENT APPLIED IN A WATER REUSE AND SAVING SYSTEM FOR SHOWERS AND TAPS WITH GAS HEATING”, in question, below are the illustrative drawings, where:

[023] Fig. 1 - Shows views of the electronic device controlled by temperature difference, with thermostat, open and installed on the wall;

[024] Fig. 2 - Shows views of the electronic device controlled by opening time, with thermostat, open and installed on the wall;

[025] Fig. 3 - Shows views of the manual activation device, illustrating its mechanism and installed on the wall;

[026] Fig. 4 - Shows an illustrative view of the system in question installed in the shower;

[027] Fig. 5 - Shows an illustrative view of the system in question installed on the tap;

[028] Fig. 6 - Presents a schematic view of the direction of water flow with the system in question;

[029] Fig. 7 - Shows the view of the electronic device controlled by temperature difference and/or controlled by opening time.

[030] According to the illustration and its details, the “ARRANGEMENT APPLIED IN A WATER REUSE AND SAVING SYSTEM FOR SHOWERS AND GAS HEATED TAPS”, consists of an anti-waste water system for heated showers and taps gas (1) which redirects the water before heating to the condominium cistern system (2), installed before the mixer system, only releasing the water when it is at the ideal temperature for use (3), characterized by the system being applied to showers and taps with the gas heating system (4), new and/or already installed, having a directing valve (5) and two positions for directing the water, when the system is in position one (6) the water returns to the condominium cistern system (7) and when it is in position two (8) the water is released into the shower or tap (9); The activation of the system in question is manual (10), electronic controlled by temperature difference (11) or electronic controlled by opening time (12).

[031] The manual activation is controlled by the user, in this case the valve is manually activated and placed in the first or second position (13), having another water plumb to exit the water to the cistern (14).

[032] The electronic system controlled by temperature difference (11) consists of the installation of a three-way valve (15), electric actuator (16) and a thermostat with display (17), which controls the water temperature to change temperature. position automatically (18), also having a sensor (19) and connections (20).

[033] The electronic system controlled by opening time (12) has a switch-type flow switch (21) that works together with a delay timer relay (22), installed after the conventional registration of the mixer, allowing prior programming of the period opening the first position and changing to the second, which will be automatically; In this case, whenever the valve is opened, the valve will be in the first position and as soon as the time set on the timer passes, the valve will automatically change the water flow to the second position.

[034] The present model includes a constructive variation, which is formed by an electronic device (23) comprised of two solenoid valves (24) and a generator (25). The electronic device (23) is controlled by temperature difference and/or opening time, in which said controls are carried out by means of a temperature and/or time sensor (26), also having a thermostat with display (27). [035] And because it has truly innovative characteristics, the "ARRANGEMENT APPLIED IN A WATER REUSE AND SAVING SYSTEM FOR SHOWERS AND TAPS WITH GAS HEATING", meets the necessary conditions to deserve the Utility Model Patent.

Claims

1 ^a ) “ARRANGEMENT APPLIED IN A WATER REUSE AND SAVING SYSTEM FOR SHOWERS AND TAPS WITH GAS HEATING” consists of an anti-waste water system for showers and taps with gas heating (1) that redirects the water before heating to the condominium cistern system

(2), installed before the mixer system, only releasing water when it is at the ideal temperature for use

(3), characterized by the system being applied to showers and taps with a gas heating system

(4), new or already installed, with a directing valve

(5) and two positions for directing the water, when the system is in position one

(6) the water returns to the condominium cistern system

(7) and when in position two

(8) water is released into the shower or faucet

(9); the system in question is activated manually

(10), electronic controlled by temperature difference

(11) or electronic controlled by opening time

(12).

2 ^a ) “ARRANGEMENT APPLIED IN A WATER REUSE AND SAVING SYSTEM FOR SHOWERS AND TAPS WITH GAS HEATING”, according to claim 1, is characterized by having manual activation and being controlled by the user, in this case the valve is activated manually and placed in first or second position

(13), having another water plume to drain water to the cistern

(14).

3 ^a ) “ARRANGEMENT APPLIED IN A WATER REUSE AND SAVING SYSTEM FOR SHOWERS AND TAPS WITH GAS HEATING”, according to claim 1, is characterized by an electronic system being controlled by temperature difference (11), which consists of the installation of a three-way valve (15), electric actuator (16) and a thermostat with display (17), which controls the water temperature to change position automatically (18), also having a sensor (19) and connections (20).

4 ^a ) “ARRANGEMENT APPLIED IN A WATER REUSE AND SAVING SYSTEM FOR SHOWERS AND TAPS WITH GAS HEATING”, according to claim 1, is characterized by an electronic system being controlled by opening time (12), with valve (15 ), having a switch-type flow switch (21) that works together with a delay timer relay (22), installed after the conventional registration of the mixer, allowing prior programming of the opening period of the first position and change to the second (23 ), which will be automatically.

5 ^a ) “ARRANGEMENT APPLIED IN A WATER REUSE AND SAVING SYSTEM FOR SHOWERS AND TAPS WITH GAS HEATING”, according to claim 1, the present model has a constructive variation, characterized by an electronic device (23) comprised of two solenoid valves (24) and a generator (25); by the electronic device (23) being controlled by temperature difference and/or opening time carried out by means of a temperature and/or time sensor (26), also having a thermostat with display (27).