System for reducing risk of bacterial contamination of a water heater
US11713905B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 8, 2022 |
| Grant date | Aug 1, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 8, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05D23/134
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system and a method for reducing a risk of bacterial contamination in a water heater are disclosed. A bypass conduit is connected to cold water supply and hot water outlet conduits of the water heater with T-shaped fittings, the bypass conduit generally extending in a same horizontal plane as the fittings and running alongside a top surface of the water heater. A thermostatic mixing valve is integrated to the bypass conduit close to the fitting with the hot water outlet so that its mixed water outlet is connected to the fitting with the hot water and its cold water inlet is connected to the fitting with the cold water, its hot water inlet being blocked. The thermostatic mixing valve is adjusted to regulate the hot water temperature at the outlet of the system and to produce a thermosiphon loop in the system depending on whether there is extraction or no extraction of hot water from the water heater.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.