On-demand zone valve recirculation system
US5829475A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 3, 1997 |
| Grant date | Nov 3, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 3, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/85954
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A zone valve hot water recirculation system in accordance with the present invention generally includes a hot water source, such as an electric or gas water heater, a conduit for enabling circulation of hot water from hot water source to one or more plumbing fixtures and recovery of water to the hot water source, a pump for accelerating delivery of hot water to the fixtures and, importantly, a zone valve for preventing flow of water into the hot water source during standby periods of the hot water source. A controller, which may include an electronic timer, is provided for causing the zone valve to open and close and the pump to start and stop.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.