Instantaneous hot water delivery system with a tank
US5944221A · kind A · utility
40Cited by
2References
15Claims
0Family size
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 2, 1998 |
| Grant date | Aug 31, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 2, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF24D17/0078
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In a hot and cold water distribution system wherein the hot water is delivered from a water heater to a distant hot water tap adjacent a cold water tap, a hot water recirculation pump assembly purges the hot water line of any cooled-down water in order to assure instant hot water delivery when the hot water tap is opened. The volume of water drawn from the hot water line is flushed back through the hot water line by admission of an equal amount of water that was stored within a tank. That volume of water is pumped back into the tank, and automatically replaced by hot water drawn from the water heater.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.