| 1/3 HEATING SYSTEM FOR WATER COLLECTED IN HOT WATER PIPES characterized by consisting of : a cold water pipe (F) connected to the hydraulic network (100) which has a valve which directs this cold water (F) to a fluid release unit (200) and to a fluid heating unit (300); a hot water pipe (Q) which receives the heated flow in the fluid heating unit (300) and directs it to the fluid release unit (200); a fluid release unit (200) to mix the water from the cold water pipe (F) and the hot water pipe (Q); a hand held shower (210) connected to the fluid release unit (200) has a selector switch (211 ) to direct the residual cold water which is found in the hot water pipe (Q) to a return pipe (R), this shower (2 0) has a coupling device suitable to be coupled to a return drain (220); a return drain (200) which directs the residual cold water found in the hot water pipe (Q) to a return pipe (R), this return drain (220) has a flow passage identifying device (221) and a temperature measuring device (222); a return pipe (R) which directs the residual cold water received in the return drain (220) to a valve immediately before the fluid heating unit (300), this return pipe (R) has a check valve (400). HEATING SYSTEM FOR WATER COLLECTED IN HOT WATER PIPES in accordance with claim 1 , characterized by the fact that the flow passage identifying device (221 ) has a sound and/ or visual alarm. HEATING SYSTEM FOR WATER COLLECTED IN HOT WATER PIPES characterized by consisting of : 2/3 a tank (500) which has a water intake from the hydraulic network (100), this tank directs the flow by pumping to an upper tank (600) connected to the cold water pipe (F); an upper tank (600) which directs the water flow to a cold water pipe (F) which has a valve (V1 ) that directs this cold water (F) to the fluid heating unit (300) and the fluid release unit (200); a fluid heating unit (300) with a hot water pipe (Q) that directs the heated fluid to a valve (V2) which has a temperature meter that indicates to the user the water temperature, releasing the water flow passage to the fluid releasing unit (200) only when the water reaches the desired temperature; a return pipe (R) which receives the water which has not reached the desired temperature in the fluid heating unit (300) and directs it to the tank (500); a fluid release unit (200) where the hot water (Q) and cold water (F) are mixed, this fluid release unit (200) which consists of any mechanical method operated by the user to release a liquid on demand. HEATING SYSTEM FOR WATER COLLECTED IN HOT WATER PIPES , in accordance with claim 3, characterized by the fact that the heating unit (300) consists of a structure that provides the fluid heating using any form of energy. HEATING SYSTEM FOR WATER COLLECTED IN HOT WATER PIPES , in accordance with claim 3, characterized by the fact that the hot water flow release in a valve (V2) can be done manually through the operation of a handle. HEATING SYSTEM FOR WATER COLLECTED IN HOT WATER PIPES , in accordance with claim 3, characterized by the fact that 3/3 the hot water flow release in valve (V2) is done using an electronic circuit. |
PIPES
INVENTION FIELD
This present invention refers to a heating system for water collected in hot water pipes. More specifically it consists of a system that redirects the cold water released by a shower or faucet to a return duct connected to the heater until this fluid is heated to the temperature desired by the user.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In 20 years there will be a shortage of water for 60% of the planet.
This is a prediction made by the U.N (United Nations organization) based on the world consumption of the product, which increased twice as fast as the world population in the last century.
Researches show that, in a few decades potable water reserves on the planet will not be sufficient to supply the needs of the human race if the consumption levels are not controlled in advance (INMETRO, 2007)[National Institute of Metrology Standardization and Industrial Quality]. The shortage of this resource essential to life will cause political, economic and sanitation problems and can even create conflicts similar to those caused for the control of petroleum (EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, 2007).
According to the UN simple measures adopted daily can contribute to reduce use and ameliorate the problem, as well as reduce costs.
Research shows that kitchen faucets are responsible for 27% of residential use. However, the shower, the biggest villain for wasting water is responsible for 46% of residential water consumption. A 15 minute bath consumes 144 litres of water, around 52.5 thousand litres a year. If the time spent in the shower was reduced to five minutes and the person acquired the habit of turning off the shower while using the soap, this use could fall by 96 litres, giving a total of 35 thousand litres a year.
A large part of this waste is caused by the length of time needed to heat the water in a boiler or gas heater to reach a suitable temperature for the release method, in this case a shower or faucet. Although there are no statistics, the waste is about 30 litres of water a bath, which means not only potable water waste, but high costs related to the distribution and sewer system which adds to the potable water waste generating a high financial and social cost.
The state of the art describes some technical solutions which foster heating of this residual water which is between the heater and the fluid release unit.
Document MU8701540-40 describes sensors positioned in certain points in the building whose purpose is to activate hot water recirculation available in a tank through a distribution pipe, driven by a pump only at the moment of use.
Document BR0702687 describes a heating system which seeks to use cold water contained inside water pipes by heating this cold water contained in the pipe after the heater, for a determined time, from the moment the tap was operated until the hot water reached the outlet point, this pre-heating system which detects the water temperature below the previously established temperature activates an electric resistance.
Document BR0505844-9 describes a water system with temperature control of cold water standing in the hot water pipe using a thermostat positioned in the monitored hot water duct. Document ES1065941 describes a system with three conduits - hot water, cold water and return, with a chamber that has a thermostatic valve activated in function of a previously adjusted temperature, directed to a second chamber to mix with cold water.
Document WO2010034866 describes a water and energy economizer which consists of a device installed in the water system before the shower and connected to its water intakes which allow this water to be recycled, including a cold water intake, a hot water intake and a return duct which has electric valves and temperature measuring devices.
Although the state of the art documents in some situations have three circuits for fluid circulation - cold water, hot water and return, they need electrical or electronic operating devices to provide temperature measurement and cycle interruption, or even need auxiliary water storage to hold cold water released by the shower or faucet or even need specific water release devices, with a detailed technical function determined by the specificities of the system.
Therefore it is necessary to provide a system that does not use any electrical or electronic device, so as to allow use in areas where there is no electrical power and reduce costs related to system installation and maintenance, giving a less complex system, such a system is the a heating system for water collected in hot water pipes described and claimed in the present application.
SUMMARY
The characteristic of the invention is a heating system for water collected in hot water pipes which eliminates potable water waste verified in showers and faucets from the moment of operation of this source until the water at the desired temperature is available. The characteristic of the invention is a heating system for water collected in hot water pipes which does not use any electrical or electronic device to monitor the system.
The characteristic of the invention is a heating system for water collected in hot water pipes which is adaptable to the existing water system structure in a property unit, needing just a return circuit between the water distribution source and the heater.
The characteristic of the invention is a heating system for water collected in hot water pipes which has a flow identifier with an sound and / or visual alarm particularly useful in notifying the user with a sound alarm that the system is switched on and can optionally have a light indicator useful for people with hearing deficiencies or users with hearing loss, as for instance the elderly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of the heating system for water collected in hot water pipes.
Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a simplified modality for the heating system for water collected in hot water pipes system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The heating system for water collected in hot water pipes system, the objective of the present invention, consists of a closed circuit which includes a cold water pipe (F) connected to the hydraulic network (100) which has a valve that directs this cold water (F) to a fluid release unit (200) and to a fluid heating unit (300). The closed system avoids external exposure to contact or contamination risk of the potable water, not changing the flow properties.
In the fluid heating unit (300) the water is heated and released by a hot water pipe (Q) to the fluid release unit (200).
In the fluid release unit (200) the cold water from the pipe (F) is mixed with hot water from pipe (Q) in order to be released at the temperature desired by the user.
A hand held shower (210) connected to the fluid release unit (200) has a selector switch (211 ) manually or automatically operated in a manner to direct the residual cold water found in the hot water pipe (Q) to the return pipe (R). Operating the selector switch (211 ) releases the hot water pipe residual water to the hand held shower (210), this shower (210) is given a suitable coupling device to be coupled to a return drain (220) which directs the fluid to a return pipe (R) in the direction of a valve immediately before the fluid heating unit (300) so that the liquid is heated and returned by the hot water pipes (Q).
The return drain (220) has a flow passage identifying device (221) which indicates to the user water passing to the return pipe (R) and a temperature measuring device (222).
The flow passage identifier is particularly useful in notifying the user by sound that the system is switched on and returning water for heating and can optionally have a light indicator useful for people with hearing deficiencies or users with hearing loss, as for instance the elderly. Furthermore, the return drain (220) is heated, indicating to the user with hearing or sight deficiencies that the system is in operation.
The fluid release unit (200) consists of any mechanical method operated by the user to release a liquid on demand, such as mixers or similar devices.
The heating unit (300) consists of a structure that provides the fluid heating with the use of any energy type, such as gas, electric and fuel combustion or similar. The return pipe (R) has a check valve (400), this return pipe (R) directs the residual water collected in the hot water pipe (Q) and directs it to the cold water pipe (F) where a valve immediately before the fluid heating unit (300) impedes the passage of cold water coming from the external system (100) when the residual water is in the return pipe (R).
For the heating system for water collected in hot water pipes system to work, the user couples the hand held shower in the return drain (220) in order to close the system, avoiding water leaving through the fluid release unit (200). Next, the selector switch is operated (211) in order to direct the residual water flow in the hot water pipe (Q) to the return pipe (R) to go on for heating. This residual water goes on to the return pipe (R) in the direction of the fluid heating unit (300) where this flow is heated and goes on to the hot water pipe (Q) in the direction of the fluid release unit (200).
The flow passage identifier (221 ) has a sound and /or visual alarm which indicates to the user the flow passage coming from the hot water pipe (Q) in the direction of the return pipe (R).
When the temperature measuring device (222) indicates the ideal water using temperature, the user operates the selector switch (211 ) in a way to interrupt the hot water flow coming from the pipe (Q) in the direction of the return pipe (R), allowing water release in the fluid release unit (200), where hot water coming from the pipe (Q) is mixed with cold water coming from the pipe (F).
In a simplified modality, the heating system for water collected in hot water pipes system consists of a closed circuit which includes a tank (600) which directs the water flow to a cold water pipe (F) which has a valve (V1 ) which directs this cold water (F) to the fluid heating unit (300) and to the fluid release unit (200).
In the fluid heating unit (300) the water is heated and released through a hot water pipe (Q) to a valve (V2) which has a temperature meter that indicates to the user the water temperature, releasing the water flow passage to a fluid release unit (200) only when the water has reached the temperature desired by the user.
While the water has not reached the desired temperature, it is returned to a return pipe (R) that directs the water flow to a tank (500).
The hot water flow release in valve (V2) can be done manually through the operation of a handle or programmed using an electronic circuit.
In the fluid release unit (200) the hot water (Q) and the cold water (F) are mixed as desired.
The tank (500) has a water intake from the hydraulic network (100), this tank directs the flow by pumping to an upper tank (600) connected to the cold water pipe (F).
In the valve (V2) a viewport and a flow restriction area is planned that allows the user to see the water passing and hear the water flow, and so avoiding the non-closing of the return pipe (R).
The fluid release unit (200) consists of any mechanical method operated by the user to release a liquid on demand, such as mixers and similar.
The heating unit (300) consists of a structure that provides the fluid heating using any energy type, such as gas, electric, fuel combustion heaters and similar.