ES2350783B1 - EQUIPMENT FOR THE USE OF WATER DRINK WASTE IN DOMESTIC FACILITIES. - Google Patents

Abstract

Equipment for the use of wasted drinking water in domestic installations, which includes a waste water storage tank (2) and a temperature water selector system, installed behind the water heating system (7) of the installation, suitable for driving the water to said reservoir or to the tap (14) for hot water demand. The tank (2) has a regulating valve (3), buoy (4), direct mains connection (5), wasted water connection (6) and overflow drain (9). The temperature selector system comprises flow switch (15), digital thermostat probe (16A), valves with solenoid (17 and 18), one (17) installed in the pipe that gives hot water access to the demanding tap (14), and another (18) at the beginning of the pipe that draws water to the accumulation tank (2).

Description

Equipment for the use of wasted drinking water in domestic installations.

Object of the invention

The invention, as stated in the present specification, refers to equipment for the use of wasted drinking water in domestic installations, providing the function to which notable advantages and novelty characteristics are to be noted, which will be detailed in detail below.

More particularly, the object of the invention is focused on the development of equipment that, consisting of a set of elements coupled to the water installation of a dwelling, is intended to take advantage of the wasted drinking cold water in said facilities for obtaining of hot water at the required temperature, allowing its use to supply the appliances that consume a potable water for washing, such as washing machines and dishwashers as well as, additionally, to supply the consumption of one or more toilets.

Field of application of the invention

The field of application of the invention is framed within the technical sector of the industry dedicated to the realization of water installations, particularly of the domestic type in private homes, whether they are flats, single-family terraced houses or chalets, in new plant works or rehabilitations.

Background of the invention

As is known, water resources, although renewable, are generally limited, constituting a reality of more or less important consequences according to the geographical position, which has led, increasingly, to the development of different systems to optimize the use of water. Water.

However, the materialization of the proposals is conditioned by their economic viability in relation to the percentage of savings that may be achieved, which in many cases do not seem effective.

For another part, and as a reference to the state of the art, it should be noted that by the applicant, there is no known existence of any other invention that, with the aforementioned objective, presents similar technical, structural or constitutive characteristics to those presented by the recommended equipment here, whose essential objective of saving to optimize the use of water focuses on the use of the cold drinking water that is wasted waiting for it to reach the required temperature to open a hot water tap and activate the heater.

Thus, the equipment for the use of wasted drinking water in domestic installations that the present invention proposes is con fi gured as a remarkable novelty within its field, since according to its implementation, and in a restrictive way, the objectives pursued by the the same, being the characterizing details that make it possible exhaustively developed below and conveniently collected in the final claims that accompany the present specification.

Explanation of the invention.

With conventional plumbing installations, obtaining hot water in a sink, bath-showers, washbasins or bidets, generally, forces to “waste” a huge amount of cold water until it appears heated to the demanded temperature, said amount being much more pronounced In cold periods such as autumn and winter, water, being clean and clean, will inevitably wash you away from the general wastewater.

In order to avoid wasting this amount of drinking water and achieving savings in the total consumption of any house of approximately 20-25%, the invention contemplates the installation of a device, which only requires small modifications in the different hot water circuits installed in the kitchens and bathrooms of the house , with which we recover the fully potable water accumulated in the pipes between the heater system and its respective outlets in the different sanitary components that the house has, as well as the water that, in said process does not reach the indicated temperature when the water is demanded hot (hereinafter "wasted water").

These waters instead of being directed to the general network of wastewater evacuation, are automatically channeled, taking advantage of the pressure of the network, and by considerable economic cost, to a specific storage tank, which can be installed in dormers or so that it is embedded between beams of the bathroom or hidden kitchen floor in the false ceiling or plaster thereof, suitable places for their functions.

This tank, which will preferably be transparent, has the mission of supplying water by gravity or with a small pressure pump to washing machines and / or dishwashers, so that these will normally use these wasted drinking water. Likewise, and in an optional way, we can use this water in other housing tasks, such as house cleaning, or irrigation of plants and gardens, among other utilities.

In the event of a shortage of water in said tank, by the indicated procedures, the incorporation of a buoy inside is contemplated that will be connected to the direct water intake of the network, guaranteeing a certain amount of water for an efficient and permanent service, allowing important space to accommodate wasted water as soon as it is produced.

On the contrary, due to an excess of accumulation, overflow drains allow the direct elimination of the excess water in this reservoir; surplus that, optionally, and by means of the corresponding installation, may be sent to a second waste water storage tank, to be used for the supply of the toilets' cisterns, such as a Nodriza tank as described in patent No. P -200101084, property requesting and relating to a "Disposal for the reuse of domestic residual waters" in which using the electric pump of the indicated patent pump, we direct this drinking water mixed with the post-washing water of the washing machines to the storage tank of the same patent to supply the toilets of the toilets.

Thus, the object of the invention is to avoid that, when the user demands hot water from any tap

or leaving the installation, observe how for several seconds what you receive is cold water, which without being able to avoid it is directed to the wastewater until hot water appears.This wasted waters are the ones that recover the proposed equipment in the present invention, to supply the washing machines and the dishwasher with potable water.

The system, since it takes advantage of drinking water, has the advantage, compared to other systems of water use, of being designed to cancel at any time the inconveniences of defective drains, tightness, or rotting of accumulated wasted water, and therefore, completely discards the possibility of the existence of odors and the development of bacteria, fungi, viruses, etc., preventing the rejection of users and health authorities in similar systems due to unhygienic practices.

For all this, and in a specific way, the recommended equipment comprises, on the one hand, an accumulation tank destined to collect and store the waste water every time a hot water is demanded from the installation, which has the following elements:

-

Regulating valve located inside the tank, not flooded with the water stored in it, connected to a threaded floating buoy, with a single seat, to allow the entry of drinking water from the direct redirect, and to suppress that which is not received from wasted water in certain cases.

-

Drinking water connection of the direct network in 15 mm copper pipe. connected to the aforementioned valve regulated by the inner buoy, with discharge into the upper-upper part of the tank, above the maximum level of stored water.

-

Connection of wasted cold drinking water from the different components before they receive from the water heating system the hot water requested by the user.

-Cover-Register of 110 mm. in diameter, threaded on the welded male in the upper part of the tank, allowing the same manual access, to replace the inner valve and buoy, also providing absolute cleaning in exceptional cases.

-

Upper overflow drain, solved with polyethylene pipe, draining, into a nurse tank, such as the one described in the aforementioned patent P-200101084, which using the electric pump described therein, we direct this drinking water mixed with the post-water washing the washing machines to the storage tank of the same patent to supply the toilets tanks.

-

Driving of the deposited water tank with pressure pump, destined for the washing machine and the dishwasher, channeling through a polyethylene pipe -P-32-of 25 mm. And safety keys.

On the other hand, the recommended equipment has a temperature water selector system that is what allows the wasted water to be taken to the accumulation tank or, when it has reached the demanded temperature, to the corresponding tap in which said water has been demanded, being formed by another set of elements, essentially comprising the following:

-

Flow switch: whose mission is to detect the flow change in the pipe caused by the opening

or closing the tap on demand for hot water. It will be in charge, therefore, of ordering the start and end of the process, which will be determined respectively by the opening and closing of the aforementioned tap.

-

Digital thermostat: whose purpose will be to measure the temperature of water from any system used to heat sanitary water to meet the needs of users of any type of home. With the authorization of the flow switch, and prior selection of a certain temperature, it will transmit an order to the solenoid valve (valve with solenoid), which will depend on whether the instantaneous temperature of the water in the pipe is lower or higher than indicated, to proceed to the opening or closing of the corresponding valve for the exit of the tap water well to sederive to another pipe.

-

Solenoid valves: the task of which it will be easy to pass the water or obstruct it depending on the order received jointly by the flow switch and the thermostat. The equipment will be equipped with at least two valves with solenoid, one that will have as its initial position open and another whose initial position will be closed. The first one will be installed in the pipe that gives hot water access to the demanding tap and the second one will be located in the beginning of the pipe that will derive the water that has not reached the selected temperature as it passes through the thermostat to the storage tank, to be used for the use of utilities or housing applications. Once the process is finished and these valves are no longer electrically powered, it will return to its initial position.

-

Housing of the assembly: The Assembly will be protected in a PVC box with access to the outside, embedded in the wall screwed to it by means of the corresponding catches, and whose front will be grid to ventilate the solenoid of the valves, avoiding overheating of the same and supporting the defective opening of the valves. All connections with the connections between the pipeline components of said set will be through flexible connections of dimensions to be determined.

-

Warning system for the indication of the process of diverting drinking water: In order to avoid leaving the tap open by mistake, after not flowing the water through it when the selected temperature is not reached, we will provide the set with an acoustic and / or luminous signal (with LED technology), indicating that the set It is in operation. These signals would be activated when the valve that gives way to the water that does not have the desired temperature at its passage through the thermostat and which is derived to the tank was opened, and it would happen at the moment that said valve closed.

The described equipment for the use of wasted drinking water in domestic installations represents, therefore, an innovative structure of structural and constitutive characteristics unknown until now for such purpose, reasons that together with its practical utility, provide it with a sufficient basis to obtain the privilege of exclusivity that It is requested.

Description of the drawings

To complement the description that is being carried out and with an object of helping a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, this descriptive report is attached, as an integral part thereof, of a set of plans, in which with an illustrative and non-limiting nature it has been represented as follows:

Figure 1 shows a schematic presentation of the set of elements that make up the equipment for the use of wastewater wasted in domestic facilities or subject to the invention, showing their disposition in the water installation of a home to which it is intended.

Figure number 2.- Shows in greater detail, a schematic sectional view of the accumulation tank and the different elements coupled thereto.

Figure number 3.- Shows a schematic representation of the elements that make up the water selection system by temperature.

Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

In view of the aforementioned figures, and in accordance with the numbering adopted, an example of a preferred embodiment of the invention can be observed, which comprises the parts and elements indicated and described in detail below.

Thus, as seen in these figures, the equipment (1) recommended comprises, on the one hand, a waste water accumulation tank (2) each time hot water is demanded from the installation, which has the following elements :

-

Regulating valve (3) located in the interior of the tank, not flooded by the water stored in the same, connected to a buoyant (4) floating float, of a simple seat, to allow the entrance of the water supply of the direct water, and to suppose it is received from the wasted water in certain cases.

-

Drinking water supply from the direct network (5) connected to the aforementioned regulating valve (3), with discharge into the upper-upper part of the tank (2), above the maximum level of stored water.

-

Connection of wasted cold drinking water (6) from the temperature selector water system, connected to the various components before they receive the hot water system (7) from the hot water requested by the user.

-

Registration cover (8), threaded on the upper part of the tank (2), allowing manual access to it, to replace the regulating valve (3) and inner valve (4), also facilitating absolute cleaning in exceptional cases.

-

Overflow drain (9) upper, solved, for example, with polyethylene pipe. Drain, optionally, can be connected with a second tank for use in the cisterns of the toilets, such as the nurse tank described in P-200101084, which using An electric pump directs this drinking water mixed with the post-wash water from the washing machines to a storage tank to supply the toilets' cisterns.

-

And driving water to service (10), preferably by means of a pressure pump, destined to the washing machine (11) and / or dishwasher (12), channeling through the corresponding polyethylene pipe and the safety keys, being able, in addition, to have another outlet (13) for its use for different uses, such as irrigation, scrubbing floors , etc.

At the same time, the equipment incorporates a temperature-selectable water system, which is what allows the waste water to be automatically transported to the accumulation tank (2) or to the tap (14) in which the hot water has been demanded, for which said selector system has:

-

A flow switch (15) to detect the change of flow in the pipe caused by the opening or closing of the tap (14) in demand of hot water, being in charge of ordering the start and end of the process, determined respectively by the opening and said tap closure (14).

-

A thermostat (16), preferably digital, whose purpose will be to measure the temperature of the water coming from the water heating system (7), which can be constituted by any conventional sanitary water system. With the authorization of the flow switch (15), and prior selection of a certain temperature, it will transmit an order to the solenoid valve, which will depend on whether the instantaneous temperature of the water in the pipe is lower or higher than indicated, so that the opening or closing of the corresponding valve for the exit is appropriate of the water through the tap (14) or so that it drifts to another pipe.

-

Two valves with solenoid (17 and 18), to allow the passage of water or obstruct it depending on the order received jointly by the flow switch (15) and the thermostat (16). It will be equipped with at least two valves with solenoid, one that will have as its initial position open and another whose initial position will be closed.

Of these valves with solenoid, the first valve (17) will be installed in the pipe that gives hot water access to the demanding tap (14), whose initial position will be opened, while the second valve (18) will be located at the beginning of the pipe that will derive the water that has not been able to reach the selected temperature as it passes through the thermostat probe (16A) towards the accumulation tank (2), having this second valve (18) an initial position closed. Once the process is finished and these valves are electrically powered, they will return to their initial position.

In addition, the described set of elements that make up the temperature water selector system will be housed and protected in the interior of a box (19) of PVC with external access, which will be conveniently embedded in the wall screwed to it by means of the corresponding catches, and whose front grid will be used to vent the solenoids of both valves and overheating the opening of the valve during the opening. defective of the valves, existing outside it, and conveniently connected to the thermostat probe (16A), a temperature display and programmer of said thermostat (16B).

In addition, the described temperature water selector system that incorporates the recommended equipment has an operating system or input system, formed by an acoustic and / or other light signal (with LED technology) (not shown), for example, to avoid leaving open the powder, after fl uirelaguaporel the same at reaching the selected temperature, indicated set is in operation.

Said warning system will be activated when the second valve (18) is opened with solenoid, which is the one that gives way to the water that does not have the desired temperature of its thermostat (16A) and that it is derived to the reservoir (2), and would happen at the moment that said valve was closed.

In summary, then, the equipment for the use of wasted drinking water in domestic facilities proposed by the invention, being applicable to take advantage of wasted drinking water in obtaining hot water at the temperature demanded of a conventional water heater system (7) , allowing its reuse to supply appliances that consume water for washing, such as washing machines and dishwashers, or for other uses, includes, at least one waste water storage tank (2) that is connected, by a temperature selector system suitable for conducting waste water automatically to said waste tank accumulation (2) or towards the tap (14) in which the hot water has been demanded, said selector system being installed behind the water heating system (7) of the installation, and on the other hand, said reservoir (2) is connected to a conduit of water to service (10), to the washing machine (11) and / or dishwasher s (12), or other output (13).

Sufficiently describing the nature of the present invention, as well as how to put it into practice, it is not considered necessary to extend its explanation so that any person skilled in the art understands its scope and the advantages that derive from it, stating that, within of its essentiality, it can be put into practice in other embodiments that differed in detail from that indicated by way of example, and to which it will also achieve the protection that is sought as long as it does not alter, change or modify its fundamental principle.

Claims (8)

one.

Equipment for the use of wasted drinking water in domestic installations, applicable to take advantage of wasted drinking water in obtaining hot water at the temperature demanded of a conventional water heating system (7), allowing its use to supply appliances that consume water to wash , such as washing machines and dishwashers, or for other uses, characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one tank (2) for accumulation of wasted drinking water that is connected, on the one hand, to a temperature-selectable water system suitable for conducting water from wasted in an automated way towards said accumulation tank (2) or towards the tap (14) in which the hot water has been demanded, said selector system being installed behind the water heating system (7) of the installation, and on the other hand, said tank (2) is connected to a conduit of water to service (10), to the washing machine (11) and / or dishwasher (12), or other salt outward (13).

2.

Equipment for the use of wasted drinking water in domestic installations, according to claim 1, characterized in that the tank (2) has a regulating valve (3) connected to a buoy

(4) float, to allow the entry of drinking water from the direct network; drinking water supply from the direct network (5) connected to said regulating valve (3); supply of wasted cold drinking water (6) from the temperature selector system; and overflow drain (9) above.

3.

equipment for the use of wasted drinking water in domestic installations, according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that the tank (2) also has a registration cover (8), threaded on the top of the tank (2) , allowing manual access to it.

Four.

Equipment for the use of wasted drinking water in domestic installations, according to claim 1, characterized in that the overflow drain (9) of the tank (2), optionally, is connected to a second tank for use in the tanks of the toilets.

5.

Equipment for the use of wasted drinking water in domestic installations, according to claim 1, characterized in that the temperature water selector system comprises a flow switch (15) to detect the change of flow in the pipe caused by the tap opening or closing (14) on demand of hot water; a thermostat thermostat (16A), preferably digital, temperature monitor and programmer (16B) to measure the temperature of water from the water heater system (7); two valves with solenoid (17 and 18), to allow the passage of water to obstruct it, the first valve (17) installed in the pipeline that accesses the hot water to the demanding tap (14), with open initial position, and the second valve (18) located at the beginning of the drift pipe the water to the accumulation tank (2), with the initial position closed.

6.

Equipment for the use of wasted drinking water in domestic installations, according to claim 1 and 5, characterized in that the temperature water selector system is housed and protected in the interior of a PVC enclosure (19) with external access, embedded in a screwed-in wall through the corresponding catches, and whose front is grid to vent the solenoids of the valves.

7.

Equipment for the use of wasted drinking water in domestic installations, according to claim 1.5 and 6, characterized in that the temperature selector water system, additionally, has an operating warning system, formed by an acoustic signal and / or another luminous (with LED technology) that is activated when the second valve (18) is opened with solenoid.

SPANISH OFFICE OF THE PATENTS AND BRAND Application no .: 200901540 SPAIN Date of submission of the application: 06.07.2009 Priority Date: REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE 51 Int. Cl.: See Additional Sheet RELEVANT DOCUMENTS

Category

Documents cited Claims Affected

Y

EN 2187348 A1 (LOPEZ ALARCON CANDELAS) 01.06.2003, page 2, column 1, 1-7

line 3 - page 3, column 4, line 55; figures 1-2.

Y

GB 2441173 A (CURRY ROBERT ALEXANDER) 27.02.2008, pages 1-2; figure 2. 1-7

TO

US 5564462 A (STORCH PAUL) 15.10.1996, column 1, line 8 - column 7, line 28; Figure 1. 1-7

TO

EN 1066530 U (ARDOY DE LAS HERAS JOAQUIN) 01.02.2008, page 2, column 1, 1-7

line 6 - page 3, column 4, line 26; Figure 1.

TO

ES 1005904 U (RAYOSOL SA) 01.12.1988, page 2, column 1, line 6.-Page 3, column 4, 1-7

line 26; Figure 1.

Category of the documents cited X: of particular relevance Y: of particular relevance combined with other / s of the same category A: reflects the state of the art O: refers to unwritten disclosure P: published between the priority date and the date of priority submission of the application E: previous document, but published after the date of submission of the application

This report has been prepared • for all claims □ for claims no:

Date of realization of the report 23.12.2010

Examiner M. Revuelta Pollán Page 1/5

REPORT OF THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE CLASSIFICATION OBJECT OF THE APPLICATION E03C1 / 01 (01.01.2006) E03B7 / 04 (01.01.2006) F24D17 / 00 (01.01.2006) Minimum documentation sought (classification system followed by classification symbols) E03C, E03B, F24D Electronic databases consulted during the search (name of the database and, if possible, terms of search used) INVENES, EPODOC, WPI, PAJ  WRITTEN OPINION Date of Written Opinion: 23.12.2010 Statement

Novelty (Art. 6.1 LP 11/1986)

Claims Claims 1-7 IF NOT

Inventive activity (Art. 8.1 LP11 / 1986)

Claims Claims 1-7 IF NOT

The application is considered to comply with the industrial application requirement. This requirement was evaluated during the formal and technical examination phase of the application (Article 31.2 Law 11/1986).  Opinion Base.- This opinion has been made on the basis of the patent application as published.  WRITTEN OPINION 1. Documents considered.- The documents belonging to the state of the art taken into consideration for the realization of this opinion are listed below.

Document

Publication or Identification Number publication date

D01

EN 2187348 A1 (LOPEZ ALARCON CANDELAS) 06.01.2003

D02

GB 2441173 A (CURRY ROBERT ALEXANDER) 02.27.2008

D03

US 5564462 A (STORCH PAUL) 15.10.1996

D04

EN 1066530 U (ARDOY DE LAS HERAS JOAQUIN) 01.02.2008

D05

ES 1005904 U (RAYOSOL SA) 01.12.1988

2. Statement motivated according to articles 29.6 and 29.7 of the Regulations for the execution of Law 11/1986, of March 20, on Patents on novelty and inventive activity; quotes and explanations in support of this statement Claims 1-7 lack inventive activity according to Art. 8.1 LP11 / 1986 in view of documents D01 and D02. The documents closest to the state of the art are documents D01 and D02. Document D01 describes a system for the reuse of domestic wastewater consisting of a reservoir water receiver emanating from a washing machine or similar, having inside a buoy connected to a Peripheral water pump lifting the water contained to a tank through a pipe, leaving the water from the tank by gravity through the pipe to the cisterns of the toilets. Document D02 describes a domestic water saving system comprising means for diverting to a reservoir. the cold water that goes to the tap until the water reaches a predetermined temperature. CLAIM 1: The reiv. 1 describes equipment for the use of wasted drinking water in domestic installations characterized by comprising at least one waste water accumulation tank wasted in obtaining water heat to the demanded temperature that is connected, on the one hand to a suitable temperature water selector system to automatically drive waste water to said storage tank or to the tap, being said selector system installed after the water heater system of the installation, and on the other hand, said tank is connected to a water line to service the washing machine or other outlet. These characteristics are included in document D02 with the only difference that in document D2 is not It explains how the water derived from the tank is used. Notwithstanding document D01, of the same applicant as the patent in study, shows a water use of the tank similar to the patent under study. An expert in the subject would attempt to combine the main parts of document D01 with document D02 of the state of the art more next to obtain the characteristics of claim 1 and have a reasonable expectation of success. CLAIM 2-3: The reiv. 2 describes the tank comprising a regulating valve connected to a float buoy, water connection drinking water from the direct network connected to the aforementioned regulating valve, connection of wasted drinking cold water from of the water selector system by temperature and upper overflow drain. The reiv. 3 describes the tank characterized by the fact that it has a registration cover, threaded on the part upper tank, allowing manual access to it. These characteristics are described in document D01 (column 3 line 30 - line 56). It is considered that a subject matter expert would attempt to combine the main parts of document D01 with document D02 of the status of the closest technique to obtain the characteristics of claims 2-3 and have a reasonable expectation of success. CLAIM 4: The reiv. 4 describes the overflow drain of the tank connected to a second tank for use in the toilets cisterns. These characteristics are described in document D01 (column 4 line 9 - line 19). It is considered that a subject matter expert would attempt to combine the main parts of document D01 with document D02 of the status of the closest technique to obtain the characteristics of claim 4 and have a reasonable expectation of success. CLAIM 5: Section 5 describes the temperature water selector system comprising a flow switch, a probe thermostat, two valves with solenoid (17 and 18). These characteristics are described in document D02 with the exception of valve 17. However, it is considered that the use of said valve are mere obvious executions for a person skilled in the art being one of several obvious possibilities that an expert in the field would select according to the circumstances, without the exercise of activity inventive, to solve the problem. Consequently, the reiv. 5 lacks inventive activity in view of the documents D01 and D02.  WRITTEN OPINION CLAIM 6: The reiv. 6 describes the temperature water selector system housed inside a PVC box with access to the exterior, embedded in the wall or screwed and whose front is a grid to ventilate the solenoids of the valves. These characteristics are described in document D02 with the only difference that document D02 does not describes the use of the grid for ventilation, however the use of said grid comprises only embodiments and cannot be considered to involve inventive activity. Consequently, the reiv. 6 lacks inventive activity in sight of documents D01 and D02. CLAIM 7: The reiv. 7 describes a temperature water selector system that has an entry warning system in functioning. The design features disclosed in dependent claim 7 are considered to be mere executions. Obvious particulars for an expert in the field and cannot be considered to involve inventive activity. In consequence, the reiv. 7 lacks inventive activity in view of documents D01 and D02. CONCLUSION: The invention claimed in reiv. 1-7 does not imply inventive activity in view of documents D01 and D02. The documents cited D03, D04 and D05 only show the general state of the art, and are not considered as particular relevance.