Abstract: Automatic hot water recovery apparatus is provided for conserving the energy in a pressurized plumbing system and water heater apparatus by recovering hot water from hot water lines extending to plumbing fixtures remotely disposed from the water heater. A flow regulator is provided for automatically adjusting the flow of water from the cold water line into the hot water line as a function of operating pressure within the plumbing system.

Abstract: A device for effecting secondary circulation of water into a hot water tank not having a return opening. The arms of a T-fitting are place in series with the distribution line near the outlet port of the water tank. A return line, continuous at one end with the distal portion of the distribution line, is continuous at the other end with a relatively small internal line which lies within the leg of the T-fitting, one arm of the T-fitting, and extending through the outlet port into the water tank. A relatively low power pump and a sinking-ball valve are placed in series with the return line to cause the flow of water in the secondary circulation system to flow in one direction only.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for dispensing a liquid at a desired temperature from a hot liquid pressure line and a cold liquid pressure line to a plurality of liquid outlets such as a bathtub, a sink or the like. The system controls the temperature of the liquid flowing from the plurality of liquid outputs as well as controlling the level of liquid within a container and for maintaining the temperature of the liquid therein. The system includes a liquid recycling system which reduces the amount of liquid discarded during the operation of the system and to conserve heat energy. The system is controlled by a novel electronic control which when applied to a water dispensing system is able to control all functions of a bathtub as well as being capable of controlling a sink, a toilet or the complete water system for a residence, a hotel, an industrial or a medical complex or the like.

Abstract: Automatic hot water recovery apparatus is provided for conserving the energy in a pressurized plumbing system and water heater apparatus by recovering hot water from hot water lines extending to plumbing fixtures remotely disposed from the water heater. A piston is provided within the water heater to enable the displacement of water therein and to act as an indicator of system operation.

Abstract: The discharge ends of hot and cold water pipes are provided with valved outlets discharging into a common single water outlet and a by-pass pipe communicates the hot and cold water pipes upstream from but reasonably closely adjacent the hot and cold water outlets. A water accumulator is communicated with a mid-length portion of the by-pass pipe, a remotely operable flow-control valve is serially connected in the by-pass pipe intermediate the accumulator and the hot water pipe and an adjustable pressure regulator is serially connected in the cold water pipe closely upstream from the by-pass pipe.

Abstract: A sanitary system for thermostatically controlled supply of hot and cold water to a number of tapping locations includes a hot water storage container, piping to the tapping locations, thermostatically controlled mixing valves and tapping faucets or valves. The thermostatically controlled mixing valves are located at the water heater or storage container, and a tapping valve for adjustment and control of the water quantity is mounted at each separate tapping location. One single pipe line extends from each mixing valve to the respective tapping location. The system includes a microprocessor control with a manual temperature control at each tapping location for selection of water temperature, and a thermostatically influenced control system for each of the mixing valves including a processor controlled mechanical drive for adjustment of each mixing valve in correspondence with the water temperature defined at the tapping location.

Abstract: A system for freeze protection of pipes is provided, comprising a cold water supply line, connected to a main water supply line at one end and to at least one cold water fixture at the other end; a hot water tank having an inlet and an outlet; a hot water tank inlet line, connected at one end to the cold water supply line, and at the other end to the hot water tank inlet; a hot water supply line, connected to the hot water tank outlet at one end and to at least one hot water fixture at the other end; at least one restrictive connection, connecting between the cold water supply line and the hot water supply line; and a circulating pump, connected in-line in a circuit comprising the cold water supply line, the hot water tank inlet line, the hot water tank, the hot water supply line and the restrictive connection.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for circulating a heat transfer liquid from a heat collector, which is generally but not essentially a solar collector, to a heat exchanger or heat storage means which is located at a level below that of the heat collector without the use of any externally powered pumps. The heat transfer liquid is at least partially vaporized in the steeply sloped collector and the vapor/liquid rises in a series of "slugs" to a condenser located adjacent the top end thereof. The vapor is condensed and the hot liquid is forced downwardly to the heat exchanger by the pressure of the rising slugs of vapor and liquid. After giving up useful heat in the heat exchanger the now cooled liquid is recirculated to the condenser and thence to the collector.

Abstract: A heat recovery system recovers hot water to an insulated tank through reciprocally variable volume chambers which are biased to draw water from hot water lines when the pressure throughout the system is equalized. One-way valving means permits continuous water flow when desired through the hot water tank to the hot water outlet. In a specific embodiment, bias is effected by a piston having opposing faces of unequal area forming reciprocally moving walls of the chambers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control unit comprising two bodies, one of which is located in a main fluid-distributing section, such as a hot water heating system. A shunt valve in this main section body provides for shunting the hot water, of a boiler in the main section, between different channels which are enclosed within the two bodies. The second body section is located in a group flow-distributing section, and may be used in conjunction with a circulating pump. The two bodies are connected to each other via a mechanical heat-blocking device, made of a material having a heat conductivity figure which is lower than .lambda.=1.00 kcal/m h .degree.C. This heat-blocking device also establishes a communication for fluid flow between the channels, enclosed in the two bodies.

Abstract: An instant hot water supply system comprising a connection between the hot water and cold water lines incorporating a thermostatic control so that as the water in the hot water line cools off, cold water is allowed to escape and hot water is drawn from the hot water supply to take its place.

Abstract: Heat in the hot water lines of a water system is automatically recovered by providing a bridge conduit between the cold water lines and the hot water lines and by depressurizing the hot water lines relative to the cold water lines thereby to automatically direct higher pressure cold water into the hot water lines through the interconnection, which preferably is located near the hot water outlet. The higher pressure cold water forces the hot water back into the storage tank and out of the hot water lines until pressure is equalized. Loss of unused heat trapped in the hot water lines is minimized thereby saving energy.

Abstract: A thermally actuated modulating valve preferably for fail safe energy conservation systems includes a valve body having, a main inlet for cold source water, an outlet for heated water, and a fluid transfer chamber connected for delivering heated water to the outlet. A proportioning slide valve assembly formed in said valve body connected to the main inlet to receive cold water therefrom includes, spaced outlets, a slide valve to vary the volume of cold water delivered respectively through the spaced outlets, one of said spaced outlets for delivering varying volumes of cold water to be heated. The valve body has a mixing chamber connected to one of the spaced outlets of the proportioning slide valve assembly to receive cold water therefrom, an inlet for the heated water from the other of said spaced outlets, an outlet for delivering the mixture of cold and heated water to the fluid transfer chamber.

Abstract: A water and energy conservation system connectable between a hot water line and a hot water faucet comprising a reservoir for saving clean water normally wasted as the hot water tap is turned on and the cold water retained in the hot water line between the hot water system and the faucet is drained. When the hot water faucet is turned on, the water in the hot water line is conducted into the reservoir where it accumulates until the water in the reservoir reaches a predetermined temperature. At this time, the reservoir is drained through the hot water faucet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a recovery of heat in connection with water and waste pipe systems of the kind wherein a supply pipe for supplying cold water to a water heater and a waste pipe which is supplied with waste water from different consumption points by using the waste water for preheating the cold water before the cold water is supplied to the water heater.