Flow Control Device

Abstract

A valve assembly for a hot water service in a building joins a thermostatic valve 30 to a diaphragm vale 38 . This assembly diverts water from a domestic water heater which is cold or only warm and ensures hot flow without running water to waste. The assembly has a leg 14 which bypasses water at mains pressure for collection or garden use. The assembly is modified by joining the assembly in series with a tempering valve 44 which admits cold water flow to reduce the hot water temperature from 50° C.-60° C. to 44° C.

1 . A Be assembly comprising:
 (a) a thermostatic valve having a hot inlet and hot outlet and a normally open bypass outlet for water which is not hot enough to gain passage between the hot inlet andthe hot outlet; and   (b) a seperate diaphragm valve in series in the bypass outlet, wherein the valve closes the bypass in response to an increase in pressure at the hot water outlet.   
   
   
       2 . A valve assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the thermostatic valve is a wax element tempering valve connected for reverse operation. 
   
   
       3 . A valve assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the diaphragm valve is connected by capillary conduit to the hot outlet. 
   
   
       4 . A valve assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the inlet and outlet and bypass terminate in pipe connectors which are substantially aligned. 
   
   
       5 . A valve assembly as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the connectors all point in the same direction. 
   
   
       6 . A valve assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the thermostatic valve is connected in series to a tempering valve having a hot inlet a cold inlet and a mixed outlet for tempered flow, the hot outlet of the thermostatic valve being connected the hot inlet of the tempering valve. 
   
   
       7 . A valve assembly as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the tempering valve is adjustable to deliver tempered flow about 44° C. 
   
   
       8 . A hot water service comprising a basin served by a hot water supply and a valve assembly in turn comprising:
 (a) a thermostatic valve housing a hot inlet for water from the hot water supply;   (b) a hot outlet directing water to the basin;   (c) a normally open bypass for water which is not enough to gain passage between the hot inlet and hot outlet; and   (d) a separate diaphragm valve in series in the bypass outlet, wherein the valve closes the bypass in response to an increase inl pressure at the hot water outlet.   
   
   
       9 . A hot water service as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the hot outlet directs hot water to another hot water outlet in the vicinity. 
   
   
       10 . A hot water service as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the hot water outlets in the vicinity serve a shower and a bath.