System and Method for On Demand Hot Water Distribution

Abstract

A demand type, multiple use, hot water distribution and freeze protection system and method that responds to the user's desire for hot water at a particular sink or fixture by delivering hot water rapidly to that fixture, and only that fixture, without running water down the drain is disclosed. The system requires only one pump at the water heater, and does not require a dedicated hot water return line, but works with a dedicated line in retrofit applications. Circulating water in the plumbing system can also be used to protect plumbing from freeze damage. Each valve and activation device operates by transmitting a start command to the valve controller which sends the pump controller a start signal, the valve to open, hot water to circulate and the valve to close when the hot water arrives at the fixture preventing heated water from filling the cold water line.

1 . A high efficiency hot water demand delivery system comprising:
 a pressurized cold water source;   a pump having an inlet and an outlet and a controller wherein the pump inlet is coupled to the cold water source;   a water heater having an inlet and an outlet wherein the water heater is coupled to said pump outlet;   a hot water delivery conduit coupled to said water heater outlet;   at least one hot water faucets coupled to said water heater through said hot water delivery conduit;   a cold water delivery conduit coupled from said cold water source to at least one cold water faucets;   a valve and controller coupled between each said at least one cold water faucets and said at least one hot water faucets;   said valve controller having temperature sensing means and manual activation means and said valve control being in communication with said pump controller; and   said pump controller capable of receiving start commands from said valve controller, and having a fixed but adjustable pump run time once started, to circulate hot water through said hot water delivery conduit.   
     
     
         2 . The hot water delivery system of claim,  1  further comprising wireless communication to said valves and controllers from said manual activation means. 
     
     
         3 . The hot water delivery system of  claim 1 , further comprising flow detection means in communications with said pump controller for detecting water usage and in response to said detection disabling the pumping means. 
     
     
         4 . The hot water delivery system of  claim 1  further comprising flow detection means in communication with said valve controllers and in response to flow causes activation of said valve controller. 
     
     
         5 . The hot water delivery system of  claim 1 , further comprising communication between said valve controller and said pump controller wherein said communication causes said pump to shut off upon receiving a stop command from said valve controller. 
     
     
         6 . The hot water delivery system of  claim 1  further comprising a flow sensor or a current sensor in communication with said valve controller for detecting operation of hot water consuming appliances and at such time activating said valve controller. 
     
     
         7 . The hot water delivery system of  claim 1  wherein a pump means runs for a pre-determined time after receiving a start command. 
     
     
         8 . The hot water delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein said valve controller is activated by a clock timer. 
     
     
         9 . A high efficiency hot water demand delivery system comprising:
 a pressurized cold water source;   a pump having an inlet and an outlet and a controller wherein the pump inlet is coupled to the cold water source;   a water heater having an inlet and an outlet wherein said inlet is coupled to said pump outlet;   a hot water delivery conduit coupled to said water heater outlet;   at least one hot water faucet coupled to said water heater through said hot water delivery conduit;   a cold water delivery conduit coupled from said cold water source to at least one cold water faucet;   a valve and a controller coupled between each said at least one cold water faucet and at least one hot water faucet;   said valve controller able to receive wireless commands from remote switches;   said valve controller having temperature sensing means and manual activation means and said valve controller being in communication with said pump controller;   said pump controller capable of receiving start commands from said valve controllers, and having a fixed pump run time once started to circulate hot water through said hot water delivery conduit; and   an outdoor temperature sensing means in communication with valve/controllers wherein the valves are activated when the outdoor temperature falls below freezing.   
     
     
         9 . The hot water delivery system of  claim 8 , further comprising flow detection means in communications with said pump controller for detecting water usage and in response thereto disabling said pump. 
     
     
         10 . The hot water delivery system of  claim 8 , further comprising flow detection means in communications with said valve controller and in response to flow causing activation of said valve controller. 
     
     
         11 . The hot water delivery system of  claim 8 , further comprising communication between said valve controller and said pump controller causing the pump to shut off upon receiving a stop command from the valve controller. 
     
     
         12 . The hot water delivery system of  claim 8 , further comprising a flow or current sensor in communication with the valve/controller for detecting operation of hot water consuming appliances and at such time activating said valve controller. 
     
     
         13 . A high efficiency demand hot water delivery system comprising:
 a pressurized cold water source;   a water heater having an inlet and an outlet wherein said inlet is coupled to said cold water source;   a hot water delivery conduit coupled to said water heater outlet and looping past multiple hot water faucets and returning to said water heater inlet;   a pump having an inlet and an outlet and controller with the pump inlet coupled between the return end of the hot water distribution conduit and said water heater;   at least one hot water faucets coupled to said water heater through said hot water delivery conduit;   flow sensing means coupled between said water heater inlet and said cold water conduit wherein said pump controller starts said pump in response to water flow through said water heater.   
     
     
         14 . The hot water delivery system of  claim 13 , wherein said flow sensing means detects flow and in response to flows lasting less a brief time period starts said pump. 
     
     
         15 . The hot water delivery system of  claim 13 , wherein said pump controller having temperature sensor means for detecting hot water at the end of the hot water distribution loop and in response thereto shuts off the pump means. 
     
     
         16 . The hot water delivery system of  claim 6 , wherein said hot water consuming appliance is a dishwasher or a washing machine. 
     
     
         17 . The hot water delivery system of  claim 7 , wherein said pump means receives a stop command from one of said valve controllers and in response to said stop command said pump means shuts off. 
     
     
         18 . A high efficiency hot water demand delivery system comprising:
 a pressurized cold water source;   a pump having an inlet and an outlet and a controller wherein the pump inlet is coupled to the cold water source;   a water heater having an inlet and an outlet wherein the water heater is coupled to said pump outlet;   a hot water delivery conduit coupled to said water heater outlet;   at least one hot water faucets coupled to said water heater through said hot water delivery conduit;   a cold water delivery conduit coupled from said cold water source to at least one cold water faucets;   a valve and controller coupled between each said at least one cold water faucets and said at least one hot water faucets;   said valve controller having temperature sensing means and manual activation means and said valve control being in communication with said pump controller; and   said pump controller capable of receiving at least one start command and at least one program command from said valve controller to circulate hot water through said hot water delivery conduit. and capable of sending at least one stop command to said valve controller.