Water conserving shower system and thermochromic fixtures used therein

Abstract

A water delivery system includes a mixing valve operable for delivering a water flow of adjustable temperature from a water source to a dispensing device downstream from the mixing valve; a thermochromic thermal indicator, fluidly coupled between the mixing valve and the dispensing device, that provides a visible indication of the water flow having achieved a predetermined temperature; and a diverter valve, fluidly coupled between the mixing valve and the dispensing device, and operable to direct the water flow selectively either to the dispensing device or back to the water source. The thermal indicator may be a thermochromic PVC conduit, or it may be a fitting having an inlet, an outlet, a thermochromic PVC element therebetween, and a barrier located between the inlet and the outlet so as to define a flow path that includes an interior surface of the thermochromic element.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A water-conserving shower system, comprising:
 a hot water source;   a cold water source;   a mixing valve having inlets configured to receive hot water from the hot water source and cold water from the cold water source and an outlet, the mixing valve being operable to produce a water mixture in the outlet of the hot water and the cold water in variable proportions;   a diverter valve downstream from the mixing valve and having an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the mixing valve, the diverter valve being operable to direct water received from the mixing valve outlet selectively to one of a first diverter valve outlet and a second diverter valve outlet;   a thermal indicator fluidly coupled to the outlet of the mixing valve so as to receive the water mixture therefrom, the thermal indicator being configured to change from a first color to a second color in response to the water mixture reaching a predetermined transition temperature;   a shower head fluidly coupled to the first diverter valve outlet; and   a return conduit fluidly coupling the second diverter valve outlet to one of the cold water source and the hot water source.   
     
     
         2 . The shower system of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal indicator is located upstream from the diverter valve. 
     
     
         3 . The shower system of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal indicator is located downstream from the second diverter valve outlet. 
     
     
         4 . The shower system of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal indicator includes a thermochromic element. 
     
     
         5 . The shower system of  claim 4 , wherein the thermochromic element is made of a PVC material and a thermochromic pigment. 
     
     
         6 . A water delivery system, of the type comprising a mixing valve operable for delivering a temperature-adjustable water flow from a water source to a dispensing device downstream from the mixing valve, wherein the improvement comprises:
 a thermal indicator, fluidly coupled downstream from the mixing valve so as to receive the water flow therefrom, the thermal indicator being configured to provide a visible indication of the water flow having achieved a predetermined temperature; and   a diverter valve, fluidly coupled between the mixing valve and the dispensing device, and operable to direct the water flow selectively either to the dispensing device or back to the water source.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the thermal indicator is located upstream from the diverter valve. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the thermal indicator is located downstream from the diverter valve. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the thermal indicator includes a thermochromic element. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the thermochromic element is made of a PVC material and a thermochromic pigment. 
     
     
         11 . In a water delivery system including a mixing valve operable for delivering an adjustable water mixture of cold water and hot water from a water source to a water dispensing device through an outlet conduit fluidly coupling the mixing valve to the water dispensing device, the improvement comprising:
 a diverter valve coupled to the outlet conduit downstream from the mixing valve so as to receive the water mixture from the mixing valve, the diverter valve being operable between a first position and a second position, wherein the diverter valve is configured so that, in the first position, the diverter valve directs the water mixture to the water dispensing device, and in the second position, the diverter valve directs the water mixture to the water source through a return conduit; and   a thermal indicator fluidly coupled to the mixing valve downstream therefrom so as to receive the water mixture therefrom, the thermal indicator being configured to change from a first color to a second color in response to the water mixture reaching a predetermined transition temperature.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the thermal indicator is located upstream from the diverter valve. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the thermal indicator is located downstream from the diverter valve. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the thermal indicator includes a thermochromic element. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the thermochromic element is made of a PVC material and a thermochromic pigment. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the first position of the diverter valve is a first rotational position, and the second position of the diverter valve is a second rotational position. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the first position of the diverter valve is a first axial position, and the second position of the diverter valve is a second axial position. 
     
     
         18 . A thermochromic fitting for providing a visual indication of a predetermined temperature having been achieved by fluid flowing through the fitting, the thermochromic fitting being made of PVC with a thermochromic pigment that provides a change in color of the PVC from a first color to a second color at the predetermined temperature. 
     
     
         19 . The thermochromic fitting of  claim 18 , wherein the fitting comprises a tubular conduit having an inlet end and an outlet end. 
     
     
         20 . The thermochromic fitting of  claim 19 , wherein the tubular conduit has an inner wall configured with lands and grooves. 
     
     
         21 . The thermochromic fitting of  claim 18 , wherein the fitting includes an inlet and an outlet; the fitting further comprising:
 a thermochromic element between the inlet and the outlet and having an interior surface; and   a barrier located between the inlet and the outlet so as to define a flow path between the inlet and the outlet that includes the interior surface of the thermochromic element.   
     
     
         22 . The thermochromic fitting of  claim 18 , wherein the fitting comprises:
 a main portion defining an inlet and an outlet arranged substantially co-linearly so as to define an axis;   a hollow branch perpendicular to the axis defined by the inlet and the outlet, and in fluid communication with both the inlet and the outlet, the branch having an open end;   a thermochromic element secured to and closing the open end of the branch and having an interior surface; and   an interior structure in the branch configured to provide a flow path between the inlet and the outlet that is partially defined by the interior surface of the thermochromic element.   
     
     
         23 . The thermochromic fitting of  claim 22 , wherein the interior structure comprises a barrier extending axially through the branch from a common wall defining the inlet and the outlet to a free end terminating at or near the open end of the branch, whereby a clearance is defined between the free end of the barrier and the interior surface of the thermochromic element so as to define a flow path from the inlet, through the clearance between the free end of the barrier and interior surface of the thermochromic element, to the outlet. 
     
     
         24 . A thermochromic material, comprising:
 polyvinyl chloride (PVC); and   a thermochromic pigment in the PVC in a concentration sufficient to provide a thermochromic change in the PVC from a first color to a second color in response to a predetermined transition temperature.   
     
     
         25 . A method of making a thermochromic element, comprising:
 providing uncured liquid polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in a liquid state;   mixing into the uncured liquid PVC a thermochromic pigment in a concentration sufficient to provide a thermochromic change in the PVC from a first color to a second color in response to a predetermined transition temperature;   forming the PVC with the mixed thermochromic pigment into a configuration of a thermochromic element; and   curing the PVC with the mixed thermochromic pigment.