Smart Freeze Prevention Hot Water Circulation System

Abstract

A hot water circulation system to prevent water pipes from freezing includes a cold-water line, a hot-water line, a water heater, a water pump, at least one bypass valve, at least one temperature sensor, a microcontroller, and at least one plumbing fixture. When at least one of the bypass valves is open, the water pump concurrently pumps hot water from the hot water line through the bypass valve into the cold-water line to prevent freezing.

The inventor claims: 
     
         1 . A Smart Freeze Prevention Hot Water Circulation System (“SFPHWCS”) comprising:
 a water heater, a water pump, a cold-water line, a hot-water line, at least one thermal sensor, at least one bypass valve, at least one plumbing fixture and a microcontroller; 
 wherein the thermal sensors are placed along the cold-water pipes; 
 wherein the microcontroller is connected to the water pump, at least one thermal sensor, and at least one bypass valve, 
 wherein the microcontroller can control the water pump and the at least one bypass valve; 
 wherein the water heater has an inlet and outlet, wherein a water pump is connected to the outlet port, which is connected to the hot-water line; 
 wherein the cold-water line bifurcates into two lines at a tee junction, referred to as cold-water line one and cold-water line two, wherein cold-water line one is coupled to the inlet of the water heater and cold-water line two is coupled to the cold-water inlet of each of the bypass valves in the system; 
 wherein the hot-water line is coupled to the water pump at one end, and is coupled to the hot-water inlet of each of the bypass valves in the system at the other end; 
 wherein the hot and cold-water outlet of the bypass valve is coupled to each of the plumbing fixtures; 
 wherein when the bypass valve is open, the water pump increases the flow allowing the hot water from the hot-water line to flow into the cold-water line. 
 
     
     
         2 . The system as in  claim 1 , further comprising a thermostat connected and controllable via the microcontroller. 
     
     
         3 . The system as in  claim 1  wherein the microcontroller can communicate and be controlled via an online application. 
     
     
         4 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein the system has at least two thermal sensors. 
     
     
         5 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein the system has more than one water pump. 
     
     
         6 . The system as in  claim 1 , further comprising leak sensors connected to the microcontroller and placed along the hot and/or cold-water lines. 
     
     
         7 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein the hot and cold-water lines are insulated to prevent heat loss. 
     
     
         8 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein the pipes are made of a nonconductive material to prevent heat loss. 
     
     
         9 . The system as in  claim 1 , further comprising a pressure release valve connected to the microcontroller. 
     
     
         10 . The system as in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one pressure sensor placed along the hot and/or cold-water lines connected to the microcontroller. 
     
     
         11 . A Smart Freeze Prevention Hot Water Circulation System (“SFPHWCS”) comprising: 
       a water heater, a water pump, a cold-water line, a hot-water line, at least one thermal sensor, at least one bypass valve, at least one plumbing fixture and a microcontroller;
 wherein the microcontroller is connected to the water pump, the least one thermal sensor, and the at least one bypass valve, 
 wherein the microcontroller can control the water pump and at least one bypass valve, 
 wherein the water heater has an inlet and outlet, wherein a water pump is connected to the outlet port, which is connected to the hot water line; 
 wherein the cold-water line bifurcates into two lines at a tee junction, referred to as cold-water line one and cold-water line two, wherein cold-water line one is coupled to the inlet of the water heater and cold-water line two is coupled to the cold-water inlet of each of the bypass valves in the system; 
 wherein the hot-water line is coupled to the water pump at one end, and is coupled to the hot-water inlet of each of the bypass valves in the system at the other end; 
 wherein the hot and cold-water outlet of the bypass valve is coupled to each of the plumbing fixtures; 
 wherein a thermal sensor is positioned in an external environment such that, upon detection of temperatures at or below the threshold temperature, the microcontroller initiates a response sequence involving the activation of bypass valves and the propulsion of heated water through the system via the water pump, wherein this cycle remains in effect, recurring periodically, for as long as the thermal sensor continues to record temperatures at or below the threshold temperature. 
 
     
     
         12 . The system as in  claim 11 , further comprising a thermostat connected and controllable via the microcontroller. 
     
     
         13 . The system as in  claim 11  wherein the microcontroller can communicate and be controlled via an online application. 
     
     
         14 . The system as in  claim 11 , wherein the system has at least two thermal sensors. 
     
     
         15 . The system as in  claim 11 , wherein the system has more than one water pump. 
     
     
         16 . The system as in  claim 11 , further comprising leak sensors connected to the microcontroller and placed along the hot and/or cold-water lines. 
     
     
         17 . The system as in  claim 11 , further comprising a pressure release valve connected to the microcontroller. 
     
     
         18 . The system as in  claim 11 , further comprising at least one pressure sensor placed along the hot and/or cold-water lines connected to the microcontroller. 
     
     
         19 . The system as in  claim 11 , further comprising a battery backup. 
     
     
         20 . The system as in  claim 11 , in which the microcontroller may employ non-continuous monitoring f sensors to reduce power consumption.