OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The object of the present invention is to register a fluid recirculation system,
especially suitable for Domestic Hot Water Installations (DHWI), although not limited
thereto, which incorporates notable innovations and advantages over the current state
of the existing technique.
[0002] The invention proposes the development of a recirculation process on an existing
Domestic Hot Water Installations (DHWI) based on a water pump, a by-pass pipeline
and a valve, located at the point of consumption.Thanks to its particular configuration,
this system can be arranged at more than one point of consumption of the installation
without affecting its operation and working safely.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Different types of devices are known in the current state of the technique that have
the objective of redirecting the fluid from the hot water pipe to the boiler, inverting
the flow of the cold pipe in order not to waste the water that is no a the desired
temperature, and making it recirculate until it reaches the desired temperature.
[0004] One type of these devices consists of a system whose function is to recirculate the
water coming from the boiler using the current installation, until it reaches the
desired temperature. The characteristic of these devices is that they do not need
the installation of a water storage tank near the tap. An example of a device is that
shown in the document
EP2554919. This device consists of an apparatus that is installed between one of the tap of
the Domestic Hot Water Installations (DHWI) and its water intake. It is needed to
have a socket nearby, however according to safety regulations in most countries, this
socket, must be outside the volume delimited by the vertical planes located 0.5 m
from the faucet sink, so its installation becomes expensive or unsightly. On the other
hand, the intermediate faucets between the boiler and the device will also have sanitary
hot water without waste if the device has been previously activated. For this reason,
the device must be placed on the faucet farthest from the boiler, being a drawback
if the faucet is a shower. Likewise, due to the nature of its operation, if during
the water pumping process another user opens cold water from an intermediate tap,
the energy used in heating the water is wasted indefinitely until the intermediate
tap is closed, this characteristic makes necessary the installation of similar devices
in each of the intermediate taps to avoid this waste to occur, resulting on an important
incretent of the installation costs. Therefore, this device is not suitable for homes
with collective boilers. Finally, in the event that during the pumping process, the
user activates the system by mistake or if he changes his mind about the temperature
he wishes to use, the process can not be cancelled, and the user must wait for the
water heating process to finish.
[0005] Another system with a similar functioning concept is shown in document
ES1060933U.
In this case, the system consists on pressure probes, solenoid valves and a pump located
in the water intake of the boiler, the latter being configured to change the direction
of advance of the water through the cold water pipe to the entrance of the boiler,
and on the other hand a tap adapted with a valve-piston pressure multiplier, which
when operated generates an overpressure in the cold water network that exceeds that
of the external network, this pressure differential is detected by the pressure probes,
sending an electrical signal that closes the main water inlet solenoid valve to the
general circuit and activates said pump. A thermal sensor incorporated in the tap
detects that the water has reached the appropriate temperature and allows the outlet
of the tap, causing the pressure drop in the circuit, and when this drop is detected,
the pressure probes reopen the water intake of the general network and circulate it
in the usual direction. The main drawback of this solution is that the pressure probes
do not detect with sufficient precision when the difference in pressure is due to
the opening of a tap or other reasons, resulting on an erratic operation of the system
and therefore making it inefficient. On the other hand, to stop the water management,
the thermal sensor must give the signal to the tap that it allows the water to escape,
regardless of whether the user is prepared to use the water, so it is very likely
that water will be wasted, anyway. Finally, the system closes the general outlet,
so if another tap of the same branch is opened, a vacuum effect can be generated that
can cause failure in other elements of the installation and in the pump itself.
[0006] Similarly, in document
ES2409082A1, a system is composed with a pump and adapted tap comprising a thermostatic bypass
between the hot and cold water pipes, which is kept open as long as the water is hot,
and closes when it is hot, while comprising a flow switch that controls the operation
of the pump. The drawback is generated when the installation comprises more than one
tap with this system, since one would invalidate the operation of the other tap.
[0007] Therefore, there is still a need for a water recirculation system that goes unnoticed
aesthetically, that is relatively cheap to install, that does not require a nearby
outlet, and that is easy to install in any type of existing tap and that allows the
user to change instantly any of the parameters of use without any compromise. The
present invention has been developed in order to solve this existing lack.
3. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The fluid recirculation system of the present invention is intended installations
with more than one branch, in which there is a need to recirculate the fluid between
two points of the installation, either to modify the existing temperature of the fluid,
to filter it or to mix it with other components, an example of this are facilities
with Domestic Hot Water Installations (DHWI) with recirculation, either with individual
or boiler with collective boiler systems.
[0009] The present system comprises a pumping module installed in one of the branches and
one or more activation modules, which can be located at any place along the system
with independence of the distance with the pumping module.
[0010] The system can also be formed by one or more bypass ducts, which communicate the
outlet of a pipe at the point of consumption with another point of the installation,
this bypass duct could be within the pipe itself, or an additional return pipe or
a conduit that connects the outlet of said pipe with another pipe in the system that
reaches the point of consumption.
[0011] The pumping module (4) is formed at least, by one of each of the following components
linked together:
- A processing circuit (41)
- A power source (42) and
- A pump (3).
[0012] The installable activation module (5) at the consumption points is of the type that
at least comprises:
- A valve (51) linked to the corresponding by-pass line of the consumption point, which
regulates the passage of water, either by directing it towards the outlet of the consumption
point or directing it towards the bypass lines, and
- A drive means (52) configured to mechanically actuate the valve.
[0013] A first aspect of the invention consists in that the system comprises at least one
communication cable (7) that links at least one of the driving means (52) with the
processing circuit (41) of the pumping module (4) for sending signals between them.
[0014] In a first alternative, the communication cable (7) is configured to move and / or
lodge through the interior of the pipes and connected to the pumping module (4). In
a second alternative, the communication cable (7) is part of the pipes, being integrated
in the contour of these. Also, the processing circuit (41) is configured to contact
each cable (7), with the purpose of providing and / or receiving the signal from each
drive means (52). This signal can consist, for example, and preferably in the start-up
signal of the pump when the valve allows the passage through the bypass duct (6).
[0015] The drive means (52) is linked to the valve (51), so that when the drive means (52)
is activated, the valve 51 opens the passage of the bypass duct, while sending a signal
to start the pump. Optionally, the valve can also assume the task of shutting the
outlet at consumption point. When the water pump is turned on by the valve, it generates
a current that creates a closed circuit fluid and de water recirculates through the
pipes until hot enough.
[0016] The pumping module (4) can be installed in a branch where the pump (43) must be configured
to circulate the fluid downstream or, alternatively, in a branch where the pump must
be configured to circulate the fluid upstream. Additionally, to prolong the life of
the pump (43) or to not affect the flow, the pump can be equipped with a clutch to
be free when it is not activated or the pump module can have a bypass line parallel
to the pump, enabled by at least one valve, so that when the pump is not being used,
water circulates through this bypass line.
[0017] As regards the driving means (52), this may consist, for example, of a button, a
switch, a thermostat, a timer or any other mechanical or electrical element that can
generate a signal.
[0018] In a second aspect of the invention, the components of the activation module (5)
can be found integrated in a tap 3), and optionally, also the bypass duct (6). In
this case, the drive means (52) can form part of the hot water opening control itself,
said control being configured to activate the valve (51) with a rotation in the opposite
direction to its conventional opening, while simultaneously sending the signal to
the processing circuit (41).
[0019] Additionally, the pumping module (4) may comprise a battery, configured to provide
sufficient energy to the processing circuit (41) and to the pump (43) so that it is
properly disconnected in the event of a power outage.
[0020] Optionally, the activation module (5) and / or the pumping module (4) can comprise
automatic control elements, such as for example a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor,
a timer, a programmable timer or a flowmeter, connected to the processing circuit
(41), either through its same communication cable (7) or through another additional
cable, the processing circuit (41) being configured to activate or stop the pump (43)
when the element indicates it.
[0021] Preferably, one of the temperature sensors can consist of a thermostat, so that the
predetermined temperature value can be selected by the user from the activation module
(5) itself. Likewise, the processing circuit (41) and / or the activation module (5)
may comprise a timer configured to send instructions previously defined by the user,
such as, for example, to indicate that the pump (43) is stopped after a predetermined
period of time.
[0022] These and other features and advantages of the fluid recirculation system object
of the present invention will be apparent from the description of a preferred, but
do not exclude embodiment, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in
the accompanying drawings.
4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] Figure 1.- It is a schematic example of a preferred embodiment of the fluid recirculation
system of the present invention.
5. DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0024] The preferred embodiment of the fluid recirculation system shown in FIG. 1 is configured
for Domestic Hot Water Installations (DHWI), which comprise a general conduit (1)
that branches to a branch of hot water (11) and a branch of cold water (12), a water
heater (2) located in the hot water branch (11) and at least one point of consumption
with tap (3, 3') of hot and cold water, to each of which arrives a pair of pipes (11',
12'), one of hot water (11') that comes from the branch of hot water (11) and another
of cold water (12') that comes from the branch of cold water (12).
[0025] In this example, the system comprises a pumping module (4) and an activation module
(5) located at a point of consumption, such activation module (5) integrating in its
interior the bypass conduit (6) that allows the return of water from the hot water
pipe (11 ') to the boiler (2).
[0026] As can be seen, the pumping module (4) comprises a processing circuit (41), a power
source (42) and a pump (43). The activation module (5) of this example, in addition
to the bypass duct (6), comprises, inside it, a valve (51) linked to the corresponding
bypass duct (6) and which regulates its passage from water, and an actuating means
(52) configured to mechanically actuate the valve (51). The actuating means (52) of
this example is represented as a push button.
[0027] Represented by a dotted line in the figure, the present system comprises a communication
cable (7) that links the drive means (52) with the valve (51) and with the processing
circuit (41). The communication cable (7) is configured to receive and send a signal
through the inside of the pipe and the cold water branch (12, 12') to the processing
circuit (41). In turn, the actuating means (52) is connected to the valve (51) so
that when the actuating means (52) is activated, the valve opens the passage through
the bypass conduit (6), sending simultaneously, a signal to the processing circuit
(41).
[0028] This signal can consist of a start-up signal of the pump (43) so that the water coming
from the hot water pipe (11 ') recirculates upstream through the cold water pipe (12')
towards the heater (two). In this way, all the water in the closed circuit generated
by the valve (51) and the bypass line (6) can be heated before it leaves the tap (3).
[0029] The place where the pump module (4) is installed will depend on how the DHWI is configured.
In Fig. 1 a pump module (4) installed in the hot water branch (11) is shown, in this
case being independent of the type of bypass duct used and the pump (43) must be configured
to drive the water downstream of the hot water branch (11). Alternatively, provided
that the bypass duct (6) communicates the hot water pipe with the cold water pipe
at the point of consumption, the pump (43) could be installed on the cold water branch
(12) and configured for to boost the water upstream.
[0030] The details, shapes, dimensions and other accessory elements, as well as the materials
used in the manufacture of the water recirculation system of the invention, may be
conveniently replaced by others that are technically equivalent and do not depart
from the essentiality of the invention invention or the scope defined by the claims
that are included below.
1. Fluid recirculation system for installations of the type comprising a general conduit
(1) that bifurcates into at least two branches of pipes (11, 12) and one or several
consumption points to which at least two of the branches reach of pipes them (11,
12), the system comprising at least:
• One or more bypass ducts (6), which communicate the output of a pipe (11 ') at the
points of consumption with another point of the installation,
• A pumping module (4) configured to be installed in one of the branches (11, 12),
comprising: a processing circuit (41), a power supply (42) and a recirculation pump
(43),
• At least one activation module (5) configured to be installed at a point of consumption,
comprising a valve (51) that regulates the passage of the fluid through said bypass
ducts (6) and an drive means (52) configured for mechanically actuate the valve (51),
the system being
characterized in that it comprises at least one communication cable (7) that links one of the drive means
(52) with the processing circuit (41), the communication cable (7) being configured
to send signals through the corresponding ones pipes (12, 12') between the drive means
(52) and the processing circuit (41), and the latter being configured to contact each
cable (7).
2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication cable (6) is housed inside the corresponding pipes (12, 12').
3. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication cable (6) is integrated in the outline of the pipes (11, 11', 12,
12').
4. System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the activation module (5) also comprises a bypass duct (6).
5. System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the activation module (5) is integrated in a tap (3).
6. System according to claim 5, characterized in that the knob for opening the hot water of the tap (3) is configured to rotate also in
the opposite direction to its conventional opening, sending a start signal of the
pump (43) when it is rotated the control in the opposite direction, as well as a signal
to stop the pump (43) when the control has been rotated back to its initial position.
7. System according to claim 6, characterized in that the hot water opening control of the tap (3) is configured to open the water passage
through the bypass duct (6) when it is rotated in the opposite direction to its conventional
opening, as well as closing it when the control has been rotated back to its initial
position.
8. System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the processing circuit (41) is configured to start the pump (43) when it receives
a start-up signal from the drive means (52), as well as to stop it when the signal
is stop.
9. System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the activation module (5) comprises an automatic control element connected to the
processing circuit (41), or through the same communication cable (6) of the drive
means (52) or through another additional communication cable, the processing circuit
(41) being configured to activate or stop the pump (43) when indicated by said automatic
control element.
10. System according to claim 9, characterized in that the automatic control element consists of a thermostat, so that the predetermined
temperature value by which the pump is stopped can be selected by the user from the
activation module (5).
11. System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pumping module (4) comprises an automatic control element connected to the processing
circuit (41), the latter being configured to activate or stop the pump (43) when said
control element automatic I indicate it.
12. System according to claim 11, characterized in that the automatic control element consists of a chronometer, so that the predetermined
maximum time in which the pump is running can be selected by the user.