Patent ID: 6581220
Filing Date: 2003-06-24
Classification: E03C

Abstract:
A method comprising:providing recirculation apparatus that comprises a conduit, a one-way valve disposed in said conduit, a vacuum pump in fluid communication with a portion of said conduit distanced from said one-way valve, a shower head in fluid communication with said pump, and a main-water fluid inlet at a portion of said conduit between said one-way valve and said pump, said main-water fluid inlet being in fluid communication with a main water supply, and said conduit being formed with at least one opening at a portion of said conduit such that said one-way valve is positioned between said at least one opening and said main-water fluid inlet; initially operating in a normal shower mode, wherein shower water flows from said main water supply to said shower head via said conduit, and excess water exits to a drain hole, and wherein as long as there is positive water pressure from said main water supply, water flows through said conduit by means of positive pressure from said main water supply and negative sucking pressure from said pump and said one-way valve remains closed; and switching to a water recirculating mode, wherein water is shut off from said main water supply water, and water continues to flow in said conduit due to the negative sucking pressure from said pump, wherein in an absence of the positive water pressure, the sucking pressure opens said one-way valve, and wherein water exits said shower head and recirculates through said conduit via said at least one opening.