Patent ID: 6220520
Filing Date: 2001-04-24
Classification: F24D

Abstract:
A modular manifold for use in a water heat distribution system comprising:I. a master module having:(a) a main body portion having:(i) a continuous outer surface extending laterally between a first generally planar side face and a second generally planar side face oriented substantially parallel to one another at opposite lateral ends of said main body portion;(ii) a first hot water supply conduit formed within said main body portion in fluid communicating relation between an inlet port positioned on said first side face and an outlet port positioned on said second side face;(iii) a water mixing chamber formed within said main body portion;(iv) a second hot water supply conduit formed within said main body portion in fluid communicating relation with said first hot water supply conduit and said mixing chamber;(v) a cold water return conduit formed within said main body portion in fluid communicating relation with a cold water return pipe connecting means positioned on said outer surface of the main body portion and said water mixing chamber;(vi) a temperate water supply conduit formed within said main body portion in fluid communicating relation with said water mixing chamber and a temperate water outlet pipe connecting means positioned on said outer surface of the main body portion;(b) a valve means positioned within said second hot water supply conduit to control the flow of hot water through said second hot water supply conduit to said mixing chamber;(c) an impeller means rotatably mounted within the main body portion in fluid communication with the mixing chamber for drawing water from said second hot water supply conduit and from said cold water return conduit into said mixing chamber for commingling thereof, and for inducing the water so commingled to pass, under positive pressure, from said mixing chamber into said temperate water supply conduit;II. a drive means mounted on the manifold and operatively connected to said impeller means for driving rotation thereof;III. a first end module selectively matable to said first generally planar side face in fluid sealing relation thereto, said first end module having a hot water supply throughpassage formed in the first end module in fluid communicating relation with the inlet port of said first hot water supply conduit when said first end module is mated to said first generally planar side face, and a pipe connecting means mounted on an exterior surface of said first end module in fluid communication with said hot water supply throughpassage; andIV. a second end module selectively matable to said second generally planar side face in fluid sealing relation thereto, said second end module having a hot water output throughpassage formed in the second end module in fluid communicating relation with the outlet port of said first hot water supply conduit when said second end face is mated to said second generally planar side face, and a pipe connecting means mounted on an exterior surface of said second end module in fluid communication with said hot water output throughpassage.