Abstract:
The invention relates to a valve which enables the user mechanically to recover the cold water contained in shower tubes, which is usually wasted through general drainage, for the subsequent use thereof. The inventive valve can also be used to reduce water wastage during daily bathing. The purpose of the invention is to provide a type of valve which helps save water in an easy-to-use manner, without limiting same to other possible applications.

Description:
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     All the details pertaining to this new design are clearly described in the following document. 
     
    
       [0002]     Attached to the document you will also find three figures.  
         [0003]      FIG. 1  is a cross section of the valve, which shows all of the components. The main body of this valve contains two Chambers: The Upper Chamber ( 2 ) and the Lower Chamber ( 3 ).  
         [0004]     Both Chambers are contiguous and separated by an intermediate wall ( 4 ). Such wall also houses a rod Seal ( 5 ).  
         [0005]     The Upper Chamber contains a Retaining Ring ( 6 ), a Momentary Closure Piston ( 7 ), and a Water Flow Deflecting Spool ( 8 ).  
         [0006]     In addition, the Upper Chamber has four ports: The Maintained Closure Port ( 9 ), the Inlet Main Port ( 10 ), the Recuperation Outlet Port ( 11 ), and the Shower Port ( 12 ).  
         [0007]     The Lower Chamber ( 3 ) contains: a Time Spool ( 13 ), the spool contains a unidirectional valve (check valve) ( 14 ). Fluid ( 20 ) passes only when fluid pressure at the bottom of the time spool ( 13 ) is greater than the fluid pressure at the top of the time spool ( 13 ).  
         [0008]     The Check Valve ( 14 ) prevents fluid to flow in reverse conditions.  
         [0009]     There is a Compression Spring ( 15 ) under the Time Spool ( 13 ).  
         [0010]     The time spool assembly is completed by a manual actuator ( 16 ).  
         [0011]     The side wall of the Lower Chamber ( 3 ) has two Channels: the Fast Stroke Channel ( 17 ), with its stroke ( 28 ), and the Slow Stroke Channel ( 18 ), with its stroke ( 27 ).  
         [0012]     The lower wall of the Lower Chamber ( 3 ) contains a Needle Valve ( 19 ).  
         [0013]     The Needle Valve ( 19 ) adjusts the flow of the Captive Flow ( 20 ).  
         [0014]     An Interconnecting Rod ( 21 ) connects the Water Flow diverting spool ( 8 ) and the Time Spool ( 13 ).  
         [0015]     Pistons seals ( 22 ) and rod seals ( 23 ) complement the assembly.  
         [0016]      FIG. 1  shows the Momentary Closure Piston ( 7 ), the Flow Diverting Spool ( 8 ), and the Time Spool ( 13 ) at their initial position.  
         [0017]     Under this condition, water entering through the Main Inlet Port ( 10 ) will exit through the Shower Port ( 12 ) to allow having cold water in the shower under this selection.  
         [0018]     The procedure to select hot water, and the saving of the cold water stored within the interconnecting piping that runs from water heater to shower, is as follows:  
         [0019]     a) Pull Manual Actuator ( 16 ) down.  
         [0020]     b) Open Conventional Shower Hot Water Valve.  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  shows that, by pulling Manual Actuator ( 16 ) down, the Time Spool ( 13 ) and the Water Flow Diverting Spool ( 8 ) are also brought down at the same time.  
         [0022]     This action allows the cold water, which is contained within the pipe, to flow from the Main Inlet Port ( 10 ) through the Recuperation Outlet Port ( 11 ).  
         [0023]     The Recuperation Outlet Port ( 11 ) would be plumbed directly to a water Recuperator.  
         [0024]     c.) The downward displacement of the Manual Actuator ( 16 ), makes the Time Spool ( 13 ) to move down and displace the fluid ( 20 ) contained below the Spool; then, the Fluid ( 20 ) flows upward through the Check Valve ( 14 ).  
         [0025]     Under the previously mentioned condition, the Spring ( 15 ) is compressed. Once the Manual Actuator ( 16 ) is released, the stored energy within the Spring ( 15 ) will exert pressure on the Fluid ( 20 ), now contained above the Time Spool ( 13 ).  
         [0026]     d.) The Fluid ( 20 ) is now forced to go downward and through the Slow Stroke Channel ( 18 ). The transportation of Fluid towards the Lower Chamber occurs during the displacement ( 27 ) of the Time Spool ( 13 ). The travel time of the Time Spool ( 13 ) is controlled by the adjustment of the Needle Valve ( 19 ), which adjusts the flow trough channel ( 18 ). The regulation of this flow, regulates the travel speed of the Water Flow Deflecting Spool ( 8 ) and the Time Spool ( 13 ). The time adjustment is determined according to installation needs between the water heater and the shower.  
         [0027]     e.) During the elapsed time that the Deflecting Spool ( 8 ) and the Time Spool ( 13 ) reach their original position, the Cold Water within the pipe is contained in the Water Recuperator.  
         [0028]     f.) At the end of this cycle, the water entering thru the Main Inlet Port ( 10 ) will be flowing to the shower through Shower Port ( 12 ). At this point, hot water is expected to run thru shower.  
         [0029]     g.) At this time, the Conventional Shower Cold Water Valve is opened to blend the hot water and the cold water and thus maintain the desired temperature.  
         [0030]     h.) Furthermore, water is saved when the Momentary Closure Piston ( 7 ) is activated, as shown in  FIG. 3 . Pressure exerted by the person&#39;s body weight, during the normal shower, over the fluid filled Cushion ( 25 ) which contains the Fluid ( 26 ).  
         [0031]     The fluid runs through the interconnecting line ( 24 ) that connects the Cushion ( 25 ) and the Maintained Close Port ( 9 ). The Inlet Main Port ( 10 ) is closed when the Momentary Closure Piston ( 7 ) is displaced; this displacement occurs temporarily, while the person taking the shower steps on the Cushion ( 25 ). The return action must occur in a quick manner due to the open Channel (I  7 ) and its non-regulated displacement ( 28 ).  
         [0032]     i.) t the end of the shower, both conventional valves, hot and cold water, are turned off.  
         [0033]     j.) At the beginning of another shower, the person must activate the Manual Actuator ( 16 ) once again.  
         [0034]     Having already sufficiently described our invention, we consider it to be a novelty and, therefore, claim the content in the following clauses as our exclusive property: