Patent Publication Number: US-7707665-B1

Title: Shower water conservation apparatus

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention generally pertains to water conservation, and more specifically to a shower water conservation apparatus that stores an initially cooled water flow that is applied from a hot water heater prior to the water becoming hot. The stored cool water is then applied at a later time, into a regulated mixture of hot and cold water flow during shower usage, thereby preventing a needless waste of water. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Previously, many types of shower water conservation devices have been used to provide an effective means for saving water when showering. Typically, when a person is ready to shower, the hot water valve is turned on and the person waits until the shower water is hot. The person then adjusts the water mixture until the desired water temperature is achieved. The reason for the wait is that in many cases the water heater is located some distance from the shower and the water in the pipes leading to the shower has been standing, thus causing the water to cool down and to reach equilibrium with the prevailing ambient temperature. Obviously, the initial cooled water is wasted because it is drained into the sewer system. 
     A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that possess the novelty of the instant invention, however the following U.S. patents are considered related: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Patent Number 
                 Inventor 
                 Issue Date 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 4,224,700 
                 Bloys 
                 Sep. 30, 1980 
               
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,498 
                 Stayton 
                 Aug. 8, 1989 
               
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,499 
                 Newman 
                 Aug. 8, 1989 
               
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 5,277,218 
                 Sanchez 
                 Jan. 11, 1994 
               
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,537 
                 Hanks 
                 Feb. 15, 1994 
               
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,543 
                 Duke et al. 
                 Nov. 25, 1997 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,224,700 discloses a water conservation shower device that incorporates a stopper for insertion into the shower drain which includes a water pump attached to a shower head. Water accumulated in the bottom of the shower is re-circulated and reapplied through the shower head. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,498 discloses a shower temperature control system that includes a mixing valve which is connected between the hot and cold sources of water and a shower head. A gear motor shaft is connected to the mixing valve and controls the blend using a temperature sensor positioned in the shower plumbing. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,499 discloses a temperature sensitive shower diverter valve for diverting shower water used between the water source and the shower head. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,277,218 discloses a water delivery conduit operative through a valve member which directs water from a shower conduit to a storage tank. The storage tank permits selective use of water from a primary conduit or from the delivery conduit for the utilization of water therefrom. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,537 discloses an apparatus that includes a pickup head mounted to a shower drain, which is operative through a storage tank for pressurized flow to an auxiliary shower head. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,543 discloses a water conservation system for a shower. The system utilizes a foot operated control valve piped to a T-spigot that is connected to the shower head, thereby reducing the water flow by usage only when required. 
     For background purposes and as indicative of the art to which the invention is related reference may be made to the remaining patents located in the search: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Patent Number 
                 Inventor 
                 Issue Date 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 4,554,688 
                 Puccerella 
                 26 Nov. 1985 
               
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,675 
                 Arlie 
                  2 Dec. 1997 
               
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 5,862,544 
                 Placencia 
                 26 Jan. 1999 
               
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 7,024,706 
                 Hess 
                 11 Apr. 2006 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     The shower water conservation apparatus (SWCA) is designed to conserve shower water during the initial water-flow interval when the cooled shower water is being heated. In its basic design configuration the SWCA is comprised of
         a) a first means for allowing a water flow of initially cool water to flow from a hot water source into a water reservoir assembly,   b) a second means for shutting off the water flow from the hot water source into the water reservoir assembly, and allowing the water flow to be applied through a shower head,   c) a third means for simultaneously allowing the water flow from the water reservoir assembly and from a cold water source to mix and be applied through the shower head, and   d) a fourth means for shutting off the water flow as specified in steps a), b) and c) and allowing the water flow from the hot water source to be applied through a manual hot water valve (V 5 ) and through the shower head, and the water flow from the cold water source to be applied through a manual cold water valve (V 6 ) and through the shower head. The two manual valves (V 5 ,V 6 ) are connected in series with their respective hot and cold water flow paths to allow a bather to regulate the water pressure and the temperature of the water that is applied through the shower head.       

     In the first means the water flow from the hot water source is applied through a solenoid valve (V 1 ), a coiled pipe and into the water reservoir assembly. 
     In the second means the water flow from the hot water source into the water reservoir assembly is shut off by closing the solenoid valve (V 1 ) and opening a valve (V 2 ). This step allows the water from the hot water source to be applied directly through the shower head. 
     In the third means a third solenoid valve (V 3 ) and a fourth solenoid valve (V 4 ) are opened allowing the cooled water from the water reservoir assembly and the cold water from the cold water source to be mixed and applied through the shower head. 
     In the fourth means the solenoid valves (V 2 ) and (V 4 ) are closed allowing the manually controlled valves (V 5  and V 6 ) to adjust the pressure and the temperature of the water flowing from the shower head. The opening and closing of the solenoid valves (V 1 -V 4 ) are controlled by a timing circuit that is connected to a power supply. 
     In view of the above disclosure, the primary object of the SWCA is to not waste shower water by storing the cooled water, which flows during the initial flow of shower to water, for use at a later time. At this later time, hot water is available and the stored water can be timely reintroduced into the shower water flow mix. 
     The SWCA solves the waste of shower water in a simple to use manner: instead of turning on the manual hot water valve and allowing the initial cool water from the hot water source to flow into the drain, the SWCA utilizes a combination of valves that are added to the shower plumbing. The additional valves allow the cool water to be initially applied and stored in a water reservoir assembly from where the stored water is timely released into the shower water mix. 
     In addition to the primary object of the invention it is also an object of the invention to provide an SWCA that:
         The water saved is equivalent to the volume of water within the piping from the hot water source to the shower head, which in some cases may be substantial. For example, if two people shower at different times and the water heater is located far enough away to permit as much as 5 to 10 gallons of water to be stored and saved in the SWCA for each usage, the yearly savings in water could be as much as 3,650 to 7,300 gallons,   utilizes a simple type of fabrication, as all of the elements that are used to assemble the SWCA are well known in the art and are easily procured,   utilizes plumbing that is easily installed in existing showers and simple modifications can be made to the piping where single hot and cold valves are already employed,   is easily installed in new buildings, as the piping is simple and straightforward and the water storage assembly of the SWCA can be located directly above the shower with only simple piping required,   is dependable as little or no maintenance is required, and   is cost effective from both a manufacture&#39;s and consumer&#39;s points of view.       

     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of the elements that comprise the shower water conservation apparatus (SWCA). 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional, elevational view of the water reservoir enclosure and the water reservoir assembly shown removed from the SWCA. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing a typical timing circuit that controls the on and off cycles of a set of solenoid valves and a water pump that control the operation of the SWCA. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of a typical electrical power supply that powers the timing circuit. 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment for a shower water conservation apparatus  10  (hereinafter “SWCA  10 ”). The SWCA  10  is designed to store the initial flow of cool water that is available when a shower is first turned on. The cool water is diverted to a water reservoir assembly where the cool water is stored until it is reintroduced at a later time into a regulated water flow mix. 
     The preferred embodiment of the SWCA  10 , as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , is comprised of the following major elements: a water reservoir enclosure  12 , a water reservoir assembly  19 , a coiled pipe  32 , a set of four solenoid valves V 1 -V 4 , a water pump P 1 , a pair of turbines T 1  and T 2 , a timing circuit  130  and a power supply  140 . The inventive elements function in combination with a hot-water source  124 , a cold water source  126 , a manual hot-water valve V 5 , a manual cold-water valve V 6  and a shower head  122 . 
     The water reservoir enclosure  12 , which is shown attached to the SWCA  10  in  FIG. 1 , and removed for the SWCA  10  in  FIG. 2 , is dimensioned to fit into a space that has been allocated for attaching the SWCA  10 . The enclosure  12 , which is preferably made of a thermoplastic, includes an integral lower section  13  that has, as best shown in  FIG. 2 , a water inlet/outlet bore  14  and an upper surface  15 . To the upper surface  15  is attached a cover  16  having an upper surface  17  and a lower surface  18 . 
     The water reservoir enclosure  12  is dimensioned to house the water reservoir assembly  19  that is comprised of a bellows  20 , an upper spring attachment plate  28 , a lower spring attachment plate  29  and at least one spring  30 . 
     The bellows  20  is preferably made from a material that is selected from the group consisting of silicone-fiberglass, neoprene coated nylon, neoprene-latex, polyurethane or any other like material. The bellows  20  has a shape that best accommodates the shape of the water reservoir enclosure  12  which includes a circular, square or rectangular shape. As best shown in  FIG. 2 , the bellows  20  has an upper surface  22  and a lower surface  24 . The lower surface has attached thereto a water inlet/outlet port  26  that extends outward from the water inlet/outlet port bore  14  located on the lower section  13  of the water reservoir enclosure  12 . 
     The upper spring attachment plate  28 , as also shown in  FIG. 2 , interfaces with the lower surface  18  of the cover  16 . The lower spring attachment plate  29  interfaces with the upper surface  22  of the bellows  20 . Both of the plates are dimensioned to substantially follow the perimeter of the bellows  20 . 
     As best shown in  FIG. 2 , the at least one spring  30  is attached between the plate  28  and the plate  29 . When water is not flowing into the bellows  20  the compressive force of the at least one spring  30  maintains the bellows  20  in a compressed configuration. Conversely, when water flows into the bellows  20  the pressure of the water overcomes the compressive force of the at least one spring  30 , allowing the bellows  20  to expand and fill with water. The at least one spring  30  can consist of a central spring  30  or a pair of springs  30  can be utilized, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     The coiled pipe  32  as best shown in  FIG. 1  is located between the water reservoir assembly  19  and a plurality of pipes and valves that are described infra. The coiled pipe  32  has an upper port  34  that is attached to the water inlet/outlet port  26  that extends from the bellows  20 . The coiled pipe  32  also has a lower port  36  that is attached to an upper port  40  as also described infra. 
     The coiled pipe  32  may be formed into a continuous coil in multiple vertical and horizontal layers or any convenient pattern that utilizes space economically. The material for the coiled pipe  32  can consist of a metallic or thermoplastic resin pipe or hose in either a rigid, semi-rigid or completely flexible configuration. A polyvinyl chloride pipe with fittings for entrance and exit of water flow may be used as the rigid configuration, however the preferred pipe material is a flexible thermoplastic clear polystyrene resin having a nominal diameter of 0.375 inches to 0.5 inches (0.95 cm to 1.27 cm). 
     The purpose of the coiled pipe  32  is to store the cooled water for alter usage, with the configuration and length governed by the distance the water has to travel from the hot water source  124  to the shower head  122 . For practical usage only a few sizes would be manufactured to satisfy the need in must most cases. 
     The plumbing circuit that operates the SWCA  10 , is shown in  FIG. 1  and includes: 
     A first vertical pipe  48  having a lower port  49  that is attached to the hot-water source  124 , an outlet port  50  that is attached to the side port  42  on the T-section  38 , a T-section  51  having a side port  52 , an upper port  53  and a lower port  54 , a T-section  55  having a side port  56 , and a solenoid valve V 1  that is connected in series between the upper port  53  and the outlet port  50 . 
     A first horizontal pipe  60  having an inlet port  62  that is attached to the side port  52  that is located on the first vertical pipe  48 , an outlet port  64  that is attached to an upper port  68  of a T-section  66  further having a lower outlet port  70  and a side port  72 , and a solenoid valve V 2  and a turbine T 1  that are each connected in series between the inlet port  62  and the outlet port  64 . 
     A second horizontal pipe  76  having an inlet port  78  that is attached to the second side port  56  that is located on the first vertical pipe  48 , an outlet port  80  that is attached to the side port  72  that is located on the T-section  66 , a manually controlled hot-water valve V 5  that is connected in series between the inlet port  78  and the outlet port  80  located on the T-section  66 . 
     A second vertical pipe  84  having an inlet/outlet port  86  that is attached to the lower port  44  of the T-section  38 , a lower outlet port  88  that is located on a T-section  82 , a first side port  90  that is located on T-section  91 , a second side port  92  that is located on to the T-section  82 , a solenoid valve V 3  that is connected in series with a water pump P 1 , wherein both the valve V 3  and the water pump P 1  are connected in series between the inlet/outlet port  86  and the first side port  90 , and a turbine T 2  that is connected in series between the T-section  82  and the T-section  91 . 
     A third vertical pipe  94  having a cold-water inlet port  96  that is attached to the cold water source  126 , a third horizontal pipe  102  having an outlet port  104  that is attached to the first side port  90  located on the T-section  91 , a solenoid valve V 4  that is connected in series between the inlet port  96  and the outlet port  104 . 
     A fourth horizontal pipe  106  having an outlet port  108  that is attached to the second side port  92  located on the T-section  82  and an inlet port  110  that is attached to a second inlet port  98  located on the third vertical pipe  94 , and a manually controlled cold-water valve V 6  that is connected in series between the inlet port  110 , and the outlet port  108 . 
     A wye-pipe fitting  112  having a hot-water inlet port  114  that is attached to the lower outlet port  70  located on the T-section  66 , a cold-water inlet port  116  that is attached to the lower outlet port  88  located on the T-section  82 , and a vertical pipe  118  having an upper end that integrally intersects the wye-pipe fitting  112 , and a lower end having an outlet port  120  that is attached to the shower head  122 . 
     The timing circuit  130 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , includes a microprocessor  132  that is programmed to produce a series of sequential power outputs that are applied to each of the valves V 1 -V 4  and to the water pump P 1 . The power outputs are programmed to operate the valves V 1 -V 4  and the water pump P 1  in a pre-selected operational sequence. There are various programmed-timing circuits available in the electronics industry. Therefore, a detailed description of the timing circuit  130  is not presented. 
     The power supply  140 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , is comprised of a step-down transformer  142  having a primary winding  144  and a secondary winding  146 . The primary winding  144  is connected to a utility power source consisting of 120-volts a-c. 60 Hertz. The secondary winding  146  steps the voltage down to 24-volts a-c, 60 Hertz which is applied to the timing circuit  130  for further processing and application to the valves V 1 -V 4  and the water pump P 1 . The output from the power supply  140  can be applied to the timing circuit  130  by means of a cable  148 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , or the output can be hardwired. 
     It should be noted that the SWCA  10  may be incorporated with plumbing of any conventional type, such as galvanized steel, copper or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe, all of which are in common usage in this country. While it is easier to install the SWCA  10  in new construction buildings it may also be retrofitted in existing structures. It is also anticipated that the coiled pipe  32  may be eliminated and the water reservoir assembly  19  increased in size, while still providing the same functional capabilities at a reduced cost. 
     While the invention has been described in detail and pictorially shown in the accompanying drawings, it is not to be limited to such details, since many changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Hence, it is described to cover any and all modifications and forms which may come within the language and scope of the appended claims.