Patent ID: 7073528

Claim:
A water pump and bypass valve sub-system for use in a water circulating system, the sub-system comprising: a thermostatically controlled bypass valve configured to be located proximate a fixture in the water circulating system, the valve comprising: a housing having a hot water port and a cold water port formed integral with one another as part of a one-piece body, the hot water port being configured to be joined directly to a hot water supply line, the cold water port being configured to be joined directly to a cold water supply line, the housing having a passage permitting recirculating flow between the hot and cold water ports; a thermally sensitive actuating member, disposed within the housing, the thermally sensitive actuating member extending when heated above a preset temperature value and contracting when cooled below the preset temperature value, the thermally sensitive actuating member opening and closing the passage based on a temperature of the thermally sensitive actuating member; and a water pump configured to be located in the water circulation system remote from the fixture, the pump being configured to pump water through the water circulating system to the bypass valve.