초록 ▼

A residential hot water recirculation system recirculates cooled hot water into the base of the hot water heater through its drain valve using an electrically driven pump. The recirculation system incorporates portable self-contained signalling units which use photosensitive, motion sensitive or inf

A residential hot water recirculation system recirculates cooled hot water into the base of the hot water heater through its drain valve using an electrically driven pump. The recirculation system incorporates portable self-contained signalling units which use photosensitive, motion sensitive or infrared sensitive detectors to sense changes within their field of sensitivity to signal the pump controller to activate the pump. By being portable and self-contained, the detectors can be placed without regard to home power outlets and without the need for additional wiring. The system provides for setting the cycle time for pump activation and the minimum interval between pump activations as well as a manual override which will reinitiates pump activation without regard to pump or timer status. The system signalling units and controller in one embodiment transmits and differentiates between two radio frequencies to distinguish between normal activation signals and manual override signals.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] A method of recirculating hot water in a hot water distribution system which includes a water heater, a pump, a water conduit, and a water outlet, with (1) the water conduit being connected to the water heater, and (2) the water outlet being connected to the water conduit, comprisin

[ I claim:] [1.] A method of recirculating hot water in a hot water distribution system which includes a water heater, a pump, a water conduit, and a water outlet, with (1) the water conduit being connected to the water heater, and (2) the water outlet being connected to the water conduit, comprising the steps of:determining whether a received signal is (1) a control signal which was generated in response sensing a human being, or (2) a manual override signal which was generated in response to manual activation of a manual override switch;activating the pump if the received signal is the manual override signal;activating the pump if (1) the received signal is the control signal, and (2) a predetermined time period after an initial activation of the pump has expired, wherein the predetermined period of time is based on a stored value in a controller; andpreventing activation of the pump if (1) the received signal is the control signal, and (2) the predetermined time period has not expired.