Structured hot water demand flow control system with accommodation for thermal expansion

Abstract

In a hot water system for providing intermittent hot water, a separate holding vessel is provided and disposed in a hot water line between a hot water source and a plumbing fixture for blending of incoming hot water with residual water in the vessel in order to decrease cold water surges at the plumbing fixture upon repeated use of hot water in the plumbing fixture. A bladder disposed within the separate holding vessel accommodates for thermal expansion of the water.

1 . In a hot water system for providing intermittent hot water, the system including a hot water source, at least one plumbing fixture and a hot water line interconnecting said hot water source and said plumbing fixture, an improvement comprising:
 a separate holding vessel, disposed in said hot water line between said hot water source and said plumbing fixture, for blending of incoming hot water with residual water in the vessel in order to decrease cold water surges at said plumbing fixture upon repeated use of hot water at said plumbing fixture, said vessel having a volume of water per given length greater than a volume of water in said hot water line for the given length; and   a bladder, disposed in said separate holding vessel and sealing a gas therein, for accommodation thermal expansion of water in the water system in order to prevent damage to the water system including the hot water source, or release of water from the system.   
   
   
       2 . The improvement according to  claim 1  wherein the vessel is disposed proximate said hot water source. 
   
   
       3 . The improvement according to  claim 1  wherein said hot water source comprises a tankless hot water heater. 
   
   
       4 . The improvement according to  claim 4  wherein the vessel is disposed within a housing of the tankless hot water heater. 
   
   
       5 . The improvement according to  claim 1  wherein the system further comprises a re-circulating line interconnected said plumbing fixture and said hot water source for circulating cold water at said plumbing fixture back to said hot water source. 
   
   
       6 . The improvement according to  claim 1  wherein the system further comprises a cold water line interconnected with and said plumbing fixture and a valve, disposed proximate said plumbing fixture, interconnecting the hot and cold water lines, for enabling circulation of cold water to said hot water source. 
   
   
       7 . The improvement according to  claim 6  wherein the system further comprises a pump in fluid communication with said valve and hot and cold water lines for circulating water from said hot water line into said cold water line. 
   
   
       8 . A hot water system for providing intermittent hot water, the system comprising:
 a hot water source;   at least one plumbing fixture;   a hot water line interconnecting said hot water source and said plumbing fixture; and   a separate holding vessel, disposed in said hot water line between said hot water source and said plumbing fixture, for blending of incoming hot water with residual water in the vessel in order to decrease cold water surges at said plumbing fixture upon repeated use of hot water at said plumbing fixture, said vessel having a volume of water per given length greater than a volume of water in said hot water line for the given length; and   a bladder, disposed in said separate holding vessel and sealing a gas therein, for accommodation thermal expansion of water in the water system in order to prevent damage to the water system including the hot water source, or release of water from the system.   
   
   
       9 . The improvement according to  claim 8  wherein the vessel is disposed proximate said hot water source. 
   
   
       10 . The improvement according to  claim 8  wherein said hot water source comprises a tankless hot water heater. 
   
   
       11 . The improvement according to  claim 10  wherein the vessel is disposed within a housing of the tankless hot water heater. 
   
   
       12 . The improvement according to  claim 8  wherein the system further comprises a re-circulating line interconnected said plumbing fixture and said hot water source for circulating cold water at said plumbing fixture back to said hot water source. 
   
   
       13 . The improvement according to  claim 8  wherein the system further comprises a cold water line interconnected with and said plumbing fixture and a valve, disposed proximate said plumbing fixture, interconnecting the hot and cold water lines, for enabling circulation of cold water to said hot water source. 
   
   
       14 . The improvement according to  claim 13  wherein the system further comprises a pump in fluid communication with said valve and hot and cold water lines for circulating water from said hot water line into said cold water line.