Improvement made to a device and to an associated method for saving heat energy and water in a sanitary installation

Abstract

The device for regulating the pressure of a sanitary hot water circuit and, consequently, a flow rate of hot water exiting at least one outlet forming part of a sanitary hot water distribution installation having at least one source of hot water supplying a pump ( 2 ) that pressurizes the hot water, at least one circuit of small-bore pipes ( 5.2 ) conveying the pressurized hot water to at least one outlet ( 41 ), and a regulating system is characterized in that the regulating system has a pressure reducer ( 90 ) positioned upstream of each small-bore hot water circuit, and in that the device has means for determining the pressure in each small-bore pipe ( 5.2 ) at the outlet or outlets and for transmitting this pressure information to the corresponding pressure reducer ( 90 ) at the outlet or outlets. The invention also relates to the method implementing this device.

1 . A device for regulating the pressure in a sanitary hot water circuit and consequently for regulating the hot water flow exiting from at least one outlet point being part of a sanitary hot water distribution installation, wherein the hot water distribution installation includes at least one hot water source pressurized by a pump ( 2 ), at least one small-section pipe circuit ( 5 . 2 ) supplying hot water to at least one outlet point ( 41 ), and a regulation system characterized in that the regulation system includes a pressure reducer ( 90 ) positioned upstream of each small-section hot water circuit and in that the device comprises for determining the pressure in each small-section pipe ( 5 . 2 ) at the least one outlet point and to transmit this pressure information to the corresponding pressure reducer ( 90 ) at the at least one outlet point. 
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1  characterized in that the means for determining the pressure and for transmitting the information transmission are pipes ( 5 . 1 ) filled with sanitary water. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2  characterized in that the pressure reducer ( 90 ) comprises an injection needle ( 5 . 16 ) actuated by the hydraulic pressure present in the pipe ( 5 . 1 ), via a piston ( 5 . 38 ) or a membrane, the needle ( 5 . 16 ) regulating the flow of fluid at an injector ( 5 . 20 ) based on the demand at the outlet point(s). 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 3  characterized in that each pressure reducer ( 90 ) comprises a housing ( 5 . 14 ) receiving and guiding the needle ( 5 . 16 ) so as to prevent the high pressure of the fluid at the outlet of the regulator from exerting an axial force on its end which is detrimental to the proper operation of the regulator, a seal ( 5 . 18 ) ensuring the sealing between the housing ( 5 . 14 ) and the needle ( 5 . 16 ). 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 3  characterized in that each pressure reducer ( 90 ) has a brake that slows down the movement of the needle ( 5 . 16 ) with each change in flow rate, enabling for a faster stabilization of pressure and flow at the outlet point. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1  characterized in that the regulation module includes a solenoid valve ( 5 . 40 ) connected on one side upstream and close to the outlet point(s) and on the other side to the hot water source, enabling the sanitary water to return to the hot water source or a reserve ( 17 ) connected to the hot water source. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 2  characterized in that it comprises safety valves ( 5 . 36 ) to prevent, in the event of malfunction, the high pressure from damaging the components of the low-pressure circuit ( 5 . 1 ) and ( 41 ). 
     
     
         8 . Method for operating the device according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the detection of a hot water demand at the outlet point, the automated opening of the solenoid valve ( 5 . 40 ) generating a pressure drop in a pipe ( 5 . 1 ), the complete opening of the pressure reducer ( 90 ) allowing the transfer of a maximum hot water flow rate into the small-section pipe ( 5 . 2 ), the arrival of the hot water at the outlet point and the return of a part of the flow rate via the pipe ( 5 . 1 ) to the hot water source ( 20 ), the automated closing of the solenoid valve ( 5 . 40 ), regulating the flow rate in the pressure reducer ( 90 ) during the phase of usage according to the demand at the outlet point, closing the outlet point which generates a pressure increase completely closing the pressure reducer ( 90 ). 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8  characterized in that after closing the outlet points, the hot water contained in the pipes ( 5 . 1 ) and ( 5 . 2 ) is automatically replaced by cold water to be reintroduced into the reserve ( 17 ), which limits energy waste and bacteria proliferation.