Cold Water Chiller Tank

BACKGROUND
Technical Field

The present disclosure is directed to water systems, and in particular, water systems for cooling or chilling water and water lines. The present disclosure is also directed to methods of cooling or chilling water and water lines.

Description of Related Art

Typical indoor water systems, such as those used in homes, commercial buildings, gyms, and the like, include water lines that supply water to various locations within. The water is supplied to the water lines from a source water line, such as a municipal water line, a well water line, and the like. For supplying water to a shower or bath, the water line typically splits into two lines. One water line called a neutral water line leads directly to the shower for supplying water to the shower or bath at a temperature in which the water entered the water lines (e.g., the temperature of the water in the source water line). Another water line called the hot water line leads water from the source water line first to a hot water heater which heats the water to a predetermined temperature before supplying it to the shower or bath.

During operation of the shower or bath water can only be supplied at a temperature at or between the temperature of the water in the hot water line and the water in the standard water line. If the shower or bath is turned to the maximum temperature, the shower or bath will supply water directly from the hot water line. If the shower or bath is turned to the minimum temperature, the shower or bath will supply water directly from the standard water line. If the shower or bath is turned to some temperature between a maximum and minimum temperature setting, the shower or bath will supply some combination of water from the hot water line and the standard water line. However, the water lines are not capable of supply water to the shower or bath at a temperature hotter than the temperature of the water in the hot water line or at a temperature colder than the temperature of the water in the standard water line.

The health benefits of taking chilled showers at temperatures lower than the temperature of source water lines are becoming increasingly apparent. However, since existing systems supply their cold water to a bath or shower directly from the source water line, the temperature of the water supplied to the shower or bath cannot be a temperature lower than the temperature of the water in the source water lines that is supplied to the water system, which is not at a temperature low enough to receive the health benefits of chilled showers.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a water system including: a shower or bath including a first water input; a hot water line in fluid communication with a source water line and the first water input, the hot water line including: a hot water heater configured to heat water in the hot water line to a preset heated temperature; and a first valve between the hot water heater and the shower or bath; and a chilled water line in fluid communication with the source water line and the first valve, the chilled water line including: a cold water tank having an internal volume configured to retain a volume of water; a second valve between the source water line and the cold water tank; and a water chiller between the cold water tank and the second valve, the water chiller configured to chill water in the chilled water line to a preset chilled temperature.

The present disclosure is also directed to a method of supplying water at a preset chilled temperature to a shower or bath, including: providing a hot water line in fluid communication with a source water line and the shower or bath; splicing into the hot water line a chilled water line in fluid communication with the source water line with a first valve, where the first valve is in a first position where the hot water line is in fluid communication with the shower or bath; supplying water to the chilled water line from the source water line; chilling the water in the chilled water line to the preset chilled temperature to produce chilled water; switching the first valve from the first position to a second position where the chilled water line is in fluid communication with the shower or bath; and supplying the chilled water to the shower or bath.

The present disclosure is also directed to a water system, including: a shower or bath including a first water input; a water line in fluid communication with a source water line and the first water input, the water line including: a hot water line including a hot water heater configured to heat water in the hot water line to a preset heated temperature, or a neutral water line; and a first valve between the hot water heater and the shower or bath, or between the source water line and the shower or bath in the neutral water line; a chilled water line in fluid communication with source water line and the first valve, the chilled water line including: a cold water tank having an internal volume configured to retain a volume of water; a second valve between the source water line and the cold water tank; and a water chiller between the cold water tank and the second valve, the water chiller configured to chill water in the chilled water line to a preset chilled temperature; and a controller connected to the first valve comprising an input component and configured to receive an input from a computing device of a user; where the controller is programmed or configured to: automatically move the first valve to a first position where the hot water line or the neutral water line is in fluid communication with the shower or bath when the controller receives a first input that the chilled water line should be off and automatically move the first valve to a second position where the chilled water line is in fluid communication with the shower or bath when the controller receives a second input that the chilled water line should be on.

Various non-limiting examples and aspects of the present disclosure will now be described and set forth in the following numbered clauses:

Clause 1: A water system, comprising: a shower or bath comprising a first water input; a hot water line in fluid communication with a source water line and the first water input, the hot water line comprising: a hot water heater configured to heat water in the hot water line to a preset heated temperature; and a first valve between the hot water heater and the shower or bath; and a chilled water line in fluid communication with the source water line and the first valve, the chilled water line comprising: a cold water tank having an internal volume configured to retain a volume of water; a second valve between the source water line and the cold water tank; and a water chiller between the cold water tank and the second valve, the water chiller configured to chill water in the chilled water line to a preset chilled temperature.

Clause 2: The water system of clause 1, wherein the shower or bath further comprises a second water input, and wherein a neutral water line is in fluid communication with the second water input and the source water line.

Clause 3: The water system of clause 1 or 2, wherein the preset chilled temperature is less than 20° C.

Clause 4: The water system of any of clauses 1-3, wherein the first water input is in fluid communication with the hot water line when the first valve is in a first position and in fluid communication with the chilled water line when the first valve is in a second position.

Clause 5: The water system of any of clauses 1-4, further comprising a third valve between the cold water tank and the first valve, wherein the cold water tank is in fluid communication with the water chiller when the third valve is in a first position and in fluid communication with the first valve when the third valve is in a second position.

Clause 6: The water system of any of clauses 1-5, wherein the cold water tank comprises a first temperature sensor positioned proximate to a top of the internal volume of the cold water tank, and a second temperature sensor positioned proximate to a bottom of the internal volume of the cold water tank.

Clause 7: The water system of any of clauses 1-6, wherein the water chiller comprises a heat exchanger configures to chill water to the preset chilled temperature.

Clause 8: The water system of clause 7, wherein the water chiller further comprises a refrigerant loop configured to chill a refrigerant and supply the refrigerant to the heat exchanger.

Clause 9: The water system of clause 8, wherein the water chiller further comprises a temperature sensor between the heat exchanger and the second valve.

Clause 10: The water system of any of clauses 1-9, further comprising: a controller in communication with a computing device of a user, wherein in response to receiving a signal from the computing device, the controller is programmed or configured to automatically change a position of at least one of the first valve and/or the second valve.

Clause 11: The water system of any of clauses 1-10, wherein the internal volume of the cold water tank has a volume of at least 45 gallons.

Clause 12: The water system of any of clauses 1-11, wherein the source water line is in fluid communication with the cold water tank when the second valve is in a first position, and the water chiller is in fluid communication with the cold water tank when the second valve is in a second position.

Clause 13: The water system of any of clauses 1-12, wherein the water chiller is configured to chill the water in the chilled water line to a temperature less than a temperature of water in the source water line.

Clause 14: A method of supplying water at a preset chilled temperature to a shower or bath, comprising: providing a hot water line in fluid communication with a source water line and the shower or bath; splicing into the hot water line a chilled water line in fluid communication with the source water line with a first valve, wherein the first valve is in a first position where the hot water line is in fluid communication with the shower or bath; supplying water to the chilled water line from the source water line; chilling the water in the chilled water line to the preset chilled temperature to produce chilled water; switching the first valve from the first position to a second position where the chilled water line is in fluid communication with the shower or bath; and supplying the chilled water to the shower or bath.

Clause 15: The method of clause 14, wherein the chilling step comprises chilling the water in the chilled water line to a less than 20° C.

Clause 16: The method of clause 14 or 15, wherein the supplying water to the chiller water line step comprises supplying water to a cold water tank and holding the water in the cold water tank.

Clause 17: The method of clause 16, further comprising measuring the temperature of the water in the cold water tank after chilling the water, and chilling the water again if the temperature measured is above the preset chilled temperature.

Clause 18: The method of any of clauses 14-17, further comprising: heating the water in the hot water line to a preset heated temperature to produce heated water.

Clause 19: The method of any of clauses 14-18, further comprising: switching the first valve from the second position to the first position after supplying the chilled water to the shower or bath, and supplying the heated water from the hot water line to the shower or bath.

Clause 20: A water system, comprising: a shower or bath comprising a first water input; a water line in fluid communication with a source water line and the first water input, the water line comprising: a hot water line comprising a hot water heater configured to heat water in the hot water line to a preset heated temperature, or a neutral water line; and a first valve between the hot water heater and the shower or bath, or between the source water line and the shower or bath in the neutral water line; a chilled water line in fluid communication with source water line and the first valve, the chilled water line comprising: a cold water tank having an internal volume configured to retain a volume of water; a second valve between the source water line and the cold water tank; and a water chiller between the cold water tank and the second valve, the water chiller configured to chill water in the chilled water line to a preset chilled temperature; and a controller connected to the first valve comprising an input component and configured to receive an input from a computing device of a user; wherein the controller is programmed or configured to: automatically move the first valve to a first position where the hot water line or neutral water line is in fluid communication with the shower or bath when the controller receives a first input that the chilled water line should be off and automatically move the first valve to a second position where the chilled water line is in fluid communication with the shower or bath when the controller receives a second input that the chilled water line should be on.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a water system according to non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a cold water tank according to non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the cold water tank of FIG. 2A with an external jacket;

FIG. 3A is perspective view of a water chiller according to non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a base of a housing for the water chiller of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a perspective view of a midsection of the housing for the water chiller of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3D is a perspective view of a lid of the housing for the water chiller of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a water control system according to non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of components of a control device according to non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a process to be performed by a control device according to non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “end”, “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “lateral”, “longitudinal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments or aspects of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments or aspects disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.

Referring to FIG. 1, a water system 2 for supplying water to a shower or bath is provided. The water system 2 may receive water from a source water line 3. The source water line 3 may be sourced from a municipal water system, a well water system, or any other water system that commonly provides water to a residence, a commercial building, a gym, or the like. The source water line 3 may connect a municipal infrastructure that produces water ready to be supplied to systems to the water system 2. The source water line 3 may supply water to a hot water line 4. The hot water line 4 is in fluid communication with the source water line 3 and a hot water heater 6. The water that enters the hot water line 4 is of the same temperature as the water contained in the source water line 3 and is then heated by the hot water heater 6. The hot water heater 6 may be any heating system or unit known in the art capable of heating water supplied to it from an initial temperature (e.g., the temperature of the source water line 3) to an elevated temperature, such as a tank water heater, a tankless water heater, a point-of-use water heater, a solar water heater, a hybrid water heater, a combination boiler water heater, a condensing water heater, and the like. The hot water heater 6 may heat the water in the hot water line 4 to a preset heated temperature.

The source water line 3 may supply water to a standard water line 8. The standard water line 8 contains water at the same temperature of the water in the source water line 3. The water contained in the standard water line 8 is not heated or chilled while contained in the standard water line 8. The standard water line 8 may be provided to mix with the hot water line 4 in order to reduce the temperature of the water in the hot water line 4 to avoid burns.

The hot water line 4 and the standard water line 8 may each supply water to a mixing valve 10 (e.g., a thermostatic mixing valve). The mixing valve 10 may be provided to mix some portion of the water in the standard water line 8 with the water in the hot water line 4. In some water systems, the water supplied by the hot water line 4 may be too hot to supply directly to a shower or bath 12. The mixing valve 10 may be provided to mix a portion of the water in the standard water line 8 with the water in the hot water line 4 in order to prevent burning from providing hot water that is too hot for a shower or bath. In some non-limiting embodiments, the standard water line 8 and/or the mixing valve 10 are not present in the water system 2. After the hot water heater 6 and optionally the mixing valve 10, the hot water line 4 may then lead to the shower or bath 12 where the supplied water is used for showering or bathing by a user. The user may activate a first handle (not shown) of the shower or bath 12 to cause hot water above the temperature of the source water line 3 to be delivered to the shower or bath 12. The user may activate the first handle of the shower or bath 12 to cause hot water above the temperature of the source water line 3 but below the water temperature in the hot water line 4 to be delivered to the shower or bath 12 due to the mixing of water from the standard water line 8 with the water of the hot water line via the mixing valve 10.

The source water line 3 may supply water to a chilled water line 14. The water supplied to the chilled water line 14 may have an initial temperature that is the same as the temperature of the water in the source water line 3. The chilled water line 14 may include an isolation valve 16. The isolation valve 16 may be capable of isolating the chilled water line 14 from the rest of the water system 2 in order to prevent water from the source water line 3 from entering the chilled water line 14. This allows isolation of the chilled water line 14 for installation and maintenance purposes.

The chilled water line 14 may be in fluid communication with the source water line 3 and a cold water tank 18. The cold water tank 18 is not provided to cool or chill the water supplied from the chilled water line 14, but instead, is provided as a holding tank for water prior to and/or after chilling and/or prior to suppling the chilled water to the shower or bath 12. The cold water tank 18 may be capable of holding greater than 150 psi of internal pressure. The cold water tank 18 may have an internal coating in accordance with NSF 61 standards. The cold water tank 18 may be capable of operating at temperatures in the range of 33° F. to 140° F. (about 0.6° C. to 60° C.).

The cold water tank 18 may be any tank known in the art capable of holding a liquid within an internal volume. One non-limiting embodiment of a cold water tank 18 is shown in FIGS. 2A-2B. As shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, the cold water tank 18 may have an inner pressurized tank 20 and an external jacket 22. The inner pressurized tank 20 may include a body 26 having an internal volume capable of holding the water of the chilled water line 14. The internal volume of the inner pressurized tank 20 may be capable of holding at least 10 gallons, or at least 25 gallons, or at least 45 gallons, or at least 100 gallons, or at least 120 gallons, or at least 150 gallons, or at least 200gallons of water. The internal volume of the inner pressurized tank 20 may be capable of holding up to 45 gallons, or up to 100 gallons, or up to 120 gallons, or up to 150 gallons, or up to 200 gallons of water. The cold water tank 18 may include a water inlet 28. The water inlet 28 may be located at the top 37 of the cold water tank 18 and may allow water from the chilled water line 14 to enter the internal volume of the cold water tank 18. The water inlet 28 may include a dip tube diffuser 30a extending into the internal volume of the inner pressurized tank 20. The dip tube diffuser 30a may extend into the internal volume of the inner pressurized tank 20 about 6 inches.

The cold water tank 18 may include an air vent 32 at the top 37 of the cold water tank 18. The cold water tank 18 may include a water outlet 34. The water outlet 34 may be located at the bottom 39 of the cold water tank 18 and may be allow water from the cold water tank 18 to flow into the chilled water line 14. The water outlet 34 may include a dip diffuser 30b extending into the internal volume of the inner pressurized tank 20. The dip diffuser 30b may extend into the internal volume of the inner pressurized tank 20 about 6 inches.

The cold water tank 18 may include a first temperature sensor 36a. The first temperature sensor 36a may be located proximate to the top 37 of the internal volume of the inner pressurized tank 20. The first temperature sensor 36a may provide temperature information on the water contained within the internal volume of the inner pressurized tank 20 that is located proximate to the top 37 of the internal volume of the inner pressurized tank 20. The cold water tank 18 may include a second temperature sensor 36b. The second temperature sensor 36b may be located proximate to the bottom 39 of the internal volume of the inner pressurized tank 20. The second temperature sensor 36b may provide temperature information on the water contained within the internal volume of the inner pressurized tank 20 that is located proximate to the bottom 39 of the internal volume of the inner pressurized tank 20.

The cold water tank 18 may include the external jacket 22. The external jacket 22 may comprise any material known in the art, such as an insulating material. The external jacket 22 may aid in insulating the inner pressurized tank 20 to prevent or aid in preventing changes in the temperature of the water contained within the cold water tank 18. The cold water tank 18 may include a flood switch 38. The flood switch 38 may be located proximate to the bottom 39 of the cold water tank 18. The flood switch 38 may detect flood that collects in a pan underneath the cold water tank 18.

The cold water line 14 that leaves the cold water tank 18 from the water outlet 34 may include a drain valve 40. The drain valve 40 may be capable of, when opened, draining the water containing within the cold water tank 18. The drain valve 40 may connect the cold water line 14 to a drain that leads to external of the water system 2.

The cold water line 14 that leaves the cold water tank 18 from the water outlet 34 may lead to a first valve 42. The first valve (and the other valves described herein) may be solenoid valves or any other suitable type of valves. The first valve 42 allows water to flow into the valve from the cold water line 14 and then allows this water from the cold water line 14 to leave the first valve 42 in one of two directions. The first valve 42 may allow water to pass from the cold water line 14 and into a water chiller 44. For example, if the water contained within the cold water line 14 is of a temperature that is higher than a desired temperature for showering or bathing (e.g., a chilled shower or bath), the water in the cold water line 14 may be passed to the water chiller 44 to chill or further chill the water in the cold water line 14.

In some non-limiting embodiments, the first valve 42 may not be present, with the chilled water line 14 extending between the cold water tank 18 and third valve 94 without passing through the first valve 42 (see alternative second water outlet 95). For example, the water from the cold water tank 18 may leave from the water outlet 34 and run to the water chiller 44, and may further include a second water outlet 95 different from the water outlet 34 in fluid communication with the cold water tank 18 and the third valve 94 and not in fluid communication with a first valve 42 (e.g., the first valve 42 may be omitted entirely). In such an embodiment, water in the cold water tank 18 may be supplied to the water chiller 44 by exiting the water outlet 34 and traveling to the water chiller 44 to chill water and/or the water in the cold water tank 18 may be supplied to the shower or bath 12 by exiting the cold water tank 18 through the second water outlet 95 and traveling directly to the third valve 94 and then to the shower or bath 12.

The water chiller 44 may cool the water supplied to it from the cold water line 14 to a temperature below the temperature of the water prior to supplying to the water chiller 44. The water chiller 44 may chill the water supplied to it from the chilled water line 14 to a temperature below that of the temperature of the water in the source water line 3. In this way, water with a temperature lower than the temperature of the source water can be contained within the water system 2. The water chiller 44 may be any system known in the art that is capable of receiving water and chilling it to a temperature below that of the temperature of the water when received, such as to a temperature below the temperature of the source water in the source water lines 3. The water chiller 44 may be in fluid communication with the portion of chilled water line 14 that leads to the water inlet 28 of the cold water tank 18 so that the chilled water from the water chiller 44 may be reintroduced into the chilled water line 14 and into the cold water tank 18. In this regard, the water chiller 44 receives water from cold water tank 18 via the water outlet 34, chilled water line 14, and valve 42, chills the received water to a lower temperature than it was when the water was received by the water chiller 44, and returns the chilled water, now with a lower temperature, into the chilled water line 14 at a point before the cold water tank 18 so that the chilled water may be returned to the cold water tank 18. A second valve 46 may be provided on the chilled water line 14 at the point where the water chiller 44 connects with the chilled water line 14 to reintroduce the chilled water into the chilled water line for supplying to the cold water tank 18. The second valve 46 may have two input streams, one stream that is the original chilled water line 14 that leads from the source water line 3 and another stream that receives the chilled water from the water chiller 44. The second valve 46 may have an output that connects with the water inlet 28 of the cold water tank 18. The second valve 46 may allow water to flow from both, or either, of the source water line 3 and water chiller 44. The source water line 3 may be in fluid communication with the cold water tank 18 when the second valve 46 is in a first position, and the water chiller 44 may be in fluid communication with the cold water tank 18 when the second valve 36 is in a second position. The water contained within the cold water tank 18 may be cycled through the water chiller 44 once, or may be cycled through more than once until the water is chilled to the preset chilled temperature.

In some non-limiting embodiments, the water chiller 44 may be a water chiller 44 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3A-3D. However the water chiller 44 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3A-3D is but one example of a water chiller 44 that may be used in the described water systems 2, and the water chiller 44 of the present water systems 2 may be any system or unit capable of receiving water and cooling it to a temperature to a temperature below that of the water when it was received by the water chiller 44.

Referring to FIGS. 3A-3D, the water chiller 44 may include a housing 48. The housing 48 may be provided to contain and protect the operational components of the water chiller 44 present within the housing 48. The housing 48 may include a base 50 that is configured to support the rest of the housing 48 as well as the operational components of the water chiller 44. The base 50 may include a bottom portion 52 in which the entire water chiller 44 sits upon. The base 50 may include a ring portion 54 that extends upwardly from the bottom portion 52 and defines an internal volume which is configured to contain the operational components of the water chiller 44. While the base 50 shown in FIGS. 3A-3B is generally cylindrical in shape, the base 50 may be any shape known in the art suitable for containing the operational components of the water chiller 44 and supporting the remainder of the housing 48.

The housing 48 may have a midsection 56. The midsection 56 may aid in containing and protecting the operational components of the water chiller 44 and provide ventilation for the water chiller 44. While the midsection 56 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3C is generally cylindrical in shape, the midsection 56 may be any shape known in the art suitable for containing the operation components of the water chiller 44. The midsection 56 may include a midsection body 58. The midsection body 58 may include a vent 60 along at least a portion of the midsection body 58. The vent 60 may include a plurality of holes that allows atmospheric air to interchange with the air within the water chiller 44. The vent 60 aids in reducing the temperature of the water chiller 44 which may heat up due to the operation of the water chiller 44. The midsection 56 may include a ridge portion 62. The ridge portion may extend radially outward from the bottom of the midsection body 58. When assembled, the base 50 may be coupled to the midsection 56. For example, the base 50 may be coupled to the midsection 56 by coupling the ridge portion 62 of the midsection 56 to the bottom portion 52 of the base 50. The ridge portion 62 may be coupled to the bottom portion 52 using any means known in the art. For example, the ridge portion 62 may be attached to the bottom portion 52 using fasteners.

The housing 48 may include a lid 64. The lid 64 may act as a cover for the water chiller 44 to protect and contain the operational components of the water chiller 44 and to provide ventilation for the water chiller 44. While the lid 64 is shown in FIGS. 3A and 3D as having a generally cylindrical shape, the lid 64 may be any shape known in the art suitable for covering and protecting the operational components of the water chiller 44 and to provide ventilation for the water chiller 44. The shape of the lid 64 may correspond to a shape of the midsection 54 so that the lid may be placed over the midsection 54. The lid 64 may include a top surface 66 that includes a vent 68 on at least a portion of the top surface 66. The vent 68 may include a plurality of holes that allows atmospheric air to interchange with the air within the water chiller 44 which aids in reducing the temperature of the water chiller 44 during operation. The lid 64 may include a ring portion 70 that extends downward from the top surface 66. The size of the ring portion 70 may be larger than the size of the midsection body 58 so that the ring portion may be positioned around the midsection body 58 such that the lid 64 is covering the midsection 54 and enclosing the internal volume of the water chiller 44. The ring portion 70 may include one or more cutouts defining slots 72 on the ring portion 70.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the water chiller 44 may be configured to receive water from a chilled water line 14 at a certain temperature and then chill the water to a temperature below the temperature of the water when initially supplied to the water chiller 44 before reintroducing the water back into the chilled water line 14. The water chiller 44 may include a recirculation pump 74. The recirculation pump 74 may be configured to circulate the water from the cold water tank 18 through the water chiller 44, and back into the cold water tank 18 via the chilled water line 14. The water chiller 44 may include a heat exchanger 76. The heat exchanger 76 may be configured to chill the water contained in the water chiller 44. The heat exchanger 76 may chill the water contained in the water chiller 44 to a temperature that is less than the temperature of the water when in entered the water chiller 44, such as to a temperature less than the temperature of the water supplied from the source water lines 3. The heat exchanger 76 may chill the water in the water chiller 44 by allow a heat exchange between the water in the water chiller 44 and a liquid having a temperature lower than the temperature of the water in the water chiller 44. The liquid may be any liquid known in the art that can be held at a temperature lower than the temperature of the water contained within the water chiller 44. For example, the liquid may be a refrigerant. It will be appreciated that any suitable type of heat exchanger 76 may be used.

The liquid, such as a refrigerant, may be contained within a refrigerant loop 78. The refrigerant loop 78 may be configured to cool the liquid in the refrigerant loop 78 so that when the liquid is supplied to the heat exchanger 76, the liquid is at a temperature below the temperature of the water in the water chiller 44. In the refrigerant loop 78, the liquid may pass through a compressor 80 and then to a condenser 82 with a condenser fan 84. After the condenser 82, the liquid may pass through a filter drier 86 and then to a thermostatic expansion valve 88 which regulates the liquid that is passed to the heat exchanger 76. These components of the refrigerant loop 78 result in a chilling of the liquid in the refrigerant loop 78 so that when the liquid enters the heat exchanger 76 after traveling through the refrigerant loop 78, the liquid is at a temperature that is less than a temperature of the water contained in the water chiller 44. The water chiller 44 may include a temperature sensor 90 located at the outlet of the water chiller 44. The temperature sensor 90 may provide temperature information on the water in the water chiller 44 after it has been chilled by the heat exchanger 76. The information provided by the temperature sensor 90 can be used to modify the operation of the water chiller 44 so that a desired temperature of the water when it leaves the water chiller 44 is achieved. The water chiller 44 may include a flood switch 92 located proximate to the bottom of the water chiller 44. The flood switch 92 may detect flood that collects in a pan underneath the water chiller 44.

After the water in the water chiller 44 is chilled by the heat exchanger 76, the water may then be returned to the chilled water line 14 at the point before the cold water tank 18, such as through the second valve 46, so that the chilled water may be returned to the cold water tank 18. The water that is returned to the cold water tank 18 after it has been chilled by the water chiller 44 may have a temperature lower than the temperature of the water when it entered the water chiller 44.

In some non-limiting embodiments, the water chiller 44 may be different from the non-limiting embodiment shown in FIG. 1. For example, the water chiller 44 may include a glycol-filled tank. The glycol-filled tank may include an internal volume that is filled with glycol, alcohol, or other lower (relative to water) freezing point liquid. The glycol in the glycol chilled tank may be chilled to a specific temperature. For example, the glycol may be chilled to less than 0° C., or less than −20° C. The glycol may be chilled by a refrigeration loop the same as or similar to the refrigerant loop 78 of FIG. 1. The water from the chilled water line 14 may enter the glycol-filled tank and into a stainless steel coil. While in the coil, the water of the chilled water line 14 may be chilled by the glycol in the glycol-filled tank surrounding the coils. Upon exiting the coils inside the glycol-filled tank of the water chiller 44, the chilled water may return to the chilled water line 14 via the second valve 46.

The water chiller 44 may chill the water in the chilled water line 14 to a preset chilled temperature, as input to the input component 112 of the controller 102 (see FIG. 5). The water chiller 44 may chill the water in the chilled water line 12 to less than 30° C., or less than 20° C., or less than 10° C., or less than 5° C.

The chilled water line 14 may be in fluid communication with the shower or bath 12. While a shower or bath 12 is shown and described herein, it is noted that the present disclosure is not limited to supplying chilled water to a shower or bath and may include supplying chilled water to any known water system or unit, such as a washing machine, dishwasher, hose, and/or the like.

As previously discussed, the first valve 42 receives an input water from the cold water tank 18 and has two output lines, one of which runs to the water chiller 44. The other output line of the first valve 42 is in fluid communication with the shower or bath 12. In this regard, if the water in the cold water tank 18 is not at a sufficiently low temperature and/or the user does not yet desire chilled water from the cold water tank 18 to be supplied to the shower or bath 12, the first valve 42 may be in a position so as to provide the water from the cold water tank 18 to the water chiller 44. If the water in the cold water tank 18 is at a sufficiently low temperature and/or the user desires chilled water from the cold water tank 18 to be supplied to the shower or bath 12, the first valve 42 may switch so as to provide chilled water from the cold water tank 18 to the shower or bath 12. It will be appreciated herein that any of the valves described herein may be automatically switched between positions by a command from a controller. In some non-limiting embodiments, the first valve 42 may not be in fluid communication with the shower or bath 12. Instead, the cold water tank 18 may include a second water outlet 95 different from the water outlet 34 that is in fluid communication with the shower or bath 12 and the third valve 94 so that chilled water from the cold water tank 18 may be supplied to the shower or bath 12.

In some non-limiting embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 1, the chilled water line 14 may splice into the existing hot water line 4 at a point between the hot water heater 6 and the shower or bath 12 so that the chilled water line 14 is in fluid communication with the shower or bath 12. In existing showers or baths 12 in water systems 2, a hot water line 4 and a neutral water line 93, which is unheated and unchilled, are supplied to the shower or bath 12. As used herein, “neutral” water refers to water that is unheated and unchilled such that it is at or about the temperature of the water from the source water line 3. In some non-limiting embodiments, the user may activate a second handle (not shown) and not the first handle to cause cold water at the temperature of the source water line 3 to be delivered from the neutral water line 93 to the shower or bath 12. It will be appreciated that the cold water in this embodiment is above the temperature of the chilled water described therein since the temperature of the source water line 3 is above the temperature of the chilled water. In some non-limiting embodiments, the user may activate both the first handle and the second handle of the shower or bath 12 to cause hot water above the temperature of the source water line 3 but below the water temperature in the hot water line 4 to be delivered to the shower or bath 12, and the user may select the degree to which the first and second handle are activated to adjust the temperature of the hot water to the desired level.

It would be exceedingly difficult and time-consuming to remove and redesign the existing water system 2 so as to include three water lines running to the shower or bath 12. Splicing the chilled water line 14 into the hot water line 4 allows for chilled water (also needing a temperature adjustment compared to the source water line 3) to be supplied to the shower or bath 12 without the need to completely redesign the water system 2. In some non-limiting embodiments, the chilled water line 14 may splice into the existing neutral water line 93 so that the chilled water line 14 is in fluid communication with the shower or bath 12. The chilled water line 14 may be spliced into the hot water line 4, or the neutral water line 93, with a third valve 94. The third valve 94 may have two input water lines and one output. The third valve 94 may receive an input from the hot water line 4, or the neutral water line 93, and an input from the chilled water line 14 and output to the shower or bath 12. In such a configuration, if a hot shower or bath 12 is desired, the third valve 94 may be placed in a first position which provides fluid communication between the hot water line 4, or neutral water line 93, and the shower or bath 12 so that hot or neutral water may flow to the shower or bath 12 from the hot water heater 6. If a chilled shower or bath 12 is desired, the third valve 94 may be placed and/or switched to a second position which provides fluid communication between the chilled water line 14 and the shower or bah 12 so that chilled water may flow to the shower or bath 12 from the cold water tank 18. It is noted that regardless of whether the hot water line 4 or chilled water line 14 is in fluid communication with the shower or bath 12, there may still be a neutral water line 93 at source water temperature that can also be supplied to the shower or bath 12.

Alternatively, the chilled water line 14 may supply chilled water directly to the shower or bath 12. In new water systems 2 and commercial water systems being built, such water systems may be designed to supply three direct lines to the shower or bath 12 including the hot water line 4, the chilled water line 14, and the neutral water line 93. In such an embodiment, the shower or bath 12 may include three water inputs with the hot water line 4 in fluid communication with a first water input and the source water line 3, the neutral water line 93 in fluid communication with a second water input and the source water line 3, and the chilled water line 14 in fluid communication with a third water input and the source water line 3.

In some non-limiting embodiments in which the chilled water line 14 is spliced into the existing hot water line 4, the user may activate a first handle (not shown) of the shower or bath 12 to cause chilled water below the temperature of the source water line 3 to be delivered to the shower or bath 12. The user device may communicate a signal to a controller of the water system 2, the controller configured to automatically move the third valve 94 to a first position where the hot water line 4 is in fluid communication with the shower or bath 12 when the controller receives a first input that the chilled water line 14 should be off and automatically move the third valve 94 to a second position where the chilled water line 14 is in fluid communication with the shower or bath 12 when the controller receives a second input that the chilled water line 14 should be on. Thus, the first handle may cause hot or chilled water to be flowed to the shower or bath 12 based on a user-selected position of the third valve 94.

The chilled water line 14 may include a check valve 96 between the second valve 46 and the third valve 94. The check valve 96 may allow the chilled water to flow in only one direction, preventing the chilled water from flowing back toward the second valve 46, the cold water tank 18, and the water chiller 44. The chilled water line 14 may include an isolation valve 98 between the second valve 46 and the third valve 94. The isolation valve 98 may be capable of isolating the chilled water line 14 from the rest of the water system 2, preventing chilled water from flowing to the shower or bath 12. The isolation valve 98 allows for the chilled water line 14 to be isolated for installation and maintenance purposes.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, a water control system 100 is provided. The water control system 100 includes a controller 102 that may be in communication with the first temperature sensor 36a, the second temperature sensor 36b, the flood switch 38, the flood switch 92, the first valve 42, the second valve 46, the third valve 94, and/or components of the water chiller 44 including the recirculation pump 74, the temperature sensor 90, and/or the condenser fan 84. The controller 102, may interconnect or establish a communication connection with the first temperature sensor 36a, the second temperature sensor 36b, the flood switch 38, the flood switch 92, the first valve 42, the second valve 46, the third valve 94, and/or components of the water chiller 44 including the recirculation pump 74, the temperature sensor 90, and/or the condenser fan 84 with wired connections, wireless connections, or some combination thereof.

The controller 102 may be any device capable off establishing communication with the first temperature sensor 36a, the second temperature sensor 36b, the flood switch 38, the flood switch 92, the first valve 42, the second valve 46, the third valve 94, and/or components of the water chiller 44 including the recirculation pump 74, the temperature sensor 90, and/or the condenser fan 84. The controller 102 comprise a processor programmed or configured to receive data from one or more components of the water control system 100. In some non-limiting embodiments, the controller 102 may be programmed or configured to receive data from the first temperature sensor 36a, the second temperature sensor 36b, the flood switch 38, the flood switch 92, and/or the temperature sensor 90, as well as from a user via an input component 112. The controller 102 may be configured to receive temperature data from the first temperature sensor 36a, the second temperature sensor 36b, and/or the temperature sensor 90. The controller 102 may be configured to receive data from the flood switch 38 and/or the flood switch 92.

The controller 102 may provide outputs to one or more components of the water control system 100, such as commands, instructions, signals, and the like to cause such components to execute an automated action. The controller 102 may provide outputs to the first valve 42, the second valve 46, the third valve 94, the recirculation pump 74, and/or the condenser fan 84. The controller 102 may be configured to provide outputs to the first valve 42, the second valve 46, and/or the third valve 94 to cause the first valve 42, the second valve 46, and/or the third valve 94 to automatically change from a first position to a second position, or from a second position back to a first position (or any other number of positions). The changing of the first valve 42, the second valve 46, and/or the third valve 94 from a first position to a second position, or from a second position back to a first position, allows for the input water line or the output water line of the first valve 42, the second valve 46, and/or the third valve 94 to be changed. The controller 102 may be configured to provide outputs to the recirculation pump 74 and/or the condenser fan 84 to cause the recirculation pump 74 and/or the condenser fan 84 to speed up or slow down. For example, the controller 102 may cause the recirculation pump 74 to increase or decrease the rate in which the water is circulated through the water chiller 44 and/or may cause the condenser fan 84 to increase or decrease the speed with which it is spinning. Causing the recirculation pump 74 and/or condenser fan 84 to speed up or slow down allows for control over the chilling of the water in the water chiller 44.

The controller 102 may provide outputs to one or more components of the water control system 100 based on inputs received from one or more components of the water control system 100. In some non-limiting embodiments, the controller 102 may provide outputs to the recirculation pump 74 and/or the condenser fan 84 to speed up or slow down based on temperature inputs received from the temperature sensor 90. For example, if the temperature received from the temperature sensor 90 is higher or lower than expected, the controller 102 may cause the recirculation pump 74 and/or the condenser fan 84 to speed up or slow down in order to chill the water in the water chiller 44 to the correct temperature as measured by the temperature sensor 90.

In some non-limiting embodiments, the controller 102 may provide outputs to the first valve 42 based on inputs received from the first temperature sensor 36a and/or the second temperature sensor 36b. For example, if the temperature of the chilled water inside the cold water tank 18, as measured by the first temperature sensor 36a and/or second temperature sensor 36b, is not at the preset chilled temperature as input by the user, the controller 102 may cause the first valve 42 to change from a second position where the cold water tank 18 is in fluid communication with the third valve 94 to a first position where the cold water tank 18 is in fluid communication with the water chiller 44 so that the water in the cold water tank 18 can be chilled by the water chiller 44 to the preset chilled temperature that was input by the user. If the temperature of the chilled water inside the cold water tank 18, as measured by the first temperature sensor 36a and/or second temperature sensor 36b, is at the preset chilled temperature as input by the user, the controller 102 may cause the first valve 42 to change from a first position where the cold water tank 18 is in fluid communication with the water chiller 44 to a second position where the cold water tank 18 is in fluid communication with the third valve 94 so that the chilled water that is at the preset chilled temperature may be supplied to the shower or bath 12 when desired. In some non-limiting embodiments, the controller 102 may be configured to provide outputs to one or more components of the water control system 100 without receiving any input data from one or more components of the water control system 100. In some non-limiting embodiments, the controller 102 may provide outputs to the third valve 94 based on information received from an input component 112 of a computing device of a user (e.g., a smart phone, tablet computer, a computing device of the shower or bath 12, or any other suitable computing device). For example, the controller 102 may cause the third valve 94 to move from a first position where the hot water line 4 is in fluid communication with shower or bath 12 to a second position where the chilled water line 14 is in fluid communication with the shower or bath 12 when the controller 102 receives an input from an input component 112 of the user's computing device to turn the chilled water line 14 “ON”. The controller 102 may cause the third valve 94 to move from a second position where the chilled water line 14 is in fluid communication with the shower or bath 12 to a first position where the hot water line 4 is in fluid communication with the shower or bath 12 when the controller 102 receives an input from an input component 112 of the user's computing device to turn the chilled water line 14 “OFF”.

Referring to FIG. 5, example components for a controller 102 are provided. The controller 102 may include various components known in the art for controllers 102. The controller 102 may include a bus 104, a processor 106, memory 108, a storage component 110 an input component 112, an output component 114, and/or a communication interface 116.

The bus 104 may allow communication between the other components of the controller 102. The processor 106 may be provided as software, hardware, or some combination thereof. The processor 106 may include a processor, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor, and/or other processing components capable of performing a programmable function. The memory 108 may include various types of memory known in the art, including random access memory, read-only memory, and other types of memory capable of storing data for use by the processor 106. The storage component 110 may be a component capable of storing information associated with the controller 102. The storage component 110 may include a hard disk, a compact disk, a digital versatile disc, a floppy disk, a cartridge, a magnetic tape, and/or any other type of computer-readable medium. The storage component 110 may include a drive corresponding to the type of computer-readable medium.

The input component 112 may include any component that may permit the controller 102 to receive information, such as from user input. The input component 112 may include a touchscreen display, a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a button, a switch, a microphone, a camera, a smartphone and/or the like. In some limiting embodiments, the input component 112 is a button or series of buttons and/or a touchscreen display that allows a user to manually press the input component 112 to provide the desired inputs. In some non-limiting embodiments, the input component 112 may include a smartphone with a smartphone application. The smartphone application may allow a user to manually press the touchscreen display of the smartphone in order to provide the desired inputs to the controller 102. The smartphone may communicate with the controller 102 via a wired connection, a wireless connection (e.g., WIFI), or some combination thereof. The input component 112 may allow a user to input various types of information to the controller 102. The input component 112 of the controller 102 may allow a user to input the desired temperature of the chilled water in the cold water tank 18 and/or allow a user to input whether the chilled water line 14 should be “ON” or “OFF”. The chilled water line 14 being “ON” refers to the chilled water line 14 being in fluid communication with the shower or bath 14, while the chilled water line being “OFF” refers to the chilled water line 14 not being in fluid communication with the shower or bath 12 and instead the hot water line 4 being in fluid communication with the shower or bath 12.

The output component 114 may include any component that may permit the controller 102 to provide output information from the controller 102. The output component may include a display, a speaker, one or more lights (e.g., LEDs), a smartphone with display, and/or the like, or some combination thereof. In some non-limiting embodiments, the output component 114 includes a display and/or a smartphone with a display for receiving information from the controller 102. The output component 114 may be configured to receive and/or display various types of information from the controller 102. The output component 114 may receive and/or display the set temperature (e.g., preset chilled temperature) for the chilled water of the cold water tank 18 received from the input component 112 by the user, the actual temperature of the chilled water in the cold water tank 18 received from the first temperature sensor 36a and/or the second temperature sensor 36b, and/or whether the chilled water line is “ON” or “OFF” as received by the user from the input component 112 and/or from the third valve 94.

The communication interface 116 may include various transceiver-type components. The communication interface 116 may include a transceiver, a receiver and transmitter, and/or any other transceiver-type component capable of establishing communication between the controller 102 and any other device or component of the water control system 100. The communication interface 116 may establish communication with a wired connection, a wireless connection, or some combination thereof. The communication interface 116 may allow the controller 102 to receive information from one or more components of the water control system 100 and provide information to another component(s) of the water control system 100. The communication interface 116 may include an Ethernet interface, coaxial interface, optical interface, infrared interface, radio frequency interface, universal serial bus interface, WIFI interface, Bluetooth interface, Zigbee interface, cellular interface, and/or any other communication interface capable of establishing communication between the controller 102 and one or more components of the water control system 100.

The controller 102 may perform one or more processes. The controller 102 may perform processes from the processor 106 executing instructions from a computer-readable medium, such as from the memory 108 and/or storage component 110. A computer-readable medium is a non-transitory memory device including memory space spread across multiple storage devices.

Instructions may be read into the memory 108 and/or storage component 110 from other computer-readable mediums or other devices and/or components via the communication interface 116. The instructions stored by the memory 108 and/or storage component 110 may cause the processor 106 to perform the one or more processes. The instructions may be in the form of software instructions, hardwired circuitry, or some combination thereof.

The memory 108 and/or the storage component 110 may include data storage and/or data structures, such as a database. The controller 102 may be capable of receiving information from, storing information in, communicating information to, and/or searching for information in the memory 108 and/or storage component 110.

The controller 102 shown in FIG. 5 is provided as an example, with some non-limiting embodiments of controllers 102 having additional components, fewer components, different components, and/or differently arranged components than what is shown in FIG. 5. Additionally, one or more components of the controller 102 may perform one or more functions that are described as being performed by one or more other components of the controller 102.

Referring to FIG. 6, a flowchart of a non-limiting embodiment of a process 200 that may be performed, either completely or partially, by the controller 102 is provided. In some non-limiting embodiments, one or more of the steps of the process 200 may be performed, either completely or partially, by another device and/or component separate from the controller 102.

As shown in FIG. 6, at step 202, process 200 may include receiving data from one or more components of the water control system 100. For example, the controller may receive information from the first temperature sensor 36a, the second temperature sensor 36b, the flood switch 38, the flood switch 92, the first valve 42, the second valve 46, the third valve 94, components of the water chiller 44 including the recirculation pump 74, the temperature sensor 90, and/or the condenser fan 84, and/or the input from the user's computing device. In some non-limiting embodiments, the information from the first temperature sensor 36a, the second temperature sensor 36b, the flood switch 38, the flood switch 92, the first valve 42, the second valve 46, the third valve 94, and/or components of the water chiller 44 including the recirculation pump 74, the temperature sensor 90, and/or the condenser fan 84 may include characteristics, properties, and/or parameters that are determined (e.g., measured, detected, sensed, etc.) by the first temperature sensor 36a, the second temperature sensor 36b, the flood switch 38, the flood switch 92, the first valve 42, the second valve 46, the third valve 94, and/or components of the water chiller 44 including the recirculation pump 74, the temperature sensor 90, and/or the condenser fan 84 during the course of operation.

As shown in FIG. 6, at step 204, process 200 may include determining a characteristic associated with the component. The controller 102 may determine a characteristic associated with the first temperature sensor 36a, the second temperature sensor 36b, the flood switch 38, the flood switch 92, the first valve 42, the second valve 46, the third valve 94, and/or components of the water chiller 44 including the recirculation pump 74, the temperature sensor 90, and/or the condenser fan 84. At step 204, the controller 102 may determine temperature information from the first temperature sensor 36a, the second temperature sensor 36b, and/or the temperature sensor 90, positioning information (i.e., if the valve is in a first or second position) from the first valve 42, the second valve 46, and/or the third valve 94, information regarding the presence of flood from the flood switch 38 and/or flood switch 92, circulation rate information from the recirculation pump 74, and/or speed information from the condenser fan 84. The temperature information from the first temperature sensor 36a and the second temperature sensor 36b may include the temperature of the chilled water within the cold water tank 18. The temperature information from the temperature sensor 90 may include the temperature if the water leaving the water chiller 44. The positioning information from the first valve 42, the second valve 46, and/or the third valve 94 may include whether each valve is in a first position or a second position. The information regarding the presence of flood from the flood switch 38 and/or flood switch 92 may include information about if any flood is collecting in the pans below the cold water tank 18 or the water chiller 44, respectively. The circulation rate information from the recirculation pump 74 may include the rate in which the chilled water circulates through the water chiller 44. The speed information from the condenser fan 84 may include the speed at which the condenser fan is spinning.

As shown in FIG. 6, at step 206, the process 200 may include determining whether the characteristic of the component satisfies a threshold. For example, the controller 102 may determine whether a characteristic associated with the first temperature sensor 36a, the second temperature sensor 36b, the flood switch 38, the flood switch 92, the first valve 42, the second valve 46, the third valve 94, and/or components of the water chiller 44 including the recirculation pump 74, the temperature sensor 90, and/or the condenser fan 84 satisfies a threshold. In some non-limiting embodiments, the controller 102 may determine whether temperature information associated with the first temperature sensor 36a and/or second temperature sensor 36b satisfies a threshold. The threshold to be satisfied by the temperature information from the first temperature sensor 36a and/or second temperature sensor 36b may be the preset chilled temperature of the chilled water within the cold water tank 18 that was input to the input component 112 by a user. For example, the threshold may include a temperature value that, when achieved, indicates that the water inside the cold water tank 18 is at the preset chilled temperature input by a user to the input component 112. The controller 102 may determine whether the temperature measured in the cold water tank 18 by the first temperature sensor 36a and/or second temperature sensor 36b is at the preset chilled temperature set by the user via the input component 112. In some non-limiting embodiments, the controller 102 may determine whether positioning information associated with the third valve 94 satisfies a threshold. The threshold to be satisfied by the positioning information from the third valve 94 may be whether a user has set the chilled water line 14 to “ON” or “OFF” on the input component 112. For example, the threshold may include a position value, that when at said position value, indicates the third valve 94 is in fluid communication with the desired water line between the hot water line 4 and the chilled water line 14 based on the user input to the input component 112. The controller 102 may determine whether the position of the third valve 94 is correct based on the user selecting “ON” or “OFF” for the chilled water line 14 on the input component 112.

As shown in FIG. 6, at step 208 (“YES”), process 200 may include performing an action based on determining that the characteristic of the component satisfies the threshold. For example, the controller 102 may perform an action based on determining that the characteristic of the first temperature sensor 36a and/or second temperature sensor 36b satisfies the threshold. The controller 102 may perform an action based on determining that the temperature value from the first temperature sensor 36a and/or second temperature sensor 36b satisfies the threshold. For example, the controller 102 may perform an action based on determining that the temperature value determined by the first temperature sensor 36a and/or second temperature sensor 36b is at or below the threshold, indicating that the chilled water inside the cold water tank 18 is at the preset chilled temperature as set by the user via the input component 112. The controller 102 may perform the action by causing the first valve 42 to change from a first position where the cold water tank 18 is in fluid communication with the water chiller 44 to a second position where the cold water tank 18 is in fluid communication with the third valve 94 so that the chilled water that is at the preset chilled temperature may be supplied to the shower or bath 12 when desired. The controller 102 may or may not require user input in order to confirm that the controller 102 is to perform an action. Alternatively, or in addition, the process 200 may forego performing an action based on determining that the characteristic of the component satisfies the threshold. For example, the controller 102 may forgo performing an action based on determining that the characteristic of the third valve 94 satisfies the threshold. The controller 102 may forgo performing an action based on determining that the positioning value from the third valve 94 satisfies the threshold. For example, the controller 102 may forgo performing an action based on determining that positioning value from the third valve 94 is at the threshold, indicating that the positioning value of the third valve 94 is at the desired position so that the chilled water line is “ON” or “OFF” as input by the user to the input component 112. The controller 102 may forgo the action of causing the third valve 94 to switch from a first position to a second position, or from a second position to a first position.

As shown in FIG. 6, at step 210 (“NO”), process 200 may include foregoing performing an action based on determining that the characteristic of the component does not satisfy the threshold. For example, the controller 102 may forgo performing an action based on determining that the characteristic from first temperature sensor 36a and/or second temperature sensor 36b does not satisfy the threshold. The controller 102 may forgo performing an action based on determining that the temperature value from the first temperature sensor 36a and/or second temperature sensor 36b does not satisfy the threshold. For example, the controller 102 may forgo performing an action based on determining that the temperature value from the first temperature sensor 36a and/or second temperature sensor 36b is above the preset chilled temperature as set by the user via the input component 112. The controller 102 may forgo the action of instructing or commanding the first valve 42 from switching to a second position where the cold water tank 18 is in fluid communication with the third valve 94 from the first position where the cold water tank 18 is in fluid communication with the water chiller 44 so that the water can continued to be chilled down to temperature. Alternatively, or in addition, the process 200 may include performing an action based on determining that the characteristic associated with a component does not satisfy the threshold. For example, the controller 102 may perform an action based on determining that the characteristic from the third valve 94 does not satisfy the threshold. The controller 102 may perform an action based on determining that the positioning value from the third valve 94 does not satisfy the threshold. For example, the controller 102 may perform an action based on determining that the positioning value from third valve 94 does not satisfy the threshold, indicating that the positioning value of the third valve 94 is not at the desired position so that the chilled water line is “ON” or “OFF” as input by the user to the input component 112. If the chilled water line 14 is set to “ON” on the input component 112, the controller 102 may perform the action by causing the third valve 94 to change from a first position which provides fluid communication between the hot water line 4 and the shower or bath 12 to a second position which provides fluid communication between the chilled water line 14 and the shower or bath 12. If the chilled water line 14 is set to “OFF” on the input component 112, the controller 102 may perform the action by causing the third valve 94 to change from a second position which provides fluid communication between the chilled water line 14 and the shower or bath 12 and a first position which provides fluid communication between the hot water line 4 and the shower or bath 12.

Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment can be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.

Cold Water Chiller Tank

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CPC

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Provisional Applications (1)