Claims
- 1. In combination with a hot water distribution system wherein water from a hot water source is brought through a conduit to a hot water tap, a priming device which comprises:
- a temporary storage reservoir having an inlet port and an outlet port in the upper region of the reservoir, and a capacity substantially commensurate with the capacity of said conduit;
- said reservoir being placed in series with said conduit proximally to said tap;
- means for continuously preventing heat loss through walls of said reservoir;
- means for detecting the temperature of the water flowing through said inlet port;
- means responsive to said means for detecting, for alternately directing water admitted through said inlet port toward an upper and a lower region of the reservoir; and
- means for evacuating water from a lower region of the reservoir, said means for evacuating comprising a channel having an intake port in a lower region of the reservoir, and a discharge port proximate said outlet port in the upper region of the reservoir.
- 2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said means for alternately directing comprises a first thermal valve.
- 3. The combination of claim 2, wherein said means for continuously maintaining comprises a thermally insulating jacket around said storage reservoir.
- 4. The combination of claim 3, wherein said means for detecting and said first thermal valve consist of a metal snap disc.
- 5. The combination of claim 3, wherein said means for alternately directing water comprises a tube for conducting water from said first thermal valve to said lower region of the reservoir.
- 6. The combination of claim 5, wherein said reservoir comprises a plurality of partitions shaped and dimensioned to create a narrow and circuitous path for water moving from said lower region to said upper region of the reservoir.
- 7. The combination of claim 6, wherein said partitions comprise a combination of horizontal separations dividing the reservoir into a series of superimposed compartments, and within each of said compartments a spiral septum for imposing multiple circular paths to the water within said compartments.
- 8. The combination of claim 7, wherein said tube is located in the axial center of the reservoir, and said partitions comprise alternately staggered disc-like fins extending from the outer periphery of said tube, and washer-like separators projecting from the inner wall of the reservoir.
- 9. The combination of claim 1, wherein said discharge port has a gauge substantially smaller than said outlet port.
- 10. The combination of claim 1, which further comprises a second channel having an intake port in a lower region of the reservoir, a discharge port outside said reservoir, and a second thermal valve within said channel.
- 11. The combination of claim 10, wherein said second thermal valve is located in an upper region of the reservoir.
- 12. The combination of claim 11, wherein said second thermal valve comprises a bimetal snap disc.
PRIOR APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 07/510,034 filed Apr. 16, 1990, now abandoned, a continuation of Ser. No. 06/844,206 filed Mar. 26, 1986, abandoned.
US Referenced Citations (6)
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
510034 |
Apr 1990 |
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