US 10,967,390 B2
Efficient showerhead with purge outlet
Charles Lord, Scottsdale, AZ (US); Jason Swanson, Tempe, AZ (US); Troy Sherman, Gilbert, AZ (US); and Jeffrey Doss, Scottsdale, AZ (US)
Assigned to Evolve Technologies, LLC, Scottsdale, AZ (US)
Filed by Evolve Technologies, LLC, Scottsdale, AZ (US)
Filed on Nov. 27, 2018, as Appl. No. 16/201,179.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/593,744, filed on Dec. 1, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2019/0168238 A1, Jun. 6, 2019
Int. Cl. B05B 1/18 (2006.01); E03C 1/04 (2006.01); E03B 1/04 (2006.01)
CPC B05B 1/18 (2013.01) [E03B 1/048 (2013.01); E03C 1/0404 (2013.01); E03C 1/0408 (2013.01); E03C 2201/30 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A showerhead system comprising:
a first water valve controlled by water temperature and biased toward a fully open position when in the fully open position and coupled between a hot water source supply inlet and a purge outlet, the first water valve configured to move from the fully open position to a first closed position to restrict water passing from the hot water source supply inlet to the purge outlet when a thermal actuator in the first water valve heats to a predetermined temperature;
wherein the showerhead system comprises at least two modes including:
a first mode in which the first water valve selectively purges water from the hot water source supply inlet through the purge outlet instead of through a showerhead outlet until the thermal actuator rises to the predetermined temperature; and
a second mode in which the first water valve blocks at least a majority of the water entering the first water valve from passing through the purge outlet and instead directs the water toward the showerhead outlet, separate from the purge outlet.
 
11. A showerhead water flow controller comprising:
a main body comprising a water source supply inlet, a purge outlet and a showerhead outlet separate from the purge outlet; and
a first water valve controlled by water temperature and coupled between and controlling water flow between the water source supply inlet and the purge outlet, the first water valve comprising a thermal actuator within the first water valve configured to purge water from the water source supply inlet through the purge outlet instead of through the showerhead outlet and then to close the first water valve and stop a majority of water flow from the water source supply inlet to the purge outlet when the thermal actuator is heated up to a predetermined temperature.