	US 12,275,023 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 AM CONSERVATION GROUP, Charleston, SC (US)
Filed by AM CONSERVATION GROUP, Charleston, SC (US)
Filed on Nov. 28, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/521,871.
Application 18/521,871 is a continuation of application No. 17/222,990, filed on Apr. 5, 2021, granted, now 11,833,529.
Application 17/222,990 is a continuation of application No. 16/201,179, filed on Nov. 27, 2018, granted, now 10,967,390, issued on Apr. 6, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/593,744, filed on Dec. 1, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2024/0091796 A1, Mar. 21, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B05B 1/18 (2006.01); E03B 1/04 (2006.01); E03C 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)]

20 Claims

1. A hot water system, comprising:

a water valve biased toward an open position and coupled between a hot water supply inlet and a purge outlet, the water valve configured to move between the open position and a closed position;

wherein, when the hot water system operates in a first mode, the water valve is in the open position, the hot water system selectively purges water from the hot water supply inlet through the purge outlet instead of through a hot water outlet, and water passes through the hot water system at a first volumetric flow rate;

wherein, when the hot water system operates in a second mode different from the first mode, the water valve is in the closed position, the water valve blocks at least a majority of the water entering the water valve from passing through the purge outlet and instead directs the water toward the hot water outlet, and water passes through the hot water system at a second volumetric flow rate less than the first volumetric flow rate and greater than zero.

6. A hot water system, comprising:

a water valve biased toward an open position and coupled between a hot water supply inlet and a purge outlet, the water valve configured to move between the open position and a closed position;

wherein, when the hot water system operates in a first mode, the water valve is in the open position, the hot water system purges water from the hot water supply inlet through the purge outlet and through a hot water outlet, and water passes through the hot water system at a first volumetric flow rate;

wherein, when the hot water system operates in a second mode different from the first mode, the water valve is in the closed position, the water valve blocks at least a majority of the water entering the water valve from passing through the purge outlet, and water passes through the hot water system at a second volumetric flow rate less than the first volumetric flow rate and greater than zero; and

wherein the water valve is configured to automatically switch from the first mode to the second mode when a temperature within the water valve rises above a predetermined temperature.

11. A hot water system, comprising:

a water valve coupled between a hot water supply inlet, a hot water outlet, and a purge outlet;

wherein when the hot water system operates in a first mode, water passes through the hot water system to the purge outlet at a first volumetric flow rate;

wherein when the hot water system operates in a second mode different from the first mode, water passes through the hot water system to the purge outlet at a second volumetric flow rate less than the first volumetric flow rate and greater than zero; and

wherein the water valve is configured to automatically switch from the first mode to the second mode and stop at least a majority of water flow through the hot water system when a temperature within the water valve rises above a predetermined temperature.