GB2073585A - Domestic shower supplies - Google Patents

Abstract

Water is supplied to the head of a shower device from the hot water tap of a bath via a pipe 1 and its temperature is controlled by the supply of cold water from the cold water tap of the bath to a pipe 2 forming part of a coaxial-tube type of heat exchanger. Water from the cold tap passes to a drain via a pipe 4 and the volume of water discharged from the shower head is controlled solely by the hot water tap. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Domestic shower device using heat exchanger to give easy temperature and volume control This invention concerns the problems associated with achieving adequate water volume and temperature for a shower when the pressure at the hot tap is different to that at the cold tap.

The simplest form of shower is that which is operated from the bath taps in the form of a stethescope the difficulties of temperature control are well known.

The shower device is shown in Figure 1 it consists of an outer metal or plastic tube which is fed directly from the hot tap or hot pipe. Hot water passes up pipe 1 and is discharged from shower rose; this is the only water used for showering.

Hence the hot water tap controls the volume of the shower.

The cold water is taken from the cold tap or system into pipe 2 from where it passes up the pipe to posi tion 3 it returns down pipe 4 and then to drain.

Tube 4 acts as a heat exchanger and attenuates the temperature of the hot water, by varying the amount of hot water the temperature of the hot is controlled over a wide range.

Hence the cold tap controls the temperature of the shower.

In practice the amount of cold water used is relatively small, the effect of changing pressures on the hot water temperature is also small.

The hot and cold waters do-not mix so meeting the statutory requirement in respect of mixer taps.

In its simplest form this device can befitted by means of flexible hoses to existing bath taps without the need for mixer taps or valves.

1. A unique method of getting temperature and volume control with the temperature vested in the cold tap and the volume vested in the hot tap.

2. A method of getting total volume and temperature control when the hot and cold pressures are at great variance.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (2)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Domestic shower device using heat exchanger to give easy temperature and volume control This invention concerns the problems associated with achieving adequate water volume and temperature for a shower when the pressure at the hot tap is different to that at the cold tap. The simplest form of shower is that which is operated from the bath taps in the form of a stethescope the difficulties of temperature control are well known. The shower device is shown in Figure 1 it consists of an outer metal or plastic tube which is fed directly from the hot tap or hot pipe. Hot water passes up pipe 1 and is discharged from shower rose; this is the only water used for showering. Hence the hot water tap controls the volume of the shower. The cold water is taken from the cold tap or system into pipe 2 from where it passes up the pipe to posi tion 3 it returns down pipe 4 and then to drain. Tube 4 acts as a heat exchanger and attenuates the temperature of the hot water, by varying the amount of hot water the temperature of the hot is controlled over a wide range. Hence the cold tap controls the temperature of the shower. In practice the amount of cold water used is relatively small, the effect of changing pressures on the hot water temperature is also small. The hot and cold waters do-not mix so meeting the statutory requirement in respect of mixer taps. In its simplest form this device can befitted by means of flexible hoses to existing bath taps without the need for mixer taps or valves. CLAIMS

1. A unique method of getting temperature and volume control with the temperature vested in the cold tap and the volume vested in the hot tap.

2. A method of getting total volume and temperature control when the hot and cold pressures are at great variance.