Precipitation reclamation storage system for use in a structure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11230828-B2
Application number	US-202016889950-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 2, 2020
Priority date	Dec 7, 2018
Publication date	Jan 25, 2022
Grant date	Jan 25, 2022

Abstract

A precipitation reclamation system includes a downspout adapter configured to receive runoff precipitation from a precipitation channel for a structure. The downspout adapter is configured to attach to the structure at a vent that places an interior of the structure in communication with an area external to the structure. A reclamation chamber is disposed within an appliance housing. The reclamation chamber has a pump. A reclamation conduit extends from the downspout adapter to the reclamation chamber and is configured to direct the precipitation to the reclamation chamber to define reclaimed water. The pump is adapted to deliver the reclaimed water from the reclamation chamber to a portion of the structure for use.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A precipitation reclamation system comprising:
a downspout adapter configured to receive runoff precipitation from a precipitation channel for a structure, wherein the downspout adapter is configured to attach to the structure at an aperture extending through a wall of the structure that places an interior of the structure in communication with an area external to the structure;
a reclamation chamber that is disposed within an appliance housing, the reclamation chamber having a pump, wherein the appliance housing is a pedestal for at least one laundry appliance, wherein the at least one laundry appliance is positioned on top of the pedestal; and
a reclamation conduit that extends from the downspout adapter to the reclamation chamber and configured to direct the runoff precipitation to the reclamation chamber to define reclaimed water, wherein the pump is adapted to deliver the reclaimed water from the reclamation chamber to a portion of the structure for use.

2. The precipitation reclamation system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one laundry appliance includes a laundry washer and a laundry dryer, wherein the pedestal extends below each of the laundry washer and laundry dryer.

3. The precipitation reclamation system of claim 1 , wherein the reclamation conduit includes a water treatment mechanism that includes at least a particulate filter.

4. The precipitation reclamation system of claim 3 , wherein the water treatment mechanism includes a microbe treatment mechanism.

5. The precipitation reclamation system of claim 1 , wherein the downspout adapter includes a regulating mechanism that redirects the runoff precipitation to remain in the area external to the structure.

6. The precipitation reclamation system of claim 5 , wherein the regulating mechanism is coupled with a water level sensor disposed within the reclamation chamber.

7. The precipitation reclamation system of claim 6 , further comprising a controller that is coupled to the water level sensor and the regulating mechanism.

8. The precipitation reclamation system of claim 1 , wherein the pump is in communication with a valve assembly, wherein the valve assembly includes a primary valve that operates to selectively combine the reclaimed water with a primary water supply.

9. The precipitation reclamation system of claim 8 , wherein the valve assembly includes a secondary valve that selectively operates to combine heated water from a water heater with at least the reclaimed water.

10. The precipitation reclamation system of claim 9 , wherein the valve assembly is coupled with a controller, and wherein the controller is in communication with a fluid level sensor of the reclamation chamber.

11. The precipitation reclamation system of claim 1 , wherein the appliance housing is positioned proximate at least one of a toilet, a laundry appliance and a dishwasher.

12. A precipitation reclamation system comprising:
a downspout adapter configured to receive runoff precipitation from a precipitation channel for a structure, wherein the downspout adapter extends through a wall of the structure that places an interior of the structure in communication with an area external to the structure;
a reclamation chamber that is disposed within an appliance housing, the reclamation chamber having a pump; and
a reclamation conduit that extends from the downspout adapter to the reclamation chamber and configured to direct the runoff precipitation to the reclamation chamber to define reclaimed water, wherein the pump is adapted to deliver the reclaimed water from the reclamation chamber to a portion of the structure for use, wherein the reclamation conduit includes a water treatment mechanism that includes at least a particulate filter, wherein the pump is in communication with a valve assembly, wherein the valve assembly includes a primary valve that operates to selectively combine the reclaimed water with a primary water supply, and wherein the valve assembly includes a secondary valve that selectively operates to combine heated water from a water heater with at least the reclaimed water.

13. The precipitation reclamation system of claim 12 , wherein the water treatment mechanism includes a microbe treatment mechanism.

14. The precipitation reclamation system of claim 12 , wherein the downspout adapter includes a regulating mechanism that redirects the runoff precipitation to remain in the area external to the structure, and wherein the regulating mechanism is coupled with a water level sensor disposed within the reclamation chamber.

15. The precipitation reclamation system of claim 12 , wherein the appliance housing is positioned proximate at least one of a toilet, a laundry appliance and a dishwasher.

16. A method of reclaiming runoff precipitation from an exterior of a structure for reuse within the structure, comprising steps of:
diverting the runoff precipitation from a precipitation downspout and through a wall adapter;
delivering the runoff precipitation from the wall adapter and toward a reclamation chamber via a reclamation conduit;
filtering the runoff precipitation within a water treatment mechanism that is positioned within the reclamation conduit and upstream of the reclamation chamber;
delivering the runoff precipitation from the water treatment mechanism to the reclamation chamber;
storing the runoff precipitation within the reclamation chamber at least partially positioned proximate an appliance housing to define reclaimed water, wherein the reclamation conduit runs from the wall adapter to the reclamation chamber; and
pumping the reclaimed water from the reclamation chamber to a fluid outlet of the structure, wherein the reclaimed water is selectively combined with a primary water supply via a primary valve of a valve assembly and wherein the reclaimed water is selectively combined with a heated water supply via a secondary valve of the valve assembly.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the step of pumping the reclaimed water includes:
pumping the reclaimed water to at least one of a toilet, a laundry appliance and a dishwasher.

Assignees

• Whirlpool Co

Inventors

• Baer Robert R
• Bauman Andria
• Schneemann Jason
• Voglewede Ronald L
• Bourgeois Elizabeth
• Bowler Eric J

Classifications

• E03D5/003

  Grey water flushing systems · CPC title

• E04D2013/0826

  Passages of down pipes through walls or floors · CPC title

• E03B2001/045

  using household water · CPC title

• E03B1/041 Primary

  Greywater supply systems · CPC title

• E03B2001/047

  using rainwater · CPC title