Configurable manifold water distribution system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11619032-B2
Application number	US-202017008522-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 31, 2020
Priority date	Aug 31, 2020
Publication date	Apr 4, 2023
Grant date	Apr 4, 2023

Abstract

Examples provide a configurable, modular manifold system for distributing water. The manifold receives water via a first supply line dropped vertically down from a ceiling structure. The first supply line is connected to a water source, such as a water tank or pre-existing water line without demolition. The water may be heated or filtered and then supplied to a fixture or other device via a perpendicular second supply line. Drainage from the fixture is received via a drainage line. The drainage accumulates in an accumulator tank. The drainage water is pumped out via a second vertical drainage line carrying the drainage water away. The second line eventually connects to a pre-existing sewage line or septic system for treatment. The manifold may be moved or relocated easily to provide water to fixtures or other devices modularly without alteration of fixtures or access demolition to existing structures.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system for water management, the system comprising:
a support frame;
a first accumulator that stores water received from a first supply line;
a first vertical conduit vertically disposed within the support frame and connecting to a top member of the first accumulator, the first vertical conduit providing the first supply line;
a first horizontal conduit connecting to a side member of the first accumulator, the first horizontal conduit comprising a second supply line from the first accumulator to a fixture;
a second accumulator that receives drainage water from the fixture;
a second vertical conduit vertically disposed within the support frame and associated with a first drainage line;
a second horizontal conduit connecting to a side member of the second accumulator, the second horizontal conduit including a second drainage line that directs the drainage water away from the second accumulator to the first drainage line;
a set of support members connecting at least a portion of the first and second vertical conduits to a portion of the support frame; and
a pump associated with the second accumulator, wherein the pump assists with moving the drainage water out of the second accumulator through the second drainage line to the first drainage line associated with the second vertical conduit.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first vertical conduit further comprises:
a hot water supply line; and
a cold water supply line.

3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second pump providing suction to at least one tool.

4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a set of wires vertically disposed along at least one of the support frame or at least one vertical conduit, the set of wires associated with at least one device.

5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a set of filters associated with the first accumulator that filters the water received from the first supply line as it enters the first accumulator.

6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first shut off valve to terminate water flow from the first supply line into the first accumulator; and
a second shut off valve to terminate drainage flow from the second accumulator to the second vertical conduit.

7. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a tankless water heater associated with the first accumulator that heats the water entering the first accumulator via the first supply line.

8. A method for water management, the method comprising:
receiving water at an accumulator via a first supply line associated with a set of vertical conduits vertically disposed within a support frame, the set of vertical conduits connecting to a top member of the accumulator, the set of vertical conduits a first vertical conduit providing the first supply line;
filtering the water via a set of filters associated with the accumulator;
storing the filtered water within the accumulator;
providing the filtered water to at least one fixture via a second supply line associated with a set of horizontal conduits connecting to a side member of the accumulator, the set of horizontal conduits a first horizontal conduit providing the second supply line and a second horizontal conduit providing a first drainage line;
receiving, at the accumulator, drainage water from the fixture via a second drainage line disposed between the fixture and the accumulator; and
evacuating the drainage water from the accumulator, via the first drainage line.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
accumulating other drainage water from a second fixture in a second accumulator.

10. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
heating the water received at the accumulator via a tankless water heater.

11. The method of claim 8 ,
wherein the evacuating of the drainage water from the accumulator includes using a vacuum pump.

12. A manifold for distributing water, the manifold comprising:
a support frame;
a first accumulator;
a first supply line providing water to the first accumulator, the first supply line associated with a first vertical conduit vertically disposed within the support frame;
a filter that removes impurities from the water provided by the first supply line to the first accumulator;
a second supply line providing filtered water from the accumulator to a fixture;
a first drainage line receiving drainage water from the fixture;
a second accumulator that stores the drainage water received from the first drainage line; and
a pump that facilitates evacuation of the drainage water from the second accumulator via a second drainage line, the second drainage line associated with a second vertical conduit vertically disposed within the support frame.

13. The manifold of claim 12 , further comprising:
a set of support members connecting at least a portion of at least one of the first accumulator, the second accumulator, the first vertical conduit, and the second vertical conduit to a portion of the support frame.

14. The manifold of claim 12 , further comprising:
a set of panels at least partially enclosing the manifold, wherein the set of panels provides support to at least a portion of at least one of the first accumulator, the second accumulator, the first vertical conduit, and the second vertical conduit.

15. The manifold of claim 12 , further comprising:
a wiring bundle, the wiring bundle comprising at least one of electrical wires, network cable or telephone wires.

Assignees

• Walmart Apollo Llc

Inventors

• Thomas Michael John
• Norton Alan
• Massa Gabriel

Classifications

• E03B7/08

  Arrangement of draining devices, {e.g. manual shut-off valves}(draining devices in general F16K, F16L) · CPC title

• E03B7/074

  Arrangement of water treatment devices · CPC title

• E03B7/07 Primary

  Arrangement of devices, e.g. filters, flow controls, measuring devices, siphons or valves, in the pipe systems · CPC title