h a l f b a k e r yWhy not imagine it in a way that works?
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Bathtub Limiter
A product to buy that will keep your bathtub from overflowing | |
A product that keeps the bathtub from overflowing and reheats cold water. It would be attached to the outside of the tub or the nozzle, so when the water gets to a certain user set point the facet turns off. And a built in enhancement would filter and re-heat the water if it gets cold, or could be
used to keep it warm the whole time. The product would also filter any germs, soap, etc... and reuse the water, for the time used, also heats filtered water to a set temp.
infinity tub
http://www.us.kohle...roducts/why_sok.jsp
you probably want something like this. [pyggy potamus, Nov 30 2007]
Secret overflow drain
http://z.about.com/...1/0/D/W/bathtub.jpg
See the switch under the faucet? There's usually a hidden drain behind it. [5th Earth, Nov 30 2007]
[link]
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Option 1: Pressure transducer. |
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Option 2: Conductivity sensor at preset height. |
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Option 3: Ritzy ultrasonic doodads. |
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Aaaand leaving the hot water trickling in at the same rate as it drains through the safety drain at the top doesn't work for you... why? |
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[krigre55], welcome to the Halfbakery. |
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[bigsleep], I'm not sure I understand your question, or indeed whether it is a question. I stand by my options, based on the assumption that the desired depth is something less than than the exact maximum the bath is capable of. I read the overflowing problem as one of forgetting to turn the tap/faucet off during unattended filling, not one of sloshing water over the gunwales due to occupant activity. |
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I dont think so bigsleep. I agree that
making a water sensor could be a trick
undertaking if you want it to measure
minute differences. |
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I agree with [Texticle]. The way the idea
reads is to prevent overflow occurring
when the tub is *initially* filled. after
that it's up to you. given, there is a
mechanism for recirculating the water,
but that doesn't necessarily mean it ties
into the drainage system. |
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I believe a pressure system would work,
with a scale in the bottom of the tub
tied to a valve. Hell, the whole tub
could be on a mechanical valve so as
the tub fills, the tub lowers and closes
the valve. After that weight is reached,
any additional weight will not cause the
drainage of water, but it does prevent
the release of more water. which brings
the need for a water heater/ re-
circulator. Which, again, is separate
from the plumbing of the tub. |
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Yeah, that part is nasty. Filter fungus, eww. |
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But the fill sensor problem is trivial, really--any engineer could design three different devices just from the title of this idea. I'm the guy who's usually demanding methods, but I'm giving [krigre55] a pass on that aspect. |
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A depth sensor could be electronic or mechanical, and could be set to either fill to the proper level with or without an occupant. A dispensing sensor could be either a timer to shut off the faucet, or a volume counter. The user might need to learn just how much water can be put into an empty tub without causing overflow upon entering. |
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This is probably already done in Japanese bathtubs. Let me look. . . . Found nothing specific, but systems to cobble something up out of. |
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//Option 3: Ritzy ultrasonic doodads.// [marked-for-tagline] |
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I'm a little confused over the necessity for the first half of this idea. Bathtubs nearly all have overflow drains, just holes located high in the tub that lead straight to the main drain. They won't shut the water off for you, but they'll stop you from flooding your bathroom. |
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Most people don't realize this, because the holes are hidden behind the little switch thingy that opens and closes the drain. Water gets out through the small but not watertight gap around the assembly. See link. |
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A modified electric shower and a small pump would handle the recirculation and reheating; the built-in thermostat would be enough to regulate temperature. The filter would be pretty unpleasant, unless it was some ort of limited-use disposable cartridge..... the constant-level thing is easy-peasy. |
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Well let's assume he doesn't like wasting water...add a verticle pipe that connects to the tub down low. Put a float in the pipe that will shut off the water at a level enough below the overflow drain to prevent its use and have the float switch turn off the water and turn on a recirculating pump/heater/filter that uses a big hot tub filter and a UV light to kill bacteria.
That way you could just start the tub and it would auto-fill and stay warm till you were done. |
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