WO2009008002A2

WO2009008002A2 - A liquid saving flow control device

Info

Publication number: WO2009008002A2
Application number: PCT/IN2008/000290
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rashingkar Laxmikant Vishnupant
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-05-10
Filing date: 2008-05-09
Publication date: 2009-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 2009-11-10
Also published as: WO2009008002A3

Abstract

A liquid saving flow control device (50) for use in a system having liquid stored in an elevated tank (20), comprises: a valve (12), a floating element (14), a restrainer (16), and an ejector means (18). The valve (12) includes a chamber defined by an upper portion (15) and a lower portion (17). The floating element (14) is adapted to be displaced between an inoperative configuration in which the floating element is located in the upper portion (15) and an operative configuration in which the floating element engages an egress means (26) to block egress of liquid through said chamber. The ejector means (18) can disengage the floating element (14) from the egress means (26) manually to reset the control device (50).

Description

A LIQUID SAVING FLOW CONTROL DEVICE

Field of Invention:

This invention relates to the water supply system preferably domestic water supply system.

Background of Invention:

There is a need to store liquid in storage tanks for the convenience of intermittent, on demand consumption at various points by multitude of end users. As long as the overhead tank is filled and is able to discharge the liquid to the tap at lower level, an end user collecting or consuming the liquid will invariably close the tap after the need is fulfilled. However_^ if the overhead tank is dry or the outlet valve of the overhead tank is closed for any other reason such as maintenance; an end user at a lower level may by oversight leave the tap open.

There is no out flow of liquid, to warn, that a tap has been left open. At a later stage when the overhead tank is being filled, wastage of liquid occurs, as the end user, who had left the tap open, may not be present to close the tap.

There are other devices available in the market to stop/regulate the liquid flow automatically, such as spring-loaded taps and the taps fitted with a photo- sensing device, which do not allow the wastage of liquid. Spring-loaded taps are inconvenient for frequent use and the taps fitted with the photo-sensing device are costly and require constant electric power for its operation. Both are of either 'full flow' or 'no flow' type, no intermediate flow control is possible. Objects of the invention:

One of the objects of present invention is to provide a liquid saving flow control device, which can be used in system having liquid stored in an elevated tank.

Another object of the invention is to provide a liquid saving flow control device, which prevents wastage of liquid, typically water.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a liquid saving flow control device, which does not require electricity to operate.

One more object of the invention is to provide a liquid saving flow control device, which does not open automatically.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a liquid saving flow control device, which is easy to install.

Another object of the invention is to provide a liquid saving flow control device, which is easy to operate.

Still one more object of the invention is to provide a liquid saving flow control device, which is robust in construction.

Still one more object of the invention is to provide a liquid saving flow control device, which is economical. Summary of the Invention:

According to this invention there is provided a liquid saving flow control device comprising; i. a valve having an enclosed chamber defined by an upper portion and a lower portion in its operative configuration; ii. an ingress and egress means located in said lower portion of said valve chamber; iii. a floating element adapted to be displaced between an inoperative configuration in which the floating element is located in the upper portion of the chamber and an operative configuration in which the floating element engages the egress means to block egress of liquid through said valve chamber; iv. a restrainer element pivot-ably fitted to said chamber, adapted to be displaced between a first operative configuration in which the restrainer element restrains the float in the upper portion of the chamber in the presence of flow of liquid through the device and a second operative configuration in which the restrainer element restrains the floating element in the lower portion of the chamber when said floating element engages with the egress means; and v. an ejector means to disengage the floating element from the egress means.

Typically, the ejector element is mounted in the lower portion of said valve. Typically, the valve chamber consists of a valve body and a cover bolted together to form said valve chamber with a seal between them (not specifically shown) to form the said valve.

Typically, the ingress means is integral with said valve.

Typically, the egress means is integral with said valve.

Alternatively, the ingress and egress are threaded and are attached to said valve.

Still alternatively, the ingress and egress each has a flange and are bolted to said valve body.

Typically, the floating element is of material selected from a group of materials consisting of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, polymer, metal, foam and sponge.

Typically, the valve body is of material selected from a group of materials consisting of cast iron, stainless steel, non-ferrous metals, metal alloys and polymer.

Typically, the ejector means is an ejector element for manually disengaging the floating element form the egress means.

Alternatively, the ejector means is a pressure equalizing means on both sides of the floating element. Typically an air venting means is included.

Typically a roof provided on the upper chamber of the device and the air venting means is mounted on the roof in communication with the upper chamber.

Alternatively the air venting means is mounted away from said device and provided with a connecting means in communication with said upper chamber.

Typically an indicating means to indicate the presence of water in the pipe connected to the ingress side of the flow control device is provided.

Brief description of accompanying drawings:

The liquid saving flow control device in accordance with this invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure (1) shows a front view assembly of a liquid saving flow control device in open position when the overhead tank is full and a tap at the user end is in open position;

Figure (2) shows a front view assembly of the liquid saving flow control device in open position when the overhead tank is full and a tap at the user end is in closed position; Figure (3) shows a front view assembly of the liquid saving flow control device in closed position when the overhead tank is empty and a tap at the user end is open;

Figure (4) shows a front view assembly of the liquid saving flow control device in closed position as shown in Figure (3) and the overhead tank is refilled;

Figure (5) shows an alternative embodiment of the liquid saving flow control device wherein a floating disc is used;

Figure (6) shows the front elevation of the floating disc of Figure (5);

Figure (7) shows the perspective view of Figure (6);

Figure (8) shows an alternate embodiment of the liquid saving flow control device wherein a bypass connection and a spring loaded valve is provided;

Figure (9) shows the schematic layout for the liquid saving flow control device usage and the location for mounting said device;

Figure (10) is the sectional elevation of an air vent assembly of the liquid saving flow control device;

Figure (11) shows a front view assembly of a liquid saving flow control device in open position when the overhead tank has been refilled and a tap at the user end is in open position and air trapped in the upper chamber; and Figure (12) shows a front view assembly of a liquid saving flow control device in open position when the overhead tank has been refilled and air trapped in the upper chamber released by operating the air vent assembly.

Detail description of accompanying drawings:

Referring to the drawing there is shown in Figure (1) a liquid saving flow control device assembly, indicated generally by the reference numeral (50). Said liquid saving flow control device (50) is furnished with a valve (12), a floating element (14), a restrainer element (16) and an ejector element (18). In Figure (1), the said liquid saving flow control device (50) is shown in an open position and a tap (22) at the user end is also in an open position and the overhead tank (20) is full. Said floating element (14) is of material selected from a group of materials consisting of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, polymer, metal, foam and a sponge.

Valve (12) comprises of a chamber defined by an upper portion (15) and a lower portion (17). Said lower portion is also provided with an ingress means (24), an egress means (26) and a counter bored hole (not specifically numbered). Said valve (12) is of material selected from a group of materials consisting of cast iron, stainless steel, non-ferrous metals, metal alloys and a polymer.

Said ejector element (18) manually disengages the floating element (14) from the egress means.

In above condition, shown in Figure (1), the liquid flows through the ingress means (24) and the egress means (26) of the liquid saving flow control device (50). The floating element (14) floats in the liquid filled in the upper portion (15) of the liquid saving flow control device (50) while the liquid force raises the restrainer element (16) up. In the event of turbulent flow of liquid, the restrainer element (16) prevents the floating element (14) from entering the lower portion (17) of the valve chamber.

The ejector element (18) is held down by a compression spring (not specifically shown), and an O-ring is provided around the guide hole of the ejector element (18) to prevent leakage (not specifically shown).

The restrainer element (16) is pivot-ably connected to the valve chamber, through a pin (21). The restrainer element (16) is provided with a bend of a few degrees. This arrangement assists in pushing the restrainer element (16) in the upward direction due to the force exerted by the flowing liquid. The pin (21) is provided with seals to prevent leakage (not specifically shown).

Figure (2) shows the front view assembly of the liquid saving flow control device (50) in open position when the overhead tank (20) is full and the tap (22) at the user end is in closed position. In this condition liquid is present in the ingress means (24) and the egress means (26) and within the upper portion (15) and the lower portion (17) of the valve of the liquid saving flow control device (50), but there is no flow of liquid. Because of this, the restrainer element (16) lowers down by its own mass. As the upper portion (15) of the liquid saving flow control device (50) is filled with liquid, the floating element (14) floats in the above said liquid. Figure (3) shows the front view assembly of the liquid saving flow control device (50) in a closed position when the overhead tank (20) is empty and the tap (22) at the user end is open. In this condition, the overhead tank (20) is empty, and there is no liquid present in the chamber of the liquid saving flow control device (50). Because of this, the restrainer element (16) and the floating element (14) drop down in the lower portion (17) due to their own mass and gravity, covering the ingress means (24) and egress means (26) of the liquid saving flow control device (50).

Figure (4) shows the front view assembly of the liquid saving flow control device (50) in a closed position when the overhead tank (20) starts filling and the tap (22) at the user end is in an open position. In this condition the liquid which tries to escape through the egress means (26) of the liquid saving flow control device (50), pushes the restrainer element (16) against

/^' the floating element (14). The restrainer element (16) thus initially prevents the floating element (14) from moving upward and pushes the floating element (14) to block the egress means (26) of the liquid saving flow control device (50). The floating element (14) then remains in this position by the force of the liquid acting on it. This prevents the liquid from flowing through the liquid saving flow control device (50). This provision prevents wastage of the liquid even if a tap (22) is left open by mistake.

By pressing the ejector element (18) upwards, the floating element (14) is released from the egress means (26) and rises up and in turn raising the restrainer element (16) up by the force of liquid to get normal liquid flow from the ingress means (24) to the egress means (26). Figure (5), Figure (6) and Figure (7) show an alternative embodiment of the liquid saving flow control device (50) wherein a floating disc (28) is used.

Figure (8) shows an alternative embodiment of the liquid saving flow control device (50), wherein a bypass connection (32)_Λ connecting the ingress means (24) and the egress means (26), controlled by a spring loaded valve (30) is used to apply the hydrostatic pressure on the floating element (14) to dislodge the same from the egress means (26).

Figure (9) shows the schematic layout for the liquid saving flow control device (50) usage and the location for mounting said device (50). Above said Figure (9) shows a main pipe line (36) which is connected to the overhead tank, to which secondary pipe lines ((38) and (40)) are connected for water distribution. On these secondary pipe lines ((38) and (40)) the liquid saving flow control devices (50) are mounted. The pipeline (38) supplies water to a kitchen (42) and the pipeline (40) to a toilet (44).

The single liquid saving flow control device (50) can be used for preventing egress of water unintentionally for a plurality of tap fixtures. Similarly, a single check tap (52) may also be provided. The liquid saving flow control device (50) must be at an operative higher level than all other tap fixtures.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention the liquid saving flow control device includes means to vent air from within the internal chamber defined in the upper portion (15) of the device. The air venting means is typically mounted on the operative roof of the upper portion (15). A typical air vent for use with the liquid saving flow control device (50) of this invention is shown in figure 10.

The air vent assembly indicated generally by the reference numeral (100). In an operative assembled configuration the air vent assembly (100) is mounted vertically on the roof of the chamber defined by the upper portion (15) of the valve (12). The air vent assembly (100) consists of a threaded housing (62) provided with complementary threaded portion (64) adapted to assemble the air vent assembly to the valve (12). The air vent assembly (100) also consists of a rod (66) having a round head (68) on one end and threads (70) on the other end, a compression spring (72), a washer (74), a nut (76) and a sealing element (78). In an operative assembled configuration the resilient bias of the spring (72) acting upon the nut (76) biases the head (68) of the rod (66) against the sealing element (78) and the housing (62) of the air vent assembly (100) to make the liquid saving flow control device (50) leak proof. When the rod (66) is depressed by applying downward force on the nut (76) air trapped in the valve (12) is released to the atmosphere.

Figure 11 shows the front view assembly of the liquid saving flow control device (50) in a position when the overhead tank (20) has been filled and the tap (22) at the user end is in an open position and the egress means (26) is blocked by the floating element (14). In this condition the air trapped in the pipe line and the valve (12) tries to escape through the egress means (26) of the liquid saving flow control device (50). The restrainer element (16) and the floating element (14) block the egress means (26) of the liquid saving flow control device (50) trapping some amount of air in the chamber defined by the upper portion (15) of the valve (12). At this stage the ejector element (18) is operated to push the floating element (18) and uncover the egress means (26). However some air (80) gets trapped in the upper portion (15) of the valve (12) and prevents the floating element (14) from moving up fully in to the upper portion (15) and affects the normal functioning of the liquid saving flow control device (50). This air (80) needs to be vented and the air vent assembly (100) is used for the same.

Figure 12 shows the front view assembly of the liquid saving flow control device (50) in a position where the trapped air (80) has been released to the atmosphere by depressing the spring loaded rod (66) of the air vent assembly (100). Air and some amount of water escape through the air vent assembly (100) in the form of a spray (82). This permits the float element (14) to move fully up into the chamber defined by the upper portion (15) of the valve (12) and proper functioning of the liquid saving flow control device (50).

In accordance with an additional embodiment of the liquid saving flow control device includes an indicating means to indicate the availability of water in the pipe line connected to the ingress means (24). This indicating means may be located remotely from the flow control device at a convenient location for the end user to see or hear. Typically the indication means may include a LED flasher or an audio device like a beeper or both. This will enable the user to know that water is now available in the pipe line so that he may recheck any left open faucet and then reset the flow control device to make it functional. While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular features of "A liquid saving flow control device" and the improvisation with regards to it, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made, and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiment without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other modifications in the nature of the invention or the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.

Claims

Claims:

1. A liquid saving flow control device comprising; i. a valve having an enclosed chamber defined by an upper portion and a lower portion in its operative configuration; ii. an ingress and egress means located in said lower portion of said valve chamber; iii. a floating element adapted to be displaced between an inoperative configuration in which the floating element is located in the upper portion of the chamber and an operative configuration in which the floating element engages the egress means to block egress of liquid through said valve chamber; iv. a restrainer element pivot-ably fitted to said chamber, adapted to be displaced between a first operative configuration in which the restrainer element restrains the float in the upper portion of the chamber in the presence of flow of liquid through the device and a second operative configuration in which the restrainer element restrains the floating element in the lower portion of the chamber when said floating element engages with the egress means; and v. an ejector means to disengage the floating element from the egress means.

2. A liquid saving flow control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said valve chamber consists of a valve body and a cover bolted together to form said valve chamber.

3. A liquid saving flow control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ingress means is integral with said valve.

4. A liquid saving flow control device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said egress means is integral with said valve.

5. A liquid saving flow control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ingress and egress are threaded and are attached to said valve.

6. A liquid saving flow control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ingress and egress each has a flange and are bolted to said valve.

7. A liquid saving flow control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said floating element is of material selected from a group of materials consisting of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, polymer, metal, foam and sponge.

8. A liquid saving flow control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said valve body is of material selected from a group of materials consisting of cast iron, stainless steel, non-ferrous metals, metal alloys and polymer.

9. A liquid saving flow control device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said ejector element is mounted in the lower portion of said valve chamber.

10. A liquid saving flow control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ejector means is an ejector element for manually disengaging the floating element form the egress means.

11. A liquid saving flow control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ejector means is a pressure equalizing means on both sides of the floating element.

12. A liquid saving flow control device as claimed in claims 1 to 11, including an air venting means.

13. An air venting means as claimed in claim 12, wherein a roof is provided on the device and the air venting means is fitted in said roof in communication with the upper chamber.

14. An air venting means as claimed in claim 12, wherein said venting means is mounted away from said device and provided with a connecting means in communication with said upper chamber.

15. A liquid saving flow control device as claimed in claims 1 to 14, which includes an indicating means to indicate the presence of water in the pipe connected to the ingress side of the flow control device.

16. A liquid saving flow control device as claimed in claims 1 to 14, as described herein with reference the accompanying drawings.