AU2007203241A1 - Thermo tap - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicants: CHRIS BLIGHT and TREVOR GREENE Invention Title: THERMO TAP The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 2 THERMO TAP Field of the Invention The present invention relates to flow control CI devices and is particularly pertinent to tap fittings.

Background of the Invention A typical tap fitting has a valve assembly which allows water flow to be switched on and off by turning the Stap handles so that a spindle within the tap housing CI controls the valve assembly to allow water fed through a pipe to pass out through the tap outlet.

SFor both hot and cold water taps the controlling assembly is essentially the same.

A typical problem with hot water flow through a tap relates to the time delay between turning the tap on and receiving heated water through the outlet.

Accordingly if a hot water is turned on in a shower, typically the initial flow of cold water is unused and passes through the drain outlet until the water temperature has risen to a level suitable for the comfort level of the recipient.

In many parts of Australia, where there are perpetual droughts, water conservation is particularly important. Therefore wastage of the initial flow of cold water through a hot water tap can be a serious problem.

Accordingly the present invention provides new type of tap fitting which at least partially ameliorates the problems associated with wastage of cold water through a hot water tap.

Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a tap fitting which has two outlets, one outlet which is connected to a reservoir for receipt of cold water through a hot water tap and a second outlet for exit of hot water.

A tap fitting in accordance with the present invention comprises a housing having an inlet for inflow of water, a first outlet for outflow of cold water, being H:\SueB\Keep\speci\P64102.spec.doc 10/07/07 3 Q) water below a predetermined temperature, a second outlet for outflow of hot water being water above the predetermined temperature and a spindle chamber for C_ receipt of a tap spindle and a valve assembly for opening and closing the inlet, first outlet and second outlet, whereby water of a temperature below the predetermined temperature is able to exit through the first outlet and M water above the predetermined temperature is able to pass C through the second outlet.

It is preferred that the first outlet is located at a vertical position different to the second inlet.

Preferably the first outlet is above the level of the second outlet.

The inlet may be located at the bottom of the spindle chamber.

Preferably the housing has a valve seat at the bottom of the spindle chamber.

Each outlet may comprise a horizontally extending tubular portion.

Preferably each horizontally extending tubular portion has an external threaded portion.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a valve assembly for a tap fitting having two outlets, comprising a spindle with an elongate spindle shaft and a bottom end for engaging a valve, a tubular sleeve member, an expansion spring located within the tubular sleeve member and having an inlet opening and at least one outlet opening, whereby the spring expands when contacted by fluid above a predetermined temperature.

Preferably the tubular sleeve member comprises a first outlet opening and a second outlet opening.

The expansion spring preferably expands with increasing water temperature.

It is preferred that the tubular sleeve member changes its vertical position within a tap fitting in accordance with expansion or contraction of the spring.

H:\SueB\Keep\speci\P64102.spec.doc 10/07/07 4 Q) The valve assembly preferably includes a closure member which connects with the top end of the housing to prevent exit of water.

C_ The closure member may have an external thread which engages with a matching internal thread of a tap housing.

Preferably the valve assembly includes a tubular Shousing member which is configured to receive at least Ci part of the valve assembly.

The tubular housing assembly may comprise an Sinlet, a first outlet and a second outlet configured to align with the inlet, first outlet and second outlet of the tap housing.

Preferably the cylindrical housing assembly has a similar configuration to the spindle chamber.

The outlet(s) preferably comprise at least one slot in a peripheral wall of the sleeve member.

The closure member may fit over the top end of the sleeve member.

Preferably the spindle stem fits through the centre of the closure member.

Preferably the closure member comprises a gasket.

The spindle preferably passes through the centre of the bottom end of the tubular housing member and the tubular sleeve member.

Preferably the lower end of the expansion spring contacts the lower inner end of the sleeve member.

The upper end of the expansion spring preferably contacts the closure member.

The valve may comprise at least one ceramic disk.

Preferably the sleeve member is able to move within the cylindrical housing.

Preferably the valve assembly is configured to be used with the tap fitting previously described in accordance with any one of the preferred embodiments.

The valve assembly may comprise a plurality of sealing means for sealing the sleeve member with respect H:\SueB\KeepVspeci\P64102.specdoc 10/07/07 to the tubular housing above each outlet of the tap housing.

The sealing means may comprise one or more O- CI rings.

The sealing means preferably fits between the sleeve member and the tubular housing member.

It is preferred that the tubular sleeve member comprises a single outlet.

C The outlet through the sleeve member may be movable with the sleeve member between the first outlet Sand the second outlet positions.

It is preferred that a first sealing means is located between the sleeve member and tubular housing between the first and second outlets.

The first sealing means may comprise at least one 0-ring.

A second sealing means may be located above the second outlet.

It is preferred that the second outlet is for exit of hot water and is located closest to the inlet.

It is preferred that the tubular housing has a first opening communicating with the first outlet and a second opening communicating with the second outlet so as to allow exit of fluid through either outlet.

It is preferred that the sleeve member is able to move between open and closed positions in which its peripheral wall either blocks exit of water through one or more of the outlets or allows exit of water through one of the outlets or alternatively prevents exit of water through either outlet.

According to a further aspect of the present invention the sleeve member has a plurality of outlets adapted to align with corresponding outlets of a tap fitting.

Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with H:\SueB\Keep\speci\P641O2.sPeC.doc 10/07/07 6 Q) reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a tap fitting according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in a first mode of operation; Figure 2 shows the tap fitting in Figure 1 in a second mode of operation; Figure 3 shows a sectional view of a tap fitting according to another embodiment of the invention; CI Figure 4 shows a perspective view of an outer cylinder of a valve assembly according to one embodiment o C the invention; and Figure 5 shows a perspective view of an inner cylinder and thermo spring according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Drawings As shown in Figure 1 a tap fitting 10 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention consists of a spindle housing section 11 which is essentially a cylindrical chamber with a cold water outlet 12 on one side and elevated in position compared to a hot water outlet 13 on an opposite side to the cold water outlet.

The bottom of the spindle chamber 11 is provided with a water inlet 14.

The inlet and each of the outlets are provided with external threaded sections to allow pipe work to be connected thereto.

A valve assembly in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention is located inside the fitting chamber 11 and consists of an outer tubular cylinder 15 which may be made from a metal or plastics material, an inner cylinder 16 which fits inside the outer cylinder 15 and is slidably moveable with respect thereto, a thermo spring 17 which fits inside the inner cylinder 16 and O-rings 18 and 19 strategically positioned above and below the cold water outlet and between the cylinder and 16.

H:\SueB\Keep\speci\P64102. spec.doc 10/07/07 7 The outer cylinder 15 is provided with a cold water opening 24 adjacent the cold water outlet, a hot water opening 25 adjacent the hot water outlet 13 and an Cl inlet opening centrally located in its base surface adjacent the inlet 14.

The outer cylinder 15 is generally of the same dimensions as the internal spindle chamber of the fitting M 10 and is held in position by the spindle housing which C screws down onto the upper edge of the outer cylinder Alternatively the top of the outer cylinder 15 is welded to the top cap 23 (spindle) The inner cylinder 16 has a vertical length (height) which is less than the height of the spindle chamber 11. It has an open upper end and lower end with a base having a central aperture 20. The thermo spring 17 which comprises a thermally expandable metal is coiled around stem 22 of spindle 23 and extends from beneath the spindle 23 to base 21 of sleeve 16.

The inner cylinder 16 as shown in Figure 5 has a series of openings 30 arranged around its periphery close to its top end 31. The number and spacing of the openings may be varied. According to one embodiment they extend part way around the periphery of the inner cylinder 16 whereas in another embodiment they extend around the circumference of the cylinder 16 and are located at substantially the same vertical position with respect to the base and top end 31.

According to another embodiment a single circumferentially extending slot is provided.

As shown in Figure 1 a ceramic valve disk 26 is provided around the base of the spindle 22 between the base of the sleeve 16 and the base of the housing 15. A space also exists initially between the top of the ceramic disk 26 and the base 21 of the sleeve 16. This space corresponds to the extent to which the thermo spring 17 can expand when subjected to hot water.

The O-ring 18 is located above the cold water H:\ue\Keep\speci\P64102.spec0doc 10/07/07 8 Q)outlet 12 and between sleeve 16 and housing 15 and is of sufficient size to ensure a seal between these two components and thus prevent flow of water upwardly C_ therebetween. Its vertical position is also above the cold water outlet 12.

The O-ring 19 is located below the cold water outlet 12 and between sleeve 16 and housing 15 in a Ssimilar fashion to O-ring 18 so as to prevent flow of Ci water therebetween downwardly or upwardly past the O-ring.

Its position is below the cold water outlet 12 and above C the hot water outlet 13.

According to one embodiment the O-ring 18 may be dispensed with as long as there is some form of seal preventing flow of water between the sleeve 16 and housing 15 and around the top end of cylinder Cold Water Operation As shown in Figure 1 when cold water initially flows through the water inlet as a result of the spindle 22 being turned so that the ceramic valve is open to allow inlet water flow therethrough.

At this time the thermo spring is expected to be in a contracted state and hence in-flow of water through the inlet 14 results in water striking base wall 21 of sleeve 16, forcing the sleeve upwardly until its upper end strikes the bottom face of spindle housing 23.

Alternatively the inner cylinder 16 moves upwardly until its base wall strikes the lower surface of thermo spring 17. At this position cold water opening 24 is aligned with the cold water outlet 12. This enables water flow from the inlet directly to the cold water outlet 12.

With cold water flowing through the cold water outlet 12, the flow path is through the opening 20 in the bottom of sleeve 16, through the sleeve 16 and out through the openings 30 into the space between the sleeve 16 and housing 15 and then out through the opening 24 in the housing 15 to the outlet 12.

Because opening 25 is located above O-ring 19 H:\SueB\Keep\speci\P64102.spec.doc 10/07/07 -9cold water cannot escape downwardly between sleeve 16 and housing n- Furthermore, an O-ring 50 is located below the C hot water outlet 13 between inner cylinder 16 and outer cylinder 15. This prevents flow of water between cylinders 15 and 16 upwardly to outlet 13.

It can be seen from the above that the three 0rings 18, 19 and 50 effectively prevent flow of water Cl upwardly or downwardly between the two cylinders 15 and 16. Hence water can only flow between these two cylinders S when their openings are aligned adjacent each other or alternatively at a similar level defined by adjacent Orings. Thus as an example O-rings 18 and 19 define an upper level therebetween and O-rings 19 and 50 define a lower level therebetween.

Hot Water Operation As shown in Figure 2 as the water temperature rises from the water inlet 14 the thermo spring 17 expands downwardly forcing the sleeve 16 with it. The hot water openings 30 therefore move downwardly until they ultimately align with the outlet opening 13, when the base 21 of sleeve 16 strikes the upper surface of ceramic valve 26. When this occurs the openings have moved to a position below O-ring 19. As a result hot water flowing in through inlet 14 passes through the ceramic valve 26 through sleeve 16, openings 33 and out through opening which is aligned with outlet 13. Although water can flow up through the sleeve 16 it cannot pass through cold water outlet 12 as openings 33 are below O-ring 19. Furthermore any water which flows over the top edge of sleeve 16 and down between sleeve 16 and housing 15 is blocked from further downward movement by O-ring 18.

Likewise water cannot flow upwardly between cylinders 15 and 16 because O-ring 19 prevents this.

It can be seen from the above that the valve assembly and tap fitting described allow for cold water and hot water to pass through different outlets based on H:\SeB\Keep\speci\P64102.specdoc 10/07/07 10 Q) the temperature regulation provided by thermo spring 17 in combination with the other components described above.

Figure 4 shows a variation to the present C_ invention in which the outer cylinder 15 has a single 0ring 19 positioned around its periphery between cold water openings 24 and hot water openings 25. The top end 40 of the cylinder 15 is welded to the lower end 41 of the top M cap (spindle housing) 42. The O-ring 19 is actually Ci located inside the cylinder 15 thus forming a barrier between the inner and outer cylinders between the vertical Sposition of openings 24 and With inner cylinder 16 positioned within outer cylinder 15 as shown in Figure 3 the vertical position of outlets 30 determines whether water is able to flow through outlet 12 or 13. As shown in Figure 3 the thermo spring 17 may be fixed through a screw or similar fastening device to the underside of top cap 42. Its bottom end 43 may be fixed to the base of the inner cylinder 16 through fasteners such as rivets 44.

It is noted that the length of the inner cylinder 16 may be much shorter than that of the outer cylinder This is because its length is only determined by the distance travelled by the openings 33 to align with outlets 12 or 13 as well as its ability to be fixed to the lower end of thermo spring 17.

Water Warm Operation The vertical space between the position of openings 24 and 25 determines whether any water other then hot water is able to flow through opening 25 and outlet 13.

Furthermore the vertical length of openings 30 is also important in this regard.

In its preferred method of operation the openings only pass below O-ring 19 to allow flow of water out through openings 25 and outlet 13 when they are fully below O-ring 19. However, in practice it may be preferable to allow a gradual release of water through the H:\SueB\Keep\speci\P64102.opec.doc 10/07/07 11 outlet 13 as the water temperature rises from warm to hot.

Hence the position of the openings 24 and 25 may be determined based on whether some of the warm water should CI be diverted through the cold water outlet 12 through opening 24 or whether it is desired to have an immediate cut off once the water temperature has reached a tolerable warm level. Thus the opening 24 could be positioned close Sto O-ring 19 so that water flowing through cold water C outlet 12 is cut-off more gradually as the spring 17 expands downwardly.

SThus the openings 30 could be of such a vertical length that they bridge O-ring 19 and thus allow water flow through outlets 24 and 25 at the same time when the thermo spring has expanded a predetermined distance which may correspond to the water being warm.

The smaller the vertical length of the openings the more pronounced the cut off of water flow will be between the upper and lower levels defined by openings 24 and The position of opening 25 may be determined based on whether warm or hot water is allowed to flow through outlet 13. Thus there may be a scenario where cold water flows through outlet 12 then there is a gradual reduction in cold water flow through outlet 12 followed by a period when no water flows through cold water outlet 12 nor through hot water outlet 13 and then a final period where water flow through hot water outlet 13 gradually increases as the temperature of the water increases.

According to another embodiment of the present invention a single slot is provided in the side wall of sleeve 16. This slot is positioned so that it moves above and below the position of the O-ring 19 which separates the vertical position of the outlet 12 and 13. During cold water operation the single slot is positioned above O-ring 19 and thus allows passage of water out through sleeve 16 out through outlet 12. In this situation it is not necessary that the slot is aligned with the opening 24 H:\SueB\Keep\speci\P64102.spec.doc 10/07/07 12 Q) to outlet 12 or the opening 25 in the cylinder 15. This is because water will flow around the external surface of the sleeve until it finds another opening to flow through.

C_ As the water temperature increases the spring 17 moves downwardly and the slot moves eventually past O-ring 19. Initially as a part of the slot passes below O-ring 19 water will be able to flow through the outlet 13 and Sthis flow will increase as the slot moves further below O- CI ring 19.

As discussed previously it is possible that water C will flow through both outlets 12 and 13 as the temperature of the water increases from cold to hot.

Eventually however when the opening is completely below Oring 19 no water will be able to flow through the cold water outlet 12.

According to another embodiment of the invention there may be two O-rings located between the vertical positions of outlets 12 and 13 so that there is a clear cut off between water through outlet 12 and water flowing through outlet 13.

It is preferred that the cold water outlet 12 is connected through a suitable conduit/pipe work to a reservoir where the cold water can be stored for later use. This provides an effective method for conserving water usage and in particular the initial flow of cold water through a tap fitting particularly in a showering application.

According to one embodiment of the invention the outlet 12 is connected to a rain water tank or a toilet flush holding tank or another type of tank for instance for use in watering a garden.

According to other variations of the present invention the ceramic valve may be replaced by a more conventional valve.

The physical dimensions of the thermo spring may be chosen based on the size of the tap fitting, the temperature of water which is preferred to flow through H:\SueB\Keep\speci\P64102. spec.doc 10/07/07 13 the hot water outlet 13 and the vertical distance between outlets 12 and 13.

c-s According to another embodiment of the present C invention the number and position of O-rings used may be varied.

According to another embodiment of the present invention the tubular housing may be dispensed with.

SIt is to be understood that, if any prior art Ci publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part -Ni of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or in any other country.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

H:\SueB\Keep\speci\P64102.specdoc 10/07/07

Claims (32)

1. A tap fitting comprising a housing having an inlet for inflow of water, a first outlet for outflow C_ of cold water, being water below a predetermined temperature, a second outlet for outflow of hot water being water above the predetermined temperature and a spindle chamber for receipt of a tap spindle and a valve Sassembly for opening and closing the inlet, first outlet CI and second outlet, whereby water of a temperature below the predetermined temperature is able to exit through the O first outlet and water above the predetermined temperature is able to pass through the second outlet.

2. The tap fitting as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first outlet is above the level of the second outlet.

3. The tap fitting as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the inlet is located at the bottom of the spindle chamber.

4. The tap fitting as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the housing has a valve seat at the bottom of the spindle chamber.

A valve assembly for a tap fitting having an inlet, two outlets and a spindle with an elongate spindle shaft and a bottom end for engaging a valve, comprising a tubular sleeve having an inlet opening and at least one outlet opening, a valve and an expansion spring configured to be located within the tubular sleeve member, whereby the spring expands when contacted by fluid above a predetermined temperature to move the tubular sleeve member.

6. The valve assembly as claimed in claim wherein the tubular sleeve member comprises a first outlet opening and second outlet opening.

7. The valve assembly as claimed in claim 5 or 6 wherein the expansion spring expands with increasing water temperature.

8. The valve assembly as claimed in any one of H:\SueB\Keep\speci\P64102.spec.doc 10/07/07 15 Q) claims 5 to 7 wherein the tubular sleeve member changes its vertical position within a tap fitting in accordance n- with expansion or contraction of the spring. C

9. The valve assembly as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 8 including a closure member which connects with the top end of the housing to prevent exit of water.

The valve assembly as claimed in claim 9 M wherein the closure member has an external thread which CI engages with a matching internal thread of a tap housing.

11. The valve assembly as claimed in claim 5 or S 10 including a tubular housing member which is configured to receive at least part of the valve assembly.

12. The valve assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein the tubular housing member comprises an inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet configured to align with the inlet, first outlet and second outlet of the tap housing.

13. The valve assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein at least one outlet comprises at least one slot in a peripheral wall of the tubular sleeve member.

14. The valve assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein the closure member fits over the top end of the tubular sleeve member.

The valve assembly as claimed in claim 14 wherein the closure member comprises a gasket.

16. The valve assembly as claimed in claim 5 or wherein the lower end of the expansion spring contacts the lower inner end of the tubular sleeve member.

17. The valve assembly as claimed in claim comprising a plurality of sealing means for sealing the sleeve member with respect to the tubular housing above each outlet of the tap housing.

18. The valve assembly as claimed in claim 17 wherein the sealing means comprises one or more O-rings.

19. The valve assembly as claimed in claim 17 wherein the sealing means fits between the sleeve member and the tubular housing member. H:\SueB\Keep\peci\P64102. spec.doc 10/07/07 16 O

20. The valve assembly as claimed in claim 5 or 19 wherein the tubular sleeve member comprises a single c- outlet. C

21. The valve assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein the valve includes a first sealing means located between the tubular sleeve member and tubular housing.

22. The valve assembly as claimed in claim 21 Scomprising a second sealing means located above the second CI outlet.

23. The valve assembly as claimed in claim 12 c or 22 wherein the second outlet is for exit of hot water and is located closest to the inlet.

24. The valve assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein the tubular housing has a first opening which allows a flow path to the first outlet and a second opening which allows a flow path to the second outlet so as to allow exit of fluid through either outlet.

The valve assembly as claimed in claim wherein the tubular sleeve member is able to move between open and closed positions in which its peripheral wall either blocks exit of water through one or more of the outlets or allows exit of water through one of the outlets or alternatively prevents exit of water through either outlet.

26. A sleeve member for a tap fitting as claimed in claim 1 comprising a tubular body with a plurality of outlets configured to align with corresponding outlets of the tap fitting.

27. A tap fitting having two outlets, one outlet which is connected to a reservoir for receipt of cold water through a hot water tap and a second outlet for exit of hot water.

28. A tap fitting substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

29. A valve assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. H:\ue\Keep\sieci\P64102.speC.doc 10/07/07 17 0

30. A sleeve member substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying c- drawings. C

31. The valve assembly as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 25 wherein the valve includes a ceramic disc.

32. The valve assembly as claimed in claim 31 when appended to claim 11, wherein the ceramic disc is C configured to be located between the tubular sleeve member Cq and tubular housing member. H:\SueB\Keep\speci\P64102.9pec.doc 10/07/07