AU2014203133B2

AU2014203133B2 - A water conservation system and method

Info

Publication number: AU2014203133B2
Application number: AU2014203133A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Darren Mckechnie; Robert Mckechnie
Original assignee: WATERTANKS DOWNUNDER Pty Ltd
Current assignee: WATERTANKS DOWNUNDER Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2006-07-21
Filing date: 2014-06-10
Publication date: 2016-02-18
Anticipated expiration: 2027-07-10
Also published as: AU2014203133A1

Abstract

A swimming pool water conservation system including a swimming pool 102 and a water store 104 connected to the pool so that excess water from the pool is ducted to the store. A pump 110 is connected to circulate water between the pool and the tank.. Fig 1 ____ 112

Description

31983AU02 1 A Water Conservation System And Method Field of the invention [001] This invention relates to a water conservation system applicable to swimming pools. [002] The invention utilizes a water storage means to receive overflow from the pool and to make water available for return water to the pool. Background of the invention [003] Water conservation is an important objective in all applications which use water. Swimming pools use large volumes of water and are subject to evaporation which lowers the level of water in the pool. In addition, in times of heavy rain pools can become overfull. Summary of the invention [004] The present invention provides a swimming pool water conservation system including a swimming pool, a rain water collection system, and a water store, wherein the swimming pool has an overflow drain connected to the water store via a first duct whereby water from the overflow drain can flow to the water store, wherein a first non-return valve inhibits flow from the water store to the pool, the conservation system including a second duct connecting the rain water collection system to the water store, wherein a second non-return valve inhibits water from the water store from rising above the second non-return valve, the conservation system including a first diversion duct connected to the first duct at a location between the first non return valve and the water store, and a second diversion duct connected to the second duct at a location between the rain water collection system and the second non-return valve, the conservation system including a water pump to deliver water to the swimming pool from the water store. [005] The water store can be lower than the normal water level of the swimming pool. [006] The water store can be an in-ground store.

31983AU02 2 [007] There can be included control means whereby the pump can be adapted to circulate a first proportion of water from the pool and a second proportion from the store. [008] The first proportion can be 80%, and the second proportion can be 20%. [009] There can included be a three way valve connecting the input of the pump to the pool water and the store water. [010] The valve can be adjusted to provide the first proportion of water from the pool and the second proportion of water from the store. [011] The water store can be formed of one or more water tanks. [012] There can be included a second overflow outlet duct from the water store. [013] The second overflow outlet duct can be connected to a stormwater drain. [014] There can be included a non-return valve in the second overflow outlet duct. [015] The second non-return valve can be a float valve having a float to sense when the level of water in the water store reaches a predetermined height and to close the float valve when the level of the water in the water store reaches the predetermined height. [016] The invention further provides a swimming pool water conservation system including a swimming pool and a water store connected to the pool so that excess water from the pool is ducted to the store. [017] The invention also provides a means for returning water to the pool from the water store. [018] The system can harvest rainfall for storage in the water store. [019] The store can be substantially below the water line of the pool. [020] The store can be an in-ground store.

31983AU02 3 [021] The store can be a rainwater collector. [022] The store can be connected to supply water to the pool. [023] A pump can be provided to pump water from the store to the pool. [024] The pump can circulate the water in the pool. [025] The pump can circulate water from the pool and the store. [026] The pump can be adapted to circulate a first proportion of water from the pool and a second proportion from the store. [027] The first proportion can be 80%, and the second proportion can be 20%. [028] The input of the pump can be connected via a three way valve to the pool water and the store water. [029] The valve can be adjusted to provide the first proportion of water from the pool and the second proportion of water from the store. [030] The water store can be formed of one or more water tanks. [031] The invention also provides a method of conserving water for a swimming pool including the steps of: connecting a water store to receive overflow water from the pool; connecting an outlet from the store to a pump; circulating water between the pool and the tank using the pump. Brief description of the drawings [032] An embodiment or embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. [033] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a water conservation system embodying the invention. [034] Figure 2 is a side view of an alternative arrangement embodying the invention. [035] Figure 3 is a plan view of the system of Figure 2.

31983AU02 4 [036] Figure 4 shows detail of the pump intake from the tank. [037] Figure 5 shows detail of the downpipe connexion to the tank. [038] Figure 6 shows detail of the pool overflow connexion to the tank. [039] Figure 7 shows detail of the pump. [040] Figure 8 shows a further embodiment of the invention. Detailed description of the embodiment or embodiments [041] The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [042] Figure 1 is a highly schematic illustration of a system embodying the invention. [043] A tank 104 is adapted to receive collected rainfall from a pipe 108 connected to a catchment area such as the roof of building 106. A one-way valve 124 can be used to prevent water entering the tank 104 when the tank is full. Excess water is then diverted to the stormwater drain via pipe 126, or to another water store if available. [044] Instead of, or in addition to receiving rainwater, the tank may be adapted to receive treated grey water. [045] A swimming pool 102 is connected with water from the tank 104 via pipe 112, valve 116, filter 115, pump 110, and chlorinator 118. Preferably the tank is an underground tank. [046] An overflow pipe 120 is arranged to drain water from above the pool's water line back to the tank 104. [047] A tank overflow pipe 125 connects overflow from the tank to the stormwater drain 127. A one-way valve 129 prevents backflow. [048] Valve 116 is a three way valve. A further pipe 114 connects the pool water to valve 116. In one embodiment, the valve can be set to admit a first proportion of water from the tank 104 and a second proportion of water from the pool. Alternatively, a junction of two pipes of differing diameters can be used to proportion 31983AU02 5 the water flows from the tank and the pool. In one embodiment, the valve 116 is set to admit 20% flow from the tank 104, and 80% flow from the pool 102. [049] When the pump 110 is operating, water in the tank 104 is circulated via pipe 112 through the filter 115 and chlorinator 118 via the pool 102 and back to the tank via pipe 120. In addition, 80% of the water in the pool is circulated via pipe 114, valve 116, filter 115, chlorinator 118 back to the pool. [050] In an alternative arrangement, the valve 116 and pipe 114 can be omitted so that all the water is circulated through the tank 104. [051] The invention provides a means of maintaining the level of water in the pool as long as there is sufficient water in the tank 104. The operation of the pump maintains the level of water in the pool 102 at the level of the inlet to pipe 120. Thus there is no need to top up the pool from the reticulated supply while there is sufficient water in the pool. [052] In the event of heavy rainfall, there is no need to siphon excess water from the pool because excess water is delivered to the tank 104 via pipe 120. If the tanks become full, the excess water from the tank is delivered to the sewer 127 via pipe 125. Optionally, shut-off valve 122 can be provided to prevent water from the pool entering the tank when the tank is full. [053] The embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 shows a tank 104 located below the pool 102. Such an arrangement may be used for a new installation and where space is scarce. Figure 2 is a side view of an arrangement which can be fitted to an existing pool. [054] Rain water is delivered to the tanks via pipe 208 and non-return valve 224. A series of interconnected tanks 204 are located beside a pool 202. Three-way valve 216 connects the tanks and pool to pump 210 via filter 211, and the pump outlet returns the water to the pool 202. [055] Figure 3 is a plan view of the arrangement of Figure 2. Rain water is delivered to the tanks 304 via pipe 308. Shut-off valve 324 prevents excess water entering the tanks when the tanks are full. The tanks 304 are located beside the pool 302. The pool is connected to the three-way valve 316 via skimmer box 330 and filter 31983AU02 6 311. Tanks 304 are connected to pump 310 via the three-way valve 316 and filter 311. Overflow from the pool 302 is delivered to the tanks via pipe 320. Caps 334 provide access to the interior of the tanks 304. [056] Pipe 313 delivers water to the pool via pump 310. [057] Overflow pipe 325 delivers the overflow from the tanks 304 to the sewer system. [058] Preferably the tanks are made of polyethylene. The tanks can each be of 4000 litres capacity. [059] Figure 4 shows a first section through a tank 404 detailing the pump connexion. The tank is underground and covered by a concrete slab 440. An access cap 434 permits access to the tank 404. The tank can be enclosed by concrete walls 442. A stable base 444 can be provided. Pipe 412 connects to the pump (not shown) via a foot valve 417. [060] Figure 5 is a section view of a tank showing the rain water inlet. [061] Tank 504 is contained in a concrete enclosure 540, 542, and rests on a stable base 544, which can be, e.g., compacted sand. [062] The downpipe 508 delivers rainwater to the tank 504 via an overflow valve arrangement including a float 525 and a reduced section 523 through a slit trap 552. [063] When the water level rises to 539, the float 525 rises to choked-off section 523 and is held by the water pressure against the periphery of the choked-off section to prevent more water entering the tank via pipe 508. Further rain water is diverted to the storm water drain via branch pipe 526 on pipe 508. [064] An overflow pipe 532 ducts excess water from the tank to the sewer. The excess water may come from the pool. [065] Figure 6 shows overflow pipe 620 connecting the pool 602 and the tank 604. The operation of the pump in delivering water from the tanks to the pool will maintain the water level 666 at the same height as the outlet 662 of pipe 620.

31983AU02 7 [066] If the pump has been turned off for some time and the water level drops below the outlet 662 so the level 666 is below the outlet 662 by a distance 672, a subsequent operation of the pump will deliver sufficient water from the tank 604 to the pool 602 to return the water level 666 to the same level as outlet 662, and further operation of the pump will circulate water between the pool 602 and the tank 604. [067] Pipe 632 (equivalent to pipe 532 in Figure 5) delivers excess water to the sewer. [068] Figure 7 shows detail of the pump 710 Three-way valve 716 has a first inlet connected to pipe 712 which enables the pump to draw water from the tank, and a second inlet 714 which enables the pump to draw water from the pool. [069] The valve 716 can be set to permit chosen proportions of water to be drawn from the tank and the pool. The outlet of pump 710 connects to filter 711 which has its outlet 713 discharging into the pool. A filter gauge 773 can be provided with the filter 711. [070] Figure 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention which uses a float valve 882, 884 in the stormwater inlet line 889, 808, 890. When the water is below a predetermined level 839, the water from the downpipe 889 flows into the tank 804 via valve 884 which is open as indicated by double dot dash line 886. The float is set so when the water in the tank 804 reaches the predetermined limit 839, the valve closes. This causes the stormwater from downpipe 889 to back up in the pipes 890, 808 until it reaches the junction with pipe 826, where it flows out pipe 826 as indicated by dashed line 888. The diameter of pipe 890 can be larger than that of pipe 808, for example 100 mm to 90 mm. The junction of pipe 826 and pipe 808 can be of the order of 600 mm above pipe 890. [071] Where ever it is used, the word "comprising" is to be understood in its "open" sense, that is, in the sense of "including", and thus not limited to its "closed" sense, that is the sense of "consisting only of'. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words "comprise", "comprised" and "comprises" where they appear. [072] It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features 31983AU02 8 mentioned or evident from the text. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention. [073] While particular embodiments of this invention have been described, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments and examples are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all modifications which would be obvious to those skilled in the art are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1. A swimming pool water conservation system including a swimming pool, a rain water collection system, and a water store, wherein the swimming pool has an overflow drain connected to the water store via a first duct whereby water from the overflow drain can flow to the water store, wherein a first non-return valve inhibits flow from the water store to the pool, the conservation system including a second duct connecting the rain water collection system to the water store, wherein a second non-return valve inhibits water from the water store from rising above the second non-return valve, the conservation system including a first diversion duct connected to the first duct at a location between the first non-return valve and the water store, and a second diversion duct connected to the second duct at a location between the rain water collection system and the second non-return valve, the conservation system including a water pump to deliver water to the swimming pool from the water store.

2. A water conservation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water store is lower than the normal water level of the swimming pool.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the water store is an in ground store.

4. A system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3, including flow control means whereby the pump is adapted to circulate a first proportion of water from the pool and a second proportion from the store.

5. A system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first proportion is 80%, and the second proportion is 20%.

6. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including a three way valve connecting the input of the pump to the pool water and the store water.

7. A system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the valve is adjusted to provide the first proportion of water from the pool and the second proportion of water from the store. 31983AU02 10

8. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the water store is formed of one or more water tanks.

9. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including a second overflow outlet duct from the water store.

10. A water conservation system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second overflow outlet duct is connected to a stormwater drain.

11. A water conservation system as claimed in claim 10, including a non-return valve in the second overflow outlet duct.

12. A water conservation system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second non-return valve is a float valve having a float to sense when the level of water in the water store reaches a predetermined height and to close the float valve when the level of the water in the water store reaches the predetermined height.