AU2083800A

AU2083800A - Water flow arrester

Info

Publication number: AU2083800A
Application number: AU20838/00A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Rodney Francis Armstrong
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-02-23
Filing date: 2000-03-10
Publication date: 2000-06-08
Anticipated expiration: 2016-02-22
Also published as: AU762487B2

Description

P1001011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 Original Complete specification Standard Patent Invention Title: WATER FLOW ARRESTER The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: This invention relates to improvement(s) to devices that undertake to control water flow, observe or monitor water flow, and devices that undertake to arrest water flow pursuant to purpose specific So programmed time intervals, for various objectives including the primary objective to ameliorate conservation of common water usage and to limit accidental damage due to spillage.

0* "Existing devices specify limited or specific function, e.g. water temperature control, controlling shower use through gradual reduction of temperature, isolating faulty sections of plumbing and protecting damage to hot water services, each is designed to react to a single specific event or failure and are, as such, narrow in their control scope. Such devices involve considerable complication of design and installation.

This invention undertakes to empower the user with additional, comprehensive and effective ability to control water consumption and waste, occurring accidentally or otherwise, beyond the normal controls afforded, while allowing a continuous and transparent-to-the-user operation. The unique approach, involving limited complication of arrangement of components and installation, provides comprehensive, [non-exclusive] application and opportunity for control. The functional scope of this Plo01011 Regulation 3.2 invention encompasses all issues, reasonably relevant, likely necessary to provide total control over water flow, together with necessary low cost design constraint and simplified installation to increase the potential for greater percentage of use in the community Common water usage, especially among domestic, accommodation industry and various institutions, includes high levels of water wastage. Examples of water wastage would typically include, long showers, taps left running unnoticed or for convenience sake and also, due to plumbing faults, leakage at stopcocks, valves and appliances. The need for water conservation is [and] will continue to be increasingly important to communities, both water supply providers and the general recipient. The costs associated with unnecessary water wastage are significant and will only increase, it is therefore important to gain greater control over water use and hence water waste.

To date, average water consumers do not have the benefit of such a [singular] device, designed 30 specially to aid almost total control over 'their consumption of water' in a reasonably convenient and low cost manner.

As and adjunct to water wastage, another form of related wastage, due to water leaks, burst pipe or S°appliance hose and any other plumbing restraint, often causes considerable associated damage to .e eo 35 the immediate surroundings. This damage can often be a very disproportionate in cost with respect S to the repair of the failed item, in that the subsequent water damage costs can run into thousands of •dollars.

The above problems are substantially overcome by the present invention which forms an active 'Arresting Device' which is uniquely, designed allow water to flow as required, but, to interrupt the flow of water 'temporarily' in accordance with preset conditions.. The ongoing availability of the supply of water is transparent to the user except in the case of the water supply having been arrested by the device, requiring a 'Reset Intervention'; an action specifically intended to encourage shorter water consumption intervals. The requirement for the Reset Intervention is an essential aspect of the device, being an inconvenient and undesirable event for the user, i.e. while showering, 2 PI001011 Regulation 3.2 The Reset Intervention it will therefore be avoided whenever possible. The awareness of, and subsequent desire to avoid, this event will aid the objective which is to ameliorate conservation of water. The preset conditions governing the device will be varied with respect to installation type or location circumstances, however the objective, to conserve water through limiting the availability of flow to short intervals only and thereby also limit the amount of water related damage, remains constant.

This invention includes a unique method of communication involving, utilisation of water pressure trapped between a strategically placed 'Solenoid', which is inserted at a 'Supply Point' for water to a 'Single Occupancy' or similar division of any building where water use may need to be controlled by that division, refereed to as a 'Location', and any existing 'Stopcock' or stopcocks with the Location.

Such water pressure, by virtue of being trapped, provides an 'Initial Pressure State'. The Initial Pressure State provides the necessary reference to communicate to the Arresting Device any demand for water and it's continuous control operation.

This unique method also avoids any encumbrance of dynamic fluctuations prevailing in a water supply, potentially being of hindrance to the operation of such a device. Such fluctuation in water pressure not only varies between suburbs or buildings but also within suburbs, streets, building levels and even different times of the day. The Initial Pressure State requires only such pressure as S 65 is normally required to constitute a potential for water to flow within the plumbing system of the Location.

In addition and unique to this invention, the Solenoid valve has a 'Closed by Default' basis of operation. The Closed by Default mode of operation which permits both the Initial Pressure State, facilitating communication, and also prevents any possibility of water flowing without an electromotive force being applied.

The demand for water is communicated by a reduction in water pressure with respect to the Initial Pressure State. A' Pressure Sensor' which sensors pressure change detects this event. The 3 P1001011 Regulation 3.2 Pressure Sensor supplies a 'Control Signal' to activate a 'Timer Control' operating to govern supply of electromotive current to [operate] the solenoid for a duration of a 'Preset Time Interval'.

If the Preset Time Interval expires, the Timer Control will discontinue any electromotive current to the Solenoid and thereby prevent the continued flow of water through the Solenoid and the Timer Control will latch to a condition requiring the Reset Intervention.

The Reset Intervention operates to re-initialise the Timer Control, which again provides electromotive current to the Solenoid, subject to the Initial Pressure State and the Preset Time Interval, and thereby a flow of water.

o. 85 Subsequent to the Reset Intervention and in the event that the Initial Pressure State can not be achieved, for example if a stopcock remains open, the Timer Control will continue to operate to S"govern supply of electromotive current to [operate] the solenoid for the duration of to the Preset .0.0 o0 Time Interval only. Such circumstances will continue to prevail and repeatedly require the Reset Intervention until the stopcock is fully closed or leak or other fault is repaired or rectified and thereby .oooo oo 90 reduce accidental or unnecessary wastage.

eoo :00 Subject to a 'Pressure Sensor Signal Hold Delay' function, detailed below, if demand for water I 0 ceases, for example, a stopcock is closed before the Preset Time Interval has expired, the Initial o Pressure State will re-establish and the Pressure Sensor sensing an appropriate change in water S 95 pressure will signal the Initial Pressure State to the Timer Control. The Initial Pressure State is achieved by the action of the prevailing water supply pressure rebuilding within plumbing system and is detected by the Pressure Sensor.

The Timer Control operation includes a 'Pressure Sensor Signal Hold Delay' function (mentioned 100 above), occurring immediately after receiving any 'Pressure Sensor Signal' and operates to provide a 'Lag Time Interval' to ensure stabilisation of signal processing while pressure is rebuilding within the plumbing system. The Pressure Sensor Signal Hold Delay interval of the Timer Control, P/001011 Regulation 3.2 controlling the Solenoid, will ensure the flow of water for a minimum period equal to this interval length, accept if power is discontinued.

105 The Timer Control also includes a 'Long Interval' function, designed to be operated [only] by a 'Long Duration Control' switch located adjacent to the Solenoid position, which when activated, allows flow of water for a minimum period equal to this interval length. The Long Interval function is provided for special purposes, such as filling a swimming pool, or in the case of an emergency involving the 110 need of continuous water supply.

The Arresting Device includes a 'Lockable Power Control' device, which operates to isolate the Pressure Sensor Signal from the Timer Control and thereby functions to prevent any flow of water, via the Solenoid, if locked. The Lockable Power Control does not effect the Long Interval function.

In one form of the invention, electromotive current is provided from a suitable 'Mains powered 115 Supply' and comprises a normally closed Solenoid [valve] installed at the Supply Point of the 9oll oo. Location. Included as part of this installation is the Pressure Sensor positioned between the Solenoid and any stopcock within the Location.

External components are encased within a suitable non-deteriorating insulated case with a 120 removable cover to allow maintenance access. An interconnecting lead of suitable insulated electrical cable is terminated to "External Components" and to 'Internal Components' of the Arresting Device. The Internal Components are positioned somewhat convenient to the Location facilities, e.g. near the shower. The Reset Intervention switch is included with the Internal Components.

125 The Timer Control of the Arresting Device comprises a suitable multiple electronic timer function circuit, with visible, audible or other suitable condition indicating devices and includes inputs for outputs of the Reset Intervention, the Long Duration Control, the Lockable Power Control, the Pressure Sensor and the Mains Powered Supply, together with outputs to the Solenoid (and 130 indicators).

P1001011 Regulation 3.2 In another form of the invention described above, wherein a suitable 'Remote Control' transmitter and receiver operates the Lockable Power Control.

The Lockable Power Control function occurs with a Remote Control transmission to the Remote 135 Control receiver which subsequently signals the Timer Control, operating to isolate the Pressure Sensor Signal from the Timer Control and thereby functions to prevent any flow of water, via the Solenoid, if locked. The Lockable Power Control does not effect the Long Interval function. The Lockable Power input may be part of the Location's alarm system, if available, and in which may be operated by remote control operation.

140 In yet another form of the invention described above, wherein a suitable'Remote Control' transmitter and receiver operates the Reset Intervention, the Reset Intervention function occurs with a Remote Control transmission to the Remote Control receiver which subsequently signals the Timer Control, operating to re-initialise the Timer Control and thereby functions to allow the flow of water, via the o° 145 Solenoid. The Reset Intervention input may be part of the Location's alarm system, if available, and in which may be operated by remote control operation.

In the drawings: 0e 0 S* FIG 1 shows a control process diagram for the arresting device.

150 FIG 2 shows a pictorial typical application.

SReferring to FIG 2; It can be seen that a water supply pipe at the Supply Point of the Location entering into a suitable non-deteriorating insulated case through the Solenoid [valve] and The Pressure Sensor is connected to a electrical cable terminating from the Solenoid 155 [valve] and the Pressure Sensor into the Location terminating at the Timer Control components at within the Location in the general form of the invention.

The flow of water from points to points and is controlled by items and 160 Page(s)__ 7 <are drawings pages they appear after the abstract

Claims

1. A water flow Arresting Device, primarily inserted at the first point of entry for the main water supply of the Location normally comprising a power supply, the Timer Control and Reset Intervention operation at and the Solenoid [valve] the Pressure Sensor and the Long Interval function, located at wherein the combined inputs and outputs of each component is terminated to and electrically communicating with, each other via a suitable electrical cable and wherein and by which, water pressure trapped within the plumbing system of the Location due to the valve closing operation of the Solenoid and wherein by being sensed by the Pressure Sensor the water pressure establishes the Initial Pressure State which is uniquely utilised by this invention to provide the medium to support ongoing communication between the Pressure Sensor(3) and the Timer Control wherein the communication aims consist of (a) verification of establishment, continuation of and or lack of establishment of, the Initial Pressure State, wherein such communication is stabilised by the Pressure Sensor Signal Hold Delay which overcomes spurious signals and allows such communication to provide response to the action of operating any stopcock within the Location which occurs without delay and transparent-to-the user yet wherein the unique operational mode of this invention prohibits any water to flow by default, the Location's plumbing system water supply is normally prohibited, due to the contrived combined effects of the Arresting Device, and in reciprocal fashion wherein water flow can occur henceforth within the Location's plumbing system due only to an action, by the user, of operating any valve within the Location coincidentally, due to the contrived combined effects of the Arresting Device, of which the unique invention of intended function, to provide overall and effective control of water flow and thereby water consumption, controls overall consumption of water within the Location

2. The Arresting Device of claim 1 wherein the Timer Control and the Reset Intervention functions to allow water to flow, for a preset duration, on demand, and wherein the demand for water to flow is communicated via water pressure trapped within the Location's plumbing system in respect to, the continuation of, or absence of, the Initial Pressure State and wherein a minimum P1001/o011I Regulation 3.2 215 interval is provided to facilitate stable processing of the Pressure Sensor signal and wherein the Lockable Power Control may be deployed to prevent response to the communicated demand, if desired.

3. The Arresting Device of claims 1 and 2 wherein the water supply is prohibited by default to 220 prevent any possibility of water flow or related damage but remains available on demand subject to the Lockable Power Control.

4. The Arresting Device of claims 1 to 3 wherein a Long Duration Control is included and may override the normal control of the Arresting Device in an event where an unusually long water 225 supply interval is required and upon which the Lockable Power Control has no effect. 0 a.

5. The Arresting Device of claims 1 to 4 wherein the Reset Intervention control may be operated remotely by a remote control component or as part of an alarm system. 230

6. The Arresting Device of claims 1 to 5 wherein the Lockable Power Control may be operated a** 4 remotely by a remote control component or as part of an alarm system. *a.

7. The Arresting Device of claims 1 to 6 wherein a back-up battery and Long Interval Control may be ,.af included to provide a suitable electrical pulse to operate a low voltage 'Latching Style' of the 235 Solenoid, or other low electrical power consuming solenoid, to ensure an 'open state' and thereby to allow water to flow for a long interval and to overcome any failed power supply.

8. The Arresting Device of claims 1 to 7 wherein each component is not located as described but rather located together or otherwise where required. 240

9. The Arresting Device of claims 1 to 8 wherein operation of the Arresting Device is as essentially represented by the control process diagram of Fig 1. P/00/011I Regulation 3.2 1.The Arresting Device of claims 1 to 9 wherein operation of the Arresting Device may be fully powered by batteries. 0 0 SO *0 *e 06 S *0 0 0 OS SSSO *606 @0 0 p so 0 on. 0000 S 0* be 0 S 0 @000 0 0006 RODNEY FRANCIS ARMSTRONG (Name of Applicant) (BLOCK LETTERS) Friday, 24 February 2000 (Date)