EP0977924B1 - Discharge valve apparatus - Google Patents

Discharge valve apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0977924B1
EP0977924B1 EP98917420A EP98917420A EP0977924B1 EP 0977924 B1 EP0977924 B1 EP 0977924B1 EP 98917420 A EP98917420 A EP 98917420A EP 98917420 A EP98917420 A EP 98917420A EP 0977924 B1 EP0977924 B1 EP 0977924B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
valve
housing
pilot valve
fluid
outlet
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP98917420A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0977924A1 (en
Inventor
Douglas Robert David Frost
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Derwent MacDee Ltd
Original Assignee
Derwent MacDee Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Derwent MacDee Ltd filed Critical Derwent MacDee Ltd
Publication of EP0977924A1 publication Critical patent/EP0977924A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0977924B1 publication Critical patent/EP0977924B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
    • E03D1/00—Water flushing devices with cisterns ; Setting up a range of flushing devices or water-closets; Combinations of several flushing devices
    • E03D1/02—High-level flushing systems
    • E03D1/14—Cisterns discharging variable quantities of water also cisterns with bell siphons in combination with flushing valves
    • E03D1/142—Cisterns discharging variable quantities of water also cisterns with bell siphons in combination with flushing valves in cisterns with flushing valves

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a discharge valve apparatus and is primarily intended to provide a light action, easily operable, fast flowing valve for emptying or partly emptying cisterns and other types of liquid storage containers. It is particularly, although not exclusively, applicable to being used to reduce the amount of water used for flushing domestic lavatories or W.C.s.
  • the means for achieving the flush consists either of a siphon (which at present for the U.K. is still the only acceptable device that meets the water byelaws), or a non-siphon type valve as used extensively on the Continent of Europe and elsewhere in the world.
  • non-siphon or direct type valves generally have a valve plate or member which covers and seals the outlet to prevent water from escaping unintentionally.
  • Both the siphon and the direct type flush valve have a threaded outlet pipe which extends downwards through the bottom of the cistern into which it is fixed by a bulkhead fitting. It is then connected to the lavatory pan either directly or by a short length of pipe.
  • Non-siphon valves generally achieve greater flow rates.
  • the kinetic energy of the water in the pan approximately doubles for a 50% increase in flow rates, so less water is required for an effective flush.
  • the performance of most U.K. lavatory pans could be considerably improved by replacing the siphon with a direct discharge valve.
  • Some existing installations in the U.K. and elsewhere would accommodate even higher flow rates than are generally available with existing flush valves.
  • the quantity of water required for effective flushing could be substantially reduced.
  • discharge apparatus for discharge of a fluid in a cistern, comprising a housing, a valve in the housing for cooperation with an outlet from the housing to prevent flow of fluid from the housing and being movable to open the outlet for flow of fluid therefrom, a pilot valve which is operable to open a free flow between a chamber of the housing and the outlet, characterised by an annular passage between the pilot valve and the housing which puts the chamber into communication with the ambient atmosphere when the pilot valve is open, the arrangement being such that with such a passage of air being maintained, hydrostatic forces acting on the underside of the valve reduce in proportion to the fluid level fall so that as the fluid falls to a desired level the weight of the valve exceeds the upward forces whereby to allow the valve to descend and close the outlet.
  • the annular passage may be intermediate the length of and exteriorly of the pilot valve. This provides a relatively simple construction and assembly.
  • the annular passage may be exteriorly of a stem of the pilot valve. This provides for a compact construction, particularly where the intermediate annular passage may terminate at a seal of the pilot valve in one operating position.
  • the annular passage may be defined by a boss which is concentric with the stem. This provides for ease of movement of the pilot valve, particularly where there may be guide means for the stem associated with the annular passage.
  • the guide means may comprise a plurality of ribs or splines extending longitudinally of the passage. This construction provides a positive guiding action.
  • the splines may be carried by the boss, and for preference of construction may be formed integrally with the boss.
  • the means may be means to limit the stroke of the pilot valve. This provides for ease of operation, the means preferably comprising a plurality of webs adapted to operate with a collar of the pilot valve stem.
  • an overflow pipe secured to the housing by a coupling nut and seal arrangement.
  • the overflow pipe may have means to provide a desired length thereof. This provides for a varying overflow capacity, particularly where the means may comprise a plurality of notches or zones of weakness spaced apart over the length of the overflow pipe, and which may allow that pipe to be cut to a desired length. This provides for ease of adjustment of the length of the overflow pipe.
  • discharge valve apparatus 1 for immersion in and discharge of fluid, usually water, from a cistern (not shown) comprising a housing 2, a valve means or piston 3 in the housing 2 for cooperation with an outlet 4 from the housing 2 to prevent flow of fluid from the housing 2 and being movable to open the outlet 4 for flow of fluid therefrom, a pilot valve 5 which is operable to open a free flow between a chamber 6 of the housing 2 and the outlet 4 and means 7 to provide to provide passage of ambient air to the chamber 6, the arrangement being such that with a passage of air being maintained, hydrostatic forces acting on the underside of the valve reduce in proportion to the fluid level fall so that as the fluid falls to a desired level the weight of the valve 3 exceeds the upward forces whereby to allow the valve to descend and close the outlet 4.
  • the valve 3 is shown in its normal (unflushed) state, there being annular seals 8, 9 which seal the outlet 4 against flow of water, the weight of water keeping the seals water-tight, the seal 8 bearing on a rib 10 of the housing and the seal 9 on an annular rib or shoulder 11 projecting from a hollow stem or centre column 12 of the pilot valve 5.
  • a means in the form of a spring 13 urging the valve 3 to the Fig. 1A position
  • a means in the form of a compression spring 14 urging the pilot valve 5 to the Fig.
  • the compression spring 14 bearing between an annular upper (as viewed) shoulder seal 15 of the stem and an annular land 16 at the top of the housing 2 and which forms a roof of the housing, the land 16 extending downwardly. inwardly of the housing to provide a cylindrical boss 17 which bears on an annular seal 18 on an intermediate shoulder 19 of the stem 12.
  • the spring 13 bears between the underside of the land 16 and the top of the valve 3, there being respective shoulders 20, 21 to keep it in place.
  • the boss 17 is spaced from the stem to provide a passage which in turn provides means for allowing air to pass from the ambient atmosphere through space 35, defined by an upper extension 22 of the housing 2, to the chamber 6 in use.
  • the upper extension 22 of the housing 2 provides a seating for an overflow tube 23 which is mounted on top of the extension via a seal 24 and by a releasable coupling nut 25 which is screwed into a thread at the top of the extension and tightens down by a flange 26 which bears on a rib or flange 27 of the overflow tube 23.
  • space 35 means to limit the stroke of the pilot valve in the form of a plurality of webs 28, in the embodiment five, which are integral with the extension 22 and land 16 and have an upper surface which in the Fig. 1A position is engaged by the shoulder seal or collar 15 of the pilot valve stem.
  • the guide means being in the form of ribs or splines 29 (in the embodiment four ribs), which are integrally formed with and project from the boss 17 and whilst providing clearance for reciprocation of the pilot valve stem 12, nevertheless guide it so that it does not cant during movement.
  • the overflow pipe 23 is notched as shown by a series of spaced annular notches 30 or at least areas of decreased wail thickness and hence areas of weakness so the overflow height can be set by cutting the pipe 23 at a desired notch or area of weakness to provide a desired length of tube. Any water overflowing into the tube 23 escapes through aperture 31 (one of which is shown) in the valve stem 12 and hence through the outlet 4.
  • the upper (as viewed) part 32 of the pilot valve stem is at least flush with the top of the overflow pipe 23 so that the operating mechanism is always accessible.
  • the valve In use, in the Fig. 1A condition, with the valve 3 seated and the cistern filled, the valve is kept in the seated condition mainly by net downward hydrostatic forces acting on the upper annular area between the pilot stem 12 and the land 16 of the upper housing, the valve 3 being sealed in the housing by a centring ring 33. Other downward forces are due to water pressure on the seal 8, the weight of the valve 3 and a small amount of initial compression from the spring 13. The only upward force on the valve 3 in the seated condition (Fig. 1A) is due to the water pressure acting on the underneath of the valve in the annular space 34.
  • the pilot valve stem 12 does not act as a contributor to these forces, as it is maintained in the closed position by the compression spring 14 acting on the land 16.
  • the pilot valve stem 12 is depressed for a few seconds, usually 2 - 3 seconds to provide a depression of about 8.00 mm as shown in Fig. 1B.
  • This action separates the end of the boss 17 and the seal 18 enabling air to be drawn from the ambient atmosphere through the overflow space 35 past the water 22 in the upper part of the housing 2 and down the outside of the pilot valve stem 12 into the chamber 6 above the valve 3.
  • the valve 3 is raised by the hydrostatic pressure, against its own weight and the pressure of the spring 13 (Fig.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Self-Closing Valves And Venting Or Aerating Valves (AREA)
  • Sanitary Device For Flush Toilet (AREA)
  • Fluid-Driven Valves (AREA)
  • Metal-Oxide And Bipolar Metal-Oxide Semiconductor Integrated Circuits (AREA)
  • Safety Valves (AREA)
  • Seal Device For Vehicle (AREA)
  • Polarising Elements (AREA)
  • Details Of Valves (AREA)
  • Feeding And Controlling Fuel (AREA)
  • Magnetically Actuated Valves (AREA)
  • Lift Valve (AREA)
  • Stereo-Broadcasting Methods (AREA)
  • Pens And Brushes (AREA)
  • Particle Formation And Scattering Control In Inkjet Printers (AREA)
  • Feeding, Discharge, Calcimining, Fusing, And Gas-Generation Devices (AREA)
EP98917420A 1997-04-24 1998-04-21 Discharge valve apparatus Expired - Lifetime EP0977924B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9708272.1A GB9708272D0 (en) 1997-04-24 1997-04-24 Discharge valve apparatus
GB9708272 1997-04-24
PCT/GB1998/001153 WO1998048121A1 (en) 1997-04-24 1998-04-21 Discharge valve apparatus

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0977924A1 EP0977924A1 (en) 2000-02-09
EP0977924B1 true EP0977924B1 (en) 2002-10-09

Family

ID=10811261

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98917420A Expired - Lifetime EP0977924B1 (en) 1997-04-24 1998-04-21 Discharge valve apparatus

Country Status (12)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0977924B1 (pl)
AT (1) ATE225883T1 (pl)
AU (1) AU740241B2 (pl)
DE (1) DE69808613T2 (pl)
DK (1) DK0977924T3 (pl)
ES (1) ES2185163T3 (pl)
GB (1) GB9708272D0 (pl)
HU (1) HUP0003854A3 (pl)
NZ (1) NZ500271A (pl)
PL (1) PL186895B1 (pl)
PT (1) PT977924E (pl)
WO (1) WO1998048121A1 (pl)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1073802A1 (en) * 1998-04-21 2001-02-07 Blackborow, John Cistern outlet valve
DE102017131400A1 (de) 2017-12-28 2019-07-04 Lixil International Pte. Ltd. Zylinder-kolben-einheit

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2802244A1 (de) * 1978-01-19 1979-07-26 Abu Plast Kunststoff Ventileinheit fuer spuelkaesten
FR2699203A1 (fr) * 1992-11-12 1994-06-17 Fominaya Agullo Pablo Perfectionnements apportés aux déchargeurs de citernes pour cabinets d'aisance.
FR2698645B1 (fr) * 1992-12-01 1996-10-25 Spmp Mecanisme de chasse interrompable, a volume de vidange minimum conforme a l'hygiene.
SK55797A3 (en) * 1994-11-04 1998-01-14 Derwent Macdee Limited Discharge valve

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69808613T2 (de) 2003-09-11
GB9708272D0 (en) 1997-06-18
HUP0003854A2 (hu) 2001-02-28
HUP0003854A3 (en) 2001-05-28
ATE225883T1 (de) 2002-10-15
PL186895B1 (pl) 2004-03-31
EP0977924A1 (en) 2000-02-09
NZ500271A (en) 2001-09-28
AU740241B2 (en) 2001-11-01
PL336467A1 (en) 2000-06-19
DK0977924T3 (da) 2003-02-10
AU7065398A (en) 1998-11-13
PT977924E (pt) 2003-02-28
WO1998048121A1 (en) 1998-10-29
DE69808613D1 (de) 2002-11-14
ES2185163T3 (es) 2003-04-16

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