GB2151336A - Damping device for float valve - Google Patents

Abstract

A conventional cistern float valve V has a water inlet connection I and a clamp nut assembly C to attach same to the wall of a cistern (not shown). The valve is formed by housing H containing valve plunger 4 movable in the housing by one end L of a lever arm A pivoted to the housing at P. The other end of arm A carries a float (not shown). The end face E of plunger 4 has a rubber washer W which closes the water inlet orifice. The housing H has a threaded extension E which connects with the internally threaded end 5 of the body 1 of a damper device. The body has a cylinder C containing hydraulic fluid F with a piston 2 movable in the cylinder and supported by rods R, R' sliding through sealing rings 6 and 9 at each end of the cylinder. The piston has a bleed passageway P for fluid which restricts the free movement of the piston. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Valve assembly for a cistern This invention relates to a valve assembly for a cistern and more particularly to a device for attachment to a cistern valve housing and operatively coupled with the valve plunger.

Existing cisterns use a float which operates a valve through an arm thereby to progressively close and finally shut the valve as water level rises during replenishment from a supply. Problems occur if the float "bounces" on the water surface as the oscillating motion applied to the valve may cause water hammer, especially where the supply pressure is high.

It is an object of this invention to provide a device which may be readily fitted to a valve in a cistern, and also a valve for a cistern incorporating such device to substantially avoid water hammer.

Broadly, according to this invention, there is provided a device for use with a float operated cistern valve, the device comprising a body for connection with the valve housing, the body having a displaceable member operatively connected with the movable plunger of the valve, the displaceable member being coupled with a damper means providing a displacement resisting force.

Preferably the displaceable member is a rod coupled with a piston movable within a cyclinder containing a fluid, opposite sides of the piston being in communication through a fluid flow passageway. The rod may pass through an end of the body to couple with the valve plunger, the end of the body having a connecting means to secure same to the valve housing.

Further features of the invention are described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings showing an embodiment. In the drawings: Figure 1 shows an elevation of a float operated cistern valve with a damping device according to the invention secured thereto, and Figure 2 shows a longitudinal cross-section through the device and relevant parts of the valve.

Referring to the drawings, a conventional cistern float valve V has a water inlet connection I and a clamp nut assembly C to attach same to the wall of a cistern (not shown). The valve is formed by housing H containing valve plunger 4 movable in the housing by one end L of a lever arm A pivoted to the housing at P. The other end of arm A carries a float (not shown). The end face E of plunger 4 has a rubber washer W which closes the water inlet orifice.

The housing H has a threaded extension E which connects with the internally threaded end 5 of the body 1 of a damper device. The body has a cylinder C containing hydraulic fluid F with a piston 2 movable in the cylinder and supported by rods R, R' sliding through sealing rings 6 and 9 at each end of the cylinder. The piston has a bleed passageway P for fluid which restricts the free movement of the piston. The rod end R' is connected to the end of the valve plunger 4 and thus provides the means to exert a displacement resisting force on the plunger, whereby sudden or rapid movements are prevented without restricting the normal steady motion when the plunger follows movement of the float arm.

The cylinder C has a removable threaded end plug 8 with a bleed orifice and screw 5 and a washer 7 serving to retain seal 6. The other seal 9 is retained by a washer 3. The end plug is sealed by a seal ring 10.

The device may be fitted by any existing ball valve to eliminate vibration, caused by water hammer, when the ball float bounces on the surface of the water and broadly comprises a hydraulic cylinder with a piston having a bleed hole. The cylinder is filled with hydraulic fluid and sealed at both ends.

The shock transmitted via the float to the arm, then to the ball valve plunger, is absorbed by the piston in the cylinder of the device. The piston may only move at a speed determined by the hydraulic oil bleed from one side to the other.

This arrangement allows the ball valve to open and close normally.

1. A device for use with a float operated cistern valve, the device comprising a body for connection with the valve housing, the body having a displaceable member operatively connected with the movable plunger of the valve, the displaceble member being coupled with a damper means providing a displacement resisting force.

2. A device in accordance with Claim 1, wherein the displaceable member is a rod coupled with a piston movable within a cylinder containing a fluid, opposite sides of the piston being in communication through a fluid flow passageway.

3. A device in accordance with Claim 2, wherein the rod passes through an end of the body to couple with the valve plunger, the end of the body having a connecting means to secure same to the valve housing.

4. A device in accordance with any preceding Claim, wherein the body has a cylinder containing hydraulic fluid with a piston movable in the cylinder and supported by rods sliding through sealing rings at each end of the cylinder, the piston having a bleed passage-way for fluid which restricts the free movement of the piston.

5. A device as described herein and exemplified with reference to the drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Valve assembly for a cistern This invention relates to a valve assembly for a cistern and more particularly to a device for attachment to a cistern valve housing and operatively coupled with the valve plunger. Existing cisterns use a float which operates a valve through an arm thereby to progressively close and finally shut the valve as water level rises during replenishment from a supply. Problems occur if the float "bounces" on the water surface as the oscillating motion applied to the valve may cause water hammer, especially where the supply pressure is high. It is an object of this invention to provide a device which may be readily fitted to a valve in a cistern, and also a valve for a cistern incorporating such device to substantially avoid water hammer. Broadly, according to this invention, there is provided a device for use with a float operated cistern valve, the device comprising a body for connection with the valve housing, the body having a displaceable member operatively connected with the movable plunger of the valve, the displaceable member being coupled with a damper means providing a displacement resisting force. Preferably the displaceable member is a rod coupled with a piston movable within a cyclinder containing a fluid, opposite sides of the piston being in communication through a fluid flow passageway. The rod may pass through an end of the body to couple with the valve plunger, the end of the body having a connecting means to secure same to the valve housing. Further features of the invention are described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings showing an embodiment. In the drawings: Figure 1 shows an elevation of a float operated cistern valve with a damping device according to the invention secured thereto, and Figure 2 shows a longitudinal cross-section through the device and relevant parts of the valve. Referring to the drawings, a conventional cistern float valve V has a water inlet connection I and a clamp nut assembly C to attach same to the wall of a cistern (not shown). The valve is formed by housing H containing valve plunger 4 movable in the housing by one end L of a lever arm A pivoted to the housing at P. The other end of arm A carries a float (not shown). The end face E of plunger 4 has a rubber washer W which closes the water inlet orifice. The housing H has a threaded extension E which connects with the internally threaded end 5 of the body 1 of a damper device. The body has a cylinder C containing hydraulic fluid F with a piston 2 movable in the cylinder and supported by rods R, R' sliding through sealing rings 6 and 9 at each end of the cylinder. The piston has a bleed passageway P for fluid which restricts the free movement of the piston. The rod end R' is connected to the end of the valve plunger 4 and thus provides the means to exert a displacement resisting force on the plunger, whereby sudden or rapid movements are prevented without restricting the normal steady motion when the plunger follows movement of the float arm. The cylinder C has a removable threaded end plug 8 with a bleed orifice and screw 5 and a washer 7 serving to retain seal 6. The other seal 9 is retained by a washer 3. The end plug is sealed by a seal ring 10. The device may be fitted by any existing ball valve to eliminate vibration, caused by water hammer, when the ball float bounces on the surface of the water and broadly comprises a hydraulic cylinder with a piston having a bleed hole. The cylinder is filled with hydraulic fluid and sealed at both ends. The shock transmitted via the float to the arm, then to the ball valve plunger, is absorbed by the piston in the cylinder of the device. The piston may only move at a speed determined by the hydraulic oil bleed from one side to the other. This arrangement allows the ball valve to open and close normally. CLAIMS

1. A device for use with a float operated cistern valve, the device comprising a body for connection with the valve housing, the body having a displaceable member operatively connected with the movable plunger of the valve, the displaceble member being coupled with a damper means providing a displacement resisting force.

2. A device in accordance with Claim 1, wherein the displaceable member is a rod coupled with a piston movable within a cylinder containing a fluid, opposite sides of the piston being in communication through a fluid flow passageway.

3. A device in accordance with Claim 2, wherein the rod passes through an end of the body to couple with the valve plunger, the end of the body having a connecting means to secure same to the valve housing.

4. A device in accordance with any preceding Claim, wherein the body has a cylinder containing hydraulic fluid with a piston movable in the cylinder and supported by rods sliding through sealing rings at each end of the cylinder, the piston having a bleed passage-way for fluid which restricts the free movement of the piston.

5. A device as described herein and exemplified with reference to the drawings.

6. A device in accordance with any preceding Claim in combination with a cistern float valve.