GB2578440A - Water dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

A water dispenser is provided. The water dispenser comprises a reservoir 3 having an inlet 6 and an outlet 7. The inlet 6 is connectible in use to a supply of water and the outlet 7 is connectible in use to a water distribution system. An inlet valve 21, 22 comprises a member movable between a closed position in which the inlet 6 is closed and one or more open positions in which the inlet 6 is open to permit water to flow from the water supply into the reservoir 3. The reservoir 3 is closed by a movable member 4 to seal the reservoir 3, the moveable member 4 being movable in response to changes in pressure within the reservoir 3. A linkage 8 is engaged to and movable in response to movement of the moveable member 4, the linkage 8 being connected to the inlet valve 21, 22 by a lever arrangement 11, 14, 16, arranged so that changes in pressure within the reservoir 3 cause the inlet valve 21, 22 member to move between open and closed positions.

Description

R DISPENSER

This invention relates to a water dispenser particularly but not exclusively for agricultural and horticultural application. The dispenser may be used in other applied n which a pressure of water upphct 18 to be controlled.

Dispensers for water for agricultural or horticultural is may have in iltiple eaglets at different heights relative to the vater supply le on uneven or sloping g,round, Without pressure regm;ater outlets may be gireater than from outlet:s located at a higher level leading to unevendistribution of water, UK patent application No l705$629 discloses an irrigation system comprising lug defining amber having a water inlet and a water outlet, a water control novable between an open position and a closed position, ape communicating between an interior and an exterior of the casing, a control member movably located in the aperture, having an outer portion external to the casing and an inner portion within the Chamber, wherein application of an external force to portion urges the inner portion between an engaged post viuch the inner portion engages and urges the water control valve into an opened position. and a disengaged position in which the water control valve is free to move buoyantly to the closed position, According to the present invention a water dispenser comprises a reservoir having an inlet and an outlet; the inlet connectible in use to a supply rater and the outlet connectible use to a water distribution system; an inlet valve member movable between a closed position in which the i closed and one or more open positions in wind" the inlet is open to permit water from the water supply into the reservoir; the reservoir being closed by a movable member to seal Loveable member being movable in response to changes in pressure w iiikage engaged to an tsoonse to movemen ember;' the linkage being connected to nimber by a lever arrangement, arranged so that changes in pressure within the reservoir cause the inlet valve mc to move between open and closed positions: The lever arrangement may comprise an actuator lever at a first point e linkage and pivotally mounted at a first pivot location, location being in spaced relation to the first point; :prising a driver member located firstaid the pivot location that movement of the first point in response to movement ()viable member and linkage causes rotational movement of the driver member he first Divot: a valve lever comprising.ember the valve member being located at a second point on the valve surface located in spaced relation to the second point, and a second pivot located intermediate the inlet valve member and the cam surface; herein the driver member engages the cam surface so that in drive member causes movement of the cam surface and consequent movement of the inlet valve menher between the closed and opened positions.

The actuator lever may be an elongate member, for example a lamin "vely the elongate member may be a rod or beam.

The valve lever may comprise two elongate members joined at i. second point to form a channel between the members, the channel being dintenab receive and allow free rotational movement of the itween the elongate members: The valve lever may he Li-shaped in plan view elongate members may he located side by side: embodiment the distance between the first point and the first pivot distance between the driver member and the first pivot.

In an embodiment the distance between: the point and the greater than itifee times tbe distance between the driver member and the first piv In a further embodiment the distance between the first point and the first pivot is greater than four times the distance between the driver member and the first pivot.

In a flather embodiment the distance between t. e first point am is greater than five times the distance between the r member and the first pivot.

another embodiment the actuator lever and valve lever are elongate iding side by side with the respective pivots being located at opposite gement..

The actuator lever and the valve lever may Lend in paralleL, Inc ca and second pivots.

ably first distance between the cam engagementlocation and the first pivot point is ess than condcbs amebetween the cam engagement location and the second pivot pen n an embo awe of movement of the first point correspoidmg movement greater than the distance of rnovLncnt of'the her embodiment,force applied to the first point by her and linkage causes a greater three to be applied to movable member.

Preferably the ratio of the first distance to the second distan n the r 1.5 t< 2 5:1; more piefeiably2to 4:1 more preferably 2 to 3:1.

tuber may be a pn :O aetatitra lever towards idrical member or rod extending The ca The cam surface member.

may be an edge, for example a curved edge of the ged to face away from the second pivot towards the driver A third distance between the second pivot and earn surface is preferably greater urth distance between the 'valve member and the second pivot.

advantage for the lever arnmgement. Preferably a relatively large movement of the driver member causes a relatively smaller movement of the valve member so that a force applied to cause movement of the valve:ember and closure of the valve is correspondingly greater than the external, force applied to the moveable member by a change in pressure in the reservoir in relation to external or ambient pressure, In an embodiment a restraint member is arranged to restrain movement of the movable member, for example to limit the extent of movement of the movable member response to an increase in pressure within the reservoir relative to external pressure. ai

esti-atilt member may be movable between a plurality of locations control movement of the movable member, In a further embodiment ember is a movable cap, for example threaded cap which may be sere t. oraway reservoir in use.

The restraint member may serve to override the control mechanism, preventing complete or partial closure of the inlet valve so that a constant supply of water may be obtained. The restraint member may hold the valve open, for example when the cap is novable member, tic between the third and fourth distances in the a -ably 2;1 to preferably 3;1 to 5;1.

The ratios of es provide a convenient and efficient mechanic The movable mem:.er may be a flexible diaphragm, for example an clastorneric or resilient member. The linkage may be connected to a central region of the diaphragm so that die linkage moves in response to flexing of the diaphragua caused by a pressure change in the reservoir. In an alternative embodiment, the movable memb or bellows, arranged to move upwardly or Nardly in response to an tas pressure in the reservoir.

The iapluagm me)have it E' We and m+y 11 be circular in plan vi he 4.Op may have a contact itittaci,,, circumference that movable member and may be movable towards or away from the member in use npie by screwing the cap towards or away vein which the diaphragm is circular cap annular contact surface with a diameter less than the diameter of the flexible region of the diaphragm" Alternatively the cap may have an array of contact surfaces arranged at a suitable diameter, which is less than the diameter of the ihaphragm.

Contact t the annular contact surface or surfaces of the diaphragm may reduce the diameter availthie flexible region of the diaphragm. This in turn reduces the distance moved by the linkage in response to a change in pressure, and thereby controls the responsiveness of the lever arrangement to changes in pressure in The of the diaphtagm reduces the sensitivity of the diaphragm to increases in water pressure, allowing connection dispenser to a relatively high water preasure supply.

hpressure water supplyma v be encountered if the reservoiris located at Con to other sur lar rt enojrs in a waler distrih tin system may occur if the water distribut ocated on uneven ground or ntion beds of different heights.

The inventjon may provide ening or closing.110VeMAMt ulet valve may be precisely controlled. The mechanical advantage provided by the lever arrangement may ensure that closure of the inlet valve is reliably provided against pressure of the water supply. This affords efficient regulation of the water supply and may be independent of any van essure of the water supply.

The location, of the levers side by side allows the ength of e regulator to be reduced without weakening the force applied to the inlet valve in use, Reduction of the sions of the regulator facilitates convenient installation in confined spaces and reduces the materials required for construction, 1 The invention also allows use of the water regulator 'th relatively high pressure lies, for example a direct connection to a mains triply. The regulator may b adjusted to accommodate variations in the water pressure supply.

The simglicity of construction reduces the likelihood of leakage in use anc shimassembly during manufacture or maintenance.

The invention is further described by means of exampl nitat.ive sense with accompany' g drawings of whit Figure 1 is a cross sectional view of a water dispenser in rie Figure 2 is a partially cut- view of in Figure 1; r-3 is a plan view of r dispenser shown in Figures 4 to 6 are schematic views showing the moving parts of the te; dispel res 7 and S are partially cutaway 4 respective Figures show stages in caper HMI 0 etainer cap, these figures comprises a base (1) and cylindrical wall (2) defining an opening reservoir. (3).

(4) is secured at the circumference (5) tto the wall (2) so that the reservoir (3) forms a sealed, pressure tight compartment, An onfl An inlet (6) is connectable in use to a mains or water supply.o is connectable in use to a water distribution system (not show example, a series of sprinklers or difthsion outlets.

Water enterin the reservoir (3) through the inlet (6) passes out from the The relative dimensions and outlet may e reservoir than out that ater pressure within the reservoir increases when the inlet is f ed. provides sup of water to the outlet. An increase in pressure causes the moveabie iet *hut in 'mum-Ise a chap:in-awn (4) to dilate outwardly away from the base of the reservoir, upwardly as shown in Figures 4 to 6. ;meetei at one end to a fixture (9) at a central point looted at another end to a first point be a rigid or inextensible member. ) of an. actuator ie A Linkage diaphragm (4), and (11). The linkage ( The so eonneeuici to a first pivot point (12), located at an end ote from the first point (10). The first pivot point (12) ransverselv through apertures into mountings (13) extending 1. Raising or lowering of the diaphragm (4) in response to a he actuator kw prises a pin extencli tip*Amit frOtri the hake ( pressure change in the reservoir (3), causes the first point (10) of the actuator lever to rise or fall in response to a use OT fall in the pressure respectively, as the actuator lever rotates clockwise or anticlockwise (as shown in Figure 1) about the first pivot (12) he actuator lover (11) is generally aminar and may ha ody The lever has a drive ember (14) extending transversely from low art the 'the lever body. The driver emb- comprise a pm, stud or ot e projection mounted on the acuator 1ev i, r example a 1ore extending transversely of the lower part (15) of the actuator lve tody. A pair ufpaiahei spaced apart actuator fot example, located side by side may bcosed.

et 0 6) comprises two generally parallel sides connected by a cross member, to form a generally U-shaped configuration. The cross meinher m, y be located elsewhere to form: a generally H-shaped configuration or other alternative gement. In a fin-they alternative embodiment the valve lever comprises a single member extending alongside the actuator lever.

illustrated embodiment the valve lever comprises two parallel sides s member arranged so that the two sides form a generally parallel sided channel dimensioned to receive the, actuator lever (11), allowing the actuator lever to move freely about the first pivot (12) in use.

The valve is pivotally mounted on a second pivot (18). The second pivot 18) may comprise a pin or screw extending transversely througn the sides of the lever) and into mountings (19) which extend upwardly from the base ( The second rot i) is located intermediate the cross member (17) and a free end of the body of the valve lever. The free end forms a cam surface (20) arranged to co-operate with the driver member (14) of the actuator lever in use. lit)ward or downward movement of the driver member (14) causes corresponding upw rd or downward movement of the cam surface and of the free end of the valve lever (16).

Raising or lowen.ng the free end of re ley (16) and et causes rotation of the valve level antielockwise or actively a The end of the valve lever (l6) remote from the cam surface (20) in downwardly facing valve member (21) arranged to engage an upwardly facing seat (22j to tom/ the tide. ahe of the water dispen The distance between nd iv() 18) and cam s (20) is greater than the distance between the second pivot (18) and valve member (21), so that the force applied M the valve member (21) is greater dian the foice received by the ern surface (20) from the driver member (14).

In embodiments the ratio of the As illustrated in Figure 1 the ratio is about 5 to 6:1.

Figures 4, 5 and trate s in the movement of11 the vii and lever components of the water dispens In Figure 4 the e (21, 22) is fully opened so that water flows from the er supply into the reservoir, The pressure within the reservoir is generally ambient pressure so that the diaphragm (4) is M e lower position and not dilated. The linkage ert any lifting force on the first point (10) of th The -yes 11) is in a maximum antimlockwise orienta tio ahown.

pr reservoir has Increase( to an intenrteiiate dilated upwardly. The upward movement of value so that pingin (4) is part the fixture (9) of the diaphragm applies a lilting force to the lit tS) raising the first point (10) of the actuator lever (II) The liffing of the first point (101 causes the actuator lever (11) to rotate tlockwise causing the driver member (14) M he iaisul and MOVC in a clockwise direction as shown), towards the valve lever (16). E%tagern the driver member (14) against t surface (20) on the outer edge of the valve lever c the end of the valve 1,- to be raised, rotating anticlockwise (as shown) shown) around the second pivot (18). This rotstion causes the valve member (21) to move from a fully opened mtion as shown in Figuie 4 to a partially opeued position as shown in Figure 5, restricting the flow of water through the inlet into the reservoir.

liaphragm is fully dilated, raising the fixture 9) and 1 (.8) to a maxirrturn position, so that the first point (10) of the actuator lever is fully raised, rotatm the actuator lover to a max taunt clockwise orientation as shown). I In Figure:6 th (20) of the e rotated anticloekwse causing I valve member (21) to engage the -valve seat, ciosim'he valve inlet and preventing fir T into the re-ervoir is a perspective view of the arrangement shown in Figure 4.

perspective vies 0 gene 0 Figures 9 and 10 show the use of the restraint ember. The base (1) the cs lndnca wall (2) and diaphragm (4) of the reservoir are as wn in the Preceding figures.

A cap.... over the,:reservoir. An axially and upwardly:axially extending sleeve (24) has an internal thread,Y.Ailiieh receives an externally threaded rest member:(26)'having..tIn lower annular surface (27). The diameter of the lower annular..

ii6ttl7.466 07) is 6.S.,thanitheHdlantnt4 of the diapinagnl,.(4), for etsHatntilo-nlittnt.half Of the diameter of the diaphragm in.thiiembrahment as illbstrated.

The rcstramt nxmber (2 end 4mivar s y be raise it by manual rotator of the sleeve (24), The distance between lower annular surface ( the upper outwardly facing stag (4) may he adjusted so that fir &apiragm tontaets the annular surface either in the resting position as shown in Figure 4 or in a partially dilated position as shown in Figure 5 or in the fully dilated arrangement as shown in Figure 6.

T annular surface (27restricts upward diaphra 4). In the Figure 4 and Figure locations the contact reduces the area of the diaphragm which is able to raise and be dilate n response to a pressure increase within to' In Figure 6 the diaphragm is he xtended location. The annular surface if the restraint member serves to prevent 'ision of the diaphragm, for example the event of a water pressure surge, 1MS