NZ239446A - Infra-red sensor controlled solenoid valve for supplying water to urinal flushing system - Google Patents

Description

<div class="application article clearfix" id="description"> <p class="printTableText" lang="en">23!M&lt;1G <br><br> • • <br><br> Patents Form 5 <br><br> N.Z. No. 239446 <br><br> NEW ZEALAND <br><br> Patents Act 1953 <br><br> COMPLETE SPECIFICATION <br><br> FLUID SAVER DEVICE <br><br> DATENT OFFICE, N Z. 1 <br><br> received <br><br> 19 NOV 1992 <br><br> SS ,-^oV?. <br><br> Chockad &amp;y <br><br> I, MICHAEL JOHN CALKIN, a New Zealand citizen, of 22 Ohuanga Road, Turangi, New Zealand do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: - <br><br> 1 <br><br> t <br><br> » <br><br> y ^4 <br><br> This invention relates to a water saving device. <br><br> It is well recognised that it is desirable to provide a water saving device particularly in connection with sanitation. The need for cisterns offering a full or partial flush is well recognised. There are certain situations such as urinals where flushing facilities are provided automatically irrespective of the need. This is particularly in connection with times the service may not be required such as after-hours, weekends and public holidays. Attempts have been made in the past to provide some form of mechanism to initiate flushing on demand but these have often proved unsuccessful. For example, it is known to provide flushing systems activated by a pressure plate or alternatively a timing mechanism. Both of these systems have at times proved expensive and ultimately ineffective. <br><br> The aim of the present invention is to provide an alternative system which is relatively simple and economical when compared to known devices. <br><br> According to one aspect of the invention there is provided fluid saving apparatus comprising passive infra-red sensing means capable of detecting the presence of a person, valve means capable of controlling a flow of fluid, said valve means having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, switch means capable of causing opening of said valve means in response to a signal from said infra-red sensing means, said switch means also being capable of causing automatic closing of said valve means after a predetermined period of time, and power receiving means capable of receiving a source of power to enable operation of the fluid saving apparatus. <br><br> 2 <br><br> 23!)44U <br><br> Some preferred aspects of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a diagrammatic view of water saving apparatus especially useful for cisterns used in wall mounted urinals. <br><br> The invention provides a device comprising a suitable housing 1 preferably made of a plastics material. Mounted within the housing 1 is a solenoid valve 2 having a water inlet 3 extending out of the casing and a water outlet 4 also extending out of the casing. The inlet 3 and outlet 4 may be suitably threaded or provided with fittings to enable insertion into the water supply line of a conventional urinal between the angle cock and the flow restricter. <br><br> The housing also incorporates or is provided with a power cord 5 containing the usual phase, neutral and earth connections to enable it to be connected with a single phase supply. <br><br> A passive infra-red sensing device 6 is mounted near the housing and receives heat via a suitable clear aperture 7 to permit ambient light levels to fall thereupon. The sensing device 6 operates a thermal snap-action load switch (not shown), which operates the solenoid valve 2 when heat from a person proximate the urinal falls upon the device. The solenoid valve 2 thus permits a flow of water in response to the presence of a person. If after a predetermined period of time there is no one present to cause activation of the sensing device 6, then the switch causes the valve 2 to close. In this manner unnecessary flushing of the urinal is prevented and water usage is thus minimized. <br><br> 3 <br><br> 23M4G <br><br> The sensing device 6, can be installed above the centre of a conventional urinal, either to the front of the water cistern or directly to a wall. The sensing device 6 is connected to the valve 2 by a length of electrical cable 8, and in alternative embodiments the sensing device and valve may be supported by a common housing. It has been found that after the valve 2 is opened it should remain in that position for approximately 15 minutes before closing. This period corresponds with the time taken to fill conventional urinal cisterns which employ a trickle cock or needle valve to provide a delay between flush cycles. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the time during which the valve 2 remains open will need to be adjusted depending on the nature of the cistern employed. <br><br> Finally, it will be appreciated that the components of the device may be modified without departing from the scope of the following claims. <br><br> 4 <br><br></p> </div>

Claims (9)

<div class="application article clearfix printTableText" id="claims"> <p lang="en"> WHAT I CLAIM IS:<br><br> 23944<br><br>

1. Fluid saving apparatus comprising passive infra-red sensing means capable of detecting the presence of a person, valve means capable of controlling a flow of fluid, said valve means having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, switch means capable of causing opening of said valve means in response to a signal from said infra-red sensing means, said switch means also being capable of causing automatic closing of said valve means after a predetermined period of time, and power receiving means capable of receiving a source of power to enable operation of the fluid saving apparatus.<br><br>

2. Fluid saving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said valve means is supported by a housing such that the fluid inlet and fluid outlet protrude at least partially from said housing, said fluid inlet and said fluid outlet being suitable for connection to the water supply line of a urinal cistern.<br><br>

3. Fluid saving apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said fluid inlet and said fluid outlet each have a threaded portion to facilitate their connection to the water supply line to a urinal cistern.<br><br>

4. Fluid saving apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 3, wherein said valve means comprises a solenoid valve.<br><br> 5<br><br>

5. Fluid saving apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said switch means comprises a thermal snap-action load switch.<br><br>

6. A urinal including fluid saving apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims.<br><br>

7. Fluid saving apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.<br><br>

8. A urinal according to claim 6 substantially as herein described.<br><br>

9. A urinal including fluid saving apparatus which is in accordance with any one of claims 1-5, wherein the valve means controls the flow of fluid into a cistern of the urinal, the cistern serving as a reservoir for the fluid before the fluid is released to flush the urinal.<br><br> MICHAEL JOHN CALKIN By his attorneys HENRY HUGHES LTD Per:<br><br> </p> </div>