WO1998021419A1 - Flow regulator - Google Patents

Flow regulator Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1998021419A1
WO1998021419A1 PCT/AU1997/000763 AU9700763W WO9821419A1 WO 1998021419 A1 WO1998021419 A1 WO 1998021419A1 AU 9700763 W AU9700763 W AU 9700763W WO 9821419 A1 WO9821419 A1 WO 9821419A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
flow
ring member
outer ring
channels
wall
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU1997/000763
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Barry John Hibberd
Original Assignee
Star Bright Pty. Limited
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 Star Bright Pty. Limited filed Critical Star Bright Pty. Limited
Publication of WO1998021419A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998021419A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03DWATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
    • E03D9/00Sanitary or other accessories for lavatories ; Devices for cleaning or disinfecting the toilet room or the toilet bowl; Devices for eliminating smells
    • E03D9/16Water pressure regulating means in flushing pipes
    • GPHYSICS
    • G05CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05DSYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
    • G05D7/00Control of flow
    • G05D7/01Control of flow without auxiliary power
    • G05D7/0106Control of flow without auxiliary power the sensing element being a flexible member, e.g. bellows, diaphragm, capsule
    • G05D7/012Control of flow without auxiliary power the sensing element being a flexible member, e.g. bellows, diaphragm, capsule the sensing element being deformable and acting as a valve

Definitions

  • This invention relates to plumbing apparatus. More particularly although not exclusively it discloses a flow regulator device for toilet flush valves.
  • a flow regulator device for a mains pressure valve such as a toilet flush valve or the like, said device comprising a housing having an outer ring member and an inner cone member disposed centrally of said ring member, one or more fluid flow channels defined between the outer periphery of said cone member and an inner wall of said ring member and a elastic flow restriction member adjacent the inner wall of said ring member whereby in use a pressure differential on said elastic restriction member caused by fluid flow through said channels deforms said restriction member inwardly to at least partially obstruct said channels, the volume of flow through said regulator being thereby kept substantially constant through a range of flow pressures and said outer ring member being disposed within an annular bush adapted for sealing location within the inlet conduit to said mains pressure valve.
  • said cone member is formed with radial fins around the periphery thereof so that at least part of said flow channels are defined between said fins.
  • said elastic restriction member comprise a commercially available O-ring.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view from the inlet side of a flow regulator according to this concept.
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view of the regulator of figure 1 from the outlet side.
  • Figure 3 shows an example of a toilet flush valve in partial section to which the flow regulator of figure 1 may be fitted.
  • Figure 4 is a cross-sectioal view along the lines A-A of figure 1 with the elastic restriction member undeformed at zero flow pressure
  • Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to figure 4 but with the elastic restriction member deformed inwardly under pressure flow conditions.
  • a regulator designated generally as 1 with a central cone 2 and a surrounding ring housing 3.
  • the cone 2 has radial fins 4 and is held at its position within the ring 3 by flanges 5 as best shown in figure 2.
  • An elastic restriction member 6 which in this case is a commercially available O-ring sits inside a niche in the ring housing 3.
  • Fluid such as water can thus pass through the regulator with the volume flow being related to the cross-sectional area of these channels 7 and the applied pressure.
  • the above assembly sits within an annular bush 8 and is secured in place from the outlet side by a spring clip 9.
  • a peripheral seal 10 which may also be an O-ring sits in a recess around the outside of the bush .
  • the device may be placed within the control cock tail pipe 11 of a conventional mains pressure toilet flush valve 13 as shown by arrow "A" in figure 3.
  • the inlet side of the regulator 1 faces upstream toward the control cock 14.
  • the diameter of the bush 8 is chosen so as to be a close tolerance sliding fit within the pipe 11 so that the peripheral seal 10 engages the wall thereof.
  • one side of the bush also abuts the end 15 of the adjoining valve inlet pipe so as to support the regulator against the force of the incoming water flow.
  • the velocity of flow through the channels 7 causes a corresponding pressure differential between the inner and outer surfaces to act on the O-ring 6.
  • the result of this progressive restriction is that the volume flow rate of water allowed to pass through the flush valve 13 can be maintained at or close to the optimum valve of 1.2 litres per second over a vastly increased range of mains supply pressures including up to 1100 kpa found in high rise buildings. This results in a lower noise level and an extended life for the flush valve.
  • this invention at least in the form of the embodiment described provides a novel and improved flow regulator device for mains pressure flush valves.
  • the example disclosed is only the currently preferred form of this invention and a wide variety of modifications may be made which would be apparent to a person skilled in the art.
  • the shape and configuration of the regulator housing and bush may be changed according to application or design preference.
  • the regulator has been described in relation to toilet flush valves the device may be adapted for other applications such as for example water supply valves in air conditioning plants.

Abstract

There is a flow regulator device for a mains pressure valve or the like. The device comprises a housing having an outer ring member (3) and an inner cone member (2) with fins (4) disposed centrally of said ring member (3). There are fluid flow channels (7) defined between the outer periphery of the cone member (2) and an inner wall of said ring member (3) as well as between said fins (4). There is an elastic flow restriction member (6) adjacent the inner wall of said ring member (3) whereby in use of said device a pressure differential on said elastic restriction member (6) caused by fluid flow through said channels (7) deforms said restriction member inwardly to at least partially obstruct said channels (7). The volume of flow through said regulator is thereby kept substantially constant through a range of flow pressures. The outer ring member (3) is disposed within an annular bush adapted for sealing location within the inlet conduit to said mains pressure valve.

Description

FLO REGULATOR
This invention relates to plumbing apparatus. More particularly although not exclusively it discloses a flow regulator device for toilet flush valves.
In many commercial and industrial establishments mains pressure flush valves are used on the toilets. To operate efficiently these valves must be set up to pass about 1.2 litres of flush water per second into the bowl. For normal supply pressures between about 30 kpa to 300 pa known prior art valves are generally able to operate at this flow rate without difficulty. However in some installations such as for example high rise buildings where the water supply is taken from a roof cistern the pressure head of water on the lower floors can reach 1100 kpa. At this pressure existing flush valves become very noisy and are unable to limit the flow rate to anything near the required value.
It is an object of this invention to ameliorate the aforementioned disadvantages and accordingly there is disclosed a flow regulator device for a mains pressure valve such as a toilet flush valve or the like, said device comprising a housing having an outer ring member and an inner cone member disposed centrally of said ring member, one or more fluid flow channels defined between the outer periphery of said cone member and an inner wall of said ring member and a elastic flow restriction member adjacent the inner wall of said ring member whereby in use a pressure differential on said elastic restriction member caused by fluid flow through said channels deforms said restriction member inwardly to at least partially obstruct said channels, the volume of flow through said regulator being thereby kept substantially constant through a range of flow pressures and said outer ring member being disposed within an annular bush adapted for sealing location within the inlet conduit to said mains pressure valve.
Preferably said cone member is formed with radial fins around the periphery thereof so that at least part of said flow channels are defined between said fins.
It is also preferred that said elastic restriction member comprise a commercially available O-ring.
The currently preferred form of this invention wil 1 now be described with reference to the attached representations in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view from the inlet side of a flow regulator according to this concept.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the regulator of figure 1 from the outlet side. Figure 3 shows an example of a toilet flush valve in partial section to which the flow regulator of figure 1 may be fitted.
Figure 4 is a cross-sectioal view along the lines A-A of figure 1 with the elastic restriction member undeformed at zero flow pressure, and
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to figure 4 but with the elastic restriction member deformed inwardly under pressure flow conditions.
Referring first to figures 1 and 2 there is shown a regulator designated generally as 1 with a central cone 2 and a surrounding ring housing 3. The cone 2 has radial fins 4 and is held at its position within the ring 3 by flanges 5 as best shown in figure 2. An elastic restriction member 6 which in this case is a commercially available O-ring sits inside a niche in the ring housing 3. Defined between the cone 2 and the inner periphery of the ring housing 3 as well as between adjacent fins 4 are fluid flow channels 7. Fluid such as water can thus pass through the regulator with the volume flow being related to the cross-sectional area of these channels 7 and the applied pressure. The above assembly sits within an annular bush 8 and is secured in place from the outlet side by a spring clip 9. A peripheral seal 10 which may also be an O-ring sits in a recess around the outside of the bush .
In use the device may be placed within the control cock tail pipe 11 of a conventional mains pressure toilet flush valve 13 as shown by arrow "A" in figure 3. The inlet side of the regulator 1 faces upstream toward the control cock 14.
The diameter of the bush 8 is chosen so as to be a close tolerance sliding fit within the pipe 11 so that the peripheral seal 10 engages the wall thereof. Preferably one side of the bush also abuts the end 15 of the adjoining valve inlet pipe so as to support the regulator against the force of the incoming water flow.
As mentioned earlier the velocity of flow through the channels 7 causes a corresponding pressure differential between the inner and outer surfaces to act on the O-ring 6. This deforms the ring from the substantially circular configuration shown in figure 4 to the inwardly compressed shape of figure 5 where it abuts the ends of the fins 4 and partially obstructs the channels 7 to thereby reduce the cross-sectional flow area. The result of this progressive restriction is that the volume flow rate of water allowed to pass through the flush valve 13 can be maintained at or close to the optimum valve of 1.2 litres per second over a vastly increased range of mains supply pressures including up to 1100 kpa found in high rise buildings. This results in a lower noise level and an extended life for the flush valve.
It will thus be appreciated that this invention at least in the form of the embodiment described provides a novel and improved flow regulator device for mains pressure flush valves. Clearly however the example disclosed is only the currently preferred form of this invention and a wide variety of modifications may be made which would be apparent to a person skilled in the art. For example the shape and configuration of the regulator housing and bush may be changed according to application or design preference. Also while the regulator has been described in relation to toilet flush valves the device may be adapted for other applications such as for example water supply valves in air conditioning plants.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:
1. A flow regulator device for a mains pressure valve such as a toilet flush valve or the like, said device comprising a housing having an outer ring member and an inner cone member disposed centrally of said ring member, one or more fluid flow channels defined between the outer periphery of said cone member and an inner wall of said ring member and an elastic flow restriction member adjacent the inner wall of said ring whereby in use a pressure differential on said elastic restriction member caused by flow through said channels deforms said restriction member inwardly to at least partially obstruct said channels, the volume of flow through said regulator being thereby kept substantially constant through a range of flow pressures and said outer ring member being disposed within an annular bush adapted for sealing location within the inlet conduit to said mains pressure valve.
2. The flow regulator device as claimed in claim 1 wherein a peripheral seal sits in a recess around the outside of said annular bush.
3. the flow regulator device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said outer ring member is secured in place within said annular bush by a spring clip.
4. The flow regulator device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said peripheral seal is an O-ring.
5. A mains pressure toilet flush valve of the type described wherein a flow regulator device is fitted into the control cock tail pipe of said flush valve, said flow regulator device comprising a housing having an outer ring member and an inner cone member disposed centrally of said outer ring member, one or more fluid flow channels defined between the outer periphery of said cone member and an inner wall of said outer ring member and an elastic flow restriction member adjacent the inner wall of said outer ring member whereby in use a pressure differential on said elastic restriction member caused by fluid flow through said channels deforms said restriction member inwardly to at least partially obstruct said channels, the volume of flow through said regulator being thereby kept substantially constant through a range of flow pressures and said outer ring member being disposed within an annular bush adapted for sealing location within said control cock tail pipe whereby a peripheral seal on said annular bush engages an inner wall of said control cock tail pipe and said cone member faces upsteam toward said control cock.
6. The mains pressure toilet flush valve as claimed in claim 5 wherein one side of said annular bush abuts an and of an adjoining valve inlet pipe so as to support the regulator against the force of incoming water flow.
PCT/AU1997/000763 1996-11-12 1997-11-12 Flow regulator WO1998021419A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPO3592A AUPO359296A0 (en) 1996-11-12 1996-11-12 Flow regulator
AUPO3592 1996-11-12

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1998021419A1 true WO1998021419A1 (en) 1998-05-22

Family

ID=3797903

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU1997/000763 WO1998021419A1 (en) 1996-11-12 1997-11-12 Flow regulator

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AUPO359296A0 (en)
WO (1) WO1998021419A1 (en)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001004714A1 (en) * 1999-07-13 2001-01-18 Dieter Wildfang Gmbh Flow regulator
US7766860B2 (en) * 2004-04-22 2010-08-03 Medtronic, Inc. Catheter systems having flow restrictors
CN102793537A (en) * 2012-09-05 2012-11-28 天津九安医疗电子股份有限公司 Mini-type air release valve
US8784360B2 (en) 2009-01-21 2014-07-22 Medtronic, Inc. Catheter systems having flow restrictors
CN106286871A (en) * 2015-05-14 2017-01-04 厦门松霖科技有限公司 A kind of flow regulator
US9539382B2 (en) 2013-03-12 2017-01-10 Medtronic, Inc. Stepped catheters with flow restrictors and infusion systems using the same
CN107237383A (en) * 2017-05-26 2017-10-10 厦门致杰智能科技有限公司 A kind of big flow stable-pressure device
EP3228765A1 (en) * 2016-04-07 2017-10-11 Geberit International AG Conduit piece assembly
CN113616885A (en) * 2015-12-21 2021-11-09 3M创新有限公司 Medicinal inhalator

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3847178A (en) * 1970-12-10 1974-11-12 Mannesmann & Keppel Fluid flow regulators
DE2731537A1 (en) * 1977-07-09 1979-01-18 Vaillant Joh Gmbh & Co Controller for constant fluid flow - has annular section of hose in recesses of pipe and has slotted element
NL7905009A (en) * 1979-06-27 1980-12-30 Ocean Bv Excess flow valve working in one direction only - has disc shaped plug with radial protrusions and of elastic material fitting in groove
GB2199639A (en) * 1986-12-29 1988-07-13 Hydro Tec Ltd Fluid flow control device
DE3723559A1 (en) * 1987-07-16 1989-01-26 Reinhard Carl Mannesmann Liquid quantity controller
DE4026442A1 (en) * 1990-08-21 1992-02-27 Gerber Felix Flow regulator for flowing liquids - has elastic annular ring with central journal and is easier to set to desired rate
JPH07260026A (en) * 1994-03-22 1995-10-13 Fujikura Rubber Ltd Flow adjusting device
JPH08145214A (en) * 1994-11-22 1996-06-07 Fujikura Rubber Ltd Water governor for small flow rate

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3847178A (en) * 1970-12-10 1974-11-12 Mannesmann & Keppel Fluid flow regulators
DE2731537A1 (en) * 1977-07-09 1979-01-18 Vaillant Joh Gmbh & Co Controller for constant fluid flow - has annular section of hose in recesses of pipe and has slotted element
NL7905009A (en) * 1979-06-27 1980-12-30 Ocean Bv Excess flow valve working in one direction only - has disc shaped plug with radial protrusions and of elastic material fitting in groove
GB2199639A (en) * 1986-12-29 1988-07-13 Hydro Tec Ltd Fluid flow control device
DE3723559A1 (en) * 1987-07-16 1989-01-26 Reinhard Carl Mannesmann Liquid quantity controller
DE4026442A1 (en) * 1990-08-21 1992-02-27 Gerber Felix Flow regulator for flowing liquids - has elastic annular ring with central journal and is easier to set to desired rate
JPH07260026A (en) * 1994-03-22 1995-10-13 Fujikura Rubber Ltd Flow adjusting device
JPH08145214A (en) * 1994-11-22 1996-06-07 Fujikura Rubber Ltd Water governor for small flow rate

Non-Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
DERWENT ABSTRACT, Accession No. 81-A8365D; & NL,A,79 05009 (OCEAN BV), 30 December 1980. *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN, Vol. 96, No. 10; & JP,A,08 145 214 (FUJIKURA RUBBER LIMITED), 7 June 1996. *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN, Vol. 96, No. 2; & JP,A,07 260 026 (FUJIKURA RUBBER LIMITED), 13 October 1995. *

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001004714A1 (en) * 1999-07-13 2001-01-18 Dieter Wildfang Gmbh Flow regulator
US6571831B1 (en) 1999-07-13 2003-06-03 Dieter Wildfang Gmbh Flow regulator
US7766860B2 (en) * 2004-04-22 2010-08-03 Medtronic, Inc. Catheter systems having flow restrictors
US8784360B2 (en) 2009-01-21 2014-07-22 Medtronic, Inc. Catheter systems having flow restrictors
CN102793537A (en) * 2012-09-05 2012-11-28 天津九安医疗电子股份有限公司 Mini-type air release valve
US9539382B2 (en) 2013-03-12 2017-01-10 Medtronic, Inc. Stepped catheters with flow restrictors and infusion systems using the same
CN106286871A (en) * 2015-05-14 2017-01-04 厦门松霖科技有限公司 A kind of flow regulator
CN113616885A (en) * 2015-12-21 2021-11-09 3M创新有限公司 Medicinal inhalator
CN113769209A (en) * 2015-12-21 2021-12-10 3M创新有限公司 Medicinal inhalator
EP3228765A1 (en) * 2016-04-07 2017-10-11 Geberit International AG Conduit piece assembly
CN107237383A (en) * 2017-05-26 2017-10-10 厦门致杰智能科技有限公司 A kind of big flow stable-pressure device
CN107237383B (en) * 2017-05-26 2023-02-28 厦门倍杰特科技有限公司 Large-flow voltage stabilizer

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