AU2013354888B2 - A fluid flow control arrangement adapted to maintain a fluid level within a containment area - Google Patents

Abstract

A fluid flow control arrangement adapted to maintain a fluid within a containment area to a set fluid level. The arrangement includes a float device within a hollow chamber resting inside the fluid containment area in communication with a pivotally supported arm which in the raised position is adapted to close a valve arrangement to stop a flow of fluid from a supply inlet side through to an outlet side of the fluid control arrangement into the containment area and when said pivotally supported arm is in the lowered position is adapted to open the valve arrangement to allow a flow of fluid from the supply inlet into the containment area.

Description

PCT/AU2013/001397 WO 2014/085850 1

A FLUID FLOW CONTROL ARRANGEMENT ADAPTED TO MAINTAIN A FLUID LEVEL WITHIN A CONTAINMENT AREA

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

[001] This invention relates to a new and improved fluid flow control arrangement utilising a valve mechanism that is adapted to maintain appropriate fluid levels within a containment area and more particularly to a valve mechanism that involves the use of a floating device which is able to overcome or be excluded from the disadvantages of such conventional previously made available float valves that suffer from encrustation and other effects of dissolved solids upon the structural feature of the valve contained within the fluid that disrupts the functionality of the control mechanism as well as the problems of inappropriate release of fluid through intermittent fluid level fluctuations often brought about by surface wave motion and so forth leading to an overuse of the valve mechanism and/or pumps working in conjunction with the valve mechanism to provide fluid flow through the arrangement.

BACKGROUND DISCUSSION

[002] Conventionally valve mechanisms using a float device have provided a simple and convenient structural arrangement in order to be able to control the flow of fluid depending on whether the float is in a raised or lowered position which is dependent t upon the fluid levels within the containment area.

[003] For example, in an animal trough the float would be connected to an arm which operates a simple control valve and as is to be expected, as the fluid level in the trough is lowered, wherein animals are drinking from the trough and/or evaporation or other environmental conditions have seen water levels fall, the float is lowered and wherein the lowering of the float activates the attached arm which is connected to the valve mechanism to allow water flow between the inlet and outlet of the arrangement.

[004] In many instances this control of water to the trough may be facilitated through the use of pumps so therefore every time the level of water in the trough needs to be PCT/AU2013/001397 WO 2014/085850 2 raised a pump would, at the same time, be turned on to assist the flow of water through the control valve mechanism into the trough.

[005] As is to be appreciated however the float being an exposed external device, simplistic in its structural features, subjected to the elements and the water surface disturbance in the trough.

[006] In many fluid flow control arrangements, dissolved solids in water are often precipitated out of solution and become encrusted upon the float and valve mechanism causing a degree of build-up that could very much jam the float in any position regardless of the fluid level withinside the containment area which in this example we are referring to an animal trough.

[007] Therefore it can be seen that if the float is jammed into a position irrespective of the fluid level, the valve could either be fixed in an ‘on’ or ‘off position with either having potentially adverse effects.

[008] For example, if the encrustation upon the float device was such that the valve mechanism remained in the open position, the result would be a continuous flow of water through the valve into the trough, overflowing and wasting an extremely valuable resource.

[009] Equally of concern is that if the encrustation effect was such that the float device or associated valve mechanism became jammed in the closed position as the water level inside the trough became lower, no further water would be introduced because as far as the valve operation the float effectively remains in the raised position by virtue of the fact of the encrustation of the salts on the valve mechanism and therefore no water then enters into the trough.

[010] As the trough fluid level remains low or empty, those animals relying on the trough for the supply of water, become dehydrated and if the fault of the inoperative valve has not been recognised within an appropriate time those animals could die. PCT/AU2013/001397 WO 2014/085850 3 [011] Other problems with conventional float mechanisms relate to the fact that as the float moves up and down in response to surface movement of the fluid, things such as wave motion and so forth are recognised by the float and interpreted simply as lowering and/or fluctuating of fluid level, albeit momentarily, which will result in water being continuously added within short intervals into the fluid containment area.

[012] It is easy to imagine withinside a swimming pool when there is activity and people are jumping around and so forth, that wave motion would be introduced into the swimming pool.

[013] Using a conventional float mechanism, this surface movement of the waves is instantly recognised by the float and as the float moves down through the trough of a wave this is recognised as a lowering in fluid level and so turns on the water flow, albeit only momentarily, because the upward movement of the float on the crest of a wave cycle would then see the valve mechanism shutting off which would also pump if included in the water supply system.

[014] The problem is exaggerated by the fact that not only is there virtually continuous intermittent unnecessary filling of the swimming pool, the on and off scenario of pumping water reliant upon a pump, means that the pump is being used excessively increasing the running costs and maintenance of the pump and leading to a shorter useful working life.

[015] The same situation is equally of relevance inside an animal trough where not only wind and so forth will create a degree of surface wave activity but also the movement of animals inside the trough and their drinking action all leads to slight fluctuations of the fluid level and once again albeit it momentarily, still using conventional valve arrangements will see the ‘on’ and ‘off flow or pumping supply of water through the valve arrangement as there is no way for an exposed float mechanism using these conventional arrangements to avoid from going up and down as a consequence of the surface wave motion.

[016] Therefore it would be particularly advantageous if there could be introduced into the relevant area of technology a fluid control arrangement to maintain fluid PCT/AU2013/001397 WO 2014/085850 4 levels within a containment area such as a swimming pool, animal trough and/or evaporative air conditioner which could avoid these problems associated with encrustation of salts on the valve mechanism responsible for the opening and closing of the valve and one also that could address the problem associated with not reacting to momentary fluctuations of fluid levels within a containment area through surface wave motion. v [017] It is an object of this invention to provide a fluid control arrangement which is able to maintain fluid levels within a containment area using a floating mechanism which is not effected to any substantial degree by encrustation of dissolved salts upon the valve mechanism which will control the flow of fluid through a valve mechanism and will also not be subjected to inadvertently allowing the flow of fluid through the valve mechanism simply because of the fluctuations caused by wave motion upon the surface of fluid within the containment area or any physical interference from floating or otherwise debris therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[018] Accordingly in one form of the invention there is provided a fluid flow control arrangement adapted to maintain a fluid within a containment area to a set fluid level, said arrangement including; [019] a hollow chamber wherein external walls of the hollow chamber are adapted to at least partially rest within a fluid held within a containment area and wherein the hollow chamber is arranged and adapted such that when fluid is drawn into or drained out of the hollow chamber the fluid level in the hollow chamber corresponds with the fluid level of the containment area; [020] a float device adapted to float on the fluid within the hollow chamber between a float raised position when the set fluid level is reached and a float lowered position when fluid within the hollow chamber is below the set fluid level; [021] said float device in communication with a pivotally supported arm such that when the float device is in the float raised positioh the pivotally supported arm is in a PCT/AU2013/001397 WO 2014/085850 5 raised position and when the float device is in the float lowered position the pivotally supported arm is in a lowered position; [022] said pivotally supported arm in the raised position is adapted to close a valve arrangement to stop a flow of fluid from a supply inlet side through to an outlet side of the fluid control arrangement into said containment area and when said pivotally supported arm in the lowered position is adapted to open the valve arrangement to allow a flow of fluid from the supply inlet side through to the outlet side of the fluid control arrangement into said containment area.

[023] Accordingly in a further form of the invention there is provided a fluid flow control arrangement adapted to maintain a fluid level within a containment area, said arrangement including; [024] a hollow chamber wherein the external walls of the hollow chamber are adapted to at least be partially submerged within a fluid of the containment area; [025] a float device adapted to float up and down within the hollow chamber depending on the level of fluid withinside the hollow chamber; [026] said float device in communication with a pivotally supported arm which is raised and lowered dependent upon the raised and lowered position of the float device within the hollow chamber; [027] said arm in communication with a valve arrangement to control fluid flow from a supply inlet side out through to an outlet side into said containment area; and [028] such that when in use fluid is drawn into or drained out of said hollow chamber to correspond with the fluid level to which the hollow chamber at least partially submerge therein within the fluid of the containment area, so that a rise of fluid inside the hollow chamber is characterised in a raising of the float device which raises the pivotal arm into a raised position which is communicated to the valve arrangement that the fluid level of the containment area has been reached and wherein when water is drained from the hollow chamber this is characterised in the floating device PCT/AU2013/001397 WO 2014/085850 6 being lowered thereby lowering the pivotally supported arm of which the lowering of the pivotally supported arm is communicated to the valve arrangement to be recognised that fluid levels within the containment area are below a preset fluid level and accordingly fluid is then passed through the valve arrangement from the inlet through the outlet into the fluid containment area.

[029] In preference the hollow chamber has a longitudinal cylindrical body with the valve mechanism at the top of the cylindrical body.

[030] In preference the fluid flow control arrangement further includes a float slider.

[031] In preference the valve arrangement includes a valve body which is fastenable to the top of the cylindrical hollow chamber.

[032] In preference the valve body includes a mounting support to which a guide extension is extendible there from along the internal length of the cylindrical hollow chamber.

[033] In preference the guide extension is cylindrical and its open end is adapted to be fixable or rest upon an internal dimple at the base of the cylindrical hollow chamber.

[034] In preference the guide extension is threadably engaged to the valve body such that in the mounted position the guide extension is secured at one end through the threaded mounts against the valve body and at the other end by being fixed about the internal dimple of the cylindrical chamber.

[035] In preference the fluid flow control arrangement further includes a float slider to which the float device is connected thereto.

[036] In preference the float device is generally circular in configuration and of dimensions to be of a reduced diameter to that of the cylindrical hollow chamber. PCT/AU2013/001397 WO 2014/085850 7 [037] In preference the float device includes an internal threaded bore and the float slider includes a corresponding thread such that the float device can be threaded up and down the float slider as required in order to establish a presettable fluid level for the valve arrangement to operate thereto for the fluid containment area.

[038] In preference the float slider includes a lateral extended skirt and/or shoulder at said float slider’s upper end.

[039] In preference the pivotally supported arm includes at one end a hook configuration wherein the hook configuration is adapted to hook around and engage the lateral extended skirt and/or shoulder of the float slider.

[040] In preference the pivotally supporting arm at the opposing end to the hook configuration of the pivotally supported arm includes a rounded cam configuration.

[041] In preference the rounded cam configuration of the pivotally supported arm is in contact engagement with an actuator pushrod.

[042] A lowering level of the float device inside the cylindrical chamber correlates to the upward movement of the actuator pushrod in communication with the valve mechanism which includes a main seal separating an inlet of the valve arrangement with an outlet of the valve arrangement so that the raising of the actuator pushrod correlates to a raising of the valve seat to allow outflow of fluid through the valve arrangement into the fluid containment area.

[043] An advantage of such an arrangement is that for the first time the float device has been housed internally within the cylindrical hollow chamber more conventionally known as a canister.

[044] As the float device is positioned withinside the hollow chamber it is not exposed to external environmental conditions wherein the evaporation of the fluid which the fluid control arrangement is controlling, would precipitate out dissolved salts and potentially become encrusted upon the structural features of the valve PCT/AU2013/001397 WO 2014/085850 8 mechanism rendering the valve inoperative by fouling the float device in either a continuously ‘on’ or ‘off position.

[045] Fortunately in this invention those structural features associated with the float device are all conveniently and uniquely housed withinside the main canister block of the cylindrical hollow chamber which has controlled atmosphere within.

[046] In preference the hollow chamber includes at its base an inlet through which fluid can pass therein and out at a rate much reduced from that of wave motion Within the containment area.

[047] In other embodiments the inlet hole to allow fluid to pass in and out of the hollow chamber or canister could be located anywhere along the hollow chamber below the preferred fluid level.

[048] As is to be expected however when the canister is placed in the fluid containment area, such as an animal trough, evaporative air conditioner, swimming pool and so forth, water would initially be at the required level.

[049] The floating device would be set at the preferred level of the fluid within the containment area and so as the fluid level in the trough, evaporative air conditioner and/or swimming pool and so forth goes up and down, the float device goes follows.

[050] When water is being withdrawn from the containment area and so the fluid level is lowered and therefore the float device moves to a lower position, this then drops down the pivotal arm which forces the actuator pushrod to push up which then engages the valve arrangement which ultimately through the valve mechanism sees the raising of the valve seat to allow water to pass through the valve-arrangement into the containment area until the required fluid level is reached within the containment area which again would be characterised by the fact that at that point of time water would have entered the cylindrical hollow chamber causing the float device to rise which then causes the pivotal arm to be put into the raised position and to which the actuator pushrod is lowered and the main seal returns to its valve seat PCT/AU2013/001397 WO 2014/085850 9 therefore stopping any further inflow of fluid out from the valve mechanism into the containment area.

[051] The arrangement amongst other uses is well equipped for use in header tanks, evaporative air-conditioners, swimming pools, animal troughs and so forth. Further, the valve can be mounted on a non-rigid support and still effect a level control function.

[052] More detailed aspects of the valve arrangement and the overall mechanism will be discussed in greater detail when reference is made to the preferred embodiment and the accompanying illustrations.

[053] Nonetheless, what has been described at this point of time is a unique fluid flow control arrangement which as the floating device is held withinside a canister means it is subjected to less external environmental consequences such as evaporation and so forth which could lead to encrustation against the structural features of the float and valve mechanism thereby rendering them inoperative.

[054] Importantly also, as the control of the floating device moving up and down withinside the hollow cylindrical chamber is determined by water entering and leaving through an inlet hole below the preferred fluid level, means that surface level wave activity does not inadvertently momentarily cause the valve mechanism to go ‘on’ and ‘off.

[055] As discussed above physical interference to float movement is prevented, by enclosure, if the fluid control arrangement is connected to a pump to assist in the flow of the fluid, the ‘on’ and ‘off action upon the pump will also lead to an accelerated deterioration of the pump and increase maintenance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[056] In order now to describe the invention in greater detail a preferred embodiment will be shown with the assistance of the following text and accompanying illustrations. PCT/AU2013/001397 WO 2014/085850 10 [057] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the fluid flow control arrangement in a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[058] Figure 2 is an enlarged section of the valve arrangement of the fluid control arrangement in the preferred embodiment of the invention in the closed position.

[059] Figure 3 is a similar representation to that in Figure 2 with the valve arrangement is in the open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

I

[060] Referring to the drawings now in greater detail wherein the fluid flow control arrangement of this invention is shown generally as (10) and it includes a main cylindrical hollow chamber referred to as a float chamber cover (14).

[061] The float chamber cover (14) is connected to the upper valve body portion (31).

[062] The valve body (31) includes float carrier extension (15) which is threadably mounted (42) at one end to the valve body (31) and to which the other end shown by way of the cross-sectional points (45) and (46) rests about internal dimple (44).

[063] The floating device (8) is threaded along threads (47) of the float slider (18).

[064] The float slider (18) at its upper end includes a laterally extending skirt or shoulder (48) to which the hook (49) of the actuator claw (16) which is pivotally supported by the actuator claw hinge pin (17) to which the actuator claw hinge pin (17) is supported within the float carrier extension.

[065] The actuator claw (16) at the opposite end to the hook (49) includes a cam type configuration (50) which is in contact communication with the actuator pushrod so that the pivotal movement of the actuator claw (16) as it is raised and lowered depending on fluid withinside the float chamber and the relevant movement of the float device (8) will correlate with the upward and downward movement of the PCT/AU2013/001397 WO 2014/085850 11 actuator pushrod which instigates the valve mechanism contained within the valve body (31) which will be discussed in detail in relation to Figures 2 and 3.

[066] Generally there is the inlet (52) wherein fluid is prevented from passing through the valve body (31) by virtue of the main seal (13) and the seal separates the annular discharge collector (53) withinside the valve body (31) which then leads on to the discharge flow path (54) as seen in Figure 1.

[067] The important feature to be taken from this invention is the fact that the floating device is housed withinside a canister type arrangement. In the preferred embodiment the float device is screwed on to a float slider wherein that float slider includes at one end a skirt extension which is able to engage the actuator claw.

[068] Up and down movement of the float is dependent upon fluid levels withinside the fluid containment area to which the fluid control arrangement would be applied, such as a swimming pool, evaporative air conditioner, animal troughs and so forth.

[069] As the float slider moves up and down as a consequence of the float device it is able to draw the actuator claw downwards when fluid levels are being lowered and again upwards as fluid is introduced into the fluid containment area and the required fluid level has been reached.

[070] In the preferred embodiment the reason why the valve mechanism becomes operative is because of the structural inter-relationship between the cam configuration at one end of the actuator claw and the upward extending actuator pushrod which is able to translate the circular motion of the actuator claw pivotally rotating between raised and lowered positions to the opening and closing of the valve mechanism which is an opening and closing of the main seal (13) separating the inlet (52) from the outward flow (54).

[071] Referring now to Figures 2 and 3 and to the actual operation of the valve mechanism. PCT/AU2013/001397 WO 2014/085850 12 [072] The valve is designed to automatically maintain a set fluid level in a containment area whilst being unaffected by nuisance cycling and interference.

[073] Level adjustment of the valve is provided by (whilst the Float Chamber Cover (14) is removed) the movable Float (8) which can be screwed along a thread profile moulded on the surface of the Float Slider (18).

[074] Fluid level position sensing is transmitted via the Float Slider (18) to the Actuator Claw (16) which is mounted on a pivot (17) resulting in a displacement of the Actuator Pushrod (10) via a cam profile incorporated in the Actuator Claw (16) at the point of contact.

[075] The Actuator Pushrod (10) is free to move in the Actuator Pushrod Tube (23) which incorporates a working clearance that allows venting of fluid from the Valve Cap (2) once the Poppet Valve Sealing Element (21), which is normally held against the aperture of the Actuator Pushrod Tube (23) by the Poppet Valve Return Spring (20), is displaced by the upward motion of the Actuator Pushrod Pin (22).

[076] Valve inflow occurs in passageway (55) and meets the valve face in the normally closed position due to the reaction of the Diaphragm assembly Return Spring (19). A metered flow of fluid can pass through the Diaphragm assembly via an annulus clearance between the Actuator Pushrod Tube (23) and the Diaphragm Inner Retaining Clip (11). Such a flow will create a pressure equilibrium between the Valve Cap (2) cavity and the inflow stream resulting in a closure force on the diaphragm (6) in proportion to the surface area of the Diaphragm (6) versus the area of the valve seat on which the Main Seal (13) rests.

[077] Opening of the valve occurs when the Actuator Pushrod Pin (22) opens the Poppet Valve and the Valve Cap (2) chamber is vented through the Actuator Pushrod Tube (23) at a rate greater than that of the inflow to the chamber. The resulting depressuring of the Valve Cap (2) chamber allows the Diaphragm assembly to rise and inflow passes the Main Seal (13) into the Annular discharge collector (53), then to the passage way (59) along discharge flow path (54).

Claims (6)

1. A fluid flow control arrangement adapted to maintain a fluid within a containment area to a set fluid level, said arrangement including; a hollow cylindrical chamber and a valve arrangement fastenable to the top of the cylindrical hollow chamber wherein the hollow cylindrical chamber is at least partially submersible within a fluid held within a containment area so that when fluid is drawn into or drained out of an aperture in the hollow cylindrical chamber the fluid level in the hollow chamber corresponds with a fluid level of the containment area; a guide extension mountable at one end to the valve arrangement and mountable at an opposing end to a base of the hollow cylindrical chamber so as to fix said guide extension in place within said hollow cylindrical chamber; a float slider slidable along said guide extension, said float slider including a lateral skirt at an upper end and further including an externally attachable float device, said float device when externally attached to said float slider is adapted to float on the fluid within the hollow cylindrical chamber between a float slider raised position when the set fluid level is reached and a float slider lowered position when fluid within the hollow cylindrical chamber is below the set fluid level; a pivotally supported arm having at one end a claw adapted to engage the lateral skirt of said float slider and said pivotally supported arm at a pivotally supported end having a cam, wherein said cam has contactable engagement with an actuator pushrod characterised that when the float slider is in the float raised position the claw of the pivotally supported arm is in a raised position and when the float slider is in the float lowered position the claw of the pivotally supported arm is in a lowered position; such that when the claw of the pivotally supported arm is in the raised position the cam end of the pivotally supported arm is rotatable to vertically push the actuator push rod to close the valve arrangement to stop a flow of fluid from a supply inlet side through to an outlet side of the fluid control arrangement into said containment area and when the claw of the pivotally supported arm is in the lowered position the cam end of the pivotally supported arm is rotatable to open the valve arrangement to allow the flow of fluid from the supply inlet side through to the outlet side of the fluid control arrangement into said containment area.

2. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the guide extension is cylindrical having at the opposing end mountable to the base of the hollow cylindrical chamber an opening adapted to be mountable about an internal dimple at the base of the hollow cylindrical chamber.

3. The arrangement of claim 2 wherein the guide extension is threadably mountable to the valve arrangement.

4. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the float device is generally circular in configuration with slightly reduced diameter of the hollow cylindrical chamber.

5. The arrangement of claim 4 wherein the float device includes an internal threaded bore and the float slider includes a corresponding thread such that the float device can be threaded up and down the float slider to establish the set fluid level.

6. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the aperture of the hollow cylindrical chamber to which fluid is drawn into or drained out of said aperture is located at the base of said hollow cylindrical chamber.