AU716554B1 - Rainwater management valve - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

d~ustralia PAMM 7- TRAX MAAS Dcm Patents Act 1990 Original Complete Specification Standard Patent P/00/011 Regulation 3.2 Revised 2/98 The following statement is a full desciption of this invention, including the best method of performing known to me:- PN!- ATvrr C -H-IELQ [I

J

1.

RAINWATER MANAGEMENT VALVE This invention relates to a new device for the management, control and efficient utilisation of rainwater collected for a variety of purposes and which may be utilised to provide a degree of risk reduction to structures exposed to bushfire.

The collection, cleansing and control of rainwater present varying difficulties in normal urban situations,. as well as in rural situations where water is collected for drinking purposes, and there are many reasons, both from a resource conservation and a health viewpoint, for the improvement of rainwater management. Bushfires also present a significant threat to buildings and lives, both in rural and urban locations, and one of the main ignition points for a building during a bushfire is the spouting and yet the present methods of blocking and backfilling the spouting with water are limited, time consuming and hazardous.

A number of inventions attempt to address either one or other of these problems, whereas the invention detailed herein not only satisfactorily addresses all of the above and more, it does so in one device. With the amount of loss, both human and fiscal, caused by bushfires, and the growing concern over the quality of water used for human consumption, the invention disclosed herein clearly offers solutions and versatility.

Nothing is available, for example, to allow the back filling of spouting in a bushfire situation to prevent sparks igniting debris within the spouting and subsequently setting fire to the roof structure, and to allow backfilling and or flushing of the spouting system of a building for the purposes of cleaning or rinsing the spouting. Devices for the separation of rainwater, and or water containing cleansing chemicals, residue or debris to waste prior to collection for drinking purposes are available, but do not allow a great degree control and flexibility in their application, allowing simply for one way diversion. Neither do any of the currently available water diversion devices allow for a variable filtration of 2.

the water intended for collection in a drinking water vessel. There are no devices which allow for the collection of, and subsequent removal of debris from spouting and downpipes whilst offering in the same device the abovementioned features.

These problems and inadequacies are addressed in the present invention, which provides a multi functional rainwater management valve capable of allowing the backfilling of building spouting for quenching of flying sparks and embers associated with bushfires which may fall onto the roof or spouting setting fire to debris within the spouting and possibly igniting the roof structure. The cleansing and rinsing functions together with the diversion of rainwater, cleansing chemicals, residue, and debris to waste, as well as the variable filtration of water collected for drinking purposes are primary functions, as is the collection and removal of spouting debris, and all are incorporated in the one device which is easily fitted to buildings either during or after construction.

In one form of the invention the valve features a body which is designed in such a way as to allow the internal placement of various sliding piston mechanisms in order to permit control of the flow of water through the body, retention of water within the body and beyond, the filtration of water passing through the body and the collection of debris and other matter within the body. The positions of the piston mechanisms are interchangeable in that their individual position is directly related to the fiunction required by the valve user at a given point in time. The internal design and volume of the body would be such that the piston mechanism not in use at a particular point in time can be accommodated in an inactive position within the body of the valve without adversely affecting the operation of the valve.

The body has interchangeable releasable end caps at either end and these are at an angle opposite to the regular direction of water flow, so that access can be gained to the internal portion of the body and the abovementioned piston mechanisms, for the purpose of placement or removal of said piston mechanisms and or debris or matter within the body.

3.

The releasable end caps are interchangeable in position to allow for variances in the valve's installation position and either one would typically be fitted with a water connection inlet outlet device compatible with a standard hose fitting in order to allow the input of water under pressure allowing the body of the valve and the attached downpipe and spouting to be filled with water for the purposes of quenching flying embers, which may fall onto the roof and spouting in a bushfire situation, and or cleansing or rinsing of spouting. The water connection inlet/outlet device is fitted with a one way non return valve which acts automatically to stop the drainage of water held within the body and within the downpipe and spouting connected to the ingress socket.

This connection device also allows the directionally selective draining of retained water or water of drinking quality either directly or through an attached hose, as well as filtration of same through a fine filter attached to the water connection inlet/outlet device.

A suitable storage mechanism would be fitted within either releasable end cap to allow for the safe and convenient storage of any hose fittings and or adapting contrivances.

Typically the spouting would be fitted with two water level indicators, consisting of small conduits in the spouting wall, which allow the egress of water indicating an overflow situation. One of these would be located in a place of high visibility and be for the purpose of indicating to the user, by outflow of excess water, that the sliding piston mechanism designed for filtering is in the active position and blocked with debris. The other indicator would be positioned near the valve to indicate to the user, in a fire situation, that the desired level of water retention within the spouting had been achieved, at which point the ingress of water under pressure could cease, leaving the spouting full to the required level until such time as the user wished to drain said spouting.

4.

The sliding piston mechanisms intended for use within the body may be made of any suitable material and would be coated with a layer of sealing enhancing substrate. The fine mesh filter incorporated within the sliding piston mechanism, designed for filtering, may be made of any suitable material such as, but not limited to stainless steel.

To assist with understanding the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which depict one example of the invention.

In the drawings: FIG. 1 shows an external view of the valve, showing the external components and the way in which they inter-relate. As can be seen from FIG 1 the valve would feature a suitably durable and weather resistant label 5 defining the operational instructions and functions of this invention, with particular regard to it's intended use as a fire risk reduction device and as a water hygiene enhancement tool.

FIG 2 shows the releasable and interchangeable end caps designed to be fitted to either end of the sliding piston bore, which together with a round rubber sealing gasket ring 8) connect to the thread (4 at the end of each extension. Into.one of these end caps 7 is fitted an inlet outlet device 6 which incorporates a one way flow controlling device suitable for the prevention of reverse flow when the hose is disconnected and a fine mesh filter 20 typically of stainless steel construction. The same end cap would be typically fitted with a suitable storage device 9 for the safe storage of any required hose fittings or adapting contrivances 19 within that cap and therefore within the valve itself.

FIG 3A shows that the blocking piston (10 has a cutout 12) to allow water and water borne debris, to collect at, but not pass this point when the piston is in its' active position. At one end of the piston is a filtering screen, and shown at the other end is the operating means which allows the invention's user to position the piston in the appropriate section of the sliding piston bore relevant to the function required.

6.

flying sparks and embers which may fall onto the roof or spouting setting fire to the debris within the spouting and possibly igniting the roof structure. The valve body and attached water conduit system, when filled with water, provide an enhanced level of fire protection by restricting the transmission of fire from a ground level source, such as a grass fire to the building structure via flammable plastic downpipes.

Secondly the use of this piston 10 in it's active position assists with the cleansing of the spouting by allowing the spouting to be filled with water and or cleansing solutions, and subsequently allowing that water and water borne debris, and or cleaning solutions to be released from the spouting in a controlled fashion, to a destination remote from the water storage containers, by removing either end cap 7 from the sliding piston bore. The placement of the blocking piston( 10) in it's active position for an appropriate period of time with the end cap removed, followed by it's removal and replacefient with the filtering piston 13 as per FIG 5, during initial rainfall would provide a flushing action for the valve and attached water conduit system..

The placement of the blocking piston( 10 in it's active position during rainfall, combined with the connection of a hose adaptor 19 which automatically converts the one way inlet outlet device 6 to a bi-directional flow unit, would permit the collection of rainwater via the filtering unit 20 attached to the inlet outlet device 6 for the purposes of water collection where a local rainwater retrieval system is not installed as in the typical urban dwelling.

FIG. 5 shows the filtering piston( 13 in it's active position in which it normally allows water to pass through it and so can be left within the body 2 of the valve on a continuous basis, and continually collects debris from the attached water conduit system which at a chosen time, or when in sufficient quantity, can be removed from the valve by removing one or other of the end caps 7 and removing the filtering piston (13), together with the debris therein. With this filtering piston 13 in place, water passing 27/01 'DO THU 16:41 FAX 61 02 62853593 I.P AUSTRALIA I~j 002 27/01 '00 THU 16:41 FAX 61 02 62853593 I.P AUSTRALIA o002 7.

through it and into a drinking water collection system or into a storm water system is constantly being filtered.

The invention may have sufficient capacity within the piston sliding bore 1 for the storage of either or both of the pistons (10 13 so that typically when the blocking piston 10 is not required by the operator, it can be stored in it's inactive position, and the filtering piston 13 would be kept in it's active position. Similarly provision is also made for the internal storage of any required hose fitting adaptors 19 so that should the invention be utilised in either an emergency situation, for it's fire risk reduction function, or for spouting cleansing, or water quality enhancement and collection control, all of the required components are readily available to allow the valve to perform it's intended functions.

27 JAN '00 15:42 61 02 62853593 PAGE. 002

Claims (4)

1. 8. The claims defining the invention are as follows: 1. A multi functional water management valve, suitable for installation in a water conduit system where the primary flow is reliant upon gravity, consisting of a body formed by the intersection of diametrically opposed ingress and egress sockets with two diametrically opposed lateral extensions whereby these four components intersect at an angle of 90 degrees, in the same common horizontal plane, and the two lateral extensions, one of which would feature an external instruction label, form a piston sliding bore which intersects the primary flow path defined by the aforementioned sockets and within which can be placed two different sliding piston mechanisms, which are both interchangeable and removable, one for the purpose of blocking the primary flow path to allow the retention of water within the valve and thereby any water conduit system connected to the ingress socket whilst allowing a secondary flow path via a combined inlet outlet device, the other for the purpose of filtering water in the primary flow path, and said valve also incorporating two interchangeable releaseable end caps located on the ends of the lateral extensions, with one incorporating storage facilities for the adaptor and fittings required to connect the aforementioned combined inlet outlet device, which features both an automatic water retention and a filtering function, to a domestic garden hose. 2. The multi functional water management valve, as referred to in claim 1 wherein access to the sliding piston mechanisms is achieved by the removal of either of the two interchangeable releaseable end caps, and positioning either of the piston mechanisms within the sliding piston bore so as to intersect the primary flow path defining the outcome required by the user so that in the case of the blocking piston mechanism being so placed the primary flow through the valve will cease allowing the valve, attached ingress conduit system and spouting to retain water or be filled with water via a secondary flow through the combined inlet outlet device, facilitating easier cleaning of the ingress conduit system and spouting, as well as providing water retention within the 27 JAN '00 15:42 61 02 62853593 PAGE.003
2. 9. spouting, for example in a bushfire situation, and in the case of the filtering piston mechanism being placed within the sliding piston bore, so as to intersect the primary flow path, water flowing through the valve can be filtered allowing the catchment and- removal of leaves, debris and other water borne contaminants, improving water hygiene in the case of water collected for drinking purposes, as well as reducing rubbish in storm water drains. 3. The multi fUnctional water management valve as referred to in claim 1 wherein the valve body is formed by the intersection of diametrically opposed ingress and egress sockets, each of suitable dimensions to allow integration with water conduit systems, with two diametrically opposed lateral extensions whereby these four components intersect at an angle of 90 degrees, in the same common horizontal plane, whilst forming a piston sliding bore of constant cross sectional area and diameter creating a receptacle to accept the sliding piston mechanisms intended to control the primary flow path defined by the ingress and egress sockets. 4. The multi functional water management valve as referred to in the preceding claims wherein the piston sliding bore is designed to be open at both ends and capable of being sealed with interchangeable releaseable end caps and having openings adjacent to, and of diameter and cross sectional area equal to, both the ingress socket and egress socket thereby creating the primary path through which water may flow dependant on the selection of the chosen sliding piston mechanism within the piston sliding bore relevant to the particular function desired. The multi functional water management valve as referred to in any of the preceding claims wherein the piston sliding bore should be of sufficient internal capacity to allow for the simultaneous containment of both sliding piston mechanisms, and the safe storage facilities for any adaptors or fittings required to connect the aforementioned combined inlet outlet device to a domestic garden hose. 6. The multi functional water management valve as referred to in the claim 1 wherein the sliding piston mechanism designed to block the primary flow path is a hollow open- ended cylinder fitted at one end with an operating means, and at the other a filtering screen, and is manufactured from similar materials to the body, whilst being coated with a durable and flexible layer of material designed to enhance the sealing capacity of the sliding piston mechanism within the piston sliding bore, and having one opening of diameter and cross sectional area equal to an opening in the body created by the primary flow path which is defined by the sockets, adjacent to the ingress socket and located in the wall of the piston, such that when in the active position the egress socket is isolated from the primary and secondary flow paths diverting the water through the piston sliding bore and sliding piston mechanism to the end caps. 7. The multi functional water management valve as referred to in claim 1 wherein the sliding piston mechanism designed to filter the primary flow is a hollow open-ended cylinder fitted at one end with an operating means, and at the other a filtering screen, and manufactured from similar materials to the body and coated with a durable and flexible layer of material designed to enhance the sealing capacity of the sliding piston mechanism within the sliding piston bore and having two openings of diameter and cross sectional area equal to the openings in the body created by the primary flow path which is defined by the sockets, adjacent to the ingress and egress sockets and located in the wall of the piston, wherein the opening adjacent to the egress socket incorporates a filtering screen which is typically but not necessarily constructed from a fine stainless steel gauze suitable for filtering water borne contaminants to the appropriate Australian Standard for drinking water, when this sliding piston mechanism is in it's active position. 8. The multi functional water management valve as referred to in claim 1 and claim 4 wherein the ends of the sliding piston bore are, in normal operating mode, sealed by releasable and interchangeable end caps, manufactured from a material suitable for the
3. 11. intended usage, which would typically have a female thread and a rubber gasket designed to screw on to the typically male threaded ends of the sliding piston bore. 9. The multi functional water management valve as referred to in claims 1, 4 and 8 wherein one of the end caps is fitted with the combined inlet outlet device suitable for the connection of a domestic watering hose to allow the flow of water into the body under pressure, where this water would be retained automatically by the actions of a suitable valve within the inlet/outlet connecting device when the hose is removed, but which will allow a secondary flow of water, when the appropriate adaptor is connected to the inlet outlet device, from the body back into the hose via a typically fine stainless steel gauze filter, attached to the inlet/outlet connecting device and located on the inside of the releasable end cap, thereby providing filtering of water borne contaminants to the appropriate Australian Standard for drinking water. The multi functional water management valve as referred to in claim 1, claim 4, claim 8 and claim 9 wherein the releasable end cap as defined in claim 9 is fitted with storage facilities allowing the safe storage of the adaptor and fittings required to connect the afore-mentioned combined inlet outlet device.tlo a domestic garden hose. 11. The multi functional water management valve as referred to in claim 1 wherein an external instruction label defining the operational instructions and functional features of this valve with particular regard to it's intended usage is fastened to the body by suitable means in a position dependant upon the orientation of the valve when installed.
4. 12. A multi functional water management valve substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.