GB2355218A - Shower water flow booster unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The booster unit (6) basically comprises a venturi or like taper form passageway member (60,66) into which cold water under supply pressure is directed by a nozzle (64). In use the unit (6) is connected in line in pipework and/or flexible hose (2,3,4) from water supply means such as a control valve unit (5) to a shower head (1) and receives cold and hot water supply through pipes (41, 42) to the base (610) of the unit (6). The cold water pipe (41) communicates with the nozzle (64) via an inlet member (61) and the hot water pipe (42) communicates with an annular chamber (62) in direct communication with the passageway member (60,66). Hot water at lower pressure is thus drawn by the accelerated flow of cold water through the passageway (66) and entrained therein with the cold water. In the event of failure or significant pressure reduction of the cold water supply a safety valve (7) is provided of which the hollow valve member (70) about the inlet (61) is normally retained in the open position by cold water back pressure acting within it i.e. via a side clearance (69) through the inlet (61) and against an inturned flange (72) of the valve member (70). For maintaining cold water back pressure a disc (65) having a fine aperture (650) is provided at the base of the nozzle (64). On failure or significant fall in the pressure of cold water supply acting on the valve member (72) it is urged forward by a spring (71) towards or against a seating (68) at the entry to the passage way (66) and so restricts or closes off hot water supply to the latter.

Description

2355218 TITLE: SHOWER WATER FLOW BOOSTER UNIT The object of this invention

is to provide an improved unit for boosting the supply of water to a shower head of shower apparatus for obtaining and maintaining a satisfactory spray or similar water emission from the shower head at a required or selected temperature.

A particular object is to provide such a unit which can be readily incorporated in new and, in some cases, existing shower apparatus. It also obviates the use of an electric booster pump. These and other practical advantages of the unit will be apparent from the following description.

According to one aspect of the invention a water flow booster unit in or for shower apparatus basically comprises a venturi or like taper form passageway member into which water flow can be directed for accelerated flow therethrough, said unit being connectable or connected in line in pipework and/or flexible hose connection from water supply means such as a control valve unit to a shower head of the shower apparatus.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention a water flow booster unit in or for any part of shower apparatus or other water flow application has safety provision for at least restricting flow of hot water through the unit in the event of failure or significant pressure reduction of the supply of cold water into the device.

The safety provision may consist of a safety valve for controlling hot water supply through the unit and responsive to the pressure of cold water supplied to the unit.

Practical examples of the construction and use of the booster unit are shown in the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure I is generally a front elevation of shower apparatus of the handset type in which the apparatus is shown incorporating the booster unit; 2 Figure 2 is an enlarged scale axial plane sectional view of the booster unit with some variation; Figure 3 is a front elevation of shower apparatus of the fixed over head shower head type, the apparatus also incorporating the booster unit, and Figure 4 is a front view of the encased fixed shower head apparatus of Figure 3.

Like parts are referred to by the same or similar reference numerals throughout the drawings whilst any dimensions or values quoted herein are given by of example only and may be varied according to requirements.

Referring firstly to Figure I the shower apparatus basically comprises a shower head handset 10 1 connected by flexible hose 2 of suitable length to rigid pipework 3, 4 to a control valve unit 5 which latter, as shown, may be in accordance with our British patent No. 2270964.

In the usual manner the handset I simply comprises a shower head part 10 having a perforated spray outlet face or plate 12 and directly connected by a tubular handle I I to the hose 2. The head 10 may include provision for various modes of spray or like water emission 15 to be selected.

The control valve unit 5 has inlet connections 51, 52 for cold and hot water respectively into the body 50 of the valve unit 5 and to corresponding control valves 53, 54 rotatably operated by a gear drive 55 from a control or intermediate gear or pinion 56 by means of a control knob 57 to the latter. (Not shown in Figure 1 but see Figure 4).

Cold and hot water outlets 59, 58 from the valve unit body 50 are connected to respective pipes 41, 42 of the lower rigid pipework 4.

3 In accordance with the first aspect of this invention the booster or venturi unit 6 is fitted in use in line in the rigid pipework 3,4 and likewise in line with the hose 2 to the tubular handle I I of the handset 1 - Both pipes 41, 42 of the lower rigid pipework 4 are connected to the base of the venturi unit 6 and in the case of the cold water pipe 41 this is connected to an inlet member 61 within a lower enlarged part 63 of a tube 60 which incorporates a venturi or like taper form passageway 66 at its upper part (see Figure 2). The inlet member 61 communicates with a nozzle 64 for directing cold water into and through the venturi passageway 66 to the upper rigid pipe 3 and from thence to the hose 2 and handset 1. For a purpose later described a fixed plate or disc 65 at the underside of the nozzle 64 and thus interposed between the latter and the inlet member 6 1, has a fine central aperture 65 0 for restricted cold water flow through it from the inlet member 61 to the nozzle 64.

Although not visible in Figure 2 the hot water pipe 42 is connected to the venturi unit 6 for communication with an annular chamber 62 within the lower enlarged part 63 of the tube 60 and about the inlet member 6 1. This chamber 62 normally communicates directly with the venturi passageway 66 via an inwardly tapered part 67 of the tube 60 (see the left hand side of Figure 2). For a neat appearance the tube 60 is contained in a housing 600 which is also shown providing connection to the hose 2 via the pipework 3.

In Figures I and 3 the rigid pipes 41, 42 are shown connected to the venturi unit 6 in a symmetrical offset manner with appropriate respective communication with the nozzle 64 and annular chamber 62, whereas in Figure 2 the pipe 41 is shown axially connected to the inlet member 61 and axially aligned with the nozzle 64 and venturi passageway 66.

Usually in use the cold water inlet 51 of the control valve unit 5 receives water at mains pressure whilst the hot water inlet 52 receives hot water by gravity feed i.e. from a hot water tank or cylinder supplied by cold water from an upper ball valve controlled tank or cistern in the well known manner.

4 The pressure of the cold water admitted to the nozzle 64 is therefore considerably higher than that of the gravity fed hot water but by suitably controlled cold water flow the latter assists the flow of hot water by drawing it from the annular space 62 into the venturi passageway 66 for entrainment and diffusion with the cold water and accelerated flow to the hose 2 and handset 1.

As a result a boosted and sustained rate of water supply to the handset I is provided for satisfactory spray or similar emission from the shower head 10 at a required temperature as determined by the setting of the control valve unit knob 57. The venturi unit 6 thus also serves as a mixer unit for the intermingling of the cold and hot water at a required temperature as determined by the control valve unit 5.

The cold water control valve 53 of the unit 5 is preferably arranged to open in advance of the hot water valve 54. This enables cold water only, or substantially so, to be passed to the handset I when a cold shower is required. By further turning of the knob 57 hot water is progressively admitted by the valve 54 to the cold water flow through the venturi unit 6 until spray emission from the handset I reaches a required temperature which can be readily adjusted by appropriate turning of the knob 57.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention applicable to a venturi unit 6 in any position of use, and referring to Figure 2 a safety device 7 is provided in the form of a valve member 70 for cutting off, or at least restricting, hot water flow at excessive temperature from the chamber 62 into the passageway 66 in the event of failure or significant pressure reduction of cold water flow to the nozzle 64.

The valve member 70 is shown of hollow cylindrical form and axially slidable about the lower part of the nozzle 64 and upper part of the inlet member 61 in a fluidtight manner e.g.

by O-ring, seals 74, 75 and is also urged in the upward direction by a compression spring 71 acting between it and a base flange 610 of the inlet member 6 1. Under normal conditions of use the restricted flow of cold water through the fine aperture 650 in the disc 65 creates back pressure of cold water behind or under the disc 65 which thrusts the valve member 70 to the open position downwardly against the spring 71. For this purpose the valve member 70 has an intumed flange 72 about the inlet member 61 to provide an annular surface against which the back pressure acts. (See left hand side of Figure 2). Thus hot water flow is able to take 5 place past the valve member 70.

In the event of failure or significant pressure reduction of cold water supply to the inlet member 61 the back pressure acting within the valve member 70 is reduced or no longer exists so that the valve member 70 is raised by the spring 71 to cause an upper bevelled edge 73 of the latter to seat against cooperating inclined formation 68 of the tube 60. Thus closing off of hot water flow from the chamber 62 to the passageway 66 is effected. (See right hand side of Figure 2).

To enable cold water to enter the valve member 70 to create back pressure therein clearance or side opening 69 is provided between the upper end of the inlet member 61 and the disc 65. In the event of failure or significant pressure reduction of the cold water supply, back pressure soon dissipates through the hole 650 resulting in prompt closing off operation of the valve member 70 before spray emission from the shower head 10 reaches an excessive temperature.

Typically the diameter of the hole 65 0 may be of the order of 0. 8 to 1. 1 Omm and that of the outlet bore of the nozzle 64, 2.4mm. However, if desired the outlet of the nozzle 64 may be variable.

Particularly, in the case of the aperture 650 the above-mentioned dimensions may be varied to ensure that an adequate cold water flow rate into and through the passageway 66 is provided yet enable sufficient back pressure to be maintained on the valve member 70 to retain it in the open hot water flow position during normal operation.

6 The arrangement of the venturi unit 6, lower pipework 4 and control valve unit 5 shown in the fixed overhead shower head form of shower apparatus of Figure 3 is identical to that already described with reference to Figures I and 2 except that the upper end of the venturi unit 6 is connected to a rigid pipe 3 0 extending up to the fixed overhead shower head 100 for communication therewith. The spray plate of thehead 100 is shownat 112.

Practical tests have established that the venturi unit 6 provides an improved performance as regards water supply to the handset I or fixed shower head 100 compared with known forms of shower apparatus in which the gravity fed hot water is simply mixed with a supply of cold water.

The venturi unit 6 may be interposed at any convenient location in the pipework and/or hose connection between the control valve unit 5 and shower head 10, 100 but is preferably rigidly mounted on the valve unit 5 by the lower pipework 4 as shown in Figures I and 3.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4 the venturi unit 6, valve unit 5 and rigid pipework 30, 4 are encased at 8 for a neat and attractive appearance and also for ease of cleaning, by a tubular or channel form cover 86 and a lower housing 85 for the valve unit 5 with external control knob 57. A dish for soap etc. is shown at 80 on the cover 86 (Figure 4).

The length of pipework 3 and 4, flexible hose 2 and casing 86 may vary according to instalation requirements.

Such encasement is applicable to the arrangement of Figure 1, i.e. up to the commencement of the flexible hose 2, but may have an upward extension for detachably receiving the handset in one or more fixed positions.

It is to be understood that various modifications may be made to the booster unit 6 and its mode of use and also to the safety device 7 within the scope of the invention herein defined.

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Claims (15)

1. A water flow booster unit in or for shower apparatus basically comprising a venturi or like taper form passageway member into which water flow can be directed for accelerated flow therethrough, said unit being connectable or connected in line in pipework and/or flexible hose connection from water supply means such as from a control valve unit to a shower head of the shower apparatus.

2. A water flow booster unit according to claim 1 wherein the venturi or like taper form passageway member is connectable or connected to cold and hot water supply means such as to a said control valve unit whereby accelerated flow of cold water through the venturi or like passageway member draws hot water therein for entrainment with the cold water and for boosted flow of cold and hot water through the venturi or like passageway member and intermixing therein.

3. A water flow booster unit according to claim 2 wherein the venturi or like passageway member is connectable or connected in line with cold and hot water pipes from water supply means such as from a said control valve unit whereby the cold water pipe communicates with a nozzle to the venturi or like passageway member for directing cold water for accelerated flow therethrough and the hot water pipe also non-nally communicates with the venturi or like passageway member for drawn entrainment therein of hot water flow with the accelerated cold water flow.

4. A water flow booster unit according to claim 3 wherein the venturi or like passageway member is connectable or connected in line with the cold and hot water pipes whereby the cold water pipe is axially aligned with the nozzle to the venturi or like passageway member and in communication therewith, and the hot water pipe normally communicates with the venturi or like member via a chamber to the latter.

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5. A water flow booster unit according to claim 4 wherein the chamber is of annular form and coaxially arranged in relation to the nozzle to the venturi or like passageway member such as about an axial cold water inlet member to the nozzle.

6. A water flow booster unit according to any of claims 3 to 5 wherein the venturi or like passageway member is arranged to be supported in line by rigid cold and hot water pipes on water supply means such as on a said control valve unit.

7. A water flow booster unit according to any of the preceding claims wherein an outlet from the venturi or like passageway member is connectable or connected in line with pipework and/or flexible hose connection to a shower head of the shower apparatus.

8. A water flow booster unit according to any of claims 2 to 7 or in or for any part of shower apparatus or other water flow application wherein safety valve means is provided for preventing or at least restricting flow of hot water to the venturi or like passageway member in the event of failure or significant pressure reduction of cold water supply to the venturi or like passageway member.

9. A water flow booster unit according to claim 8 wherein the safety valve means is arranged to be normally maintained in the open hot water flow condition by the pressure of cold water supply acting thereon.

10. A water flow booster unit according to claim 9 wherein restricting aperture means in the unit for restricting cold water flow to the venturi or like passageway member serves to maintain back pressure of cold water supply in maintaining the safety valve means in the open hot water flow condition.

11. A water flow booster unit according to any of claims 8 to 10 wherein the safety valve means is arranged to have a seating cooperation within the venturi or like passageway member or within a communicating entry thereto in the event of failure 9 or significant pressure reduction of cold water supply acting on the safety valve means in order to cause the latter to close off or restrict hot water supply flow to the Venturi or like passageway member.

12. A water flow booster unit according to any of claims 8 to I I with any of claims 3 to 7 wherein the safety valve means is in the form of a hollow valve member coaxially arranged in relation to the venturi or like passageway member and cold water nozzle thereto and about any axial cold water inlet member to the nozzle for urged axial seating movement towards the venturi or like passageway member in the event of failure or significant pressure reduction of cold water supply acting on the safety valve member within the latter and so cause the valve member to close off or restrict hot water supply flow to the venturi or like passageway member.

13. A water flow booster unit according to claim 12 wherein the safety valve member is spring loaded in the direction of axial seating movement towards the venturi or like passageway member.

14. A water flow booster unit according to any of the preceding claims wherein it is arranged to be accommodated within casing of the shower apparatus.

15. A water flow booster unit when substantially as herein described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.