GB2416381A

GB2416381A - Float valve

Info

Publication number: GB2416381A
Application number: GB0415919A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dennis Michael Kostenko
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-07-16
Filing date: 2004-07-16
Publication date: 2006-01-25
Also published as: GB0415919D0

Abstract

A valve for preventing overflow of a container 4 is installed in a conduit 2 feeding the container 4. The valve comprises an engaging means 20 adapted to engage an inner surface of the conduit 2 and a float 30. The engaging means 20 includes a fluid drainage aperture (22, figure 2) and an occluder (23, figure 2) operable to occlude the fluid drainage aperture. In use the float 30 is positioned in the container remote from the engaging means 20 and is connected to the occluder by a control link 6 such that, when the float is not buoyant the occluder is maintained in an open position.

Description

FLOAT VALVE

This invention relates to water conservation and waste fluid drainage systems.

In recent years the typical householder has become more aware of the need to conserve water and to minimise water wastage. This awareness has arisen due to two main factors, that of concerns for the environment and that of the cost of water usage. For many householders these days the water lo supply is metered, meaning that every litre of water used must be paid for and therefore wastage of water can be costly to the householder. Hence, it has become desirable for the typical householder to take active steps to minimise their water usage.

Is Many activities of the householder do not require the use of domestically supplied water, and in fact other natural sources of water may be used e.g. rain water. An activity where this is particularly applicable is gardening, where large amounts of water can be typically consumed, especially during the summer months. Hence, many householders have taken the active step to of collecting rain water for subsequent gardening use. Collected rain water may also be used for other activities such as washing the family car, hosing down the patio and drive way and for general cleaning purposes.

In addition to collecting rain water, many householders have begun to as collect waste water from basins, showers and baths, which may also be used for gardening purposes and other general activities.

Typically, the simplest technique of collecting both rain water and waste water at a domestic property is to install some means of diverting the flow so of water from an existing drain pipe, e.g. down pipe, into a suitable collection receptacle, such as a water butt. The simplest arrangement is to place the water butt underneath the existing down pipe and to have an overflow pipe which directs excess water into a nearby drain when the butt is full. However, this requires a conveniently located drain for overflow purposes.

Alternatively, a diverter valve may be installed in the existing down pipe, which can be opened or closed by the householder whenever a water storage event occurs e.g. a rain shower or emptying of a bath. The diverter lo valve channels the flow of water from the existing down pipe and into a secondary pipe which is connected to the water butt. The diverter valve provides the householder with a simple means of controlling the flow of water into the butt, but again may require the householder to monitor the level of water collected in the butt to prevent the butt from overflowing.

A problem of collecting water arises for some householders if they do not have an existing down pipe on their property, or if the existing down pipe is located in a position which does not allow a water butt to be practically, and/or aesthetically, installed nearby. This can be particularly applicable to so a row of terraced houses, in which the "uttering around the row of houses may only have one or two down pipes serving all the homes.

An object of the present invention is to provide a valve which can automatically stop the flow of water through a down pipe and into a collection receptacle, in response to the collected water reaching a prescribed level, to thereby prevent the receptacle from overflowing.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a valve which can be installed at gutter level at the top of the down pipe, or at location along the so length of the down pipe.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a waste water collection apparatus which is simple to install into an existing gutter at a convenient location for a householder, to thereby allow the householder to s collect rain water and/or waste water.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a valve for installation into a fluid conduit comprising: an engaging means adapted to engage an inner surface of the fluid lo conduit, and including a fluid drainage aperture and an occluder operable to occlude the fluid drainage aperture; and a float for positioning in a remotely located collection receptacle and for connection to the occluder by a control link such that, in use, the float when not buoyant in fluid in the collection receptacle is operable to maintain the occluder in an open position.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of controlling the fluid flow from a fluid conduit through a valve to a remotely located collection receptacle, comprising the steps of: to coupling a float, positioned within the collection receptacle, to an occluder by way of a control link, the occluder located in an engaging means engaged with an inner surface of the fluid conduit and operable to occlude a fluid drainage aperture in the engaging means allowing passage of fluid to the receptacle; :5 and maintaining the occluder in an open position when the float is not buoyant in fluid in the collection receptacle.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures l(a) and l(b) are schematic representations of the valve of the present invention as installed in two example "uttering configurations.

Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the engaging means of the valve of figures 1 (a) and 1 (b).

s Figures 3, 4 and 5 are side cross-sectional views of other preferred embodiments of the engaging means according to the present invention.

Figures 6 and 7 are side cross-sectional views of alternative embodiments of the valve engaging means, illustrating a levered occluder.

Figure 8 is a top perspective view of an alternative engaging means l o of the valve according to the present invention.

Figure 9 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the engaging means of figure 8 installed in an example "uttering section.

Figure 10 is a end perspective view of a section of a fluid conduit showing two installed wire guides according to the present invention.

With reference to figures l(a) and l(b) there are shown two example "uttering configurations into which the valve 10 of the present invention is preferably installed. The "uttering configurations are illustrative of a section of conventional domestic or industrial "uttering, which is assumed to comprise at least a horizontal portion 1 running substantially around the eaves of a building and at least one waste fluid pipe, e.g. down pipe 2, for the drainage of waste water from the "uttering.

It is an aspect of the present invention, that additional down pipes 2, or existing down pipes 2, can be added, or relocated, to allow the present valve to be installed into the down pipe 2 for controllable conservation of waste water.

As illustrated in figure l(a), the down pipe 2 is linear and connects to the so horizontal "uttering section via a conventional T-shaped junction 3 (hereafter "Tjunction") having a neck portion which engages with the upper end of the down pipe 2. Since the down pipe 2 is linear, a suitable waste water collection receptacle 4, such as a water butt, can be located directly underneath the down pipe 2, in line with the Tjunction 3. By contrast, as shown in figure 1(b), the down pipe 2 is shown as comprising a kinked portion which displaces the lower section of the down pipe 2 away from the substantially vertical axis defined by the Tjunction 3. Hence, in this configuration the collection receptacle 4 is positioned off-axis from the Tjunction 3. lo

As is readily apparent from figures l(a) and](b), the valve 10 may be installed into both substantially linear and substantially kinked down pipes 2 while still providing the advantages of the present invention. Moreover, the valve 10 may also be installed into tributary waste pipes (not shown), such is as a bath outlet pipe, which leads into a down pipe 2, so that water from a bath may also be controllably conserved in a suitable collection receptacle 4.

The valve 10 may also be installed directly into an opening in a lower to surface of a gutter and, more generally, into any suitable fluid conduit.

The valve 10 comprises an engaging means 20 and a float 30. In preferred embodiments the engaging means 20 is preferably installed in the neck portion of the Tjunction 3 corresponding to the location of the interface :5 with the down pipe 2, so that the flow of water may be controlled at substantially the gutter level. However, as is clearly illustrated in figure l(b), the engaging means 20 may also be installed within the interior of the down pipe 2, substantially below the level of the gutter.

Referring to figure 2, there is shown a particularly preferred embodiment of the engaging means 20 installed at the location of the Tjunction 3 and down pipe 2 interface. The engaging means 20 is adapted to sealingly engage the inner circumferential surface of the down pipe 2 via frictional s coupling, and may preferably rest on an annular lip 5 which is typically formed at the interface of the Tjunction 3 and down pipe 2 as shown in figure 2. Preferably the engaging means 20 is in the form of a substantially rigid plate 21, having an outer circumferential edge adapted to engage the inner circumferential surface of the pipe. The plate 21 includes at least one lo fluid drainage aperture 22 and at least one occluder 23 operable to occlude the at least one fluid drainage aperture 22.

It is to be appreciated that the shape of the plate 21 is dependent on the cross-sectional shape of the fluid conduit, Tjunction 3 neck portion or is down pipe 2, and as such may be circular, square, hexagonal, octagonal or any other geometric shape corresponding to the fluid conduit.

The plate 21 is preferably formed from aluminium, or another non-rusting metal, or galvanised metal. Alternatively, the plate 21 may be formed from JO a rigid plastic or substantially hardened rubber.

In the preferred embodiment, as shown in figure 2, the at least one fluid drainage aperture 22 is substantially centrally disposed within the plate 21 and allows water to drain from the "uttering and into the down pipe 2 for us collection in the collection receptacle 4. Preferably, the aperture 22 is circular in cross-section, but this is not intended to be limiting, and other non-circular geometric shapes may be used. It is to be appreciated that more than one fluid drainage aperture may be present in the plate 21 to assist in the drainage of water from the "uttering.

In preferred embodiments, the at least one occluder 23 is preferably a substantially hemispherical plug, in which at least a portion of the hemispherical surface is insertable into the aperture 22 to thereby occlude the aperture 22. It is to be appreciated however, that the shape and size of the occluder will depend on the relative shape and size of the aperture.

Hence, the occluder is to be taken to be any suitable means of occluding the aperture to prevent the flow of water therethrough. In alternative embodiments, in which there is more than one fluid drainage aperture 22, there may also be more than one occluder 23, such that there is one occluder lo 23 for each aperture 22.

The at least one occluder 23 is biased by a biasing means 24 which acts on the occluder such that the occluder has a tendency to assume a closed position which fully occludes the aperture 22. The 'closed position' corresponds to a position in which the flow of water through the aperture 22 is prevented.

The biasing means 24 is preferably a spring, made from non-rusting metal or galvanised metal, or rubber. Alternatively, the biasing means 24 may be So an elastic cord or in some embodiments, may be the weight of the occluder 23 itself.

As shown in the embodiments of figures 2 to 5, the biasing means 24 may be arranged in a number of non-limiting configurations. In the preferred embodiment of figure 2, the biasing means 24 comprises at least two springs 24, attached to the underside of the plate 21 and to the hemispherical plug occluder 23. Extension of the springs 24 exerts a restoring force on the occluder 23 such that the occluder is forced to return to a position which substantially, or totally, occludes the aperture 22 i.e. the so closed position. In figure 3, the biasing means 24 may be a single spring 24 located beneath the hemispherical plug occluder 23, such that compression of the spring 24 gives rise to a restoring force which forces the occluder to return to the closed position.

In an alternative configuration, as shown in figure 4, the biasing means 24 may be remote from the engaging means 20, such that the biasing means 24 is located on top of the "uttering via a support strut (not shown) disposed transversely across the ridges of the "uttering. In figure 4 the biasing means is a spring 24 attached to a substantially rigid pin 7, which when extended lo forces the occluder to return to the closed position.

The at least one occluder 23 is connected to the float 30 by a control link which preferably comprises a flexible, inelastic wire 6, such as nylon cord having a sufficient tensile strength to support the weight of the float 30.

Alternatively, the flexible, inelastic wire 6 may be a metal wire, such as steel for instance.

It is to be appreciated that the occluder 23 and float 30 could be connected together by a control link in the form of a substantially rigid rod (not JO shown), in accordance with the present invention. However, the rigid rod is specific only to those embodiments in which the down pipe is substantially linear, as illustrated in figure l(a).

The float 30 is operable to maintain the occluder 23 in an open position, relative to the aperture 22, such that water is allowed to drawn through the aperture 22, down through the down pipe and into the collection receptacle 4 in which the float 30 is disposed. The open position corresponds to the farthest separation between the occluder 23 and the aperture 22, and therefore allows the greatest flow of water through the aperture 22.

so Preferably, the farthest separation is between about 5 mm to about 25 mm.

The float 30 maintains the occluder 23 in the open position by exerting a force on the occluder approximately equal to the weight of the float 30 and control link. This occurs when the float 30 is hanging freely within the collection receptacle 4 and is therefore not subject to a buoyant force arising from flotation in the collected water. It is to be appreciated that the float 30 may be any suitable weighted means having a weight which is sufficient to overcome the restoring force supplied by the biasing means 24 when hanging freely, and yet is capable of floating on or being buoyant within the lo collected water inside the collection receptacle 4. The float 30 may be bulbous in shape and/or may contain a volume of trapped air to aid flotation.

In preferred embodiments, the wire 6, or rod, has a predetermined length such that the float 30 is constrained to the region of the upper portion of the collection receptacle 4, so that only when the volume of collected water is nearing the top of the collection receptacle 4 does the float 30 begin to experience an upward or buoyant force due to contact with the surface of the water.

It is to be appreciated that the predetermined length of the control link is dependent on the length of the down pipe 2 and height of the collection receptacle 4, and also on whether the engaging means 20 is installed substantially at the gutter level or below the level of the "uttering.

The buoyant force on the float 30 reduces the effect of the weight of the float 30 on the occluder 23 by diminishing the tension in the wire 6, or by longitudinally displacing the rod upwards towards the engaging means 20.

This reduction in weight, allows the restoring force supplied by the biasing so means 24 to gradually displace the occluder 23 toward the aperture 22, to thereby reduce the separation therebetween. As the level of water within the collection receptacle 4 continues to rise, at an ever decreasing rate, the float effectively becomes weightless due to the action of the buoyant force and therefore is no longer able to prevent the occluder 23 from assuming the closed position. and no further drainage of water from the "uttering occurs.

Advantageously, occlusion of the aperture 22 prevents further water from entering the collection receptacle 4 which avoids overflow of the collected water from the collection receptacle 4.

lo In preferred embodiments, the predetermined length of the wire 6, or rod, is selected so that the occluder 23 is able to assume the closed position, while at least a relatively small empty volume remains within the collection receptacle 4. This is to allow a small drainage flow to be collected within the receptacle 4 without overflow or spillage occurring from the receptacle and/or "uttering. As shown in the preferred embodiments of figures 2 to 5, the plate 21 includes at least one weep hole 26 passing therethrough, which is significantly smaller than the aperture 22. The weep hole 26 is particularly advantageous in draining water trapped within the neck portion of the Tjunction when the aperture 22 is fully occluded. It is to be to appreciated that the plate 21 may contain more than one weep hole 26 to assist in the drainage of trapped water.

Referring again to figures 2 to 4, there is shown a rest 27 preferably attached to the underside of the plate 21. The function of the rest 27 is to support the occluder 23 when the occluder 23 is in the open position and to prevent the occluder 23 from being pulled down the down pipe 2 under the action of the weight ofthe float 30. The rest 27 may also act as a support for the biasing means 24 as shown in figure 3.

The rest 27 may be any suitable supporting means which is capable of supporting the weight of the occluder 23 and that of the float 30, and which does not prevent the flow of water from around the hemispherical plug and into the down pipe 2. Preferably the rest 27 is a cage attached to, or integral with, the plate 21 and may be made from any non-rusting metal, or galvanised metal, plastics material or a hardened rubber.

To avoid leakage of water from around the edges of the plate 21, the plate preferably includes at least one O-ring seal 28 around the circumferential lo edge of the plate. The O-ring seal 28 forms a substantially water-tight seal between the outer edge of the plate 21 and the inner circumferential surface of the pipe 2. The O-ring seal 28 may be made from a flexible plastic or preferably from rubber.

In an alternative preferred embodiment, as shown in figure 5, the occluder 23 may be a substantially flat plate having a size and shape sufficient to fully occlude the aperture 22 when in the closed position. In this arrangement, the occluder 23 is adapted to move substantially parallel to the plate 21, in the manner of a shutter, to occlude the aperture 22 under the to action of the biasing means 24. The wire 6 connecting the occluder 23 and float 30 passes through a eye loop 31 which converts the downward weight of the float 30 into a lateral force, pulling the occluder 23 against the restoring force of the biasing means 24. The float 30 maintains the occluder 23 in the open position, until such time the float 30 begins to float on the rising surface of the collected water, at which point the restoring force gradually pulls the occluder 23 towards the closed position to ultimately fully occlude the aperture 22.

In a further preferred embodiment, as shown in figures 6 and 7, the float 30 so and the occluder 23 are connected to a pivoting lever 40. The occluder 23 is preferably attached to the lever 40 by a substantially rigid rod 41 and the float 30 is preferably connected to the lever by a flexible, inelastic wire 6. In this arrangement, as shown in figure 7, the occluder 23 resides on the opposite side of the plate 21 to that of the lever 40, such that the rod 41 passes through the aperture 22. The weight of the occluder 23 itself acts as the biasing means, and has a tendency to force the occluder 23 down towards the aperture 22 to thereby occlude the aperture 22.

However, the moment of the weight of the float 30 about the pivot is lo selected to be greater than the moment of the weight of the occluder 23 about the pivot, when the float 30 is freely hanging within the collection receptacle 4. Hence, the float 30 maintains the occluder 23 in the open position, relative to the aperture 22, until such time as the float 30 begins to float on the rising surface of the collected water. To prevent the lever 40 from being turned too far under the action of the moment of the weight of the float 30, a delimiter, or rest (not shown), may be included. When the tension in the wire 6 begins to diminish, as illustrated in figure 7, the lever starts to turn under the action of the moment of the weight of the occluder 23, thereby reducing the separation between the occluder 23 and so the aperture 22. At the point the float 30 becomes fully buoyant within the collection receptacle 4, the occluder 23 assumes the closed position and thereby fully occludes the aperture 22 (as shown in figure 7). Thereafter no further water may be drained from the "uttering until the collection receptacle 4 is emptied or at least some of the collected water in the :5 collection receptacle 4 is siphoned off.

This embodiment is advantageous in that upward displacement of the occluder 23 to the open position, results in displacement of any accumulated debris, such as leaves etc., away from the aperture 22.

In an alternative preferred embodiments as shown in figures 8 and 9, the engaging means comprises a hollow cylinder 50 having an outer circumferential surface adapted to engage the inner circumferential surface of the pipe 2. The cylinder 50 preferably has one closed end 51 which remains external to the interior of the pipe 2 when the engaging means is installed, as shown in figure 9. The cylinder 50 includes a plurality of fluid drainage apertures 52 which are preferably disposed around a portion of the outer circumferential surface proximate to the closed end 51 of the cylinder and which also remain external to the interior of the pipe 2.

It is to be appreciated that the shape of the cylinder 50 is dependent on the cross-sectional shape of the Tjunction 3 neck portion and down pipe 2, and therefore is not limited to circular configurations, since square, hexagonal, octagonal and other geometric shapes are commonly used for existing down pipes. Hence, any references herein to 'cylinder' are to be taken to include both circular and non-circular cross-sectional geometric shapes. The cylinder 50is preferably made from aluminium, or other nonrusting metal, or galvanised metal. Alternatively, the cylinder 50 may be made from a hardened rubber.

When installed in the pipe 2, the plurality of drainage apertures 52 allow water to drain from the gutter and down through the inside of the cylinder which is in fluid communication with the interior of the down pipe 2 due to the other end ofthe cylinder 50 being open.

In alternative embodiments, the surface of the closed end 51 of the cylinder may also include one or more fluid drainage apertures (not shown) .

Referring to figure 9, the occluder 23 is adapted to reside within the hollow so cylinder 50 and to travel within the cylinder 50 in sliding relationship to occlude the plurality of apertures 52. The occluder 23 is dimensioned so as to snugly fit within the cylinder 50 and for there to be a degree of frictional coupling between the outer edge of the occluder 23 and the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder 50. A biasing means 24 is preferably attached to the inside surface of the closed end 51 of the cylinder 50 and is connected to the top of the occluder 23. The biasing means 24 is preferably a non-rusting metal spring or elastic cord capable of supplying a restoring force to the occluder 23 which causes it to travel upwardly within the cylinder 50 to assume the closed position, to thereby fully occlude the lo plurality of apertures 52.

It is to be appreciated that the biasing means 24 may alternatively be attached to the underside of the occluder 23, such that compression of the spring exerts of restoring force on the occluder 23 to force the occluder 23 to travel upwards through the cylinder 50.

The float 30 maintains the occluder 23 in the open position under the action of the weight of the float 30, when the float 30 is hanging freely within the collection receptacle. The occluder 23 may be in the form of a substantially so flattened cylinder or disc, or may be a substantially hemispherical plug, provided the plug is capable of preventing fluid communication between the plurality of apertures 52 and the interior of the down pipe 2. When in the open position the occluder 23 resides on a rest 53 attached to, or preferably integral with, the bottom of the cylinder 50, as shown in figures 8 and 9.

The rest 53 permits sufficient clearance either above, around, or above and around, the occluder 23 when the occluder 23 is in the open position, to allow the drainage of fluid through the cylinder 50.

When the float 30 is buoyant on, or in, the rising collected water, the weight of the float 30 is effectively reduced and the biasing means 24 displaces the occluder 23 upwards towards the plurality of apertures 52. The occluder 23 gradually slides upwardly through the cylinder 50 until reaching the closed position.

To avoid leakage of water from around the outer surface of the cylinder 50, the cylinder 50 preferably includes at least one O-ring seal 28 disposed around the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder 50. The O-ring seal 28 may be made from a flexible plastic or preferably rubber.

lo In the preferred embodiments in which the float 30 and occluder 23 are connected by a wire 6, the wire 6 may be routed through one or more wire guides 60 as shown installed in a section of pipe 2 in figure 10. The function of the wire guide 60 is to minimise any chance of the wire 6 becoming snagged within the down pipe 2 between the engaging means 20 and the collection receptacle 4. The wire guides 60 are preferably made from plastic, or non-rusting metal, and comprise a central ring 61 supported by one or more radial support struts 62 (as shown in figure 10), the central ring 61 is preferably disposed close to the longitudinal axis of the down pipe 2, or may alternatively be located off-axis towards one side of the pipe 2. The radial support struts 62 are attached to an outer ring 63 having a shape and size dimensioned to snugly fit within the down pipe 2, the outer ring 63 is held in place within the down pipe 2 by frictional coupling. Alternatively the wire guides 60 can be bonded in place by use of a suitable water-proof adhesive.

To avoid the neck portion of the Tjunction 3 becoming clogged with leaves and other debris, a shaped, or flat, piece of gauze 9, or mesh 9, can be installed above the engaging means 20, as shown in figure 2. Also, in preferred embodiments, any suitable means of preventing the biasing means 24 from becoming clogged with organic debris may be used, including flexible rubber sheaths or membranes for instance.

Referring to figure 11, there is shown a further embodiment of the present invention, in which the engaging means 20 comprises two substantially coaxial discs, 21A and 21B, each having one or more fluid drainage apertures 22 to allow the drainage of fluid therethrough. The lower disc 21B is fixed in place with respect to the fluid conduit and the upper disc 21A is adapted to rotate relative to the lower disc 21B. The upper disc 21A comprises a lo rotation limiter, preferably in the fond of an elongate peg 70, which engages with an arcuate slot 72 in the lower disc 21B to constrain the relative rotation between the upper and lower discs 21A, 21B. The float 30 is connected by a control link 6, which preferably passes through a support eye 71 on the underside of disc 21B, to the elongate peg 70. During use, the weight of the float 30 pulls on the peg 70 to rotate the upper disc 21A relative to the lower disc 21B, tosubstantially align the apertures 22 in discs 21A and 21B allowing drainage of fluid (i.e. corresponding to the open position). A biasing means 24, preferably in the form of a circular spring, rotationally biases the upper disc 21A to assume a position in which the respective apertures 22 are not aligned i.e. corresponding to the closed position. When the float 30 becomes buoyant in the collected water, the effect of the float's weight is increasingly diminished, and the action of the biasing means 24 begins to relatively rotate the upper disc 21A such that the drainage apertures 22 gradually become occluded.

In a further embodiment, as shown in figure 12, the occluder 23 may be in the form of a flip valve having an 'off centre' pivotal axis in the plane of the occluder, thereby dividing the occluder into two unequal portions i.e. a relatively large portion and a relatively small portion. The pivotal axis so allows the flip valve to rotate about the axis, such that the weight of the large portion acts to bias the flip valve towards a closed position i.e. to occlude the aperture 22. Preferably, the float 30 is connected to the small portion via a control link 6, such that when the float 30 is not buoyant within the collection receptacle 4, the action of the weight of the float 30 overcomes the biasing weight of the large portion of the occluder. The float's weight forces the occluder 23 into the open position, thereby allowing drainage of water through the aperture 22. When the float 30 becomes buoyant within the collection receptacle 4, the weight of the large portion of the occluder 23 causes the flip valve to gradually rotate about the lo pivotal axis, to thereby assume the closed position.

Referring to figure 13, there is shown an alternative arrangement of the embodiment of figures 8 and 9, in which the hollow cylinder 50 is preferably open at the end of the cylinder which remains external to the interior of the fluid conduit. The cylinder 50 is closed at the opposing end and contains an occluder 23 operable to float in the volume of water collected, or trapped, within the cylinder 50. The buoyancy of the occluder 23 acts as a biasing means to force the occluder upwards to block the apertures 22. The float 30 is connected to the occluder by a control link 6, to which passes through the closed end via a rubber seal 78. When the float 30 is not buoyant within the collection receptacle 4, the weight of the float 30 overcomes the upward, buoyant, force on the occluder 23 and thereby pulls the occluder 23 down into the open position. Water is able to drain through the top of the cylinder 50 and through the apertures 22 into the interior of :5 the fluid conduit. As the float 30 begins to float within the collection receptacle 4, the upward force on the occluder 23 begins to overcome the weight of the float 30, and thereby gradually moves upwards to occlude the apertures 22.

It is to be appreciated that the principle of the present invention may be implemented using electronic sensors and electronic valve actuators, or pressure sensors and pressure valve actuators. In the electronic case, the engaging means may include a nonnally open electrically controlled valve, which responds to a overflow signal from a depth sensor within the collection receptacle to close the valve when the water level attains a desired height. A pressure based valve would require a sealed collection receptacle and would monitor the change in pressure within the receptacle with increasing depth of collected water, to thereby close a pressure valve lo actuator to prevent further drainage of water.

Advantageously, the valve lO of the present invention allows collection receptacles 4 to be actively swapped during a water storage event without any significant loss of water, since the aperture 22 can remain occluded by supporting the weight of the float 30.

It will be recognised that the valve 10 of the present invention as described herein has the considerable advantage that it can be retrofitted to existing domestic "uttering and therefore offers a simple and economical method of so controlling the conservation of waste fluid.

It is also possible to cascade collection receptacles while still obtaining the advantages of the present invention, so that one receptacle is fed by another in the chain. The collection receptacles could be connected by flexible hoses, or pipes, and arranged in a tiered Connation to allow collected water to drain from one to another. The float 30 of the present invention would be disposed within the highest tiered collection receptacle. The advantage of this arrangement would be to allow a greater volume of water to be collected without having to empty or swap receptacles too frequently.

Although the valve of the present invention is ideal for domestic properties and gut;ering, it will be recognised that one or more of the principles can extend to other types of building and "uttering systems, including industrial properties and factories.

Other embodiments are taken to be within the scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A valve for installation into a fluid conduit comprising: an engaging means adapted to engage an inner surface of the fluid conduit, and including a fluid drainage aperture and an occluder operable to occlude the fluid drainage aperture; and a float for positioning in a remotely located collection receptacle and for connection to the occluder by a control link such that, in use, the float when not buoyant in fluid in the collection receptacle is operable to lo maintain the occluder in an open position.

2. The valve device of claim 1, wherein, in use, the float maintains the occluder in the open position by exerting a force on the occluder approximately equal to the weight of the float.

3. The valve device of claim l or claim 2, further including a biasing means for biasing the occluder to a closed position.

4. The valve device of claim 3, wherein the biasing means is selected from one of the following: a spring, an elastic cord and the occluder's weight.

5. The valve device of claim 3, wherein the float has a weight which is greater than a restoring force supplied by the biasing means.

6. The valve device of claim 5, wherein the restoring force has a magnitude sufficient to displace the occluder away from the open position when the float becomes at least partially buoyant.

7. The valve device of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control link comprises one or more of a flexible wire and a substantially rigid rod.

8. The valve device of claim 7, wherein the control link has a predetermined length such that when the float hangs freely within an upper portion of the collection receptacle, the occluder is maintained in the open position.

9. The valve device of any preceding claim, wherein the engaging lo means comprises a substantially rigid plate having an outer circumferential edge adapted to engage the inner circumferential surface of the fluid conduit.

10. The valve device of claim 9, wherein the fluid drainage aperture is substantially centrally disposed within the plate.

11. The valve device of claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the occluder is directly, or indirectly, suspended from the plate.

to

12. The valve device of any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the occluder is a substantially hemispherical plug, in which at least a portion of the hemispherical surface is insertable into the aperture to thereby occlude the aperture.

13. The valve device of any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the occluder is a substantially flat plate adapted to have the same shape and size as the drainage aperture, the plate being insertable into the aperture to thereby occlude the aperture. 2l

14. The valve device of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the engaging means comprises a hollow cylinder having an outer circumferential surface adapted to engage the inner circumferential surface of the fluid conduit, the cylinder being closed at one end and having a plurality of fluid drainage apertures disposed around a portion of the outer circumferential surface proximate to the closed end of the cylinder.

15. The valve device of claim 14, wherein the portion proximate to the closed end of the hollow cylinder is external to the interior of the fluid lo conduit.

16. The valve device of claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the hollow cylinder has an open end for communication with the interior of the fluid conduit and the occluder is adapted to reside within the cylinder and to travel within the cylinder in sliding relationship, to operably occlude the plurality of fluid drainage apertures.

17. The valve device of claim 16, wherein the occluder has dimensions which enable it to snugly fit within the hollow cylinder.

18. The valve device of any preceding claim, wherein the occluder resides on a rest attached to, or integral with, the engaging means, when in the open position.

19. The valve device of any of claims l to 6, wherein the float and the occluder are connected to a pivoting lever, whereby the float and the occluder are attached to opposing ends thereof.

20. The valve device of claim 19, wherein the occluder resides on an so opposite side of the engaging means to that of the pivoting lever, and the occluder and lever are connected by a substantially rigid rod which passes through the aperture.

21. The valve device of claim 20, wherein the weight of the occluder is sufficient to displace the occluder towards the aperture when the float becomes at least partially buoyant.

22. The valve device of any preceding claim, wherein the engaging means includes a weep hole to allow fluid trapped in a portion of the fluid lo conduit above the engaging means to drain away when the aperture is occluded, the weep hole being significantly smaller than the aperture.

23. The valve device of any preceding claim, wherein the engaging means includes an O-ring seal, to form a substantially fluid-tight seal between an outer surface of the engaging means and the inner circumferential surface of the fluid conduit.

24. A method of controlling the fluid flow from a fluid conduit through a valve to a remotely located collection receptacle, comprising the steps of: to coupling a float, positioned within the collection receptacle, to an occluder by way of a control link; the occluder located in an engaging means engaged with an inner surface of the fluid conduit and operable to occlude a fluid drainage aperture in the engaging means allowing passage of fluid to the receptacle; and maintaining the occluder in an open position when the float is not buoyant in fluid in the collection receptacle.

25. A fluid collection apparatus, comprising: a valve according to any of claims 1 to 23; so a junction for installation into an existing "uttering; and a waste pipe adapted for connection to the junction.

26. The fluid collection apparatus of claim 25, further comprising a collection receptacle for containment of fluid.