Fluid flow management control and leak detection and conservation system and valve assembly

A valve assembly for a fluid flow management control and leak detection and conservation system, the valve assembly is positioned within a valve well and includes a cam block, valve liner, valve body, spring, shaft, and cover. The cam block, valve liner, and valve body each include a plurality of projections for cooperating with each other to allow rotation of the valve body while preventing rotation of the valve liner. The valve body and valve liner each include opposing pairs of openings for opening and closing the valve assembly. The valve assembly when in an open position allows fluid to flow through the openings of the valve body and valve liner and when closed the sidewall of the valve body presses firmly against the sidewall of the valve liner to form a seal therebetween ceasing all fluid flow.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure herein pertains to fluid flow management control and leak detection and conservation systems, and particularly pertains to a valve assembly used in connection with fluid flow management control and leak detection and conservation systems.

Fluid flow management control and leak detection and conservation systems generally include a valve assembly that may be used to control the flow of fluid through a plumbing system. When a demand for fluid flow is present, the valve assembly may be positioned open to allow fluid to flow freely through the valve assembly. In situations where no demand for fluid flow is present, the valve assembly may be repositioned closed to restrict fluid flow through the valve assembly. When the valve is closed it creates a fluid-tight, closed system and makes it possible to determine any leaks by monitoring pressure differentials. When fluid flows through the valve assembly, the pressure on either side of the valve assembly is equal. When the fluid does not flow through the valve assembly, the pressures on either side of the valve should be the same absent any leaks, however, if there is a leak on one side it could create a pressure differential that may result in the production of high impact forces and resulting in damage to the components in the system. This pressure differential subjects the valve to a force that makes it more difficult to turn the valve assembly from a closed position to an open position and generally increases the frictional forces on the components of the valve assembly. This pressure differential subjects various components of the valve assembly to a pressure that makes it difficult to turn the valve and for this reason, it is not uncommon for valves to fail during the opening of a closed valve. Furthermore, because certain fluids, such as water for example, are incompressible, when the valve is quickly closed, a shockwave is generated that travels through the system. This shockwave, known as a water hammer, may cause damage to the system unless it is absorbed by something in the system.

Fluid valve assemblies are often configured with components that undergo frequent repetitive motion, such as the rotation of the valve itself. Many valves must not only overcome the pressures of the fluid flow but must also overcome and cope with frictional forces between the valve and the body in which the valve is positioned. Repetitively overcoming these frictional forces may cause the components to wear, degrade, or ultimately fail.

Thus, in view of the problems and disadvantages associated with prior art devices, the present disclosure was conceived and one of its objectives is to provide a valve assembly used in connection with fluid flow control and conservation systems that includes a valve body, a valve liner, a cam block, a spring, and a shaft that may be rotated manually or remotely via a motor assembly.

It is another objective of the present disclosure to provide a valve assembly configured to reduce friction between the components of the valve assembly when changing between a closed position and an open position.

It is still another objective of the present disclosure to provide a valve assembly including a valve body having an upper support structure and a lower support structure, and a shaft positioned through the upper support structure and lower support structure so that rotation of the shaft will cause the valve body to rotate within a valve liner without causing the valve liner to rotate.

It is yet another objective of the present disclosure to provide a valve assembly including a quarter turn valve body having a sidewall that is capable of forming a substantially fluid-tight seal with a sidewall of a valve liner when the valve assembly is positioned closed.

It is a further objective of the present disclosure to provide a valve assembly including a quarter turn valve body that permits fluid flow through the valve body and fluid flow around the exterior of the valve body when the valve assembly is positioned open.

It is still a further objective of the present disclosure to provide a valve assembly having a valve body drop into the bottom of a valve liner when the valve assembly is in the closed position.

It is yet a further objective of the present disclosure to provide a valve assembly having a valve body rest slightly above the bottom of the valve liner when the valve assembly is in the open position.

Various other objectives and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art as a more detailed description is set forth below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aforesaid and other objectives are realized by providing a valve assembly and system used in connection with fluid control and conservation systems. The valve assembly may be positioned in a valve well positioned between an exterior inlet port and an exterior outlet port of a manifold to control the flow of fluid through a series of conduits formed between the exterior inlet and exterior outlet ports. The valve assembly preferably includes a valve body, a valve liner, a cam block, a spring, and a shaft. The cam block is preferably positioned at the bottom of the valve well and defines a plurality of cam projections. The plurality of cam projections preferably define opposingly positioned low cam projection regions and high cam projection regions. The valve liner preferably forms a body defining a truncated conical shape having a sidewall that defines at least two openings in opposing relation. The two openings defined in the valve liner sidewall are configured (i.e., sized, shaped, and otherwise capable) to coincide with a valve well inlet and valve well outlet to allow fluid to flow through the valve well of the manifold. The valve body also preferably defines a truncated conical shape having a sidewall that defines at least two openings in opposing relation. The valve body is preferably configured (i.e., sized, shaped, and otherwise capable) to nestle within the valve liner so that it is capable of rotating and vertically displacing within the valve liner. The valve body also preferably includes an upper support and a lower support extending between the two openings. The shaft is inserted through a spring, a bore in the upper support which the spring rests against and a bore in the lower support of the valve body, and then through an aperture in the bottom of the valve liner, and an aperture in the bottom of the cam block to seat within the manifold. Situated above the upper support of the valve body and beneath a spacer on the shaft is the spring which urges and maintains the valve body towards the bottom of the valve liner. The shaft is rotatable such that rotation of the shaft will cause the valve body to rotate within the valve liner without causing the cam block and valve liner to rotate.

When the preferred valve assembly is positioned within the valve well of the manifold, the cam block and valve liner are unable to rotate or displace in the vertical or horizontal direction. The valve body is positioned within the valve liner and is capable of rotation and vertical displacement. When the valve body is rotated such that the two openings defined in the valve body sidewall, the two openings defined in the valve liner sidewall, and the inlet and outlet ports of the valve well align, fluid is able to freely flow through the valve assembly and manifold. When the valve body is rotated a quarter turn the two openings defined in the valve body sidewall do not align with either the two openings defined in the valve liner sidewall or the inlet and outlet ports of the valve well, the valve body sidewall will form a wedge effect, forcing the valve body sidewall against the sidewall of the valve liner, creating a seal, preferably a fluid-tight seal, that restricts the fluid from freely flowing through the valve assembly and manifold.

Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described below. Use of the term “exemplary” means illustrative or by way of example only, and any reference herein to “the disclosure” is not intended to restrict or limit the disclosure to exact features or step of any one or more of the exemplary embodiments disclosed in the present specification. References to “exemplary embodiment”, “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “various embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the disclosure so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily incudes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment”, “in an exemplary embodiment”, or “in an alternative embodiment” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.

The present disclosure is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, in which one or more exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are shown. Like numbers used herein refer to like elements throughout. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be operative, enabling, and complete. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limited as to the scope of the disclosure, and any and all equivalents thereof. Moreover, many embodiments such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the instant disclosure.

Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purposes of limitation. Unless otherwise expressly defined herein, such terms are intended to be given their broad, ordinary, and customary meaning not inconsistent with that applicable in the relevant industry and without restriction to any specific embodiment hereinafter described. As used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. Where only one item is intended, the terms “one and only one”, “single”, or similar language is used. When used herein to join a list of items, the term “or” denotes at least one of the items but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list.

Additionally, any references to advantages, benefits, unexpected results, or operability of the present disclosure are not intended as an affirmation that the disclosure has previously been reduced to practice or that any testing has been performed. Likewise, unless stated otherwise, use of verbs in the past tense (present perfect or preterit) is not intended to indicate or imply that the disclosure has previously been reduced to practice or that any testing has been performed.

For a better understanding of the disclosure and its operation, turning now to the drawings,FIGS.1-9show various views of valve assembly11and respective components of a fluid flow control and conservation system generally designated as10.FIG.1demonstrates an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of valve assembly11as part of fluid flow control and conservation system10. The valve assembly11as also seen inFIG.4generally includes a cam block20, a valve liner30, a valve body40, a spring13, a shaft12, an o-ring160, and a valve cover70. The fluid flow control and conservation system10is generally responsible for controlling the fluid flow, typically water, (not shown) into a structure, like a home, and is configured to conserve fluid by only allowing fluid flow into the structure when the structure demands fluid. The preferred system shown inFIG.1includes a manifold124with a valve assembly11and flow meter148positioned in valve well133and flow meter well138, respectively, formed in the manifold124. The valve assembly11is configured (i.e., sized, shaped, and otherwise capable) to manage the flow of fluid by restricting the flow of fluid through the system10, namely, by restricting fluid flow through the valve well133when the valve body40is in the closed position as seen inFIG.8. The flow meter148is positioned and configured to measure and detect various parameters of the fluid flowing through the system10, the flow meter148is preferably positioned downstream from the valve assembly11and includes o-ring160, flow meter cover149, and hall sensor (not shown).

FIG.2pictures a perspective back view of the top side of the manifold124of the fluid control and conservation system10, without the valve assembly11and flow meter148shown in their respective wells. The manifold124preferably includes a valve well133configured to receive the valve assembly11, and a flow meter well138configured to receive the flow meter148. The manifold124is generally a box shape having a front wall125, a rear wall126, a left wall127, a right wall128, a top side129, and a bottom side130. The left wall127of the manifold124defines an exterior inlet port131that is configured to be connected to the main fluid supply line, typically a water supply line, (not shown) for a structure. In one or more alternative embodiments (not shown), the exterior inlet port131may be configured to facilitate fluid connection with other hardware such as a fluid filtration module or an adapter module used to connect the main fluid supply line. The right wall128of the manifold124defines an exterior outlet port142that is configured to be connected to a fluid supply pipe (not shown) for a structure, or hardware to facilitate the same. The exterior inlet port131and the exterior outlet port142are in fluid communication through a series of conduits134,137,141formed in the manifold124. The fluid valve well133and the flow meter well138are positioned between the exterior inlet port131and the exterior outlet port142and are in fluid communication with one another and the exterior inlet port131and the exterior outlet port142via the series of conduits134,137,141formed in the manifold124. Although not illustrated, one or more embodiments of manifold124may preferably include additional connectors, adapters, and the like to facilitate a wide range of connectivity via the inlet port131and/or the outlet port142as may be desirable by a user. In one preferred embodiment, manifold124may include a gasket, a fastener, and a connector body, most preferably in either the Presta or Schrader valve style(s).

FIG.3depicts a perspective view of the bottom side of the manifold124of the fluid control and conservation system10, without the valve assembly11and flow meter148shown in their respective valve well133and flow meter well138. The preferred valve well133defines an open top end133a(as shown inFIG.2) and a closed bottom end133b(as shown inFIG.3). The closed bottom end133bof the valve well133is of smaller diameter than the open top end133aof the valve well133, forming a truncated conical shaped well having angled sidewall113. The valve assembly11, as will be described in further detail below, is configured (i.e., sized, shaped, and otherwise capable) to form a matching truncated conical shape capable of being positioned so as to nest into the valve well133. The bottom end133bof the valve well133preferably includes one or more downwardly facing protrusions132configured to receive a portion of some of the valve assembly components that are positioned within the valve well133. As would be understood the protrusions132,168on the exterior are formed by the creation of openings within the bottom interior of the respective wells133,138such that the internal openings of one or more downwardly facing protrusions may be configured (sized, shaped, and otherwise capable) to receive, support, or generally hold together the shaft12of the valve assembly11, a threaded fastener18and insert19for maintaining cam block20therein, or a protuberance29configured to provide anti-rotational stability for the cam block20. The preferred flow meter well138is positioned downstream from the valve well133and is configured to receive an impeller or flow meter148therein. The flow meter well138defines an open top end138a(as shown inFIG.2) and a closed bottom end138b(as shown inFIG.3). The closed bottom end138bof the flow meter well138preferably includes one or more downwardly facing protrusions168configured to receive a portion of the flow meter148to ensure that the flow meter148is free to rotate within the flow meter well138.

Fluid, typically water, flows through the system10and preferably enters at the exterior inlet port131and exits at the exterior outlet port142. As the fluid flow (not shown) enters through the exterior inlet port131from the fluid supply line (not shown), it travels via a conduit134(as shown inFIGS.2and3) until it reaches the valve well133. The valve well133further defines a valve well inlet135and an opposingly positioned valve well outlet136. The fluid will continue to flow downstream through valve well inlet135, and if the valve assembly11is positioned open, through valve assembly11, to exit through the valve well outlet136into a conduit137to provide fluid communication between the valve well133and the flow meter well138. In alternative embodiments, the valve well133may define more than one valve well inlet135or more than one valve well outlet136(not shown). The flow meter well138defines a flow meter well inlet port139and an opposingly positioned flow meter well outlet port140. Once again, the fluid will continue to flow downstream through conduit137, the flow meter well inlet port139, flow meter148, to exit through the flow meter well outlet port140into a conduit141configured to provide fluid communication between the flow meter well138and the exterior outlet port142of the manifold124. This path may be referred to as the flow path. In alternative embodiments, the flow meter well138may define more than one flow meter inlet port139or more than one flow meter outlet port140.

In the preferred embodiment, a pressure storage tank150may be connected to the conduit137facilitating fluid communication between the valve well133and the flow meter well138. This pressure storage tank150may be releasably affixed to the bottom side130of the manifold124with a screwed engagement, a quick connect fitting, a bayonet fitting, a water-tight, frictional engagement, or other similarly known engagements used in the industry. The pressure storage tank150is in fluid communication with the conduit137facilitating fluid communication between the valve well133and the flow meter well138via a pressure tank port151so as to maintain adequate fluid pressure within the system10when the valve assembly11is in the open position as seen inFIG.9or the closed position as seen inFIG.8. The pressure storage tank150also instantly provides full flow without any reduction of inlet pressure while the valve is reconfigured from the closed position to the open position. The pressure storage tank150acts as a water hammer arrestor and is configured to absorb a pressure wave, or water hammer, that is generated when the valve assembly is quickly repositioned from the open position to the closed position.

One or more sensors (not shown) configured to monitor and measure parameters of the fluid flow at various locations along the flow path may be included in the system10. One or more sensors may monitor and measure parameters such as pressure, flow rate, temperature, fluid level, and positioning of the valve assembly11(i.e., whether the assembly is in an open or closed position). The sensors may be located within the system10or, in some embodiments, located within the structure demanding fluid (not shown). These sensors generally detect various parameters and transmit this information to a control unit (not shown) installed on the system10. One or more sensors may be in electrical communication with a power source (not shown) on the system10so that it may communicate with the control unit. In the preferred embodiment, as shown inFIG.1, an optical sensor67is installed proximate the valve assembly11to measure and detect the orientation of the valve body40within the valve assembly11. The preferred optical sensor67is a through beam sensor configured to detect a sensing component68affixed to a portion of the valve assembly11. In the preferred embodiment, the sensing component68is affixed to the shaft12of the valve assembly11and may be configured to rotate with the shaft12and valve body40so that the optical sensor67may detect the rotation and thus the positioning of the valve body40within the valve assembly11. In the preferred embodiment, the flow meter148also includes a sensor for measuring and detecting the flow rate of the fluid. In the preferred embodiment, and as would be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the flow meter148utilizes a hall sensor (not shown). Although a hall sensor is preferred, other sensors may be used to detect and measure the flow rate of the fluid along the flow path, such as but not limited to ultrasonic flow meters, vortex flow meters, orifice flow meters, and the like.

The valve assembly11may be actuated (i.e., opened and closed) manually via a handle66affixed proximate the top end of the shaft12. Additionally, or in an alternative embodiment, the valve assembly11may also include a motor assembly64so that the valve assembly11may be actuated (i.e., opened and closed) remotely via a gear assembly (not shown) configured to facilitate the rotation of the shaft12, which in turn rotates the valve body40and sensing component68without rotating the valve liner30and cam block20. The motor assembly64typically consists of, although not shown, the following components a motor, a motor housing, a gearing assembly, and a control unit electrically connected to the motor configured to provide instructions to drive the gearing assembly. The motor assembly64is capable of rotating the shaft12of the valve assembly11. As the shaft12rotates, it causes the valve body40to rotate within the valve liner30, thereby moving the valve body40between an open position (FIG.9) and a closed position (FIG.8).

As shown inFIG.4, the preferred valve assembly11includes the cam block20, the valve liner30, the valve body40, the spring13, the shaft12, o-ring160, and the valve cover70(FIG.1). In the preferred embodiment, the sidewall113defining the valve well133are of a matching angular configuration to the sidewall21of the cam block20, the sidewall31of the valve liner30, and the sidewall41of the valve body40, resulting in the ability of the valve assembly11to nest into the valve well133. In the preferred embodiment, the cam block20is secured to the bottom of the valve well133via insert19and fastener18(FIG.6A), and the valve liner30is then positioned on top of the cam block20such that low liner depression regions37nest within low cam projection regions25as described further below. The cam block20and valve liner30are configured and arranged so that the cam block20and valve liner30are unable to rotate within the valve well133and are unable to move vertically and horizontally within the valve well133when the valve assembly11is fully assembled. Once the valve liner30is positioned above the cam block20, the valve body40is preferably positioned within the valve liner30such that low valve body projection regions52nest internally within low liner projection regions77of valve liner30. The valve body40is rotatable within the valve liner30and is preferably manufactured of the same material as the valve liner30to reduce the wear on the valve body40and valve liner30as the valve body40rotates within the valve liner30. The spring13is preferably positioned around the shaft12beneath spacer14held in place by a top retaining clip80and when shaft12is inserted into the valve body40the spring13sits atop upper bore46to urge the valve body40towards the bottom of the valve liner30. The top retaining clip80is preferably positioned between two spacers14to prevent the spring13from unintentionally displacing. The top retaining clip80prevents the shaft12from being pulled out from the valve assembly11while being actuated and facilitates a fluid-tight seal to prevent fluid from leaking out of the valve assembly11. Shaft12preferably includes a pair of hexagonal stops15,16which frictionally fit within respectively upper bore46and lower bore47of valve body40for rotation purposes to create a seal between shaft12and valve body40to prevent any forces from displacing valve body40from shaft12. In the preferred embodiment, as shown inFIG.4, the bottom hexagonal stop16defines a groove configured (i.e., sized, shaped, and otherwise capable) to receive a bottom retaining clip81. The bottom retaining clip81is ideally positioned near the bottom of the shaft12between the valve liner30and the valve body40so that the bottom retaining clip81may engage a bottom portion82of the valve body40(as shown inFIG.5B) to assist the valve body40move from a closed configuration to an open configuration by lifting the valve body40and effectively reduce the frictional forces between one or more sloped faces61of the valve liner30and one or more sloped faces75of the valve liner30. Reducing the frictional forces between the sloped surfaces61and75reduces the wear and tear on each component and allows the valve body40to turn more easily when moving from closed to open. The retaining clips80,81may be used to prevent various components of the assembly11from excessive moving by facilitating the rotation of shaft12while inhibiting axial movement of various components of the assembly11. Another purpose of retaining clips80,81is to restrict the loosening of the components of the assembly11due to the rapid rotational movement that the assembly11may be subjected to. Retaining clips80and81are preferably three pronged, stamped clips, often referred as circlips, or E-clips and C-clips. In the preferred embodiment, at least one of the retaining clips80,81is expanded to fit around the shaft12and then compress to fit snuggly into a groove formed in the shaft12to receive at least one retaining clip80,81. As will be discussed further below, and shown inFIGS.8and9, the valve body40not only rotates within the valve liner30, but also displaces vertically by valve body projections49. When the valve assembly11is in the open position, the valve body40rests slightly above the valve liner30. When the valve assembly11is in the closed position, the valve body40rests at the bottom of the valve liner30in the lowest possible location.

FIG.5Aillustrates a perspective view of the top side of the valve body40,FIG.5Bshows a perspective view of the bottom side of the valve body40, andFIG.5Cdepicts a cross-sectional view of the preferred valve body40along lines C-C inFIG.5A. As shown inFIG.5A, the preferred valve body40generally includes a top end40aand a bottom end40bwith a sidewall41extending therebetween as also seen in the side view ofFIG.4. The preferred valve body sidewall41is of matching angular configuration to the sidewall31of the valve liner30, which is of matching angular configuration to the sidewall113of the valve well133. The sidewall41of the valve body40preferably defines two openings42,42′ that are opposite of one another and are configured (i.e., sized, shaped, and otherwise capable) to align with the valve well inlet135and valve well outlet136of manifold124when oriented in the open position. In alternative embodiments, the valve body40may define more than two openings, for example, three openings (not shown). The valve body40includes an upper support44and a lower support45extending between the two openings42,42′ and forming a channel43so that fluid may flow through the valve body40when the openings42,42′ defined in the sidewall41are aligned with the openings32,32′ of the valve liner30. In alternative embodiments, wherein the valve body40defines three openings, the valve liner30also defines three openings (not shown). As shown inFIG.5C, the upper support44and lower support45preferably define respectively an upper bore46and a lower bore47through the center of the upper support44and lower support45, respectively. The upper bore46and lower bore47preferably are configured to align with the shaft aperture27of the cam block20, the aperture35through the bottom end30bof the valve liner30, and at least one of the protrusions132, extending below the valve well133, preferably the central protrusion132bsized and shaped to receive the bottom end12bof shaft12therein. In the preferred embodiment, the upper bore46and lower bore47define a hexagon shape, however, in other embodiments the upper bore46and lower bore47define other polygonal shapes. The upper support44and lower support45also preferably define a plurality of holes48so that fluid flowing through the valve well133is capable of surrounding the entire valve body40when the valve body40is in the open position (FIG.9). This is particularly advantageous because this configuration permits fluid to flow through the channel43formed by the upper support44and lower support45, and also around the exterior of the sidewall41of the valve body40to prevent the buildup of minerals present in the fluid. The bottom end40bmay include one or more valve body projections49which can take various forms, such as lobes, ramps, or teeth, and are designed to interact with raised liner projections74formed on the top surface87of bottom30bof the valve liner30which consist of low liner projection regions77and high liner projection regions78. As seen inFIG.5B, the valve body projections49of valve body40generally have a sloped face50and a substantially vertical face51(e.g., +/−5 degrees). In the preferred embodiment, the valve body projections49of valve body40include two low valve body projection regions52and two high valve body projection regions53. In this preferred embodiment, low valve body projection regions52and high valve body projection regions53alternate in opposing relation around the valve body40such that the two low valve body projection regions52are located opposite one another with high valve body projection regions53formed therebetween likewise in opposing relation. As can be seen inFIGS.5A,5B, and5C, there are cavities or spaces between the respective top end40aand upper support44and bottom end40band lower support45to permit fluid flow through holes48assisting with stabilizing pressure within system10during opening and closing of valve assembly11.

FIGS.6A and6Bfeature a perspective view of the top side and bottom side of the cam block20, respectively. The cam block20forms a circularly shaped body having a top end20aand a bottom end20bwith a sidewall21extending therebetween as also seen in the side view ofFIG.4. Cam block20is configured (i.e., sized, shaped, and otherwise capable) to be positioned at the bottom133bof the valve well133and resist horizontal, vertical, and rotational movement. The top end20amay include one or more raised cam projections22to transmit force or torque from the valve liner30to the cam block20and prevent the rotational movement of the valve liner30. The raised cam projections22are formed around the outermost edge of top end20aand can take various forms, such as lobes, ramps, or teeth, and are designed to interact with valve liner depressions36formed on the bottom30bof the valve liner30. The raised cam projections22generally have a sloped face23and a substantially vertical face24(e.g., +/−5 degrees). In the preferred embodiment, the raised cam projections22of cam block20include two low cam projection regions25and two high cam projection regions26. In this preferred embodiment, low cam projection regions25and high cam projection regions26alternate in opposing relation around the cam block20such that the two low cam projection regions25are located opposite one another with high cam projection regions26formed therebetween likewise in opposing relation. The cam block20preferably defines a central planar section20cwith two apertures therethrough—a shaft aperture27and a fastener aperture28. In the preferred embodiment, the shaft aperture27is a circular shaped aperture defined through the center of the cam block20for receiving the shaft therethrough and the fastener aperture28is a countersunk aperture offset from the center to receive a threaded fastener to prevent the rotation of the cam block20within the valve well133. The cam block20may be secured to the bottom of the valve well133using any type of mechanical fastener18, but it is preferred that the cam block20is fastened using a stainless-steel screw18with an insert19configured to create a secure base for the fastener18. As can be seen in the bottom view ofFIG.6B, the preferred cam block20includes a downwardly extending protuberance29offset from the center of the bottom end20bconfigured to further prevent the rotation of the cam block20as it seats within preferably protrusion132c(FIG.3) within the valve well133.

FIGS.7A and7Bshow a perspective view of the top side and bottom side of the valve liner30, respectively andFIG.7Cdepicts a cross-sectional view of valve liner30. The valve liner30is preferably positioned in the valve well133and above the cam block20. The valve liner30includes a closed bottom30band an open top30awith a sidewall31extending therebetween as also seen in the side view ofFIG.4. In the preferred embodiment, the sidewall31of the valve liner30defines two openings32,32′ that are located on opposite sides of the valve liner30. These two openings32,32′ are configured (i.e., sized, shaped, and otherwise capable) to align with the valve well inlet135and the valve well outlet136when assembled in valve well133. In the preferred embodiment, valve liner30includes a collar33extending outwardly, perpendicular from the top edge of the open top30aof valve liner sidewall31and defines a plurality of fastener holes33a. When the valve liner30is inserted into the valve well133, the collar33will remain outside the valve well133, and seat within a top side129of the manifold124. The plurality of fastener holes33adefined in the collar33are configured to align with an equal plurality of fastener holes233defined on the top side129of the manifold124around the valve well133. In the preferred embodiment, the collar33extending from the top edge of the valve liner30and the top side129of the manifold124define eight fastener holes33a,233respectively configured to receive mechanical fasteners103(FIG.1) to restrict the vertical, horizontal, and rotational movement of the valve liner30within the valve well133. The valve liner30may also define one aperture35through the center of the bottom end30bof the valve liner30for receiving shaft12therethrough. The valve liner aperture35is configured to align with the shaft aperture27of the cam block20and receive a portion of the shaft12when assembled.

As shown inFIG.7B, the bottom end30bof the valve liner30defines a central planar section30csurrounded by one or more liner depressions36that are configured (i.e., sized, shaped, and otherwise capable) to coincide and mesh with respectively central planar section20cand the raised cam projections22formed on the top end20aof the cam block20. In the preferred embodiment, the liner depressions36on bottom end30bof the valve liner30include two low liner depression regions37and two high liner depression regions38, opposingly positioned. In this preferred embodiment, low liner depression regions37and high liner depression regions38alternate such that the two low liner depression regions37are located opposite one another with high liner depression regions38formed therebetween likewise in opposing relation. The liner depressions36also define a sloped face61and a substantially vertical face62(e.g., +/−5 degrees) which coincide and mesh with the cam projections22to prevent the rotational movement of the valve liner30. The low liner depression regions37are configured to coincide and mesh with the low cam projection regions25to restrict the rotational movement of the valve liner30and to ensure that any unbalanced pressure caused by the fluid flow does not cause the valve liner30to move vertically or horizontally. The liner depressions36on the exterior bottom surface88(FIG.7C) of bottom end30bof the valve liner30form reciprocal liner projections74on the interior top surface87(FIG.7C) of bottom end30bof the valve liner30of equal magnitude. In the preferred embodiment, the liner projections74on the interior top surface87of the bottom end30bof the valve liner30include two low liner projection regions77and two high liner projection regions78. These liner projections74on the interior top surface87of the bottom end30bare configured to coincide and mesh with valve body projections49formed on the bottom end40bof the valve body40.

FIG.7Cillustrates a cross-sectional view of valve liner30as along lines C-C inFIG.7A. As shown inFIG.7C, the interior top surface87of bottom end30bof the valve liner30may include a plurality of liner projections74configured (i.e., sized, shaped, and otherwise capable) to coincide and mesh with the plurality of valve body projections49of valve body40. The liner projections74may include opposingly positioned pairs of low liner projection regions77and high liner projection regions78having one or more sloped face(s)75and one or more vertical face(s)76. In some embodiments, the liner projections74and the liner depressions36may be of different magnitude, however, in the preferred embodiment the configuration (i.e., the size, shape, orientation, and positioning) of the plurality of liner projections74are such that the plurality of valve body projections49coincide and mesh. The collar33proximate the top end30amay include a sealing ridge39to further seal the top portion of the valve assembly11when the valve cover70is fastened to the manifold124via fasteners103. In the preferred embodiment, the shaft aperture35defines a circular shaped aperture through the center of the bottom end30b.

FIG.8depicts a front elevational view, partially in phantom, of the valve assembly11in the closed position. When the valve assembly11is closed, fluid will cease flowing through the system10, namely the valve well133. When the valve assembly11is positioned within the valve well133, the cam block20and valve liner30are configured and arranged to not move vertically nor horizontally and not rotate. In the preferred embodiment, the two openings32,32′ formed in the sidewall31of the valve liner30may be aligned with the valve well inlet135and valve well outlet136when the valve assembly11is configured in both the open and closed position. When the valve assembly11moves between the open position (FIG.9) and the closed position (FIG.8), via a quarter rotation of the shaft12, the valve body40rotates and displaces vertically (i.e., drops). More specifically, as the preferred valve body40is rotated, the sloped faces75of the liner projections74preferably frictionally engage with and slide along the sloped faces50of the valve body projections49until the high liner projection regions78coincide and mesh with the high valve body projection regions53, causing the valve body40to drop (i.e., move vertically) to the lowest point in the valve liner30. When the valve assembly11is in the closed position, the valve body40is oriented with the two solid portions of the sidewall31engaging and blocking the two openings32,32′ in the valve liner30, creating a seal60, preferably a fluid-tight seal, restricting fluid flow between the valve well inlet135and the valve well outlet136. Because the sidewall41of the valve body40is of matching angular configuration to the sidewall31of the valve liner30, as the valve body40drops into the valve liner30, the valve body sidewall41will form a wedge effect, forcing the sidewall41of the valve body40against the sidewall31of the valve liner30and creating a tight (ideally fluid-tight) seal60that closes the two openings32,32′ in the valve liner sidewall31. The sidewall41of the valve body40pressing against the sidewall31of the valve liner30effectively seals shut the openings32,32′ of the valve liner30and prohibits fluid flow through the inlet135of the valve well133. In the closed position, as shown inFIG.8, the low liner projection regions77coincide and mesh together with the low valve body projection regions52, and the high liner projection regions78coincide and mesh together with the high valve body projection regions53.

FIG.9depicts a front elevational view, partially in phantom, of the valve assembly11in the open position. When the valve assembly is open, fluid will flow through the system10and into the structure. When the valve assembly11is positioned within the valve well133, the cam block20and valve liner30are configured and arranged to not move vertically nor horizontally and does not rotate. In the preferred embodiment, the two openings32,32′ formed in the sidewall31of the valve liner30may be aligned with the valve well inlet135and valve well outlet136when the valve assembly11is configured in both the open and closed position. More specifically, when the valve assembly11is in the open position, the sidewall41of the valve body40disengages the sidewall31of the valve liner30, breaking the seal60to permit fluid flow between the valve well inlet135and the valve well outlet136. The disengagement of the sidewall31and sidewall41while switching between the open position and closed position reduce the frictional wear on the valve body40and valve liner30. When the valve assembly11moves between the open position and the closed position, via a quarter turn rotation of the shaft12, the valve body40rotates and displaces vertically (i.e., rises). More specifically, as the preferred valve body40is rotated from a closed position to an open position, the sloped faces75of the liner projections74preferably frictionally engage with the sloped faces50of the valve body projections49until the high liner projection regions78coincide and mesh with the low valve body projection regions52, causing the valve body40to raise (i.e., move vertically) above the bottom surface88of the bottom end30bof valve liner30. When the valve assembly11is the open position, the valve body40is oriented such that the two openings42,42′ defined in the valve body sidewall41align with the two openings32,32′ in the valve liner30. In the open position, as shown inFIG.9, the high valve body projection regions53will drop into the low liner projection regions77, causing the low valve body projection regions52to rest above (i.e., in a raised position) the high liner projection regions78. This relationship causes the valve body40to remain (i.e., float) a distance above the bottom surface88of valve liner30. As previously mentioned, the raised position of the valve body40in the open position facilitates the fluid flow through the channel43formed in the valve body40, but also around the exterior of the sidewall41of the valve body40via holes48to prevent the buildup of minerals. This prevention of mineral build up increases the reliability of the valve assembly11.

As would be understood during assembly of system10and specifically valve assembly11within manifold124, an insert19(FIG.6A) would be placed within protrusion132ain bottom133bof valve well133, cam block20would then be placed within valve well133aligning respective fastener aperture28with the insert19for receiving fastener18. Next valve liner30would be positioned within valve well133such that liner depressions36align with and nestle within cam projections22thereby fixedly aligning openings32,32′ with valve inlet port135and valve outlet port136as holes33aalign with holes233of manifold124. Valve body40is then positioned within valve liner30such that valve body projections49align with and nestle against liner projections74, specifically high valve body projection regions53of valve body40mate with high liner projection regions78of valve liner30and low valve body projection regions52of valve body40mate with low liner projection regions77of valve liner30to be in the closed position as seen inFIG.8. In this closed position openings42,42′ are not in alignment with openings32,32′ of valve liner30and do not permit fluid flow therethrough as sidewall41is blocking the respective openings32,32′ creating seal60. The top retaining clip80to hold spacer14, and spring13is then positioned on shaft12which is then inserted through upper bore46and lower bore47such that hexagonal stops15,16frictionally fit within respectively upper bore46and lower bore47of valve body40. As understood spring13, during rotation of shaft12, is compressed between spacers14and upper bore46as valve body40rotates to the open position and decompresses to firmly seat valve body40within valve liner30as valve body40rotates and returns to the closed position. The bottom end12bof shaft12would then be inserted through aperture35of valve liner30, and shaft aperture27of cam block20to seat within protrusion132bon bottom133bof valve well133. As seen inFIG.1, an o-ring160would be placed over shaft12and atop collar33before attachment of valve cover70by fasteners103and further attachment of motor assembly64, and respective optical sensor67, sensing component68, and handle66on top end12aof shaft12. Although not shown or described, as would be understood additional components, covers or attachments may be part of the completely assembled system10. Operation of valve assembly11consists of quarter turn rotations whether by manual or electrical means to either close or open the path of fluid flow through the respective conduits and openings within system10as seen inFIGS.8and9and discussed herein to provide an enhanced fluid conservation system. In the open position as seen inFIG.9openings42,42′ are in alignment with respective openings32,32′ of valve liner30and although not shown as would be understood openings42,42′ are also in alignment with valve well inlet135and valve well outlet136of valve well133to permit fluid flow through system10.

As understood the respective sloped faces23,61,75, and50described herein are all preferably formed having the same angle regardless of high or low projection/depression positioning to assist with nesting capabilities of the respective components, namely cam block20, valve liner30, and valve body40, and further assist with the rotational forces of valve body40within valve liner30with respect to movement of sloped faces50along sloped faces75during opening and closing of valve assembly11. As would be further understood and as seen in in the closed position inFIG.8the angular alignment of the respective components likewise provides a seal60as the valve body40seats flush within valve liner30preventing further fluid flow when closed. While other angles and or positioning of high or low projections or depressions may be contemplated such are not preferred due to the forces endured by the valve assembly11during operation and the preference to reduce pressure within the fluid flow control and conservation system when closing and opening and the valve assembly11.