Water purifying apparatus

Abstract: A water purifying apparatus (2) comprising: feeding means (3) for feeding water under pressure; a bacteria culturing tank (5); and air supply means (4) for feeding air to the bacteria culturing tank (5) by inducing air by utilizing fluid energy of circulating water; and air flow detecting means (7) provided on an air suction duct (6) of the air supply means (4). A filter (5) provided upstream of the feeding means for feeding water under pressure has a property of preventing moss from growing in a water tank (1) and sterilizing water. An ultraviolet lamp (22) for sterilizing the water in a water tank is provided on a circulating duct. A carrier for fixing bacteria which grows aerobic and anaerobic bacteria is composed of a basic mineral material.

Description: Water contained in a water storing tank, an artificial pond, a pool or the like is polluted with contaminants such as organic substances. Researches have been made to develop a purifier having a favorable purifying performance. Water in fish tanks is contaminated with organic substances such as excrements of fish, or food which has not been eaten, and products formed as a result of the decomposition of organic substances. As a result, disease-producing germs grow. In addition, nitrous acid or nitric acid is formed while a nitrogen compound such as ammonia is being decomposed. As disclosed in US. Patent No. 4240376, water is purified by circulating water between a water tank and a purifying tank having a filter for removing ammonia and between the water tank and a purifying tank having a filter for removing organic substances. Ion exchange resin, zeolite, activated carbon, and silica are selected as the materials of the filters. An air blower for feeding air is provided in a lower portion of the purifying tank. According to the purifying operation of the apparatus, ammonia and organic substances contained in the water of the water tank are eliminated by the filters, and carbon dioxide and acid radicals are removed by the air sent by the air blower. However, in the above construction, ammonia and organic substances are eliminated by the filters which will deteriorate in its performance with the elapse of time. The air blower used to remove carbon dioxide and acid radicals does not have a long life. As such, it is necessary to replace the filters and the air blower frequently. In addition, bacteria stick to the filters and slime is generated thereon. Therefore, the filters are liable to be clogged. Further, in the fish tank, ammonia in the water is decomposed to form nitric acid which reduces the pH of the water in the bacteria culturing tank. Thus, the purifying performance of bacteria which decompose nitrogen compounds deteriorates and germs or moss grows in the water contained in the water tank. From DE-A-30 31 492 a water purifying apparatus is known comprising a water tank holding the water to be purified, an aerobic filter, water feeding means for circulating water and air supply means for inducing air upstream the aerobic filter. It is an object of the present invention to provide a water purifying apparatus which maintains the purifying performance for a long period of time, which prevents a bacteria culturing tank from suddenly deteriorating in its purifying performance and keeps the water in a water tank clean by promptly detecting and taking appropriate counter-measures against the deterioration of the water circulating performance due to the performance decline of a water feeding means and that of an air supply means provided on the circulation circuit between the water tank and the bacteria culturing tank and due to the increase of a resistance of a water circulating duct. It is a further object of the present invention is to provide a water purifying apparatus for keeping the water in a water tank clean so as to prevent fish being bred in the water tank from being killed by germs. It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a water purifying apparatus which prevents aerobic bacteria in a bacteria culturing tank and fish being bred in a fish tank from suffering from an insufficiency of oxygen by detecting the decline of the purifying performance due to the reduction of the flow rate of circulating water, driving an informing means to inform the performance decline of the purifying apparatus to an external device, and driving an auxiliary air supply means. According to the invention, a water purifying apparatus as defined is characterized by the aerobic filter being an aerobic bacteria culturing tank, and an air flow detecting means being provided in said air iniflow duct for detecting when air is being induced into the circulating water at less than a predetermined rate. Preferable embodiments are defined in the dependent claims. According to a preferred embodiment, there is provided a water purifying apparatus comprising: auxiliary air supply means for aiding the operation of the air supply means; and auxiliary air control means for controlling the operation of the auxiliary air supply means based on a signal outputted from the air flow detecting means. According to another preferred embodiment, there is provided a water purifying apparatus comprising: means for varying the flow rate of circulating water; and safety confirming means for confirming that the auxiliary air supply means has actuated in response to a signal outputted from the air flow detecting means when the flow rate of circulating water is smaller than a predetermined value. The air supply means supplies air to the bacteria culturing tank not by a rotary or movable member, but by utilizing air induction generated by the jet flow of the circulating water. Therefore, the air supply means is very durable. When the air supply means sucks air in a reduced amount or stops sucking air as a result of the reduction of the flow rate of the circulating water, the informing means actuates in response to a signal outputted from the air flow detecting means. Consequently, the deterioration of the purifying performance is informed to an external device. Simultaneously with the actuation of the informing means, the auxiliary air supply means is actuated to supply air. The means for varying the flow rate of the circulating water is operated to forcibly reduce the flow rate in order to check whether or not the apparatus is normally operating. If it is detected that the flow rate has decreased, the air flow detecting means generates a signal indicating that the air suction amount of the air supply means has decreased. Thus, the situation of the reduction of air suction amount can be inspected. The moss-growth preventing/sterilizing filter unit provided upstream of the means for feeding water under pressure removes foreign matter such as slime formed by moss, Protozoa, rubbish, shell or pathogenic microorganism. These and other aspects and features of the present invention will become clear from the following description taken in conjunction with the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a sectional view showing a water purifying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional view, in which principal portions are exploded, showing the water purifying apparatus according to the above embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a control circuit diagram view showing the water purifying apparatus according to the above embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing a purifying apparatus applied to a fish tank according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5 is a sectional view, in which principal portions are exploded, showing the purifying apparatus applied to the fish tank according to the above embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a control circuit diagram of the purifying apparatus applied to the fish tank according to the above embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 7 is a sectional view showing an air flow detecting means of a water purifying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 8 is the control circuit diagram of the air flow detecting means of the water purifying apparatus according to the above embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 9 is a sectional view showing an air flow detecting means of a water purifying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 10 is an operation state view showing the air flow detecting means of the water purifying apparatus according to the above embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 11 is a sectional view showing the construction of means for varying the flow rate of circulating water of a water purifying apparatus according to the above embodiment, for safety checking, of the present invention; Fig. 12 is an operation state view showing the air supply means of the water purifying apparatus according to the above embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 13 is the control circuit diagram of the water purifying apparatus according to the above embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 14 is a view showing the characteristic of air suction of the water purifying apparatus according to the above embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 15 is a motor control circuit diagram showing a means for varying the flow rate of circulating water according to the above embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 16 is a sectional view, in which principal portions are exploded, showing a water purifying apparatus according to an embodiment, for safety check, of the present invention; Fig. 17 is the control circuit diagram of the water purifying apparatus according to the above embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 18 is a view showing the characteristic of air suction of the water purifying apparatus according to the above embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 19 is a sectional view, in which principal portions are exploded, showing a water purifying apparatus according to an embodiment, for safety check, of the present invention; and Fig. 20 is a view showing the characteristic of air suction of the water purifying apparatus according to the above embodiment of the present invention. Before the description of the present invention proceeds, it is to be noted that like parts are designated by like reference numerals throughout the accompanying drawings. Referring to Fig. 1, in a water purifying unit 2, the water of a water tank 1 is purified by a purifying circulation circuit comprising a means 3 for feeding water under pressure; an air supply means 4 utilizing the fluid energy of circulation flow so as to introduce external air into water which is flowing owing to a high speed jet flow-caused ejecting operation of inducing air; and an aerobic bacteria culturing tank 5 having a bacteria fixing carrier consisting of mineral substances mounted therein and positioned downstream of the air supply means 4. An anaerobic bacteria culturing tank 5A in which bacteria propagate without an air supply is serially connected with a water circulating duct. An air flow detecting means 7 and an auxiliary air supply means 8 are inserted in an air inflow duct 6 of the air supply means 4. The water feeding means 3, air flow detecting means 7, and auxiliary air supply means 8 are electrically connected with a control means 9. In this construction, when the water circulating performance decreases, the air flow detecting means 7 detects the decrease of air flow rate, thus outputting a signal to the control means 9. According to an instruction outputted from the control means 9, the auxiliary air supply means 8 operates to supply air to the bacteria culturing tank 5 through the air flow detecting means 7 and the air supply means 4. Therefore, the purifying performance of the bacteria culturing tank 5 does not suddenly decrease. Fig. 2 shows the water flow and air flow in the water purifying unit 2. The water purifying unit 2 comprises a supply duct 10 communicating with the water feeding means 3; a supply nozzle 11 for feeding the circulating water at a high speed; an air suction port 12 into which air flows by the ejecting operation generated by the high-speed jet flow; and an outflow duct 13 from which a mixture of sucked air and a circulating water flow flows out. The air inflow port 12 is connected with the air suction duct 6 connected serially with the air flow detecting means 7 and the auxiliary air supply means 8. The air flow detecting means 7 comprises a water container 16 accommodating an air inlet (port) 14 and an air outlet (port) 15 and a self-heating thermistor 17 provided in the water container 16. Fig. 3 shows the control system of the apparatus. An electronic circuit 18 outputs a drive signal to the circuit of the control means 9 in response to a signal outputted from the thermistor 17 constituting the air flow detecting means 7. A triode AC switch (TRIAC) 19 operates in response to the drive signal outputted from the electronic circuit 18, thus turning on and off the auxiliary air supply means 8 and an informing or indicating means 20. According to the above construction, in normal operation, upon driving of the water feeding means 3, the air supply means 4 sucks air by the ejecting operation. As a result, air flows from the air inlet (port) 14 of the air flow detecting means 7 to the air outlet (port) 15 thereof through the auxiliary air supply means 8. Consequently, the water container 16 of the air flow detecting means 7 is filled with air and the thermistor 17 discharges heat in a comparatively small amount and has a high temperature. Therefore, the resistance of the thermistor 17 becomes low. As a result, a signal indicating that the air supply means 4 is operating normally is generated and inputted to the electronic circuit 18. As a result, the auxiliary air supply means 8 and the informing or indicating means 20 are turned off. The turn-off of the informing or indicating means 20 means that the apparatus is operating normally. When the flow rate of the circulating water decreases as a result of an increased resistance of the circulation circuit due to excrements of fish, or food which remained uneaten, in the water tank 1, the speed of the jet flow decreases and the ejecting operation of the air supply means 4 is reduced in its performance. As a result, water flows out backward from the air suction port 12, thus flowing backward from the air suction duct 6 to the air flow detecting means 7 and as such the water container 16 is filled with water, and the thermistor 17 discharges a great quantity of heat and its temperature decreases, so that the resistance thereof becomes high. As a result, a signal indicating that the air supply means 4 has stopped sucking air is generated and inputted to the electronic circuit 18. As a result, the auxiliary air supply means 8 and the informing or indicating means 20 are turned on. Upon turn-on of the informing or indicating means 20, an abnormal drive indication is issued. Consequently, the auxiliary air supply means 8 feeds air under pressure to the air flow detecting means 7 and the air supply means 4. According to the embodiment, air sucked by the air supply means 4 is atomized by a high-speed jet flow fed out from the supply nozzle 11 and dispersed uniformly in water. As a result, bacteria are activated and cultured at a high density. Figs. 4 and 5 show an embodiment of the water purifying apparatus applied to a fish keeping tank. The water purifying unit 2 comprises a circulation pump 3 serving as the means for feeding water under pressure; the air supply means 4 for inducing external air by fluid energy of the circulating water; the bacteria culturing tank 5 having a bacteria fixing carrier consisting of mineral substances mounted therein and positioned downstream of the air supply means 4; a heat-sterilizing unit positioned downstream of the bacteria culturing tank 5 and including a heater 21 and an ultraviolet lamp 22. The air flow detecting means 7 and the auxiliary air supply means 8 are serially inserted in the air suction duct 6 of the air supply means 4. A control means 24 is connected with the circulation pump 3; the auxiliary air supply means 8; the informing circuit 20; the heater 21; the ultraviolet lamp 22; an electromagnetic valve 25; and the pressure sensor 17 provided in the air flow detecting means 7. A moss-growth/sterilizing filter unit 25A removes a large solid matters in the circulating water. Aerobic bacteria are cultured in the bacteria culturing tank 5. The bacteria fixing carrier consists of saddle lock type ceramic consisting of blast furnace slag. The blast furnace slag is produced by rapidly cooling slag produced in an iron foundry in an amount of approximately 0.5 tons per 1.0 ton of melted iron and is used mainly as a material of cement or a soil improving material. The blast furnace slag comprises CaO, SiO₂, and Al₂O₃ and in addition contains MgO and FeO. Fig. 5 shows another construction of the air flow detecting means 7 comprising the water container 16 having the air inlet (port) 14, the air outlet (port) 15 and a pressure sensor 27 provided in the water container 16 via a pressure receiving diaphragm 26. Fig. 6 shows the control system of the apparatus. An electronic circuit 28 outputs a drive signal to the circuit of the control means 9. The electronic circuit 28 operates a TRIAC 29 in response to a signal outputted from the pressure sensor 27 provided in the air flow detecting means 7 so as to turn on and off the auxiliary air supply means 8 and the informing or indicating means 20. In addition, the electronic circuit 28 operates a TRIAC 31 in response to a signal outputted from a thermistor 30 serving as a water temperature detecting means provided in the water tank 1, thus operating a TRIAC 31 so as to turn on and off the heater 21 provided in the heat-sterilizing unit 23. According to the above construction, in normal drive, the air supply means 4 sucks air by its ejecting operation. As a result, air flows from the air inlet (port) 14 to the air outlet (port) 15 through the auxiliary air supply means 8. Thus, the pressure inside the water container 16 of the air flow detecting means 7 becomes negative. The pressure sensor 27 detects the negative pressure, thus outputting a signal indicating that the air supply means 4 is normally operating to the electronic circuit 28. As a result, the auxiliary air supply means 8 and the informing or indicating means 20 are turned off, indicating the normal drive. In the normal drive, water containing organic substances such as the excrement of fish and food which remained uneaten and ammonia or nitrate generated from the organic substances in the water tank 1 are introduced into the circulation pump 3 through the electromagnetic valve 25 and the filter unit 25A, then, pressurized by the circulation pump 3. Thereafter, air which has been sucked and atomized by the air supply means 4 is dispersed uniformly in the water. Then, the water flows into the water tank 1 via the bacteria culturing tank 5 and the heat-sterilizing unit 23. In this circulation system, the water containing organic substances such as the excrement of fish and food which remains uneaten and ammonia or nitrate generated from the organic substances in the water tank 1 are oxidized by artificially cultured aerobic bacteria which have attached to the bacteria fixing floor consisting of mineral substances, activated substances thereof, and oxygen contained in air sucked by the circulating water. As a result, nitrate is formed. Thus, the organic substances such as the excrement of fish and food which remained uneaten and ammonia generated from the organic substances are oxidized to form nitrate which is harmless. Consequently, the water in the water tank 1 is purified. The pathogenic fungi of fish which have propagated themselves in the water tank 1 is sterilized by ultraviolet rays of the heat-sterilizing unit 23. The ultraviolet rays of the heat-sterilizing unit 23 has an action of removing free chlorine, thus having a function of improving the environment for breeding fish. As described above, free chloride contained in city water, organic substances or ammonia generated in the water tank 1 or the pathogenic fungi of fish therein are decomposed by artificially cultured bacteria which have attached to the surface of mineral substance or sterilized by ultraviolet rays. The air supply means 4 sucks atmospheric air from the air suction duct 6 by the ejecting operation generated by the jet flow produced by the supply nozzle 11, thus feeding air into the circulating water. At this time, the amount of oxygen contained in air sucked by the air supply means 4 is made to be greater than the amount necessary for oxidizing ammonia so that water containing much oxygen is fed to the water tank 1. Thus, it is unnecessary to carry out aeration by means of an air pump unlike the conventional art. When the flow rate of the circulating water decreases as a result of an increased resistance of the circulation circuit due to the excrement of fish or food which remained uneaten in the water tank 1, the speed of the jet flow decreases. As a result, the ejecting operation of the air supply means 4 is reduced in its performance. Consequently, water flows out backward from the air suction port 12 and as such the water container 16 of the air flow detecting means 7 has a positive pressure. The pressure sensor 27 detects the positive pressure, thus generating a signal indicating that the air supply means 4 has stopped sucking air and inputting the signal to the electronic circuit 18. As a result, the auxiliary air supply means 8 and the informing or indicating means 20 are turned on. Upon turn-on of the informing or indicating means 20, an abnormal drive indication is issued. Consequently, the auxiliary air supply means 8 feeds air under pressure to the air flow detecting means 7 and the air supply means 4 in order to supplement air. Figs. 7 and 8 show a different embodiment of the air flow detecting means 7. Referring to Fig. 7, the water container 16 having the air inlet (port) 14 and the air outlet (port) 15 accommodates a check valve 32 consisting of a ball, the specific gravity of which is smaller than one, a float 34 enclosing a magnet 33, the specific gravity of which is smaller than one, and a lead switch 35. The lead switch 35 of the air flow detecting means 7 is inserted in the exciting circuit of a change-over relay 36 which turns on and off the auxiliary air supply means 8 and the informing or indicating means 20 as shown in Fig. 8. In the normal drive of the apparatus with the above construction, when the circulation pump 3 is driven, the air supply means 4 sucks air by its ejecting operation. As a result, air flows from the air inlet (port) 14 of the air flow detecting means 7 to the air outlet (port) 15 thereof and as such, the water container 16 of the air flow detecting means 7 is filled with air. At this time, the float 34 is positioned below the operation position of the lead switch 35, the check valve 32 is positioned at the bottom of the water container 16, and the lead switch 35 is turned off. In this condition, a signal indicating that the air supply means 4 is normally operating is generated and the contact of the change-over relay 36 is connected with the normal close (NC) side, with the result that the auxiliary air supply means 8 and the informing or indicating means 20 are turned off. The turn-off of the informing or indicating means 20 indicates that the water purifying apparatus is operating normally. When the flow rate of circulating water decreases, the speed of the jet flow is reduced and as a result, the performance of the ejecting operation of the air supply means 4 deteriorates. As a result, water flows out backward from the air suction port 12, thus flowing toward the air flow detecting means 7. When water has flowed into the water container 16, the float 34 moves upward above the operation position of the lead switch 35 and the check valve 32 moves upward to close the air inlet (port) 14 of the water container 16. As a result, the lead switch 35 is turned on. In this condition, a signal indicating that the air supply means 5 has stopped sucking air is generated and the contact of the change-over relay 36 is connected with the normal open (NO) side, with the result that the auxiliary air supply means 8 and the informing or indicating means 20 are turned on. The turn-on of the informing or indicating means 20 indicates an abnormal drive and simultaneously, air pressurized by the drive of the auxiliary air, supply means 8 is fed under pressure into the air flow detecting means 7 and the air supply means 4 so as to supplement air. According to the construction of this embodiment, the control circuit can be constructed without using an electronic circuit and the malfunction of the control circuit can be prevented by an acustic signal. Figs. 9 and 10 show a different embodiment of the air flow detecting means 7. Referring to Fig. 9, a check valve 37 consisting of an untransparent ball, the specific gravity of which is smaller than that of water is movably enclosed in the water container 16 having the air inlet (port) 14 and the air outlet (port) 15. A valve seat 37A is provided below the air inlet (port) 14 and a groove 37B forming an air duct is provided on the water container 16 side opening of the air outlet (port) 15. A light emitting member 38 and an optical sensor 39 are provided on both side walls of the water container 16 in opposition to each other. When the circulation pump 3 is driven in the normal drive of the apparatus with the above construction, the air supply means 4 sucks air by its ejecting operation. As a result, air flows from the air inlet (port) 14 of the air flow detecting means 7 to the groove 37B and the air outlet (port) 15 and consequently, the water container 16 is filled with air. At this time, since the check valve 37 is positioned at the bottom of the water container 16 as shown in Fig. 9, the optical sensor, 39 receives light, thus generating a signal indicating that the air supply means 4 is normally operating and transmitting the signal to the control circuit. When the flow rate of the circulating water decreases, the speed of the jet flow decreases and the performance of the ejecting operation of the air supply means 4 deteriorates. As a result, water flows out from the air suction port 12 of the air supply means 4, thus flowing into the water container 16. Then, the check valve 37 moves upward, thus closing the air inlet (port) 14 of the water container 16 and taking a position between the light emitting member 38 and the optical sensor 39. As a result, the optical sensor 39 does not receive light from the light emitting member 38, thus generating a signal indicating that the air supply means 4 has stopped sucking air and transmitting the signal to the control circuit 28. According to this construction, the check valve 37 and the detecting portion (optical sensor 39) are accommodated in the water container 16. Therefore, the air flow detecting means is compact. Hence, the water purifying apparatus is compact. Figs. 11, 12, 13, and 14 show an air supply checking system and the air supply means 4 according to another embodiment. Referring to Fig. 11, the water purifying unit comprises a circulation circuit comprising the circulation pump 3 serving as a means for feeding water under pressure, the air supply means 4 for introducing external air into flowing water by its ejecting operation, the aerobic bacteria culturing tank (module) 5 provided downstream of the air supply means 4; the air flow detecting means 7; and the auxiliary air supply means 8. The air flow detecting means 7 and the auxiliary air supply means 8 are provided on the air suction duct 6 of the air supply means 4. On the discharge side of the circulation pump 3, an electromagnetic valve 42 serving as the flow rate changing means is mounted on a bypass duct 41 bypassing a circulating duct 40. The air supply means 4 comprises the supply duct 10 communicating with the circulation pump 3; the supply nozzle 11 for feeding the circulating flow at a high speed; an air suction port 12 for sucking atmospheric air by the ejecting operation generated by the high-speed jet flow; the outflow duct 13, surrounded with a guide wall 43 tapered to the bottom thereof, for flowing out the mixture of sucked air and the circulating water therefrom; and a projection 44 formed on the guide wall 43 on the air suction port 12 side. The air inflow port 12 is connected with the air suction duct 6. The air flow detecting means 7 for detecting the air pressure of the air supply means 4 comprises the water container 16 accommodating the air inlet (port) 14 and the air outlet (port) 15 and the pressure sensor 27 provided in the water container 16 via the pressure receiving diaphragm 26. Referring to Figs. 12a and 12b showing the pattern of the jet flow in the air supply means 4, F₁ indicates non-contact jet flow pattern in normal operation and F₂ shows contact jet flow pattern in abnormal operation, and V represents an eddy current generated when the jet flow contact the guide wall 43. Referring to Fig. 13 showing the control circuit of the water purifying apparatus according to the above-described embodiment, the control circuit comprises an electronic circuit 45 which outputs a drive signal to the control circuit in response to a signal outputted from the pressure sensor 27 of the air flow detecting means 7. In response to the signal outputted from the electronic circuit 45, a TRIAC 46 is actuated, thus turning on and off the auxiliary air supply means 8 and the informing or indicating means 20. The control circuit further comprises a switch 47 for turning on and off the electromagnetic valve 42. In response to information outputted from the thermistor functioning as a means for detecting the water temperature of the water tank 1, the electronic circuit 45 outputs a control signal to a TRIAC 31, thus turning on and off the heater 21. Fig. 14 shows the characteristic of the air supply means 4. That is, Fig. 14 shows the relationship between an amount Qa of sucked air and suction pressure Pi and in addition the resistance characteristic L of the air inflow duct 6, with the flow rate Qw of circulating water serving as a parameter. When the apparatus of the above construction is in steady operation, the switch 47 of the control circuit of the checking system is turned on to open the electromagnetic valve 42 serving as the means for varying the flow rate of circulating water. When the electromagnetic valve 42 is opened, the resistance of the water circulating circuit is small. When the circulation pump 3 is driven in this condition, the flow rate of the circulating water becomes more than a predetermined value and as such, the jet flow fed out from the supply nozzle 11 of the air supply means 4 advances almost linearly as shown by F₁ of Fig. 12a and the air supply means 4 sucks air by its ejecting operation. As a result, the air suction port 12 has a negative pressure and the pressure sensor 27 detects the negative pressure (Fig. 14: P₁), thus generating a signal indicating that the air supply means 4 is normally operating and outputting the signal to the electronic circuit 45, with the result that the auxiliary air supply means 8 and the informing or indicating means 20 are turned off, indicating the normal drive of the apparatus. In order to check the performance of the circulation circuit of the water purifying system, the switch 47 of the electromagnetic valve circuit is turned off to close the electromagnetic valve 42 serving as the means for varying the flow rate of the circulating water. When the circulation pump 3 is driven in this condition, the resistance of the duct of the water circulation circuit is increased. As a result, the flow rate of the circulating water decreases from Q w1 to Q w2 as shown in Fig. 14. When the jet flow fed out from the supply nozzle 11 of the air supply means 4 advances almost linearly as shown by F₁ of Fig. 12a, the air supply means 4 keeps sucking air and the air suction port 12 has a negative pressure. Consequently, the pressure sensor 27 detects the negative pressure (Fig. 14: P₂), which indicates that the apparatus is being normally driven. As a result, the auxiliary air supply means 8 and the informing or indicating means 20 are turned off, indicating that the circulation circuit is in normal operation. Thus, the switch 47 is turned on and the electromagnetic valve 42 serving as the means for varying the flow rate of the circulating water is opened to return the drive of the purifying system (unit) to the steady drive. In the above check on the performance of the circulation circuit of the purifying system by closing the electromagnetic valve 42, when the flow rate of the circulating water of the circulation circuit system of the water tank decreases from Q w2 to Q w3 which is smaller than the predetermined value due to the increase of the resistance of the circulation circuit and the reduction of the performance of the circulation pump 3 as shown in Fig. 14, the jet flow fed out from the supply nozzle 11 contacts the guide wall as shown by F₂ of Fig. 12b. As a result, a stable eddy current V is formed in a region surrounded with the projection 44 and the jet flow. Since the eddy current V increases static pressure, the air suction port 12 has a positive pressure. The pressure sensor 27 detects the positive pressure, thus generating a signal indicating that the air supply means 4 has stopped sucking air and outputting the signal to the electronic circuit 45. As a result, the auxiliary air supply means 8 and the informing or indicating means 20 are turned on. Thus, the deterioration of the performance of the purifying unit is informed by the informing or indicating means 20, and the auxiliary air supply means 8 feeds air under pressure to the air flow detecting means 7 and the air supply means 4 to supplement air. The cause of the performance deterioration of the purifying unit is eliminated based on the indication of the informing or indicating means 20 so that a normal drive can be made. Periodical checkings allow the supposition of the change in the performance of the, purifying unit, thus assuring the maintenance and the safety drive of the apparatus. Fig. 15 shows the checking system of a water purifying apparatus using the air supply means according to another embodiment of the present invention. The control circuit includes a means for controlling the number of rotations of the circulation pump 3 serving as the means for varying the flow rate of the circulating water. The control means 48 comprises resistors R₁ and R₂, for changing the exciting current of a pump motor 49, connected in series and a change-over switch 50 for setting the resistance value of R₁ or R₁ + R₂ by selecting a contact 1 or a contact 2. The operation of this embodiment is described below. In the steady drive, the contact 1 of the change-over switch 50 of the control circuit of the checking system is selected. Upon drive of the circulation pump 3 in this condition, the circulation pump 3 rotates in a predetermined direction and water flows in an amount more than a predetermined value. In this case, the jet flow fed out from the supply nozzle 11 of the air supply means 4 advances almost linearly as shown by F₁ of Fig. 12a and the air supply means 4 is sucking air by its ejecting operation. The performance of the circulation circuit of the purifying system is checked by selecting the contact 2 of the change-over switch 50 of the control circuit to increase the resistance of the circuit to R₁ + R₂ to reduce exciting current. Thus, the number of rotations of the circulation pump 3 is reduced. As a result, the flow rate of the circulating water decreases by the change-over of the resistance similarly to the embodiment described with reference to Figs. 11, 12, 13, and 14. Thus, the performance of the apparatus and a safety drive can be reliably checked. According to this construction, the flow rate of the circulating water is changed by the switching of contacts of the electric circuit instead of using a movable member such as a valve in the circulating duct. Therefore, the flow rate of the circulating water can be reliably changed. Figs. 16, 17, and 18 show a system for checking the water purifying apparatus using the air supply means according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 16, the checking system comprises an air electromagnetic valve 51 serving as a resistance varying means for varying the load of the air inflow duct. Referring to Fig. 17, the control circuit of the checking system comprises a checking switch for closing the air electromagnetic valve 51 when the performance of the water purifying apparatus is checked. Fig. 18 shows the characteristic of the air supply means 4. That is, Fig. 18 shows the relationship between an amount Qa of sucked air and suction pressure Pi and in addition the resistance characteristic L of the air suction duct 6, with the flow rate Qw of the circulating water serving as a parameter. The resistance characteristic L is shown by La when the resistance is small and by Lb when the resistance is great. The operation of the water purifying apparatus is described below. In the steady drive, the circulation pump 3 is driven with the contact of the checking switch 52 of the checking system control circuit closed and the air suction duct 6 opened. If the flow rate of the circulating water is greater than the predetermined value, the jet flow fed out from the supply nozzle 11 of the air supply means 4 advances almost linearly. Due to its ejecting operation, the characteristic of the suction force of the air supply means 4 is shown by Q w4 in Fig. 18. That is, the air supply means 4 sucks air at the intersection of the resistance characteristic L of the air suction duct 6 and Q w4 . Accordingly, the air suction duct 6 has a negative pressure. The pressure sensor 27 detects the negative pressure, thus generating a signal indicating that the air supply means 4 is operating normally and outputting the signal to the electronic circuit 45, with the result that the auxiliary air supply means 8 and the informing or indicating means 20 are turned off, indicating that the normal drive of the apparatus. The performance of the circulation circuit of the water purifying system is checked by opening the contact of the switch 52 of the control circuit of the checking system and closing the air electromagnetic valve 51. Supposing that the flow rate of the circulating water decreases in this state from the initial flow rate of the circulating water Q w4 to Q w5 as shown in Fig. 18, the jet flow fed out from the supply nozzle 11 of the air supply means 4 advances almost linearly in this state. Supposing that the characteristic of the suction force of the air supply means 4 is shown by Q w5 of Fig. 18, the air supply means 4 is sucking air by its ejecting operation with the air suction duct 6 closed, i.e., the air supply means 4 is sucking air on Y-axis (P₅). Therefore, the air suction duct 6 has a negative pressure. The pressure sensor 27 detects the negative pressure, thus outputting the signal indicating that the air supply means 4 is operating normally to the electronic circuit 45, with the result that the auxiliary air supply means 8 and the informing or indicating means 20 are turned off, indicating that the circulation circuit of the purifying system is in normal condition. Based on this decision, the checking switch 52 is closed to return the purifying system to the steady drive. Let it be supposed that the flow rate of the circulating water has reduced from an initial flow rate of the circulating water Q w4 to a flow rate Q w5 as shown in Fig. 18. At the flow rate Q w6 , the jet flow fed out from the supply nozzle 11 of the air supply means 4 contacts the guide wall with the increase of the load on the air suction port 6. As a result, a stable eddy current V is formed in a region surrounded with the projection and the jet flow. Since the eddy current V increases static pressure, the characteristic of the suction pressure of the air supply means 4 is shown by Q w6 of Fig. 18. As a result, the pressure on Y-axis in Fig. 18 is P₆ with the air suction duct 6 closed. As a result, water flows out backward from the air suction port 12 and consequently, the air suction port 12 has a positive pressure. Consequently, the pressure sensor 27 detects the positive pressure P₆ shown in Fig. 18, thus generating a signal indicating that the air supply means 5 has stopped sucking air and outputting the signal to the electronic circuit 45, which leads to the turn-on of the auxiliary air supply means 8 and the informing or indicating means 20. Thus, the performance deterioration of the purifying unit is informed and the auxiliary air supply means 8 feeds air to the air flow detecting means 7 and the air supply means 4 so as to supplement air. Based on the indication made by the informing or indicating means 20, the cause of the deteriorated performance of the purifying unit is eliminate to return the drive of the purifying unit to the normal drive. Periodical checking as described above allows the assumption of the change in the performance of the purifying unit and keeps the purifying unit in good order. Figs. 19 and 20 show a checking system of the performance of the water purifying apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. The constructions of equipments of the water purifying unit 2 are identical to those of Fig. 16. Referring to Fig. 19 showing a control block diagram, the control circuit of the water purifying unit 2 comprises a section 53 for generating a control signal such as a checking indication signal; a differentiating section 54; a deciding section 55 for deciding about a result obtained by the calculation performed by the differentiating section 54; a drive signal generating section 56 for actuating an external driving device. The external driving device comprises the auxiliary air supply means 8; the air electro-magnetic valve 51; a first informing or warning means 57; a second informing or warning means 58; and means 3 for feeding water under pressure. The first informing or warning means 57 informs the reduction of the flow rate of the circulating water. The second informing or warning means 58 informs the increase of the resistance of the air inflow duct 6. The control circuits further comprises the pressure sensor 27 which is the same as that of one of the embodiments previously described with reference to Fig. 16. Fig. 20 shows the characteristic of suction pressure Pi relative to the elapse of time T when the air inflow duct 6 of the air supply means 4 is closed. PiA, PiB, and PiC of Fig. 20 show an example of a characteristic value; L1 indicates suction pressure; and L2 represents the limit value of variation. In order to check the performance of the circulation circuit of the water purifying system, the control signal generating section 53 outputs a signal to the drive signal generating section 56. In response to the signal, the drive signal generating section 56 outputs a signal to the electromagnetic valve 51 so as to close the electromagnetic valve 51. Immediately after the electromagnetic valve 51 is closed, the differentiating section 54 starts inputting time and values outputted from the pressure sensor 27. The relationship between time T and the output value of the pressure sensor 27, namely, the representative patterns of the characteristic of suction force Pi with respect to time T are PiA, PiB, and PiC as shown in Fig. 20. Time T, the absolute value |ΔPi/ΔT| of the variation of the characteristic of suction force Pi, and the value of suction force Pi are inputted to the deciding section 55. The deciding section 55 decides as follows: (1) Characteristic PiA : The absolute value of the saturation value of suction force is greater than the absolute value of a threshold L1 and the absolute value of the variation is greater than a threshold L2. This indicates that the absolute value of suction static pressure is great and the resistance of the air suction duct 6 is small, i.e., air can be sucked sufficiently. That is, the deciding section 55 decides that the purifying system is operating normally. Then, the deciding section 55 outputs the signal to the drive signal generating section 56. As a result, the normal drive continues with the water feeding means 3 and the air electromagnetic valve 51 turned on and the auxiliary air supply means 8, the first informing or warning means 57, and the second informing or warning means 58 turned off. (2) Characteristic PiB : The absolute value of the variation is greater than the limit value L2, but the absolute value of the suction pressure saturation value is smaller than the absolute value of the limit value L1. This condition is decided that the resistance of the air suction duct 6 is small, but the absolute value of the suction static pressure is small. That is, it is decided that the air sucking performance is insufficient. Then, the deciding section 55 outputs the signal to the drive signal generating section 56. As a result, the water feeding means 3 and the air electromagnetic valve 51 are turned on and the auxiliary air supply means 8 operates. In addition, the first informing or warning means 57 for informing of an insufficient air sucking force is turned on, thus informing the decrease of the flow rate of the circulating water to the exterior. The second informing or warning means 58 remains OFF. (3) Characteristic PiC : The absolute value of the saturation value of suction force is greater than the absolute value of a threshold L1, but the absolute value of the variation is smaller than the threshold L2. This indicates that the absolute value of suction static pressure is great and the resistance of the air suction duct 6 is great, and as such the air flow duct is clogged. Then, the deciding section 55 outputs the signal to the drive signal generating section 56. As a result, the water feeding means 3 and the air electromagnetic valve 51 are turned on and the auxiliary air supply means 8 operates. In addition, the second informing or warning means 58 is turned on, thus informing the clogging of the air duct to the exterior. The first informing or warning means 57 remains OFF. According to the construction of this embodiment, the deteriorated performance of the water circulation circuit and the clogging of the air duct can be informed and warned simultaneously.

Claims: A water purifying apparatus comprising a water tank (1) holding water to be purified, an aerobic filter (5), water feeding means (3) for circulating water through water circulating duct means from the water tank (1) through the aerobic filter (5) back to the water tank (1), and air supply means (4) utilizing fluid energy of the circulating water for inducing air through an air inflow duct (6) and an air suction port (12) into the circulating duct means upstream the aerobic filter (5), characterized by the aerobic filter being an aerobic bacteria culturing tank (5), and an air flow detecting means (7) being provided in said air inflow duct (6) for detecting when air is being induced into the circulating water at less than a predetermined rate. A water purifying apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said air supply means (4) is a supply nozzle (11) having an inflow portion (10), a constricted portion (11) and outflow portion (13), said air air suction port (12) opening into said outflow portion (13) adjacent said constricted portion (11). A water purifying apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said detecting means (7) comprises means for outputting a signal when the air flow is less than the predetermined rate, and said apparatus further comprising an indicator means (20) connected to said detecting means (7) for indicating when the air flow into the feeding water is less than the predetermined rate in response to said outputted signal. A water purifying apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which said indicator means (20) is provided in the vicinity of the remainder of said apparatus. A water purifying apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said detecting means comprises a container (16) having an air inlet port (14) and an air outlet port (15) connected in series in said air inflow duct (6), said air inlet port (14) being above said air outlet port (15), and a self-exothermic thermistor (17) in said container (16) at a level above said outlet port (15). A water purifying apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said air inflow duct (6) is connected with said air suction port (12) of said air supply means (4), and said detecting means (7) comprises an air pressure sensor (27) in said air inflow duct (6). A water purifying apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which said detecting means (7) comprises a container (16) having an air inlet port (14) and an air outlet port (15) connected in series in said air inflow duct (6), said air inlet port (14) having a check valve (32) blocking flow out of said container (16), and a water level sensing means (33, 34, 35) in said container (16) for being actuated when water rises above a predetermined level in said container (16). A water purifying apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which said water level sensing means (33, 34, 35) is a float actuated switch (35). A water purifying apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which said detecting means (7) comprises a container (16) having an air inlet port (14) and an air outlet port (15) connected in series in said air inflow duct (6) with said air inlet port (14) above said air outlet port (15), and opaque float (37) in said container (16) blocking said air inlet port (14) when it rises in said container (16), and a light emitting member (38) and a light receiving member (39) opposed to each other along a path across said air inlet port (14) and between which said float (37) is located when said float blocks said air inlet port (14). A water purifying apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said detecting means (7) comprises means for outputting a signal when the air flow is less than the predetermined rate, and said apparatus further comprises auxiliary air supply means (8) connected to said air inflow duct (6) for providing supplemental air to said air supply means (4), and auxiliary air control means (9) connected to said auxiliary air supply means (8) and to said detecting means (7) for controlling the operation of said auxiliary air supply means (8) in response to the signal outputted from said detecting means. A water purifying apparatus as claimed in claim 10 further comprising means (40, 41, 42) associated with said water circulating duct for varying the flow rate of circulating water therein to an amount less than a normal amount and greater than said predetermined rate, and said detecting means (7) further comprising means for outputting no signal when said amount is less than a normal amount and greater than said predetermined rate has been detected, and an indicator means (20) connected to said auxiliary air control means (9) for outputting a signal when said auxiliary air supply means (8) has been actuated, whereby when said indicator outputs no signal, this is an indication that said apparatus is operating normally. A water purifying apparatus as claimed in claim 10 further comprising means (48, 50) associated with said means (3) for feeding water under a feeding pressure for varying the operation thereof to vary the flow rate of the circulating water to an amount less than a normal amount and greater than said predetermined rate, and said detecting means (7) further comprising means for outputting no signal when said amount less than a normal amount and greater than said predetermined rate has been detected, and an indicator means (20) connected to said auxiliary air control means (9) for outputting a signal when said auxiliary air supply means (8) has been actuated, whereby when said indicator means (20) outputs no signal, this is an indication that said apparatus is operating normally. A water purifying apparatus as claimed in claim 10 further comprising means (51) associated with said air inflow duct (6) for varying the resistance to air flow through said air inflow duct (6) to change a suction at said detecting means (7) to an amount indicating that the air flow is less than a normal amount and greater than said predetermined amount, and said detecting means (7) further comprising means for outputting no signal when said amount less than a normal amount and greater than said predetermined rate has been detected, and an indicator means (20) connected to said auxiliary air control means (9) for outputting a signal when said auxiliary air supply means (8) has been actuated, whereby when said indicator means (20) outputs no signal, this is an indication that said apparatus is operating normally. A water purifying apparatus as claimed in claim 10 further comprising valve means (51) in said air inflow duct (6) for stopping the air flow through said air inflow duct (6) to change the suction at said detecting means (7, 27) to an amount indicating that the air flow is less than a normal amount and greater than a predetermined amount, a differential means (54) connected to said detecting means (7, 27) for generating a characteristic of the air flow according to the output of said detecting means (7, 27) relative to time, a deciding means (55) connected to said differential means (54) for deciding which of a normal air flow characteristic, an air flow characteristic for an air flow less than the normal air flow but greater than a predetermined value, and an air flow characteristic for an air flow less than a predetermined value is being outputted from said differential means (54), a drive signal generating section (56) connected to said deciding means (55) for outputting a driving signal to at least one of said valve means (51), a first warning means (57), a second warning means (58), said auxiliary air feed means (8) and said water feeding means (3) in response to the output from said deciding means (55), and a signal generating means (53) for generating a checking signal connected to said drive signal generating section (56) for causing said drive signal generating section (56) to actuate said valve means (51) in response thereto.

Inventors: HATTORI MASANOBU, HIRAI NOBUYUKI, KOBAYASHI IKUO, NAKANISHI KEIKO, NOGUCHI MASAO, TAKAHASHI YUTAKA, HATTORI, MASANOBU, HIRAI, NOBUYUKI, KOBAYASHI, IKUO, NAKANISHI, KEIKO, NOGUCHI, MASAO, TAKAHASHI, YUTAKA
Applicants: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC IND CO LTD, MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
Application year: 1992
Main classification: A01K63
IPC codes: A01K63, C02F3