ELECTRICALLY-OPERATED WATER CLOSET VALVE

Abstract: A submersible electrically-operated water closet valve comprises a body (13) having a water outlet (20) extending therefrom securable in an outlet to a water closet cistern (10). A chamber (14) within the body has at least one inlet opening thereinto and a valve member (16) slidable within the chamber to close the outlet (20). The body (13) also contains a sealed solenoid (19) electrically connectable to a remote controller device, the valve member (16) being magnetically attractable by the solenoid (19), whereby the remote controller device may be operated to energise the solenoid (19) to move the valve member (16), thereby opening the outlet (20) and allowing water in the cistern (10) to flow through the inlet to the outlet (20).

Description: ELECTRICALLY-OPERATED WATER CLOSET VALVE Field of the Invention This invention relates to an electrically-operated water closet valve to replace the traditional syphon system. Background to the Invention Currently used water closet syphon valves require a means to ensure that, after the initial operation by the user (usually a lever or a chain operated lever), the water continues to flow until flushing is completed, even though the user has released the lever. Other requirements are that the flushing system should never fail in such a way that the outlet valve remains open, which would cause continuous flow from the cistern inlet to the outlet. A disadvantage of the existing syphon systems is that it is difficult to dispense a fraction of the entire contents of the tank, and therefore a separate tank is required for each flushing outlet in a multiple water closet installation, for example in public conveniences. AU-A-21489/88 discloses a solenoid-operated flush valve for a water closet cistern, having a mechanical linkage from a solenoid mounted externally of the cistern to lift a valve member within the cistern. This arrangement renders fitting to an existing cistern in place of a syphon valve difficult or impossible, in view of the accuracy required in mounting all the components of the linkage, and the solenoid, in their correct relative positions. Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a submersible elec¬ trically-operated water closet valve, comprising a body having a water outlet extending therefrom securable in an outlet to a water closet cistern, a chamber within the body having at least one inlet opening thereinto, a valve member slidable within the chamber to close said outlet, the body also containing a sealed solenoid electrically connectable to a remote controller device, the valve member being magnetically attractable by the solenoid, whereby the remote controller device may be operated to energise the solenoid to move the valve member, thereby opening the outlet and allowing water in the cistern to flow through the inlet to the outlet. The flushingmaybe initiatedby amomentary electrical pulse signal and flushing continues thereafter until it is terminated either by the expiry of a timer or under control of the electrical control system. This enables flushing to be carried out without necessarily emptying the entire contents of the tank, and also enables more than one outlet to be fed from the same tank. The system also inherently provides a "fail safe" facility, in that a positive opening force is required. The remote controller device may incorporate any of a wide range of switches to initiate operation of the valve. For example, a simple push-button may be used, or an active or passive infra-red detector device requiring merely the proximity of the user or the user's hand, for example. Alternatively, a pressure-pad in the floormay cause flushing of, say, a urinal after a predetermined delay from initial detection of the presence of a user. The remote controller device preferably includes a variable timer so that the time period for which the valve is held open can be varied according to circumstances. In a preferred embodiment, the remote controller device is providedwith two switches, each with its own variable timer, to provide a dual flush facility whereby the user may select a short flush to save water, or a full flush to clear solids, for example. A time delay, for example of about 30 seconds, may be incorporated into the remote controller device to prevent operation of the valve while the cistern is refilling and to discourage children repeatedly activating the valve and thereby wasting water. The valve of the invention is resistant to vandalism and is hygienic for the user, since with an infra-red or other non-contact switch incorporated in the remote con¬ troller device it is not necessary for the user to touch any part of the mechanism. The use of the valve can save water, because it permits immediate full flow of water on activation and a substantially constant flow during flushing, leading to a more efficient flushing action. Thus, a lower quantity of water can be employed. The dual flush facility permits even greater savings of water to be achieved. Brief Description of the Drawings In the drawings, which illustrate examples of the valve in accordance with the invention: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view through a water closet system with a valve installed; Figure 2 is an enlarged diagrammatic sectional view of the valve shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view of an alter¬ native form of valve; Figure 4 is a view of a remote controller device for controlling the valve of the invention; and Figure 5 iε a graph of solenoid voltage with time. Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiments Referring to Figure 1, a water closet cistern 10 has an electrically-operated valve 11 in place of the conven¬ tional syphon valve fitted into an aperture in the base of the cistern. The fitting is such that it can simply replace the conventional valve. The valve is submerged beneath the water in the cistern, when full, and electrical power is supplied to the valve through a supply cable 12, preferably at low voltage (e.g. 6 to 12V), from a control system including a trans¬ former. The valve is normally held closed by the head of water in the cistern, and includes a solenoid (Figure 2) to lift the valve closure member to release the water from the cistern for a pre-determined period sufficient either to empty the cistern or to permit a desired proportion of the water in it to be released through the valve. Figure 2 is an enlarged diagrammatic sectional view of the valve 11 shown in Figure 1. The valve 11 comprises a body 13 having a lower hollow portion 14 provided with circumferential openings 15 to permit the hollow portion to communicate with the interior of the cistern 10. A valve closure member 16 is slidably mounted within the hollow portion 14 and has a shaft 17 extending upwardly therefrom and mounting a magnetic solenoid pin 18, which may be formed of plastics-coated iron, within a resin-encapsulated coil 19. The pin 18 has a generally conical end to enhance the magnetic attraction between the solenoid and the pin, and to facilitate its movement through the water, ensuring a more rapid opening of the valve. Additionally, the conical shape decreases the risk of sediment or other solids interfering with the movement of the valve; the water flow around the pin helps to flush them through the outlet. A compression spring (not shown) may be provided in the space 17a around the shaft 17 to bias the closure member 16 downwardly towards its closed position. At the lowermost end of the hollow portion 14 a threaded waste outlet 20 is fitted so as to extend through the opening in the cistern 10 and to seat against the inner surface around the opening. A nut 21 (Figure 1) is threaded over the outlet 20 to secure the outlet in place, sealing washers being used to ensure a water-tight seal in con¬ ventional manner. In use, the closure member 16 may be biased towards the rim of the outlet 20 by the spring, if present, or by the flow of water to the outlet, and is held in sealing contact therewith by the head of water above when the cistern is full, or at least partly so. The closure member 16 preferably has a resilient pad on its face, for example of a closed-cell expanded neoprene. When flushing is required, the coil 19 is energised by an initial higher voltage pulse, to overcome the head of water and initiate lifting of the closure member 16. A lower voltage is then provided to the coil to hold the closure member open for the desired length of time, as hereinafter described with reference to Figures 4 to 5. The embodiment illustrated in Figure 3 is essentially the same as in Figure 2, and corresponding components have the same reference numerals. In addition, a return com¬ pression spring 30 urges the valve closure member 16 towards the outlet 20, a vent 31 ensures that water can escape rapidly from the upper side of the member 16 during opening °-£ the valve (upward movement of the member 16), and an overflow/vacuum release tube 32 extends from the outlet passage beneath the seat for the closure member 16 upwardly within the cistern. The tube 32 opens at a level just above the desired cistern water level such that excess water in the cistern can escape into the outlet, and from there to the water closet bowl. After the valve closes at the end of the flushing operation, water remaining in the pipe can then drain rapidly away into the water closet bowl, assisting the flushing action, rather than draining down slowly as a result of the partial vacuum which might otherwise be created beneath the closed valve. Figure 4 shows a remote controller device comprising a push switch 40 extending from an enclosure 41 containing an electronic timer circuit 42 of conventional design, powered by a battery 43 or transformer power supply connected to the mains supply. The device is linked to the valve by means of the supply cable 12. Figure 5 is a graph of solenoid voltage versus time where VT represents the minimum voltage required to lift the plunger and VH represents the minimum voltage to hold the plunger in the "up" position. The lower graph shows the voltage wave form provided by the control system during one cycle of operation. In use, power is applied to the solenoid by the control system or by the actuator switch and timer circuit so that the voltage exceeds VT. The solenoid lifts the plunger releasing the water through the outlet. After the initial time period shown in Figure 5, the voltage falls to the value VH but the solenoid remains in the up position. Upon expiration of the timer period, the power goes off and the plunger falls by gravity to seal the outlet and terminate the flush. The timer period may be set either to ensure the whole contents of the tank are discharged, or to terminate the discharge before the tank is empty. The inherent "fail safe" facility is ensured by the fact that more power is required to lift the solenoid than to hold it in the "up" position. Thus, in the case of the battery-operated system, if the battery is low then the flush cannot be initiated. It will be appreciated that, while reference is made throughout to a water closet cistern, the invention has equal application to other liquid reservoirs in which controlled doses of liquid are to be released by gravity. It will be further appreciated that means other than electric solenoids can be used to actuate the valve closure member, for example other electrically-powered actuators, pneumatic or hydraulic actuators. The valve is shown and described as vertical and fitted in a horizontal surface. It may, however, be used in any orientation, for example horizontally through the generally vertical sidewall of a reservoir. In this case the biasing spring may be required to help close the valve on release of the solenoid.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A submersible electrically-operated water closet valve, comprising a body having a water outlet extending therefrom securable in an outlet to a water closet cistern, a chamber within the body having at least one inlet opening thereinto, a valve member slidable within the chamber to close said outlet, the body also containing a sealed solenoid electrically connectable to a remote controller device, the valve member being magnetically attractable by the solenoid, whereby the remote controller device may be operated to energise the solenoid to move the valve member, thereby opening the outlet and allowing water in the cistern to flow through the inlet to the outlet. 2. A valve according to Claim 1, wherein the valve member is slidable vertically to open or close the outlet. 3. A valve according to Claim 1 or 2, comprising a spring to bias the valve member towards the closed position. 4. A valve according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the remote controller device is arranged to send to the solenoid a higher voltage to open the valve and then a lower voltage to hold the valve open for a predetermined period. 5. A valve according to Claim 4, wherein the remote controller device comprises variable timing means to permit said predetermined period to be varied according to the desired volume of water required. 6. A valve according to any preceding claim, com¬ prising an overflow tube within the cistern opening at its lower end in the water outlet and extending upwardly to open at a predetermined overflow level. 7. A water closet cistern, comprising a valve according to any preceding claim, the outlet being connected to a water closet bowl or to a urinal.

Inventors: MCLEOD COLIN VICTOR, MCLEOD, COLIN, VICTOR
Applicants: MCLEOD COLIN VICTOR, MCLEOD, COLIN, VICTOR
Application year: 1993
Main classification: E03D5
IPC codes: E03D5