Device for water distribution system

Abstract: Device for controlling a water distribution system, the device having, in a manifold (11) with connectors (13,15,16,17,21) for connecting to at least one pump (14), at least one user, at least one expansion tank (18) that operates the control circuit of the pump, and at least one pressure switch (20), and having a seat (23) in which a position-indicating element (25) is guided so that it slides in one direction under the thrust of the discharge flow of the pump and in the other direction under the thrust of an elastic contrast element (29); the position-indicating element (25) cooperates with an external transducer (31) which is connected to the pump control circuit that is activated/deactivated thereby. The connector (15) for at least one user ends in the region where the position-indicating element slides.

Description: The present invention relates to a device for controlling a water distribution system. Hydraulic systems in which water is distributed with the aid of at least one pump currently use devices created by assembling commercially available components that activate and deactivate said pump with the aid of a pressure switch which cooperates with a flow-controlled switch. The pressure switch has the purpose of operating the pump when there is no demand on the part of the users but there is still water consumption due to losses such as dripping of the dispensers; the flow-controlled switch has the purpose of operating the pump if the users dispense more than a preset flow-rate. The types of construction of flow-controlled switches installed in control devices currently include a sensor element which is articulated to a fulcrum axis and is located directly in the region where the water flows out of the pump. The sensor element acts directly on a contact that activates the pump control circuit. However, this type of flow-controlled switch is scarcely sensitive to low flow-rates, and the sensor element located in the flow region hinders said flow at high flow-rates. Another type of flow-controlled switch that is currently in widespread use and is more sensitive than the preceding type at low flow-rates includes a sensor element that is axially movable in the flow region; accordingly, even at full throttle said element is a considerable obstacle to said flow with consequent considerable load losses. An example of such a device can be found in EP-A-0 233 554 which discloses a device for controlling a water distribution system comprising a valve body having an inlet and outlet for fluid flow along the longitudinal axis of the valve body, a magnet guided in the valve body which acts as a position-indicating element in cooperation with an external transducer (Reed bulb) connected to a control circuit which activates or deactivates a pump, and an elastic contrast element (spring) acting being the position-indicating element and an abutment step in the valve body, wherein the position-indicating element is slidable along the axis under the thrust of the discharge flow of the pump and in the other direction under the thrust of the spring. The aim of the present invention is to provide a device for controlling a water distribution system that eliminates the above described drawbacks of flow-controlled switches in known types. Within the scope of this aim, a consequent primary object is to provide a control device in which the flow-controlled switch also acts as support and connection component for the other components. Another important object is to provide an efficient and reliable device. Another object is to provide a control device that can be manufactured with conventional equipment and systems. This aim, these objects, and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a device for controlling a water distribution system comprising a manifold having an inlet connector and at least one outlet connector for fluid flow, said manifold comprising an internal body comprising a position-indicating element and an internal seat defining an axial direction along which said internal body is guided by said seat so that it is slideable in one direction under the thrust of liquid flow through said seat and in the opposite direction under the thrust of an elastic contrast element within said manifold, said position-indicating element being capable of cooperating with an external transducer, characterized in that said at least one outlet connector is situated laterally with respect to said axial direction, said internal body being slideable between a position that is upstream of said at least one outlet connector and a position beyond the flow region from the inlet connector to the at least one outlet connector. Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of two embodiments thereof, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: figure 1 is a view of the control device in a first embodiment, mounted on a pump; figure 2 is a partially sectional enlarged-scale detail view of the control device of figure 1; figure 3 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the control device. With reference to the above mentioned figures 1 and 2, in a first embodiment a device for controlling a water distribution system is generally designated by the reference numeral 10 and comprises a manifold 11 with a tubular body 12 that has, in succession: a first axial connector 13, which connects it to the discharge outlet 14a of a centrifugal pump 14; a second radial connector 15 for at least one user which is not shown; a third radial connector 16 for a pressure gauge, also not shown; a fourth radial connector 17 for an expansion tank of a per se known type generally designated by the reference numeral 18; a fifth radial connector, which is not shown in the figures, for a pressure switch 20 which is also of a per se known and commonly commercially available type, and a sixth terminal axial connector 21, which is closed by a plug 22 and can be used for priming. All the connectors except the first one are internally threaded. The manifold 11 is conveniently arranged vertically with the plug 22 at the top. According to the invention, a flow-controlled switch is integrated in the lower region of the manifold 11 and is composed of a cylindrical seat 23 in which a body 24 is retained so that it can slide axially; said body internally encloses a position-indicating element such as a magnet 25. In particular, the body 24 is composed of a box-like element 26 with the seat for the magnet 25 and by a closure lid 27 which is connected to the element 26. The element 26 is extended towards the discharge outlet of the pump by four longitudinal guiding feet 28 which are adjacent to the wall of the seat 23. The ends of the feet 28 rest on an elastic ring 23a for bores that delimits the seat 23 on one side and is inserted in an appropriate annular groove. The body 24 is pushed in one direction by the discharge flow of the pump 14 and in the other direction by a spring 29 which is arranged between said body and an abutment step 30 that is formed at the corresponding end of the seat 23. The second connector 15 for the users leads into the region where the body 24 slides. In particular, the second connector 15 is arranged so that when the pump is delivering its maximum flow-rate the body 24 moves fully beyond the flow region, packing the spring 29 and thus causing no hindrance. The maximum diameter of the body 24 is such that when the spring 29 is fully extended said body, being located upstream of the second connector 15, in any case allows liquid to seep. An external transducer cooperates with said magnet 25 and is advantageously constituted by a Reed bulb 31 which is accommodated in an elongated capsule 32 and is embedded in epoxy resin 33 inside said capsule. The capsule 32 is inserted and locked by means of a grub screw 34 in an eyelet 35 formed longitudinally in the body 12 of the manifold 11 at the region where the magnet 25 passes. The Reed bulb 31 is directly connected by means of a cable 36 to the control circuit, not shown in the figures, of the pump 14; the circuit is conveniently accommodated within the terminal box 37 of said pump. The pressure switch 20 is also connected to the control circuit of the pump 14 by means of a cable 38. As regards operation, when the users dispense no flow, the pump 14 is operated by the pressure switch 20 when the expansion tank, due to dripping or small leaks of the system, reaches a preset minimum internal pressure. The pump is operated to restore the maximum pressure conditions inside the expansion tank. During this step, with flow-rates of less than for example three liters per minute there is a slight axial movement of the body 24 so as to allow the reduced flow to pass. When the user is opened, the pressure inside the expansion tank 18 decreases and causes the activation of the pump; said pump sends a flow that is such as to considerably move the magnet 25, until the spring 29 is packed at full throttle. The movement of the magnet 25 closes the contact of the Reed ampoule 31 and keeps the pump 14 active continuously until the user closes. During this step, the pressure switch 20, which would operate by continuously engaging and disengaging the pump 14, is bypassed. With reference now to the above described figure 3, in a second embodiment the control device is generally designated by the reference numeral 110 and comprises a manifold 111 which is composed of a tubular body 112 that has in succession: a first axial connector 113 for the discharge outlet 114 of a pump; a second radial connector 115 for the users; a third radial connector, not shown in the figures, for a pressure gauge; and a fourth axial connector 116 for an expansion tank which is generally designated by the reference numeral 117. All the connectors are threaded. Priming can be performed by unscrewing the expansion tank 117. In particular, the expansion tank 117 comprises two parts made of stamped metal plate that have a circular plan and are respectively designated by the reference numerals 118 and 119; said parts are joined along their perimeter by means of bolts 120 at perimetric bands, respectively 121 and 122, between which the edge 123 of an elastic membrane is gripped; said membrane divides the inside into a first region 125 which is connected to the inside of the manifold 111 by means of the connector 126 connected to the corresponding part 118. The central part of membrane 124 is enclosed between a first disk-like element 129, which is located in the first region 125 and continues axially with a cup-shaped protrusion 130 that passes through said membrane 124 in a suitable central hole thereof, and a second disk-like element 131, which is also provided with a hole in which the protrusion 130 enters. A position-indicating element 132 is located inside the protrusion 130 and is constituted by a disk-shaped magnet inserted therein. A cylindrical helical contrast spring 134 is placed between the second disk-like element 131 and the part 119 of the tank 117. A transverse eyelet 135 is rigidly coupled to the fourth axial connector 116, and a capsule 136 is inserted therein; a Reed bulb 138 of the same type as the preceding one 31 is placed inside the capsule 136, is embedded in resin 137, and is connected to the pump control board (not shown) by means of a cable 139. The magnet 132, in combination with the Reed bulb 138, forms a pressure switch that is integrated between the expansion tank 137 and the manifold 111. A flow-controlled switch that is equivalent to the one described in the first embodiment is contained in the main body 112 of the manifold 111. In practice it has been observed that in both embodiments the invention achieves the intended aim and objects. The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept. All the details may furthermore be replaced with other technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials employed, so long as they are compatible with the contingent use, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to the requirements. Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims: Device for controlling a water distribution system comprising a manifold (11, 111) having an inlet connector (13) and at least one outlet connector (15) for fluid flow, an internal body (24) with a position-indicating element (25) and an internal seat (23) defining an axial direction along which said internal body (24) is guided by said seat so that it is slideable in one direction under the thrust of liquid flow through said seat (23) and in the opposite direction under the thrust of an elastic contrast element (29) within said manifold (11, 111), said position-indicating element (25) being capable of cooperating with an external transducer (31), characterized in that said at least one outlet connector (15) is situated laterally with respect to said axial direction, said internal body (24) being slideable between a position that is upstream of said at least one outlet connector (15) and a position beyond the flow region from the inlet connector (13) to the at least one outlet connector (15). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said position-indicating element (25) is constituted by a magnet. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said internal body (24) is composed of a box-like element (26) and of a lid (27) enclosing said position-indicating element (25), longitudinal feet (28) for guiding said internal body (24) by said seat (23), said feet extending from said box-like element (26). Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the outside diameter of said internal body (24) is such as to leave a fluid seepage space between said internal body (24) and said seat (23). Device according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that said internal body (24) rests downwardly with said feet (28) on a ring (23a) which is seated in a corresponding groove of said manifold (11). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said elastic contrast element (29) is constituted by a spring that is interposed between said position-indicating element (25) and an abutment step (30) which is formed in said seat (23). Device according to claim 1 further comprising at least one pump, at least one expansion tank (18, 117), at least one pressure switch connected to said manifold (11, 111), said pressure switch operating a control circuit of said pump, and a transducer (31) located outside said manifold (11, 111) for cooperating with said position-indicating element (25), said transducer (31) being connected with said control circuit of said pump for activating and respectively deactivating said pump. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that said external transducer is constituted by a Reed bulb (31). Device according to claim 8, characterized in that said Reed bulb (31) is embedded in resin (33) inside a capsule (32) that is inserted and fixed inside an eyelet (35) which is located on the outside of said manifold (11) at the region where said position-indicating element (25) slides. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that said pressure switch is integrated between said expansion tank (117) and said manifold (111) and has a position-indicating element (132) which is located in said expansion tank (117), is movable together with a membrane (124) that lies inside said tank, and cooperates with a second external transducer (138) which is fixed to said manifold (111). Device according to claim 10, characterized in that said position-indicating element (132) in said expansion tank (117) is a magnet. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that said magnet (132) is enclosed in a seat (130) which is located at the center region of said membrane (124) and is formed between elements (129,131) that enclose the non-peripheral part of said membrane (124). Device according to claim 10, characterized in that said second external transducer (138) is constituted by a Reed bulb. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that said Reed bulb (138) is embedded in resin (137) inside a capsule (136) that is inserted and locked within an eyelet (135) that is monolithic with said manifold (111) in a region that lies close to said expansion tank (117) and thus to said magnet (132).

Inventors: SINICO FRANCESCO, SINICO, FRANCESCO
Applicants: DAB PUMPS S P A, DAB PUMPS S.P.A.
Application year: 1995
Main classification: F16K37
IPC codes: F04D15, E03B5, F04B49, F16K37