Venturi based vacuum valve apparatus for water conservation

Abstract: A venturi based vacuum valve (10) has a plug (12) with first (14), second (16) and third (18) openings. The first opening (14) formed in the plug (12) acts as an inlet and is smaller than the second opening (16). The first (14) and second (16) openings are connected within the plug (12) so that a small diameter space (20) is connected with a large diameter space (22) within the plug (12). A third opening (18), open to the atmosphere and forming a suction hole, intersects the small (20) and large (22) diameter space after the small diameter space (20) and before the second opening (16). The second opening (16) forms an outlet in the plug (12). The plug (12) in a preferred embodiment, is form fitted within a shower pipe (26) so that water is received first at the first opening (14). Thereafter, small diameter space (20) opens into large diameter space (22) and air through third opening (18) is mixed therein. The air/water mixture exits second opening (16) and proceeds at high velocity and force through a user's normal unrestricted showerhead attached to the shower pipe (26) thereafter. Preferred embodiments of the invention include threads (32 and 34) for engaging the shower pipe (26) and the showerhead.

Description: This invention relates to an improved venturi based vacuum valve for modifying the flow rate of liquids according to the preamble of claim 1. More particularly, this invention relates to a venturi based vacuum valve for improving flow pressure at a lower flow rate. No one debates the need for water conservation. Low flow water devices have been introduced to conserve both toilet and shower water use. Some low flow shower devices are as simple as placing flow restrictors anywhere along the main water stream so as to interrupt the flow of the water. A problem with these low flow shower water devices in the prior art, however, is that while water flow rate is reduced, the water flow is also reduced so that the feel of a shower at high flow rates is lost altogether. Recently, prior art devices have been developed that introduce air into the water stream at the shower nozzle. This inventor is aware of a product marketed by the DuPont Company under the trademark SPA2001. This device is a shower nozzle with a variety of moving parts that is designed to suck air in at the outlet end of the shower nozzle and introduce it upstream of the outlet. Drawbacks to the devices known in the art, and this particular DuPont device, are that they require the elimination of the pre-existing shower head with which the user has become accustomed, they include a variety of moveable parts and attachments, and they introduce air from the outlet thereby increasing chances of clogging and fouling with water expelled from the outlet end of the device. Thus, there is a need in the art for providing an improved venturi based vacuum valve that includes no moving parts, that enables the use of existing shower heads, and which provides a venturi effect away from the outlet end of the shower head. Closest prior art is a device for shower heads (WO 92 11948): An ejector valve is integrated or detachably inserted in a duct. There are means for retaining same axially in the duct. The inlet of the duct communicates with an annular space. It, therefore, is an object of this invention to provide an improved venturi based vacuum valve which includes no moving parts, which is compatible for use with existing shower heads, and which has a venturi effect opening at a location removed from the outlet of the valve. This problem is solved by the characterizing part of claim 1. SHORT STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the venturi based vacuum valve of the present invention includes a plug with first, second and third openings. The first opening is formed in the plug as an inlet and is smaller than the second opening. The second opening and the first opening are connected within the plug so that a small diameter space is connected with a large diameter space within the plug. A third opening, open to the atmosphere and forming a suction hole, intersects the small and large diameter space within the plug after the small diameter space and before the second opening. The second opening forms an outlet in the plug. In a preferred embodiment, the plug is conformed to fit entirely within a shower pipe. In another preferred embodiment, the plug includes threads for attachment to a shower pipe and attachment of a shower head to the plug. A corresponding method of providing a venturi based vacuum valve is also provided as set forth more fully hereafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a side partial sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the venturi based vacuum valve of the present invention; and FIGURE 2 is a side partial cut away view of a preferred embodiment of the venturi based vacuum valve of the present invention with attachment threads on each end. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated by way of example in Figures 1-2. With specific reference to Figure 1, a venturi based vacuum valve 10 includes a plug 12 with a first opening 14, a second opening 16, and a third opening 18. First opening 14 is smaller than second opening 16 and first opening 14 forms a small diameter space 20 which connects with large diameter space 22 of constant dimension (as shown in Figure 1) formed by larger second opening 16 within plug 12. Small diameter space 20 and large diameter space 22 of constant dimension connect within plug 12 at point 24 as shown in Figure 1. Third opening 18 is the largest diameter of the three openings and intersects large diameter space 22 after intersection point 24 of large diameter space 22 with small diameter space 20. Third opening 18 is open to the atmosphere and forms an air suction hole. As shown in Figure 1, plug 12, in a preferred embodiment, is force fit into shower pipe 26 within which water flows in the direction of arrow 28. Figure 1 shows shower pipe 26 with showerhead engagement threads 30 to which a typical showerhead (not shown) is attached, as is known in the art. Referring now to Figure 2, partial cut away view of plug 12 illustrates another embodiment of the invention wherein internal securing threads 32 and external securing threads 34 are illustrated. In this embodiment, plug 12 is designed to be attached to showerhead engagement threads 30 by means of internal securing threads 32. External securing threads 34 are then available for use in securing a typical showerhead (not shown) as is known in the art. In operation, venturi based vacuum valve 10 is positioned on the inside 40 of shower pipe 26 so that first opening 14 faces the direction of water flow within shower pipe 26 coming from the direction of arrow 28 as shown in Figure 1. As a result, first opening 14 forms an inlet in plug 12. First opening 14 as described above, is smaller than second opening 16 and forms a small diameter space 20 into which water flows from the direction of water flow direction arrow 28. At intersection point 24, small diameter space 20 opens into, and connects with, large diameter space 22 of constant dimension. Shortly thereafter, third opening 18 intersects with large diameter space 22 from a single direction, transverse to the connected small and large diameter spaces 20 and 22. As can be seen by Figure 1, in a preferred embodiment, small and large diameter spaces 20 and 22 of constant dimension are formed essentially longitudinal to the cylindrically shaped plug 12. Third opening 18 is connected transversely to small and large diameter spaces 20 and 22. By means of third opening 18, then, which is open to the atmosphere, air is mixed with incoming water so as to produce a hard, rushing stream of water at a considerably reduced flow rate of water in gallons per minute. Air and water is mixed after intersection point 24 and exits plug 12 from second opening 16 in plug 12 which forms an outlet in plug 12. Thereafter, the water mixed with air is allowed to proceed through the user's normal, accustomed showerhead. By means of the venturi based vacuum valve 10 of the present invention, therefore, water flow rates may be reduced to as low as .5 to 1.5 gallons per minute while delivering water that feels as though it were flowing at a much higher, and more wasteful, flow rate. In a preferred embodiment, plug 12 is simply force fit within shower pipe 26 and third opening 18 is aligned with an opening formed in shower pipe 26 so as to provide access of atmospheric air to the device as described above. Alternatively, the plug 12 may be inserted within shower pipe 26 prior to a hole being drilled in shower pipe 26 connecting the atmosphere to plug 12 through third opening 18. Alternatively, as illustrated in Figure 2, venturi based vacuum valve 10 may include internal securing threads 32 on the inlet end of plug 12 surrounding first opening 14. When present, internal securing threads 32 enable venturi based vacuum valve 10 to be threaded onto the showerhead engagement threads 30 of shower pipe 26. Thereafter, external securing threads 34 enable the user's normal showerhead to be attached to plug 12. The operation of the venturi based vacuum valve 10 then proceeds as previously described. While the venturi based vacuum valve 10 of the present invention has been disclosed in connection with use with showers, it should be appreciated that the invention can be used in other flow situations. The present invention provides an improved venturi based vacuum valve which includes no moving parts, can be easily manipulated in order, for example, to be inserted within gas lines, water treatment systems, air-conditioning/chill water systems and the like. Because there are no moving parts, the device is suitable for use with flammable, explosive materials as well as water.

Claims: A venturi based vacuum valve apparatus (10) for water conservation in a pipe carrying a stream of flowing water, with a flow rate of a given volume; the apparatus (10) comprising: a plug (12) fitted inside said pipe, for reducing the volume of the flowing water, with first, second and third openings (14, 16, 18); the first opening (14) formed in said plug facing said flowing water as an inlet smaller than the second opening (16) and the first and second openings (14, 16) connected within said plug (12) so that a small diameter space (20) is connected with a large diameter space (22) of constant dimension within said plug (12); a third opening (18), open to the atmosphere, before the second opening (16), forming a suction hole; and the second opening (16) connected to said large diameter space (22) of constant dimension forming an outlet in said plug (12) characterized in that a) the plug (12) is force fitted inside the pipe, b) the third opening (18) intersects the large diameter space (22) after the small diameter space (20). The apparatus of Claim 1, characterized in that the third opening (18) is the largest diameter of the three openings and intersects large diameter space (22) after intersection point (24) of large diameter space (22) with small diameter space (20). The apparatus of Claim 1, characterized in that said plug (12) further includes thread securing means (32, 34) for attachment to a shower pipe and attachment of a shower head to the plug at said second opening (16). The apparatus of Claim 1, characterized by the pipe being a shower pipe with a non-moving venturi based vacuum plug apparatus.

Inventors: BRICE JOHN L M, BRICE, JOHN L., M.S., P.E., PH.D.
Applicants: BRICE JOHN L M S P E PH D, BRICE, JOHN L., M.S., P.E., PH.D.
Application year: 2000
Main classification: B05B7
IPC codes: B05B1, E03C1, B05B7