Abstract:
An apparatus for flushing a water line includes a pipe, a valve in the pipe, and a controller that automatically opens the valve to allow water to flow through the pipe at preselected intervals and for preselected times. The controller derives power for its operation and the operation of the valve from a solar panel, which stores energy in a battery. The pipe&#39;s outflow orifice has a diffuser to slow the flow of water from the apparatus. An erosion mat cushions the impact of the water from the orifice and helps to prevent erosion of the surrounding soil. An alarm notifies passersby that the apparatus is about to flush the lines.

Description:
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to water line maintenance, and, in particular, to apparatus for flushing potable water lines.  
         2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Potable water is delivered to homes, businesses, and various other, outlets such as drinking fountains through extensive piping networks. It is good practice—indeed, it is a requirement in most areas—to flush these lines periodically to reduce the build up of bacteria and remove sediment. The frequency of flushing depends on the nature of the line. Presently, the task of flushing water lines is done manually; that is, a worker opens a valve connected to a line to allow the water to drain. After an interval of time, the valve is closed. While the water drains, the worker waits. Even municipalities of modest size have a large number of lines that require periodic draining. Thus flushing lines requires a full time staff and is very labor intensive.  
           [0003]    A solution to this problem is a device that flushes lines without the need for a worker to open a valve. An automatic water line flushing apparatus is available from Environmental Enhancement &amp; Technologies USA, Inc., and sold under the trademark HYDROGUARD. This programmable line flusher includes an electric solenoid valve to open the line for flushing and operates on a one year battery.  
           [0004]    However, there is inevitably the need to send a worker to each line on a periodic basis to perform maintenance or servicing of one sort or another, even if only to change the battery. Thus there remains a need for a way to flush potable water lines automatically and without the need for periodic service and maintenance.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    Briefly recited and according to its major aspects, the present invention is an automatic water line flushing apparatus. The present apparatus is designed to operate automatically, without requiring periodic maintenance and service. It uses a solar panel to charge a battery from which it derives electric power for operation; it is fully programmable so that, once programmed, it can operate indefinitely on the same programmed schedule; it is designed to withstand freezing temperatures and to minimize the impact of the flushing water on the surrounding surface; and to provide the assurance needed by municipal water authorities that they are in compliance with requirements for periodic water line flushing.  
           [0006]    The present apparatus includes a pipe with a valve for regulating flow through the pipe, a controller to open and close the valve, a power system that derives power for the controller and the valve from a solar panel, and a water meter to measure water flow through the pipe. In addition, the apparatus limits the impact of the flushing water on the surrounding surface by the inclusion of an erosion mat to prevent erosion of the adjacent soil and a diffuser to slow the flow out of the pipe. An alarm operated by the controller alerts bystanders that the apparatus is about to flush the line. Finally, the present apparatus may optionally be equipped with a cellular modem for transmitting the water flushing information to a central station.  
           [0007]    The use of solar power, which is preferably the type that converts light directly to electricity but also potentially, a solar heat collector, to provide the power for the controller and the valve is an important feature of the present invention. This feature eliminates the need for periodically replacing batteries or reprogramming the controller in the event of battery failure or a power outage when electricity is supplied from municipal power sources.  
           [0008]    The use of a solar panel in combination with a battery and an inverter is also a feature of the present invention. The solar panel charges the battery which delivers direct current to an inverter that produces alternating current to the controller. The use of these components simplifies the construction of the present automatic flushing apparatus.  
           [0009]    Another important feature of the present invention is the combination of a diffuser and an erosion mat. The diffuser and the mat act to limit the impact of the water on the surrounding surface when the apparatus is in operation. In time, water can do significant damage; limiting its impact extends that time considerably.  
           [0010]    Still another feature of the present invention is the use of a water meter to measure the flow of water during flushing. Water meters are designed to measure water usage, but, in the present application, the water meter provides a useful way of measuring water flow for flushing lines rather than using just the duration of the flushing.  
           [0011]    The use of insulation around the pipe, another feature of the present invention, helps to avoid another potential problem with an automatic water flushing device, namely, the need for repairing or replacing pipes cracked by freezing water.  
           [0012]    The alarm operated by the controller is another feature of the present invention. It alerts passersby the device is about to flush the lines. This feature is an important courtesy and may prevent passersby from being exposed to the flushing water, which can be a nuisance for them and also potentially dangerous if it occurs in winter in cold climates.  
           [0013]    Finally, in addition to a valve to control the flow of water through the pipe, the present invention includes a swing valve to prevent backflow or ingress by small animals into the pipe.  
           [0014]    Many other features and their advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art of municipal water line maintenance from a careful reading of the Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments, accompanied by the following drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    In the drawings,  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a water flushing apparatus in place with the soil shown partially cut away, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0018]    The present invention, described below, is a water line flushing apparatus that is designed to eliminate the need for manual flushing of lines, and, also important, to be relatively maintenance free. The present flushing is intended to be connected to the municipal, potable water supply lines. Neither the water lines nor the water are not part of the present invention.  
         [0019]    Referring now to the figures, there is illustrated a line flushing apparatus, generally indicated by the reference number  10 . Apparatus  10  is connected to a water line  12  buried in the ground. Thus, a portion  16  of apparatus  10  is also below the ground and a remaining portion  18  is above ground.  
         [0020]    Apparatus  10  includes a pipe  20  with an outflow orifice  22 . Pipe  20  is preferably schedule 40 PVC pipe, two inches in inside diameter; approximately 80 inches would be sufficient for the present apparatus, with a cap. Outflow orifice  22  is elevated above the ground using a bend in pipe  20 . The elevation can be a relatively short distance, such as 10 to 40 inches. A housing  24  encases pipe  20 , particularly remaining portion  18  and is preferably insulated with a suitable insulator  28  such a plastic foam such as styro-foam. Housing is preferably 6 inch schedule 40 PVC piping so that it is large enough for pipe  20  and insulation  28  in the annular region. The choice of insulator  28  and the decision as to whether insulator  28  should include an active source of heat would depend on the environment where apparatus  10  is installed and its potential for low temperatures. The purpose of insulator is to prevent water in pipe  20  from cracking pipe  20  as a result of freezing.  
         [0021]    Near water line  12  is a valve  32 , preferably an electrical solenoid valve, most preferably a 2″ 24 VAC, direct burial solenoid valve with manual actuator, that will control the flow of water from water line  12  through pipe  20 . When valve  32  opens, water flows through pipe  20  to outflow orifice  22 ; when valve  32  closes, water does not flow.  
         [0022]    Downstream of valve  32  is a water meter  34  that measures the amount of water flowing through pipe. Meter  34  is optional in that the volume of water may be estimated from the size of pipe  20  and the duration of water flow. However, meter  34  can record the total volume of water more accurately and may, if there is a discrepancy between the total amount of water recorded and estimated total volume from the total time of flushing suggest that water is being blocked upstream of valve  32 . If the estimated value exceeds the actual value, the water is not flowing freely in pipe  20 . Meter  34  can be read by lifting a lid  36  on meter housing  38  to read a digital or analog display  40  carried by meter  34 , or may be a “touch-read” or “radio-read” type of meter.  
         [0023]    Inside of meter  34  is a swing valve  42  that opens when water is flowing through pipe  20  from valve  32  to outflow orifice  22  but closes to prevent back flow of water or ingress of small animals. If meter  34  is not used with the present invention, a separate swing check valve  42  is supplied in line in pipe  20 , preferably a 2 inch swing check valve.  
         [0024]    Optionally, a score line  44  can be made between valve  32  and swing valve  42  to allow pipe  20  to break, if it must break, at a particular location. By using score line  44  to pre-determine the break point, the repair of pipe  20  can be simplified.  
         [0025]    At the end of pipe  20  is a diffuser  46  to absorb some of the energy of water flowing through outflow orifice  22 . Diffuser  46  is preferably stainless steel mesh. As the water will descend onto the surrounding surface from a height and under pressure, it can result in erosion. Optionally, an erosion mat  48  can be used in combination with diffuser  46  or independently of diffuser  46  to absorb the impact of the exiting water to lessen its erosive effect.  
         [0026]    To open and close valve  32 , a controller system  50  is used. Controller system  50  includes a controller  52  and a power supply system. Controller  52 , preferably a 120 VAC input/24 VAC output type, includes a programmable computer, a memory that records the program and a timer. Controller can be programmed to open valve  32  on schedule at intervals and to close it a preselected interval later. The duration of the intervals of time between successive openings of valve  32  can be selected as well as the duration of the interval between opening and closing valve  32 . Controller  50  may also have a dial-up cellular modem that connects to a central station computer to record operational data.  
         [0027]    Controller  52  and valve  32  both require electrical energy to operate. The energy is obtained by the power supply system, which includes a solar panel  54  that charges a battery  56 . The output of battery  56  is direct current (DC). For controller  52  to operate off battery  56 , the direct current must be converted to alternating current through use of an inverter  58  and then conducted to controller  50  and to valve  32  via wires  60  and  62 , respectively. Wires  64  conduct current from solar panel  54  to battery  56 . Inverter  58  preferably produces a 120 VAC output, at 150-175 watts continuously.  
         [0028]    Solar panel  54  is preferably of the type that converts light to electricity and, in particular, a 12 VDC, minimum 7.5 watt panel with internal overcharge protection and covered with a polycarbonate material such as LEXAN for protection. However, the term “solar panel” in addition to meaning voltaic solar panels also includes solar heat collectors that collect heat which can in turn be used in a variety of ways to generate electricity or perhaps to operate other devices by means other than electricity. Fluidics and mechanical devices are known that can operate valves and perform computer-like functions. Importantly, light is used to provide the energy upon which the device depends for its operation. Battery  56  is preferably a 12 volt, rechargeable sealed battery.  
         [0029]    Just prior to opening valve  32 , controller  50  emits an alarm, preferably an audible alarm through speaker  66 . Alternatively or in addition, a visual alarm may be made. Alarms notify those near apparatus  10  that it will soon be discharging water to the surrounding surface.  
         [0030]    In use, apparatus  10  is connected to a water line  12  and programmed for the desired flushing intervals. Solar panel  54  begins to charge battery  56 , which supplies power through inverter  58  to controller  50 . Apparatus  10  can then be tested. When the time for opening valve  32  approaches, speaker  64  audibly announces that fact. Then, controller  50  opens valve  32  and water from water line  12  flows through pipe  20  to outflow orifice  22  through diffuser  46  and onto erosion mat  48  and from there onto the surrounding surface.  
         [0031]    After a pre-selected interval of time, controller  50  closes valve  32 , thus stopping the flow of water. Water meter  34  will have recorded the incremental volume of water flowing through pipe  20 .  
         [0032]    Optionally, information from meter  34  and controller  52  can be transmitted in a number of different ways to a central station. The information can be transmitted by a small radio transmitter or be cellular modem incorporated into controller  52  to a telephone number leading to a computer where the information can be received and logged. The information can be transmitted to a local telephone number and relayed via an internet to a central station.  
         [0033]    Importantly, apparatus  10  will not require periodic maintenance. The term “periodic maintenance” means that it will not require a worker to service or maintain it at specified, regular intervals of time. From time to time, it may require an inspection or cleaning or testing, but the time for doing these is arbitrary and may be postponed knowing that the unit will continue to function unless component parts fail or there is a break in the line. Moreover, because of the way it is constructed and its features, apparatus  10  is not likely to fail because of cold weather or batteries going dead. The only moving parts are below ground, inside pipe  20 . Furthermore, it is less likely to cause soil erosion to the extent that the surrounding grounds would require repair. It is not likely to require reprogramming because of a power outage.  
         [0034]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains that many modifications and substitutions can be made in the foregoing description of preferred embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, defined by the appended claims.