Abstract:
An apparatus for providing flushing fluid at different rates has a valve for controlling flow through a housing, the valve having a reset area to close the valve, a first bleed valve for constantly providing high pressure fluid to the reset area through a first path, a second bleed valve for providing high pressure fluid to the reset area through a second path, and an actuator. The actuator has a first position in which fluid is prevented from escaping from the second path, a second position in which fluid is allowed to escape from the second path and the second bleed valve is activated, and a third position in which fluid is allowed to escape from the second path and the second bleed valve is deactivated. If the second bleed valve is activated, the first bleed valve causes the reset area to close the valve in a first time period and if the second bleed valve is not activated the first and second valves cause the reset area to close the valve in a second time period wherein the second time period is less than the first time period.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Flush valves may have a handle that, when manipulated, pushes an actuator which, in turn, opens a bypass valve within a piston in the flush valve. By opening the bypass valve, pressure above the piston drops and allows line pressure to lift the piston from its seat within the flush valve and channel water to flush a toilet, urinal or the like. While the toilet or urinal fixture is being flushed, line pressure is also directed above the piston increasing the pressure in this area. As pressure equalizes above and below the piston, the piston seats itself within the flush valve and stops flow therethrough. 
         [0002]    As water shortages are experienced and anticipated, water conservation efforts are being pushed by local governments and concerned citizens. Many toilets have dual flush mechanisms that provide greater amounts of water if greater amounts of flow are required. Some control the amount of water electronically with solenoid valves, others use timers and the like to measure the amount of flow through a valve. Some use two levers to control amounts of flows, other use motion detectors and sense the amount of time a fixture is used to control flow. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    According to an exemplar shown and described herein, an apparatus for providing flushing fluid at different rates has a valve for controlling flow through a housing, the valve having a reset area to close the valve, a first bleed valve for constantly providing high pressure fluid to the reset area through a first path, a second bleed valve for providing high pressure fluid to the reset area through a second path, and an actuator. The actuator has a first position in which fluid is prevented from escaping from the second path, a second position in which fluid is allowed to escape from the second path and the second bleed valve is not activated, and a third position in which fluid is allowed to escape from the second path and the second bleed valve is activated. If the second bleed valve is activated, the first bleed valve causes the reset area to close the valve in a first time period and if the second bleed valve is not activated, the first and second valves cause the reset area to close the valve in a second time period wherein the second time period is less than the first time period. 
         [0004]    According to another exemplar, a method for providing flushing fluid at different rates includes controlling flow through a housing by using a valve having a reset area to close the valve, providing high pressure fluid to the reset area through a first path, providing high pressure fluid through a bleed valve to the reset area through a second path, maintaining the valve in a static position if an actuator is in a first position in which fluid is prevented from escaping from the second path, opening the valve by placing the actuator in a second position in which fluid is allowed to escape from the second path and the bleed valve is not activated, or opening the valve by placing the actuator in a third position in which fluid is allowed to escape from the second path and the bleed valve is activated. If the bleed valve is activated, the high pressure fluid passing through the first path causes the reset area to close the valve in a first time period and if the bleed valve is not activated, the first and second paths cause the reset area to close the valve in a second time period wherein the second time period is less than the first time period. 
         [0005]    According to a still further exemplar, a bleed valve includes housing having a slot and an inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet, a first ball having a dimension to seal either of the first outlet or the second outlet, a second ball having a dimension to seal the second outlet. 
         [0006]    These and other features of the present invention can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective, sectional view of an embodiment of a flush valve; 
           [0008]      FIGS. 2A ,  2 B,  2 C and  2 D each show a sectional view of the flush valve of claim  1  taken along the line  2 - 2  in which a secondary bleed valve is shown in different operating states; 
           [0009]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  show a housing of  FIGS. 2A-D ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  shows a sectional view of a handle portion of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a housing of  FIG. 4 ; and, 
           [0012]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  show an alternative embodiment of the secondary bleed valve of  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0013]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the embodiment of a water valve  10  for a commercial toilet (not shown) or the like is shown. This embodiment is demonstrative only and may be used to flush other types of toilet(s). The water valve  10  has a housing  15  having an inlet  20 , an outlet  25 , an activator section  30 , a central section  35  holding a valve  40  and a bleed path  45  as will be discussed herein. The valve  40  splits the central section  35  into a high pressure area  50  and a reset area  55  that varies in pressure to actuate the valve  40  to meter water through the valve  40  from the inlet  20  to the outlet  25  as will be discussed herein. 
         [0014]    The valve  40  includes a diaphragm  60 , a valve assembly  65 , a pressure cup  90 , a poppet  120  a first bleed valve  125 , and a second bleed valve  130 . The diaphragm  60  is annular and has a relatively inflexible washer-like body  70  having a central opening  75 , a flexible portion  80  extending radially from the body and a clamped portion  85  that is attached to the housing  15  as is known in the art. 
         [0015]    The valve assembly  65  includes: an outer housing  95 ; an inner housing  100  translating axially within the outer housing  95 , the inner housing  100  having a ledge  105 ; a porous washer  110  that allows flow therethrough disposed on the ledge  105  and extending outwardly from the ledge  105  to engage the outer housing  95 ; and a washer  115  disposed atop the porous washer  110 . The housing  100  has an upper surface  106 . The washer  115  abuts the body  70  of the diaphragm  60 . The pressure cup  90  has a central opening  135 , a saucer-shaped body  140  extending radially outwardly from the central opening  135  and a cylindrical body  145  extending downwardly from said body and having and end cap  150 . The poppet  120 , which has a cylindrical rod  155  and a rounded cap  160  fits loosely within the cylindrical body  145  to control fluid flow from the reset area  55  through the passageway  45  if the rounded cap seats on the seal surface  165  as will be discussed herein. The washer-like body  70  abuts the upper surface  106  of the housing as the reset area  55  fills to create a seal so that water does not flow from the high pressure area  50  to the outlet  25 . To allow flow, the washer-like body  70  separates from the upper surface  106  of the housing while rising up to allow flow through the porous washer  110  to outlet  25 . 
         [0016]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the activator section  30  is shown. The activator section  30  includes a handle  170  (shown in three positions A, B and C as will be discussed herein), a plunger  175 , a sleeve  180  disposed within the activator housing, a handle reset spring  185 , a plunger reset spring  190  and a seal  240  through which the plunger extends. 
         [0017]    The handle  170  has an axially extending grip  200  and a radially extending flange  205  disposed in the housing  30  for engaging the plunger  175 . Spring  185  urges the handle  170  into position A after usage in position B or C. A user may choose to push the handle  170  into position A to effectuate a longer flush and into position B to effectuate a shorter flush as will be discussed herein. 
         [0018]    The sleeve  180  has a central bore  210  (see also  FIG. 5 ) for receiving the plunger  175 , a drain hole  227  and has a semicircular portion  215  or contour extending radially towards the handle  170 . 
         [0019]    The plunger  175  has a cylinder  220  disposed for translation within the bore  210 , a narrower neck  225  extending axially from the cylinder  220 , a seal portion  230  having a larger diameter than the neck and a conical head  235  extending from the seal portion  230 . The seal portion  230  seats within a washer shaped seal  240  that abuts the bleed path  45 . If the handle  170  is in either position B or C, flange  205  pushes the plunger  175  axially to the left and moving the seal portion  230  out of contact with the seal  240 . When the handle is released, spring  190  starts to move the plunger to the right to move the seal portion  230  into contact with the seal to prevent fluid from flowing therethrough to drain through drain hole  227 . 
         [0020]    A second bleed valve  130  communicates between inlet  20  of the valve and the bleed passage  45 . Referring now to  FIGS. 2A-D ,  3 A and  3 B, the second bleed valve includes a left half  245 , a right half  250 , pin  255 , a sealing mechanism such as first upper ball A and second lower ball B. The left half  245  has a circular body  260  having a slot  265  in which stainless steel balls A and B are disposed and an inlet hole  270 . The slot  265  is dimensioned such that the stainless steel balls A and B travel within the slot  265  without being able to pass each other therein. The right half  250  is circular having a cylindrical indentation  275  for receiving the left half, a first bleed hole  280  and a second bleed hole  285 , the second bleed hole  285  having a first diameter  290  and a smaller second diameter  295 . The second bleed hole  285  receives the pin  255  as will be discussed herein. The second bleed hole  285  abuts a channel  300  through which the pin  255  controls flow as will be discussed herein. The channel  300  opens into the area defined by the first diameter  290  of the second bleed hole  285 . The left and right halves  245 ,  250  are made of any suitable material, however, as shown herein, the left and right halves are made of brass. 
         [0021]    The pin  255  has a shaft  305  extending through the second diameter  295  and a head  310  disposed in the first diameter  290 . The head  310  has a portion  302  for sealing against the second diameter  295  and if the portion  302  is seated against the second diameter, no flow passes through the second diameter  295  but flow may pass through the channel  300 . The pin shaft  305  and head  310  have a cumulative length that is greater than a depth of the slot  265  so that the shaft  305  does not disengage the first diameter  295  if the second bleed valve  130  is not disposed vertically during transportation, for instance. 
         [0022]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A- 2 D, and  5 , the operation of the second bleed valve  130  is shown. In  FIG. 2A , the stainless steel balls are shown at the bottom of the slot  265  in contiguous relationship with ball A touching ball B. In this situation, the valve  40  is static. Pressure in the system is equalized with the pressure in the reset area  55  equal to the pressure in the bleed passage way  45  and the high pressure area  50 . As such, no forces are acting on ball A and ball B other than gravity and they sink to the bottom of the slot  265 . Moreover, poppet  120  (see  FIG. 1 ) is settled at the bottom of the cylindrical body  145  leaving the bleed passageway open to the reset area  55 . 
         [0023]    The size and weight of the balls A and B is dependent on the dimensions of the first bleed hole  280 , the second bleed hole first diameters  290 , the reset area and the channel  300 , and the pressure of the water. In this case the balls are about 3.17500 millimeters. 
         [0024]    If the handle is driven in the down direction, the stroke of the handle is limited by the semicircular portion  215  on the sleeve  185  within the activator section  30  of the housing  15 . The seal portion  230  extends beyond the seal  240  and high pressure water escapes through the gap between the seal portion  230  and the seal  240 . The high pressure water drives the diaphragm  60  upwardly voiding the water in the reset area through the bleed passageway  45  until the end cap  150 , forced upwardly with the cylindrical body  145  in the housing  100  seals the bleed passageway  45 . As the pressure begins to equalize around the plunger head  235 , the plunger reset spring  190  urges the plunger cylinder  220  axially towards the handle  170  and the seal portion reengages the seal  240 . Because of the short stroke by the plunger caused by interference with the semicircular portion  215 , the plunger head  235  does not engage the pin  255  within the second bleed housing  130 . The pin  255 , therefore stays in sealing relationship within the second diameter  295  in the right side  250  of the second bleed housing  130 . However, the flow of high pressure water does flow through the channel  300  and the pressure differential draws ball A upwardly to seal the second hole  290  (see  FIG. 2B ). Ball B cannot pass Ball A to seal the first hole  280 . 
         [0025]    Flow then continues through inlet hole  270 , and first hole  280  into the bleed passageway  45  to flow towards the reset area  55 . Flow also passes into the reset area  55  via first bleed valve  125  and impinges upon the saucer-shaped body  140  that has a greater area than the flexible portion  80  of the diaphragm  60  to push the second housing  100  downwardly to seat the valve  110  in the first housing  95 . The first bleed valve  125  is assisted in shutting flow by the flow through the bleed passageway from the second bleed valve  130 . The second bleed valve flow then helps fill the reset area  55 . Because the first and second bleed valves contribute high pressure flow, flow through the valve is limited to a shorter amount of time—in this instance approximately 4 seconds though other timing is possible. 
         [0026]    If the handle is pushed in a direction that does not cause the flange  205  to semicircular portion  215 , the plunger moves farther and hits the pin  255 , causing the pin to dislodge the ball A and seal off the channel  300 . Ball A then migrates to close off first hole  280 . Once the handle resets, the water pressure forces the pin axially to the right reopening channel  300  and thereby drawing ball B to seal the second hole  290 . At this point only the first bleed valve  125  contributes high pressure water to close the valve  15 . The valve then takes longer to close than if the first and second bleed valves  125 ,  130  contribute to the closing—in this case approximately 6 seconds though other timing is possible. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 A and  6 B another embodiment is shown. In  FIG. 6A , the head  235  is fitted with a seal  237  (shown schematically). There is no pin. If activated for a shorter stroke because flange  205  strikes the semicircular portion  215  of the sleeve  185 , extends into the bleed passageway  45  but does not seal the second diameter  295 . Water then flows through the first diameter  290  drawing a sealing mechanism such as first ball A into engagement with the first diameter  290  thereby sealing the passageway. As above, flow then continues through inlet hole  270 , and first hole  280  into the bleed passageway  45  to flow towards the reset area  55 . Flow also passes into the reset area  55  via first bleed valve  125  and impinges upon the saucer-shaped body  140  that has a greater area than the flexible portion  80  of the diaphragm  60  to push the second housing  100  downwardly to seat the valve  110  in the first housing  95 . The first bleed valve  125  is assisted in shutting flow by the flow through the bleed passageway from the second bleed valve  130 . The pressure on the end cap  150  of the poppet  120  drives the piston downwardly in the cylindrical body  145  because the area of the end cap  150  is greater than the underside of the end cap and the bottom of the poppet  120 . The second bleed valve flow then helps fill the reset area  55 . Because the first and second bleed valves contribute force to end flow, flow through the valve is limited to a shorter amount of time—in this instance approximately 4 seconds though other timing is possible. 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6B , the plunger does not engage the semicircular portion  215  and takes a longer stroke forcing the head  235  into engagement into the area of smaller diameter  295  thereby sealing the hole. Ball A is then drawn to seal hole  280  and, as the plunger is reset and head  235  is withdrawn from the second diameter  295 , ball B is drawn to seal the first diameter  290 . Then, as above, only first bleed valve  125  contributes high pressure water to close the valve  15 . The valve then takes longer to close than if the first and second bleed valves  125 ,  130  contribute to the closing—in this case approximately 6 seconds though other timing is possible. 
         [0029]    Given the ability to flush for different amounts of time, a user may pull the handle  200  in a direction to engage the semicircular portion  215  to achieve that desired amount of time to save water as water flows through both bleed valves  125  and  130 . A six second flush, for instance, is not necessary for removing liquid waste and 2 seconds of water flow is saved thereby. However, if removal of solid waste is required, the handle flange  205  does not engage the semicircular portion  215  and, as stated above, only bleed valve  125  allows flow to the reset area  55  to give a longer flush to remove the solid waste. 
         [0030]    The semicircular portion  215  of the sleeve  180  may be oriented at any desired position in which a user would be encouraged to use the valve  15  appropriately to save water. 
         [0031]    Although a combination of features is shown in the illustrated examples, not all of them need to be combined to realize the benefits of various embodiments of this disclosure. In other words, a system designed according to an embodiment of this disclosure will not necessarily include all of the features shown in any one of the Figures or all of the portions schematically shown in the Figures. Moreover, selected features of one example embodiment may be combined with selected features of other example embodiments. 
         [0032]    The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from the essence of this disclosure. The scope of legal protection given to this disclosure can only be determined by studying the following claims.