Patent Publication Number: US-8991419-B2

Title: Venturi valve pressure compensator apparatus and method

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a venturi valve pressure apparatus and method. In particular, in accordance with one embodiment, the invention relates to a venturi valve pressure compensator apparatus consisting of a venturi valve with an inlet and an outlet and with a small diameter opening at the inlet and a large diameter opening at the outlet and with an air intake opening. An insert, with a front and a back, is provided such that the front of the insert faces the small diameter opening of the venturi valve. At least one hole is provided in the insert that extends through the insert from front to back. A pressure seal is located at the back of the insert, the pressure seal conformed to seal leaks around the insert and force fluid to flow through the hole(s) in the insert. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Fluctuating fluid pressure presents many problems to fluid flow systems. By way of example only and not limitation, shower systems are adversely affected, sometimes dangerously so, when water pressure fluctuates. Everyone has experienced the pain of suddenly fluctuating hot/cold water pressure while taking a shower. As a result, commercially available pressure compensating devices have been developed. These prior art pressure compensators work with great precision to control water volume throughput when hooked up to a conventional showerhead. 
     There is a problem, however, when it comes to attempting to regulate showerheads that are non-conventional. Again by way of example only and not by limitation, “venturi valves” introduce air into the water flow so as to reduce water consumption. Applicant has developed an entire series of systems that conserve water while maintaining the “feel” of a “normal” conventional water flow in a shower or water faucet. 
     Applicant&#39;s “venturi valves” include, among other things, an inlet and an outlet. A small diameter opening is located at the inlet and a large diameter opening is located at the outlet. An air intake opening is provided that connects with either the large diameter or small diameter opening. This combination of elements provides the user with the benefits of water conservation with no loss of comfort and results in showers and faucets that are, therefore, superior to conventional systems. 
     There is a problem, however, with regard to these venturi valve systems when fluid pressure fluctuates. Applicant has found that venturi valve systems simply respond to the pressure delivered in an expected manner. The systems produce a flow rate delivery that is associated with the water pressure existing in the static line at the time of delivery. That is, if water pressure increases, then the flow rate in gallons per minute (gpm) also increases. If the water pressure falls, then the flow rate in gpm correspondingly falls off as well. 
     Applicant has determined by testing that conventional pressure compensators, however, simply do not work with venturi valve systems. In order for venturi valves to function properly, they must prime themselves and any disruption at the beginning of the process results in failure. All that is required to create disruption is for water to eddy at the beginning of use. Again, conventional pressure compensators are incapable of preventing disruption and fail in providing pressure compensation for venturi type valves. 
     Thus, there is a need in the art for a pressure compensation device that works with venturi type valves, that is simple to install and that does not interfere with the water conservation features of these venturi valves. 
     It, therefore, is an object of the invention to provide a pressure compensation apparatus and method that guarantees pressure compensation for venturi valves, that is simple to install and that does not denigrate the desired water conservation features of such valves. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the venturi valve pressure compensator apparatus of the present invention, according to one embodiment includes a venturi valve with an inlet and an outlet and with a small diameter opening at the inlet and a large diameter opening at the outlet and with an air intake opening. An insert with a front and a back is provided and positioned such that the front faces the small diameter opening. At least one hole is created in the insert from front to back and a pressure seal is provided and located at the back of the insert. The pressure seal is conformed to seal leaks around the insert and force flow through the at least one hole. 
     As used herein, terms are given their ordinary and common meaning as known by those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the term “venturi valve” describes a valve that at a minimum includes an inlet and an outlet. A small diameter opening is located at the inlet and a large diameter opening is located at the outlet. An air intake opening is provided that connects with either the large diameter or small diameter opening. Applicant&#39;s U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,794,643; 6,182,703; 6,260,273; and 7,416,171 are exemplary. 
     It should be noted that typically there is a larger opening upstream of the small diameter opening in the form of a female connector, for example only. It should be made clear that this large diameter opening in no way is to be construed as a vital and necessary part of the functional vacuum venturi of the past and present invention. It is merely bringing water supply to the small diameter opening of the venturi valve. The vacuum venturi begins at the entry way of the small diameter opening, leading to a large diameter opening, intersected along the way by an air inlet. This constitutes the functional aspects of the prior patented valves and of the present invention. In no way should it be construed as necessary to recognize the larger diameter connection to an incoming water supply as playing a vital part in the premise of the vacuum venturi valve being comprised of a small diameter opening leading to a larger diameter opening intersected by a perpendicular air inlet. The connection to a large diameter inlet source cannot be considered as necessary. This fact holds true for devices attached to the entry side of the patented venturi apparatus, but does not hold true for the leaving side. 
     Because of the variety of different types of devices that can be attached to the leaving side of the venturi apparatus, the smaller inlet diameter can be attached to a larger outlet diameter that is provided by the attached device itself. 
     Further, the length of the smaller throughput diameter will vary in accordance with the required “ballast” effect that is generated by the attached, larger outlet diameter device, and the amount of vector force it generates (due to its internal volume capacity) when pushing back against the incoming, smaller diameter&#39;s water stream as its flow of water makes its way through the venturi apparatus toward the larger outlet diameter device attached. This “ballast” effect (and the balancing of the inward and outward vector forces that are being produced by the movement of water from the small diameter opening to the larger diameter opening, as well as the resistance of the opposing vector of the attached device), all play a role in the eventual production of a functional vacuum venturi apparatus. Therefore, the larger diameter outlet can be a functional part of the vacuum venturi device, and/or be provided in an ancillary, attached device which is added to and/or connected to the small diameter opening of the venturi apparatus, by male thread attachments as illustrated. 
     In another aspect, the insert is conformed to fit into the venturi valve itself and the back faces the direction of flow into the venturi valve. “Flow” is used to describe the motion and direction of fluid through the invention. The fluid could be any fluid, of course, such as water, obviously, but may be other types of fluid now known or hereafter developed. Thus, for example only, water flows into a house in a pipe and brings the flow of water to faucets and shower nozzles which “face” the “flow” and require that the flow pass through them prior to delivery to the user, as is known in the art. 
     In one aspect, the insert is cylindrically shaped. In another aspect, the insert includes more than one hole and in a further aspect, there are approximately twelve holes in the insert. 
     In another aspect, the pressure seal is a flexible rubber washer. In one aspect, the pressure seal includes a center hole and the center hole aligns with the at least one hole in the insert and in another aspect, the center hole is smaller than the back of the insert such that the pressure seal covers at least a portion of the back of the insert. 
     In a further aspect, the venturi valve is selected from a group of venturi valves consisting of venturi valves in which: the air intake opening intersects the small diameter opening; the air intake opening intersects the large diameter opening; the air intake opening penetrates all the way through either the small diameter opening or the large diameter opening so as to create dual air intake openings; and the air intake opening and the small diameter opening are a single unit conformed to connect with a separate large diameter opening. 
     In one aspect, the insert further includes an O-ring adjacent the at least one hole. As used herein, the term “O-ring” describes a common device in the shape of a donut. It has a circular shape with a hole in the center of the shape. Certainly, it may be of any other shape as well. Preferably, the O-ring is “compressible”. As that term is used herein, it describes a material that is resilient such that it is flexible enough to deform and expand under pressure but retract to its original shape when pressure is reduced. That is, the O-ring of the present invention flattens out and expands as a result of water pressure created by the flow of water in the system as the pressure increases. As pressure declines, the O-ring retracts and begins to return to its original form and dimension. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, a venturi valve pressure compensator apparatus includes a venturi valve with an inlet and an outlet and with a small diameter opening at the inlet and a large diameter opening at the outlet and with an air intake opening. An insert with a front and a back is provided such that the front faces the small diameter opening, where the back includes an opening with an O-ring retainer in the opening and where the insert is conformed to fit into the venturi valve and the back faces the direction of flow into the venturi valve. More than one hole is provided in the insert from front to back and an O-ring is connected with the O-ring retainer. 
     In another aspect of this invention, a pressure seal is located at the back of the insert where the pressure seal is conformed to seal leaks around the insert and force flow through the at least one hole, where the pressure seal includes a center hole and where the center hole aligns with the holes in the insert. 
     In other aspects of this invention, there are approximately twelve holes in the insert, the pressure seal is a flexible rubber washer and the O-ring is a compressible rubber, and the center hole of the rubber washer is smaller than the back of the insert such that the pressure seal covers at least a portion of the back of the insert. 
     In one aspect, the venturi valve is selected from a group of venturi valves consisting of venturi valves in which: the air intake opening intersects the small diameter opening; the air intake opening intersects the large diameter opening; the air intake opening penetrates all the way through either the small diameter opening or the large diameter opening so as to create dual air intake openings; and the air intake opening and the small diameter opening are a single unit conformed to connect with a separate large diameter opening. 
     According to another embodiment, a venturi valve pressure compensator method consists of the steps of:
         a. providing a venturi valve with an inlet and an outlet and with a small diameter opening at the inlet and a large diameter opening at the outlet and with an air intake opening; an insert with a front and a back where the front faces the small diameter opening; at least one hole in the insert from front to back; and a pressure seal where the pressure seal is conformed to seal leaks around the insert and force flow through the at least one hole; and   b. placing the insert and the pressure seal in position with the venturi valve such that the front of the insert faces the small diameter opening with the pressure seal is at the back of the insert.       

     In one aspect, the insert is conformed to fit into the venturi valve and the back faces the direction of flow into the venturi valve. In another aspect, the insert includes an opening with an O-ring retainer in the opening and the further step of connecting an O-ring with said O-ring retainer. 
     In a further aspect, the pressure seal includes a center hole and the center hole aligns with the at least one hole in the insert. In another aspect, the center hole is smaller than the back of the insert such that the pressure seal covers at least a portion of the back of the insert. 
     In a further aspect, the venturi valve is selected from a group of venturi valves consisting of venturi valves in which: the air intake opening intersects the small diameter opening; the air intake opening intersects the large diameter opening; the air intake opening penetrates all the way through either the small diameter opening or the large diameter opening so as to create dual air intake openings; and the air intake opening and the small diameter opening are a single unit conformed to connect with a separate large diameter opening. 
    
    
     
       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: 
         FIGS. 1  A-E are side partial section views of the venturi valves of the venturi valve pressure compensator of the present invention with  FIG. 1A  a side view of the air intake opening intersecting the small diameter opening;  FIG. 1  B a side view of the air intake opening intersecting the large diameter opening;  FIG. 1  C a side view of the air intake opening penetrating all the way through the small diameter opening and producing dual air intake openings;  FIG. 1  D a side view of the air intake opening penetrating all the way through the large diameter opening and producing dual air intake openings; and  FIG. 1  E a side view of the air intake opening and the small diameter opening in a single unit conformed to connect with a separate large diameter opening; 
         FIG. 2  is a side partial section view of the insert and pressure seal according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a side partial section view of the insert and pressure seal according to another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a side partial section view of the venturi valve pressure compensator of the present invention according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a back view of the pressure seal in place at the back of the insert, the insert including an O-ring retainer and an O-ring; 
         FIG. 6  is a side section view of the insert with and O-ring retainer and O-ring showing the O-ring in an uncompressed condition and not covering holes in the insert; and 
         FIG. 7  is a side section view of the invention of  FIG. 6  showing the O-ring compressed and expanded under pressure to partially cover holes in the insert. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated by way of example in  FIGS. 1-7 . With specific reference to  FIGS. 1  A-E, the venturi valve pressure compensator  10  includes a venturi valve  12  with an inlet  14  and an outlet  16  and with a small diameter opening  18  at the inlet  14  and a large diameter opening  20  at the outlet  16  and with an air intake opening  22 . These elements are contained within a valve body  24  which may have male threads  26  on the outside of valve body  24  or female threads  28  on the inside of valve body  24  as is known in the art, all as illustrated in  FIG. 1  A. 
       FIG. 1  A illustrates a venturi valve  12  in which the air intake opening  22  intersects the small diameter opening  18 . 
       FIG. 1  B does not include valve body  24  for clarity in order to illustrate the important feature of this embodiment of the venturi valve  12 . In this embodiment, air intake opening  22  intersects the large diameter opening  20 . 
       FIG. 1  C does not include valve body  24 , for clarity, and illustrates a venturi valve  12  in which the air intake opening  22  intersects the small diameter opening  18  and passes all the way through valve body  24  (not shown) so as to create two air intake openings  22  as shown. 
       FIG. 1  D also does not include valve body  24 , for clarity, and illustrates a venturi valve  12  in which the air intake opening  22  intersects the large diameter opening  20  and passes all the way through valve body  24  (not shown) so as to create two air intake openings  22  as shown. 
       FIG. 1  E illustrates the embodiment of the invention in which the valve body  24  is created from two separate elements, element  30  and element  32 . In this embodiment, element  30  includes air intake opening  22  and small diameter opening  18  in a single unit separate and apart from element  32 . 
     Element  32  includes large diameter opening  20 . Element  32  includes female threads  28 , for example only and not by way of limitation, that co-operate with male threads  26  on element  30  so that element  30  when joined with element  32  creates the required small diameter opening  18  connection with the large diameter opening  20  of the venturi valve  12  of the present invention. 
       FIG. 1  E also illustrates shower nozzle  34 . In operation, water flows in the direction of direction arrow  36  into the inlet  14 , through the venturi valve  12  and out of the outlet  16  in the direction of direction arrow  38 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , other elements of the venturi valve pressure compensator  10  according to one embodiment are illustrated. Insert  40  includes a front  42  and a back  44 . A hole  46  passes through insert  40 . At least one hole  46  is provided as indicated by dashed lines. Applicant has determined by testing and experimentation that approximately twelve holes  46  provide the most desirable effect. 
       FIG. 2  also illustrates a pressure seal  48 . As is shown and as will be described more fully hereafter with regard to  FIG. 4 , pressure seal  48  is designed to be located at the back  44  of insert  40  such that the pressure seal  48  seals fluid leaks around the insert  40  and forces fluid to flow through the hole(s)  46 . 
     Importantly, pressure seal  48  includes a center hole  50 , as indicated by dashed lines. As more clearly shown in  FIG. 5 , in a preferred embodiment, center hole  50  aligns with the hole(s)  46  in the insert  40 , and, preferably, center hole  50  is smaller than the back  44  of insert  40  such that the pressure seal  48  covers at least a portion of the back  44  of insert  40 . Here again, Applicant has determined by testing that this is a preferred arrangement having discovered that this combination keeps insert  40  in place and prevents insert  40  form moving around as water flows past it. In fact, pressure seal  48  keeps insert  40  from bobbing or spinning without causing any perturbation to the water flow that would disturb the flow and prevent the creation of the venturi. 
       FIG. 2  shows the direction of water flow through the invention by way of direction arrow  52  toward the small diameter opening  18  in venturi valve  12  as illustrated. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , according to another preferred embodiment, insert  40  consists includes an opening  54 . Opening  54  is a recess in the back  44  of insert  40 . Within opening  54  is O-ring retainer  56 . In this aspect, O-ring retainer is a post in the center of insert  40  as shown. O-ring retainer includes a lip  58 . O-ring  60  fits over O-ring retainer  56  and is held in place by lip  58 . Obviously O-ring  60  includes a hole  62  (not shown but indicated by dotted lines). 
     By testing, Applicant has determined that the insert  40  according to this embodiment is dramatically stable in a wide range of pressure fluctuations. The direction arrow  52  shows the direction of flow first past pressure seal  48  then into the back  44  of insert  40 , then past O-ring  60 , through holes  46  and into small diameter opening  18  in venturi valve  12  as before. The function of O-ring  60  is more fully described with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7  hereafter. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , direction arrow  52  again shows the direction of the flow into venturi valve  12 . The flow first contacts the pressure seal  48  at the back  44  of insert  40 . Again, pressure seal  48  prevents water from flowing around pressure seal  48  and forces water to flow through the center hole  50  and into the back  44  of insert  40 . Insert  40  in this embodiment is located within a well  13  of venturi valve  12  but it could be outside of it in the same location as well  13 . Well  13  is a machined opening in venturi valve  12  conformed to just receive insert  40  as shown. In any event, the flow passes through insert  40  hole(s)  46  (not shown in this figure) and into small diameter opening  18 , then large diameter opening  20  to outlet  16  as described. 
     The venturi valve  12  shown in  FIG. 4  is as described in  FIG. 1  A but, of course, could be any type of venturi valve now known or hereafter developed. 
       FIG. 5  shows a preferred embodiment in which pressure seal  48  includes a center hole  50  that aligns with hole(s)  46  in insert  40  but which is smaller than the dimension of insert  40  (shown in dotted lines). Thus pressure seal  48  will cover a portion of the back  44  of insert  40 . Applicant has determined that this greatly assists in the sealing effect and, as described above, effectively prevents any movement of insert  40  within well  13 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the operation of the venturi valve pressure compensator  10  according to a preferred embodiment is described.  FIG. 6  shows insert  40  with an opening  54  in the back  44 . In the center of the opening  54  is an O-ring retainer  56 . O-ring  60  is held in place within opening  54  by connection with O-ring retainer  56 .  FIG. 6  shows water flowing in the direction of direction arrow  52  past pressure seal  48  into center hole  50  and then into the opening  54 . At the pressure suggested in  FIG. 6 , O-ring  60  does not cover holes  46  in insert  40  and water flows from holes  46  into the small diameter opening  18  as described. 
       FIG. 7  shows the function of O-ring  60  under increased water pressure conditions. As water pressure increases, compressible O-ring  60  flattens out and expands. As it expands it partially obstructs holes  46  thus decreasing the flow of water through the venturi valve  12 . That is, as the pressure increases, O-ring  60  flattens out across the holes  46  and lets less water through. Likewise, as the pressure lessens, the O-ring  60  retracts and lets more water through. Applicant has determined that venturi valve pressure compensator  10  works across a psi range of about 20 psi to 80 psi and keeps the flow rate consistent at or about one to one point two gallons per minute across that entire range. This provides a pressure compensated vacuum venturi system that runs the same gallons per minute at twenty psi as at eighty psi, a truly unexpected, but much desired, result. 
     By way of further description, Applicant has through extensive testing determined that successfully compensating a vacuum venturi apparatus as discussed herein depends heavily upon making fine adjustments in the relationship of the air intake opening  18  to the small diameter opening  18  and the large diameter opening  20  as well as manipulating the length of the small diameter opening  18  relative to where it finally intercepts the large diameter opening  20 . Taken in combination with the issue of pressure compensation, an extraordinarily complex matter of physics is involved. Applicant believes that the difficulty of pressure compensating a venturi based vacuum valve apparatus lies in the introduction of the incoming inlet stream of water into the inlet  14  of venturi valve  12 . The precise manner in which any pressure compensating device controls this interface is critical for its successful operation. 
     In the final analysis, Applicant has found that the combination of the insert  40  in combination with the pressure seal  48  provides the required pressure compensation result for a venturi valve system. Again, tests show that the venturi valve pressure compensator  10  according to the present invention functions successfully across a psi water pressure range of 20 psi to 80 psi while operating in a pressure compensating mode and while still maintaining the integrity of its vacuum flow venturi capability. The 20 psi to 80 psi range is important as an effective operational range of the present invention because that is the prevailing industry standard. Nonetheless, the present invention is certainly not limited to this range and is effective above and below this range as well. 
     The description of the present embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. As such, while the present invention has been disclosed in connection with an embodiment thereof, it should be understood that other embodiments may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.