Abstract:
An apparatus comprises two inlets for receiving water flows of differing quality. The apparatus comprises a water treatment device for treating one of the water flows. The apparatus is arranged to disable the treatment device if only water from the other inlet is conveyed to an outlet.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the priority of United Kingdom Patent Application No. 1015689.1, filed Sep. 17, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of water treatment. The present invention in particular relates to an apparatus and method for treatment of water requiring treatment and that may be provided to an outlet intermittently with a water supply that does not require treatment. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Non-potable water, such as rain water, borehole water and grey water can be employed in situations that do not necessarily require the use of potable water. Such water can be used, for example, in toilettes or washing machines, for irrigation, in cooling towers, to wash vehicles such as trucks and trains and for other industrial as well as non-industrial uses. To ensure that these above mentioned water types can be safely used they may require treatment. The above mentioned sources of water may, moreover, not be available at all times, so that a backup water supply is required to ensure a consistent supply of water. Such backup supplies often use potable water from the water mains. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus comprising a first inlet for receiving a first water flow, a second inlet for receiving a second water flow, an outlet connected to the first and second inlets, a water treatment device connected to treat at least a water flow received through the first inlet and a controller operative to deactivate the water treatment device at a time when the water conveyed to the outlet has exclusively been received through the second inlet or at a time where there is not flow of water to/from the outlet. The treatment device may be activated at all other times. By deactivating the water treatment device in this manner energy required for operating the treatment device can be saved and the consumption of any chemicals required for the treatment can be reduced. 
         [0005]    The water received through the first inlet may be of inferior quality to that received through the second inlet, and may require treatment. The water received through the first inlet may be grey water (as defined in British Standard BS8525), including bathroom grey water (as defined in British Standard BS8525) such as water drained from a shower, bath or hand basin, water gained from a borehole, rainwater etc. The water received through the second inlet may be water that can be used without requiring treatment, for example potable water. 
         [0006]    The water treatment device may be activated at other times when water that is to be conveyed to the outlet has been or is being received from the first inlet and/or when the water that is to be conveyed to the outlet is or may be a mixture of water received from both inlets. It is also envisaged that the treatment device can be activated at all times during which the 
         [0007]    The apparatus may further comprise at least one of a sensor arranged to provide a signal indicative of an inflow of water through the first inlet to the controller or a valve/flow switch operative to allow inflow of water through said first inlet and arranged to provide a signal indicative of an opening state to the controller. The controller can in this case be operative to activate the treatment device following the receipt of a signal from the sensor indicating that water flows into the apparatus through the first inlet or following the receipt of a signal from the valve/flow switch indicates that an opening position of the valve/flow switch can allow such inflow. 
         [0008]    The apparatus may comprise a timer that is operative to deactivate the treatment device at times for which it is known that no water is or will be drawn from the outlet, such as at times when certain buildings in which the apparatus may be installed are known to be uninhabited, such an office building or a shop at night. The controller can, however, be arranged so that any such timer function may be overridden, for example by a sensor input indicating (unexpected) use. Alternatively, if the timer based de-activation of the treatment device is not to be overridden, the apparatus may be arranged so that any (unexpected) demand for water while the treatment device is deactivated is provided by directing water from the second inlet to the outlet, so that treatment is not necessary. The apparatus may comprise a valve/flow switch, located within the apparatus so as to control flow through the second inlet. The apparatus may be arranged so that the valve/flow switch is opened, thereby allowing inflow through the second inlet, when the controller/timer deactivates the treatment device. It will be appreciated that defaulting to the use of water from the second inlet has advantages, even if no timer is used. The apparatus may thus be configured, for example through the use of the above mentioned flow switches/valves and/or pumps that only permit flow from the second inlet to the outlet, at times when the treatment device is deactivated. 
         [0009]    The apparatus may further comprise a pump arranged to convey one of (i) the entirety of the water flow receivable through the first inlet or (ii) the entirety of the water flow conveyed to the outlet. In the presence of such a pump the controller may be operative to activate the treatment device at times when the pump is activated. It will be appreciated that, if the pump is located in the apparatus so that the entirety of the water flow receivable through the first inlet is conveyed by it, the treatment device may be deactivated at times when exclusively water from the second inlet is conveyed to the outlet. If the pump is located in the apparatus so as to convey all of the flow to the outlet, the treatment device may only be deactivated when no water is conveyed to the outlet. The controller may be arranged to activate the treatment device when receiving a signal from a sensor indicating that the pump is active. Such a sensor may be a water pressure sensor arranged to sense water pressure at a location close to the pump or another type of sensor, such as, for example, a sensor monitoring the electrical activity of the pump. One example of such a sensor could be an induction sensor located close to a power cord of the pump. Any other known sensor for the monitoring of electrical activity may, however, be used in embodiments of the invention. 
         [0010]    If the apparatus comprises a valve or flow switch that can allow/prevent the inflow of water through the first inlet or the outflow of water through the outlet or if the apparatus comprises a pump arranged to cause any such flow the controller may be arranged to activate the treatment device a predetermined period of time before an activation of a valve/flow switch or pump that would allow/cause the flow of water requiring treatment into or out of the apparatus. The controller may additionally or alternatively be arranged to keep the treatment device in an activated state for a predetermined period of time after a flow of water requiring treatment into the apparatus or out of the apparatus has stopped. It will be appreciated that the controller can be operative to react to input signals provided by the sensor or by sensors. The controller may, however, also or alternatively be arranged to send signal to pumps and/or valves/flow switches to cause activation of the pump or opening of the valve/flow switch. 
         [0011]    The controller may be arranged to de-activate the treatment device only a predetermined period of time after a water flow received through the second inlet has started to be provided to the outlet. This ensures that any mixing between the two water flows that may occur does not lead to the output of mixed but untreated water. The apparatus may equally be arranged to re-activate the treatment device a predetermined time prior to the start of expelling a water flow that requires treatment from the apparatus. 
         [0012]    The treatment device may be arranged within the apparatus so that either the entirety of the water flow through the first inlet can be received/treated by it or so that the entirety of the water flow to the outlet can be received/treated by it. 
         [0013]    The treatment device can be a water disinfecting device comprising one or more of a device for irradiating water and a device for adding an additive to water. Devices for irradiating water can include a device for irradiating water, or a water flow, with UV light. A device for adding an additive to water may be a device for adding any chemical additive to the water that is suitable for achieving the treatment aim. In a water disinfecting device the additive may, for example, be chlorine or ozone. 
         [0014]    It will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to treatment devices that require flow of the water to be treated through the device. Apparatus are known that store a supply of water, either of the water that requires treatment, of the water that does not require treatment, or of a mixture of both. It will be appreciated that the treatment device may be arranged to act on a reservoir used for such storage, so that the stored water can be maintained in a treated or a disinfected state. Disinfecting devices adding an additive to the stored water may be particularly suitable for this purpose. The disinfecting device may additionally or alternatively be arranged to drain water from a reservoir, treat it and subsequently return it to the reservoir, to maintain the water in the reservoir in a treated state. 
         [0015]    The above described apparatus may find use in a number of water supply systems that provide the water supplied through the outlet to non-industrial uses, such as the uses mentioned above, or even to industrial uses. The first inlet of the apparatus may be connected to a reservoir for the storage of rainwater, bore hole water or grey water etc. 
         [0016]    The present invention is not limited to the above described apparatus and according to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of sourcing water. The method comprises providing first and second sources of water to a treatment apparatus. Water from the first source requires treatment before use and water from the second source does not require treatment before use. Water from the first source is conveyed to an outlet of the apparatus at one time. At another time water from the second source is conveyed to the outlet. A treatment device of the treatment apparatus that is arranged to treat at least a flow of water received through the first inlet is deactivated for a time during which water conveyed to the outlet is exclusively provided by the second source, or for a time during which no water flows to/from the outlet. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    Embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  shows a first apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  shows another apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]      FIG. 1  illustrates a system  10  in which various embodiments of the present invention can be implemented comprising a reservoir  20  with a first inlet  30  for conveying a flow  40  of water of a (at least perceived) inferior quality, such as, for example, grey water, borehole water or rain water, to the reservoir  20 . The system  10  also comprises a second inlet  50  that is arranged to convey a flow  60  of water having a quality that is suitable for a desired use to the reservoir  20 . An air gap  70  is arranged to prevent flow back from the reservoir  20  into the source of the water flow  60 . 
         [0021]    The reservoir  20  also comprises an outlet  80  with a pump  90  that supplies a pressurised outflow  100 . A water treatment device  110  is provided downflow of the pump  90 , although the water treatment device  110  could alternatively be located upflow of the pump  90 . A controller  120  can be in signal communication with the pump (as indicated by the dashed line) to obtain a signal indicative of an operating state of the pump  90  or to control the pump  90 . 
         [0022]    Also shown is a flow valve/switch  130  in the inlet  50 . This flow valve/switch  130  can prevent inflow through the second inlet  50  at times where sufficient water is flowing into the reservoir  20  through inlet  30  or at times where there is not outflow  100 . The flow switch/valve may be connected via a signal connection to the controller  120  (as indicated by the dashed lines), either to be controlled by the controller  120  or to provide a signal indicating an opening or closing state of the flow switch/valve to the controller  120 . The controller  120  may be arranged to only open the flow switch/valve  130  when the reservoir  20  is empty to prevent mixing the flow of water  60  with water in the reservoir  20  that requires treatment. In this manner it is ensured that water reaching the treatment device after the opening of the flow switch  130  is water that does not require treatment. The controller  120  may be arranged to deactivate the treatment device  110  substantially simultaneously with the opening of the flow switch  130  or after a short time delay required to ensure that any water of the water flow  40  that may have remained in the conduits leading up to the treatment device  110  has been flushed out of the system. This is possible as the water holding capacities of the different parts of the system are generally known, so that a relevant time delay can be determined with knowledge of the volume of water flowing into the system per time unit through inlet  50 . 
         [0023]    Although not shown, a sensor for detecting the filling state of the reservoir  20  can be provided and a signal indicative of the filing state of the reservoir can be provided to the controller  120  via a signal line. A thus transmitted signal can enable the controller  120  to determine a need for water from the second inlet  50  for filling the reservoir and the controller  120  may control the flow switch  130  in accordance with such a determined need. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  illustrates another system in which various embodiments of the present invention can be implemented.  FIG. 2  illustrates a system  200  comprising a first inlet  210  for receiving a first water flow  220 . The first water flow  220  is of a quality that requires treatment before use. It will be noted that in the  FIG. 2  system the first water flow  220  does not feed into a reservoir and is therefore not stored within the system  200  in substantive quantities. A second inlet  230  to the system  200  for receiving a second water flow  240  is also provided. The second water flow  240  does not require treatment before use and is stored in a reservoir  250  in this embodiment. 
         [0025]    An outlet  270  of the apparatus can provide an outflow  280  that consists of either a water flow received through the first inlet  210  or a water flow received through the second inlet  230 . It will be appreciated that a mixture of both water flows can also be conveyed to the outlet  270 . 
         [0026]    An air gap  260  is provided between the second inlet  230  and the reservoir  250  to prevent flowback to the second inlet  230  from the reservoir  250 . To prevent contamination of the water in the reservoir  250  with water received through the first inlet  210 , a valve  290  is provided in a conduit connecting the reservoir  250  with the first inlet  210 /the outlet  270 . The valve  290  is responsible for switching between water flows  220  and  240 . 
         [0027]    The apparatus further comprises a pump  300 , a treatment/disinfecting apparatus  310  and a controller  320 . The controller is operative to activate and deactivate the treatment device  310 . Although not shown, the controller  320  can be in signal communication with the valve  290 , either to receive a signal from the valve  290  indicating an opening or closing state of the valve  290 , or to provide a command to the valve causing the opening or closing of the valve. The controller  320  can activate or deactivate the treatment device  310 , so that it is activated as soon as there is a risk or likelihood of water from the first water flow  220  reaching the outlet. The controller may activate the treatment device  310  some time before water from the first water flow  220  is expected to reach the treatment device  310  and/or deactivate the treatment device  310  some time after such water flow has stopped or some time after there is no longer a likelihood that water from the first water flow  220  reaches the treatment device  310 . 
         [0028]    Although both of the systems  10 / 200  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  comprise a valve in the part of the apparatus that solely conveys water from the second inlet  50 / 230 , it will be appreciated that further or alternative valves can be provided in other locations in the apparatus. A valve can, for example, be connected to the inlet  30 / 210 , so that the water flow  40 / 220  can be shut down. This is advantageous if the treatment device is (at least partially) timer controlled. In this case any such valve can be closed when the treatment device has been deactivated by the timer function. 
         [0029]    The systems  10 / 200  may alternatively comprise a valve/flow switch in the outlet  80 / 270 , either upstream of any pump provided in the outlet, downstream of a treatment device in the outlet, or, if both a pump and a treatment device are provided in the outlet, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , between the pump and the treatment device. A valve/flow switch in such a location can ensure that no outflow of water is provided while treatment device is deactivated. 
         [0030]    Either of the above discussed additional or alternative valves/switching devices in the first inlet or the outlet may be connected to the controller via a signal line. As discussed above, such a signal line can serve to inform the controller of an opening or closing state of the valve or can be used by the controller to cause the valve to open or close in accordance with a corresponding signal provided by the controller. 
         [0031]    Although neither of  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate the use of flow sensors, it will be appreciated that such flow sensors may be used in various embodiments of the present invention. Of particular advantage are flow sensors provided along the first inlet, as such flow sensors can monitor the entry of water requiring treatment into the systems  10 / 200 . Other flow sensors may also or alternatively be provided, for example in the outlet or in the second inlet. Either of these flow sensors comprises a signal connection to the controller for providing a signal indicative of a flow to the controller. 
         [0032]    It will be appreciated that, while the above description refers to valves and flow switches, solenoid switches that may be controlled by the controller can also be used. 
         [0033]    While the present invention has been described above with reference to examples, these examples are not limiting and the scope of the present invention is defined by the following claims. 
         [0034]    All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated as incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. 
         [0035]    The particular implementations shown and described herein are illustrative examples of the invention and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the invention in any way. For the sake of brevity, conventional aspects and other functional aspects of the systems (and components of the individual operating components of the systems) may not be described in detail. Furthermore, the connecting lines, or connectors shown in the various figures presented are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical or logical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships, physical connections or logical connections may be present in a practical device. Moreover, no item or component is essential to the practice of the invention unless the element is specifically described as “essential” or “critical”. 
         [0036]    The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. 
         [0037]    The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) should be construed to cover both the singular and the plural. Furthermore, recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. Finally, the steps of all methods described herein are performable in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. 
         [0038]    The words “mechanism” and “element” are used herein generally and are not limited solely to mechanical embodiments. Numerous modifications and adaptations will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.