Remote controlled water flow and drain system

• US 20020088176A1
• Filed: 03/11/2002
• Published: 07/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Franc Gergek
• Original Assignee: Franc Gergek
• Inventors: Gergek, Franc
• Granted Patent: US 6,568,425 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 47/79
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 27/003 Controls for self-acting watering devices
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 27/06 having a water reservoir, the main part thereof being located wholly around or directly beside the growth substrate
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 63/04 Arrangements for treating water specially adapted to receptacles for live fish
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/85938 Non-valved flow dividers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86027 Electric

Abstract

A method for supplying and withdrawing water to and from a user apparatus is achieved by supplying and withdrawing water through a single water pipe during different periods of time. A remote controlled water flow and drain system for implementation of this water supply and withdrawal method includes a water passage having two ends, one being for use with the user apparatus such as a plant pot, and the other being connected to a reversible pump, and is controlled by a main controller, preferably in combination with a remote controller. The system can be connected to both a water source and a place for drainage, selectively communicating with the water source to supply water through the water passage to the user apparatus at one time, and at another time communicating the place for drainage to withdraw water from the user apparatus and deliver the withdrawn water to the place for drainage. In various embodiments and applications of the invention, the system can be made as a central system in a house, an attachable system, or a portable system. The entire operation can be fully programmed.

Claims

1. A method of supplying and withdrawing water comprising steps of:

supplying water to an apparatus in required amounts through a single water pipe;

withdrawing water from the apparatus in required amounts through the same single water pipe; and

controlling the supplying of water and the withdrawing of water through the single water pipe in a required sequence.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

switching water communication modes of the water pipe at a distal end thereof relative to the apparatus, between a first water communication mode in which the water pipe is in fluid communication with a water source, and a second water communication mode in which the water pipe is in fluid communication with a place for water drainage.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2 further comprising:

supplying water or withdrawing water by use of means positioned at the distal end of the water pipe, for generating a fluid pressure differential within the water pipe between an end of the water pipe adapted for use with the apparatus and the distal end of the water pipe.

4. A method as claimed in claim 2 further comprising:

switching water communication modes of the water pipe between the first and second water communication modes, in response to signals sent from a controller positioned in the proximity of the apparatus.

5. A method as claimed in claim 2 further comprising:

switching water communication modes of the water pipe between the first and second water communication modes, in response to signals sent from sensors associated with the apparatus.

6. A method as claimed in claim 3 further comprising:

alternating the generation of the fluid pressure differential in the water pipe between a first fluid pressure mode for supplying water to the apparatus, and a second fluid pressure mode for withdrawing water from the apparatus, in response to signals sent from a controller positioned in the proximity of the apparatus.

7. A method as claimed in claim 3 further comprising:

alternating the generation of the fluid pressure differential in the water pipe between a first fluid pressure mode for supplying water to the apparatus and a second fluid pressure mode for withdrawing water from an apparatus, in response to signals sent from sensors associated with the apparatus.

8. A system for supplying and withdrawing water comprising:

a water passage having a first end adapted for use with an apparatus;

means connected with a second end of the water passage for generating a fluid pressure differential in two modes in the water passage between the first and second ends thereof; and

means for selectively establishing water communication of the water passage with a water source, or with a place of water drainage, the means for establishing water communication being connected with the means for generating a fluid pressure differential, in order to supply water to the apparatus, or to withdraw water through the water passage from the apparatus, during different periods of time.

9. A system as claimed in claim 8 further comprising a main controller associated with the means for generating a fluid pressure differential and with the means for selectively establishing water communications, the main controller controlling the operation of water supply and withdrawal.

10. A system as claimed in claim 9 further comprising a remote controller for sending controlling signals to the main controller.

11. A system as claimed in claim 9 further comprising signal conductors, each signal conductor being adapted at a first end thereof for receiving signals from sensors associated with the apparatus, and being connected at a second end thereof to the main controller for transmitting the signals thereto.

12. A system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the signal conductors comprise wires incorporated into a pipe wall defining at least one section of the water passage.

13. A system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the at least one section of the water passage comprises a flexible water pipe, a first end of the water pipe defining the first end of the water passage.

14. A system as claimed in claim 13 further comprising a connector having a first part connected to the flexible water pipe and a second part connected to a section of the water passage, for releasably connecting the flexible water pipe to the section of the water passage in fluid communication.

15. A system as claimed in claim 14 wherein the connector comprises metal contacts at the respective parts thereof for detachably connecting the wires incorporated into the pipe wall with the wires connected to the main controller.

16. A system as claimed in claim 13 further comprising a plurality of water pipe sections connected together forming a water distribution net, the water distribution net having one opening defining the second end of the water passage, and a plurality of other openings to be selectively connected to the flexible water pipe so that a branch of the water distribution net between the one opening defining the second end of the water passage and the selected opening connected with the flexible pipe, together with the flexible pipe, defines the water passage when the remaining openings of the water distribution net are closed.

17. A system as claimed in claim 16 further comprising a plurality of cover members for closing the respective remaining openings of the water distribution net.

18. A system as claimed in claim 17 wherein each cover member comprises a indicator of system working status.

19. A system as claimed in claim 13 further comprising means for releasably connecting the first end of the water pipe to the apparatus in fluid communication.

20. A system as claimed in claim 19 wherein the connecting means comprises:

a first part connected to the first end of the water pipe;

a second part adapted to be connected to the apparatus;

a memory chip attached to the second part for storing operation data with respect to the apparatus; and

a plurality of metal contacts affixed to the respective first and second parts for conducting signals from the apparatus and the memory chip through the wires incorporated in the pipe wall, to the main controller.

21. A device for supplying and withdrawing water comprising:

a container including a first compartment for containing source water and a second compartment for collecting withdrawn water;

a reversible pump adapted to be in selective fluid communication with one of the first and second compartments;

a reversible electric motor coupled with the pump;

a pipe having a first end connected to the pump and a second end adapted for use with an apparatus to which water is supplied and from which water is withdrawn;

means for controlling the selective fluid communication of the pump with one of the first and second compartments, and for controlling the electric motor in operation, whereby the electric motor drives the pump in either direction as required, in order to either supply source water from the first compartment to the apparatus, or to withdraw water from the apparatus and deliver the withdrawn water into the second compartment.

22. A device as claimed in claim 21 further comprising a valve and pipe system wherein a first solenoid valve is connected between the pump and the first compartment and a second solenoid valve is connected between the pump and the second compartment, the two solenoid valves being controlled by the controlling means for the selective connection of the pump to either one of the first and second compartments.

23. A device as claimed in claim 21 wherein the first and second compartments are separated by a flexible diaphragm.

24. A device as claimed in claim 21 wherein the apparatus is made in a portable style and the container comprises a tip safety valve permitting air to pass therethrough while inhibiting water spillage when the container tips to one side.

25. A device as claimed in claim 21 wherein the pipe comprises a valve attached to the second end thereof in order to inhibit water spillage when the second end of the pipe is detached from the apparatus.