Propulsion-Release Safety Vacuum Release System
First Claim
1. In a water circulation system of an aquatic facility, having a water intake side including at least one underwater intake port and having a water output side including at least one output port, and having a pressurized water output source directing a water stream into the aquatic facility through the output port and withdrawing a water stream from the aquatic facility through the water intake port, an improved safety vacuum release system for propelling a blockage away from a blocked underwater intake port of the circulation system, comprising:
- a flow valve moveable between a first position withdrawing a water stream from the aquatic facility through said underwater intake port and a second position feeding a water stream into the aquatic facility through the intake port; and
an actuator responsive to the level of water pressure on the water intake side of the circulation system, operatively connected to the flow valve, selectively actuating the flow valve to move from first position to second position in response to a pre-selected low level of water pressure on the water intake side of the circulation system, thereby reversing the direction of water flow in the intake side to direct water out the intake port for propelling blockage away from the intake port.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A propulsion-release safety vacuum release system (SVRS) for swimming pools monitors vacuum level in a suction pipe and reverses flow within the suction pipe if vacuum level exceeds a predetermined level. Thus, if a bather becomes entrapped on a suction outlet such as the pool main drain, the SVRS system not only releases the vacuum but also pushes away the suction-entrapped bather. In response to an elevated vacuum level, a vacuum-monitoring device actuates an automatic valve, which reverses fluid communications between the influent and effluent conduits of the pump and filter system. In this process, the suction pipe is converted from vacuum (negative pressure) to positive pressure. Thereafter, the automatic valve system automatically resets the SVRS to the original or normal flow configuration. The SVRS functions without interrupting operation of the swimming pool filtration system.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. In a water circulation system of an aquatic facility, having a water intake side including at least one underwater intake port and having a water output side including at least one output port, and having a pressurized water output source directing a water stream into the aquatic facility through the output port and withdrawing a water stream from the aquatic facility through the water intake port, an improved safety vacuum release system for propelling a blockage away from a blocked underwater intake port of the circulation system, comprising:
- a flow valve moveable between a first position withdrawing a water stream from the aquatic facility through said underwater intake port and a second position feeding a water stream into the aquatic facility through the intake port; and
an actuator responsive to the level of water pressure on the water intake side of the circulation system, operatively connected to the flow valve, selectively actuating the flow valve to move from first position to second position in response to a pre-selected low level of water pressure on the water intake side of the circulation system, thereby reversing the direction of water flow in the intake side to direct water out the intake port for propelling blockage away from the intake port. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
- a flow valve moveable between a first position withdrawing a water stream from the aquatic facility through said underwater intake port and a second position feeding a water stream into the aquatic facility through the intake port; and
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9. A method of operating a safety vacuum release system in a water circulation system of an aquatic facility, having a water intake side including at least one underwater intake port and having a water output side including at least one output port, and having a water pressure source directing a water stream into the aquatic facility through the water output side and withdrawing a water stream from the aquatic facility on the water intake side, comprising:
- first, pre-selecting a water pressure level for actuating a safety vacuum release system;
second, monitoring water pressure level on the intake side of the circulation system;
third, detecting a drop in water pressure level below said pre-selected pressure on the intake side of the circulation system; and
fourth, reversing direction of flow between the intake and output sides of the circulation system, directing the water stream into the aquatic facility through the intake port to propel blockage away from a the intake port and restore a pressure level greater than the pre-selected level on the intake side of the circulation system. - View Dependent Claims (10)
- first, pre-selecting a water pressure level for actuating a safety vacuum release system;
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11. 11. A method of operating a safety vacuum release system in an aquatic facility having a water intake system including at least one underwater intake port, having a water pressure source withdrawing a water stream from the aquatic facility into the water intake system, comprising:
- first, pre-selecting a water pressure level for actuating a safety vacuum release system;
second, monitoring water pressure level in the intake system;
third, detecting a drop in water pressure level below said pre-selected pressure in the intake system; and
fourth, in response to said third step, reversing direction of flow in the intake system, directing a water stream into the aquatic facility through the intake port to propel blockage away from a the intake port and restore a pressure level greater than the pre-selected level in the intake system.
- first, pre-selecting a water pressure level for actuating a safety vacuum release system;
Specification