RETROFIT SUSTAINABLE DEVICE FOR WATER CONSERVATION

• US 20110155269A1
• Filed: 12/31/2010
• Published: 06/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Scott Martin
• Original Assignee: Scott Martin
• Inventors: Martin, Scott
• Application Number:
  US12/983,289
• Publication Number:
  US 20110155269A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/552.7
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/071 Arrangement of safety devices in domestic pipe systems, e.g. devices for automatic shut-off
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 21/16 closing after a predetermined quantity of fluid has been delivered F16K21/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/15 Leakage reduction or detection in water storage or distribution
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8208 Time

Abstract

The instant invention will conserve water and energy by monitoring and limiting water usage in both commercial and residential settings. The device employs a mechanical timer and plate valve to control the amount of time water is running and to notify the user that, after a set amount of time has elapsed, the water will shut off. The device can be easily retrofit for use in commercial and residential buildings, and sea going vessels, as well as applied to commercial kitchens and outdoor commercial and residential landscape. The user is restricted to a fixed maximum duration of water. After a preset time has elapsed, the water flow will stop. This water conservation invention has wide application in commercial and residential settings as a means to pride consumers with an effective, easy and inexpensive way to save hundreds of thousands of gallons of water from being wasted monthly.

Claims

1. A device for controlling water flow, comprising:

a first housing for the main conduit of water flow, said conduit member comprising a first attachment means to removably connect to a supply conduit of a controllable water flow at one end of said main conduit member, and a second attachment means to removably connect to an outlet conduit for water flow at a second end of said main conduit member;

said conduit member having a bore formed at least part way therethrough for receiving water from the supply conduit;

a valve actuator mechanism, housed within a second housing;

a regulator valve disposed within said second housing, and capable of interacting within said bore of said main conduit member for control of water between full flow and no flow;

said regulator valve including a ball for slidable contact with the valve actuator mechanism;

whereby selective operation of the valve actuator mechanism within said second housing is effective to position the valve actuator and the regulator valve in a complementary relationship so as to maintain a desired quantity of water flow of water from the water flow control device to said outlet conduit.

2. A water flow control device as claimed in claim 1, further including a timer device for controlling the operation of said valve actuator mechanism.

3. A water flow control device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first housing further comprises a second conduit member, said second conduit member in communication with said first conduit member so as to allow water flow from one conduit member to the other.

4. A water flow control device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the long axis of said second conduit member is positioned at a right angle to the long axis of said first conduit member.

5. A water flow control device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said regulator valve is capable of interacting within said bore of said main second conduit member for control of water between full flow and no flow.

6. A water flow control device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said regulator valve comprises a plate valve member, said plate valve member being capable when properly actuated of sealing off a conduit member, and thereby preventing water flow through said conduit member.

7. A water flow control device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said plate valve member, having a surface complementary to and at times in slidable contact with the interior of said second conduit member, and capable of sealing said conduit member and thereby blocking water flow through said conduit member.

8. A water flow control device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said device is capable of being fitted onto an existing water supply system.

9. A water flow control device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said device is resistant to pressure, and capable of conveying waters under pressure.

10. A water flow control device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said device is resistant to pressure, and capable of conveying waters under pressure sufficient to deliver water to end uses on the higher floors of a high-rise hotel.

11. A water flow control device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said device is resistant to pressure, and capable of conveying waters under pressure sufficient to deliver water to end uses on the higher floors of a cruise ship.

12. An energy saving device for controlling the flow of water, comprising:

a first housing for the main conduit of water flow, said conduit member comprising a first attachment means to removably connect to a supply conduit of a controllable water flow at one end of said main conduit member, and a second attachment means to removably connect to an outlet conduit for water flow at a second end of said main conduit member;

said conduit member having a first bore formed part way therethrough for receiving water from the supply conduit;

said conduit member having a second bore formed part way therethrough for delivering water to the outlet conduit, said second bore not in direct contact with said first bore;

a second conduit member, for conveying water from the first bore within the main conduit member to the second bore within the main conduit member;

a valve actuator mechanism, housed within a second housing;

a regulator valve disposed within said second housing, and capable of interacting within said bore of said second conduit member for control of water between full flow and no flow;

said regulator valve including a ball for slidable contact with the valve actuator mechanism;

a timer, housed within said second housing;

whereby selective operation of the valve actuator mechanism within said second housing is effective to position the valve actuator and the regulator valve in a complementary relationship so as to maintain a desired quantity of water flow of water from the water flow control device to said outlet conduit.