OPERATING ARRANGEMENT FOR FLUSH VALVES

• US 3,778,023 A
• Filed: 12/22/1971
• Issued: 12/11/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Henry R. Billeter
• Original Assignee: Henry R. Billeter
• Inventors: Billeter, Henry R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rosenthal, Arnold
• Application Number:
  US05/210,652
• Time in Patent Office: 720 Days
• Field of Search: 251/33,41,30
• US Class Current: 251/30.01
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 3/02 Self-closing flushing valves self-closing valves in general F16K21/04
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/402 acting on a diaphragm
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/406 acting on a piston

Abstract

A cylindrical casing is attached at one end to a flush valve and at the other end supports an electric solenoid. Connecting fluid flow passages in the flush valve body and through the length of the casing lead to the solenoid valve seat. A piston in the casing is operated by hydraulic pressure through the fluid passages when the solenoid is operated. This action projects a plunger forward into the flush valve to cause it to operate. The solenoid may be operated by an electrical push button located at a remote point from the flush valve.

Claims

1. In combination, a flush valve, an electrical solenoid spaced from the flush valve, a casing connecting the flush valve and solenoid, a cup-shaped sleeve positioned within said casing and having a flow passage through the bottom and adjacent the solenoid, a valve seat surrounding said flow passage opening, a valve member movable toward and away from said seat in response to operation of said solenoid, a guide member in said casing cooperating with said sleeve to define a piston chamber, a piston movable in said chamber and having a plunger thereon extending into the flush valve for use in operating the flush valve, said guide member having an end wall with an opening for said plunger, a spring positioned about said plunger and bottomed on said guide member end wall, and flow passages about the exterior of said sleeve and guide member and inside of said casing for connecting the pressure side of the flush valve with one side of said valve seat, operation of said solenoid moving said valve member away from said valve seat permitting fluid pressure from the pressure side of said flush valve to pass through said flow passage to move said plunger to operate said flush valve.

2. The structure of claim 1 further characterized by and including a bleed opening in the piston to permit expulsion of the fluid between the valve seat and the piston when the piston is restored.

3. The structure of claim 2 further characterized by and including bleed openings in said guide member for use in expelling fluid as the piston is restored.

4. In combinatioN, a flush valve, an electrical solenoid spaced from the flush valve, a casing connecting the flush valve and solenoid, a cup-shaped sleeve positioned within said casing and having a flow passage through the bottom end adjacent the solenoid, a valve seat surrounding said flow passage opening, a valve member movable toward and away from said seat in response to operation of said solenoid, a guide member in said casing cooperating with said sleeve to define a piston chamber, a piston movable in said chamber and having a plunger thereon extending into the flush valve for use in operating the flush valve, a spring positioned about said plunger, and flow passages about the exterior of said sleeve and guide member and inside of said casing for connecting the pressure side of the flush valve with one side of said valve seat, said flow passages being defined by a plurality of spaced ribs formed between the inside of the casing and the outside of the cup-shaped sleeve, operation of said solenoid moving said valve member away from said valve seat permitting fluid pressure from the pressure side of said flush valve to pass through said flow passage to move said plunger to operate said flush valve.

5. In combination, a flush valve, an electrical solenoid spaced from the flush valve, a casing connecting the flush valve and solenoid, a cup-shaped sleeve positioned within said casing and having a flow passage through the bottom end adjacent the solenoid, a valve seat surrounding said flow passage opening, a valve member movable toward and away from said seat in response to operation of said solenoid, a guide member in said casing cooperating with said sleeve to define a piston chamber, seal rings between the exterior of said guide member and the interior of said cup-shaped sleeve, a piston movable in said chamber and having a plunger thereon extending into the flush valve for use in operating the flush valve, a spring positioned about said plunger, and flow passages about the exterior of said sleeve and guide member and inside of said casing for connecting the pressure side of the flush valve with one side of said valve seat, operation of said solenoid moving said valve member away from said valve seat permitting fluid pressure from the pressure side of said flush valve to pass through said flow passage to move said plunger to operate said flush valve.