On demand sensor flush valve

• US 5,062,453 A
• Filed: 03/06/1991
• Issued: 11/05/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Zurn Industries LLC (Zilco Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Zurn Industries Incorporated (Rexnord Corporation)
• Inventors: Ball, Christopher J., Steffan, John, Saadi, Robert E., Becker, Allen R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohan, Alan
• Application Number:
  US07/665,344
• Time in Patent Office: 244 Days
• Field of Search: 251/129.04, 251/29, 251/40, 251/30.04, 4/304, 4/305, 137/624.11, 137/624.12
• US Class Current: 137/624.11
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 3/08 with other retarding devices
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 5/10 operated electrically E03D5/01, E03D5/12 take precedence, e.g. by a photo-cell; also combined with devices for opening or closing shutters in the bowl outlet and/or with devices for raising/or lowering seat and cover and/or for swiveling the bowl
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86389 Programmer or timer

Abstract

An on demand, non-contact sensor controlled flush valve actuation system includes a flush valve between a water supply and a plumbing fixture. An actuator for the flush valve includes a moveable piston in fluid communication with a control water inlet, with a control water conduit carrying water from the flush valve through a solenoid operated control valve to the actuator assembly. A radiation sensing/detecting unit generates a first control signal in response to the return reflection of infrared radiation. A timer receives the first control signal and, in response thereto, generates a second control signal of a predetermined duration which activates the solenoid. When the solenoid is activated, a portion of the pressurized supply water flows into the actuator assembly and against a piston therein, with the piston moving to operate a trip mechanism for the flush valve.

Claims

1. An on demand, non-contact sensor controlled flush alve actuation system comprising:

a flush valve controlling the flow of water between a pressurized water supply and a plumbing fixture, said flush valve including a trip mechanism therein;

an actuator assembly positioned within said flush valve and including a movable piston which is in fluid communication with a control water inlet therethrough;

a control water conduit having one end connected to said flush valve and in constant fluid communication with the pressurized supply water;

a normally closed solenoid operated control valve having an inlet port connected to the other end of said control water conduit and having an outlet port connected to said control water inlet of said actuator assembly;

a radiation generating and sensing unit which immediately generates a first control signal in response to the return reflection of electromagnetic radiation generated therein, said sensing unit having a low sensitivity range so that only deliberate actions of a user will cause the return reflection of said electromagnetic signal; and

a timer which receives said first control signal and in response thereto immediately generates a second control signal of a predetermined duration, with said second control signal supplied to and activating said solenoid operated control valve, thereby opening said control valve and permitting a portion of said pressurized supply water to flow into said control water inlet and against said piston, with said piston moving from said pressurized supply water and moving said actuator assembly against the trip mechanism and opening the flush valve.

2. The on demand, non-contact sensor controlled flush valve actuation system of claim 1 wherein the radiation generating and sensing unit operates in the infrared radiation range.

3. The on demand, non-contact sensor controlled flush valve actuation system of claim 2 wherein said flush valve is a diaphragm operated flush valve.

4. The on demand, non-contact sensor controlled flush valve actuation system of claim 1 wherein said actuator assembly includes an actuator rod which is moved by said piston against said trip mechanism.

5. The on demand, non-contact sensor controlled flush valve actuation system of claim 4 wherein said piston and actuator rod are an integral unit.

6. The on demand, non-contact sensor controlled flush valve actuation system of claim 4 wherein said actuator rod is held by and moves within a seal retaining unit.

7. The on demand, non-contact sensor controlled flush valve actuation system of claim 6 wherein said seal retaining unit has at least one water drain hole therethrough.

8. The on demand, non-contact sensor controlled flush valve actuation system of claim 6 further including a spring surrounding said actuator rod and extending between said seal retaining unit and said piston.

9. The on demand, non-contact sensor controlled flush valve actuation system of claim 4 wherein said piston is cup-shaped, with an open portion of said piston directed toward said control water inlet.

10. The on demand, non-contact sensor controlled flush valve actuation system of claim 4 wherein said piston has at least one water bleed hole therethrough.

11. The on demand, non-contact sensor controlled flush valve actuation system of claim 1 wherein said predetermined duration is about 2 seconds.

12. The on demand, non-contact sensor controlled flush valve actuation system of claim 1 wherein said timer is a timing relay which includes a power-up feature such that no second control signal is generated when electrical power is first supplied to the system.

13. The on demand, non-contact sensor controlled flush actuation system of claim 1 wherein said sensitivity range is four inches or less.

15. The on demand, non-contact sensor controlled flush actuation system of claim 1 wherein said flush valve includes a body and said control water conduit is positioned external of said body having one end connected to said flush valve body.

14. The on demand, non-contact sensor controlled flush actuation system of claim 14 wherein said sensitivity range is between three inches and four inches.

16. An on demand, non-contact sensor controlled flush valve actuation system comprising:

a flush valve having a valve body controlling the flow of water between a pressurized water supply and a plumbing fixture, said flush valve including a trip mechanism therein;

an actuator assembly positioned within said flush valve and including a movable piston which is in fluid communication with a control water inlet therethrough;

a control water conduit positioned external of said body having one end connected to said flush valve body and in constant fluid communication with the pressurized supply water;

a normally closed solenoid operated control valve having an inlet port connected to the other end of said control water conduit and having an outlet port connected to said control water inlet of said actuator assembly;

a radiation generating and sensing unit which immediately generates a first control signal in response to the return reflection of electromagnetic radiation generated therein, said sensing unit having a sensitivity range of four inches or less, so that only deliberate actions of a use will cause the return reflection of said electromagnetic signal; and

a timer which receives first control signal and in response thereto immediately generates a second control signal of a predetermined duration, with said second control signal supplied to and activating said solenoid operated control valve, thereby opening said control valve and permitting a portion of said pressurized supply water to flow into said control water inlet and against said piston, with said piston moving from said pressurized supply water and moving said actuator assembly against the trip mechanism and opening the flush valve.

17. The on demand, non-contact sensor controlled flush actuation system of claim 16 wherein said sensitivity range is between three inches and four inches.

18. The on demand, non-contact sensor controlled flush valve actuation system of claim 16 wherein the radiation generating and sensing unit operates in the infrared radiation range.

19. The on demand, non-contact sensor controlled flush valve actuation system of claim 16 wherein said predetermined duration is about 2 seconds.

20. The on demand, non-contact sensor controlled flush valve actuation system of claim 16 wherein said timer is a timing relay which includes a power-up feature such that no second control signal is generated when electrical power is first supplied to the system.