Flush system

• US 5,125,621 A
• Filed: 04/01/1991
• Issued: 06/30/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Recurrent Solutions Limited Partnership
• Original Assignee: Recurrent Solutions Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Parsons, Natan E., Novak, Joel S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rosenthal, Arnold
• Application Number:
  US07/678,084
• Time in Patent Office: 456 Days
• Field of Search: 251/30.03, 251/41, 251/45, 4/406, 4/DIG. 3
• US Class Current: 251/30.03
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 3/06 with diaphragm valve and pressure chamber for retarding the valve-closing movement
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 4/03 Electric flushing

Abstract

A replacement apparatus (50) for converting a manual flush mechanism to automatic operation includes a partition base (76) secured to a replacement cap (68) that forms two spaced-apart openings (96 and 98). A valve operator (58) is so mounted on the replacement cap (68) as to form with the upper surface of the replacement cap (68) a chamber (100) with which both of the openings (96 and 98) communicate. The partition base (76) separates a pilot chamber (26) from a relief chamber (94) that the partition base (76) and replacement cap (68) form. A replacement pilot valve member (102) controlled by the valve operator (58) in turn controls flow through the passage that comprises the openings (96 and 98) and the common chamber (100) with which they communicate. It thereby controls flow between the pilot chamber (26) and the relief chamber (94). The partition base (76) includes a wall (86 ) that is flexible so as to permit a main valve diaphragm (24) to flex. This organization permits the operator stroke to be much shorter than the flexure displacement of the center of the main diaphragm (24).

Claims

1. A flush-control mechanism comprising:

A) a body portion providing an inlet, an outlet, and a valve seat at the outlet,

B) a cap secured to the body portion and forming therewith a composite chamber;

C) a diaphragm secured in the composite chamber, dividing the composite chamber into a main chamber and a pilot chamber and being flexible between an open state, in which it is spaced from the valve seat and permits flow from the inlet through the main chamber to the outlet, and a closed state, in which it seats against the valve seat and prevents flow from the inlet through the main chamber to the outlet, and providing a relief opening therethrough for flow from the pilot chamber to the outlet;

D) a partition forming a relief chamber communicating with the relief opening, generally separating the pilot chamber from the relief chamber and the relief opening but permitting flexure of the diaphragm and including a control portion, fixed in position with respect to the cap, that forms a pilot passage so positioned that the partition prevents flow between the pilot and relief chambers except through the pilot passage, and a flexible wall member extending between the fixed-position control portion and the diaphragm;

E) a pilot valve member;

F) a latching pilot operator, adapted for application of operator control signals thereto, for responding to the operator control signals by operating the pilot closes the pilot passage so as to prevent fluid flow therethrough, and second position, in which it permits fluid flow therethrough; and

G) a control circuit for applying operator control signals to the operator.

2. A flush-control mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein:

A) the mechanism further includes a manually operable entry device for making a type selection; and

B) the control circuit comprises means for responding to the predetermined characteristics by causing the pilot operator to operate the pilot valve member to the second position for a period of time dependent on the type selection and then return it to the second position.

3. A flush-control mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein:

A) the flush-control mechanism further includes a battery; and

B) the control circuit is connected to the battery to be powered thereby.

4. A flush-control mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein part of the cap provides the partition control portion that forms the pilot passage.

5. A flush-control mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein:

A) the flush-control mechanism further includes a sonic sensor for sensing sound in a predetermined target region and generating sensor signals representative of the sensed sound; and

B) the control circuit is responsive to the sensor signals to operate the pilot valve member by applying operator control signals to the pilot operator in response to predetermined characteristics of the sensed sound.

6. A flush-control mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein:

A) the flush-control mechanism further includes a sensor operable by application of drive signals thereto to monitor a predetermined target region for objects and generate sensor signals representative of detection of an object in the neighborhood; and

B) the control circuit is responsive to the sensor signals to operate the pilot valve member by applying operator control signals to the pilot operator in response to predetermined characteristics of the object detected.

7. A flush-control mechanism as defined in claim 6 wherein the sensor comprises a sonic sensor operable by application of drive signals thereto to transmit sound into the target region and generate the sensor signals in response to reflected sound received thereby.

8. A flush-control mechanism as defined in claim 6 wherein the sensor comprises an infrared sensor for transmitting infrared radiation in to the predetermined target region and generating the sensor signals in response to receipt of reflected radiation received thereby.

9. A flush-control mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein:

A) the flush-control mechanism further includes a manually operable switch; and

B) the control circuit is responsive to operation of the switch to operate the pilot valve member by applying operator control signals to the pilot operator.

10. For converting to automatic operation a flush mechanism of the type that includes a body portion providing an inlet, an outlet, and a valve seat at the outlet, an original cap removably secured to the body portion and forming therewith gera composite chamber, a diaphragm secured in the composite chamber, dividing the composite chamber into a main chamber and a pilot chamber, being flexible between an open state, in which it is spaced from the valve seat and permits flow from the inlet through the main chamber to the outlet, and a closed state, in which it seats against the valve seat and prevents flow from the inlet through the main chamber to the outlet, and providing a relief opening therethrough for flow from the pilot chamber to the outlet, and a pilot valve member operable between a first position, in which is prevents flow through the relief opening, and a second position, in which it permits such flow, a replacement assembly comprising:

A) a replacement cap that forms a composite chamber with the body when the replacement cap is mounted on the body in place of the original cap;

B) a partition including a control portion fixed in position with respect to the replacement cap and a flexible wall member extending between the fixed-position control portion and the diaphragm, the partition (i) forming a relief chamber communicating with the relief opening, (ii) permitting flexure of the diaphragm, and (iii) generally separating the pilot chamber from the relief chamber and the relief opening when the replacement cap is secured to the body, the control passage forming a pilot passage therethrough so positioned that the partition prevents flow between the pilot and relief chambers except through the pilot passage;

C) a replacement pilot valve member movably mounted for translation, when the replacement cap is mounted on the body in place of the original cap, between a first position, in which it closes the pilot passage so as to prevent fluid flow therethrough, and a second position, in which it permits fluid flow therethrough;

D) a latching pilot operator, secured to the replacement cap and adapted for application of operator control signals thereto, for responding to the operator control signals by operating the replacement pilot valve member between the first and second positions thereof; and

E) a control circuit for applying operator control signals to the sensor operator.

11. A replacement assembly as defined in claim 10 wherein:

A) the mechanism further includes a manually operable entry device for making a type selection; and

B) the control circuit comprises means for responding to the predetermined characteristics by causing the pilot operator to operate the pilot valve member to the second position for a period of time dependent on the type selection and then return it to the second position.

12. A replacement assembly defined in claim 10 wherein:

A) the flush-control mechanism further includes a sonic sensor for sensing sound in a predetermined target region and generating sensor signals representative of the sensed sound; and

B) the control circuit is responsive to the sensor signals to operate the pilot valve member by applying operator signals to the pilot operator in response to predetermined characteristics of the sensed sound.

13. A replacement assembly defined in claim 10 wherein:

A) the flush-control mechanism further includes a sensor operable by application of drive signals thereto to monitor a predetermined target region for objects and generate sensor signals representative of detection of an object in the neighborhood; and

B) the control circuit is responsive to the sensor signals to operate the pilot valve member by applying operator signals to the pilot operator in response to predetermined characteristics of the object detected.

14. A replacement assembly as defined in claim 13 wherein the sensor comprises a sonic sensor operable by application of drive signals thereto to transmit sound into the target region and generate the sensor signals in response to reflected sound received thereby.

15. A replacement assembly as defined in claim 13 wherein the sensor comprises an infrared sensor for transmitting infrared radiation in the predetermined target region and generating the sensor signals in response to receipt of reflected radiation received thereby.

16. A replacement assembly as defined in claim 10 wherein:

A) the flush-control mechanism further includes a battery; and

B) the control circuit is connected to the battery to be powered thereby.

17. A replacement assembly as defined in claim 10 wherein part of the cap provides the partition control portion that forms the pilot passage.

18. A replacement assembly as defined in claim 10 wherein:

A) the flush-control mechanism further includes a manually operable switch; and

B) the control circuit is responsive to operation of the switch to operate the pilot valve member by applying operator control signals to the pilot operator.

19. A flush-control mechanism comprising:

A) a body portion providing an inlet, an outlet, and a valve seat at the outlet,

B) a cap secured to the body portion and forming therewith a composite chamber;

C) a diaphragm secured in the composite chamber, dividing the composite chamber into a main chamber and a pilot chamber and being flexible between an open state, in which it is spaced from the valve seat and permits flow from the inlet through the main chamber to the outlet, and a closed state, in which it seats against the valve seat and prevents flow from the inlet through the main chamber to the outlet, and providing a relief opening therethrough for flow from the pilot chamber to the outlet;

D) a partition forming a relief chamber communicating with the relief opening, generally separating the pilot chamber from the relief chamber and the relief opening but permitting flexure of the diaphragm and including a control portion, fixed in position with respect to the cap, that forms a pilot passage so positioned that the partition prevents flow between the pilot and relief chambers except through the pilot passage, and a flexible wall member extending between the fixed-position control portion and the diaphragm;

E) a pilot valve member;

F) a pilot operator, adapted for application of operator control signals thereto, for responding to the operator control signals by operating the pilot valve member between a first position, in which it closes the pilot passage so as to prevent fluid flow therethrough, and second position, in which it permits fluid flow therethrough;

G) a pressure sensor for sensing a pressure in the composite chamber and generating a pressure signal indicative thereof; and

H) a control circuit responsive to the pressure signal for applying operator control signals to the operator so as to cause it to operate the pilot valve member to the second position for a period of time dependent on the pressure signal and then return it to the first position.

20. A flush-control mechanism comprising:

A) a body portion providing an inlet, an outlet, and a valve seat at the outlet,

B) a cap secured to the body portion and forming therewith a composite chamber;

C) a diaphragm secured in the composite chamber, dividing the composite chamber into a main chamber and a pilot chamber and being flexible between an open state, in which it is spaced from the valve seat and permits flow from the inlet through the main chamber to the outlet, and a closed state, in which it seats against the valve seat and prevents flow from the inlet through the main chamber to the outlet, and providing a relief opening therethrough for flow from the pilot chamber to the outlet;

D) a partition forming a relief chamber communicating with the relief opening, generally separating the pilot chamber from the relief chamber and the relief opening but permitting flexure of the diaphragm and including a control portion, fixed in position with respect to the cap, that forms a pilot passage so positioned that the partition prevents flow between the pilot and relief chambers except through the pilot passage, and a flexible wall member extending between the fixed-position control portion and the diaphragm;

E) a pilot valve member;

F) a pilot operator, adapted for application of operator control signals thereto, for responding to the operator control signals by operating the pilot valve member between a first position, in which it closes the pilot passage so as to prevent fluid flow therethrough, and second position, in which it permits fluid flow therethrough; and

G) a pH sensor for sensing the pH at a predetermined location and generating sensor signals representative of the sensed pH; and

H) a control circuit responsive to the sensor signals to operate the pilot valve member by applying operator control signals to the pilot operator in response to predetermined characteristics of the sensed pH.

21. A flush-control mechanism comprising:

A) a body portion providing an inlet, an outlet, and a valve seat at the outlet,

B) a cap secured to the body portion and forming therewith a composite chamber;

C) a diaphragm secured in the composite chamber, dividing the composite chamber into a main chamber and a pilot chamber and being flexible between an open state, in which it is spaced from the valve seat and permits flow from the inlet through the main chamber to the outlet, and a closed state, in which it seats against the valve seat and prevents flow from the inlet through the main chamber to the outlet, and providing a relief opening therethrough for flow from the pilot chamber to the outlet;

D) a partition forming a relief chamber communicating with the relief opening, generally separating the pilot chamber from the relief chamber and the relief opening but permitting flexure of the diaphragm and including a control portion, fixed in position with respect to the cap, that forms a pilot passage so positioned that the partition prevents flow between the pilot and relief chambers except through the pilot passage, and a flexible wall member extending between the fixed-position control portion and the diaphragm;

E) a pilot valve member;

F) a pilot operator, adapted for application of operator control signals thereto, for responding to the operator control signals by operating the pilot valve member between a first position, in which it closes the pilot passage so as to prevent fluid flow therethrough, and second position, in which it permits fluid flow therethrough;

G) a static-pressure sensor for sensing the static pressure at the predetermined location and generating signal signals representative of the sensed static pressure; and

H) a control circuit for applying operator control signals to the operator but being responsive to the signal signals to refrain from operating the pilot operator when the sensed static pressure exceeds a predetermined value.

22. For converting to automatic operation a flush mechanism of the type that includes a body portion providing an inlet, an outlet, and a valve seat at the outlet, an original cap removably secured to the body portion and forming therewith a composite chamber, a diaphragm secured in the composite chamber, dividing the composite chamber into a main chamber and a pilot chamber, being flexible between an open state, in which it is spaced from the valve seat and permits flow from the inlet through the main chamber to the outlet, and a closed state, in which it seats against the valve seat and prevents flow from the inlet through the main chamber to the outlet, and providing a relief opening therethrough for flow from the pilot chamber to the outlet, and a pilot valve member operable between a first position, in which is prevents flow through the relief opening, and a second position, in which it permits such flow, a replacement assembly comprising:

A) a replacement cap that forms a composite chamber with the body when the replacement cap is mounted on the body in place of the original cap;

B) a partition including a control portion fixed in position with respect to the replacement cap and a flexible wall member extending between the fixed-position control portion and the diaphragm, the partition (i) forming a relief chamber communicating with the relief opening, (ii) permitting flexure of the diaphragm, and (iii) generally separating the pilot chamber from the relief chamber and the relief opening when the replacement cap is secured to the body, the control passage forming a pilot passage therethrough so positioned that the partition prevents flow between the pilot and relief chambers except through the pilot passage;

C) a replacement pilot valve member movably mounted for translation, when the replacement cap is mounted on the body in place of the original cap, between a first position, in which it closes the pilot passage so as to prevent fluid flow therethrough, and a second position, in which it permits fluid flow therethrough;

D) a pilot operator, secured to the replacement cap and adapted for application of operator control signals thereto, for responding to the operator control signals by operating the replacement pilot valve member between the first and second positions thereof;

E) a pressure sensor for sensing a pressure in the composite chamber and generating a pressure signal indicative thereof; and

F) a control circuit responsive to the pressure signal for applying operator control signals to the operator so as to cause it to operate the pilot valve member to the second position for a period of time dependent on the pressure signal and then return it to the first position.

23. For converting to automatic operation a flush mechanism of the type that includes a body portion providing an inlet, an outlet, and a valve seat at the outlet, an original cap removably secured to the body portion and forming therewith a composite chamber, a diaphragm secured in the composite chamber, dividing the composite chamber into a main chamber and a pilot chamber, being flexible between an open state, in which it is spaced from the valve seat and permits flow from the inlet through the main chamber to the outlet, and a closed state, in which it seats against the valve seat and prevents flow from the inlet through the main chamber to the outlet, and providing a relief opening therethrough for flow from the pilot chamber to the outlet, and a pilot valve member operable between a first position, in which is prevents flow through the relief opening, and a second position, in which it permits such flow, a replacement assembly comprising:

A) a replacement cap that forms a composite chamber with the body when the replacement cap is mounted on the body in place of the original cap;

B) a partition including a control portion fixed in position with respect to the replacement cap and a flexible wall member extending between the fixed-position control portion and the diaphragm, the partition (i) forming a relief chamber communicating with the relief opening, (ii) permitting flexure of the diaphragm, and (iii) generally separating the pilot chamber from the relief chamber and the relief opening when the replacement cap is secured to the body, the control passage forming a pilot passage therethrough so positioned that the partition prevents flow between the pilot and relief chambers except through the pilot passage;

C) a replacement pilot valve member movably mounted for translation, when the replacement cap is mounted on the body in place of the original cap, between a first position, in which it closes the pilot passage so as to prevent fluid flow therethrough, and a second position, in which it permits fluid flow therethrough;

D) a pilot operator, secured to the replacement cap and adapted for application of operator control signals thereto, for responding to the operator control signals by operating the replacement pilot valve member between the first and second positions thereof;

E) a pH sensor for sensing the pH at a predetermined location and generating sensor signals representative of the sensed pH; and

F) a control circuit responsive to the sensor signals to operate the pilot valve member by applying operator control signals to the pilot operator in response to predetermined characteristics of the sensed pH.

24. For converting to automatic operation a flush mechanism of the type that includes a body portion providing an inlet, an outlet, and a valve seat at the outlet, an original cap removably secured to the body portion and forming therewith a composite chamber, a diaphragm secured in the composite chamber, dividing the composite chamber into a main chamber and a pilot chamber, being flexible between an open state, in which it is spaced from the valve seat and permits flow from the inlet through the main chamber to the outlet, and a closed state, in which it seats against the valve seat and prevents flow from the inlet through the main chamber to the outlet, and providing a relief opening therethrough for flow from the pilot chamber to the outlet, and a pilot valve member operable between a first position, in which is prevents flow through the relief opening, and a second position, in which it permits such flow, a replacement assembly comprising:

A) a replacement cap that forms a composite chamber with the body when the replacement cap is mounted on the body in place of the original cap;

B) a partition including a control portion fixed in position with respect to the replacement cap and a flexible wall member extending between the fixed-position control portion and the diaphragm, the partition (i) forming a relief chamber communicating with the relief opening, (ii) permitting flexure of the diaphragm, and (iii) generally separating the pilot chamber from the relief chamber and the relief opening when the replacement cap is secured to the body, the control passage forming a pilot passage therethrough so positioned that the partition prevents flow between the pilot and relief chambers except through the pilot passage;

C) a replacement pilot valve member movably mounted for translation, when the replacement cap is mounted on the body in place of the original cap, between a first position, in which it closes the pilot passage so as to prevent fluid flow therethrough, and a second position, in which it permits fluid flow therethrough;

D) a pilot operator, secured to the replacement cap and adapted for application of operator control signals thereto, for responding to the operator control signals by operating the replacement pilot valve member between the first and second positions thereof;

E) a static-pressure sensor for sensing the static pressure at a predetermined location and generating sensor signals representative for the sensed static pressure; and

F) a control circuit for applying operator control signals to the operator but being responsive to the sensor signals to refrain from operating the pilot operator when the sensed static pressure exceeds a predetermined value.