Domestic water tester

• US 5,148,701 A
• Filed: 05/10/1991
• Issued: 09/22/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Washington State University
• Original Assignee: Washington State University
• Inventors: Brown, John J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ROSKOS, JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US07/698,730
• Time in Patent Office: 501 Days
• Field of Search: 73/61.1 R, 73/40.7, 4/314, 4/266, 116/200, 116/DIG. 1, 116/DIG.7
• US Class Current: 73/61.41
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/18 Water

Abstract

Water testing apparatuses and methods for detecting contaminants in water supplies, such as from wells or other domestic water sources. The apparatuses are for use in reservoirs, such as a water closet of a sanitary toilet. They include an enclosure which defines an interior chamber which is intermittently charged with water. The water charged to the interior chamber is passed through one or more filters, preferably a packed column, which removes or otherwise indicates the presence of contaminants in the water. A counter measures the water passed through the system. Water is discharged from the interior chamber using a siphon. The siphon and restriction of flow caused by the filters help control the direction of flow and substantially prevent backflow. The summit of the siphon includes a relief valve for venting gas during filling of the siphon discharge.

Claims

1. A water testing system for mounting within a reservoir which experiences a fluctuating water level, such as the water closet of a sanitary toilet, comprising:

an enclosure defining an interior chamber having a chamber volume for receiving intermittent charges of water thereinto;

at least one intake through which water held within the reservoir about external portions of the enclosure flows toward the interior chamber;

at least one indicator holder;

said at least one indicator holder having means for holding at least one contamination indicator within a flow of water passing through the interior chamber;

at least one discharge connected in fluid communication with the interior chamber which allows controlled discharge of water when the water level drops within the reservoir about external portions of the enclosure;

a flow counter for indicating the flow of water through said at least one indicator holder;

flow direction control means for controlling flow of water through said at least one indicator holder to substantially one direction.

2. A water testing system according to claim 1 and further comprising indicator material held within said at least one indicator holder.

3. A water testing system according to claim 1 wherein said flow direction control means includes a siphon.

4. A water testing system according to claim 1 wherein said flow direction control means includes a siphon in said at least one discharge.

5. A water testing system according to claim 4 and further comprising a siphon relief valve for allowing gas to escape from a summit of the siphon.

6. A water testing system according to claim 1 wherein said flow direction control means includes a siphon in said at least one discharge, and indicator material having small intersticial pore size creating impediment to backflow of water from the interior chamber toward said at least one intake.

7. A water testing system according to claim 1 wherein said at least one intake is below the interior chamber during use and said flow direction control means includes a siphon in said at least one discharge.

8. A water testing system according to claim 1 wherein said at least one intake is below the interior chamber during use, said at least one indicator holder is between said interior chamber and said at least one intake, and said flow direction control means includes a siphon in said at least one discharge.

9. A water testing system according to claim 1 wherein said at least one intake is below the interior chamber during use, and said at least one indicator holder is between said interior chamber and said at least one intake.

10. A water testing system according to claim 1 wherein said at least one indicator holder is connected to other portions of the water testing system in a modular arrangement to allow variable number of indicator holders to be assembled together.

11. A water testing system according to claim 1 wherein said at least one indicator holder is connected to other portions of the water testing system in a modular arrangement to allow variable number of indicator holders to be assembled together in a serial arrangement.

12. A water testing system according to claim 1 wherein said at least one indicator holder is connected to other portions of the water testing system in a modular arrangement to allow variable number of indicator holders to be assembled together between said interior chamber and said at least one intake.

13. A water testing system according to claim 1 and further comprising ballast means.

14. A water testing system according to claim 1 and further comprising at least one hanger for hanging the water testing system.

15. A water testing system according to claim 1 and further comprising:

at least one hanger for hanging the water testing system;

ballast means.

16. A water testing system according to claim 1 wherein said flow counter includes a level detecting means for detecting the level of charges of water supplied to the interior chamber.

17. A water testing system according to claim 1 wherein said flow counter includes a float which moves in response to charging of water to and discharging from said interior chamber.

18. A water testing system according to claim 1 and further comprising at least one vent means for venting the interior chamber to allow filling of the interior chamber with charges of water.

19. A method for testing water using a water reservoir which contains a body of water which experiences fluctuating water level due to the fluctuating flow of water therethrough, comprising:

installing a water testing apparatus within the water reservoir;

passing water from the reservoir into an interior chamber of the water testing apparatus in response to increased water level in the water reservoir to provide a charge of water within the interior chamber;

passing water through at least one contaminant indicator for detecting the presence of at least one contaminant in water passed to the interior chamber;

measuring the flow of water passing through said at least one contaminant indicator;

discharging water from the interior chamber by siphoning water from the interior chamber when the fluctuating water level drops within the reservoir.

20. A method according to claim 19 and further comprising venting the interior chamber as water is passing into the interior chamber.

21. A method according to claim 19 and further comprising venting a siphon as water is passing into the interior chamber.

22. A method according to claim 19 and further comprising:

venting the interior chamber as water is passing into the interior chamber;

venting a siphon as water is passing into the interior chamber.

23. A method according to claim 19 wherein said measuring is accomplished by counting charges of water passed into the interior chamber of a predetermined depth therein.