Fresh water manifold distribution system and method

• US 5,438,714 A
• Filed: 10/31/1989
• Issued: 08/08/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
• Original Assignee: Bauer Industries, Inc.
• Inventors: Shaw, Daniel C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fetsuga, Robert M.
• Application Number:
  US07/429,556
• Time in Patent Office: 2,107 Days
• Field of Search: 4/302-305, 4/308, 4/623, 4/661, 4/191, 4/192, 4/DIG. 3, 4/249, 4/313, 4/663, 4/664, 4/DIG. 15, 137/861, 137/883, 137/386, 137/608, 137/357, 137/512, 137/614.2, 251/46
• US Class Current: 4/664
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/04 Domestic or like local pipe systems domestic plumbing E03C1/02
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/057 touchless, i.e. using sensors
• 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: Y10S 4/03 Electric flushing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6969 Buildings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87877 Single inlet with multiple distinctly valved outlets
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/88054 Direct response normally closed valve limits direction of flow

Abstract

A fresh water control system comprises a fresh water supply line having a plurality of spaced outlets. At least first and second fresh water manifolds are provided. Each manifold comprises an inlet in flow communication with an associated one of the outlets and at least a first remotely operable valve for selectively supplying fresh water to a remote fixture. At least first and second check valves are provided. The check valves are intermediate the supply line outlets. Each of the check valves permits fresh water to flow therebeyond in a first direction while preventing water from flowing therebeyond in an opposite second direction.

Claims

1. Fresh water control system, comprising:

a) a fresh water supply line having a plurality of spaced outlets;

b) at least first and second water manifolds, each manifold comprising an inlet, in flow communication with an associated one of said outlets, and at least a first remotely operable valve means operably associated with each of said manifolds for selectively supplying water to a remote fixture comprising a sink, or a toilet or urinal;

c) at least first and second cooperating check valve means operably associated with said supply line intermediate the outlets to which said manifolds are in flow communication, each of said check valve means for permitting water to flow therebeyond in a first direction while preventing water from flowing therebeyond in an opposite second direction;

d) there are a plurality of said remotely operable first valve means and of said sinks or toilets or urinals;

e) each of said first valve means of said first manifold supplies fresh water only to one of said sinks; and

,

f) each of said first valve means of said second manifold supplies water only to one of said toilets and/or urinals.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein:

a) each of said check valve means is in line with said water supply line.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein:

a) each of said check valve means is a ball check valve.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein:

a) said first manifold valve means supplies fresh water to a fixture requiring fresh water; and

,

b) said second manifold valve means supplies fresh water to a fixture not requiring fresh water.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein:

a) each of said first valve means is a solenoid operated flow control valve.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising:

a) a manually operable flow control valve interposed in each of said manifolds intermediate the associated outlet and the associated solenoid operated flow control valve.

7. The system of claim 5, further comprising:

a) a proximity sensor proximate each of the fixtures and operably connected to an associated one of said solenoid operated flow control valves for causing operation thereof so that fresh water is thereby selectively supplied to the associated fixture.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein:

a) each sensor is an infrared sensor.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein:

a) each sensor is an active infrared sensor.

10. Fresh water distribution system, comprising:

a) a fresh water supply line having a plurality of outlets;

b) a plurality of manifolds, each manifold comprising a fresh water inlet in flow communication with an associated one of said outlets and a plurality of solenoid operated flow control valves for selectively distributing water to a plurality of remote associated fixtures;

c) first and second check valves interposed in said supply line intermediate said manifolds, each of said check valves permitting water to flow in said line to said second manifold and preventing water from flowing from said second manifold to said first manifold;

d) a plurality of infrared sensors, each sensor operably associated with one of said flow control valves and disposed proximate an associated fixture for causing selective operation of the associated flow control valve so that water is supplied to the associated fixture;

e) each flow control valve of said first manifold supplies water only to a fixture requiring fresh water; and

,

f) each flow control valve of said second manifold supplies only water to a fixture not requiring fresh water.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein:

a) each of said check valves is a ball check valve.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein:

a) each of said infrared sensors is an active sensor.

13. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

a) a plurality of manually operable flow control valves, each manually operable flow control valve interposed between an associated solenoid operated control valve and the associated manifold inlet.