Remote controlled water flow and drain system

• US 6,568,425 B2
• Filed: 03/11/2002
• Issued: 05/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Franc Gergek
• Original Assignee: Franc Gergek
• Inventors: Gergek, Franc
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, A MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US10/093,509
• Publication Number:
  US 20020088176A1
• Time in Patent Office: 442 Days
• Field of Search: 137/565.16, 137/561.R, 137/561.A, 417/44.1, 417/326, 47/79
• US Class Current: 137/565.16
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 27/003 Controls for self-acting watering devices
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 27/06 having a water reservoir, the main part thereof being located wholly around or directly beside the growth substrate
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 63/04 Arrangements for treating water specially adapted to receptacles for live fish
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/85938 Non-valved flow dividers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86027 Electric

Abstract

A method for supplying and withdrawing water to and from a user apparatus is achieved by supplying and withdrawing water through a single water pipe during different periods of time. A remote controlled water flow and drain system for implementation of this water supply and withdrawal method includes a water passage having two ends, one being use with the user apparatus such as a plant pot, and the other being connected to a reversible pump, and is controlled by a main controller, preferably in combination with a remote controller. The system can be connected to both a water source and a place for drainage, selectively communicating with the water source to supply water through the water passage to the user apparatus at one time, and at another time communicating the place for drainage to withdraw water from the user apparatus and deliver the withdrawn water to the place for drainage. In various embodiments and applications of the invention, the system can be made as a central system in a house, an attachable system, or a portable system. The entire operation can be fully programmed.

Claims

1. A system for supplying and withdrawing water comprising:

a water passage having a first end adapted for use selectively with an external apparatus separable from the system;

means connected with a second end of the water passage for generating a fluid pressure differential in two modes in the water passage between the first and second ends thereof;

means for selectively establishing water communication of the water passage with a water source, or with a place of water drainage, the means for establishing water communication being connected with the means for generating a fluid pressure differential, in order to supply water to the apparatus through the water passage, or to withdraw water from the apparatus and deliver the withdrawn water to the place of water drainage through the water passage, during different periods of time; and

a main controller associated with the means for generating a fluid pressure differential and with the means for selectively establishing water communications, the main controller controlling the operation of water supply and withdrawal.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a remote controller for sending controlling signals to the main controller.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising means for releasably connecting the first end of the water passage to the apparatus in fluid communication.

4. A system as claimed in claim 3 further comprising signal conductors, each signal conductor being adapted at a first end thereof for receiving signals from sensors associated with the apparatus, and being connected at a second end thereof to the main controller for transmitting the signals thereto.

5. A system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the signal conductors comprise wires incorporated into a pipe wall defining at least one section of the water passage.

6. A system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the at least one section of the water passage comprises a flexible water pipe having first and second ends thereof, the first end of the water pipe defining the first end of the water passage.

7. A system as claimed in claim 6 further comprising a connector having a first part connected to the second end of the flexible water pipe and a second part connected to a section of the water passage, for releasably connecting the flexible water pipe to the section of the water passage in fluid communication.

8. A system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the connector comprises metal contacts at the respective parts thereof for detachably connecting the wires incorporated into the pipe wall with the wires connected to the main controller.

9. A system as claimed in claim 6 further comprising a plurality of water pipe sections connected together forming a water distribution net, the water distribution net having one opening defining the second end of the water passage, and a plurality of other openings to be selectively connected to the flexible water pipe so that a branch of the water distribution net between the one opening defining the second end of the water passage and the selected opening connected with the flexible pipe, together with the flexible pipe, defines the water passage when the remaining openings of the water distribution net are closed.

10. A system as claimed in claim 9 further comprising a plurality of cover members for closing the respective remaining openings of the water distribution net.

11. A system as claimed in claim 10 wherein each cover member comprises a indicator of system working status.

12. A system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the connecting means comprises:

a first part connected to the first end of the water pipe;

a second part adapted to be connected to the apparatus;

a memory chip attached to the second part for storing operation data with respect to the apparatus; and

a plurality of metal contacts affixed to the respective first and second parts for conducting signals from the apparatus and the memory chip through the wires incorporated in the pipe wall, to the main controller.

13. A device for supplying and withdrawing water comprising:

a container including a first compartment for containing source water and a second compartment for collecting withdrawn water;

a reversible pump adapted to be in selective fluid communication with one of the first and second compartments;

a reversible electric motor coupled with the pump;

a pipe having a first end connected to the pump and a second end adapted for use selectively with an external apparatus separable from the device;

means for controlling the selective fluid communication of the pump with one of the first and second compartments, and for controlling the electric motor in operation, thereby the electric motor driving the pump in either direction as required, in order to either supply source water from the first compartment to the apparatus, or to withdraw water from the apparatus and deliver the withdrawn water into the second compartment through the pipe.

14. A device as claimed in claim 13 further comprising a valve and pipe system wherein a first solenoid valve is connected between the pump and the first compartment and a second solenoid valve is connected between the pump and the second compartment, the two solenoid valves being controlled by the controlling means for the selective connection of the pump to either one of the first and second compartments.

15. A device as claimed in claim 13 wherein the first and second compartments are separated by a flexible diaphragm.

16. A device as claimed in claim 13 wherein the device is made in a portable style and the container comprises a tip safety valve permitting air to pass therethrough while inhibiting water spillage when the container tips to one side.

17. A device as claimed in claim 13 wherein the pipe comprises a valve attached to the second end thereof in order to inhibit water spillage when the second end of the pipe is detached from the apparatus.

18. A device as claimed in claim 13 wherein the pipe comprises a connector attached to the second end thereof for selectively connecting the external apparatus.