Flow control device
First Claim
1. A flow control device comprising:
- a flush valve device having a control valve in a path leading from an inflow opening to an outflow opening;
a detection portion for outputting presence/absence of a flow of a fluid flowing from the inflow opening to the outflow opening by converting to an electric signal;
an electricity generating device for generating electricity by using the flow of the fluid as power; and
a control device for controlling opening and closing of the control valve based on the output of the detection portion, said control device comprising;
a water leakage monitoring circuit for monitoring a water leakage in the path leading to the outflow opening,a flow rate calculating circuit for calculating a flow rate of a fluid, which is discharged through the outflow opening, based on the electric signal obtained in the detection portion, anda discharge control circuit for closing the control valve in response to information indicating that the flow rate reaches a discharge stop flow rate at which a discharge should be stopped;
wherein at least a part of the electricity obtained in the electricity generating device is supplied to the control device; and
wherein the water leakage monitoring circuit detects a water leakage in response to information indicating that an electricity generation is continuously performed in the electricity generating device after the flow rate has reached the discharge stop flow rate.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A flow control device having a power saving effect in addition to a water saving effect. Further, another object is to provide a flow control device easy to install, maintain and manage. The flow control device of the invention comprises a flush valve device having a main control valve in a path leading from an inlet to an outlet, a flowmeter unit for converting the presence or absence of flow of washing water leading from the inlet to the outlet into a pulse signal and outputting the latter, a control device for controlling the opening and closing of the main control valve according to the output of the flowmeter unit, and a power generating unit for generating power by using the flow of the washing water as power, wherein at least part of the power obtained in the power generating unit is supplied to the control device.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A flow control device comprising:
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a flush valve device having a control valve in a path leading from an inflow opening to an outflow opening; a detection portion for outputting presence/absence of a flow of a fluid flowing from the inflow opening to the outflow opening by converting to an electric signal; an electricity generating device for generating electricity by using the flow of the fluid as power; and a control device for controlling opening and closing of the control valve based on the output of the detection portion, said control device comprising; a water leakage monitoring circuit for monitoring a water leakage in the path leading to the outflow opening, a flow rate calculating circuit for calculating a flow rate of a fluid, which is discharged through the outflow opening, based on the electric signal obtained in the detection portion, and a discharge control circuit for closing the control valve in response to information indicating that the flow rate reaches a discharge stop flow rate at which a discharge should be stopped; wherein at least a part of the electricity obtained in the electricity generating device is supplied to the control device; and wherein the water leakage monitoring circuit detects a water leakage in response to information indicating that an electricity generation is continuously performed in the electricity generating device after the flow rate has reached the discharge stop flow rate. - View Dependent Claims (4, 7, 8, 9, 16)
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2. A flow control device comprising:
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a flush valve device having a control valve in a path leading from an inflow opening to an outflow opening; a detection portion for outputting presence/absence of a flow of a fluid flowing from the inflow opening to the outflow opening by converting to an electric signal; an electricity generating device for generating electricity by using the flow of the fluid as power; and a control device for controlling opening and closing of the control valve based on the output of the detection portion, said control device comprising a detection monitoring circuit for monitoring an operation failure of the detection portion; wherein at least a part of the electricity obtained in the electricity generating device is supplied to the control device; and wherein the detection monitoring circuit detects the operation failure of the detection portion in response to information indicating that the electricity generating device is in an electricity generating state and the flow of the fluid is not detected in the detection portion. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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3. A flow control device comprising:
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a flush valve device having a control valve in a path leading from an inflow opening to an outflow opening; a detection portion for outputting presence/absence of a flow of a fluid flowing from the inflow opening to the outflow opening by converting to an electric signal; an electricity generating device for generating electricity by using the flow of the fluid as power; and a control device for controlling opening and closing of the control valve based on the output of the detection portion, said control device comprising an electricity generation monitoring circuit for monitoring an operation failure of the electricity generating device; wherein at least a part of the electricity obtained in the electricity generating device is supplied to the control device; and wherein the electricity generation monitoring circuit detects the operation failure of the electricity generating device in response to information indicating that the flow of the fluid is detected in the detection portion and the electricity generating device is not in an electricity generating state.
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Specification