Discharge vacuum relief valve for safety vacuum release system

• US 9,568,005 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2015
• Issued: 02/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pentair Water Pool And Spa Incorporated (Pentair Plc (Ireland))
• Original Assignee: Pentair Water Pool And Spa Incorporated (Pentair Plc (Ireland))
• Inventors: Robol, Ronald B., Hruby, Daniel J., Colvin, Johnathan Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAUDRY, ATIF H
• Application Number:
  US14/974,206
• Publication Number:
  US 20160138727A1
• Time in Patent Office: 424 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2301/063 Underpressure, vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1245 Recirculating pumps for swimming pool water
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1645 Connections to the pool water circulation system
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 53/06 Venting
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 53/10 Valves; Arrangement of valves
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 15/0077 Safety measures F04D15/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 15/0083 Protection against sudden pressure change, e.g. check valves
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 15/0218 the condition being a liquid level or a lack of liquid supply
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/063 the valve being loaded by a spring
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 17/04 spring-loaded
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 24/04 for venting only F16K24/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0396 Involving pressure control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2569 Control by depletion of source
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7897 Vacuum relief type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86027 Electric

Abstract

A discharge vacuum relief valve kit to provide vacuum relief for a SVRS pump in a hydraulic system is provided. The discharge vacuum relief valve kit includes a vacuum vent tube including a first end and a second end, a discharge vacuum relief valve coupled to the first end of the vacuum vent tube, and a vacuum vent screen coupled to the second end of the vacuum vent tube. The discharge vacuum relief valve is coupled to a drain plug opening of the SVRS pump.

Claims

1. A method of providing discharge vacuum relief for a safety vacuum release system pump in a hydraulic system with discharge check valves, the method comprising:

providing a discharge vacuum relief valve kit including a vacuum vent tube with a first end and a second end, a discharge vacuum relief valve coupled to the first end of the vacuum vent tube, and a vacuum vent screen coupled to the second end of the vacuum vent tube;

coupling the discharge vacuum relief valve to a drain plug opening of the safety vacuum release system pump;

monitoring input power to the safety vacuum release system pump to detect a vacuum event on a suction side of the safety vacuum release system pump;

shutting down the safety vacuum release system pump when the vacuum event is detected on the suction side in order to relieve the vacuum event;

monitoring pressure on a discharge side of the safety vacuum release system pump; and

venting the discharge side of the safety vacuum release system pump when a vacuum is detected on the discharge side to prevent delayed response time in relieving the vacuum event on the suction side.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising detecting a vacuum on the discharge side when the monitored pressure is about 1.5 pounds per square inch.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising monitoring the pressure with the discharge vacuum relief valve and opening the discharge vacuum relief valve when the vacuum is detected in order to vent the discharge side.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising positioning a free end of the vacuum vent tube above all bodies of water in the hydraulic system.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the vacuum vent screen includes a polyvinyl chloride base and a stainless steel mesh screen.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of monitoring at least input power to the safety vacuum release system pump to detect a vacuum event includes monitoring a change in input power.

7. A method of providing discharge vacuum relief for a safety vacuum release system pump in a hydraulic system with discharge check valves, the method comprising:

providing a vacuum vent tube with a first end and a second, free end;

coupling a discharge vacuum relief valve to the first end of the vacuum vent tube;

routing the vacuum vent tube upward from its first end so that its second, free end is above a maximum water level in all bodies of water in the hydraulic system;

coupling a vacuum vent screen to the second end of the vacuum vent tube; and

venting the safety vacuum release system pump when a vacuum is detected.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the discharge vacuum relief valve is coupled to the first end of the vacuum vent tube by a compression fit.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the vacuum vent tube is routed upward from its first end so that its second end is above all bodies of water connected to the pump.

10. The method of claim 7 further comprising coupling the discharge vacuum relief valve to a drain plug opening of the safety vacuum release system pump.

11. The method of claim 7 further including the steps of monitoring input power to the safety vacuum release system pump to detect a vacuum event on a suction side of the safety vacuum release system pump, shutting down the safety vacuum release system pump when the vacuum event is detected on the suction side in order to relieve the vacuum event, monitoring pressure on a discharge side of the safety vacuum release system pump, and venting the discharge side of the safety vacuum release system pump when a vacuum is detected on the discharge side to prevent delayed response time in relieving the vacuum event on the suction side.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of monitoring at least input power to the safety vacuum release system pump to detect a vacuum event includes monitoring a change in input power.

13. A method of providing discharge vacuum relief for a safety vacuum release system pump in a hydraulic system with discharge check valves, the method comprising:

providing a vacuum vent tube with a first end, a second, free end, and a discharge vacuum relief valve coupled to the first end of the vacuum vent tube;

routing the vacuum vent tube upward from its first end so that its second, free end is above a maximum water level in all bodies of water in the hydraulic system; and

venting the safety vacuum release system pump when a vacuum is detected.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the discharge vacuum relief valve is coupled to the first end of the vacuum vent tube by a compression fit.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the vacuum vent tube is routed upward from its first end so that its second end is above all bodies of water connected to the pump.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of coupling the discharge vacuum relief valve to a drain plug opening of the safety vacuum release system pump.

17. The method of claim 13, further including the steps of monitoring input power to the safety vacuum release system pump to detect a vacuum event on a suction side of the safety vacuum release system pump, shutting down the safety vacuum release system pump when the vacuum event is detected on the suction side in order to relieve the vacuum event, monitoring pressure on a discharge side of the safety vacuum release system pump, and venting the discharge side of the safety vacuum release system pump when a vacuum is detected on the discharge side to prevent delayed response time in relieving the vacuum event on the suction side.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of monitoring at least input power to the safety vacuum release system pump to detect a vacuum event includes monitoring a change in input power.