U.S. patent application number 10/248015 was filed with the patent office on 2003-06-12 for propulsion-release safety vacuum release system.
Invention is credited to Cohen , Joseph D., Krumhansl , Mark Urban.
Application Number | 20030106147 10/248015 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23322456 |
Filed Date | 2003-06-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030106147 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cohen , Joseph D. ; et
al. |
June 12, 2003 |
Propulsion-Release Safety Vacuum Release System
Abstract
A propulsion-release safety vacuum release system (SVRS) for
swimming pools monitors vacuum level in a suction pipe and reverses
flow within the suction pipe if vacuum level exceeds a
predetermined level. Thus, if a bather becomes entrapped on a
suction outlet such as the pool main drain, the SVRS system not
only releases the vacuum but also pushes away the suction-entrapped
bather. In response to an elevated vacuum level, a
vacuum-monitoring device actuates an automatic valve, which
reverses fluid communications between the influent and effluent
conduits of the pump and filter system. In this process, the
suction pipe is converted from vacuum (negative pressure) to
positive pressure. Thereafter, the automatic valve system
automatically resets the SVRS to the original or normal flow
configuration. The SVRS functions without interrupting operation of
the swimming pool filtration system.
Inventors: |
Cohen , Joseph D.; ( Aurora,
Colorado) ; Krumhansl , Mark Urban; ( Tustin,
California) |
Family ID: |
23322456 |
Appl. No.: |
10/248015 |
Filed: |
December 10, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60/337893 |
Nov 21, 200 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
4/504 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 4/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/504 |
International
Class: |
E04H 004/00 |
Claims
Claims
1. In a water circulation system of an aquatic facility, having a
water intake side including at least one underwater intake port and
having a water output side including at least one output port, and
having a pressurized water output source directing a water stream
into the aquatic facility through the output port and withdrawing a
water stream from the aquatic facility through the water intake
port, an improved safety vacuum release system for propelling a
blockage away from a blocked underwater intake port of the
circulation system, comprising: a flow valve moveable between a
first position withdrawing a water stream from the aquatic facility
through said underwater intake port and a second position feeding a
water stream into the aquatic facility through the intake port; and
an actuator responsive to the level of water pressure on the water
intake side of the circulation system, operatively connected to the
flow valve, selectively actuating the flow valve to move from first
position to second position in response to a pre-selected low level
of water pressure on the water intake side of the circulation
system, thereby reversing the direction of water flow in the intake
side to direct water out the intake port for propelling blockage
away from the intake port.
2. The safety vacuum release system of Claim 1, further comprising:
a pump that provides an intake side and an output side; wherein, in
said first position the flow valve interconnects said underwater
intake port with said intake side of said pump, and in said second
position the flow valve interconnects the underwater intake port
with said output side of the pump.
3. The safety vacuum release system of Claim 2, wherein: said flow
valve comprises a four-port reversing valve; the flow valve is
positionable in said first position, simultaneously interconnecting
first and second pairs of the valve ports, wherein the first pair
of interconnected valve ports connects said underwater intake port
with said intake side of the pump for withdrawing a water stream
from the aquatic facility, and the second pair of interconnected
valve ports connects said output side of the pump with an output
port for discharging a water stream to the aquatic facility; and
the flow valve is positionable in said second position,
cross-connecting the valve ports from the first position, such that
the intake port is connected to the output side of the pump for
discharging a water stream through the intake port into the aquatic
facility, and the intake side of the pump is connected to an output
port of the aquatic facility.
4. The safety vacuum release system of Claim 1, wherein said
actuator is spring-biased to move said flow valve to second
position.
5. The safety vacuum release system of Claim 4, wherein said
actuator is operatively connected to a source of pressurized water
external of the aquatic facility, overcoming the bias toward second
position of the flow valve when external water pressure is
sufficiently high.
6. The safety vacuum release system of Claim 5, wherein said source
of water pressure external of the aquatic facility is a municipal
water system.
7. The safety vacuum release system of Claim 1, further comprising:
a directional control valve in communication with said actuator,
inducing the actuator to selectively move said flow valve between
first and second positions, wherein the directional control valve
is in operative communication with a reference source of water
pressure and the water pressure on the water intake side of the
circulation system; and a means for selectively switching the
directional control valve between a normal flow position inducing
the actuator to position the flow valve in first position and a
reverse flow position inducing the actuator to position the flow
valve in second position, wherein normal flow position of the
directional control valve communicates reference water pressure to
the actuator and reverse flow position of the directional control
valve communicates the water pressure on the water intake side of
the circulation system to the actuator.
8. The safety vacuum release system of Claim 7, wherein said means
for selectively switching the directional control valve between
normal and reverse positions comprises: a pressure detecting device
having a sliding piston moveable at a pre-selected water pressure
level, in pressure communication with said water intake side of the
circulation system, wherein said sliding piston is operatively
connected to said directional control valve for switching it from
normal to reverse position in response to detecting a water
pressure lower than said pre-selected level and switching it from
reverse to normal position in response to detecting a water
pressure higher than the pre-selected level.
9. A method of operating a safety vacuum release system in a water
circulation system of an aquatic facility, having a water intake
side including at least one underwater intake port and having a
water output side including at least one output port, and having a
water pressure source directing a water stream into the aquatic
facility through the water output side and withdrawing a water
stream from the aquatic facility on the water intake side,
comprising: first, pre-selecting a water pressure level for
actuating a safety vacuum release system; second, monitoring water
pressure level on the intake side of the circulation system; third,
detecting a drop in water pressure level below said pre-selected
pressure on the intake side of the circulation system; and fourth,
reversing direction of flow between the intake and output sides of
the circulation system, directing the water stream into the aquatic
facility through the intake port to propel blockage away from a the
intake port and restore a pressure level greater than the
pre-selected level on the intake side of the circulation
system.
10. The method of Claim 9, further comprising: fifth, after said
fourth step, further monitoring water pressure level on the water
intake side of the circulation system; sixth, detecting a water
pressure level above said pre-selected pressure on the intake side
of the circulation system; and seventh, again reversing the
direction of flow between the water output side and water intake
side of the circulation system, directing a water stream into the
aquatic facility through the water output side of the circulation
system.
11. 11. A method of operating a safety vacuum release system in an
aquatic facility having a water intake system including at least
one underwater intake port, having a water pressure source
withdrawing a water stream from the aquatic facility into the water
intake system, comprising: first, pre-selecting a water pressure
level for actuating a safety vacuum release system; second,
monitoring water pressure level in the intake system; third,
detecting a drop in water pressure level below said pre-selected
pressure in the intake system; and fourth, in response to said
third step, reversing direction of flow in the intake system,
directing a water stream into the aquatic facility through the
intake port to propel blockage away from a the intake port and
restore a pressure level greater than the pre-selected level in the
intake system.
Description
Cross Reference to Related Applications
[0001] This application claims the benefit of United States
Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/337,893 filed December
10, 2001, pending.
Background of Invention
[0002] Field of the Invention -- In one aspect, the invention
generally relates to fluid handling. More specifically, it relates
to the use of line condition change responsive valves. In a second
aspect, the invention generally relates to pool type baths. More
specifically, it discloses a method of utilizing a flow control
valve to prevent vacuum entrapment against suction fittings in
swimming pools, wading pools, and hydrotherapy pools. Further
applications include any pump suction system that would benefit
from a method of automatically clearing a suction intake of
blockages.
[0003] Description of Prior Art -- A number of inventions provide
protection to bathers who become entrapped onto a suction outlet
fitting in a swimming pool. These devices are categorized as safety
vacuum release systems (SVRS).
[0004] A first type of SVRS utilizes a safety relief valve that
senses the increase in vacuum level caused by a blockage of flow.
The valve immediately introduces atmosphere to the suction system
to neutralize a high or dangerous level of vacuum. United States
Patent No. 6,098,654 to Cohen and Meyer discloses a valve capable
of operating in this mode. When the valve introduces atmosphere
into a suction line, it may allow a back flow of water under force
of gravity from elevated portions of the piping system. This
back-flowing water, if present, can assist in freeing an entrapped
bather from a suction fitting. The valve operates by selectively
positioning a dynamic plug to open or close a flow path to
atmosphere, according to the level of vacuum in the suction system.
At a pre-selected vacuum level, a triggering device causes the
valve to be tripped, with full actuation of the dynamic plug into a
locked-open position. Full tripping provides unequivocal release of
a trapped bather. Also, it requires a manual reset of the valve and
of the swimming pool circulation system, which encourages the pool
operator to inspect the system for safety. This valve also is
adaptable for use in the present, improved system and method.
[0005] A second type of SVRS incorporates an electrical vacuum
level-sensing device. If vacuum level increases to a dangerous
level, the sensing device shuts off the circulation pump to allow
the vacuum level to quickly diminish.
[0006] A third type of SVRS is a vertical vent pipe in fluid
communication with the pool drain line, installed below the pool
water level, and vented to atmosphere at the upper end. During
normal operation of the circulation system, the water level within
the vent pipe drops approximately one foot below the pool water
level per inch of mercury vacuum level within the suction pipe. If
a bather becomes entrapped against the pool suction outlet fitting,
which usually is the main drain fitting located at the deepest
point of the pool floor, the increase in vacuum level will cause
the vent pipe to evacuate to the suction line and will allow
atmosphere into the pipe, which neutralizes the high level of
vacuum resulting from the blockage.
[0007] All three types of known SVRS leave the swimming pool
circulation system inoperative after they have been activated.
Therefore, a system that would quickly release the entrapped bather
without interrupting the continuity of operating of the circulation
system would be desirable. The swimming pool circulation system
should continually provide cleaning, filtration, sanitization, and
heating of the pool water.
[0008] All three types of SVRS release the entrapped victim but
provide no adequate means to remove the victim from the suction
outlet fitting. Therefore, an SVRS that incorporates a means to
forcibly move the victim away from the suction outlet fitting under
pump-forced pressure would be desirable.
[0009] When actuated, two of the three types of SVRS now available
introduce air into the circulation system. Air within a swimming
pool circulation system is a problem, as it causes the pump to lose
prime and must be released manually before the system can be
returned to operation. It would therefore be desirable to provide
an SVRS that does not introduce air into the circulation
system.
[0010] All three types of SVRS must be isolated or disabled for
swimming pool vacuum cleaning operations. This is because the
higher level of vacuum needed for vacuum- cleaning operations could
activate the SVRS, shutting down the circulation system and,
consequently, the vacuum cleaning operation. Therefore, it would be
desirable to provide an SVRS that does not interrupt swimming pool
vacuum cleaning operations.
[0011] To achieve the foregoing and other objects and in accordance
with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly
described herein, the method and apparatus of this invention may
comprise the following.
Summary of Invention
[0012] Against the described background, a general object of the
invention is to provide an SVRS that converts a dangerously high
level of vacuum into pump-forced pressure by reversing the
direction of water flow within a suction pipe connected to a
flow-blocked suction outlet fitting.
[0013] A related object of the invention is to provide a system
that reliably releases and pushes away an entrapped victim by
creating a substantial pressurized incoming flow stream at the
suction outlet fitting.
[0014] Optionally, another object is to provide an SVRS that
performs the safety function of releasing an entrapped bather
without stopping the operation of the swimming pool circulation
system.
[0015] Optionally, another object of the invention is to provide a
system that can, at the operator's election, either be adjusted to
automatically reset itself after actuating to clear a flow-blocked
suction outlet fitting or be adjusted to require a manual resetting
after each actuation.
[0016] Another object of the invention is to provide an SVRS
capable of performing a release function without introducing air
into the pool circulation system.
[0017] A desirable object of the invention is to provide a vacuum
release system that does not interfere with swimming pool vacuum
cleaning operations.
[0018] Another object of the invention is to provide an SVRS that
is easily designed into a new swimming pool before
construction.
[0019] Another object of the invention is to provide an SVRS that
can be easily retrofitted to an existing swimming pool to eliminate
built-in suction hazards.
[0020] A further object is to provide a system that can be produced
in a wide range of pipe sizes so as to accommodate a wide range of
sizes of swimming pools.
[0021] Another desirable object of the invention is to provide an
SVRS that can operate totally on hydraulic energy, not relying upon
any electrical components, and therefore, neither prone to
electrical component failure nor loss of electrical power to the
SVRS.
[0022] Still another object of the invention is to provide an SVRS
that can be utilized to automatically clear substantially any type
of pump suction fitting of debris that has blocked flow to the
pump.
[0023] According to the invention, an automatic valve system
functions as an SVRS. This system performs a safety vacuum release
operation by reversing the direction of the flow within the main
drainpipe and the return pipe of a swimming pool circulation
system. As a result, the system releases a bather who has become
suction-entrapped onto a suction outlet fitting and pushes the
bather away under pump-forced pressure.
[0024] The invention is composed of a two-position flow-reversing
means. In a first position, the flow reversing means creates a
normal flow pattern by interconnecting the pump and filter influent
with the pool drain line and by interconnecting the pump and filter
effluent with the pool return line. In a second position, the flow
reversing means interconnects the pump and filter influent with the
pool return line and interconnects the pump and filter effluent
with the pool drain line. Thus, in the second position the
flow-reversing means creates a pressurized release flow pattern in
the reverse direction.
[0025] The flow-reversing means is designed to make a smooth
transition between the two flow patterns without stoppage of flow
or abrupt pressure changes.
[0026] The present invention includes a vacuum sensing means for
monitoring the vacuum level within the suction line of the pool
circulation system. In addition, the vacuum sensing means promptly
activates the flow-reversing means if the vacuum reaches a
pre-selected high level.
[0027] The flow reversing means may comprise a valve powered by an
automatic actuator motor that switches the valve between two
positions, respectively corresponding to normal flow and reverse
flow. Alternatively, this function can be achieved by use of an
auxiliary pump or a hydraulic accumulator.
[0028] Preferred embodiments of the invention are hereafter
described with a degree of particularity. It should be understood
that this description is made by way of preferred example and is
not meant to limit the scope of the present invention. The
inventors claim the process of immediately reversing the direction
of pump flow within a swimming pool suction pipe for the purpose of
releasing and pushing away a blockage, especially an entrapped
bather.
[0029] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
form a part of the specification, illustrate preferred embodiments
of the present invention, and together with the description, serve
to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
Brief Description of Drawings
[0030] Figure 1 (Prior Art) is a schematic drawing of a
representative swimming pool circulation system, showing conditions
of normal flow.
[0031] Figure 2 is a schematic drawing of a representative swimming
pool support system with the SVRS of the invention installed,
showing conditions of normal flow.
[0032] Figure 3 is a schematic drawing of a representative swimming
pool support system with the SVRS of the invention installed,
showing conditions of reverse flow.
[0033] Figure 4 is a vertical cross-section of a directional
control valve, showing a configuration for normal flow.
[0034] Figure 5 is a vertical cross-section of a directional
control valve, showing a configuration for reverse flow.
Detailed Description
[0035] The following item numbers are used in the drawings to
identify the elements of the invention and are used throughout the
following description:
[0036] Swimming pool components:
[0037] 10 Pool
[0038] 12 Pool Main Drain
[0039] 14 Pool Surface Skimmer
[0040] 16 Pool Surface Return
[0041] 18 Pump
[0042] 20 Filter
[0043] 22 Heater
[0044] Circulation system components:
[0045] 24 Pool Drain Line
[0046] 26 Pool Skimmer Line
[0047] 28 Skimmer Control Valve
[0048] 30 Drain Control Valve
[0049] 32 Main Pump Suction Line
[0050] 34 Pump Discharge Line
[0051] 36 Filter Effluent Line
[0052] 38 Support System Effluent Line
[0053] 40 Pool Return Line
[0054] Propulsion-release safety vacuum release system (SVRS)
components:
[0055] 42 Four-Port Multi-port Flow Reversing Valve
[0056] 44 Reversing Valve Actuator Shaft
[0057] 46 Hydraulic Valve Actuator
[0058] 48 Directional Control Valve
[0059] 50 Flow Blockage Suction Interrupter Valve (FBSI)
[0060] 52 Suction Spike Arrester
[0061] 54 Vacuum / Pressure Gauge
[0062] 56 FBSI Valve Piston
[0063] 58 Vacuum Sensor Line
[0064] 60 Actuator Control Line
[0065] Directional control valve details:
[0066] 62 Valve Body
[0067] 64 Directional Control Piston
[0068] 66 Upper Piston O-Ring
[0069] 68 Lower Piston O-Ring
[0070] 70 Separation Disc
[0071] 72 Separation Disc O-Ring
[0072] 74 Separation Disc Aperture
[0073] 76 Retainer Ring
[0074] 78 Vacuum Chamber
[0075] 80 City Water Connection
[0076] 82 Vacuum Sensor Connection
[0077] 84 Hydraulic Actuator Connection
[0078] Modern aquatic facilities such as swimming pools,
hydrotherapy pools, and wading pools incorporate a water
circulation system. This system maintains a safe water quality for
bathers by circulating the water through sanitization, filtration,
and heating processes.
[0079] A typical swimming pool circulation system is illustrated in
Fig. 1, where a pump 18 creates and maintains flow within the
system. The pump has an intake side that creates a low or negative
pressure, which will be referred to as a degree of vacuum, within
the main pump suction line 32. The pool drain line 24 feeds the
suction line 32 through drain control vale 30, and pool skimmer
line 26 feeds suction line 32 through skimmer control valve 28. The
vacuum created by the pump 18 therefore is communicated into lines
24 and 26. This vacuum causes water within the pool 10 to enter the
pool main drain 12 and the pool surface skimmer 14. An intake side
of the circulation system, which may be referred to as the pool
suction circulation system, includes pool main drain 12, pool
surface skimmer 14, pool surface return port 16, pool drain line
24, pool skimmer line 26, skimmer control valve 28, drain control
valve 30, and main pump suction line 32. Water flows into the pump
18 from these elements of the pool suction circulation system and
is directed into filter 20 through the pump discharge line 34.
Water then is directed through heater 22 through the filter
effluent line 36. The water exits the heater 22 into the support
system effluent line 38, which connects to the pool return line 40.
Finally, the water returns to the pool 10 in filtered, sanitized,
and heated condition through the pool surface return ports 16.
[0080] The pool main drain 12 presents the potential hazard of
entrapping a bather due to suction. The pump 18 normally receives
water from the pool 10 via two sources: the pool main drain 12 and
the pool surface skimmer 14. Due to a variety of possible operating
situations, the swimming pool circulation system can lose
circulation at the pool surface skimmer 14. Then, pump 18 receives
its total incoming flow of water from the pool main drain 12. In
this situation, the pump 18 has become "single-sourced," and a
potential hazard exists to entrap a bather due to suction at the
main drain. If a bather inadvertently or intentionally blocks the
flow of water into the pool main drain 12, the bather likely will
become entrapped, risking injury or drowning.
[0081] In the event a bather becomes suction entrapped to a pool
main drain 12 in a swimming pool 10, the present invention releases
and propels the bather away from the main drain 12 by reversing the
direction of flow of water within the pool drain line 24, thereby
releasing the bather.
[0082] Fig. 2 shows the present invention added to the typical
swimming pool circulation system of Fig. 1. In both Figs. 1&2
the direction of water flow within the drain line 24 is "normal
flow,"which is from the pool 10 and towards the pump 18. Fig. 3
shows the same typical swimming pool circulation system with
inclusion of the invention installed as in Fig. 2, and with the
invention now actuated to provide "reverse flow." Pressurized water
now flows into the swimming pool 10 at the pool main drain 12 so
that any blockage at the drain inlet is propelled away from the
pool main drain 12.
[0083] The present invention utilizes a four-port reversing valve
42 to reverse the direction of flow within the pool drain line 24.
The preferred reversing valve is the Full Flow Multi-port Butterfly
Valve described in U.S. Patent 4,774,977, which is incorporated by
reference herein.
[0084] With the SVRS system installed as shown in Fig. 2, the
circulation system has "normal flow," which means that water is
withdrawn from the pool 10 by flowing into the pool main drain 12
and is returned to the pool 10 through the pool surface return
fittings 16. The reversing valve 42 directs the water to the main
pump suction line 32 from the pool drain line 24 as directed by the
reversing valve 42. The reversing valve 42 also receives water from
the support system effluent line 38 and directs it into the pool
return line 40.
[0085] In Fig. 3, the reversing valve 42 is shown in a second
configuration in which it has been moved into a position
cross-connecting the port configuration of Fig. 2. Reversing valve
42 has redirected the two previously mentioned internal flow paths
to create the pressurized "reverse flow" within the pool drain line
24. This second position releases an entrapped bather or
obstruction from the pool main drain 12 and jettisons the
obstruction or bather away from the pool main drain 12. In Fig. 3
the reversing valve 42 has redirected the water flow into the main
pump suction line 32 from the pool return line 40, which, in turn,
is in fluid communication with the pool surface return fittings 16.
Valve 42 also has redirected the water flow from the support system
effluent line 38 into the pool drain line 24, thereby temporarily
creating a forceful flow of water into the swimming pool 10 at the
pool main drain 12 for the purpose of clearing that fitting within
the swimming pool 10 of any foreign obstruction that blocks the
flow of water into the fitting.
[0086] Referring to Figs. 2 & 3, the preferred four-port
reversing valve 42 is a multi-port butterfly valve with a ninety
degree rotary stroke, as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,774,977.
This reversing valve 42 is actuated by a standard hydraulic
water-to-spring rotary valve actuator 46, which has mechanical
attachment to the reversing valve 42 through the actuator shaft 44.
A model 79 PS actuator produced by Asahi/America is an example of
this type of actuator. Similar products are produced by other
companies and are commonly used to automate a wide variety of
different types of fluid control valves.
[0087] As illustrated, this hydraulic valve actuator 46 is
spring-loaded and biased to position the reversing valve 42 n the
"reverse flow" configuration illustrated in Fig. 3. The actuator 46
is rotated into the "normal flow" configuration by the force of
water at sufficiently high water pressure ,fed into the actuator 46
and overcoming the spring loading of the hydraulic valve actuator
46. A reliable, high-pressure source of water is municipal or city
water. If city water pressure is lost, the reversing valve 42 is
positioned by the spring-loaded hydraulic valve actuator 46 into
the biased position, which is the position which produces "reverse
flow." The resulting default valve position of the reversing valve
42 is the safe valve position, which produces the reverse
pressurized incoming flow at the pool main drain 12. The bias of
actuator 46 eliminates any possibility of a suction entrapment
hazard occurring during an outage of city water pressure.
[0088] The reversing valve 42 has first and second positions,
respectively corresponding to conditions of "normal flow" and
"reverse flow." The directional control valve 48 selects between
these two positions. If the directional control valve 48 puts the
hydraulic valve actuator 46 in fluid communication with a high
reference water pressure, such as city water, the actuator 46
places the valve 42 into first or "normal flow" position. Valve 48
provides such pressure communication through the actuator control
line 60. The high water pressure overpowers the springs of the
hydraulic valve actuator 46, causing the actuator 46 to positions
the reversing valve 42 in the "normal flow" configuration of Fig.
2. Conversely, the directional control valve 48 will puts the
hydraulic valve actuator 46 in fluid communication with the inlet
side of the circulation system via vacuum sensor line 58 if
pressure in pool drain line 24 is sufficiently low. The low
pressure is communicated to actuator 46 through the actuator
control line 60. The low pressure allows the springs within the
spring-loaded hydraulic valve actuator 46 to dominate, and the
actuator 46 repositions the reversing valve 42 in the "reverse
flow" configuration. The output water stream from pump 18 is
directed into the pool through main drain 12 to provide the
life-saving thrust away from the main drain 12, as illustrated in
Fig. 3.
[0089] The directional control valve 48 is attached to flow
blockage suction interrupter (FBSI) valve 50. The FBSI 50 is
described in U.S. Patent #6,098,654 and incorporated by reference
herein. Fundamentally, this valve incorporates FBSI valve piston
56, which is attached to a spring-loaded telescopic shaft. This
valve is triggered by an increase in vacuum level in the intake
side of the circulation system, beyond a pre-selected pressure
predetermined to be dangerous. When triggered, the valve activates
by extending the telescopic shaft to suddenly move the FBSI valve
piston 56 outward. The position of the FBSI 50 determines whether
the fluid connection between the hydraulic valve actuator 46
through the actuator control line 60 is to the city water pressure
or to the intake side of the circulation system. Connection to
reference or city water pressure creates the "normal flow"
configuration of Fig. 2. Connection to an elevated vacuum level
within the pool drain line 24 creates the "reverse flow"
configuration of Fig. 3.
[0090] The operation of the directional control valve 48 is
described here and illustrated in Figs. 4 & 5. Fig. 4 is a
cross-sectional side view of the directional control valve 48 in
the "normal flow" configuration in which it provides for fluid
communication between the city water connection 80 and the
hydraulic valve actuator connection 84. As illustrated in Fig. 2,
this will provide city water pressure to the hydraulic valve
actuator 46 through the actuator control line 60. As previously
explained, in this configuration the reversing valve 42 provides
for the "normal flow" configuration of the swimming pool
circulation system.
[0091] In Fig. 5 the directional control valve 48 is illustrated in
the "reverse flow" configuration in which it provides for fluid
communication between the vacuum sensor connection 82 and the
hydraulic valve actuator connection 84. As illustrated in Fig. 3,
this will provide elevated vacuum level to the hydraulic valve
actuator 46 through the actuator control line 60. As previously
explained, in this configuration the reversing valve 42 provides
for the "reverse flow" configuration of the swimming pool
circulation system.
[0092] With further reference to Fig. 4, the directional control
valve 48 is in the "normal flow" position. The separation disc 70
separates the vacuum chamber 78 from the rest of the interior of
the valve body 62. The separation disc 70 seals to the interior of
the valve body 62 with the separation disc o-ring 72 and is
retained by the retainer ring 76. The directional control piston 64
is in an upper position, thereby sealing the separation disc
aperture 74 closed with the upper piston o-ring 66. The lower
piston o-ring 68 is not engaged into the city water connection 80,
thereby allowing fluid communication into the valve body interior
62 from the city water connection 80 and then into the hydraulic
actuator connection 84. The directional control piston 64 is lifted
into this configuration by the force of the city water pressure
exerted on the bottom of the directional control piston 64.
[0093] Referring now to FIG. 5, the directional control valve 48 is
in "reverse flow" position. The directional control piston 64 is in
the lower position, sealing the city water connection 80 closed
with the lower piston o-ring 68, and the upper piston o-ring 66 is
now not engaged into the separation disc aperture 74, thereby
allowing fluid communication within the valve body 62 between the
vacuum chamber 78 and the hydraulic actuator connection 84. The
directional control piston 64 has now been forced into this
secondary lower configuration by the downward force created by the
flow blockage suction interrupter valve 50, which has extended its
piston 56 down against the top of the directional control piston
64. Now, as shown in Fig. 3, the hydraulic valve actuator 46 has
been placed in fluid communication with the elevated vacuum of the
pool drain line 24, allowing the springs within the hydraulic valve
actuator 46 to reposition the reversing valve 42 into the secondary
"reverse flow" configuration.
[0094] Once again, referring to Fig. 2, the protective cycle of
this invention provides begins when an elevated vacuum level is
created within the drain line 84 by a suction entrapment incident,
which creates a blockage of water flow at the pool main drain 12.
This elevated vacuum level is transmitted to the directional
control valve 48 by the vacuum sensor line 58. Now, referring to
Fig. 4, the elevated vacuum level is communicated to the vacuum
chamber 78 inside of the directional control valve 48 through the
vacuum sensor connection 82. The FBSI valve 50, which is attached
to the directional control valve 48, is triggered by the increase
in vacuum level and extends its FBSI piston 56, which, as
illustrated in Fig. 5, in turn pushes the directional control
piston 64 down into the secondary configuration to initiate the
transfer of the system flow pattern from the "normal flow"
configuration to the secondary, life-saving configuration of
"reverse flow".
[0095] As further shown in Fig. 2, the vacuum sensor line 58
includes a suction spike arrester 52. When the swimming pool pump
18 initially starts, a momentary spike in negative pressure
(vacuum) occurs within the vacuum sensor line 58. The suction spike
arrester 52 is simply a captive air reservoir that provides a shock
absorbing function to quell this spike in vacuum so that the spike
which occurs during pump startup does not trigger the FBSI valve 50
and cause an unnecessary cycle of the invention.
[0096] Additionally, a vacuum/pressure compound gauge 54 is
installed at the same location as the suction spike arrester 52.
The purpose of this gauge 54 is to provide the swimming pool
operator with a real time reading of the vacuum level or pressure
within the pool drain line 24 .
[0097] Referring once more to Fig. 3, with the system in the
secondary life-saving configuration of "reverse flow," the drain
line 24 has been converted from vacuum to positive pressure.
Looking again at Fig. 5 one can see that this positive pressure is
transmitted into the vacuum chamber 78, which in turn forces the
FBSI piston 56 back up into the FBSI valve 50. This automatically
resets the system for "normal flow" by allowing the water pressure
within the city water connection 80 to once again force the
directional control valve piston 64 into the upper position of Fig.
4. This returns the direction of flow within the swimming pool
circulation system to the "normal flow" configuration and completes
the cycle of the system.
[0098] The cycle of events for this invention begins with the
swimming pool circulation system running in "normal flow", as shown
in Fig. 2. A bather becomes entrapped at the pool main drain 12 on
the floor of the swimming pool 10. The FBSI valve 50 is triggered
by the increase in vacuum within the pool drain line 24, and the
circulation system is immediately shifted to "reverse flow" by the
reversing valve 42, shown in Fig. 3. The bather is rescued by being
propelled away from the pool main drain 12. The resulting positive
pressure within the drain line 24 resets the FBSI valve 50.
Finally, the circulation system is returned to the "normal flow"
configuration illustrated in Fig. 2 by the reversing valve 42,
rearmed to rescue any subsequent bathers who may become
entrapped.
[0099] The forgoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications
and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is
not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and
operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable
modifications and equivalents may be regarded as falling within the
scope of the invention.
* * * * *