Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
This appliclat~ divisional application of
~anadian Serial No. 283,332, entitled "FAUCET ASSEMBLY", filed
Ly 22, 1977.
This invention relates genera~Ly to faucets and
control valves for water or other liquid systems, and
finds applicability in general pressurized distribution
water systems as well as the self-contained liquid supply
systems such as those which are utilized in boats, trailers,
and living quarters locatea in isolated areas.
Normal or standard water faucets are well known
and universally employed. Also familiar is the problem of
leakage and dripping from conventional faucets due to failure ;
of the user to exert sufficient torque in turning the faucet
off. A typical dripping faucet can waste an enormo~s amount
of water over the course of a year, and if the aripping tap
is a hot water tap the wastage is not only in water but also
in the energy consumed to heat the water.
One structure disclosed herein has a feature
which reduces or eliminates leakage or dripping in faucets,
and thus is able to effect considerable savings in terms of -~
water and energy.
Prior developments also include the arrangement
disclosed in U.S. Patent No.3,700,002, issued October 24,
1972 to Colin McMaster-Christie and entitled "LIQUID SUPPLY
SYSTEM WITH MOTOR OPERATED PUMP ACTUATED BY SWITCH CONTROLLED ~-
BY ON-OFF VALVE IN SYSTEM". In this prior system, a tap is
provided which has an electrical switch associated with it
for controlling a pump which is adapted to pump water from
a reser~oir to the tap. The components of the tap are arranged
in such a way that when the tap is turned on, but before the
opening of the valve is initiated, the switch is closed to
energize the motor driving the pump, such that the system
becomes pressurized before the outlet valve is opened.
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~ontinued opening of the tap opens the valve to permit water
to be discharged. When the tap is turned off, the vaive is
closed before the switch opens, such that the pump will
continue to operate for a short time after the tap valve
is closed, thereby preventing the pump from losing its
prime.
It is quite important to avoid loss of prime
particularly for non-self-priming pumps such as centrifugal
pumps. A problem however arises in this connection, when
the water in the reservoir is depleted. When the water level
in the reservoir drops to the location of the outlet ~rom
the reservoir, air is allowed to enter the pipe or conduit
leading to the pump, and this air becomes entrapped in the
pump and causes the pump to lose its prime. What will happen
in a situation of this kind is that an air-lock will develop in
the pump with air in the line from the reservoir to the
inlet of the pump, but with the conduit running from the
pump to the tap still filled with water. Depending upon
the different levels of the components of the system, the
~20 pump can often be re-primed by allowing the water in the line
between the pump and the tap to run backwards through the
line toward the reservoir. This will force the air-lock
through the feedline in the xeverse direction and cause
the pump to be properly primed.
With the system disclosed in the above-mentioned
U.S. patent No. 3,600,002 however, the tap or valve becomes
completely closed before the pump stops operating. This
means that, if the operator were to attempt to open the tap
to permit the water in the line between the pump and the tap
to run in the reverse direction through the pump and purge
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1~78359
_h~ air-lock from the system, the fact that the pump is
running would not allow the water to run in the reverse
direction. What is necessary is an arrangement whereby the
pump is "off" but the valve is open. With such an arrange-
ment, the pump would not interfere with the water running
in the reverse direction to purge the air-lock from the
system.
Another structure disclosed herein is such as
to allow the specialized arrangement in which the valve or
tap is open but the pump is "off".
Another difficulty with the system disclosed in
U.S. Patent No. 3,700,002 relates to the fact that it is possible
for the operator to close the tap only to the point where the
valve in the liquid passageway is shut, but the pump motor
; is still running. This of course constitutes a waste of
energy, since the pump is running to no good purpose, since
~ no liquid is being taken from the system.
;t Another aspect of structure disclosed herein is
to overcome the last-mentioned disadvantage.
Finally, in connection with the self-contained
liquid supply systems such as those utilized in bo~ts, trailers
and the like, it often happens that the owner of the vehicle
is able to station it at a location where access may be had
~o a larger pressurized system. Such pressurized water outlets
- are often available in marinas, trailer parks, and so forth.
In such instances, it would be of advantage for the owner of
the vehicle to be able to tie his vehicle water system directly
into the pressurized outlet and to be able to turn his taps or
faucets on without causin~ his vehicle pump motor to run.
Naturally, it would also be desirable to be able to fill the
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vehicle reservoir from the outsid- pressurized system
utilizing at le~st part of the conduit running between the
faucet and the reservoir, slnce this reduces the number of
conduits or pipes required. However, the pump necessary to
pump water from the reservoir to the tap when the vehicle is
in isolation is located in that same line, and therefore it
is desirable to, in effect, incapacitate the pump during
the time the reservoir is being filled from the outside
pressurized system.
Further structure disclosed herein aims at
achieving the last-mentioned advantages.
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:
Accordingly, this invention provides
a faucet assembly comprising structure defining a fluid
passageway, valve means adapted to close and open said fluid
passageway, a shaft adapted on rotation to operate said valve
means, cam means attached to said shaft and switch means
operated by the cam means upon rotation thereof with the
shaft, the cam means and switch means being arranged and
configured such that when the valve means fully closes the
fluid passageway the switch means is "off", and after the
shaft has rotated through a small angle in the direction
to open the valve means the switch means is "on`', and
resilient stop means adapted to arrest rotation of the shaft
at a position wherein the passageway is fully open, the stop - ~ :
means being such as to allow limited further opening
rotation of the shaft upon application of additional torque, :
the said cam means being shaped to again cause the switch
means to turn "off" when the shaft has undergone said limited : :
further rotation.
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. In the accompanying drawings, in which llke numerals
denote like parts throughout the several views,
Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a
valve and switch assembly illustrating certain features of
this invention;
Figure 2 is an axial sectional view of one compon- :
: . . ent illustrated in Figure l;
Figures 3-6 are schematic views of some of the
components shown in Figure 1, showing sequential positions
in the operation thereof; ;~
Figure 7 is a schematic view showing the structure
and operation of another feature of this invention; and
Figures 8, 9 and 10 are sequential schematic views
of a suitable valving arrangement which.may be used in the
practice of this invention.
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In Figure 1 there is shown a faucet or a tâp .
assembly 10 which is seen to include a tubular member 12
having a gate-type closure which includes a transverse
integral rectangular channel 14 in which the gate (not
seen in the Figure) reciprocates. The gate has an opening
therethrough, and is adapted to move between a first position
in which the opening is aligned with the central bore of the
tubular member 12, and another position in which it is out
of alignment with the bore, the gate thus closing the bore
in the same manner as a valve. The gate is caused to recipro-
cate between its two extreme positions by the rotation of a
shaft 16 to which is connectea a sprocket (not visible) which
cooperates with a toothed portion on the gate in the manner i
of a rack-and-pinion arrangement. As can be seen, the shaft
16 is keyed at 18, and this is for the purpose of permitting
the shaft 16 to register in non-rotating relationship with
a cam and shaft member 20. As best seen in Figure 2, the
c'am and shaft member 20 has an internal bore 22, which
includes an integral key 23 adapted to register with the
! 20 keyway 18 of the shaft 16. Thus, when the member 20 is
assembled to the sha~t 16, the two rotate toqether, without
slipping. The member 20 includes a circular portion 24,
an upstanding shaft 26, and a downwardly depending cam
portion 28. At the top of the shaft 26 is a splined or
toothed portion 30, for interlocking with a knob, or equiva-
lent structure adapted to be grasped and turned by hand.
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i0783S9
The circular portion 24 has around a pa~t of its
periphery a step 34 which covers only a portion of a complete
circle, for example in the region o~ 240. As can be seen, -,
the step 34 ends at vertical walls' 35, one of which is shown
in broken lines behind the shaft 26 in Figure 1.
It is intended that the step 34 with the end walls 35
thereof cooperate with another component of the assembly, of
which only a portion is shown in Figure 1 as an inwardly pro-
jecting rigid tooth member 37. When assembled together, the
tooth member 37 proiects into the step 34 so that it comes into
mechanical interference with the walls~ 35, thus providing two
"stops", determining the maximum angular rotation o~ the
cam and shaft member 20 with respect to other portions of the
assembly.,
' The cam portion 28 is interrupted by an opening 38,
which opens downwardly through the bottom rim of the cam portion
i 28.
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~!~i As best seen in Figure 3, the cam portion 28 is sub-
` '
, stantially circular for the most part, but includes a region
'' ~0 40 of which the radius gradually decreases in the counter-
'~ clockwise direction from a location near the bottom of the
cam portion 28 as seen in the Figure 3 representation, to a
location at approximately the "2 o'clock" position.
Also forming part of the assembly of Figure 1 is a
, micro-switch 42 having a sensing member 44 projection therefrom.
-', - In Figure 1 the micro-switch 42 would appear in its correct
horizontal relationship,to the other parts if seen from
directly above, although the Figure itself shows the switch
in exploded relationship somewhat vertically above its true
location. ~hen assembled together, the micro-switch 42 is
located such that the sensing member 44 bears against the
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1~783~9
cam portion 28 in the manner shown in Figure
~ Attention is now directed to the leftward end of
the tubular member 12 in Figure 1, which is seen to include an
internally threaded collar portion 46, from which upwardly
extends an integral post 48 which is adapted to receive a
coil spring 50 of which one end 51 is receivable between two
upwardly extending integral, spaced apart jaws 52. The other
`- end 54 of the spring 50 is adapted to be received in a down-
wardly opening siot (not visible in Figure 11 in the under-
side of a finger member 55 which has a rounded end with anopening 56 adapted to register with the post 48, and which
has a pointed end 58 long enough to enter the opening 38
in the cam portion 28, when the cam and shaft member 20 is
in an appropriate rotational orientation.
Before discussing the operation and advantages of
the structure shown in Fugure 1, it is appropriate to recall
one of the disadvantages of the system disclosed in U.S.
Patent No. 3,700,002, touched on earlier in this specification.
The system of the U.S. patent is arranged in such a way that
if the tap is turned on only sufficiently to close the micro-
switch (thus causing the pump to operate), but not sufficiently
to open the valve, then the pump will continue to operate in-
definitely without doing any useful work, and thus wasting
electrical energy. Likewise, when the tap is turned off, it
may be turned off only sufficiently to cut off the water flow
without opening the micro-switch to cause the pump to shut off.
The present invention eliminates this problem by positively
biasing the tap to an off position after the tap has been moved
close to the closed position, whereby a positive closure
of the valve and shut-off of the pump are simultaneously assured.
10~835g
The way in w~ich this is achieved will be explained subsequently.
- Another problem associated with the system of
U.S. Patent 3,700,002 has also been dealt with, and relates to
the risk of getting an air-lock in the pump when the~reservoir
has been emptied. As previously explained, when the pump is
not self-priming (for example a centrifugal pump), there is
a serious risk that an air-lock will occur in the pump,
because when the reservoir has been drained down to the location
of the water outlet from the reservoir, air can enter the pipe
running between the reservoir and the inlet of the pump. If
the reservoir is subsequently filled without doing anything to
remove the air-lock, the air-lock will remain. In ~the system
described in U.S. Patent 3,700,002, the problem is avoided by
.. . .
~ the provision of a master switch which overrides the tap-
i~ controlled switch, and is capable of turning off the pump.
To purge an air-lock in the pump, the said master switch is
~; operated to prevent the pump from running, and the tap is
opened to permit water contained in the pipe between the outlet
~< side of the pump and the tap to flow back through the pump and
force the air-lock into the water reservoir.
The foregoing is a rather complex procedure and the
invention disclosed herein is such as to simplify the air-
,~ .
lock purging procedure considerably.
Attention is now directed to Figures 3-6, with the
help of which the operation of the assembly illustrated in
Figures 1 and 2 will be urther explained.
Firstly it is to be understood that the finger member
55, as seen from above, is biased in the clocXwise direction
by the spring 50, this having the effect of biasing the cam
and shaft member 20 to its furthest counter-clockwise limit
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1(~78359
~osition, as determined by contact between the tooth member
3i and the furthermost wall 35 (in broken lines in Figure 1).
It is assumed that Figure 3 o~ the drawings illustrates this
furthest counter-clockwise limit position for the member 20,
and the cam portion 28 which forms a part thereof. In the
condition of Figure 3 it is also assumed that the ~inger member
- 55 is still exerting a residual clockwise pressure on the
counter-clockwise edge of the opening 38, in order to keep the
member 20 firmly pushed to its limit position. In this limit
position, it will be seen that the sensing member 44 of the
miCrO-switch 42 is extended to its "off" position, and it is
( to be understood that the micro-switch 42 controls the
operation of a pump which is arranged to pump water from a
tank or reservoir to the assembly lO shown in Figure 1. It is
also to be understood that the furthest counter-clockwise
xotary position of the cam and shaft member 20 corresponds
with the "off" position of the gate contained within the
rectangular channel 14, thereby closing the through-bore in
the tubular member 12, and in effect shutting the valve.
,`~0 Before proceeding to Figure 4, it should be pointed
out that a spring member 60 is secured to the cam portion
28 at about the location shown. The spring member 60 pro-
jects angularly away from the surface of the cam portion 28,
and has a purpose which will become clear subsequently in
this specification.
Attention is now directed to Figure 4, which is
similar to Figure 3, but shows the cam portion 28 (and of
course the other associated parts of the member 20) after
clockwise rotation through an angle of 80 or 90. The rotation
of the cam portion 28 has caused the finger member 55 to come
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~ of the opening 38, and it can be seen in Figure 4 as simply
resting in biased relation against the outer surface of the
cam portion 28. During the rotation from the Figure 3 to the .
Figure 4 conaition, the ~inger member 55 would continue to ~-
exert a counter-clockwise biasing pressure on the cam portion
28 up to the moment when it slips out of the opening 38.
At that point, the biasing pressure on the cam portion 28
suddenly ceases. It will also be seen in Figure 4 that the
sensing member 44 of the micro-switch 42 has been caused to
"ridè up" over the "hill" 62 in the surface of the cam portion
28, and now presses against a part of the surface of the cam
portion 28 of a greater radius, thereby turning the micro- .
switch 42 on and causing the pump to operate. It will further
be seen from the close spacing in Figure.3 between the "hill"
62 and the sensing member 44, that the micro-switch 42 is turned
on (thus starting the pump) before the finger member 55 leaves
the opening 38, i.e. before the counter-clockwise biasing pressure
ex~rted on the cam portion 28 ceases. Another event also takes.
place before the counter-clockwise biasing pressure exerted on
the.cam portion 28 ceases, and this is the initiation of the
opening of the gate forming part of the valve closure for the
10783S9
tubular memher 12. Because of thjs arrangement, it does not
ltter whether l:he micro-switch 42 closes be~ore the gate
valve begins to open, or vice versa. The important thing is
that, over the full rotational range during which the micro-
switch 42 is switched and during which the gate valve begins
to open, the finger member 55 exerts a counter-clockwise
biasing pressure on the cam portion 28. It will thus be
understood that, when the point is reached where the end of
the finger member 55 is just emerging from the opening 38,
the gate valve will be already partially open ~only a minor
amount of opening is sufficient), and the pump will be
running. As the cam portion 28 (and thus the member 20) is
rotated further in the clockwise direction through the con-
ditions shown in Figures 4 and S, the gate valve will continue
to open further, and the pump will remain on. In Figure 5,
it can be seen that the spring member 60 has come around into
contact with a corner of the micro-switch 42. This constitutes
in effect a limit or "stop" which is sensed by the person
operating the tap, and which in effect determines the "full
open" position of the tap. It will be seen that, as the
cam portion 28 rotates through the Figure 4 position to that
shown in Figure 5, the sensing member 44 of the micro-switch
42 remains depressed thus keeping the pump on. At the condi-
tion shown in Figure 5, the sensing member 44 is just adjacent
; the opening 38 which has been swung around almost a full 180
from the situation shown in Figure 3. The contact between the
spring member 60 and the micro-switch 42 however, prevents the
operator from rotating the cam portion 28 a few degrees further
so that the sensing member 44 enters the opening 38, and thus
shuts off the pump. However, if the operator should apply
positive clockwise rotational pressure to the knob 32 and thus
1~78359
to the cam and shaft member 20, it will be possible to bend
e spring 60 as sho~n in Figure 6 so that the sensing member
44 does enter the opening 38, thus shutting off the pump. The
purpose of this capability of turnlng off the pump while the
gate valve is fully open will be explained in a moment; First
however it is instructive to trace the portions shown in Figures
3-~ as the tap is closed, i.e. as the cam portion 28 is
rotated in the counter-clockwise direction from Figure 5 through
Figure 4 to the shut-off position of Figure 3. To begin with,
rotation from the Figure 5 to the Figure 4 orientation will
merely progressively close off the gate valve, while the pump ,
continues to run, thus supplying water to the tap. ~Shortly
beyond the Figure 4 orientation, however (in the counter-
clockwise direction), the pointed end of the finger member 55
^~ will enter the opening 38 and will instantly exert a counter- `~
clockwise biasing torque against the cam portion 28, thus
quickly rotating the same in the counter-clockwise direction to
the Figure 3 condition. Between the initial "grab" of the
finger member 55 and the final position shown in Figure 3,
two events will take place. One is the opening of the micro-
switch 42 and thus the shutting off of the pump, while the
other is the complete closure and shutting off of the gate
valve. It will thus be understood that the operator of the tap
will find that the flow of water can be gradually reduced to a
given minimum level by counter-clockwise rotation of the knob
32, but that once this minimum level is achieved the cam and
shaft member 20 of the knob 32 are suddently subjected to a
closing torque due to the exertion of the finger member 55.
As these portions rotate under the applied torque, the operator
will see the trickle of water completely shut off and will
(probably) hear the pump shut off as well.
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11~783S9
`~ In a case where, upon opening the tap, the switch
closes before the valve begins to open, it will be under- -
stood that it will be impossible for the operator to "leave"
the tap in a condition representing a point between these
two events, i.e. a condition in which the valve is closed
but the switch is still "on" with the motor running. This
~ is due to the fact that the resilient biasing finger 55
; exerts positive closure torque over the full range between
the two events just mentioned.
Similarly, in the case of the reverse sequence for
; the switch and valve, it will again be impossible f~r the
operator to "leave" the tap in a condition in which the switch
is off and the motor not running, but the valve is still
partly open. Again, this is due to the fact that the resilient
biasing finger 55 exerts positive closure torque over this
- entire range.
Attention is once more directed to Figure 6. When the
respective components are in the condition shown in Figure 6,
the gate valve is fully open and the pump is off. This satis-
O fies the two conditions necessary for purging an air-Iock in
the reverse direction through the pump. More specifically,
the pump is off, thus no longer urging water in the direction
from the reservoir to the tap, and the tap itself is open,
thus permitting water located in the line between the tap and
the pump to move backwardly through the pump and into the
portion of the line between the reservoir and the pump,
thus expelling the air-lock into the reservoir.
It will be understood that the specific
components shown in Figures 3-6 could be arranged in such a
way that the sensing member 44, instead of dropping into the
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~78359
opening 38, drops into an earlier depression or pocket, such
~ the pocket shown in broken lines by the numeral ~3 in Figure
4. Naturally, with the provision of an "earlier" pocket 63
for the sensing member 44, the spring member 60 would have to
be relocated so as to contact the micro-switch 42 earlier
in the rotation of the cam portion 28.
It will also be understood that the spring member 60
would have to be located at a vertical level against the outer
surface of cam portion 28 sufficient to clear the finger member
55. In other words, these two would have to be arranged so
as to eliminate the risk of mechanical interference.
The third feature of this invention relates to the
situation arising when a boat docks at a marina or a trailer
arrives at a camp ground. In either of these conditions, the
trailer or boat owner usually will refill his water reser,voir,
and while at the dock or camp ground generally will take
water directly from the city water supply rather from his
own water reservoir. In conventional systems presently
available, a number of adjustments have to be made by the
boat or trailer owner depending upon whether he wants to
go on city water, refill his reservoir tank, or take water
from his reservoir tank. Thus, the third feature of this
invention provides a much simpler system than is currently
available for achieving these objectives, and the same is
illustrated schematically in Figure 7. In Figure 7 a
reservoir tank 66 is adapted to provide water to be pumped
by pump 67 along a line 68 to a three-way valve which is
shown schematically at 70. A line 72 carries pressurized city
water through a connector 73, a one-way check valve 75, and a
pressure reducing valve 76 (if needed). From the pressure
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reducing valve 26, thC city water is carried to a second
connect.ion on the valve 70 A third connection ,~
leads to the taps on the boat or in the trailer, while a fourt~
connection connects through a shut-off valve 79 to a filling
line 80 leading to the tank 66.
In certain applications the filling line 80 may not
be required, but the operation which is described below will
be seen to be independent of the presence of the filling line
80. The filling line 80 is provided where in-place systems
include a tank and a pump and also include a one-way check-
valve in the line 68 leading from.the pump to the valve 70,
in order to prevent flow in the reverse direction from the
valve 70 to the tank 66. In such cases, the filling line 80
may be connected from the outlet of the valve 79 to a suit-
able filling aperture in the tank 66. However, where the
check-valve is not present in the line 68, and where the
pump 67 is a centrifugal pump through which water can flow in
the reverse direction, there is no need for the filling line
80, and such need not be provided.
The valve 70 is shown .three times in Figure 7,
identified by the numerals 1, 2 and 3. These positions are
associated with the following operational modes. In
position number 1 of the valve 70, city water from the
source line 72 passes either along line 68 through the pump
67 to fill the tank 66, or (if there is a one-way check-valve
in the line 68 which prevents flow in the reverse direction).
through the valve 79 and filling line 80 to the tank 66. In
this mode, the connection to the taps is closed.
In position number 2 of the valve 70, water in
the tank 66 can be pumped by the pump 67 directly to the taps
in the boat or trailer, and the city water connection is closed.
In position number 2, it will be understood that the valve 79
would be shut off in order to prevent short-circuiting of the
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water from the ~ank back along the 'illing line 80.
In position number 3, the city water is connected
directly to the taps of the boat or trailer, and the
connection to the pump 67 of the tank 66 is closed. Again in
position number 3, it will be understood that the valve 79
will have to be closed to prevent water passing from the
city water system to the filling aperture of the tank 66.
Where the line 80 is not provided ~i.e. where there
is no check-valve in the line 68 and where the pump 67 is a
centrifugal pump), the a~ove modes may be read by ignoring the
mention of the valve 79 of the filling line 80.
In accordance with the third feature of this invention,
a micro-switch 78 is provided at a fixed location with respect
to the rotational axis of the valve 70, and the
micro-switch 78 constitutes a master overriding control for
the pump 67. For example the micro-switch 78 could be
wired in series with the primary switch controlling thé motor
of the pump, i.e. the switch 42 shown in Figure l.
The rotary element of the valve 70 has
associated with it an outwardly projecting cam surface 81
which when aligned with the sensing element of the micro-
switch 78 turns the latter on, which permits the pump 67
to be energized whenever the tap (discussed in relation to the
earlier Figures) is turned on. The micro-switch 78 is turned
on only in position number 2, where the flow of water is ,
adapted to pass directly from the tank 66 through the pump
67 to the taps in the trailer or boat. In both of the other
conditions, the overriding micro-switch 78 is off, whereby
the opening of one of the taps or valves discussed in connec-
tion with the earlier Figures will-not energize pump 67
(since it is not needed in either case).
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1(~78359
In a preferred embodiment of the third feature of
this invention, the val~e 70 will be mounted in
~. ose association with the .,tandard connector 73, and the
-~ rotary portion of the valve 70 will have an outwardly
projecting finger or "mask" portion adapted to be situated in
front of the connector 73 whenever the valve is in
position number 2, namely the position where water to the taps
is coming directly from.the tank 66. This will prevent dirt
and dust from entering the connector 73 under these circumstances.
In the other two positions of the valve 70, of course, ~.
a hose from the city water connection would be coupled to the
-connector 21, thus eliminating any problem of dirt or dust
contamination in this respect.
Attention is now directed to Figures 8-10,. which . ~
show schematically a valve construction which may be substituted ~ .
for the valve 70 in Figure 7. These figures illustrate t,he oper-
ative portions of a valve which includes a sliding gate 83
having two apertures 84 and 85 therethrough~
- . A line 86 from the pump leads through a check-valve
87 and can pass water directly through to the line 89 whenever
one of the apertures 84 and 85 is in alignment with these two
lines. City water comes in through a line 90 and through a
check-valve 9; to be directly connected to the line 89. Both o~
these are in full communication with a line 93 which goes to the
taps in the boat or trailer. A further line 9S is in complete
communication with the tap, the city water and the line 89, and
leads up against the gate 83 so as to be blocked.thereby in
certain of its positions. On the other side of the gate 83, the .
line 95 communicates through to a line 97 which passes to the
filling opening of the tank.
- In the particular position shown in Figure 8, the
opening 84 is interposed in alignment between the lines 86 and
89, such that water can be pumped directly from the tank to the
taps. The water cannot get out into the city water system due
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to the check-valve 91, and cannot recirculate back to the
tank fill due to the fact that there is no aperture allo-~-
~ communication between the lines 95 and 97. Thus Figure
8 represents the mode in which water from the tank can be ;
pumped to the taps. This corresponds to the position number
2 in Figure 7, in which the microswitch 78 is "on" and
allows energization of the pump 67.
In Figure 9 the gate 83 is in an intermediate posi-
tion, in which neither of the openings 84 and 85 is interposed
in any of the lines. Thus, water cannot be pumped from the
tank along line 86, and water cannot be recirculated to fill
the tank along line 97. However water from the city water
system can pass through the check-valve 91 and along line 93
to the taps. Figure 9 corresponds to position 3 in Figure 7,
in which the microswitch 78 is "off", preventing operation of
the pump 67.
Figure l0 shows a condition in which the two apertures
84 and 85 are interposed against the lines97 and 86, respectively. -
In this mode, water from the city water system under pressure
can pass through the check-valve 91 and along the filling line
; 97 to fill the tank. Water from the city water system could not
pass along the line 86 due to the presence of the check-valve 87.
At the same time in Figure 10, water from the city water system
could pass out along line 93 to the taps, if these should be
turned on. Figure 10 corresponds to some extent to position 1
in Figure 7, and certainly in this mode the microswitch 78
would be turned "off", so that the accidental opening of one
of the taps during the filling operation would not call upon the
pump 67 to pump against a closed gate.
SUMMARY OF ADVANTAGES
Figures 1-6 of the drawings illustrate an
arrangement which involves partial biasing by the resilient
biasing finger 55, a micro-switch 42 adapted to turn the
pump motor on or off, and an option, at the fully open condi-
tion of the valve, of shutting down the pump in order to
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permit water in the line between the pump and the tap topurge an air-lock frGm the p~mp in the reverse direction
-~hrough the reservoir. It is to be understood that the
provision of the resilient biasing finger 55 alone leads to
advantages in particular ci~cumstances, which advantages
do not require the presence of the other components and
features just mentioned. For example, in the common
domestic water distribution system in a house, where the
system is at all times pressurized by the local authority,
no pump or switch controlling a pump would be required.
In this situation, the resilient biasing finger 55 would
by itself provide the advantage of fully shutting the tap
off whenever the user had rotated it close to the "closed"
pOSition. In this way,dripping and leakage through taps,
with the attendant waste of water and energy, can be
greatly reduced or eliminated.
Similarly, advantages are present in the case of
an isolated system utilizing a pump, when the micro-
switch 42 and the valve-open switching option are present,
even though the resilient biasing fingèr 55 may be absent.
In other words, the provision of the option, at the fully
open condition of the valve, of shutting off the pump
motor permits the advantage of being able to purge an air-lock
in the reverse direction through a pump, whether or not the
resilient biasing finger 55 is present.
Finally, the three-way T-valve arrangement and
system illustrated in Figure 7 and described earlier in this
specification provides its own particular advantages whether
or not a resilient biasing finger 55 is provided to produce
positive closure at the lower end of the faucet range, and
whether or not the valve-open option is provided for allow-
ing reverse purging of a air-lock through ~he pump.
1al78359
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