Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02690636 2010-01-20
MULTIPLE FEED DISCHARGE FLUSH SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[00011 The field of the invention relates to pressurized flush systems. More
particularly, the
present invention relates to a pressurized a flush system having multiple
fluid paths between the
flush tank and the fixture.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
100021 This section is intended to provide a background or context to the
invention that is recited
in the claims. The description herein may include concepts that could be
pursued, but are not
necessarily ones that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore,
unless otherwise
indicated herein, what is described in this section is not prior art to the
description and claims in
this application and is not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this
section.
[00031 Water conservation has extended into most aspects of building planning
and operation.
This includes restroom fixtures such as urinals and water closets. Among the
specific types of
water closets, some utilize a pressurized flush tank to provide additional
water pressure during a
flush cycle beyond that provided by typical "gravity"-type flush systems. It
has been recognized
that traditional restroom fixtures were designed with a volume of flush water
to handle a
maximum design load. Yet typical usage does not approach this maximum amount,
and waste
can be cleared using a lesser volume of flush water. It is generally
recognized that a pressurized
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flush provides benefits in the distance the volume "carries" in the drain
pipe, as well as in
allowing for a reduced flush water volume to clear any debris in the water
closet.
[00041 Both conventional gravity-type flush systems as well as pressurized
systems typically
divide the total volume of flush water between a wash portion and a flush
portion within the
fixture. Water is directed from the tank (standard or pressurized) during a
flush cycle through a
single inlet and channeled to via distinct flow paths, typically raceways
formed in the fixtures, to
respective outlets. Water directed toward the wash portion typically enters
the fixture near the
top of bowl and may be distributed about the periphery of the bowl. The flush
portion typically
enters the fixture near the outlet, at or near the bottom of the fixture. Each
of the portions
generally encounters one or more restrictions, for example, bends of 90
degrees, in travelling
through their respective flow paths. Such flow path configurations cause head
loss, decreasing
the velocity of flush flow and effectiveness of the flush system. Moreover,
division of the total
flush volume between the wash portion of flush volume is typically not
optimized within the
fixture.
[00051 Thus, mitigating restrictions in the flow path enhances flow of the
flush water in the
fixture and overall effectiveness of a flush cycle. Substantially optimized
division of the total
flush volume between the wash portion and the flush portion further enhances
overall
performance of the fixture. Enhancement of fluid flow characteristics and
division may be
particularly effective in pressurized tank systems and reduced flow systems
where the total flush
volume is often reduced from typical fixtures.
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{
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
100061 Various embodiments of the present invention provide a multi-path
pressurized flush
system. A discharge feed fluidly connected to a flush tank includes an inlet
and a first outlet, and
a second outlet. The flush volume is received via the inlet and is divided
between a wash portion
directed to the first outlet and a flush portion directed to the second
outlet. The first outlet is
fluidly connected to a plurality of wash outlets generally disposed proximate
the top of a bowl of
the fixture. The second outlet is fluidly connected to a flush outlet
generally disposed proximate
the bottom of the bowl. The volume of fluid directed to the wash portion and
the flush portion
may be controlled by selecting the area of the first outlet and the area of
second outlet,
respectively. Selective adjustment of the area of the first outlet and/or
second the second outlet
permits flow optimization for a particular fixture or installation. The
present invention mitigates
head loss of the flush volume by reducing unnecessary restrictions in the flow
path, thereby
mitigating energy loss of the flush volume upon arrival to the bowl.
Consequently, the invention
may be used with a low flush volume, for example, about 4 liters, and an ultra-
low flush volume,
for example, about 2 liters.
[00071 One embodiment of the invention relates to a pressurized flush system.
The pressurized
flush system comprises a pressurizable flush tank having an inlet, an outlet,
and a flush
mechanism having a flush valve. The flush tank is disposed on a fixture and
the fixture includes
a bowl having a generally central jet flush opening and a plurality ofwash
jets positioned around
an annulus of the bowl. A discharge feed is positioned in communication with
the flush tank and
the fixture and has a first opening and a second opening, the sum of the area
of the first opening
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and the second opening being less than the area of the outlet. A first fluid
flow path is defined
by the first opening and a first tube and directs water from the flush tank to
the flush jet . A
second fluid flow path defined by the second opening and a second tube directs
water from the
flush tank to the wash jets.
[00081 Prior art fixtures, such as Figure 2, typically include an interior
manifold into which the
water from the tank empties prior to being diverted towards the wash openings
and the flush
opening. Prior art fixtures typically utilize molded-in pathways, such that
the water from the
flush tank experiences several energy dissipating restrictions resulting in
head loss, for example,
the water typically empties into the fixture manifold with a downward flow but
must change
flow direction by 90 degrees to exit the fixture manifold and enter the
respective pathways that
flow substantially laterally through the fixture to the wash openings or flush
opening. The fluid
flow paths described above provide an alternative pathway that can eliminate
the energy
dissipating restrictions of the prior art designs. For example, the tubes
extending from the
discharge feed can extend through the manifold into the fixture's molded-in
pathways, thus by-
passing the manifold and its attendant 90 degree turn in the direction of
flow.
[00091 In another embodiment, a pressurizable flush tank comprises a tank
housing having a
lower portion and an upper portion, the lower portion including an outlet. The
tank housing
includes an inlet in communication with a water supply line and an air and
water inducer
configured to pressurize the tank housing. A flush mechanism is disposed
within the tank
housing and in communication with a flush actuator positioned at least
partially outside the tank
housing. The flush mechanism further includes a flush valve controllably
sealing the outlet. A
discharge feed is attached to the outlet such that water exiting the outlet
passes through the
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discharge feed, the discharge feed having a first opening and a second
opening. The sum of the
area of the first opening and the second opening is less than the area of the
outlet. Water from
within the tank housing flows through the outlet and through one of either the
first opening or the
second opening in a flush cycle.
[0010] These and other advantages and features of the invention, together with
the organization
and manner of operation thereof, will become apparent from the following
detailed description
when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like
elements have like
numerals throughout the several drawings described below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Figure 1 is an illustration of a prior art pressure flush vessel;
[0012] Figure 2 is a cross section of a prior art toilet fixture;
[0013] Figure 3 is a side view of a pressurized flush system and water closet
with a discharge
feed;
[0014] Figure 4 is an exploded view of a pressure flush tank with a discharge
feed;
[0015] Figure 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the discharge feed;
[0016] Figure 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the discharge
feed;
[0017] Figure 7 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the
discharge feed;
[0018] Figure 8 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the
discharge feed; and
[0019) Figure 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the discharge feed
including a
vacuum break valve.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[00201 One type of pressurized system utilizes a tank that is pressurized by
the water feed line
pressure itself Figure 1 illustrates a typical prior art system, such as
described in U.S. Pat. No.
4,233,698 ("the '698 patent"), incorporated herein by reference. The general
system of Figure 1
includes a tank 10, which may comprise an upper portion 10A and a lower
portion l OB for ease
of assembly, and the tank 10 receives water from a water supply line 18.
Positioned between the
water supply line 18 and the tank 10, is an air and water inducer 20. As
described in the '698
patent, as water fed from the water supply line 18 passes through the air and
water inducer 20, air
is drawn into the tank 10 via a venturi effect. Accordingly, the air and water
will pressurize the
tank 10 to roughly the same pressure as that of the water supply line 18. The
tank 10 fills to a
predetermined level of water and air.
[00211 The system of Figure 1 utilizes a flush valve 24 to release the
contents of the tank 10 and
activate a flush cycle. The '698 patent describes in detail one type of flush
valve that may be
utilized. Generally, the flush valve 24 includes a flush valve sleeve 30.
Within the flush valve
sleeve 30 is disposed an inner column 32; and a control chamber 31 is defined
by a space within
the top of the flush valve sleeve 30 and bounded on the bottom by the inner
column 32. The
inner column 32 includes a plurality of flanges, in one preferred embodiment
three flanges 34, 35
and 36. The flanges 34, 35 and 36 are sized to have a minimal amount of
clearance with the
flush valve sleeve 30. The amount of clearance is dictated, in part, by the
desired flow pattern
and volume as is understood in the art.
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100221 The pressure within the flush valve sleeve 30 and above the inner
column 32 holds the
inner column 32 against the action of a bias, such as a spring 33, so that the
flush valve flange 34
is sealed against the flush valve seat 36. The flush valve 24 is actuated via
a flush valve actuator
25. The flush valve actuator 25 engages the flush valve and initiates a flush
cycle.
[00231 When a flush cycle has been initiated, the system discharges water from
the tank 10
through the flush valve 24 to a water outlet line 16, which may be a flange,
which is in
communication with the bowl 40. The flush valve 24 is positioned, in the
embodiment of Figure
1, substantially in the center of the tank 10.
[00241 Figure 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a typical toilet fixture
39. Water is directed
from the tank (standard or pressurized) during a flush cycle through a single
inlet 51 into a
manifold 52 that causes the water to abruptly change direction, resulting in a
loss of water
velocity. The water is then channeled to distinct flow paths 52/53, typically
raceways formed in
the fixtures, to respective outlets for flushing and washing.
[0025J The present invention is directed to a pressurized flush system shown
in Figures 3 and 4
having a discharge feed 100 fluidly connected to the tank 10. The discharge
feed 100 includes
multiple fluid flow paths 122/124, whereby the discharge feed 100 directs a
first portion of the
water within tank 10 to a first outlet 102 and a second portion of the water
to a second outlet 104.
The first outlet 102 may be fluidly connected to the bowl 40 to deliver water
from the tank 10 a
first portion 42 of the bowl. The second outlet 104 may be fluidly connected
to the bowl 40 to
deliver water from the tank 10 to a second 44 portion of the bowl 40. In an
embodiment, the first
portion 42 of the bowl 40 may comprise a plurality of openings 43 disposed
about the interior
periphery of upper portion of the bowl 40, to wash the bowl 40 such that the
first portion of
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water is a wash portion. The second portion 44 of the bowl 40 may comprise a
flush jet 45
disposed proximate the bottom of the bowl 40. To achieve the primary flush
such that the
second portion of water is a flush portion.
[00261 With reference to Figures 3-9, various preferred embodiments of the
discharge feed 100
of the present invention are depicted. The discharge feed 100 generally
comprises an inlet 101, a
plurality of outlets 102/104, a housing 110, and an interface 114. The inlet
101 is typically
disposed near the top of the discharge feed 100. In the depicted embodiments,
a top portion 111
of the housing 110 is substantially open comprising the inlet 101. The inlet
101 is fluidly
coupled to the water outlet line 16 (shown in Figure 1) and receives the water
and/or air from the
tank 10 during a flush cycle. The inlet 101 may have a circular cross-section
but other
embodiments may have an elliptical or other cross-section. The area of the
inlet 101 is
configured to accept the contents of the tank 10.
[00271 The housing 110 generally comprises a hollow shell manifold with
openings for the inlet
101 and the plurality of outlets 102/104. The inlet 101 maybe disposed
proximate the top 111 of
the housing 110. One or more of the plurality of outlets 102/104 may be
deposed near a bottom
112 of the housing 110. The contents of tank 10 enter the housing 110 and are
directed to the
plurality of outlets 102/104. The housing 110 may comprise a cylindrical shape
or other
geometry. In the depicted embodiments, where one or more of the plurality of
outlets 102/104 is
disposed near the bottom 112, the housing 110 has a tapered cylindrical or
fiesta configuration.
This configuration transitions the fluid path from the area of the inlet 101
to the area of the one
or more of the plurality of outlets 102/104 disposed on the bottom 112,
thereby mitigating head
loss within the housing 110. However, one or more of the plurality of outlets
102/104 may be
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disposed along the lateral surface of the housing 110. The housing 110 may be
constructed from
a variety of materials including various plastics appropriate for use in
plumbing, as known in the
art.
[0028] One or more outlet may be used for purposes other then providing a
fluid flow path. For
example, Figure 6, depicts the discharge feed 100 having three outlets where
the second outlet
104 and a third outlet 106 are disposed on the lateral surface of the housing
110. The third outlet
106 is provided to serve as a vent, preferably closing upon the occurrence of
a flush and then
opening to provide a "vacuum break" to prevent suction from forming following
the flush.
Figure 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the discharge feed 100
including a vacuum
break valve 126 as the vent (third outlet 106). A vacuum break valve 126 may
be included in the
housing 110 of the discharge feed 100. The vacuum break valve 126 provides a
mechanism to
relieve the back pressure that can be created with in the discharge feed 100.
Various types of
valves maybe utilized to accomplish such, for example, but not limited to
"duck bill" and
"umbrella" type valves.
[0029] The housing 110 may also include one or more brackets 116 configured to
operatively
connect the discharge feed 100 to the tank 10. A plurality of openings 117 may
be included on
the one or more brackets 116. The plurality of openings 117 are adapted to
receive connecting
elements to secure the discharge feed 100 to the tank 10 and or the water
outlet connection line
16.
[0030] The discharge feed 100 may also include an interface 114 in
communication with the
housing 110. The interface 114 is adapted to operatively connect to the water
outlet line 16. The
interface 114 may be adapted to directly connect to the water outlet line 16
or may connect to an
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intervening pipe or tube operatively connected to the water outlet line 16.
The interface 114 may
include threads, barbs, or other attachment features for operative connection
to the water outlet
line 16. Alternatively, the interface 114 may employ a slip or interference
fit with the water
outlet line 16. The operative connection may further be secured by a clamp,
adhesive, or other
feature. In an embodiment, the interface 114 is adapted to fit one or more of
a standard water
outlet line 16.
[0031] The discharge feed 100 includes a plurality of outlets 102/104/106, for
example, the first
outlet 102 and the second outlet 104, from the housing 110. Various
embodiments, such as the
embodiment depicted in Figure 6, may include one or more additional outlets,
such as a third
outlet 106. Each of the plurality of outlets 102/104/106 generally comprise a
hollow
protuberance open to the interior of the housing 110 and extending outwardly
from the housing
110. Each of the plurality of outlets 102/104/106 include a corresponding
opening 103/105/107
at the distal end of the protuberance. Each of the plurality of openings
103/105/107 is adapted
for fluid connection to a flow path 122/124 [not shown] in fluid communication
with the bowl
40. The flow path may comprise, for example, a pipe, hose, tube, or a raceway.
In addition, at
least a portion of the respective pathways may be formed by internal passages
in the fixture. One
end of the flow path 122/124 is operatively connected to one or more of the
outlets 102/104. The
other [not shown] end of the flow path may be fluidly connected to one or more
openings or jets
disposed on or proximate the bowl 40. The respective flow paths 122/124 may be
directed to
various portions of the bowl 40. In an embodiment, the first portion of the
bowl 42 may be
fluidly connected to the first outlet 102 via flow path 122 and the second
portion of the bowl 44
maybe fluidly connected to the second outlet 104 via flow path 124.
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[00321 In one embodiment, each of the plurality of outlets 102/104/106 is
adapted for operative
connection to a flow path. Each outlet may feed into a separate flow path.
Generally, the
plurality of outlets 102/104/106 comprise substantially circular geometry for
operative
connection to a conventional pipe, hose, tube, or connector. However, the
configuration of the
plurality of outlets 102/104/106 is not so limited. For example, Figure 6
depicts an outlet 102a
with a substantially rounded rectangular configuration. The plurality of
outlets 102/104/106 may
also comprise other configurations, such as elliptical or other. In yet
another embodiment, as
shown in Figure 5, one or more of the plurality of outlets 102/104 may include
a bend portion.
In various embodiments, such configurations may be particularly adapted to
operatively connect
to a raceway disposed in a fixture. The plurality of outlets 102/104/106 also
may include a
plurality of connection features 109 such as barbs or threads to facilitate
securement to
components forming the respective flow paths. Hose clamps and/or adhesive [not
shown] may
also be used to ensure securement of the respective flow paths to the
plurality of outlets
102/104/106.
[00331 As described, during a flush cycle, the flow paths 122/124 are in fluid
communication
with the discharge feed 100 and, in turn, the inlet 101. Accordingly, the
contents of the tank 10
received by the inlet 101 are distributed among the plurality of outlets
102/104/106. The
proportion of the contents of the tank 10 distributed to each of the plurality
of outlets
102/104/106 substantially depends on the ratio of the areas of the
corresponding plurality of
openings 103/105/107. For example, in one embodiment of a discharge feed 100
with dual
outlets where the area of the first opening 103 is 50 percent of the area of
the second opening
105, about one-third of the contents will be directed to the first outlet 102
and about two-thirds of
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the contents will be directed to the second outlet 104. Similarly, in the
instance of the discharge
feed 100 with three outlets and the area of the first opening 103 is 75
percent of the area of the
second opening 105 and the area of a third opening 107 is 25 percent the area
of the opening the
second opening 105, about three-eighths of the contents will be directed to
the first outlet 102,
about one-eighth of the contents will be directed to the third outlet 106, and
about one-half of the
contents will be directed to the second outlet 104.
[0034] Accordingly, the distribution of the contents of the tank 10 can be
customized such that a
specific volume of water in the tank 10 can be delivered to various portions
of the bowl 40 by
selection of the areas of the plurality of openings 103/105/107. In an
embodiment, with first and
second outlets 102/104, the area of the first opening 103 is between about 25
percent and 100
percent of the area of the second opening 105. In various embodiments, the sum
of the areas of
the plurality of the openings 1031105/107 is less than or equal to the area of
the inlet 101.
[0035] In an embodiment, the area of one or more of the plurality of openings
103/105/107 is
selectable to customize the distribution of the flush volume between the wash
and the flush jets
45 for a particular fixture or installation. In a particular embodiment, one
or more of the
plurality of outlets 102/104/106 comprises a substantially frusta shape,
defined by a length and a
cross-sectional area and having an opening extending over the length that
decreases with
decreasing cross-sectional area as the cross-section of the outlet tapers with
increasing distance
from the housing 110. The length of one or more of the plurality of outlets
102/104/106 may
provided with a predetermined length to achieve a specified area of the
outlet. Alternatively, the
length of one or more of the plurality of outlets 102/104/106 may trimmed
before or substantially
at the time of installation to a predetermined length to achieve the desired
area of the outlet.
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[00361 In another embodiment, a restricting element (not shown) may be
operatively coupled to
and in fluid communication with one or more of the plurality of outlets
102/104/106. The
restricting element comprises an annular housing, which may include connecting
elements such
as threads, barbs, or other fitting. The area of the restricting element is
substantially less than the
area of the respective opening 103/105/107. Accordingly, placement of the
restricting element in
the flow path alters the effective area ratios of the plurality of openings
103/105/107. A plurality
of restricting elements of varying annular area may be provided to achieve a
customized flow
distribution for a particular fixture or installation. In a particular
embodiment, the restricting
element comprises an adjustable valve of a type generally known in the art.
[00371 In particular embodiments the discharge feed 100 may be used in
conjunction with a low
flush volume, about 4 liters per flush cycle, pressurizable flush tank. In
still other embodiments
the discharge feed 100 may be used in conjunction with an ultra-low flush
volume, less than
about 2 liters per flush cycle, pressurizable flush tank. The configuration of
the discharge feed
100 and capability for substantially direct fluid feed from the flush tank to
the fixture outlets
mitigates head loss, allowing for effective operation at low and ultra-low
flush volumes. The
foregoing description of embodiments of the present invention have been
presented for purposes
of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to
limit the present invention
to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible
in light of the above
teachings or may be acquired from practice of the present invention. The
embodiments were
chosen and described to explain the principles of the present invention and
its practical
application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the present invention
in various
embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use
contemplated.
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f
The features of the embodiments described herein may be combined in all
possible combinations
of methods, apparatus, modules and systems.
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