GB2163785A - Control device for automatic flushing systems - Google Patents

Abstract

The control device comprises an electrically operated valve (10) in the water supply of the system and a programmable timer (12) closing the valve for set periods of time when a flushing operation is not required. The control device may also include a cyclic timer (13) for opening the valve periodically when the programmable timer is set to provide a flushing operation and in this case the control device can replace a conventional automatic cistern. An overload protection device (11) may also be incorporated into the system. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Control device for automatic flushing systems.

This invention relates to a control device for automatic flushing systems.

Mostautomatioflushing systems operate continuously often attimeswhen there is no needfor flushing. Many industrial and commercial water users pay water rates based on water usage and hence water bills can be very high. Control devices for automatic flushing systems are known but these operate on variation in water pressure.

According to the present invention, there is provided a control device for an automaticflushing system, comprising an electrically operated valve for connection in a water supply of the system and a programmable timer in the electrical supply to the valve for closing the valve for set periods of time when a flushing operation is not required.

Preferred a ndlo r optional features of the invention are setforth in claims 2-4.

The invention also provides an automatic flushing system having a control device as setforth in the prenultimate paragraph with orwithoutthe preferred and/or optional features set forth in claims 2-4.

The invention will now be more particularlly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows schematically one embodiment of a control device according to the invention.

Referring to the drawing the control device shown therein comprises a solenoid operated valve 10 connected in awatersupply between a header tank and an urinal of an automatic flushing system. The electrical supply is connected to the solenoid of the valve 10 via an overload protection device 11, a programmabletimer 12, and a cyclictimer 13 con- nected in series.

The programmabletimer 12may be of any conven tional form such as a simple 24 hour timer which can be set to come on for one or more periods each day or a 7 day, 24 hourtimerwhich can be setto come on for one or more different periods on each day of the week.

The programmable timer 12 can thus be set so that a flushing operation takes place only during periods when the urinal is likely to be in use, but not at other times thereby effecting a very substantial saving of water.

The cyclic timer 13 may be one of the "Eurotime" series of timers made by Broyce - Marvid Ltd and can be set so as to open the valve 10 periodically for a short time in order to effect a flushing operation provided thetimerl2isalsoswitched on.

The valve 10, overload protection device 11 and timers 12 and 13 are all mounted in a single enclosure (not shown).

The control device described above not only saves on water but also replaces the conventional automatic cistern. However, the cyclic timer 13 could be omitted in which case the control device can then be used with a conventiona! automatic cistern.

1. Acontrol deviceforan automatic flushing system, comprising an electrically operated valve for connection in a watersupply ofthe system and a programmable timer in the electrical supply to the valve for closing the valve for set periods of time when a flushing operation is not required.

2. The control device of Claim 1, further compris- ing a cyclic timer in the electrical supply to the valve for opening the valve periodically during periods of time when the programmable timer is set to provide a flushing operation.

3. The control device of Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the valve is a solenoid operated valve.

4. The control device of anyone ofthe preceding claims, further comprising an overload protection device.

5. A control device for an automatic flushing system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.

6. An automatic flushing system having a control device as claimed in anyone ofthe preceding claims.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Control device for automatic flushing systems. This invention relates to a control device for automatic flushing systems. Mostautomatioflushing systems operate continuously often attimeswhen there is no needfor flushing. Many industrial and commercial water users pay water rates based on water usage and hence water bills can be very high. Control devices for automatic flushing systems are known but these operate on variation in water pressure. According to the present invention, there is provided a control device for an automaticflushing system, comprising an electrically operated valve for connection in a water supply of the system and a programmable timer in the electrical supply to the valve for closing the valve for set periods of time when a flushing operation is not required. Preferred a ndlo r optional features of the invention are setforth in claims 2-4. The invention also provides an automatic flushing system having a control device as setforth in the prenultimate paragraph with orwithoutthe preferred and/or optional features set forth in claims 2-4. The invention will now be more particularlly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows schematically one embodiment of a control device according to the invention. Referring to the drawing the control device shown therein comprises a solenoid operated valve 10 connected in awatersupply between a header tank and an urinal of an automatic flushing system. The electrical supply is connected to the solenoid of the valve 10 via an overload protection device 11, a programmabletimer 12, and a cyclictimer 13 con- nected in series. The programmabletimer 12may be of any conven tional form such as a simple 24 hour timer which can be set to come on for one or more periods each day or a 7 day, 24 hourtimerwhich can be setto come on for one or more different periods on each day of the week. The programmable timer 12 can thus be set so that a flushing operation takes place only during periods when the urinal is likely to be in use, but not at other times thereby effecting a very substantial saving of water. The cyclic timer 13 may be one of the "Eurotime" series of timers made by Broyce - Marvid Ltd and can be set so as to open the valve 10 periodically for a short time in order to effect a flushing operation provided thetimerl2isalsoswitched on. The valve 10, overload protection device 11 and timers 12 and 13 are all mounted in a single enclosure (not shown). The control device described above not only saves on water but also replaces the conventional automatic cistern. However, the cyclic timer 13 could be omitted in which case the control device can then be used with a conventiona! automatic cistern. CLAIMS

1. Acontrol deviceforan automatic flushing system, comprising an electrically operated valve for connection in a watersupply ofthe system and a programmable timer in the electrical supply to the valve for closing the valve for set periods of time when a flushing operation is not required.

2. The control device of Claim 1, further compris- ing a cyclic timer in the electrical supply to the valve for opening the valve periodically during periods of time when the programmable timer is set to provide a flushing operation.

3. The control device of Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the valve is a solenoid operated valve.

4. The control device of anyone ofthe preceding claims, further comprising an overload protection device.

5. A control device for an automatic flushing system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.

6. An automatic flushing system having a control device as claimed in anyone ofthe preceding claims.