US2998221A - Flush valves - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 29, 1961 o. L. ENGsTRoM FLUSH VALVES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 8. 1959 INVENTOR. Osc/:IR L. ENGsTRo/w HTTORNEY A\1g 29, 1961 o. l.. ENGsTRoM 2,998,221

FLUSH VALVES Filed Jan. 8. 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. OscF/R L. EN@ s TR 0M FITTORNEY 2,998,221 FLUSH VALVES Oscar L. Engstrom, 45-54 41st St., Long Island City, N.Y. Filed Jan. 8, 1959, Ser. No. 785,996 7 claims. (cl. 251-44) My invention relates to ush valves or ushometers and is directed particularly to improvement in flushometers or Hush valves for wash basins, water closets, showers, urinals and other plum-bling installations.

This invention is a continuation-impart of my application Serial No. 647,326, tiled March 20, 1957, now abandoned, and it is the principal object of this invention to provide improvements in ush valves or flushometers of the character described.

It is another object to provide a flush valve of the above nature which is anti-syphonic in action, which has a large land unrestricted outlet waterway, and in which the path of water discharge is controlled by valve mechanism devoid of springs, diaphragms, sliding pistons or cup diaphragms.

Still another object is to provide a ilush valve of the character described wherein the main valve head member is loosely arranged above the main valve seat within the valve body, whereby it will be freely self-seating upon closure.

Another object is to provide a ilush valve of the character described wherein the main valve head :member is circular and at and wherein the valve seat against which the main valve member operates is comprised of a pair of concentric annular surfaces formed by the coextensive ends of pipes, the center one of which extends to the outlet of the valve, the annular space between the pipes and the space above the main valve head member communieating with the water inlet pressure, whereby the diiference in water pressure acting from below and above the main valve head member serves to forcefully seat the valve head member against the valve seat.

Another object of the invention is to provide a valve structure of the character described wherein the valve seat against which the `mainvalve member operates is comprised of an annular surface formed by the upper end of a vertically arranged discharge pipe, and wherein a second pipe of greater diameter than and `coaxial with the discharge pipe communicates at its lower end with the water inlet pressure and extends somewhat short of the upper end of the discharge pipe to provide a. bleed passage around the valve head member, whereby the difference in water pressure acting from below and above the main valve head member serves to forcefully seat the valve head member against the valve seat.

It is another object of the invention to provide a valve of the above nature which is readily adjustable as to the duration of automatic ushing action from the outside of the valve body.

Another object is to provide a flush valve of the character described which is extremely simple in construction, which has few parts of comparatively low tolerance limits and therefore which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, and which is long-wearing and positiveacting in use.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description when read with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred form in which the invention may be embodied in practice. In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

FIG. l is a top view of a water closet flush valve embodying the invention,

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the valve shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the valve shown in FIGS. l and 2 taken along the lines 3-3 thereof in the direction of the arrows,

FIG. 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional View taken along the broken line 4-4 of FIG. 3 in the direction of the arrows,

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line 5 5 of FIG. 3 in the direction of the arrows, Y

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3, but showing the valve in actuated condition for ushing, and,

FIG. 7 is an elevational view illustrating how the ush valve of FIGS. l through 6 can be used in combination with a shower head for automatically metering washing time, in industrial washing operations for example.

Referring now in `detail to the drawings, my improved flush valve, designated generally by the numeral 10a, comi prises a lower housing member 11a of cast metal having at its upper end an externally-threaded circular wall portion 12a to which an upper dome or housing member 13a is removably secured. A circular rubber or neoprene gasket 14a serves to hermetically seal the junction between the lower and upper housing members 11a and 13a. The lower housing member 11a is formed at its lower end with an externally-threaded outlet opening 15a and an internally-threaded side inlet opening 16a (see FIGS. l and 3). The internally-threaded outlet opening 15a extends upwardly into a central bore 17a, of reduced diameter, which communicates at its upper end with a coaxial bore 18a formed at its lower end with an annular shoulder 19a. The bore 18a extends upwardly into a coaxial bore 20a of still further increased diameter. A cylindrical outlet conduit 21a is coaxially secured at its lower end within the -bore 18a in the lower housing member 11a, the lower end of said conduit being seated against the annular shoulder 19a, whereby said conduit is in communication with the outlet opening 15a.

The bore 20a extends at its upper end into a short coaxial bore 22a of increased diameter, providing an lannular shoulder 23a -at the transition zone. Tightly iitted within the bore 22a and seated -against the annular shoulder 23a is the lower end of Ia cylindrical inlet conduit 24a, of greater diameter than and coaxial with the outlet conduit 21a. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6, the

upper end of the inlet conduit 24a extends slightly short of the upper end of the outlet conduit 21a, for the purpose hereinafter appearing. It will be apparent that the water inlet opening 16a is in direct communication with the annular space between the cylindrical outlet and inlet conduits 21a and 24a, respectively.

A main valve cap member 28a is disposed in coaxial relation with respect to the upper ends of the outlet and inlet conduits 21a* and 24a, said valve cap member comprising a circular disc 29a.' integrally formed with a cylindrical sleeve member 31a. The cylindrical sleeve member 31a coaxially surrounds the inlet conduit 24a in slightly spaced relation, spacing distances down to about .005 inch having been found to be satisfactory for ordinary ush duration intervals. A at, circular, rubber or neoprene washer 33a is seated against the underside of the circular disc 29ay and secured thereat by a flat-headed machine screw 34a fitted with a washer 35ay and secured in a central threaded opening in said circular disc. It is to be noted that the water inlet opening 16a is in communi-v cation with -the interior of the upper housing member 13a even when the main valve cap member 2,80:` is seated on lthe Valve seat formed by the upper annular end of the outlet conduit 21a by virtue of the space between the upper end of the water inlet conduit 24a and the underside of the washer 33a `in said valve cap member, the spacing between the inside of the sleeve member 31a of said valve cap member and the outside of `said water inlet conduit, and the spacing between the outside of said sleeve member `and the inside of the wall portion 12a of the lower housing member 11a and the inside of said upper housing member (see FIG. 3).

The lower housing member 11a is formed, opposite the water .inlet opening 16a, with a sidewardly-extending, generally cylindrical housing portion 36a having a lateral bore 38a which at its inner end communicates with a concentric bore 37a of decreased diameter, blind at its inner end (see FIGS. 3 through 6). The Itransition zone between the bores 37a and 38a provides an annular shoulder against which an annular gasket lila is seated and affixed. The lower housing member lla is provided with a first pressure release passageway 41a communicating between the interior of the circular wall portion 12a thereof and the bore 37a, and a second pressure release passageway 42a communicating between the central bore 17a at the `outlet of said lower housing member and the bore 38a. Fitted within the bore 38a of the housing portion 36a is a relief valve body member 44a having at its inner end an annular portion 39a firmly seated in sealing engagement against the gasket 40a. The outer end of the valve body member 44a is formed with a iiange portion 43a closely titted within the bore 38a. The relief valve body member 44a is formed at its inner end with a coaxial cylindrical recess 45a and has an annular groove 46a in its outer wall communicating with said cylindrical recess through a plurality of openings 47a. As best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6, the annular groove 46a in the relief valve body member 44a is in register with the opening in the bore 38a formed by the second pressure release passageway 42a intersecting said bore.

A coaxial, centrally-drilled boss 49a extends from the bottom of the bore 37a in the housing portion 36a, and has Slidably disposed therein a valve control guide rod 48a. A disc valve member 501:, which may be of a tough and long wearing synthetic material such as Teliom for example, is secured against the outer end of the guide rod-d8a by a flat-headed machine screw 50a. A cornpresslon spring 51a surrounding the boss 49a and extendlng between the bottom annular surface of the bore 37a and the underside of the disc valve member Sub normally urges said disc valve in seating engagement against the valve seat formed by the inner end of the relief valve body member 44a (see FIG. 3).

Slidably arranged in a central bore in the relief valve bodyvmember 44a and extending through an externallythreaded boss 53a formed therein is an actuating rod 52C the outer end of which is' integrally formed with a iiat button 52a. A compression sp-ring 52h is constrained between the underside of the button 52a of the actuating rod 52e` and the base of the boss 49a in the valve body member 44a, and normally urges said actuating rod Outwardly of and out of contact with the fiat-headed screw 50a at .the outer end of the lguide rod 43a. A gland nut 54a holding packing 55a is screwed on the threaded boss 53a to prevent water leakage between the inside and the outside of the relief valve body member 44a. A cylinder cam` member 56a is fitted within the bore 38a of the housing portion 36a with its inner end in pressing engagement with the outer end of the relief valve body member 44a. The cylinder cam member 56a is formed about its outer periphery with an annular flange portion 57a which seats against the outer end of the housing portion 36aV and is held thereagainst by a screwed-on cylinder nut 58a. v A lever handle 59a extends through a central opening in the cam member 56a and is fonmed at its inner end with a conical portion 60a axially abutting the button 52a formed on the outer end of the actuating rod 52C. The conical portion 60a of the lever handle 59a is formed at its outer side with an annular surface portion which normally rests against the inner annular surface formed by an inwardly-hanged outer end portion 61a of. the cam cylinder 56a (see FIG. 3). In operation, momentary sidewise pushing of the lever handle 59a (see FIG. 6), will cant it against the outerend portion 61a of the cam cylinder 56a to push in the actuating rod 52C` against the force of the compression springglg; Inward movement of the actuating -rod 52C will in turn cause its inner end to contact and then push inupon the fiat-headed screw 50a, the disc valve 50b and the guide rod 48a, against the compressional force of the spring 51a. Momentary inward movement of the disc valve member Stlb allows water under pressure within the upper housing member 13a to be instantly released through the first pressure release passageway 41a, the cylindrical recess 45a, the openings 47a `and the annular groove 46a in the relief valve body member 44a, and the second pressure release passageway 42a. Thus instantaneous release of pressure and opening of a large discharge passageway to the outlet opening 15a will cause the valve cap member 28a to rise practically instantaneously to its full extent within the housing member 13a under the force of inlet water under pressure emerging from the annular space between the outlet and inlet conduits 21a and 24a, respectively, thereby initiating flushing action through the large unrestricted water discharge passageway afforded by the outlet conduit 21a. During the liushing cycle a portion of the waterwill pass through the space between the outer surface of the inlet conduit 24a and the inner surface of the sleeve portion 31a of the valve cap member 28a, and around said main valve cap member to enter the space above and gradually again increase the water pressure above said cap member, finally forcing it down again against the valve seat formed by the upper end of the outlet conduit. 21a where it will become firmly seated by the time inlet pipe pressure is reached above said cap member to terminate the liushing cycle. The duration of the flushing cycle, which is determined to a great extent by the spacing between the outside of the inlet conduit 24a and the inside of the sleeve portion 31a of the valve cap member Zita, can be adjusted by controlling the upward travel extent of said valve cap member by means of an adjustment screw 62a threaded in ya countersunk central opening in the top of sai-d valve cap member. A cover cap screw 64a threads into the countersunk opening and into abutting engagement with a washer 63a. therein, to normally cover the adjustment screw 62a and at the same time prevent leakage of the water under pressure within the cap member 28a.

The spacing between the shorter inlet conduit 24a and the washer 33a, when the valve cap member 28a is seated in shut-off condition as illustrated in FIG. 3, provides a continuous bleed passageway between inlet water under pressure and the space within the upper housing member l3a yand above said cap member. This bleed passageway, moreover, is widely opened and vigorously washed during each flushing cycle, and is therefore not subject to blockage by grit particles, corrosion and the like, as are'pinhole and other continuously-restricting bleed passages customarily used in flush valves of the flexible diaphragm or sliding cylinder types.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, the flush valve 10a can be secured Vto the flush pipe P of a plumbing fixture, or to a vacuum breaker, if required, by means of an outlet coupling nut 66a and circular outlet gasket 66a.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and"2, the lower housing member 11a is provided in its front wall portion with a rubber bumper 67a. held in place by a screw-on retainer cup 68a, said bumper serving as a stop for a water closet seat cover.

FIG. 7 illustrates in side elevation a flush valve 10a according to the invention attached at its outlet to a shower head 69a and having an actuating lever 70a to the outer end of which a chain 71a is attached for remote actuation. The shower assembly shown in FIG. 7 is suitable for use where relatively shortflushing cyclesrof automatically reproducible durations are required, such as in industrial washing operations for example.

While I have described and illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that this disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only, and that various omissions, or changes in arrangement of parts, as well as the substitutions of equivalent elements for those herein shown and described, can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as deiined in the following claims.

What I claim is:

l. In a ilush valve, the combination comprising, a housing structure having a water inlet opening and a water outlet opening, a tirst conduit within said housing structure and communicating at one end with said outlet opening, a second conduit within said housing structure having a greater cross-sectional size than said first conduit and surrounding said first conduit, a communieating passageway between said water inlet opening and the space between said tirst and second conduits, the other end of said first conduit providing a valve seat, a valve cap member freely movable within said housing structure and operative to seat at one side from time to time against said valve seat and to seal otf said other end of said first conduit, said valve cap member having a peripheral sleeve portion arranged in closely spaced surrounding relation with respect to the outer wall of said second conduit, a chamber within said housing structure at the other side of said valve cap member, said spacing between said peripheral sleeve portion ot said cap member and said outer wall of said second conduit comprising a passageway communicating between said first and second conduits and said chamber for by-passing to said chamber water under pressure from said inlet opening at times when said valve cap member is seated against said valve seat, and means to temporarily release the pressure of water in said chamber to allow movement of said valve cap member away from said valve seat for flushing action through said first conduit.

2. The invention as deiined in claim l wherein said passageway communicating between said water inlet opening and said space betweensaid irst and second conduits extends through one end of said second conduit.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein said pressure release means comprises a pressure release passageway between said chamber and said outlet opening and a manually controllable shut-otf valve in said passageway.

4. In a ush valve mechanism, the combination comprising a housing structure having a water inlet opening and a water outlet opening, a first cylindrical conduit arranged upright within said housing structure and communicating at its lower end with said outlet opening, a second cylindrical conduit of greater diameter than said iirst conduit and coaxially arranged with respect thereto within said housing structure, water passage means communicating between said water inlet opening and the annular space between said first and second conduits, the upper end of said first cylindrical conduit providing a valve seat, a valve cap member freely movable Within said housing structure above said valve seat and adapted to seat from time to time thereagainst to seal oft' the upper end of said first conduit, said valve cap member having a tubular sleeve arranged in closely-spaced surrounding relation with respect to the outer cylindrical wall of said second cylindrical conduit, a chamber in said housing structure above said valve cap member allowing free axial movement of said valve cap member with respect to said valve seat structure, said spacing between said peripheral sleeve portion of said cap member and said outer wall of said second conduit comprising a passageway communicating between said iirst and second conduits and said chamber for by-passing to said chamber water under pressure from said inlet opening at times when said valve cap member is seated against said valve seat, and means to temporarily release the pressure of water in said chamber to allow movement of said valve cap member away from said valve seat structure for fiushing action through said Ifirst conduit.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4, wherein the upper end of said second conduit extends slightly short of the upper end of said first conduit, and wherein said valve cap member is formed with a disc-like valve portion seatable llat against the valve seat provided by said first cylindrical conduit.

6. The ilush valve mechanism as dened in claim 5, wherein said pressure release means comprises a pressure release passageway between said chamber and said outlet opening and a manually controllable shut-off valve in said passageway.

7. In a flush valve mechanism, the combination comprising a housing structure having a water inlet opening and a Water outlet opening, a first cylindrical conduit arranged upright within said housing structure and com municating at its lower end with said outlet opening, a second cylindrical conduit of greater diameter than said first conduit and coaxially arranged with respect thereto within said housing structure, water passage means communicating between said'water inlet opening and the annular space between said rst and second conduits, the upper end of said first cylindrical conduit providing a valve seat, a valve cap member freely movable Within said housing structure above said valve seat and adapted to seat from time to time thereagainst to seal ofi the upper end of said iirst conduit, said valve cap member having a tubular sleeve arranged in closely-spaced surrounding relation withv respect to the outer cylindrical wall of said second cylindrical conduit, a chamber in said housing structure above said valve cap member allowing free axial movement of said valve cap member with respect to said valve seat structure, said housing structure providing abutment means limiting said axial movement of said valve cap member away from said valve seat structure to a predetermined distance, said tubular skirt being long enough that its `outer end will still surround said outer cylindrical wall of said second cylindrical conduit with a substantial portion of the length of said skirt when said yvalve cap member is moved to said limiting position, and means to temporarily release the pressure of water in said chamber to allow movement of said valve cap member away lfrom said valve seat structure for flushing action through said first conduit.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 767,849 Stillman l-- Aug. 16, 1904 1,005,703 Goeddel Oct. 10, 1911 1,813,709 Pasman July 7, 1931 2,047,120 Stout July 7, 1936 2,480,712 Carbon Aug. 30, 1949

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