A SHUTTLE VALVE ASSEMBLY

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a shuttle valve assembly. The present invention has particular but not exclusive application for a system using tank water and mains water supply. While reference is made in the patent specification to tank water and mains water as sources of water, this reference is by way of example only and other water sources may be used.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ih many areas water is regarded as a limited resource. Collection of rain water by households in tanks has been encouraged by many Council and government authorities. The water collected in tanks is used to supplement or repl&ce water usage for non-drinking purposes, thereby limiting the usage of the supplied mains water.

Australian Patent No. 2003254418 discloses a water reticulation system where tank water and mains water is provided to a household where a person can switch between the two water sources subject to availability but without water from one source contaminating water from another source. An electronically operated shuttle valve serves as a junction connection for both water supplies and a discharge outlet. The operation of the shuttle valve is controlled by a processor which receives and processes input signals from a variety of sensors and switches. The processor actuates the motor to move the shuttle within the valve housing to the desired position. Because of the complexity of actuating the shuttle valve, there is a lag period between initiating and achieving a change from one water source to a different water source. The use of an electronically operated and motorized shuttle

valve overcomes the problem that some Councils have bylaws that prohibit the use of mains water pressure to operate shuttle valves of water reticulation systems. A battery back up is provided so that in the event of a mains electricity failure, the shuttle valve can still be operation. The overall arrangement for controlling the water supply from either tank water or the mains water supply has a number of disadvantages including complexity, subject to failure with failure of one of the multiple components, delays in response after actuation and consistency of power supply.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention is to provide an alternative shuttle valve assembly which overcomes at least in part one or more of the abovementioned disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect the present invention broadly resides in a shuttle valve assembly including a shuttle housing having a first inlet port connectable to a first fluid supply means, a second inlet port connectable to a second fluid supply means and an outlet port connectable to a fluid outlet means; an elongate shuttle movable within the shuttle housing, the shuttle having a first end and a second end; a shuttle spring means that engages with the first end of the shuttle, the shuttle spring means is biased to position the shuttle to allow fluid communication between the second inlet port and the outlet port; and

a passageway providing fluid communication between the first inlet port and a reservoir space in the housing, said reservoir space is formed between the second end of the shuttle and a housing end wall wherein fluid collected in the reservoir space provides pressure to move the shuttle compressing the shuttle spring means thereby enabling the first inlet port to be in fluid communication with the outlet port and the second inlet port is closed.

The fluid preferably is water. More preferably the water is pressurized water.

In another aspect the present invention broadly resides in a shuttle valve assembly including a shuttle housing having a first inlet port connectable to a non-mains pressurized water system, a second inlet port connectable to a mains water system and an outlet port connectable to a water outlet system; an elongate shuttle movable within the shuttle housing, the shuttle having a first end and a second end; a shuttle spring means that engages with the first end of the shuttle, the shuttle spring means biased to position the shuttle to allow passage of pressurized water between the second inlet port and the outlet port; and a passageway providing water passage between the first inlet port and a reservoir space in the housing, said reservoir space is formed between the second end of the shuttle and a housing end wail wherein water collected in the reservoir space provides pressure to move the shuttle compressing the shuttle spring means thereby enabling the first inlet port to passage non-mains pressurized water to the outlet port while the second inlet port is closed,

The non-mains pressurized water system is preferably a water tank system.

With respect to the above mentioned aspects of the invention, the shuttle valve assembly preferably includes a venting valve means that discharges fluid from the reservoir space when the pressure of the collected fluid is less than the force of the compressed shuttle spring means. The venting valve means preferably includes a vent inlet port for fluid to enter the venting valve means, a vent discharge port to discharge collected fluid from the reservoir space and a movable sealing means located between the vent inlet port and the vent discharge port. The sealing means is preferably sealingly engageable with the vent discharge port when pressurized fluid passes and is maintained in the reservoir space. The sealing means is preferably released from sealing engagement with the vent discharge port when the fluid and fluid pressure is reduced from the reservoir space. Preferably, the sealing means is disengaged from the vent discharge port when pressure of the collected fluid in the reservoir space is less than the force of the compressed shuttle spring means. In one embodiment of the shuttle valve assembly, the reservoir space is in direct fluid communication with the venting valve means and has a vent spring means that spaces the sealing means from the vent discharge port. Preferably the vent spring means is compressed by the pressure of the collected fluid in the reservoir space to allow the sealing means to sealingly engage the vent discharge port, when the pressure of the collected fluid in the reservoir space is greater than the force of the compressed shuttle spring means.

In an alternate embodiment of the shuttle valve assembly, the passageway has a shuttle portion and a vent portion separated by the venting valve means. The shuttle portion preferably connects the first inlet port with the venting valve means and the vent portion connects the reservoir space with the venting valve means. The

vent portion of the passageway preferably connects to a third vent port of the venting valve means. The shuttle portion of the passageway preferably connects to the vent inlet port. In this embodiment of the shuttle valve assembly, the sealing means sealingly engages the vent discharge port with the pressure of the non-mains pressurized fluid passing to the reservoir space thereby preventing discharge. When the pressure of the collected fluid in the reservoir space is less than the force of the compressed shuttle spring means, the sealing means sealingly engages the vent inlet port thereby opening the vent discharge port and allowing the collected fluid in the reservoir space to be discharged through the vent discharge port. The sealing means preferably is a cup seal. The cup seal preferably has a substantially concave side positioned to face the vent discharge port. The cup seal preferably has one or more bendable portions to assist the flow of water into the venting valve means through the ports.

Preferably, the cup seal comprises a rubber-like material. More preferably, the rubber-like material is nitrile rubber.

The shuttle preferably has a plurality of o-rings and each o-ring forms a sealing engagement with side walls of the shuttle housing. The positions of the o- rings preferably are arranged to enable fluid either from the first fluid supply means or the second fluid supply means to flow through the outlet port. The passageway preferably includes one or more conduits.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the present invention can be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a shuttle valve assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention where the arrow A showing water from a mains water system flowing through and discharging from an outlet port;

Figure 2 is another diagrammatic view of the shuttle valve assembly of Figure 1 where the arrow B shows non-mains pressurized water discharging through. the outlet port while arrow C shows non-mains pressurized water entering the reservoir space of the shuttle housing and moving the shuttle;

Figure 3 is another diagrammatic view of the shuttle valve assembly of Figure 1 where the arrow D shows water being discharged through a venting valve when the pressure of the water from the water tank system reduces and the shuttle spring repositions the shuttle;

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of a venting valve that is connectable to the shuttle housing through a shuttle conduit and a vent conduit and arrow E shows the discharge of water from the vent discharge port; Figure 5 is another diagrammatic view of the venting valve of Figure 4 showing the cup seal sealingly engaging the vent discharge port and the arrow F shows the passage of water through the vent inlet port to the third vent port;

Figure 6 is another diagrammatic view of the venting valve of Figure 4 when there is no water flow through the venting valve; Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view of a shuttle valve assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention with a venting valve means in direct fluid communication with the shuttle housing and the arrow G showing water from a mains water system flowing through and discharging from an outlet port;

Figure 8 is another diagrammatic view of the shuttle valve assembly of Figure 7 where the arrow H shows non-mains pressurized water discharging through the

outlet port while arrow I shows non-mains pressurized water moving the shuttle and arrow J shows non-mains pressurized water moving the cup seal to sealing engagement with the vent discharge port; and

Figure 9 is another diagrammatic view of the shuttle valve assembly of Figure 7 with arrow K showing water being discharged through the vent discharge port.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to Figures 1 to 3, there is shown a first preferred embodiment of the shuttle valve assembly 10. The shuttle valve assembly 10 has a shuttle housing 12 with a first inlet port 14, a second inlet port 16 and an outlet port 18. The first inlet port 14 is connected to a pressurized water tank system while the second inlet port 16 is connected to a mains water system. The outlet port 18 is connected to a water reticulation system that provides water to a building.

An elongate shuttle 20 with a spring end 22 and a vent end 24 is moveable within the shuttle housing 12. The spring end 22 abuts the shuttle spring 26 and the shuttle spring 26 is biased to position the shuttle 20 to allow water to pass between the second inlet port 16 and the outlet port 18 (as shown in Figure 1 arrow A). When the shuttle spring 26 is compressed, water can pass through the first inlet port 14 and be discharged from outlet port 18 as shown in Figure 2 arrow B. A passageway 28 allows water to pass from the first inlet port 14 to a reservoir space 30 which is formed in the shuttle housing 12 between vent end 24 of the shuttle 20 and housing wall 32. Water passes through the passageway 28 via venting valve 34 to the reservoir space 30. The passageway 28 includes a shuttle portion 50 and a vent portion 52 separated by the venting valve 34.

Water collected in the reservoir space 30 provides pressure to move the shuttle 20 to compress the shuttle spring 26, thereby enabling the first inlet port 14 to passage water to the outlet port 18 while the second inlet port 16 is closed.

There is a plurality of o-rings 36 on the shuttle 20 to form a sealing engagement with the internal side walls of the shuttle housing 12. The shape of the shuttle 20 with respect to the shuttle housing 12 allows water from either the water tank system or the mains water system to flow through the shuttle housing 12 and be discharged from the outlet port 18 to supply water to the building without water from one source contaminating water from the other source. The position of the shuttle 20 within the shuttle housing 12 therefore regulates which water source supplies water to the building.

The position of the shuttle 20 within the shuttle housing 12 depends on the interaction between the pressure of the water collected in the reservoir space 30 and the force required to compress the shuttle spring 26. The pressure of the water collected in the reservoir space 30 is in turn dependent on the pressure of the water from the water tank system that flows to the first inlet port 14. The position of the shuttle 20 within the shuttle housing 12 is controlled by the water from the pressurized water tank system. The mains water system does not control the position of the shuttle 20 or its operation but mains water serves as the default water supply system.

When the pressure of the water collected in the reservoir space 30 is less than the force of the compressed shuttle spring 26, the shuttle 20 returns to the default mains water supply position and seals the entry of water through first inlet port 14 from the pressurized water tank system. The water flow is shown by arrow A in Figure 1.

When the pressure of the water collected in the reservoir space 30 increases to a level greater than the force of the compressed shuttle spring 26, the shuttle 20 moves to a position that allows water from the water tank system to flow through the shuttle housing 12 and be discharged from the outlet port 18. The second inlet port is closed. The water flow is shown by arrows B and C in Figure 2.

The shuttle valve assembly shown in Figures 1 to 3 includes a venting valve 34 that discharges water from the reservoir space 30 when the pressure of the collected water in the reservoir space 30 is less than the force of the compressed shuttle spring 26. Arrow D in Figure 3 shows water being discharged through the venting valve 34 when the pressure of the water from the water tank system reduces and the shuttle spring 26 returns the shuttle 20 to its initial or default position that allows water from the mains water system to flow through the shuttle housing 12 and be discharged from the outlet port 18.

The venting valve 34 has a vent inlet port 38 and vent entry port 54 for allowing water to enter the venting valve 34 and a vent discharge port 40 to discharge water from the venting valve 34. There is a movable cup seal 42 positioned between the vent inlet port 38 and the vent discharge port 40. The cup seal 42 is located within a gap formed between the vent inlet port 38 and the vent discharge port 40. The spacing of the gap accommodates the thickness of the cup seal 42 and allows movement of the cup seal 42 by several millimeters to form a seal with the respective ports 38, 40. The cup seal 42 can engage with the vent discharge port 40 to form a seal to prevent water from discharging through the vent discharge port 40. Alternatively, the cup seaf 42 can disengage from the vent discharge port 40 and seal with the vent inlet port 38 to allow water to discharge through the vent discharge port 40. The cup seal 42 is disengaged from the vent

discharge port 40 when pressure of the collected water in the reservoir space 30 is less than the force of the compressed shuttle spring 26.

The cup seal 42 has a substantially concave side 44 positioned to face the vent discharge port 40. The substantially concave side 44 directs the flow of water to the vent discharge port 40 and out of the venting valve 34. The cup seal 42 has bendable portions 46, 48 to assist the flow of water into the venting valve 34 through the vent inlet port 38 (as shown in Figure 5). When the pressure of the water in the water tank system increases to a level where the pressure of the water collected in the reservoir space 30 is greater than the force of the compressed shuttle spring 26, water flows from the first inlet port 14 through the shuttle portion 50 of the passageway 28 and into the vent inlet port 38. As the water flows into the vent inlet port 38, the pressure of the water bends the bendable portions 46, 48 allowing water to flow through the venting valve 34 to the reservoir space 30.

When the water pressure in reservoir space 30 is equal to the pressure of the water entering the first inlet port 14, the cup seal 42 remains sealed against vent discharge port 40 because the cup seal 42 has compressive forces pushing against the walls of the vent discharge port 40.

When the pressure of the collected water in the reservoir space 30 is greater than the force of the compressed shuttle spring 26, water from the water tank system moves the cup seal 42 to form a seal with the vent discharge port 40 to prevent water from discharging through the vent discharge port 40. Water then flows from the water tank system toward the reservoir space 30 as shown by arrow F in Figure 5. When the pressure of the collected water in the reservoir space 30 is equal to the force of the compressed shuttle spring 26, the cup seal 42 remains engaged with the vent discharge port 40 and there is no flow of water through the venting valve 34.

When the pressure of the. collected water in the reservoir space 30 is less than the force of the compressed shuttle spring 26, the cup seal 42 is released from the vent discharge port 40 and sealingly engages with the vent inlet port 38. The collected water in the reservoir space 30 is discharged through the vent discharge port 40. The arrow E in Figure 4 shows the discharge of water from the reservoir space 30 and through the venting valve 34.

A second embodiment of the shuttle valve assembly is shown in Figures 7 to 9. The shuttle valve assembly 100 has similar features to the shuttle valve assembly 10 described in the first embodiment except that the second embodiment has a different venting valve. Venting valve 101 of the shuttle valve assembly 100 has a vent inlet port 102 and a vent discharge port 103. The passageway 105 formed between the first inlet port 106 and the reservoir space 107 is not segmented by the venting valve 101 but directly links the first inlet port 106 to the reservoir space 107.

The vent valve 101 also has a cup seal 110 and a vent spring 111 that is positioned about the vent discharge port 103 and spaces the cup seal 110 from the vent discharge port 103.

When water is collected in the reservoir space 107, the water pressure moves the shuttle 113 and compresses the shuttle spring 114 and pushes the cup seal 110 to compress the vent spring 111 so the cup seal 110 forms a seal with the vent discharge port 103. When the pressure from the collected water in the reservoir space 107 is reduced, the vent spring 111 pushes the cup seal 110 from the vent discharge port 103 thereby allowing water from the reservoir space 107 to discharge through the vent discharge port 103.

When the shuttle 113 is moved because of the pressure of the water collected in the reservoir space 107, water from the pressurized water tank passes through the

first inlet port 106 and discharged from the outlet port 120. When the shuttle 113 is retimed to its initial or default position when the pressure of the water collected in the reservoir space 107 is reduced, mains water passes through the second inlet port 121 and out through the outlet port 120.

ADVANTAGES

An advantage of the preferred embodiments of the shuttle assembly includes using the pressurized tank water to actuate the shuttle thereby selecting the desired water source. A further advantage of the preferred embodiment of the shuttle assembly is the use of a venting valve to discharge water from the shuttle housing thereby avoiding contamination of the water in the shuttle housing.

VARIATIONS It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

Throughout the description and claims this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.