Method and apparatus for cycling or drawing down water stored in pressure tanks installed on water service lines supplied by water supply systems

Abstract

This method and apparatus relates to water supply demand challenges related to available water reserves caused by seasonal and diurnal peak water demand, emergency water demand such as firefighting efforts and service or supply interruptions for municipal or rural water systems, while also reducing incidence of stagnation in connected pressure tank(s); and more particularly to a water storage apparatus that uses one cycle valve, at least one pressure tank and at least one check valve connected to water service lines that are connected to water mainlines that are connected to municipal or rural water systems. This method and apparatus can reduce water system peak demand challenges and automatically cycle or draw down pressure tanks, while storing regularly refreshed water for use by the water user or customer during service or supply interruptions; commonly called emergency water storage.

Claims

1. A method for mitigating water stagnation in pressure tanks installed on water service lines comprising: a. providing a water flow control apparatus comprising: i. at least one pressure tank for storing water; ii. a cycle valve for controlling water flow from a water service line to a water user line and to a pressure tank line; iii. a check valve for controlling water flow from water service line to a water supply; wherein the water flow control apparatus is free of electrical connections; b. delivering water from the water service line to the water user line; c. delivering water from the pressure tank to the water user line when a water user line pressure is below a critical pressure and a water service line pressure is near or at the critical pressure; d. delivering water from the pressure tank to the water service line when the water service line pressure is less than a pressure tank pressure; and e. refilling the pressure tank, through a notch, projection or bypass in the cycle valve, with water from the water service line when the pressure tank pressure is relatively lower than the water service line pressure; wherein the check valve automatically opens and closes due to pressure differences between the water service line and the water user line and the pressure tank line.

2. A method for mitigating water stagnation in pressure tanks installed on water service lines consisting of: a. providing a water flow control apparatus comprising: i. at least one pressure tank for storing water; ii. A cycle valve for controlling water flow from a water service line to a water user line and to a pressure tank line; iii. A check valve for controlling water flow from water service line to a water supply; wherein the water flow control apparatus is free of electrical connections; b. delivering water from the water service line to the water user line; c. delivering water from the pressure tank to the water user line when a water user line pressure is below a critical pressure and a water service line pressure is near or at the critical pressure; d. delivering water from the pressure tank to the water service line when the water service line pressure is less than a pressure tank pressure; and e. refilling the pressure tank, through a notch, projection or bypass in the cycle valve, with water from the water service line when the pressure tank pressure is relatively lower than the water service line pressure; wherein the check valve automatically opens and closes due to pressure differences between the water service line and the water user line and the pressure tank line.

Description

DRAWINGS

Figures

(1) FIG. 1is a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the apparatus showing a check valve 3, cycle valve 1 and pressure tank 2.

(2) FIG. 2is a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the apparatus showing check valve 3, optional normally open diaphragm valve 4, cycle valve 1 and pressure tank 2.

(3) FIG. 3is a perspective view of an embodiment of the apparatus showing check valve 3, optional normally open diaphragm valve 4, cycle valve 1 and pressure tank 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(4) Referring to FIG. 1 for details of an embodiment of this method and apparatus the same comprises cycle valve 1 installed inline on the water service line. Direction of flow, toward the water user. Pressure tank 2 is installed on a tee connection downstream of cycle valve 1, between cycle valve 1 and the water user. Check valve 3 is installed on the service line before cycle valve 1, between main line and cycle valve 1. Direction of flow, toward the water user. The apparatus is installed in the water service line using appropriate materials.

(5) Operation:

(6) The cycle valve in this embodiment operates entirely on water system supplied water and pressure. No adjacent pump is required; for example, water and pressure could be supplied by a piped water system originating from an elevated water source or elevated tank. No connected power is required for operation. Water flow through the notch, projection or bypass in cycle valve 1 equalizes pressure on both sides of cycle valve 1 by filling pressure tank 2. Water supplied by service line and main line. When water is used by the water user, water delivery/flow from water supply is substantially reduced, until water discharged from the pressure tank 1 lowers pressure downstream of the cycle valve to a preset pressure; discharging a portion of the pressurized water stored in the pressure tank; delivering stored water to the water user or customer. The pressure tank is refilled and fully charged, and pressure on both sidesinlet and outletof the cycle valve is equalized, by water flowing through the cycle valve notch, projection or bypass when there is low or no water user demand. While operating at or below the preset pressure point the cycle valve allows full flow; for example preset pressure of 50 psi. When pressure falls below preset pressure the cycle valve is fully open. At no time is the water user without water, unless water system fails to deliver water. If water system fails to supply water, water stored in the pressure tank is available for use until exhausted. Check valve 3 prevents backflow and reserves stored water for delivery to the water user.

(7) Referring to FIG. 2 for details of an embodiment of this method and apparatus the same comprises normally open pilot/solenoid operated, diaphragm valve 4 installed between cycle valve 1 and check valve 3, all three are installed inline on the water service line. Direction of flow toward the water user. Pressure tank 2 is installed on a tee connection downstream of the cycle valve 1, between cycle valve 1 and the water user. The apparatus is installed in the water service line using appropriate materials.

(8) Operation:

(9) Electricity is needed when using optional, additional, normally open, pilot/solenoid operated, diaphragm valve embodiment. This embodiment is available to further manage peak demand or conservation of water resources. The valve is normally open, requiring power to close. This option is intended to be operated by a timer or controlled by a water service provider/utility remotely, through smart meter technology or other communication method; used to restrict water delivery to water users or customers during peak demand, low pressure situations such as fire fighting efforts or water conservation enforcement. For example; water service providers could use this option to regulate landscape irrigation to certain days or time of day. This option could be used on overburdened water systems that need to regulate or rotate water deliveries to various sectors or areas. Another use would be a switch installed as a convenience for use by the water user or customer to turn the valve off for testing the apparatus, cycling the pressure tank(s) or repairs downstream. In all other respects the apparatus performs as described by operation for FIG. 1.