JONES, Graham (1 Clifton Hill, Stoney LaneForton, Lancashire PR3 0AR, GB)
STIMPSON, Robert, William (22 Terence Avenue, Douglas, Isle of Man IM2 5BN, GB)
JONES, Graham (1 Clifton Hill, Stoney LaneForton, Lancashire PR3 0AR, GB)
CLAIMS
1. Shower apparatus for preventing flooding of a shower floor area, the apparatus comprising : a shower unit (10) which has a water inlet (16) connected or connectable to a water supply (18), and a shower head (20) for the discharge of shower water; a waste-water outlet (12) for the discharge of run-off shower water to a drain (28) and which is spaced from the shower head (20); an electrically-operable waste-water shower pump (14) in liquid communication with the waste-water outlet (12) for pumping the run-off shower water to the drain (28); and a controller for controlling a condition of the water inlet (16) of the shower unit (10) based on a flow-rate of water through the shower pump (14), the controller including a water-flow control valve (32) in liquid-communication with the water inlet (16) of the shower unit (10), water-flow sensing means (34) at or downstream of the waste- water outlet (12) for sensing water, and a control circuit (36) which operates the valve (32) to isolate the shower unit (10) from the water supply (18) when the water-flow sensing means (34) senses low or zero flow through the pump (14).
2. Shower apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller further includes an electrical isolation circuit (340) which electrically isolates the shower unit (10) and/or the pump (14), when the valve (32) is closed.
3. Shower apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the shower unit (10) includes an electric water heater, and the electrical isolation circuit (340) electrically isolates the electric water heater when the valve (32) is closed.
4. Shower apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the water-flow control valve (32) is an electromechanical valve.
5. Shower apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the water-flow sensing means (34) comprises a single water-flow sensor (38).
6. Shower apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the water-flow sensing means (34) comprises at least two mutually-cooperable flow sensors (138, 238), the in use sensors (138, 238) outputting a voltage signal to the control circuit (36) based on a volume of water therebetween.
7. Shower apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the waste-water shower pump (14) includes a waste-water inlet (24), a waste-water outlet
(26) for liquid communication with the drain (28), an electrically-operable pump mechanism (30) for drawing waste water from the waste- water inlet (24) and for discharging the waste water from the waste-water outlet (26), and a second controller (446) having current monitoring means (442) for monitoring an electrical current drawn by the electrically-operable pump mechanism (30) and voltage monitoring means (444) for monitoring and controlling an electrical voltage applied to the electrically-operable pump mechanism (30) based on an output from the current monitoring means (442), so that in use a voltage applied to the pump mechanism (30) is controlled based on a current monitored by the current monitoring means (442) to optimise operation of the pump mechanism (30).
8. Shower apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second controller (446) includes data storage means (448) for storing electronic data relating to pumping profiles of the pump mechanism (30) at given voltages, and comparator means (450) for comparing a monitored current at a given voltage with a said pumping profile in order to determine a volume of water being pumped.
9. An electrical waste-water shower pump (14) for pumping run-off shower waste water to a drain (28), the pump including a waste-water inlet (24), a waste-water outlet (26) for liquid communication with a drain (28), an electrically-operable pump mechanism (30) for drawing waste water from the waste-water inlet (24) and for discharging the waste water from the waste-water outlet (26), and a controller having current monitoring means (442) for monitoring an electrical current drawn by the electrically-operable pump mechanism (30) and voltage monitoring means (444) for monitoring and controlling an electrical voltage applied to the electrically-operable pump mechanism (30) based on an output from the current monitoring means (442), so that in use a voltage applied to the pump mechanism (30) is controlled based on a current monitored by the current monitoring means (442) to optimise operation of the pump mechanism (30).
10. An electrical waste-water shower pump (14) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the controller includes data storage means (448) for storing electronic data relating to pumping profiles of the pump mechanism (30) at given voltages, and comparator means (450) for comparing a monitored current at a given voltage with a respective said pumping profile in order to determine a volume of water being pumped.
11. An electrical waste- water shower pump (14) as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, further comprising a water-flow sensor (38) for determining a volume of water within, upstream and/or downstream of the pump, the water-flow sensor being in communication with the controller. |
SHOWER APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING FLOODING OF A SHOWER FLOOR AREA
The present invention relates to shower apparatus for preventing flooding of a shower floor area, and to an electrical waste-water shower pump for pumping run-off shower waste water to a drain.
Shower apparatus having an electrically-operable waste-water shower pump is known. Although, shower drain pumps vary widely, all are mechanical or electromechanical devices with finite reliability and durability. If the pump fails, there is no means for safely and automatically shutting off water flow and isolating the shower unit from a water supply to prevent flooding.
Furthermore, there is no means for electrically isolating the shower unit and/or the pump following such a failure.
Various pump control arrangements are known which attempt to vary a pumping rate of a pump mechanism of the pump to better match a volume of water being pumped. This is not only beneficial in terms of reducing energy consumption, but also reduces noise.
However, water flow sensors are typically used to monitor a volume of water to be pumped. This disadvantageously results in a greater number of parts, and also re-tooling in order to accommodate the sensors within or closely adjacent to the flow path of the water.
The present invention seeks to provide a solution to these problems.
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided shower apparatus for preventing flooding of a shower floor area, the apparatus comprising : a shower unit which has a water inlet connected or connectable to a water supply, and a shower head for the discharge of shower water; a waste-water outlet for the discharge of run-off shower water to a drain and which is spaced from the shower head; an electrically-
operable waste-water shower pump in liquid communication with the waste-water outlet for pumping the run-off shower water to the drain; and a controller for controlling a condition of the water inlet of the shower unit based on a flow-rate of water through the shower pump, the controller including a water-flow control valve in liquid- communication with the water inlet of the shower unit, water-flow sensing means at or downstream of the waste-water outlet for sensing water, and a control circuit which operates the valve to isolate the shower unit from the water supply when the water-flow sensing means senses low or zero flow through the pump.
Preferably, the controller further includes an electrical isolation circuit which electrically isolates the shower unit and/or the pump, when the valve is closed. In this case, the shower unit may beneficially include an electric water heater, and the electrical isolation circuit electrically isolates the electric water heater when the valve is closed.
Preferably, the water-flow control valve is an electromechanical valve.
Advantageously, the water-flow sensing means may comprise a single water-flow sensor.
Optionally, the water-flow sensing means may preferably comprise at least two mutually-cooperable flow sensors, the in use sensors outputting a voltage signal to the control circuit based on a volume of water therebetween.
Preferably, the waste-water shower pump includes a waste-water inlet, a waste-water outlet for liquid communication with the drain, an electrically-operable pump mechanism for drawing waste water from the waste-water inlet and for discharging the waste water from the waste-water outlet, and a second controller having current monitoring means for monitoring an electrical current drawn by the electrically- operable pump mechanism and voltage monitoring means for monitoring and controlling an electrical voltage applied to the electrically-operable pump mechanism based on an output from the current monitoring means, so that in use a voltage applied to the pump mechanism is controlled based on a current monitored by the current
monitoring means to optimise operation of the pump mechanism. In this case, the second controller may beneficially include data storage means for storing electronic data relating to pumping profiles of the pump mechanism at given voltages, and comparator means for comparing a monitored current at a given voltage with a said pumping profile in order to determine a volume of water being pumped.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an electrical wastewater shower pump for pumping run-off shower waste water to a drain, the pump including a waste-water inlet, a waste-water outlet for liquid communication with a drain, an electrically-operable pump mechanism for drawing waste water from the waste-water inlet and for discharging the waste water from the waste- water outlet, and a controller having current monitoring means for monitoring an electrical current drawn by the electrically-operable pump mechanism and voltage monitoring means for monitoring and controlling an electrical voltage applied to the electrically-operable pump mechanism based on an output from the current monitoring means, so that in use a voltage applied to the pump mechanism is controlled based on a current monitored by the current monitoring means to optimise operation of the pump mechanism.
Preferably, the controller includes data storage means for storing electronic data relating to pumping profiles of the pump mechanism at given voltages, and comparator means for comparing a monitored current at a given voltage with a respective said pumping profile in order to determine a volume of water being pumped.
Beneficially, the electrical waste-water shower pump may further comprise a water- flow sensor for determining a volume of water within, upstream and/or downstream of the pump, the water-flow sensor being in communication with the controller.
The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which : Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of shower apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the invention;
Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of shower apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the invention;
Figure 3 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of shower apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; and Figure 4 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment of shower apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, and a first embodiment of an electrical waste-water shower pump in accordance with the second aspect of the invention.
In a first embodiment of the present invention, and with reference to Figure 1, there is provided shower apparatus which comprises a shower unit 10, a waste-water outlet unit 12, and an electrically-operable waste-water shower pump 14. The shower unit 10 can be a mixer or an electrically-operable device, and can optionally include an electrically- operable water heater.
The shower unit has a water inlet 16 which is connected or is connectable to a water supply, typically being potable water, and a shower head 20 for discharging water on to a user.
The shower unit is typically mounted above a shower tray 22 or an area of floor covered with a flexible waterproof plastics covering, such as Altro RTM, or tiles. The wastewater outlet unit is provided in the shower tray or the floor for conducting run-off shower water to the shower pump.
The shower pump includes a water inlet 24 which is in liquid communication with the waste-water outlet unit, a water outlet 26 which is in liquid communication with a drain 28, and an electrically-operable pump mechanism 30, which can be a diaphragm, peristaltic or any other suitable type of pump mechanism and which pumps the run-off shower water from the waste-water outlet unit to the drain.
The shower apparatus is also provided with a controller which includes a water-flow control valve 32, water-flow sensing means 34, and a control circuit 36.
The water-flow control valve is preferably an electromechanical valve which is controllable by the control circuit. The water-flow control valve is provided inline with the water inlet of the shower unit, and is conveniently at the water inlet. The water-flow control valve, when closed, thus halts water flow from the water supply through the water inlet of the shower unit.
The water-flow sensing means 34 is in the form of an electrical water-flow sensor 38 provided at or downstream of the water outlet of the shower pump 14. An output of the water-flow sensor is connected to the control circuit.
In use, the control circuit includes a microprocessor and suitable logic for imparting a time delay to allow for initial flow of water from the shower head of the shower unit to reach the pump and the water-flow sensor. Consequently, a user operates the shower unit whereby water is discharged from the shower head. The run-off shower water flows into the waste-water outlet device, and the pump is operated by the microprocessor to draw the water from the waste-water outlet device and to discharge it to a drain. The water-flow sensor senses the presence of water at or from the pump, and outputs a signal accordingly to the control circuit.
Preferably, the control circuit includes further time delays which determine a period between detection of uncharacteristic low or zero flow rate and the control of the water- flow control valve. When it is determined that the shower pump has ceased pumping due to low or zero flow being detected by the water-flow sensor, the sensor outputs a suitable signal to the control circuit, which in turn controls the water-flow control valve to close. Once the valve closes, the shower unit is isolated from the water supply, irrespective of the condition of a user-operable water control on the shower unit itself, and thus discharge from the shower head halts.
The control circuit can be manually operated to re-open or re-set the water-flow control valve, or the control circuit can be programmed to automatically re-open the water-flow
control valve after a predetermined period, sufficient to allow a user to turn off the shower unit
In a second embodiment of the present invention, and with reference to Figure 2, the water-flow sensing means 34 comprises two mutually-cooperable water-flow sensors 138, 238, instead of just one water-flow sensor as in the first embodiment. All other parts remain as described above.
The two sensors cooperate to output a signal corresponding to a level of voltage therebetween. The level of voltage varies based on a volume of water between the two sensors, due to electrical conductance through the water.
If the control circuit 36 determines that the shower unit 10 is operating, typically through feedback from the shower unit, but uncharacteristically low or zero flow rate is being sensed by the two sensors after a predetermined period of time, then the control circuit automatically closes the water-flow control valve 32 to halt the flow of water to the shower head 20.
In a third embodiment of the present invention, and with reference to Figure 3, the controller further includes an electrical isolation circuit 340 which can electrically isolate the shower unit 10, in the event that it is electrically-operable, and/or the electrically-operable shower pump 14. Again, other parts remain as described above, and further detail is omitted.
In this embodiment, when the control circuit 36 operates the water-flow control valve 32 to close, the electrical isolation circuit simultaneously operates, thus isolating the shower unit and/or the pump. This is particularly important to prevent the possibility of electrocution during potential flooding. It is also important when the shower unit includes an electric water heater.
The control circuit can be manually operated to selectively isolate the shower unit and the pump, separately of the water-flow control valve. This is beneficial during maintenance.
In a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and with reference to Figure 4, the waste- water shower pump 14 is modified to include current monitoring means 442 for monitoring an electrical current being drawn by the electrically-operable pump mechanism 30, and voltage monitoring means 444 for monitoring and controlling a voltage applied to the pump mechanism. In all other respects, this embodiment does not differ from the embodiments described above, and can be used in conjunction with the single water-flow sensor 34 of the first embodiment, the two water-flow sensors 134, 234 of the second embodiment, and/or the electrical isolation function 340 of the third embodiment.
In more detail, a second controller 446 includes the voltage monitoring means 444 in the form of a voltage monitoring circuit, the current monitoring 442 means in the form of a current monitoring circuit, data storage means 448 in the form of a data storage device, and comparator means 450 in the form of a comparator circuit. Pumping profiles are stored on the data storage device for a plurality of pump voltages. Each profile compares current drawn by the pump mechanism with a pumping rate of water, or in other words load. For a given voltage, as the load on the pumping mechanism 30 changes due to changing flow volume, the current required will also change.
Consequently, the comparator circuit determines the volume of water being pumped by comparing the current monitored by the current monitoring circuit with a respective pumping profile for the given voltage. If the comparator circuit determines that the current is outside predetermined maximum or minimum parameters, implying that the pumping mechanism is operating under too much or too little load, then the comparator circuit outputs a signal to the voltage monitoring circuit, and the voltage applied to the pump mechanism is altered to one having a pumping profile within the parameters of which the required current falls.
The comparator circuit continuously repeats the above analysis for the presently set voltage, and continuously and automatically adjusts the voltage as necessity dictates.
The controller 446 may also beneficially conduct brief fluctuations or variations over a period of 5-10 seconds in the motor voltage applied during operations and to detect and record the change in motor current drawn as part of a control process to determine or confirm the actual performance operating point of the pump. This detection means can therefore replace or supplement the requirements for a water flow sensor in the supply lines to the shower, or additionally reduce the required complexity of such devices.
It will be understood that the modification of the shower pump described in the fourth embodiment can be used independently of the shower apparatus described with respect to the first to third embodiments. Consequently, it is possible to provide an independent control process for an electrically-operable shower pump which can indirectly determine a volume of liquid passing through the pump via the voltage applied to the pump and a current being drawn by the pump, and which continuously and automatically adjusts the voltage to achieve efficient energy usage and low noise output.
It will be appreciated that one or more water-flow sensors can be provided to monitor a volume of water within, upstream, and/or downstream of the pump. In this case, an output from the or each sensor is fed into the comparator circuit, which plots current monitored by the current monitoring circuit on the pumping profile for the selected voltage. It can then be easily determined whether the pump mechanism is under too great or too light a load, and the voltage monitoring circuit sets a more suitable voltage at which a more optimal performance is achieved.
The second controller can form part of the controller of the first to third embodiments, or may be a separate control circuit.
The described method of shower pump control is particularly beneficial, since the use of physical sensors within or closely adjacent to the liquid flow path is not essential, and
thus redesigning and retooling of component parts to accommodate sensors is not necessarily required.
The embodiments described above are given by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.
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