Pressurizing water pump with control valve device

Abstract

A water pressurizing pump includes an accumulator, a control valve device, a valve device, a pressure switch, and a motor. When the piping system is open and a water pressure in the accumulator is above a value, water flows from the accumulator into the piping system. When the piping system is open and the water pressure in the accumulator is below the value, the motor is turned on to pump water to the piping system. Water could not enter the accumulator to maintain the water pressure in the accumulator in a stable low-pressure state. When the piping system is closed and the water pressure in the accumulator is below the value, the motor is turned on to pump water into the accumulator.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a pressurizing water pump. More particularly, the present invention relates to a pressurizing water pump with a control valve device for pumping water to a faucet in a building or into a storage tank mounted on top of the building.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is well known to use a pressurizing water pump for pumping water to a faucet in a building or into a storage tank mounted on top of the building. A typical pressurizing water pump (or simply “pump”) includes an accumulator and a pressure switch to control operation of the pump. When a faucet in the building is turned on, the water pressure in the piping drops and water is supplied from the accumulator to the faucet, which causes a pressure drop of the accumulator. When the water pressure in the accumulator is below a predetermined value, the pressure switch is activated to start the pump. Water is supplied to the faucet and the accumulator at the same time. The pressure switch is activated to turn off the pump when the water pressure in the accumulator reaches another predetermined value. In practice, the pump is repetitiously turned on and off due to the various periods of times and various amounts of water output via the faucet, resulting in unstable output of water, which causes problems to a user taking a hot water bath. The temperature and pressure of the output water are unstable. Gas leakage is liable to occur. The elements of the pump are apt to be damaged and the life of the pump is shortened. Further, the momentary voltage is unstable and the electricity consumption is increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A water pressurizing pump in accordance with the present invention comprises an accumulator, a control valve device, a valve device, a pressure switch, and a motor.

The control valve device comprises a valve body including a first side and a second side. The second side of the valve body comprises a compartment. A cap is mounted in the compartment and includes a hole through which water is output to a piping system to which the water pressurizing pump is connected. At least one channel is defined in an end of a circumferential wall delimiting the compartment of the valve body and in communication with the hole of the cap. The valve body further comprises a three-way channel including a first port in communication with the accumulator, a second port, and a third port in communication with the compartment.

The valve device is movably mounted in the compartment of the valve body. The valve device comprises a hollow body having an end wall and an open end. The valve device further comprises a movable block mounted in the body, an elastic element mounted in the body, and an end cap for closing the open end of the body. The movable block comprises a plurality of annularly spaced legs, defining a plurality of passageways between the legs. The end wall of the body faces the end cap and includes a through-hole in communication with the channels of the valve body. The body further includes at least one outer water passageway in a circumference thereof. The end cap includes at least one hole. The elastic element is mounted between the end cap and the movable block.

The pressure switch is coupled to the first side of the valve body and in communication with the second port of the three-way channel of the valve body. The motor includes an outlet. The outlet of the motor, the hole of the cap, and the piping system are in communication with one another.

When the piping system is open and a water pressure in the accumulator is above a first value, water flows from the accumulator into the piping system via the three-way channel and pushes the valve device toward the cap. The water enters the piping system via the at least one outer water passageway of the body of the valve device, the at least one channel of the valve body and the outlet of the cap.

When the piping system is open and the water pressure in the accumulator is below the first value, the motor is turned on to pump water to the piping system and the outlet of the cap. The water flowing to the outlet of the cap enters the at least one channel of the valve body and pushes the valve device away from the cap, with the movable block blocking the hole of the body of the valve device, not allowing water to enter the accumulator, thereby maintaining the water pressure in the accumulator in a stable low-pressure state.

When the piping system is closed and the water pressure in the accumulator is below the first value, the motor is turned on to pump water to the outlet of the cap. The water flowing to the outlet of the cap enters the at least one channel of the valve body, pushes the valve device away from the cap and compresses the elastic element, moving the movable block away from the end wall of the body of the valve device, allowing water from the inlet of the cap to flow into the accumulator via the at least one channel of the valve body, the through-hole of the end wall of the body, the passageways between the legs of the movable block, the at least one hole of the end cap, and the three-way channel until the water pressure in the accumulator is greater than a second value.

Preferably, the valve device further comprises a muffling element mounted between the movable block and the end wall of the body of the valve device.

Preferably, the end wall of the body of the valve device further comprises at least one protrusion abutting against the cap to provide a water-flowable gap between the body of the valve device and the cap.

Preferably, the valve device further comprises a seal member between the end cap and an end wall delimiting the compartment of the valve body. The seal member includes a hole through which water is flowable.

Preferably, the accumulator comprises a first housing and a second housing that together define a groove therebetween. A membrane is mounted in the accumulator and separates the accumulator into an air chamber and a water chamber. The membrane comprises a base including a circumferential wall that is fittingly received in the groove. The membrane, the first housing, and the second housing are fixed together by supersonic welding or screws to increase pressure-resisting capacity of the membrane and the accumulator.

The cap may be made of plastic and fixed in the compartment of the valve body of the control valve device by supersonic welding.

Other objectives, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a pressurizing water pump in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a control valve device of the pressurizing water pump in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view, partially sectioned, of an accumulator and the control valve device of the pressurizing water pump in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating pressure release operation of the control valve device.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4, illustrating pressostatic output operation of the control valve device.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 5, illustrating pressure-accumulating operation of the control valve device.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the accumulator and a membrane of the pressurizing water pump in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 a sectional view showing coupling of the accumulator and the membrane of the pressurizing water pump in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the membrane in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, a pressurizing water pump 1 in accordance with the present invention comprises an accumulator 12, a control valve device mounted below the accumulator 12, a pressure switch 14, and a motor 15. The accumulator 12 includes a hole 122 for filling gas (such as air) into the accumulator 12, which is conventional. The pressure switch 14 is coupled to a first side of a valve body 11 of the control valve device.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a compartment 113 is defined in a second side of the valve body 11 of the control valve device. Mounted in the compartment 113 are a valve device 13 and a cap 16. The cap 16 includes a hole 161 through which water is output. The valve device 13 is movable in the compartment 113. The valve body 11 further comprises a three-way channel 111 including a first port in communication with the accumulator 12, a second port in communication with the pressure switch 14, and a third port in communication with the compartment 113 via a passageway 112 in the valve body 11.

At least one channels 1131 is defined in an end of a circumferential wall delimiting the compartment 113 of the valve body 11 and in communication with the hole 161 of the cap 16. In this example, a plurality of annularly spaced channels 1131 are provided, with an end of each channel 1131 distal to the cap 16 tapering toward the first side of the valve body 11 to provide a water concentrating effect.

Still referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the valve device 13 comprises a body 131, a movable block 132, an elastic element 133, and an end cap 134. The body 131 is substantially a hollow cylinder with an end wall 1315 having a through-hole 1311. At least one water passageway (several channels 1312 and several grooves 1313 in this example) is defined along a circumference of the body 131 to provide water passageways. A plurality of annularly spaced protrusions 1314 are formed on the end wall 1315 of the body 131 and abut against the cap 16 so that a water-flowable gap exists between the body 131 and the cap 16. A muffling element 135 made of rubber or the like is mounted between the movable block 132 and the end wall 1315 of the body 131 of the valve device 13. The muffling element 135 includes a hole (not labeled) through which water is flowable.

The muffling element 135, the movable block 132, and the elastic element 133 are mounted in the body 131, with the movable block 132 covering the through-hole 1311 of the body 131. The end cap 134 is mounted to close an open end of the body 131 and includes a stud 1341. A seal member (such as a rubber ring) 136 is mounted between the end cap 134 and an end wall delimiting the compartment 131 of the valve body 11. The seal member 136 includes a hole (not labeled) allowing water to flow therethrough.

The elastic element 133 includes a first end mounted around the stud 1341 of the end cap 134 and a second end mounted around a peg 1321 on the movable block 132. The elastic coefficient of the elastic element 133 decides the pressure threshold for pressostatic operation, which will be described later.

The movable block 132 further includes a plurality of annularly spaced legs 1322 projecting therefrom, delimiting a plurality of water passageways between the legs 1322. The end cap 134 further includes at least one water-flowable hole 1342 (several holes 1342 in this example) surrounding the peg 1341.

Referring to FIG. 4, when a piping system to which the pressurizing water pump is connected is open (e.g., a faucet in a building is turned on), the water in the accumulator 12 enters the compartment 113 of the valve body 11 of the control valve device via the three-way channel 111 and the passageway 112 of the valve body 11. The valve device 13 is pushed toward the cap 16 and water flows through the channels 1312 and the grooves 1313 (the outer water passageways) of the body 131 of the valve device 13, the channels 1131 of the valve body 11, and the outlet 161 of the cap 16 into the piping system, providing water to the faucet. It is noted that the movable block 135 blocks the hole 1311 of the body 131 of the valve device 13 under the action of the elastic element 133.

The flow of water continues until a water pressure in the accumulator 12 is smaller than a predetermined value. At this time, the pressure switch 14 is activated to turn on the motor 15. The motor 15 has an outlet. The outlet of the motor 15, the hole 161 of the cap 16, and the piping system are in communication with one another via a three-way pipe or the like, which is conventional.

Referring to FIG. 5, when the water pressure in the accumulator 12 is smaller than the predetermined value, water is pumped by the motor 15 to the outlet 161 of the cap 16 and the faucet. Water flowing to the outlet 161 of the cap 16 enters the compartment 113 and pushes the valve device 13 away from the cap 16 until the channels 1312 and the grooves 1313 (the outer water passageways) of the body 131 of the valve device 13 are blocked. The movable block 135 blocks the hole 1311 of the body 131 of the valve device 13 under the action of the elastic element 133, for the water pressure is insufficient to overcome the elastic element 133. Thus, the valve body 11 does not allow water to enter the accumulator 12. Hence, the accumulator 12 is in a stable preset low-pressure state, i.e., the accumulator 12 is pressostatic. The motor 15 is in an on state under the control of the pressure switch 14 and outputs water to the faucet. The output of water via the faucet is stable, as water could not enter the accumulator 12. It is noted that elastic element 133 is not compressed during the pressostatic water supply to the faucet.

When the faucet is turned off, the water pressure in the piping system increases. As illustrated in FIG. 6, water is pumped by the pump to enter the compartment 113 via the outlet 161 of the cap 16, and the water pressure is high enough to compress the elastic element 133 while moving the movable block 132 of the valve device 13 away from the cap 16. The motor 15 is still running when the faucet is closed. Water flows through the through-hole 1311 of the body 131 of the valve device 13, the passageways between the legs 1322 of the movable block 132, the holes 1342 of the end cap 134, the passageway 112 of the valve body 11, and the three-way channel 111 and then into the accumulator 12 until the water pressure in the accumulator 12 reaches another predetermined value. The pressure switch 14 is then activated to turn off the motor 15.

In an example of the invention, the cap 16 is made of plastic and fixed in the compartment 113 of the valve body 11 of the control valve device by supersonic welding. This provides improved structural strength. Thus, the control valve device could withstand higher water pressure.

FIGS. 7 through 10 show coupling between a membrane 121, and a first housing 124 and a second housing 125 constituting the accumulator 12. The membrane 12 is substantially U-shaped in section and comprises a base 128 including a circumferential wall 120 that is fittingly received in a correspondingly formed groove 123 defined between the first housing 124 and the second housing 125 of the accumulator 12. The membrane 121 separates the accumulator 12 into a water chamber 126 that is in communication with the first port of the three-way channel 111 and an air chamber 127 that is filled with air via the hole 122. The functions of the water chamber 126 and the air chamber 127 are conventional. The base 128 with a circumferential wall 120, the first housing 124 and the second housing 125 are then fixed together by supersonic welding or screws. This increases the pressure-resisting capacity of the membrane 121 and the accumulator 12. More specifically, the membrane 121 and the accumulator 12 could withstand a water pressure up to 12 kg while conventional designs using screws or bolts/nuts for fixing the membrane 121 and the accumulator 12 could only withstand a water pressure of about 6 kg. The stable output effect of the pressurizing water pump is improved. Further, the arrangement of the base 128 with a circumferential wall 120 and the annular groove 123 defined by the first and second housings 124 and 125 provides an improved sealing effect such that leakage of water would not occur.

Although a specific embodiment has been illustrated and described, numerous modifications and variations are still possible without departing from the essence of the invention. The scope of the invention is limited by the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A water pressurizing pump comprising:

an accumulator (12);

a control valve device comprising a valve body (11) including a first side and a second side, the second side of the valve body comprising a compartment (113), a cap (16) being mounted in the compartment (113) and including a hole (161) through which water is output to a piping system to which the water pressurizing pump is connected, at least one channel (1131) being defined in an end of a circumferential wall delimiting the compartment (113) of the valve body (11) and in communication with the hole (161) of the cap (16), the valve body (11) further comprising a three-way channel (111) including a first port in communication with the accumulator (12), a second port, and a third port in communication with the compartment (13);

a valve device (13) movably mounted in the compartment (113) of the valve body (11), the valve device comprising a hollow body (131) having an end wall (1315) and an open end, a movable block (132) mounted in the body (131), an elastic element (133) mounted in the body (131), and an end cap (134) for closing the open end of the body (131), the movable block (132) comprising a plurality of annularly spaced legs (1322), defining a plurality of passageways between the legs (1322), the end wall (1315) of the body (131) facing the end cap (16) and including a through-hole (1311) in communication with the channels (1131) of the valve body (11), the body (131) further including at least one outer water passageway (1312, 1313) in a circumference thereof, the end cap (134) including at least one hole (1342), the elastic element (133) being mounted between the end cap (134) and the movable block (135);

a pressure switch (14) coupled to the first side of the valve body (11) and in communication with the second port of the three-way channel (111) of the valve body;

a motor (15) including an outlet, the outlet of the motor, the hole (161) of the cap (16), and the piping system being in communication with one another;

wherein when the piping system is open and a water pressure in the accumulator is above a first value, water flows from the accumulator (12) into the piping system via the three-way channel (111) and pushes the valve device (13) toward the cap (16), and the water enters the piping system via said at least one outer water passageway (1312, 1313) of the body (131) of the valve device (13), said at least one channel (1131) of the valve body (11) and the outlet (161) of the cap (16);

wherein when the piping system is open and the water pressure in the accumulator is below the first value, the motor (15) is turned on to pump water to the piping system and the outlet (161) of the cap (16), the water flowing to the outlet (161) of the cap (16) enters said at least one channel (1131) of the valve body (11) and pushes the valve device (13) away from the cap (16), with the movable block (135) blocking the hole (1311) of the body (131) of the valve device (13), not allowing water to enter the accumulator (12), thereby maintaining the water pressure in the accumulator in a stable low-pressure state; and

wherein when the piping system is closed and the water pressure in the accumulator is below the first value, the motor (15) is turned on to pump water to the outlet (161) of the cap (16), the water flowing to the outlet (161) of the cap (16) enters said at least one channel (1131) of the valve body (11), pushes the valve device (13) away from the cap (16) and compresses the elastic element (133), moving the movable block (132) away from the end wall (1315) of the body (131) of the valve device (13), allowing water from the inlet (161) of the cap (16) to flow into the accumulator (12) via said at least one channel (1131) of the valve body (11), the through-hole (1311) of the end wall (1315) of the body (131), the passageways between the legs (1322) of the movable block (132), said at least one hole (1342) of the end cap (134, and the three-way channel (111) until the water pressure in the accumulator (12) is greater than a second value.

2. The water pressurizing pump as claimed in claim 1 wherein the valve device (13) further comprises a muffling element (135) mounted between the movable block (132) and the end wall (1315) of the body (131) of the valve device (13).

3. The water pressurizing pump as claimed in claim 1 wherein the end wall (1315) of the body (131) of the valve device (13) further comprises at least one protrusion (1314) abutting against the cap (16) to provide a water-flowable gap between the body (131) of the valve device and the cap.

4. The water pressurizing pump as claimed in claim 1 wherein the valve device (13) further comprises a seal member (136) between the end cap (134) and an end wall delimiting the compartment (131) of the valve body (11), the seal member (136) including a hole through which water is flowable.

5. The water pressurizing pump as claimed in claim 1 wherein the accumulator (12) comprises a first housing (124) and a second housing (125) that together define a groove (123) therebetween, a membrane (12) being mounted in the accumulator (12) and separating the accumulator into an air chamber (127) and a water chamber (126), the membrane (121) comprising a base (128) including a circumferential wall (120) that is fittingly received in the groove (123), the membrane (12), the first housing (124), and the second housing (125) being fixed together by supersonic welding or screws to increase pressure-resisting capacity of the membrane (121) and the accumulator (12).

6. The water pressurizing pump as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cap (16) is made of plastic and fixed in the compartment (113) of the valve body (11) of the control valve device by supersonic welding.