Fluid handling – Diverse fluid containing pressure systems – Gas pressure storage over or displacement of liquid
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-05
2001-11-27
Walton, George L. (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Diverse fluid containing pressure systems
Gas pressure storage over or displacement of liquid
C134S095100, C134S098100, C134S099100, C134S16600C, C134S171000, C137S240000, C137S301000, C137S368000, C137S606000, C137S625410, C137S015040, C251S292000, C251S315140
Reexamination Certificate
active
06321773
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to systems, apparatus and methods for shutting the flow of water from a source, as a water well, to a building so as to preclude having the water become frozen as within supply conduits or pipes within such building during winter.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Heretofore, it was not unusual, in generally northern climates, to close-down cottages, summer homes and summer type of businesses for the winter season. The prior art in such situations would drain whatever water was in the water supply pipes, within such structure, onto the surface of the soil surrounding the structure or actually open a valve beneath the surface of the soil as to drain the water generally into the soil substrates with such preferably being below the frost line of the soil.
It was found that such prior art produced a risk of contaminating related water tables water wells, and supplying piping as well as house plumbing.
It appears that various governmental agencies are now requiring the water from water systems of summer habitable structures to be drained in a manner preventing the drained water from in any way polluting well water and the like. In such prohibitions, the draining systems may not drain the water onto the surface of the soil or into the subsurface soil.
The invention as herein disclosed is primarily directed to the solution of the aforestated as well as other related and attendant problems of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Method
In a water system for a habitable structure comprising first conduit means operatively communicating with a source of water, a water pressure tank assembly, wherein said first conduit means communicates with said water pressure tank assembly as to be generally upstream thereof, a sink assembly, said sink assembly comprising drain means for draining water from said sink assembly to associated drained water receiving means, second conduit means, wherein said second conduit means communicates with said water pressure tank assembly as to be generally downstream thereof, wherein said second conduit means comprises first water valve means, an additional tank for heated water, third conduit means communicating with said second conduit means and with said additional tank, fourth conduit means communicating with said additional tank for conveying water from said additional water tank to said sink assembly, wherein said sink assembly further comprises second water valve means and first faucet means, wherein said second water valve means is effective for completing or terminating communication between said fourth conduit means and said first faucet means, wherein said sink assembly further comprises third water valve means, fifth conduit means communicating with said second conduit means, wherein said third water valve means is effective for completing or terminating communication between said second conduit means and said first faucet means, fourth water valve means operatively connected to and in communication with said additional water tank, fifth water valve means operatively connected to and in communication with said water pressure tank assembly, master water valving means operatively connected to said first conduit means and to said source of water, the method of eliminating water from said water system as to thereby prevent such water from causing damage by the freezing of such water in said water system, said method comprising the steps of actuating said master water valving means to terminate the flow of water therethrough and to said first conduit means, actuating said second and third water valve means to an open condition, actuating said fourth water valve means to an open position, permitting water to gravitationally flow until such water stops flowing out of an elevationally lowest faucet, actuating said fifth water valve means to an open condition and permitting water to flow out of said fifth water valve means, applying pressurized gas to said first conduit means to thereby force water out of said first conduit means and through said fifth water valve means until substantially only said gas flows out of said fifth water valve means, actuating said first water valve means to an open condition, and actuating said second and third water valve means and said fourth and fifth water valve means to a closed condition.
Apparatus
According to the invention, a fluid valving arrangement comprises a valve assembly, wherein said valve assembly comprises a valve assembly housing, wherein said valve assembly housing comprises fluid passage means, wherein said fluid passage means comprises fluid inlet means, wherein said fluid passage means comprises fluid outlet means, a positionable valving member situated generally in said fluid passage means and positionable to a first position wherein communication between said fluid inlet means and said fluid outlet means is closed and wherein said positionable valving member is positionable to a second position wherein communication between said fluid inlet means and said fluid outlet means is established, actuating means for selectively positioning said positionable valving member to either said first position or to said second position, and additional passage means for at times applying a superatmospheric gas pressure to said positionable valving member when said valving member is in said first position.
Various objects, advantages and aspects of the invention will become apparent when reference is made to the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Hire Charles J.
Romanski Lon H.
Walton George L.
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