Patent Application
20250198136
The present disclosure generally relates to fluid backflow prevention systems for plumbing fixtures. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to fluid backflow prevention systems comprising a plurality of fluid paths and a diaphragm configured to allow or prevent fluid flow along a backflow path if backflow fluid is detected.
Backflow in a plumbing system is when there is a reversal of normal fluid flow, i.e. backwards, in the system. It can occur when a water main has a drop in pressure, when the water pressure in the plumping pipes is higher than the water main pressure, when a water inlet, such as a faucet or pipe, is submerged past its overflow point, or when there is a clogged pipe or drain. Plumbing fixtures may require protection against fluid backflow to comply with various safety and health requirements, and to prevent or reduce the risk of contamination of the fluid source. For example, dishwashing devices are generally connected to a drain line which diverts wastewater from cleaning operations to a sewage system for removal. Sinks also typically employ backflow prevention mechanisms which are intended to eliminate or reduce wastewater or gray water from flowing back into a clean waterway, and/or eliminate or reduce hot water draining through the sink and into a cold-water supply pipe. Accordingly, clean water and wastewater (or hot and cold water) are kept separate at all times during use of the plumbing fixtures.
Typical backflow prevention mechanisms for sinks include check valves and certain devices incorporating air-gap features. A check valve may use a combination of a spring and a ball element to prevent or allow fluid flow through an opening by blocking or unblocking the opening with the ball element. An air-gap device can be installed upstream of a drain and can prevent backflow by utilizing the pressure differential between the unpressurized air gap and the pressurized fluid flowing through the hose leading to the sink drain. In this manner, air-gap devices enable backflow prevention by utilizing simple physics principles rather than moving mechanical parts as with check valves.
Examples of the present disclosure relate to fluid backflow prevention systems and associated methods of operation for use with sinks and other plumbing fixtures. The fluid backflow systems and methods of operation disclosed herein are intended to prevent the backflow of fluid into an incoming waterway thereby eliminating cross-contamination of backflow fluid with new, clean incoming fluid. The disclosed examples provide several advantages over conventional backflow prevention mechanisms which will become apparent upon review of the forthcoming written description and the accompanying illustrative representations of the examples. For example, the disclosed examples can advantageously include a plurality of waterways defined and enclosed within a housing of a fluid backflow prevention system, may include one or more fluid outlets pointing to direct inject and in-sink washers in a kitchen setting, and may include a housing configured as a functional piece such as a soap dispenser while retaining the use of a plurality of waterways defined within the housing.
An example of a fluid backflow prevention system may comprise a housing having a first segment enclosing an incoming fluid portion, a backflow shell, and a cap, the housing having a second segment enclosing a clip coupled to an outgoing fluid portion, the first and second segments of the housing being coupled together via a waterway extending from the first segment to the second segment. The housing further encloses a backflow shell having a diaphragm and a check valve, the diaphragm configured to deflect upward (i.e., engage) with the check valve to block the flow of fluid through a backflow path defined within the backflow shell, thereby enabling fluid flow through a plurality of waterways defined within the housing, the diaphragm further configured to deflect downward (i.e., disengage) with the check valve to unblock the flow of fluid through the backflow path, thereby permitting fluid to flow through the backflow path and out of the fluid backflow prevention system rather than back through the incoming fluid portion so as to avoid cross-contamination with new, clean fluid entering the system.
In examples, a fluid backflow prevention system may include a housing enclosing an incoming fluid portion and an outgoing fluid portion, wherein the incoming fluid portion can be couplable to the outgoing fluid portion by a central waterway. The fluid backflow prevention system may further include a backflow shell enclosed within the housing, the backflow shell including a diaphragm and a check valve. The diaphragm can be configured to engage the check valve to block fluid flow through a backflow path defined within the housing, thereby enabling fluid flow through the central waterway and into the outgoing fluid portion. The diaphragm can be further configured to disengage the check valve to enable fluid flow through the backflow path and out of the housing via an exit channel.
In examples, the exit channel can be positioned above a flood plain to create an air gap within the housing, the air gap configured to propel fluid along the backflow path and out of the housing via the exit channel. In examples, the fluid backflow prevention system can further include a cap removably couplable to an opening in the housing, the cap configured to prevent fluid flow out of the opening as fluid transitions from the incoming fluid portion to the outgoing fluid portion via the central waterway. In examples, the fluid backflow prevention system can further include a retaining clip couplable to the outgoing fluid portion, the retaining clip configured to prevent fluid leakage from the outgoing fluid portion. In examples, the housing can include a first segment enclosing the incoming fluid portion and a second segment enclosing the outgoing fluid portion, and the central waterway can slope downward from the first segment to the second segment to enable gravity-assisted fluid flow through the central waterway.
In examples, engaging the check valve can correspond to the diaphragm deflecting upward to block fluid flow through the backflow path, and disengaging the check valve can correspond to the diaphragm deflecting downward to enable fluid flow through the backflow path. In examples, the diaphragm can include a pair of flaps configured to deflect upward when engaging the check valve to block fluid flow through the backflow path. The pair of flaps can be configured to deflect downward when disengaging the check valve to enable fluid flow through the backflow path. In examples, the incoming fluid portion can define a first incoming waterway configured to receive fluid from an external reservoir. The first incoming waterway can be couplable to a second incoming waterway defined within the backflow shell, and the second incoming waterway can be configured to receive fluid from the first incoming waterway.
In examples, the second incoming waterway can be couplable to the central waterway and the central waterway can be configured to receive fluid from the second incoming waterway. The central waterway can be couplable to a first outgoing waterway defined by the outgoing fluid portion, the first outgoing waterway configured to receive fluid from the central waterway. In examples, the fluid backflow prevention system may further include a pair of backflow waterways defined within the backflow shell. Fluid can be configured to flow through the pair of backflow waterways when the diaphragm disengages the check valve, thereby preventing fluid backflow into the incoming fluid portion.
In examples, a fluid backflow prevention system can include a housing enclosing an incoming fluid portion and an outgoing fluid portion, the incoming fluid portion including a first incoming waterway couplable to a second incoming waterway, the second incoming waterway couplable to a central waterway defined within the housing, the central waterway couplable to a first outgoing waterway defined by the outgoing fluid portion. The fluid backflow prevention system can further include a backflow shell enclosed within the housing, the backflow shell including a diaphragm, a check valve, and a pair of backflow waterways. The diaphragm can be configured to engage the check valve to block fluid flow through the pair of backflow waterways, and the diaphragm can be configured to disengage the check valve to enable fluid flow through the pair of backflow waterways to prevent fluid backflow into the first incoming waterway. The diaphragm engaging the check valve can enable fluid to flow from an external reservoir to the first incoming waterway, from the first incoming waterway to the second incoming waterway, from the second incoming waterway to the central waterway, and from the central waterway to the first outgoing waterway and out of the housing at a first exit. The diaphragm disengaging the check valve can enable fluid to flow from the first incoming waterway to the pair of backflow waterways and out of the housing at a second exit.
In examples, the fluid backflow prevention system can further include an exit channel couplable to each one of the pair of backflow waterways. The exit channels can be positioned above a flood plain to create an air gap within the housing, the air gap configured to propel fluid along the backflow path and out of the housing via the exit channels. In examples, the central waterway can slope downward from the incoming fluid portion to the outgoing fluid portion to enable gravity-assisted fluid flow through the central waterway. In examples, engaging the check valve can correspond to the diaphragm deflecting upward to block fluid flow through the pair of backflow waterways. Disengaging the check valve can correspond to the diaphragm deflecting downward to enable fluid flow through the pair of backflow waterways. In examples, the diaphragm can include a pair of flaps configured to deflect upward when engaging the check valve to block fluid flow through the pair of backflow waterways. The pair of flaps can be configured to deflect downward when disengaging the check valve to enable fluid flow through the pair of backflow waterways.
In examples, a method of operating a fluid backflow prevention system can include providing the fluid backflow prevention system including a housing enclosing an incoming fluid portion and an outgoing fluid portion, wherein the incoming fluid portion can be couplable to the outgoing fluid portion by a central waterway; and a backflow shell enclosed within the housing, the backflow shell comprising a diaphragm and a check valve, wherein the diaphragm can be configured to engage the check valve to block fluid flow through a backflow path defined within the housing, thereby enabling fluid flow through the central waterway and into the outgoing fluid portion. The diaphragm can be further configured to disengage the check valve to enable fluid flow through the backflow path and out of the housing via an exit channel.
The method of operating a fluid backflow prevention system can further include directing fluid from an external reservoir to the incoming fluid portion; engaging the check valve via the diaphragm to enable fluid flow from the incoming fluid portion to the outgoing fluid portion via the central waterway; disengaging the check valve via the diaphragm to block fluid flow from the incoming fluid portion to the outgoing fluid portion via the central waterway; and directing fluid flow from the incoming fluid portion to the backflow path and out of the housing via the exit channel, thereby preventing fluid backflow into the incoming fluid portion.
The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of examples of the disclosure in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:
Referring generally to
Backflow shell 106 may include a check valve 112 and a diaphragm 114 positioned internally at least partially within the space defining second waterway 108. In general, diaphragm 114 may include flaps 115a,b that are configured to engage and deflect upward with check valve 112 to seal off (i.e., block) a backflow path 170 defined within backflow shell 106 while external fluid is still being fed into fluid backflow prevention system 100. Diaphragm 114 is further configured to disengage and deflect flaps 115a,b downward (i.e., flaps 115a,b become flat with a base portion of diaphragm 114) such that the backflow path 170 is unblocked and fluid is free to flow through the intertwining channels defined therein and out of fluid backflow prevention system 100. This process is described in further detail in the subsequent description.
A top view of a portion of fluid backflow prevention system 100 (and particularly a top portion of backflow shell 106) is illustrated particularly in
Cap 116 is generally configured to block an opening defined within housing 101 to prevent fluid flow out of fluid backflow prevention system 100 as the fluid transitions from first waterway 104 to second waterway 108. In examples, cap 116 may have a cylindrical geometry with an outer diameter equal to or slightly less than an inner diameter of the opening defined within housing 101. Accordingly, cap 116 can be securely couplable within the opening and removable when desired.
As described, backflow shell 106 can be designed to enclose check valve 112 and diaphragm 114 thereby facilitating the transition between sealing and unsealing of the backflow path 170 defined within backflow shell 106. In general, backflow shell 106 can comprise a first upstream section defining backflow path 170 and a second downstream section having one or more flow path openings 118 for directing fluid through the second section (both shown particularly in
Second waterway 108 and the one or more flow path openings 118 are generally in fluid communication with a third waterway 122 defined within a structure of housing 101 extending from the first segment to the second segment of housing 101. As illustrated, third waterway 122 can be designed to slope downward from the first segment to the second segment, thereby enabling gravity-assisted fluid flow from a first proximal end of third waterway 122 located at the first segment to a second distal end of third waterway 122 located at the second segment. Like first and second waterways 104, 108, third waterway 122 may have a circular cross-section along the entire waterway length, though other suitable cross-section geometries known to one of ordinary skill are contemplated herein.
Third waterway 122 is generally in fluid communication with a fourth waterway 124 defined within the second segment of housing 101. Fourth waterway 124 is similar in geometry to previous waterways 104, 108, 122 and can likewise be configured to facilitate the flow of fluid through fluid backflow prevention system 100. Fourth waterway 124 can receive outgoing fluid portion 134 in a similar manner as with incoming fluid portion 102 being received within first waterway 104. Outgoing fluid portion 134 is generally identical or substantially similar to incoming fluid portion 102, including having an outer perimeter coincident with at least a portion of an inner perimeter of the incoming fluid portion 102. As shown particularly in
In operation, fluid backflow prevention system 100 can facilitate the flow of fluid from an external source such as a fluid reservoir to a plumbing fixture such as a sink, while also eliminating or minimizing fluid backflow into the external source. Fluid backflow can be eliminated or minimized using, in part, a diaphragm 114 configured to transition the fluid backflow prevention system 100 from a first mode of operation that enables fluid to flow freely through a plurality of waterways 104, 108, 122, 124 (
More specifically, and in reference to
When fluid backflow prevention system 100 is in the second mode of operation, flaps 115a,b can be disengaged from deflecting upward thereby permitting fluid flow through the unblocked first and second sections of backflow path 170. Fluid can then flow in directions 172a,b before separating between the first and second sections. After separation, fluid flows along directions 174a, 176a, and 178a in the first section before exiting backflow path 170 and flowing into fifth waterway 128 away from the first section of backflow shell 106. Similarly, fluid can flow along directions 174b, 176b, and 178b in the second section before exiting backflow path 170 and flowing into sixth waterway 129 away from the second section of backflow shell 106. In this manner, fluid backflow into the incoming fluid portion 102 is prevented which eliminates the possibility of cross-contamination between the backflow fluid and any new, clean fluid incoming from the external fluid reservoir or other fluid storage device to the plurality of waterways 104, 108, 122, and 124.
When in the first mode of operation, fluid backflow prevention system 100 can be further configured to facilitate fluid flow in a second direction 155 which corresponds to fluid flowing from the one or more flow path openings 118 through third waterway 122. Third waterway 122 can be angled downward to enable gravity-assisted fluid flow along the second direction 155. Upon reaching the second distal end of third waterway 122, fluid backflow prevention system 100 can be further configured to facilitate fluid flow in a third direction 160. Third direction 160 fluid flow corresponds to fluid flowing from the second distal end of third waterway 122 through fourth waterway 124 and out of outgoing fluid portion 134. Accordingly, the first mode of operation enables fluid backflow prevention system 100 to facilitate uninterrupted fluid flow from incoming fluid portion 102 to outgoing fluid portion 134 along the plurality of waterways 104, 108, 122, and 124. As described previously, the second mode of operation corresponds to the diaphragm 114 having disengaged flaps 115a,b which enables fluid to be received within the backflow path 170 of backflow shell 106, thereby facilitating fluid flow along the backflow path 170 and out of fifth and sixth waterways 128, 129.
The disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential attributes. Therefore, the illustrated examples should be considered illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. Any claims provided herein are to ensure adequacy of the present application for establishing foreign priority and for no other purpose.
Various examples of systems, devices, and methods have been described herein. These examples are given only be way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed disclosures. It should be appreciated, moreover, that the various features of the examples that have been described may be combined in various ways to produce numerous additional examples. Moreover, while various material, dimensions, shapes, configurations, locations, etc. have been described for use with disclosed examples, others besides those disclosed may be utilized without exceeding the scope of the claimed disclosures.
Persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize that the subject matter hereof may comprise fewer features than illustrated in any individual example described above. The examples described herein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of the ways in which the various features of the subject matter hereof may be combined. Accordingly, the examples are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, the various examples can comprise a combination of different individual features selected from different individual examples, as understood be persons of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, elements described with respect to one example can be implemented in other examples even when not described in such examples unless otherwise noted.
Any incorporation of reference of documents above is further limited such that no claims included in the documents are incorporated by reference herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is yet further limited such that any definitions provided in the documents are not incorporated by reference herein unless expressly included herein.
For purposes of interpreting the claims, it is expressly intended that the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim.
The present disclosure claims to the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/610,569, filed Dec. 15, 2023, which is hereby fully incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63610569 | Dec 2023 | US |
