Most tile saws use a small water pump that either is submersed in a catch pan below the tile saw blade or in a separate bucket of water. The water is delivered to the blade by means of small plastic tubing directed to the cutting edge. The tile saw usually has a separate AC outlet by which power is supplied to the water pump when the switch to the saw blade motor is turned on.
The problem with placing the water pump in the pan below the blade is, tile dust and debris from the cuttings in recirculated water will in short time clog and or damage the pump. Placing the water pump in a separate bucket of clean water requires constant refilling of the bucket from a source of water, so as the pump does not go dry and loose its priming, which could also shorten the life of the pump. Both of these scenarios create more work for the operator and result in lower production time.
This utility eliminate the use of a water pump to supply water to a tile or brick cutting power saw blade by means of an electric solenoid water valve such as used in residential sprinkler systems and fittings to attach to a common garden hose and a supply side needle valve. The valve solenoid is activated by a low voltage power supply attached to the existing tile saws ac outlet used by the pump being replaced. By use of a needle valve, water flow can be adjusted and exactly simulate the flow from the small pump that most saws are equipped with. Also because the valve solenoid is powered from a low voltage power adapter there is no hazardous voltages that could come into contact with the water, thus making a safer assembly.
Referring to
(1) A female gender threaded fitting used to connect a valve to a common garden hose.
(2) Solenoid and water valve assembly of the type used in a residential sprinkler system.
(3) Threaded pipe nipple attached the valve (2) used for attachment of needle valve (4).
(4) Needle valve attached to the pipe nipple (3) and connected to supply tube (5).
(5) Existing supply tube attached to the tile saw.
(6) Cap on end of the pipe nipple (3).
(7) Needle valve handle to adjust water flow to saw blade.
(8) 24 volt or some low voltage power supply adapter to power the valve solenoid.
A common type garden hose is attached to the input side of an electric solenoid water valve (2) by means of a female swivel MNPT adapter (1). The electric solenoid water valve is attached to a pipe nipple and cap that enables a needle type valve (4) to be attached to the output side of the said valve. The water flow can be adjusted with the handle (7) of needle valve (4) for proper flow into the existing water tubing (5) going to the blade assembly of the tile saw. Power is supplied to the electric solenoid valve by a low voltage power adapter (8) connected to the existing pump power outlet of the tile saw.