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.
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.
Referring to
Referring to
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
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
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
When the faucet is turned off, the water pressure in the piping system increases. As illustrated in
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.
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.