AU2018100019A4 - Water filtration device - Google Patents

Abstract

A water filtration system including a water inlet connected to a pipe between an inlet valve and an outlet valve. The pipe is fluidly connected to the inlet and outlet of a filter and ha an water outlet located between the outlet of the filter and the outlet valve wherein in use the inlet valve is open and the outlet valve is closed causing water to flow from the water inlet, through the filter and out through water outlet to an establishment. In case the filter needs to be replaced or for whatever reason the system bypassed the inlet valve is closed and the outlet valve is open. to rE r ( 1'

Description

Water filtration device

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a water filtration device and in particular to a water filtration device that can provide filtered water for a whole house or commercial establishment. It also enables for the filtration devices to be replaced or bypassed as may be required.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Water filtration devices are known and typically consist of a water filter cartridge that is placed in line with a supply of water to further filtrate the water prior to use. Such devices are well known where they are located usually inside a kitchen to provide for filtered drinking water.

[0003] However in some locations the water quality, whilst suitable for drinking, may include minerals that unduly affect appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers. This water is generally called hard water and typically contains minerals such as calcium and magnesium leading to a shorter lifespan of appliances due to the build-up of mineral deposits. By using filtered water not only is the lifespan of the appliances increased but there is a reduction in the use of soap and washing detergent.

[0004] Current water filtration devices are mainly used to filter drinking water and are located at an outlet in the kitchen and consist of one or two filter cartridges that have to be replaced after a certain time or after a volume of water has passed through them. When they need replacing, the user simply stops using the filtered water and wait until the cartridges have been replaced. At the same time, water is still used in the premises for other activities such as washing or bathing.

[0005] It is however preferred that all of the water that may be used in a house or commercial premise be filtered and that furthermore the filtering system is not obtrusive.

[0006] It is therefore an objective of this invention to provide a water filtration assembly that alleviates the above problems, or at least provides the public with a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In a first aspect the invention comprises a water filtration system including a water inlet fluidly connected to a pipe between an inlet valve and an outlet valve, the pipe fluidly connected to the inlet and outlet of a filter and having an water outlet located between the outlet of the filter and the outlet valve wherein in use the inlet valve is open and the outlet valve is closed causing water to flow from the water inlet, through the filter and out through water outlet to an establishment; wherein to bypass the filter the inlet valve is closed and the outlet valve is open.

[0008] In preference there are multiple filters with each filter performing a specific filtration including but not limited to particulates, chemicals and salts.

[0009] In preference each filter includes a pressure measurement apparatus.

[0010] In preference the water filtration device further includes a pressure reduction valve located in the water inlet.

[0011] In preference the water filtration device further includes a one-way valve in the water outlet.

[0012] It should be noted that any one of the aspects mentioned above may include any of the features of any of the other aspects mentioned above and may include any of the features of any of the embodiments described below as appropriate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows.

[0014] Figure 1 illustrates the application of the water filter assembly when used with mains water for a house or commercial establishment; [0015] Figure 2 illustrates the assembly in a pit with a lid; [0016] Figure 3 is the assembly of Figure 2 when the lid has enclosed the pit; [0017] Figure 4 is a front view of the water filter arrangement; [0018] Figure 5 is a side view of the water filter arrangement; [0019] Figure 6 is a rear view of the water filter arrangement; and [0020] Figure 7 is a top view of the water filter arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. Dimensions of certain parts shown in the drawings may have been modified and/or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or illustration.

[0022] Turning now to the drawings in details there is provided a water filter assembly 10. A water meter 12 is provided water through a mains inlet 24 and typically measures the water used in an establishment before feeding it through an inlet pipe 14 to a water filter arrangement 16 located in a pit 18 that is dug into the ground. The filtered water is then fed to an establishment through outlet pipe 20. By being located in the ground, it provides for a neat and unobtrusive construction as illustrated in Figure 3 where a lid 22 is supported by ledge 26. The lid 22 includes apertures 28 that allow for its easy removal and for access to the arrangement 16. In case there is ever a water leak then the supply of water to the water filter arrangement can be turned off by use of tap 30.

[0023] Referring in particular to Figures 4 to 7 the water supplied from meter 12 through inlet pipe 14 is fed through a T-piece 29 to pipe 31 that has a first valve 32 at one end and a second valve 42 at the other end. In normal use, valve 32 is opened and valve 42 closed. Thus water flows through valve 32 into supply conduit 34 that feeds water into a first filter cartridge 36. Typically the first cartridge is designed to filter out particulates of a certain size down to 5 microns. Once the water flows through the first cartridge 36 it is fed through into a second cartridge 38 that is designed to filter out chemical's using granulated activated carbon. This water is fed into the establishment through outlet conduit 40.

[0024] It is to be understood that the sequence of the filters/cartridges is not that critical and also that in some instance there may be only one filter or indeed a plurality of filters. For example a third filter may be employed to remove bacteria and/or salts just to name a few uses. Yet a further filter may be employed that eliminates bacteria.

[0025] In some cases the mains water pressure may be too high and a pressure reduction valve 44 is located between inlet pipe 14 and pipe 31. The typical desired pressure is some 5.8 bar.

[0026] With the valve 32 opened and valve 42 closed water flows through inlet pipe 14, through the filters and then out through outlet pipe 20 to the establishment such as a house. The filters are capable of filtering water on a volume basis and typically need replacing when they become clogged. To assist in determining when the filters have to be replaced a first pressure meter 44 measures the pressure through the first filter cartridge 36 and a second pressure meter 48 measures the pressure through the second filter cartridge 38. When the pressure(s) falls below an acceptable level the use knows it is time to change the filter cartridges. To enable the cartridges to be replaced or indeed the filtering system to be bypassed valve 32 is shut and valve 42 opened allowing water to flow directly from inlet pipe 14 to outlet pipe 20.

[0027] To replace the cartridges obviously the pressure in them has to be reduced and thus release valves 50a and 50b are located in communication with respective filter cartridges. Once the cartridges are depressurised they can be replaced-typically the cartridge housings 60 are screwed on to a lid 62.

[0028] The cartridges are supported by plate 52 having a rear wall 54 having apertures 56. This enables the user to, instead of housing the filter system in the pit 18, hang it up on a wall or the like using well known methods such as screws.

[0029] Screws 58 are used to connect the filter cartridges to the plate 52. Of course other fixing means may well be used and it is not the intention of the present application to limit the way the system is put together.

[0030] A one-way valve 64 located in the outlet conduit ensures that water does not flow back into the system - that is to prevent back-flow.

[0031] Typically a first filter is used to remove particulates down to a size of five microns and a second filter may be used to remove chemicals being made up of granulated activated carbon. Yet a third filter may be used to remove salts and so on.

[0032] Whilst not illustrated the whole system may be able to be remote monitored. It is well known in the art to provide digital reading of various feature of the present system, such as the inlet flow rate, outlet flow rate, the pressure in each of the cartridges, the temperature of the water, the total volume of water passing through the system, the pH, conductivity and indeed any other parameter that may be deemed to be useful and provide that information through a remote communication system to an application such as an app. In some instances a warning signal may be sent to the user indicating if any parameter is different to a desired threshold or range.

LIST OF COMPONENTS

[0033] The drawings include the following integers. water filter assembly 10 water meter 12 inlet pipe 14 water filter arrangement 16 pit 18 outlet pipe 20 lid 22 mains inlet 24 ledge 26 apertures 28 T-piece 29 tap 30 pipe 31 inlet valve 32 supply conduit 34 first filter cartridge 36 second filter cartridge 38 outlet conduit 40 outlet valve 42 pressure reduction valve 44 first pressure meter 46 second pressure meter 48 release valves 50a,b plate 52 rear wall 54 apertures 56 screws 58 cartridge housings 60 lid 62 one-way valve 64 [0034] Throughout the drawings there are illustrated well known attachment means such as nuts and threads that any person competent in the art would understand and for that reason it is not intended to describe these in any detail.

[0035] Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus. Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in this field.

[0036] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word "comprising" and its derivatives including "comprises" and "comprise" include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

Claims (5)

1. A water filtration system including: a water inlet fluidly connected to a pipe between an inlet valve and an outlet valve, the pipe fluidly connected to the inlet and outlet of a filter and having an water outlet located between the outlet of the filter and the outlet valve wherein in use the inlet valve is open and the outlet valve is closed causing water to flow from the water inlet, through the filter and out through water outlet to an establishment; wherein to bypass the filter the inlet valve is closed and the outlet valve is open

2. A water filtration system as in claim 1 wherein there are multiple filters with each filter performing a specific filtration including but not limited to particulates, chemicals and salts.

3. A water filtration device as in claim 2 wherein each filter includes a pressure measurement apparatus.

4. A water filtration device as in claim 1 further including a pressure reduction valve located in the water inlet.

5. A water filtration device as in claim 1 further including a one-way valve in the water outlet.