Automatic Fluid Flow Control Device

Abstract

One embodiment of the invention provides a fluid control device for a fluid supply, the device comprising: a housing ( 31 ) defining a fluid supply channel ( 34 ) with a fluid inlet ( 35 ) for coupling to a fluid supply and a fluid outlet ( 36 ) for coupling to an appliance, the housing additionally defining a chamber ( 44 ) with an inlet ( 40 ) for coupling to an overflow and an outlet ( 41 ) for coupling to a drain; a valve ( 55 ) located in said fluid supply channel ( 34 ) and moveable from a first open position to a second closed position where fluid flow through the channel ( 34 ) is substantially restricted; an actuator ( 52 ) provided in said chamber ( 44 ) and moveable from a first position to a second position, wherein the valve ( 55 ) and actuator ( 44 ) are magnetically coupled to one another such that movement of the actuator ( 44 ) from said first position to said second position causes the valve ( 55 ) to move from said open position to said closed position.

1 . An automatic fluid flow control device for a fluid supply, wherein the device is operable without an electrical supply, and comprises an actuator movable from a first position corresponding to a normal fluid supply to a second position corresponding to a fluid oversupply, the actuator being configured to exert a magnetic force on a valve in said fluid supply as the actuator moves from said first to said second position to close said valve and thereby at least substantially shut-off the flow of fluid in said fluid supply until the device is reset. 
   
   
       2 . A control device according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuator includes a magnet for a magnetic force on said valve. 
   
   
       3 . A control device according to  claim 2 , wherein the actuator and valve each include a magnet, the magnets interacting to exert said force on said valve that urges said valve closed as the actuator moves from said first position to said second position. 
   
   
       4 . A control device according to  claim 2 , wherein the actuator and valve each include a magnet, the magnets interacting to exert said force on said valve that urges said valve open as the actuator moves from said second position to said first position. 
   
   
       5 . A control device according to  claim 3 , wherein said magnets are arranged in said first position with different magnetic poles adjacent, and in said second position with like magnetic poles adjacent. 
   
   
       6 . A control device according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a float located in a chamber, the chamber comprising an inlet for connection to an overflow pipe and an outlet for connection to a drain, the arrangement being such that fluid can flow into said chamber via said overflow inlet to cause said float to move from said first position to said second position as the fluid level within the chamber increases. 
   
   
       7 . A control device according to  claim 6 , wherein the outlet is configured to be capable of passing a smaller volume of fluid per unit time than the inlet. 
   
   
       8 . A control device according to  claim 7 , comprising a stopper for the outlet which stopper reduces the volume of liquid that can flow through said outlet per unit time. 
   
   
       9 . A control device according to  claim 8 , wherein the stopper is removable from the outlet. 
   
   
       10 . A control device according to  claim 8 , wherein the stopper includes a plurality of cut-away wall portions to permit fluid flow therethrough. 
   
   
       11 . A control device according to  claim 6 , wherein the float is pivotable between said first and second positions. 
   
   
       12 . A control device according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is capable of acting on a second valve in a second fluid supply as it moves from said first to said second position. 
   
   
       13 . A control device according to  claim 1 , comprising a second actuator that is capable of acting on a second valve in a second fluid supply to cause the valve to move from an open position to a closed position as the second actuator moves from a third position corresponding to said first position to a fourth position corresponding to said second position. 
   
   
       14 . A control device according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a receptacle located in a chamber, the chamber comprising an inlet for connection to an overflow pipe and an outlet for connection to a drain, the arrangement being such that fluid can flow into said chamber via said overflow inlet and into said receptacle to cause said receptacle to move from said first position to said second position as the fluid level within the receptacle increases. 
   
   
       15 . A control device according to  claim 14 , wherein the receptacle comprises a drain to permit fluid to drain therefrom, and from the chamber via said outlet. 
   
   
       16 . A control device according to  claim 14 , wherein the receptacle is resiliently biased away from a wall of the chamber in said first position and movable against said bias to said second position. 
   
   
       17 . A control device according to  claim 16 , wherein said receptacle is resiliently biased away from a floor of the chamber, the receptacle compressing said resilient bias as it moves from said first position to said second position. 
   
   
       18 . (canceled) 
   
   
       19 . (canceled) 
   
   
       20 . A control device according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a bladed member mounted for rotation on an axle located in a chamber, the chamber comprising an inlet for connection to an overflow pipe and an outlet for connection to a drain, the arrangement being such that fluid can flow into said chamber via said overflow inlet and against said bladed member to cause said bladed member to rotate from said first position to said second position to close the valve. 
   
   
       21 . A control device according to  claim 20 , wherein a blade of said bladed member includes a magnet mounted proximate said axle and said valve. 
   
   
       22 . A control device according to  claim 21 , wherein the bladed member includes a second magnet mounted proximate said axle and a second valve, rotation of said bladed member from said first position to said second position causing said second valve to move to a closed position. 
   
   
       23 . An automatic fluid flow control device that is operable without an electrical supply the device comprising an actuator that is configured, in the event of an oversupply of fluid, to move to exert a magnetic force on a valve and thereby at least substantially restrict the fluid flow until reset. 
   
   
       24 . A fluid control device for a fluid supply, the device is operable without an electrical supply and comprises:
 a housing defining a fluid supply channel with a fluid inlet for coupling to a fluid supply and a fluid outlet for coupling to an appliance, the housing additionally defining a chamber with an inlet for coupling to an overflow and an outlet for coupling to a drain;   a valve located in said fluid supply channel and moveable from a first open position to a second closed position where fluid flow through the channel is substantially restricted; and   an actuator provided in said chamber and moveable from a first position to a second position, wherein the valve and actuator are magnetically coupled to one another such that movement of the actuator from said first position to said second position causes the valve to move from said open position to said closed position.   
   
   
       25 . A fluid control device for a fluid supply, wherein the device is operable without an electrical supply and comprises:
 a housing defining first and second fluid supply channels each with a fluid inlet for coupling to a fluid supply and a fluid outlet for coupling to an appliance, the housing additionally defining a chamber with an inlet for coupling to an overflow and an outlet for coupling to a drain;   first and second valves located in said first and second fluid supply channels, each said valve being moveable from a first open position to a second closed position where fluid flow through the channel is substantially restricted;   a first actuator provided in said chamber and moveable from a first position to a second position, wherein the first valve and first actuator are magnetically coupled to one another such that movement of the first actuator from said first position to said second position causes the first valve to move from said open position to said closed position; and   a second actuator provided in said chamber and moveable from a first position to a second position, wherein the second valve and second actuator are magnetically coupled to one another such that movement of the second actuator from said first position to said second position causes the second valve to move from said open position to said closed position.   
   
   
       26 . A device according to  claim 24 , wherein the arrangement is such that said valve remains in said second closed position until the device is reset. 
   
   
       27 . A device according to  claim 25 , wherein the arrangement is such that each of said valves remain in said second closed position until the device is reset. 
   
   
       28 . (canceled)