US3874413A

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Publication number: US3874413A
Authority: US
Inventors: Carl J Valdez
Original assignee: VALS CONSTRUCTION
Current assignee: VALS CONSTRUCTION
Priority date: 1973-04-09
Filing date: 1973-04-09
Publication date: 1975-04-01
Anticipated expiration: 1992-04-01

Abstract

A one-man-operated valve in a dual pool system for simultaneously controlling the flow of water from a common water recirculating plant to the supply and drain conduits going to either one or the other of such pools. The arrangement of a tubular inner valve member for turning a limited distance within and relative to an outer tubular casing ported along its length to communicate the supply and drain conduits between the two pools and dividing the inner valve member into separate supply and drain zones each ported in sets segmentally offset circumferentially of each other on the inner valve members whereby upon limited turning of the latter only one or the other set of ports of the inner valve member can register with respective ports of the casing to effect flow from the common water recirculating plant to one or the other of such pools.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 [111 3,874,413

Valdez Apr. 1,. 1975 MULTIPORTED VALVE Primary ExaminerHenry T. lKlinksiek [75] Inventor: Carl J. Valdez, San Jose, Calif.

[73] Assignee: Vals Construction, San Jose, Calif. [57] ABSTRACT A one-man-operated valve in a dual pool system for [22] Flled' 1973 simultaneously controlling the flow of water from a [21] Appl. No.: 348,933 common water recirculating plant to the supply and drain conduits going to either one or the other of such pools. The arrangement of a tubular inner valve mem- Z 137/625'47 }3, ber for turning a limited distance within and relative 341 278 to an outer tubular casing ported along its length to communicate the supply and drain conduits between the two pools and dividing the inner valve member into separate supply and drain zones each ported in sets segmentally offset circumferentially of each other on the inner valve members whereby upon limited turning of the latter only one or the other set of ports of the inner valve member can register with respective ports of the casing to effect flow from the common water recirculating plant to one or the other of such pools.

7 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures ,1 as 1.2- l A H I TO POOL 20 l B Ti TO SPA 1,9, COMMON C SUPPLY FROM HEATER 43w 1 30 I J C |Ilf;' -1

l D T FROM

POOL V

1, 3D :45 3D I u E rt I FROMSPA 3E 3E COMMON TO PUMP PATENTED APR 1 I975 SHIT 1 UP 2 COMMON s TO PUMF PMEMEB 1ms SHEET 2 OF 2 III/II) IIIIIIIIIIIII TO, PUMP 39 FIG 4-- 43 44 W TO UMP F'POM HEATER MULTIPORTED VALVE BACKGROUND This invention relates to a multiported valve for a dual pool or water system and the like.

Apartment house complexes, condominiums and physical as well as recreational natatoriums have pools for various purposes. The most common arrangement consists of a swimming pool and a separate smaller pool usually designated a spa. A spa is a pool in which water under presure is caused to swirl to afford hydrotherapeutic massaging to the body parts of persons bathing therein. Each of these pools requires a system for recirculating the water thereof through a filter and usually a heater for purifying and reconditioning the water for reasons of sanitation as well as comfort and appearances.

For reasons of economy, cost of labor and material, it is a common practice to operate both pools of a dual pool arrangement from a single filter-and heating plant. Heretofore, the piping to each pool had separate valves independently operable, two for each pool, one for turning on and off the flow of water to each pool and the other for turning on and off the flow from each pool to the common filter and heating plant. In such an arrangement a great deal of care is required in order to prevent damage to the single filter and heating plant. For example, if both pools were shut off simultaneously for a long period, the heater could be damaged. A sud den burst of pressure upon turning on the system or due to extreme heat of the water could break up the filter. Forgetfulness or too long a time lapse upon the part of the attendants manipulation of the valves has caused most of the problems. As in all cases, the human element required to care for and maintain such equipment leaves much to be desired.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a single control valve operatively connected to both pools and the water recirculating plant wherein, by a single action, one man can control all ports of the single control valve simultaneously.

It is another object of this invention to provide a multiported valve which is of simple construction, economical to manufacture and highly efficient in use.

It is yet another object to provide such a multiported valve between two cylindrical members serving as a common conduit with separate sets of related ports offset from each other at different positions along its FIG. 3A is a section through FIG. 2 taken alongline 3A-3A therein;

FIG. 3B is a section through FIG. 2 taken along line 38-33 therein;

FIG. 3C is a section through FIG. 2 taken alongline 3C-3C therein;

FIG. 3D is a section through FIG. 2 taken along line 3D3D therein;

FIG. 3E is a section through FIG. 2 taken alongline 3E-3E therein;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section through FIG. 2 taken substantially alongline 44 therein;

FIG. 5 is an elevation of the internal body of the valve of FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 as seen alone in the position of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a cross section through FIG. 4 taken along line 6-6 therein;

FIG. 7 is an elevation ofa modified form of valve including the embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a section through FIG. 7 taken along line 88 therein.

I GENERAL DESCRIPTION Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a simple dualpool water system 10 is shown to include a swimming pool 11 and aspa 12 both of which are connected, by suitable conduits, to a common water supply and recirculatingsystem 13. Thewater supply system 13 is shown to include apump 14, afilter 15 and aheater 16 for recirculating, cleaning and reconditioning the water of eitherpool 11 or 12. Thewater supply system 13 is shown to include a common multiportedvalve 20 constructed as valves in tandem in accordance with the present invention to enable one man to control the flow of water to either or both pools, simultaneously by a single operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The multiportedtandem valve 20, in accordance with the present invention, comprises a pair of

cylindrical members

21 and 22 arranged, one within the other, for turning movement relative to each other. The outercylindrical member 21 is a casing having a plurality of

ports

23 A, 23 B, 23 C, 23 D, and 23 E; each connected to a particular conduit of the water supply and recirculatingsystem 13.

In FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, theports 23 A through 23 E inclusive are shown to be in alignment with

individual bosses

24 A, 24 B, 24 C, 24 D and 24 E, respectively. The bosses and ports designated A, B, C, D and E are all shown to extend radially and in the same direction from the outercylindrical member 21. Obviously, these ports and bosses could be arranged at various radial points from center of thecylindrical member 21. However, for purposes of economy and simplicity in manufacture, all ports and bosses are shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 as unidirectional.

The ports andbosses 23 A to 23 E and 24 A to 24 E are equally spaced along the length of the outer cylindrical casing 21 as atplanes 3A-3A, 3B-3B, 3C-3C, 3D3D and 3E3E in FIG. 2. Each boss 24 A to E is connected to a pipe or conduit going to a separate port of either the pool 11 orspa 12 and to or from the circulatingsystem 13 as the case may be.

Referring to FIG. 1, the boss 24-A is shown connected by aconduit 25 to theinlet 26 of the pool 11. Boss 24-B communicates with thespa 12 via aconduit 27.

Boss 24-C is connected byconduit 28 as a common supply line of the reconditioned water from the recirculatingsystem 13.

The boss 24-D is connected byconduit 29 to the drain d and scuppers s of the pool 11; and boss 24-E is connected byconduit 30 to the drain e of thespa 12.

The bottom of the outercylindrical casing 21 is open as at 39 and connected by aconduit 31 to thepump 14 on the return side of the recirculatingsystem 13.

The innercylindrical member 22 fits snuggly within the outercylindrical casing 21 as best seen in FIG. 4 as well as sections of FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D and 3E. The lower end of thecylindrical member 22 is open as at 40 to communicate with theopen bottom 39 and theconduit 31 on theouter casing 21. The opposite end of thecylindrical member 22 is sweated on and secured to acap 33 for closing the upper end thereof. Thiscap 33 rests upon the open upper end of thecasing 21 and is secured in place by apin 34 extending radially from thecap 33 through aguide slot 35 formed in theouter casing 21.

Thecap 33 is provided with means in the form of a handle H for turning the cap and the innercylindrical member 22 relative to the outercylindrical casing 21. By this arrangement, the inner cylindrical member functions as a valve member relative to the various ports 23 (A, B, C, D and E) and bosses 24 (A, B, C, D and E) along the length of the outercylindrical casing 21.

In accordance with the present invention, the innercylindrical valve member 22 is divided into asupply valve zone 36 and areturn valve zone 37. This is accomplished by the provision of a partition ordiaphragm 38 within thevalve member 22 in the region between the boss 24-C and the boss 24-D of the outercylindrical casing 21.

In thesupply valve zone 36, thevalve member 22 has a plurality of

ports

41, 42 and 43-44 which are disposed in planes transverse to valve axis and coinciding with the bosses 24-A, B and C, respectively. Thereturn zone 37 of thevalve member 22 has a pair of

ports

45 and 46 coinciding with the bosses 24-D and E, respectively, in their respective planes transversly of and along the axis of thevalve 20.

Thevalve member 22 is limited against complete rotation within the outercylindrical casing 21. This is accomplished by the predetermined circumferential length of thesegmental slot 35 in which the securingpin 34 of thecap 33 is disposed. For purposes of the present invention theslot 35 is shown as 100 in length. Thevalve member 22 is thereby shown as limited to a swing of 100 relative to theouter casing 21. This may vary slightly one way or another as long as there is sufficient swing to afford on and off limits to the operation of the valve as a whole.

At the two limits of swing of theinner valve member 22, the latter has its ports staggered to communicate with either the pool 11 or thespa 12. As best seen in FIG. 2, the

ports

41, 44 and 45 are aligned substantially longitudinally with thepin 34 when at one limit of swing of thevalve member 22. The

other ports

42, 43 and 46 are aligned longitudinally at an angle 100 offset of thepin 34 of thevalve member 22.

As shown in FIG. 2, the

ports

42, 43 and 46 are set for communication with the

conduits

27, 28 and for circulating the water from the spa through the water recirculating andreconditioning system 13. However, when thepin 34 is moved to the other end of theslot 35, the

ports

42, 43 and 46 swing out of communication with the

conduits

27, 28 and 30. Simultaneous therewith, the

ports

41, 44 and 45 are swung from closed condition (FIG. 2) into communication with their respective bosses 24-A, C and D. These bosses being connected to

conduits

25, 28 and 29, respectively, result in communication of thewater recirculating system 13 with the swimming pool 11.

The changeover from one pool to the other is thereby accomplished by one man operating asingle valve 20 to thereby control the entire system simultaneously. It should here be noted that by reason of the open ends 39 and 40 of the outer and inner

cylindrical members

21 and 22 of thevalve 20 being at all times in communication with thereturn conduit 31 going to the suction or pump side of thewater recirculating system 13, thereturn zone 37 of the valve is constantly in circuit therewith.

By the same token, both

ports

43 and 44 of theinner valve member 22 being spaced from one another circumferentially by asection 50 of tubing less than the diameter of either port, thesupply zone 36 of thevalve member 22 has communication with the boss 24-C and theconduit 28 which is common to the supply side of thewater recirculating system 13. By this arrangement, it is possible to enable flow to both pools simultaneously on a limited volume to each by having the two

ports

43 and 44 merged with each other as an elon-' gated slot in the absence of thesection 50 therebetween (not shown). A more simplified version of such arrangement is disclosed in the modified form of FIGS. 7 and 8 now to be explained.

The modified form of the multiported valve structure as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is designated 20'. In all respects like reference numerals are applied to like ports of the preferred embodiment (FIGS. 1 through 6) and distinguished therefrom by prime exponents.

As depicted in FIG. 7, the outercylindrical casing 21 is open ended, oneend 39 of which communicates with the pump l4'of therecirculating system 13 via aconduit 31. The other open end of thecasing 21 is connected via aconduit 28 to theheater side 16 of therecirculating system 13 and is comparable to the boss 24-C of the preferred embodiment.

Theinternal valve member 22 is arranged within theouter casing 21 and has a solid mid-portion serving as apartition 38 to divide the innertubular valve member 22 into a supply chamber 36' and areturn chamber 37. Thesolid midpartition 38 has apin 34 extending radially therefrom (FIGS. 7 and 8). This pin 34' extends through anarcuate guide slot 35 formed in theouter casing 21 to maintain the ports 41'-4245 and 46 of theinner valve member 22 in register with their respective boss ports 24D and 24E on theouter casing 21. In combination therewith, theslot 35 acts as a limit means for limiting the swing of theinner valve member 22 between its two positions degrees, FIG. 8).

In FIG. 7, the inner valve member 22' is shown as having one pair ofports 41' and 45 aligned at one of the limits of swing and another pair of ports 42'46 aligned at the other limit of swing of thevalve member 22. As in the preferred embodiment, either one or the other set of ports 4145' or 42'46 is disposed for register with the conduits going to the pool 11 or thespa 12 as the case may be.

As a further feature, the modified structure 20' is shown to include neoprene seals 49 in annular recesses formed in theinner valve member 22 on each side (longitudinally) of the

respective ports

41', 42, 45

and 46'.

By the foregoing arrangement, the flow of reconditioned water from therecirculating system 13 is controlled by a single, one man, manipulation of the

valve member

22 or 22 via a handle H.

While I have described the multiported valve of the present invention in specific detail it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the same may be susceptible to variations, alterations and/or modifications without departing fromthe spirit or scope of my invention therein as called for in the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by letters patent is:

1. A multiported valve of the type having an outer cylindrical casing and an inner cylindrical valve member arranged therein for sealed turning movement for serving either one or the other pool of a dual pool system from a common water reconditioning and recirculating plant; said valve comprising:

1. a partition formed in the inner cylindrical valve member for dividing the latter into a supply zone and a return zone;

. means on the outer casing for communicating the supply zone of the inner cylindrical valve member with the output side of the common water recirculating plant;

. means on the outer casing for communicating the return zone of the inner cylindrical valve member with the return side of the common water recirculating plant;

4. a plurality of ports on the outer cylindrical casing including:

a. a first port radially of said supply zone and com municating with the supply side of one of said pools;

b. a second port radially of said supply zone and communicating with the supply side of the other one of said pools;

c. a third port radially of said return zone and communicating with the drain side of said one of said pools; and

d. a fourth port radially of said return zone and communicating with the drain side of the other one of said pools;

5. said valve member having two sets of ports including:

a. one set of ports formed therein in planes therealong for registration only with the first and third ports in said outer casing. and

b. the other set of ports formed therein in offset relation radially to said one set of ports for registration only with the second and fourth ports in said outer casing; and 6. limit means between said inner valve and outer casing for maintaining said two sets of ports in said inner valve member in planes of registration with their respective ports in said casing and for limiting turning movement of said inner valve member relative to said casing a segmental distance comparable to the offset relation of said two sets of ports in said valve member relative to each other for simultaneously changing communication between said dual pools and said water recirculating plant. 2. The multiported valve in accordance with that ofclaim 1 in which said last named limit means thereof comprises:

1. a slot formed segmentally of said outer casing a chordal distance comparable to the offset relation of the two sets of ports in said valve member; and

2. a pin extending radially from said inner valve member through said segmental slot in said outer casing.

3. The multiported valve in accordance with that ofclaim 1 in which one of said means on said outer casing communicating with said recirculating plant is radially disposed relative to said inner valve member and the latter includes a pair of ports, one in each of said offset sets thereof, disposed in a plane common to each other and said one of said radially disposed means communicating with said recirculating plant.

4. The multiported valve in accordance with that ofclaim 2 in which one of said means on said outer casing communicating with said recirculating plant is radially disposed relative to said inner valve member and the latter includes a pair of ports, one in each of said offset sets thereof, disposed in a plane common to each other and said one of said radially disposed means comm unicating with said recirculating plant.

5. The multiported valve in accordance with that ofclaim 1 including a plurality of neoprene seals each circumscribing said inner valve member and sealingly engaging said outer casing at planes adjacent and between each of said sets of ports spaced along the length of said valve.

6. A valve for a dual pool arrangement in which at least a first and second pool have a common water and recirculating plant therebetween provided with at least an in line filter and pump; a multiported valve member comprising:

1. an outer cylindrical valve casing having a plurality of ports arranged in spaced relation along its length including a first port communicating with the first pool; a second port communicating with a second pool; a third port having communication with the supply side of a common water recirculating plant; a fourth port communicating with the drain side of the first pool; and a last port communicating with the drain side of the second pool;

2. an inner cylindrical valve member arranged for sealed turning movement inside said outer cylindrical casing, said valve member having two sets of ports including:

a. one set of ports formed therein in alignment longitudinally of each other and in planes therealong spaced for registration only with the first, third and fourth ports in said valve casing; and

b. the other set of ports formed therein in alignment longitudinally of each other and in offset relation radially to said one set of ports for registration only with the second, fourth and last ports in said valve member;

. a partition within said inner cylindrical valve memher for dividing the latter into a supply zone communicable with said first, second and third ports on said outer casing and a return zone communicable with said fourth and last ports on said outer casing; and

4. means between said inner valve and outer casing for maintaining said two sets of ports in said inner valve member in planes of registration with their respective ports in said casing and for limiting turning movement of said inner valve member relative to said casing a segmental distance comparable to the offset relation of said two sets of ports relative chordal distance comparable to the offset relation to each other between positions of registration with of the two sets of ports in said valve member; and the ports on said casing. 2. a pin extending radially from saidinner valve 7. The multiported valve in accordance withclaim 6 member through said segmental slot in said outer in which said last named limit means thereof comprises: casing.

l. a slot formed segmentally of saidouter casing 21

Claims

1. A multiported valve of the type having an outer cylindrical casing and an inner cylindrical valve member arranged therein for sealed turning movement for serving either one or the other pool of a dual pool system from a common water reconditioning and recirculating plant; said valve comprising: 1. a partition formed in the inner cylindrical valve member for dividing the latter into a supply zone and a return zone; 2. means on the outer casing for communicating the supply zone of the inner cylindrical valve member with the output side of the common water recirculating plant; 3. means on the outer casing for communicating the return zone of the inner cylindrical valve member with the return side of the common water recirculating plant; 4. a plurality of ports on the outer cylindrical casing including: a. a first port radially of said supply zone and communicating with the supply side of one of said pools; b. a second port radially of said supply zone and communicating with the supply side of the other one of said pools; c. a third port radially of said return zone and communicating with the drain side of said one of said pools; and d. a fourth port radially of said return zone and communicating with the drain side of the other one of said pools; 5. said valve member having two sets of ports including: a. one set of ports formed therein in planes therealong for registration only with the first and third ports in said outer casing; and b. the other set of ports formed therein in offset relation radially to said one set of ports for registration only with the second and fourth ports in said outer casing; and 6. limit means between said inner valve and outer casing for maintaining said two sets of ports in said inner valve member in planes of registration with their respective ports in said casing and for limiting turning movement of said inner valve member relative to said casing a segmental distance comparable to the offset relation of said two sets of ports in said valve member relative to each other for simultaneously changing communication between said dual pools and said water recirculating plant.

2. an inner cylindrical valve member arranged for sealed turning movement inside said outer cylindrical casing, said valve member Having two sets of ports including: a. one set of ports formed therein in alignment longitudinally of each other and in planes therealong spaced for registration only with the first, third and fourth ports in said valve casing; and b. the other set of ports formed therein in alignment longitudinally of each other and in offset relation radially to said one set of ports for registration only with the second, fourth and last ports in said valve member;

2. means on the outer casing for communicating the supply zone of the inner cylindrical valve member with the output side of the common water recirculating plant;

2. The multiported valve in accordance with that of claim 1 in which said last named limit means thereof comprises:

3. means on the outer casing for communicating the return zone of the inner cylindrical valve member with the return side of the common water recirculating plant;

3. a partition within said inner cylindrical valve member for dividing the latter into a supply zone communicable with said first, second and third ports on said outer casing and a return zone communicable with said fourth and last ports on said outer casing; and

3. The multiported valve in accordance with that of claim 1 in which one of said means on said outer casing communicating with said recirculating plant is radially disposed relative to said inner valve member and the latter includes a pair of ports, one in each of said offset sets thereof, disposed in a plane common to each other and said one of said radially disposed means communicating with said recirculating plant.

4. The multiported valve in accordance with that of claim 2 in which one of said means on said outer casing communicating with said recirculating plant is radially disposed relative to said inner valve member and the latter includes a pair of ports, one in each of said offset sets thereof, disposed in a plane common to each other and said one of said radially disposed means communicating with said recirculating plant.

4. means between said inner valve and outer casing for maintaining said two sets of ports in said inner valve member in planes of registration with their respective ports in said casing and for limiting turning movement of said inner valve member relative to said casing a segmental distance comparable to the offset relation of said two sets of ports relative to each other between positions of registration with the ports on said casing.

4. a plurality of ports on the outer cylindrical casing including: a. a first port radially of said supply zone and communicating with the supply side of one of said pools; b. a second port radially of said supply zone and communicating with the supply side of the other one of said pools; c. a third port radially of said return zone and communicating with the drain side of said one of said pools; and d. a fourth port radially of said return zone and communicating with the drain side of the other one of said pools;

5. said valve member having two sets of ports including: a. one set of ports formed therein in planes therealong for registration only with the first and third ports in said outer casing; and b. the other set of ports formed therein in offset relation radially to said one set of ports for registration only with the second and fourth ports in said outer casing; and

5. The multiported valve in accordance with that of claim 1 including a plurality of neoprene seals each circumscribing said inner valve member and sealingly engaging said outer casing at planes adjacent and between each of said sets of ports spaced along the length of said valve.

6. limit means between said inner valve and outer casing for maintaining said two sets of ports in said inner valve member in planes of registration with their respective ports in said casing and for limiting turning movement of said inner valve member relative to said casing a segmental distance comparable to the offset relation of said two sets of ports in said valve member relative to each other for simultaneously changing communication between said dual pools and said water recirculating plant.

7. The multiported valve in accordance with claim 6 in which said last named limit means thereof comprises: