Automatic flushing system and method for a potable water station
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
F16K-017/38
F16K-017/36
출원번호
US-0988752
(2004-11-15)
등록번호
US-7337800
(2008-03-04)
발명자
/ 주소
Palm,Joseph M.
Semler,Loren H.
출원인 / 주소
Semler Industries, Inc.
대리인 / 주소
Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
2인용 특허 :
8
초록▼
An automatic flushing system for a potable water station includes a conduit having a first end connected to a potable water supply source and a second end having a nozzle coupling. It also includes an air gap assembly having a coupling operable for coupling with the nozzle coupling to releasably con
An automatic flushing system for a potable water station includes a conduit having a first end connected to a potable water supply source and a second end having a nozzle coupling. It also includes an air gap assembly having a coupling operable for coupling with the nozzle coupling to releasably connect the conduit to the air gap assembly in a stored position. Further, the system includes a control system operable for automatically flushing potable water through the conduit and the air gap assembly after exceeding a predetermined time in which a predetermined minimum threshold temperature is exceeded and a predetermined time during which the potable water station has remained idle. A method for automatically flushing a potable water station includes the step of providing the potable water station with a conduit having a first end connected to a potable water supply source and having a second end remote therefrom. It also includes the steps of coupling the second end of the conduit to an air gap assembly in a stored position of the potable water station, and automatically flushing potable water through the conduit and the air gap assembly of the potable water station. The method performs the step of automatically flushing after: a) a predetermined minimum threshold temperature has been exceeded for a predetermined time, and b) the potable water station has remained idle for a predetermined time.
대표청구항▼
What is claimed is: 1. A potable water station for use in filling a transport vehicle with potable water and having an automatic flushing system, comprising: a conduit having a first end connected to a potable water supply source and a second end having a nozzle coupling for connection to a transpo
What is claimed is: 1. A potable water station for use in filling a transport vehicle with potable water and having an automatic flushing system, comprising: a conduit having a first end connected to a potable water supply source and a second end having a nozzle coupling for connection to a transport vehicle for filling the transport vehicle with potable water; an air gap assembly having a coupling operable for connection to the nozzle coupling on the second end of the conduit to releasably connect the conduit to the air gap assembly in a stored position when the potable water station is not being used to fill a transport vehicle with potable water; and a control system operable for automatically flushing potable water through the conduit and the air gap assembly after a predetermined minimum threshold temperature has been exceeded for a predetermined time and the potable water station has remained idle for a predetermined time. 2. The potable water station of claim 1, further comprising: a temperature sensor for monitoring the temperature inside the potable water station, the temperature sensor being operably coupled to the control system. 3. The potable water station of claim 1, further comprising: a timer for determining the time during which a predetermined temperature threshold has been exceeded, the timer being operably coupled to the control system. 4. The potable water station of claim 1, further comprising: a timer for determining the time during which the potable water station has remained idle, the timer being operably coupled to the control system. 5. The potable water station of claim 1, further comprising: a limit switch for determining whether a door on the potable water station is in an open or closed position, the limit switch being operably coupled to the control system. 6. The potable water station of claim 1, further comprising: at least a portion of the conduit being a hose and including a hose reel for winding the hose into a stored position. 7. The potable water station of claim 1, wherein the air gap assembly is positioned over a drain such that potable water will flow through the air gap assembly and into the drain during automatic flushing. 8. The potable water station of claim 1, further comprising: at least one valve operably coupled to the control system, the at least one valve normally being closed but adapted to open so potable water can flow through the conduit and the air gap assembly upon receiving a signal from the control system. 9. The potable water station of claim 8, wherein the at least one valve is an electronically controlled solenoid valve in the air gap assembly. 10. The potable water station of claim 1, further comprising: a sensor for triggering an alarm if the nozzle coupling is incorrectly coupled to the air gap assembly coupling or a control nozzle valve associated with the conduit is not opened, the sensor being operably coupled to the control system. 11. The potable water station of claim 10, wherein the alarm triggering sensor is a pressure switch for sensing water pressure in the air gap assembly. 12. The potable water station of claim 10, wherein the alarm includes a visible signal. 13. The potable water station of claim 10, wherein the alarm includes an audible signal. 14. A potable water station for use in filling a transport vehicle with potable water and having an automatic flushing system, comprising: a conduit having a first end connected to a potable water supply source and a second end having a nozzle coupling for connection to a transport vehicle for filling the transport vehicle with potable water; an air gap assembly having a coupling operable with the nozzle coupling on the second end of the conduit to releasably connect the conduit to the air gap assembly in a stored position when the potable water station is not being used to fill a transport vehicle with potable water; and a temperature sensor for monitoring the temperature inside the potable water station; a timer for determining the time during which a predetermined minimum threshold temperature has been exceeded and the time during which the potable water station has remained idle; and a control system operably coupled to the temperature sensor, the timer and the air gap assembly for automatically flushing potable water through the conduit and air gap assembly after the predetermined minimum threshold temperature has been exceeded for a predetermined period of time and the potable water station has remained idle for a predetermined time. 15. The potable water station of claim 14, further comprising: a limit switch for determining whether a door on the potable water station is in an open or closed position, the limit switch being operably coupled to the control system. 16. The potable water station of claim 14, further comprising: at least a portion of the conduit being a hose and including a hose reel for winding the hose into a stored position. 17. The potable water station of claim 14, wherein the air gap assembly is positioned over a drain such that potable water will flow through the air gap assembly and into the drain during automatic flushing. 18. The potable water station of claim 14, further comprising:, at least one valve operably coupled to the control system, the at least one valve normally being closed but adapted to open so potable water can flow through the conduit and the air gap assembly upon receiving a signal from the control system. 19. The potable water station of claim 18, wherein the at least one valve is an electronically controlled solenoid valve in the air gap assembly. 20. The potable water station of claim 14, further comprising: a sensor for triggering an alarm if the nozzle coupling is incorrectly coupled to the air gap assembly coupling or a control nozzle valve associated with the conduit is not opened, the sensor being operably coupled to the control system. 21. The potable water station of claim 20, wherein the alarm triggering sensor is a pressure switch for sensing water pressure in the air gap assembly. 22. The potable water station of claim 20, wherein the alarm includes a visible signal. 23. The potable water station of claim 20, wherein the alarm includes an audible signal. 24. A method for automatically flushing a potable water station for use in filling a transport vehicle with potable water, comprising the steps of: providing the potable water station with a conduit having a first end connected to a potable water supply source and a second end remote therefrom having a nozzle coupling, the nozzle coupling operable to connect the conduit to a transport vehicle for filling the transport vehicle with potable water, the nozzle coupling also operable to connect the conduit to an air gap assembly in a stored position; coupling the second end of the conduit to the air gap assembly in the stored position of the potable water station; and automatically flushing potable water through the conduit and the air gap assembly of the potable water station after: a) a predetermined minimum threshold temperature has been exceeded for a predetermined time, and b) the potable water station has remained idle for a predetermined time. 25. The method of claim 24, further comprising the steps of: sensing for incorrect coupling of the second end of the conduit to the air gap assembly or a control nozzle valve associated with the conduit not being opened and triggering an alarm in the event of incorrect coupling. 26. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of: sensing the temperature inside the potable water station for a temperature exceeding the predetermined minimum threshold temperature. 27. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of: determining whether a door has been closed to indicate the portable water station has remained idle for the predetermined time. 28. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of: placing the air gap assembly over a drain to permit potable water to flow through the air gap assembly into the drain during automatic flushing.
Fortmann Robert C. (Mundelein IL) Pinnow Curtis C. (Libertyville IL) Kuschewski Gustav (St. Charles IL) Joseph ; Jr. William A. (Elburn IL), Microprocessor controlled food treatment cabinet with flash steamer and compensating humidity control routines.
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