Automatic water line flushing apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for flushing a water line includes a pipe, a valve in the pipe, and a controller that automatically opens the valve to allow water to flow through the pipe at preselected intervals and for preselected times. The controller derives power for its operation and the operation of the valve from a solar panel, which stores energy in a battery. The pipe's outflow orifice has a diffuser to slow the flow of water from the apparatus. An erosion mat cushions the impact of the water from the orifice and helps to prevent erosion of the surrounding soil. An alarm notifies passersby that the apparatus is about to flush the lines.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for use in flushing a water line, comprising: 
 a pipe, said pipe having an outflow orifice;    a valve in said pipe; and    controller means in operational connection with said valve for opening and closing said valve at a preselected interval of time without the need for periodic maintenance, wherein, when said controller means opens said valve, fluid can flow through said pipe and out of said outflow orifice for said preselected interval.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising means in operational connection with said pipe for measuring flow through said pipe.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a housing surrounding said pipe.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising an insulated housing surrounding said pipe.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said controller means includes a solar power source.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said controller means includes a solar panel and a battery, said solar panel being adapted to charge said battery.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus for use in flushing a water line, comprising: 
 a pipe, said pipe having an outflow orifice;    a housing surrounding said pipe;    a valve in said pipe;    controller means in operational connection with said valve for opening and closing said valve at a preselected interval of time, wherein, when said controller means opens said valve, fluid can flow through said pipe and out of said outflow orifice for said preselected interval; and    a solar power source in operational connection with said controller.    
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said pipe includes a diffuser at said outflow orifice.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising an erosion mat in spaced relation to said outflow orifice, said erosion mat positioned to receive fluid flowing from said outflow orifice.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising a water meter located downstream of said valve.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said pipe has a score line between said valve and said outflow orifice so that said pipe breaks preferentially at said score line.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising a swing valve carried by said pipe between said outflow orifice and said valve.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising means for notifying bystanders that said valve is to be opened.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus for use in flushing a water line onto a surrounding surface, comprising: 
 a pipe, said pipe having an outflow orifice;    a valve in said pipe;    controller means in operational connection with said valve for opening and closing said valve at preselected intervals without the need for periodic maintenance, wherein, when said controller means opens said valve, fluid can flow through said pipe and out said outflow orifice for said preselected interval; and    means for limiting impact of fluid flowing out of said outflow orifice on the surrounding surface.    
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said controller means further comprises: 
 a solar panel; and    a battery, said solar panel charging said battery.    
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising a water meter carried by said pipe.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising an insulated housing surrounding said pipe.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said limiting means further comprises: 
 a diffuser carried by said pipe; and    an erosion mat in spaced relation to said diffuser.    
     
     
         19 . The device as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising a speaker in electrical connection with said controller.  
     
     
         20 . The device as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said pipe includes a score line so that said pipe breaks, if at all at said score line.