Propulsion-Release Safety Vacuum Release System

Abstract

Abstract of Disclosure A propulsion-release safety vacuum release system (SVRS) for swimming pools monitors vacuum level in a suction pipe and reverses flow within the suction pipe if vacuum level exceeds a predetermined level. Thus, if a bather becomes entrapped on a suction outlet such as the pool main drain, the SVRS system not only releases the vacuum but also pushes away the suction-entrapped bather. In response to an elevated vacuum level, a vacuum-monitoring device actuates an automatic valve, which reverses fluid communications between the influent and effluent conduits of the pump and filter system. In this process, the suction pipe is converted from vacuum (negative pressure) to positive pressure. Thereafter, the automatic valve system automatically resets the SVRS to the original or normal flow configuration. The SVRS functions without interrupting operation of the swimming pool filtration system.

Claims 
     
         1.   In a water circulation system of an aquatic facility, having a water intake side including at least one underwater intake port and having a water output side including at least one output port, and having a pressurized water output source directing a water stream into the aquatic facility through the output port and withdrawing a water stream from the aquatic facility through the water intake port, an improved safety vacuum release system for propelling a blockage away from a blocked underwater intake port of the circulation system, comprising: a flow valve moveable between a first position withdrawing a water stream from the aquatic facility through said underwater intake port and a second position feeding a water stream into the aquatic facility through the intake port; and an actuator responsive to the level of water pressure on the water intake side of the circulation system, operatively connected to the flow valve, selectively actuating the flow valve to move from first position to second position in response to a pre-selected low level of water pressure on the water intake side of the circulation system, thereby reversing the direction of water flow in the intake side to direct water out the intake port for propelling blockage away from the intake port.  
     
     
         2.   The safety vacuum release system of  Claim 1 , further comprising: a pump that provides an intake side and an output side; wherein, in said first position the flow valve  interconnects said underwater intake port with said intake side of said pump, and in said second position the flow valve interconnects the underwater intake port with said output side of the pump.  
         
     
     
         3.   The safety vacuum release system of  Claim 2 , wherein: said flow valve comprises a four-port reversing valve; the flow valve is positionable in said first position, simultaneously interconnecting first and second pairs of the valve ports, wherein the first pair of interconnected valve ports connects said underwater intake port with said intake side of the pump for withdrawing a water stream from the aquatic facility, and the second pair of interconnected valve ports connects said output side of the pump with an output port for discharging a water stream to the aquatic facility; and the flow valve is positionable in said second position, cross-connecting the valve ports from the first position, such that the intake port is connected to the output side of the pump for discharging a water stream through the intake port into the aquatic facility, and the intake side of the pump is connected to an output port of the aquatic facility.  
     
     
         4.   The safety vacuum release system of  Claim 1 , wherein said actuator is spring-biased to move said flow valve to second position.  
     
     
         5.   The safety vacuum release system of  Claim 4 , wherein said actuator is operatively connected to a source of pressurized water external of the aquatic facility, overcoming the bias toward second position of the flow valve when external water pressure is sufficiently high.  
     
     
         6.   The safety vacuum release system of  Claim 5 , wherein said source of water pressure external of the aquatic facility is a municipal water system.  
     
     
         7.   The safety vacuum release system of  Claim 1 , further comprising: a directional control valve in communication with said actuator, inducing the actuator to selectively move said flow valve between first and second positions, wherein the directional control valve is in operative communication with a reference source of water pressure and the water pressure on the water intake side of the circulation system; and a means for selectively switching the directional control valve between a normal flow position inducing the actuator to position the flow valve in first position and a reverse flow position inducing the actuator to position the flow valve in second position, wherein normal flow position of the directional control valve communicates reference water pressure to the actuator and reverse flow position of the directional control valve communicates the water pressure on the water intake side of the circulation system to the actuator.  
     
     
         8.   The safety vacuum release system of  Claim 7 , wherein said means for selectively switching the directional control valve between normal and reverse positions comprises: a pressure detecting device having a sliding piston moveable at a pre-selected water pressure level, in  pressure communication with said water intake side of the circulation system, wherein said sliding piston is operatively connected to said directional control valve for switching it from normal to reverse position in response to detecting a water pressure lower than said pre-selected level and switching it from reverse to normal position in response to detecting a water pressure higher than the pre-selected level. 
     
     
         9.   A method of operating a safety vacuum release system in a water circulation system of an aquatic facility, having a water intake side including at least one underwater intake port and having a water output side including at least one output port, and having a water pressure source directing a water stream into the aquatic facility through the water output side and withdrawing a water stream from the aquatic facility on the water intake side, comprising: first, pre-selecting a water pressure level for actuating a safety vacuum release system; second, monitoring water pressure level on the intake side of the circulation system; third, detecting a drop in water pressure level below said pre-selected pressure on the intake side of the circulation system; and fourth, reversing direction of flow between the intake and output sides of the circulation system, directing the water stream into the aquatic facility through the intake port to propel  blockage away from a the intake port and restore a pressure level greater than the pre-selected level on the intake side of the circulation system. 
     
     
         10.   The method of  Claim 9 , further comprising: fifth, after said fourth step, further monitoring water pressure level on the water intake side of the circulation system; sixth, detecting a water pressure level above said pre-selected pressure on the intake side of the circulation system; and seventh, again reversing the direction of flow between the water output side and water intake side of the circulation system, directing a water stream into the aquatic facility through the water output side of the circulation system.  
     
     
         11.   11.  A method of operating a safety vacuum release system in an aquatic facility having a water intake system including at least one underwater intake port, having a water pressure source withdrawing a water stream from the aquatic facility into the water intake system, comprising: first, pre-selecting a water pressure level for actuating a safety vacuum release system; second, monitoring water pressure level in the intake system; third, detecting a drop in water pressure level below said pre-selected pressure in the intake system; and fourth, in response to said third step, reversing direction of flow in the intake system, directing a water stream into the aquatic facility through the intake port to propel  blockage away from a the intake port and restore a pressure level greater than the pre-selected level in the intake system.