A water supply apparatus

Abstract

A prefabricated water supply apparatus 10 for increasing the pressure of water supplied to a water conduit network from a mains water supply. The apparatus 10 comprises a pump 14 operable to pressurise water received from the mains water supply and supply the pressurised water to the water conduit network. A pressure vessel 16 connected to the pump 14 receives and for stores the water at a level of pressure greater than the connected mains water supply water, A controllable isolation valve 18 isolates the pressure vessel 16 from the pump 14 and a drain (20 figure 2) connected to the pressure vessel 16 allows purging of the water stored within the pressure vessel 16 when the pressure vessel 16 is isolated from the pump 14 by the controllable isolation valve 18. The pump 14 comprises a pump motor 14a disposed external to the water tank 12 and a pump volute disposed wholly within the cavity 22. The pump volute being operably driven by the pump motor (4a figure 5) for pumping water from within the cavity 22 to the water supply system when in use.

Description

The present invention relates to a water supply apparatus for increasing the pressure of water supplied to a water conduit network from a mains water supply. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION A water distribution system is provided to residential, commercial and industrial buildings for distributing water throughout. The water distribution system carries potable water from a mains water supply to a water conduit network for use by consumers within a building. Water may be supplied to a large number of water outlets or water-using appliances or furnishings within a building. At peak times, the pressure of the water from the mains water supply is insufficient. This causes trickling of the water. The height of the building may also cause issues with low pressure when there is increased demand. Booster sets which may or may not include a water tank have been developed to increase the pressure of water being supplied to the water conduit network. The booster sets typically include a pump used to increase the flow and pressure of water. However, traditional pumps used in booster sets are provided outside the water tank. This can take a lot of space and can limit where the water tank and hence, the pump can be located. Some booster sets also include a pressure vessel to balance and maintain the pressure of water. Some pressure vessels are provided with an automatic purging function to prevent stagnation of water. This allows the pressure set point to periodically drop within the pressure vessel which theoretically causes the pressure vessel to completely drain of water. However, when pressure vessel’s pre-charge drops over time, a temporary reduction in the set point will not cause the vessel to fully empty. Furthermore, booster sets need to comply with legal requirements by preventing backflow of water into the mains water supply, so that contaminated water cannot be drawn back into the public drinking water supply. It is an object of the present invention to reduce or substantially obviate the aforementioned problems. STATEMENT OF INVENTION According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a prefabricated water supply apparatus for increasing the pressure of water supplied to a water conduit network from a mains water supply, the apparatus comprising: a pump operable to pressurise water received from the mains water supply and supply the pressurised water to the water conduit network; a pressure vessel connected to the pump for receiving and storing water at a level of pressure greater than the connected mains water supply water; a controllable isolation valve for isolating the pressure vessel from the pump; and a drain connected to the pressure vessel for allowing purging of the water stored within the pressure vessel when the pressure vessel is isolated from the pump by the controllable isolation valve. Advantageously, this allows the apparatus to boost the pressure of water to the desired level, whilst preventing stagnation of water within the apparatus and preventing decrease in the quality of water being supplied to the water conduit network by allowing the water in the apparatus to flow every so often. In addition, the purging of the pressure vessel enables the pump to be used more frequently to refill the pressure vessel with water, thereby preventing the pump from seizing due to the pump not being used for long periods of time. The water conduit network may also be called a water supply system, which supplies the water outlets or water-using appliances or furnishings within a building with pressurised water. The pressure vessel allows pressurised water to be immediately supplied to the water conduit network when needed before the pump turns on, in use. This means that the consumers do not have to wait for the pump to turn on before the water outlets or water-using appliances or furnishings receive water. In use, the pump may draw water straight from the mains water supply to supply the water conduit network. In some embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise a water tank for storing water from the main water supply. In use, the pump may draw the water from the water tank to supply the water conduit network. A mains supply inlet for connection to the mains water supply may be provided. This allows the water from the mains water supply to enter and fill up the water tank. The mains supply inlet may be provided in an upper end of the water tank. An air gap of a predetermined distance may be provided between the mains supply inlet and a maximum water level within the water tank. This prevents backflow of water into the mains supply inlet and prevents, for example, contaminated water from flowing back into the mains water supply. An overflow may be provided on the water tank. The overflow may define the maximum water level within the water tank. This allows the water to leave the water tank when the maximum water level within the tank has been exceeded and ensures that water does not flow back into the mains water supply. The overflow may be provided at a side of the water tank. The overflow may, for example, be a weir. An overflow tray may receive the water that has flowed over the overflow to prevent a spill around the tank. The overflow tray may be attached to a side of the water tank, directly below the overflow. The drain may be provided in the water tank. The drain may be provided in an upper end of the tank. The drain may be in communication with a water receiving space or cavity within the water tank for providing a route for water drained or purged from the pressure vessel to be collected in the water tank and be re-used. A timer may be provided for controlling the controllable isolation valve. This allows the valve to periodically isolate the pressure vessel from the pump for periodically purging the pressure vessel. This means that a user does not have to manually move the isolation valve between an open position and a closed position to isolate the pressure vessel from the pump. The timer may be adapted to control the controllable isolation valve in a cyclic period. This allows the purging of the pressure vessel to be performed in a regularly repeated manner. The controllable isolation valve may be controlled based on at least one of an anti-pump-seizing time period and a water stagnation time period. In some embodiments, a second pump may be provided. This provides the apparatus with a twin pump. In some embodiments, a second pressure vessel may be provided. This allows more pressurised water to be supplied to the water conduit network when needed before the pump turns on. This is useful at peak times when a number of water outlets or waterusing appliances or furnishings are being used at the same time within a building. The pressure vessel(s) may be connected to the pump(s) for receiving and for storing water at a level of pressure greater than the connected mains water supply water. The controllable isolation valve may be configured to isolate the pressure vessel(s) from the pump(s). The controllable isolation valve may be configured to selectively control the fluidic communication between the pump(s), pressure vessel(s), and drain. Three ports may be provided in the controllable isolation valve. The first port may be in fluidic communication with the pump(s). The second port may be in fluidic communication with the pressure vessel(s). The third port may be in fluidic communication with the drain. The controllable isolation valve may have at least two configurations. In the first configuration, the first port and second port may be in fluidic communication with each other. This allows pressurised water from the pump(s) to be supplied to the pressure vessel(s). In the second configuration, the second port and third port may be in fluidic communication with each other. This allows the water stored in the pressure vessel(s) to be released to prevent stagnation of water within the vessel(s). A fluid supply outlet may be disposed downstream of the pump(s) for connection to the water conduit network, in use. This allows the pressurised water to flow from the pump(s) to the water conduit network. The pressure vessel(s) may be connected between the pump(s) and the fluid supply outlet. When the pressure vessel(s) is isolated from the pump(s), the pressure vessel(s) may also be isolated from the water conduit network. This means that the pressure vessel (s) cannot receive water from the pump(s) and / or the pressure vessel(s) cannot supply water to the water conduit network. The pump(s) may be a variable speed or fixed speed pump. The pump(s) may be an immersible pump. In an embodiment which includes a water tank, a pump motor of the pump(s) may be disposed external to the water tank and a pump volute of the pump(s) may be disposed wholly within the cavity of the water tank. The pump volute(s) may be operably driven by the pump motor(s) for pumping water from within the cavity of the water tank to the water conduit network, when in use. This reduces the space required to be occupied by the pump(s) outside of the water tank. This makes the apparatus more compact. The pump motor of the pump(s) may sit directly on top of the water tank and the pump volute of the pump(s) may be provided within a stem(s). The pump volute (s) and the pump stem(s) may be substantially submerged in the water within the tank. In an embodiment which includes a second pump, the pumps may be disposed on either side of the water tank. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a prefabricated water supply apparatus for increasing the pressure of water supplied to a water conduit network from a mains water supply, the apparatus comprising: a water tank including a tank base and a tank wall extending from the base, wherein the tank base and tank wall define a cavity for receiving water from the mains water supply in use: and a fluid pump comprising a pump motor disposed external to the water tank and a pump volute disposed wholly within the cavity, the pump volute being operably driven by the pump motor for pumping water from within the cavity to the water supply system when in use. Advantageously, this reduces the space required to be occupied by the pump outside of the water tank. This makes the apparatus more compact and allows it to be located in smaller or more confined spaces. In some embodiments, a second fluid pump may be provided. This provides the apparatus with a twin pump. The second fluid pump may comprise a pump motor disposed external to the water tank and a pump volute disposed wholly within the cavity, the pump volute being operably driven by the pump motor for pumping water from within the cavity to the water supply system when in use. The fluid pump(s) may be considered an immersible pump. In an embodiment which includes a second fluid pump, the fluid pumps may be disposed on either side of the water tank. A pump stem may house the pump volute(s). The pump stem(s) and the pump volute(s) may be substantially submerged in the water within the tank. The pump stem(s) may extend through the water tank and connect the pump volute(s) to the pump motor(s). The pump stem(s) and hence the pump volute(s) may extend substantially vertically within the tank. The pump volute(s) may be disposed proximate the base of the water tank. This allows water to be pumped to the pressure vessel and / or the water conduit network when the tank is not full. The pump motor(s) may sit directly on top of the water tank. The orientation and position of the fluid pump(s) further allow the apparatus to be more compact. A mains water inlet may be provided. The mains water inlet may be provided at an upper end of the water tank. The mains water inlet connectable to the mains water supply may be spaced by a predetermined distance above a maximum water level defined within the cavity of the water tank. This prevents back flow of water into the mains water supply. An overflow may be provided on the water tank. The overflow may define the maximum water level within the water tank. The overflow allows the water to leave the tank when the maximum water level has been exceeded. The overflow may be provided at a side of the tank. The overflow may, for example, be a weir. An overflow tray may receive the water that has flowed over the overflow. The overflow tray may be attached to a side of the water tank, directly below the overflow. The fluid pump(s) may be a variable speed or fixed speed pump. The apparatus in the first and second aspects of the invention is a prefabricated apparatus. That is to say that the apparatus is constructed at a manufacturing facility and delivered to the site for installation. This makes it easier to transport, deliver and install the apparatus in a preferred location. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a cross-section of an embodiment of a prefabricated water supply apparatus of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic of the flow of water from a pump to a pressure vessel of the embodiment of Figure 1 and to a water conduit network; Figure 3 shows a schematic of the flow of water from the pressure vessel to a drain of the embodiment of Figure 1 when the pressure vessel is isolated from the pump; Figure 4 shows a schematic of the flow of water from the pressure vessel of the embodiment of Figure 1 to the water conduit network; Figure 5 shows a side view of another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 5; and Figure 7 shows a top front view of the embodiment of Figures 5 and 6. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring firstly to Figure 1, a water supply apparatus for increasing the pressure of water supplied to a water conduit network from a mains water supply is generally indicated at 10. The apparatus 10 is prefabricated, which means that it is constructed at a manufacturing facility and delivered to the site for installation. This makes it easier to transport, deliver and install the apparatus in a preferred location, for example, within a building. The apparatus 10 comprises a water tank 12, a pump 14, a pressure vessel 16, a controllable isolation valve 18, and a drain 20. The controllable isolation valve 18 is shown in more detail in Figures 2 to 4, and the drain can be more clearly seen in Figure 7. The water tank 12 is a container or vessel suitable for holding or storing potable water i.e., drinking water. In this embodiment, the water tank 12 is a rectangular container. However, the shape and size of the water tank 12 may vary. The water tank 12 comprises a base, a wall extending from the base, and an upper cover or lid. The tank base and tank wall define a cavity 22 for receiving and holding the water from the mains water supply, in use. A mains supply inlet is provided in an upper end of the wall of the water tank 12. However, in some embodiments, the mains supply inlet may be provided in the upper cover of the water tank 12. The mains supply inlet allows water from the mains water supply to flow into and fill the cavity of the water tank 12. Referring to Figures 5 to 7, a weir 24 is provided at the wall of the water tank 12 i.e., a side of the water tank 12. When a maximum level of water within the water tank 12 has been exceeded, the water flows out of the weir 24 and is received by a tray 26 attached to the side of the tank 12 below the weir 24. A weir cover 28 is provided and surrounds the weir 24 to prevent dirt and / or debris from entering and contaminating the water within the tank 12. The maximum water level within the tank 12 is defined below the mains supply inlet. This provides an air gap of a predetermined distance between the mains supply inlet and the maximum level of water within the water tank 12. This prevents potentially contaminated water from flowing back into the mains water supply. However, in some embodiments, a water tank 12 may not be provided. The pump 14 is instead directly connected to the mains water supply. The pump 14 can be a variable speed pump or a fixed speed pump. The pump 14 is an immersible pump. This means that a pump motor 14a is provided outside of the water tank 12, and a pump volute housed in a pump stem 14b is disposed within the cavity 22 of the water tank 12 and is substantially submerged in the water. The pump stem 14b connects the pump volute to the pump motor 14a. The pump motor 14a sits directly on the upper cover of the water tank 12, and the pump stem 14b and the pump volute extend vertically across the water tank 12, with an end of the pump stem 14b and pump volute being disposed adjacent the base of the tank 12. This allows water to be pump to the pressure vessel and / or the water conduit network even when the tank 12 is not completely full of water. The pump volute is operably driven by the pump motor 14a and pumps water with a pressure greater than that of the mains water supply water or tank water to the pressure vessel 16 and / or water conduit network. The pump 14 increases the pressure of the water stored in the water tank 12 and draws the pressurised water to the water conduit network, through a fluid supply outlet 13 provided downstream of the pump 14. The pump 14 also draws the water to the pressure vessel 16. The pressure vessel 16 receives and stores pressurised water to be supplied to the water conduit network when needed before the pump is turned on. This allows water to be immediately supplied to consumers without needing to wait for the pump to turn on. When water stored in the pressure vessel 16 is not used, it can become stagnant and therefore decrease the quality of water. To prevent stagnation of water, the controllable isolation valve 18 isolates the pressure vessel 16 from the pump 14 and the water conduit network from time to time. This allows the pressure vessel 16 to purge by allowing the water to leave the pressure vessel 16 and re-enter the water tank 12 through the drain 20. In some embodiments, a second pump 14 is provided, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. In some embodiments, a second pressure vessel 16 is provided as also shown in Figures 6 and 7. This allows more water to be received and stored to supply water to the water conduit network before the pump 14 turns on. Both pumps 14 supply water to the pressure vessels 16 and to the water conduit network through the fluid supply outlet 13 provided downstream of the pumps 14. The drain 20 is provided in the upper cover of the water tank 12, as can be seen in Figure 7. The controllable isolation valve 18 has three ports and can be moved into two configurations. The first port connects to the pump 14 and the water conduit network. The second port connects to the pressure vessel 16. The third port connects to the drain 20. In the first configuration, the third port is closed, and the water flows from the pump 14 to the pressure vessel 16 as shown in Figure 2, or the water flows from the pressure vessel 16 to the water conduit network through the fluid supply outlet 13 as shown in Figure 4. In the second configuration, the first port is closed and the water flows from the pressure vessel 16 to the water tank 12 through the drain as shown in Figure 3. The pressure vessel(s) 16 is connected between the pump(s) 14 and the fluid supply outlet 13. A pressure transducer 30 is provided next to the controllable isolation valve 18 to measure the pressure of water entering the pressure vessel 16 and / or to measure the pressure of water flowing from the pressure vessel 16 to the water conduit network. A timer 32 controls the controllable isolation valve 18 and allows the pressure vessel 16 to drain at a predetermined time intervals. For example, the timer 32 can be set to control the isolation valve 18 in a cyclic period. The apparatus prevents water stagnation and pump seizure and also allows for a more 5 compact structure so that the apparatus 10 can be located in smaller or more confined spaces. The embodiments described above are provided by way of example only, and various changes and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A prefabricated water supply apparatus for increasing the pressure of water supplied to a water conduit network from a mains water supply, the apparatus comprising:a pump operable to pressurise water received from the mains water supply and supply the pressurised water to the water conduit network;a pressure vessel connected to the pump for receiving and for storing water at a level of pressure greater than the connected mains water supply water;a controllable isolation valve for isolating the pressure vessel from the pump; anda drain connected to the pressure vessel for allowing purging of the water stored within the pressure vessel when the pressure vessel is isolated from the pump by the controllable isolation valve.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which a timer controls the controllable isolation valve.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in which the timer is adapted to control the controllable isolation valve in a cyclic period.

4. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the controllable isolation valve is controlled based on at least one of an anti-pump-seizing time period and a water stagnation time period.

5. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the isolation valve selectively controls the fluidic communication between the pump, pressure vessel, and drain.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, in which three ports are provided in the controllable isolation valve, wherein the first port is in fluidic communication with the pump, the second port is in fluidic communication with the pressure vessel and the third port is in fluidic communication with the drain.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, in which the controllable isolation valve has at least two configurations, wherein in the first configuration the first port and second port are in fluidic communication, and wherein in the second configuration the second port and third port are in fluidic communication.

8. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a fluid supply outlet disposed downstream of the pump for connection to the water conduit network in use, the pressure vessel being connected between the pump and the fluid supply outlet.

9. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a water tank for storing water from the main supply and a mains supply inlet for connection to the mains water supply, wherein in use the pump draws water from the water tank to supply the water conduit network.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, in which an air gap of a predetermined distance is provided between the mains supply inlet and a maximum water level within the water tank.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, in which an overflow defines the maximum water level within the water tank.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11, in which an overflow tray disposed below the overflow receives the water that has flowed over the overflow.

13. An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 9 to 12, in which the drain is in communication with the water receiving space within the water tank for providing a route for water drained from the pressure vessel to be collected in the water tank.

14. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a second pressure vessel is provided.

15. A prefabricated water supply apparatus for increasing the pressure of water supplied to a water conduit network from a mains water supply, the apparatus comprising:a water tank including a tank base and a tank wall extending from the base, wherein the tank base and tank wall define a cavity for receiving water from the mains water supply in use; anda fluid pump comprising a pump motor disposed external to the water tank and a pump volute disposed wholly within the cavity, the pump volute being operably driven by the pump motor for pumping water from within the cavity to the water conduit network when in use.

16. A prefabricated water supply apparatus as claimed in claim 15, in which a pump stem extends through the tank and connects the pump volute to the pump motor.

17. A prefabricated water supply apparatus as claimed in claim 16, in which the pump stem extends substantially vertically within the tank.

18. A prefabricated water supply apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 17, in which the pump volute is disposed proximate the base.

19. A prefabricated water supply apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 18, in which a mains water inlet connectable to the mains water supply is spaced by a predetermined distance above a maximum water level defined within the cavity.

20. A prefabricated water supply apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 19, in which an overflow disposed to the tank defines the maximum water level.

21. A prefabricated water supply apparatus as claimed in claim 20, in which an overflow tray is provided to the tank for receiving the overflow water.

22. A prefabricated water supply apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the fluid pump is a variable speed or fixed speed pump.

23. A prefabricated water supply apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a second fluid pump is provided.

24. A prefabricated water supply apparatus as claimed in claim 23, in which the fluid pumps are disposed on either side of the water tank.

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