(22) INTERNAJIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT) Tolerational Bureau 143) Tmicrnational Publication Date 21 February 2008 (21.02.2008) (20) Internationa! Publication Number WO 2008020367 A2 ($1) International Patent Classification: Not classified. 21) International Application Numbe1 PCTHNRDN7A053131 (225 Totermationsl Filing Dies § Anyint 2007 ROR 2007) (25) Tiling Language: Tinglish (26) Publication Langage: nalish (80) Priority Date OEIC 1Y August 2006 108.2006) ZA (71 Applicant aud (72) Anventor: MULLER, Jumes, Douglas (ZAZA: Lave sng Waters Erm, 127 Munster (24 (7H Agent: ROTTEVERL, Martin: Adams & Adans, PO Tow 2748, Sue 1,4 The Crescent, Westway OFfies Park, Bestile, 365 Woscway MMe: Prak (74 (81) Designated States (utloss obhensine infiowied, far every ind of matinnal praiesion svunlaile: AT, AGAT. AM, Publish = withow imesnaiiomal search port and to be republished AL. AULAZ BARB. BG. BIL, BR, RW. BY, BY,CA.CIL, CN.CO.CR, CU. CZ, DI DK, DM. 10, D7. PCT. EG. 158. 7, GA, GD. GR, GH. GM, GT. HNLBR, FUL TD. 1. INAS. JP, KL, BG, KM. LS, KEK, RL LALO, LR ‘LK, LS, LI LU, LY, BA, MB, My MG, MI, MIN, MOM, MIX, MY. MZ, NANG, NI, NO, NZ ONL PG, PH, PL. 21, RO, RS, RU, Se SD, SK, SC, SK, SI, SM, SV, SY, TE TM. TS, TR, TT, 17, UA, UG, US, UZ VC, VN. 7M. TW. (84) Designated States (unless utheonise indicate. for every ‘kindof roglonal predecrion aveuiable|: ARIPO (BW, GH, GM, KE, LS, MW, MZ, NA, SD, SL, 82, 12, UG, 2M, AV), Eurasia (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KY, MD, RU, 13. TMi, >uropean (AT. BE, BG. CL, CY. CA, DE. DK, RE, BS, FL FR.GB,CR TT, TEAS, TTT TAL TN, MC_MT. NT. PL ‘TRO, 87. ST. SK, TR» GAPY (BT, RI, CEG, CTEM, GA, GN, GO, GM, ML, MB, NE, SB LD. 1G). lapom cept of a oops (84) Tile: A BRIAK PRESSURE TANK ia =i “at “ls 1 gz . i * F dR . . . 2 fee < wo 7 2 is7) atsevt: the ienton sacs each pe sue nl for sein wate soply sey he ea pense ase being QV Jocated operwively downstwam ol a water supply reservoit between the reservoir and water supply points thet are Jocaved! at an © Sivnion saosin low tho olesniom ot ha exe, Te ba sce hk ples Mt a pert ea BB tna conn sco wave nee ins wh th eacepy ef te tex he spy pl ts congo Ya S ‘conmulling the water supply pressuccs at the supply points, providing for these presmarcs not to excced predetermined levels, WO 210 15 WO 2008020367 2007)053131 ABREAK PRESSURE TANK THIS INVENTION alates to @ oreak pressure tank. A broak pressure tank, as herein envisaged, is used in @ downstream location with respect to 4 water reservoir, particularly for reducing and controlling supply pressures of ‘water suoplied from the reservoir at locations downstream of the break pressure tank, A break pressure lank is thus operatively located between a waler reservoir and water supply points to which water is fad fromm the reservoir, particularly where the reservoir is, Gisposed at an elevation substantially above the supply points, i.e, an elevation that will induce excessive water pressures at the supply points. Itis known that existing break pressure tanks, used for the above purpose, for various reasons do not operate reliably and can in fact cause water supplies from a reservoir to be interrupted. Also. because these break pressure tanks often are situated in relatively inaccessible locations, rectifying @ problem often is difficull and time consuming. Itis thus an object of this invention to provide a break pressure tankin respect of the use of which the problems associated with known break pressure tanks are al least ameliorated.10 15 20 25 30) WO 20081020367 PCTAD2007¢053131 Although reference is made horain to the location af a break pressure tank between & water reservoir and water supply points where the reservoir is elevated above the supply points. it must be understood that in situations where the elevation of a reservoir above supply points exceeds predetermined levels, two or more break pressure Lanks may be located al different elevations beiween the reservoir and the supply points. According to the invention there is provided a break pressure tank which includes a tank structure; a pipe arrangement defining a flow line leading through the tank structure from an inlatend, connectable to a pipoline from a reservoir and entering the tank structure near the top end thereof, fo an outlet end, connectable to a pipeline leading to water supply points and leaving the tank structure near the bottom end thereof, the pipe arrangement including a perforated pipe segment located within the lank structure near the bottom end thereof and upstream af the oullet end thereof a control valve, located in line with the flow line defined by the pipe arrangement within the tank structure between the inlet end of the pipe arrangement and the perforated pipe segment, for controlling the flow rate of water through the flow line cluding @ closure member defined by the pipe arrangement, the control valve displaceable between a fully epen position, in which free flaw through the flow line is permitted, and a olosed position, in which the flew line is blocked; and @ float actueted operating mechanism. located in the tank structure, that is operatively linked to the closure member of the control valve for displacing it between its fully open and clsed positions, the float actuated operating mechanism having a float thatis displaceable, in resoonse to the water level in the tank structure changing during operation of the break pressure tank, between a first position in the tank structure, when the tank structure is substantially emply, which coincides with the closure member of the10 15 20 25 30) WO 20081020367 PCTAD2007¢053131 control valve being in its fully open position, and a socond position in the tank structure, when the tank structure is filled to a predetermined level, which coincides with the closure member of the control valve being in its closed position The tank siruclure of the break pressure tank of the invention particularly is @ substantially rectengular structure including a base walll having typical dimensions in the order of 1000mm x 1000mm and having @ height in the order of 1200mm. The tank strusiure preferably includes 2 lockable lid which contrals access into the interior of the tank structure, which may be required from time to time for maintenance or other purposes. The tank structure may be formed of any suitaible material and, particularly, is formed of a suitable sheet metal material Further according to the invention, the break pressure tank may inc uGe a Closure valve located in line with the flow line defined by the pipe arrangement operatively upstream of the contrel valve, the closure valve being aperable for permilling either Ime flow thraugh the flow line or for blocking the flow line. The flow line typically is @ lever operated butterfiy-type valve, As such, the closure valve can serve to open and block the flow line, particularly to facilitate maintenance to the components and parts of the break pressure tank. Still further, the break pressure tank may include a strainer arrangement located in the flow line definec by the pipe arrangement for trapsing debris and like particulate objects and perticles carried within water fed to the break pressure tank from a reservoir, the strainer arrangement being located upstream of the closure valve. The strainer arrangement may include an operating lever that is manually operable for cleaning of the strainer arrangement, Different configuration strainer arrangements suitable for the Purpose are already well known. The closure member of the control valve of the break pressure tank of the invention may comprise @ plunger-type closure having @ plunger rod extending therefrom, the rod heing axially displaceable fer displacing the plunger-type closure with respect 10 a seat formation defined therefor within the body of the conircl valve. The plunger rod of the10 15 20 25 30) WO 20081020367 PCTAD2007¢053131 plunger-type closura may be operatively connected lo a diaphragm displaceably located within 4 chamber defined within the body of the contro! valve, an operating fluid being displaceable into the chamber for displacing the diaphragm within the chamber end thereby displacing the plunger-type closure of the contral valve. For the above configuration control valve, the fost actuated operating mechanism may include a pistonicylinder arrangement of whieh the cylinder communicates with the chamber defined by tha body of the control valve for displacing a hydraulic liquid between the cylinder and the chamber and thereby providing for required displacement ofthe closure member of the control velve. The piston/eyiinder arrangement may include a piston rod that extends therefrom and that is mechanically linked with the float of the float actuated operating meohanism, the displacerient of the piston of the pistorvoylinder afrangement being controlled by the displacement of the float which, in turn, is controlled by the level of weter within the tank structure. The float actuated operating mechanism may incluce a guide structure located in the tank structure for guiding the displacement of the float along a line paralle! to the line of displacement of the piston rod of the pistoneylinder arrangement. The operation of the break pressure tank of the invention as above defined and, particularly, the operation of the float actuated operating mechanism may be such that with a water level within the tank structure beneath a predetermined level, the float of the mechanism will be atts lowest level and the closure member of the control valve will be in its fully open pasition, with the float cf the mechanism at or above a predetermined highest level. the closure member of the control valve will be in its closed position, and with the float of the mechenism located in any intermediate position between the said levels, the closure member of the control valve will be dispased in an intermediate open position determined by the specific intermediate position of the float at any particular time, thereby to control the fow rate of water through the control valve and hence through a pipeline connected to the outlet of the pipe arrangement, through which water10 15 20 25 WO 20081020367 PCTAD2007¢053131 can be displaced to water supply points from a reservoir te which the inlot and of the pipe arrangement is operatively connected, The operation of the break pressure tank of the invention in the above regard is explained in more detail hereinafter with reference to an example of a break pressure tank, which is illustrated in accompanying diagrammatic drawings. In the drawings: Figura 1 illustrates in perspective view the internal configuration of a break Pressure tank, in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 shows the break pressure tank of Figure 1 when viewed in the direction of arrow A; Figure 3 shows the break pressure tank of Figure 1 when viewed in the direction of arrow By Figure 4 shows the break pressure tank of Figure 1 when viewed in the direction of arrow C; and Figure 5 shows the break pressure tank as shown in Figure 2, illustrating particularly the operation of the control valve thereof. Referring to the drawings, a break pressure tank, in accordance with the invention, is designated generally by the reference numeral 10, The break pressure tank 10 includes a tank structure 12, the tank structure 12 being ¢ rectanguler sheet metal structure including a base wall 14, four side walls 18 and alid 18, the lid being removable from the remainder of the tank structure 12 by the operation of a locking mechanism 20. The dimensions of the base wall 14 typically is in the order of 1000 mm x 1000 mm, whereas the operative height of the side walls “6 is in the order of 1200 mm, although it must be10 15 20 25 30) WO 20081020367 PCTAD2007¢053131 appreciated thal the overall configuration of the tank structure, including its dimensions, are greatly variable. The break pressure tank 10 includes further a pipe arrangement 22 that defines a flow ling through the tank structure 12, the flow line extending from an inlet end 24 inte the tank, near the operative top end thereof, and from the tank to an outlet end 26, near the operative bolton end of the tank. The inlet end 24 is connectable to a pipeline leading from a reservoir, whereas the outlal and is connectable tc a pipaline leading to water supply points, the break pressure tank, in its operative configuration, being connected between a reservoir and water supply points at an intermediate level between the reservoir and the waler supply paints, This is explained in more detail hereafter. The Pipe arrangement 22 inoiudes a perforated pipe segment 28 located adjacent the base wall 14 of the tank structure 12, the pipe arrangement further having connected in line therewith a control valve 30, a closure valve 32 and strainer arrangement 34, The control valve 30 is operable for controling the flow rate of water through the flaw line defined by the pice arrangement 22, the control valve tyoically including a closure member 36 that is displaceable between a closed position, in which flow through the flow line defined by the pipe arrangement is blocked, and a fully open position, in which free flow through the flow line is permitted, intermediate positions of the closure member 36 providing for different flow rates through the flow line, as will be explained in more det hereinafter with reference to Figure 6 of the drawings. The displacement of the closure member 36 is controlled by the operation of a float actuated operating mechanism, generally designated by the numeral 38, the mechanism 38 inclu control valve 30 to provide for the required displacement af the closure member 36, as explained hereafter. The fioat 40 particularly is connected to a piston rod 42 of a piston displaceable in the cylinder of a piston/cylincer arrangement 44, the displacement of the 2 float 40 that is operatively linked with the closure member 36 of the float in the direction of arrows 46 providing for displacement of the piston within the10 15 20 25 30) WO 20081020367 PCTAD2007¢053131 cylinder of the pistoweylinder arrangement 44 and, thereby, for tho displacement af @ hydraulic fluid between the cylinder of the piston/cylinder arrangement 44 and a chamber defined by the body of the control valve 20, within which a diaphragm 48, effectively forming part of the closure member 36, is displaceable. The diaphragm 48 particularly is connected via a plunger rod to a plunger-type closure 59 of the closure member 36, the plunger-type closure 50 being configured to seat on a complementary seal formation defined therefor by the body of the closure valve 30 for blocking the flow lina defined by the pipe arrsngement and being displaceable from the complementary seat formation to permit flow through the flow line via the control valve 0. The exact operation of the control valve 30 in this regard is described in more detail hereafter. Asis illustrated clearly in the drawings, the displacement of the float 40 is quided by a quide structure 52 within which the floats trapped and which permits displacomont ofthe float 40 only in the cirection of arrows 46. The closure valve 32 comprises a lever operated butterfly-type valve that can effectively black the passage of water through the flow line defined by the pipe arrangement, particularly to permit maintenance to the break water tank to be attended to whenever required. The strainer arrangement 34 is configured to trap debris, including solid particles, carried within walter from a reservoir to the break water tank, the strainer arrangement also being lever operable to permit the discharge of debris, and other Particles trapped thereby. from the pipe arrangement 22 into the tank structure 12. Different strainer arrangements suitable for the purpose are known and the exact mode of operation of the strainer arrangement 3¢ is thus not described further herein. As explained above, in the operative configuration of the break water tank 10, it is connected between a water reservoir at an elevated level and water supply points at @ lower level, water flow from the reservoir to the water supply paints thus being permitted while the closure member 36 of the control valve 30 is in an open position. The operation of the break water tank is described hereafter from a starting situation in which the control valve 30's open to permil “maximum” flow of water to the water supply points, in10 15 20 25 30) WO 20081020367 PCTAD2007¢053131 which situation the level of water within the tank structure 12 will be operatively banaath the perforated pipe section 28 anc the float 40 will be in i of water through the pipeline is determined by the rate of water use at the water supoly lowest position. The flow rate points and with water used being at a maximum demand level, the closure member 36 of the control valve will be in a position referred to as ils fully open position. ‘When water demand decreases, the control member of the control valve will rernain in the same position and, as a resull, water will ilinto the tank structure via the perforated Pipe section 28, the water level within the tank structure thus raising, resulting in operative upward displacement of the float 40. This displacement of the float will continue for ag long as water demand decreases and when waler demand stops completely, the water level within the tank struoture 12 will be al a level that provides for the float 40 to be in a position which coincides with the closure member being in a fully closed position. More particularly, as the level of the float rises, hydraulic fluid will be displaced from the piston/cylinder arangemant 44 to the chamber defined by the body of the closure valve 30, this hydraulic fluid acting on the diaphragm 48 to thereby provide for the required displacement of the plunger-tyoe closure 50 When waler use again accurs ai the waler supply points, water from the waler tank 12 will rs-snter the pipe arrangement 22 via the perforated segment 28 and as the resulting in the tank 19 drops, the downward displacement of the float will resultin water level wi the plunger-type closure 50 being forced into an open position, particularly by the pressure of water acting thereon. Itwill be appreciated that the flow rate of water through the pipe arrangement to the water sugply paints will be such that the water level within the tank structure will continue fo drop es weter demand increases and particulerly until full demand is again reached, in which case the plunger formation 50 will b fully ‘open position and the float will be in its lowest position. It will be appreciated in this regard that the two positions of the float and, as such, of the plungertype closure 50 of the closure member 36 of the control valve 30 as described. are limit positions ard for siluations in which water demand is at intermediate levels, the water level within the tank10 15 WO 20081020367 PCTAD2007¢053131 structure will ba such thal the fioatis in a position in whieh the plunger-lype closure 50s maintained in 2 required open position to accommodate water demand, The operation of the break water tank in this regard is clearly apparent. An overflow 60 is provided to accommedate overfiling of the tank structure, which may occur if the control valve 30 malfunctions. |t will aso be understood that as tne plungertype closure 50 moves away from its seat formation, it will act on the diaphragm 48, for displacing hydraulic ‘uid from the chamber in which itis located to the cylinder of the pisten/cylinder arrangement 44, Itis submitted that the operation of the oreak water tank of the invention as described will be extremely r ible, thus requiring minimum maintenance. Any maintenence that. may be required can be carried oul by simply removing the lid 18 of the tank structure 12, closing tho closure valve 32 and henve altending to requirements, including cleaning of the strainer arrangement 3¢. |t is also apparent that any malfunctioning of the break ‘water tank is very unlikely to occur and itis thus submitted that with the use of the break water lank as described, a reliable waler supply to water supply points from an elevated reservoir is ensured.10 15 20 25 30) WO 20081020367 PCTAD2007¢053131 -10- CLAIMS, 1. A break pressure tank which includes a lank structure; a pipe arrangement defining a flow line leading through the tank structure from an, inlet end, connectable to a pipelina from reservoir and entering the tank structure: near the top end thereof, {o an cullet end, connectable to a pipeline leading to water supply points and leaving the tank structure near the bottom end thereof, the pipe arrangement including 2 perforated pipe segment located within the tank structure near the bottom end thereof and upstream of the outlet end thereof; a control valve, located in line with the flaw line defined by the pice arrangement within the tank structure beiween the inlet end of the pipe arrangement and the perforated pipe segment, for controlling the flow rate of waler through the flow line defined by the pive arrangement, the control valve including a closure member displaceable between a fully ogen position, in which free flow through the flow line is permitted, and a closed position, in which the flow line is blocked; and a float actuated operating mechanism, located in the tank structure, that is operatively linked to the closure member of the control valve for displacing it between its fully open and closed positions. the float actuated operating mechanism having a float thatis displaceable, in response to the water level in the tank structure changing during operation of the break pressure tank, between & first pr ly empty, which coincides with the closure member of the control valve being in its fully open position, and 2 second position in the tank structure, when the tank structure is filled to a predetermined level, which coincides with the closure member of the nin the tank structure, when the tank siructure is substan control valve being in its closed pasition.10 15 20 25 WO 20081020367 PCTAD2007¢053131 ie ‘A break pressure tank as claimed in Claim 1, in which the tank structure is & substantially rectangular structure including a base wall having dimensions in the order of 1000mm X 1000mm end having a height in the order of 1200mm. A break pressure tank as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the tank structure includes lockable lid which controls access into the interior of the tank structure. A braak pressura tank as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the tank structure is formed of a sheet metal material. A break pressure lank as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes a closure valve located in line with the flow line defined by the pipe arrangement operatively upstream of the control valve, the closure valve being operable for permitting either free flow through the flow line or far blocking the flow line. A break pressure tank as claimed in Claim §, in which the closure valve is @ lever operated butterfly-type valve. A break pressure tank as claimed in Claim § or Claim 6, which includes a strainer arrangement located in the flow line defined by the pipe arrangement for trapping debris and light particulate objacts and particles carriad within water fed to the break pressure tank from a reservoir, the strainer arrangement being located upstream of the closure valve. A break pressure tank as claimed in Claim 7, in which the strainer arrangement includes an operating lever that is manually operable for cleaning of the strainer arrangement.10 15 20 25 30) WO 20081020367 PCTAD2007¢053131 10. " 12. 13. -12- A break pressure tank as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the closure member of the control valve comprises @ plunger-type closure having plunger rod extending therefrom, the rod being axially displaceable for displacing the plunger-type closure with respect toa seat formation defined thereforwithin the ody of the control valve. A break pressure tank as claimed in Claim 9, in which the plunger rod of the plungar-type closure is operatively connected tc a diaphragm displaceably located within a chamber defined within the Sody of the control valve, an operating fluid being displaceable chamber and thereby displacing the plunger-lype closure of the contral valve. ‘0 the chamber for displacing the diaphragm within the A break pressure tank as claimed in Claim 10. in which the float actuated operating mechanism includes a pistoricylinder arrangement of which the cylinder communicates with the chamber defined by the body of the control valve for displacing @ hydraulic liquid between the cylinder and the chamber and thereby providing for required displacement of the closure member of the control valve. A break pressure tank as Glaimed in Claim 11, in which the piston/cylinder arrangement includes a piston red that extends therefrom and thats mechanically linked the piston of the piston/eylinder arrangement being controlled by the displacement the float of the float actuated operating mechanism, the displacement of of the float which, in tum, is controlled by the level of water within the tank structure. A break pressure tank as claimed in Claim 11 or Claim 12, in which the float actuated operating mechanism includes a guide structure located in the tank structure for guiding the displacement of the float along a line parallel to the line of displacement of the giston rod of the piston/cylinder amrangement.10 15 WO 20081020367 PCTAD2007¢053131 14, 16. -13- A break pressure tank as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the operation of the float actuated operating mechanism is such that with 2 water level within the tank structure beneath a predetermined level, the float of the mechanism will be atils lowest level and the closure member of the cantrol valve will be in its fully open position, wilh the float of the mechanism al or above a predetermined highest level, the closure member of the control valve will be in its closed position, and with the ficat of the mechanism located in any intermediate position between the said levels, the closure member of the control valve will be disposad in an intermediate open position determined by the specific intermediate position of the float at any particular time. thereby to control the flow rate of weter through the control valve and hance through a pipeline connected to the cullet of the pipe arrangement, through which wator oan be displaced to water supply points from a reservoir fo which the inlet end of the pipe arrangement is operatively connected. A break pressure tank as claimed in Claim 1, substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.15 FIG 1WO 20081020367 PCTAD2007¢053131 2/5 FIG 2WO 20081020367 PCTAD2007¢053131 3/5 20 44 ou 24 as 12 lo ‘oT OF; yy L 10 38 2 “ 16 Bo IN 16 40WO 20081020367 PCTAD2007¢053131 4/5 FIG 4WO 2008020367 PCTAB2007/053131 5/5 FIG 5