Fluid supply pressure control method and apparatus

A method of controlling the water pressure level at a second point in a water supply system including the steps of:

• (i) sensing the pressure of the water at a first point in the water supply system using first sensor means,
• (ii) using first control means including a pilot valve to control the pressure of the water at the first point in the system in accordance with a difference between the pressure sensed by the first sensor means and a predetermined pressure value, and
• (iii) adjusting the predetermined pressure value using second control means, said second control means including a pair of solenoid operated valves arranged in series, wherein a pipeline connected to a first diaphragm chamber of the pilot valve joins a connecting line between the said solenoid operated valves, one of said solenoid operated valves being connected to a relatively high pressure source and the other to a relatively low pressure source, the control pressure in the pipeline being controllable by selective operation of the pair of solenoid operated valves, and
• (iv) selectively operating said pair of solenoid operated valves to control the fluid pressure in said pipeline in accordance with said predetermined pressure value.

A water supply pressure control apparatus for use in conjunction with a pressure control valve of a water supply system, including:

• first sensor means for sensing pressure of the water at a first point in said water supply system,
• first control means for controlling the pressure control valve to control the pressure of the water at said first point in said water supply system in accordance with a difference between the pressure sensed by the first sensor means and a predetermined pressure value,
• second control means for controlling said predetermined pressure value to reduce fluctuations in the water pressure at a second point in the system, and,
• first storage means for storing data relating to a required water pressure/time relationship, wherein the predetermined pressure value is adjustable by the second control means in accordance with said water pressure/time data,
• wherein the first control means includes a pilot valve for controlling the pressure reducing valve, the pilot valve being regulated by the second control means and being located in an auxiliary flow pipe the opposite ends of which are connected to tapping points respectively upstream and downstream of the pressure reducing valve, and wherein the pressure in a pipeline communicating with a diaphragm chamber of said pilot valve is controllable by a pair of electrically operated valves arranged in a series with the said pipeline joining a connecting line between the said valves, one of said valves being connected to a relatively high pressure source and the other to a relatively low pressure source, the control pressure in the pipeline being controllable by selective operation of the pair of valves,
• wherein said solenoid operated valves are of a type which substantially only require electrical power during adjustment.

A water supply pressure control apparatus for use in conjunction with a pressure control valve of a water supply system, including:

• first sensor means for sensing the pressure of the water at a first point in said water supply system,
• first control means for controlling the pressure control valve to control the pressure of the water at said first point in said water supply system in accordance with a difference between the pressure sensed by the first sensor means and a predetermined pressure value,
• second control means for controlling said predetermined pressure value to reduce fluctuations in the water pressure at a second point in the system, and
• second sensor means for sensing the water flow at a first point in the system, and
• first storage means for storing data relating to a required water pressure/flow relationship, wherein the predetermined pressure value is adjustable by the second control means in accordance with said water pressure/flow data, and,
• wherein the first control means includes a pilot valve for controlling the pressure reducing valve, the pilot valve being regulated by the second control means and being located in an auxiliary flow pipe the opposite ends of which are connected to tapping points respectively upstream and downstream of the pressure reducing valve, and wherein the pressure in a pipeline communicating with a diaphragm chamber of said pilot valve is controllable by a pair of electrically operated valves arranged in series with the said pipeline joining a connecting line between the said valves, one of said valves being connected to a relatively high pressure source and the other to a relatively low pressure source, the control pressure in the pipeline being controllable by selective operation of the pair of valves,
• wherein said solenoid operated valves are of a type which substantially only require electrical power during adjustment.

A water supply pressure control apparatus for use in conjunction with a pilot valve regulated pressure control valve, said apparatus including:

• memory means for storing data relating to a desired operation of the apparatus,
• interface means for receiving data relating to the operation of the apparatus,
• at least one solenoid operated valve located in a pipeline connectable to a first diaphragm chamber of the pilot valve, said solenoid operated valve being operable to control the pressure of fluid in said pipeline in order to control the pilot valve regulated pressure control valve, and
• computer control means for receiving data from said memory means and said interface means, and for controlling said solenoid operated valve in accordance with said received data.