Water-powered control valve for water play structures

[CRWater]

Has anyone seen a water-powered control valve that might be used to regulate water supplied to a kids wading pool or splash pad - type recreational facility? The desire is for something that the kids could actuate by pressing a button or lever to turn on the water for a time, but the system would time out and shut itself off if nobody is around to re-set the device. We hope to avoid the expense and safety issues of running electrical power to these facilities, so a system powered entirely by water flow would be ideal.
Thanks for any ideas.

 

[atook]

I'm actually just finishing construction of a splash/spray park.

We used a bollard with a button on it that was wired to a control module. The controller controlled solenoid valves (irrigation valves actually). Aside from the switch, all electrical power and components are in a pump room adjacent to the facility.

If electrical is absolutely not an option, you could look at some sort of float valve.

 

[gerhardl]

.. Three possible options:

1. Solenoid valves, also 12V or 24V DC battery operated, with or without timers.

2. For larger public baths /swimming pools I have seen time-limited showers where you have to repetedly push a button to keep them going. Oviously mechanical, pressure operated. Mechanism and supplier unknown.

3. You could probably construct or use some standard spring return actuated valve with a press button on/off valve to let the water inside the actuator to actuate the main valve, and let it shut down by draining the water pressure out (free air or drain) by a small controlled sized opening.

Note: safety devices or control to avoid running all the time (night) if your mechanical solutions clog up or not functioning properly.

 

[BigInch]

I wouldn't use electricity (even 12V) and water together for a (unsupervised?) kid's park. Why not use a simple weight and pully scheme to return the valve, or gate to the zero position? You could easily enclose all moving parts. Try a search for old Roman water works designs.

http://virtualpipeline.spaces.msn.com

 

[SteveWag]

Get a line sized basic ClaVal (

http://www.claval.com)

This will be your main control. Tap the inlet (the tap is built into the valve casting) and install a filter and needle valve (this all can be 1/4 inch)then tee off to the top of the valve and continue on to a spring loaded ball or push N/C valve. Depending on the distance you may use 1/2 inch from the ClaVal to the push valve. The system works as follows:
With the spring valve closed, water will pass thru the needle valve, applying pressure to the top of the ClaVal valve and holding the valve closed. When the spring valve is opened water will be drained from the top, opening the valve. If the spring valve is held open, the main valve will be open. When the spring valve is closed, water will begin building up, depending on the opening of the needle valve and the ClaVal will close. To get a longer open time, very long, put a hydro tank in the system, maybe 5 gal for a 2 or 3 inch valve and larger for bigger valves. You could also use 1/4 inch for all control piping and a needle valve just before the spring valve, this way, the longer they holp the spring valve open, the longer the ClaVal stays open.

Steve Wagner

 

[SteveWag]

Here is a link to a spring valve. Note this valve closes very quickly, you need the ClaVal to get some time before closing.

http://www.plastomatic.com/mfr.html

Steve Wagner