Sloan Valve Company
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The origins of the Flushometer go back to 1906. William Elvis Sloan, the inventor of the Flushometer and founder of Sloan Valve Company, developed the Royal Flushometer, and sold only one in the first year of business, as many people (plumbers and builders alike) didn't know what a Flushometer was then. The next year he doubled his business and sold two Flushometers, and then in 1908 he sold over 100 of these. Since 1909, sales of the Flushometer had skyrocketed. Today, Royal Flushometers are the industry standard and are installed worldwide in every type of building.
A Flushometer is a metering device that clears a water closet or urinal with a precise amount of water directly from a supply line. Using essentially the same design for the past century, these valves use pressure from the water supply system to create a force that clears the china fixture to ensure a hygienic environment for consecutive uses. This type of performance and long-lasting durability makes Flushometers the technology of choice in almost every type of commercial, industrial and institutional setting in the world.[[Citing sources citation needed]]
How It Works
Flushometers are manufactured in two different designs – the diaphragm valve and the piston valve. The theory of operation in each is fundamentally the same. Each has an upper control chamber and a lower chamber connected by a by-pass. The by-pass connecting the upper and lower chambers in both the diaphragm and piston valve is a small hole or orifice that is no larger than a pin hole – measuring between 0.020” and 0.030” in diameter.
When in the closed position, these upper and lower valve chambers are held in place by water pressure on both surface areas, with the greater force being on the larger, top surface to hold the valve closed on the main seat. Movement of the actuator pushes the plunger, which in turn tilts the relief valve and allows water to escape from the upper chamber. The force against the lower chamber — now being greater — raises the working parts as a unit, allowing water to flow down through the valve outlet to evacuate the china fixture.
While the flush is occurring, a small amount of water flows upward through the by-pass hole, gradually refilling the top chamber to equalize the pressure. Once the upper chamber is filled, the valve returns to a closed position on the main seat to stop the water flow. After a Flushometer unleashes a metered amount of water from the pressurized supply line, the “re-arming” cycle for the next user is almost instantaneous, making Flushometers the perfect technology to handle quick, repeated operation for consecutive users.
All Flushometers (diaphragm or piston type) can be operated manually (moving the handle to flush) or electronically (sensor-activated flush). Electronic control ensures easy access and use by the disabled as well as enhanced hygiene.
Electronic designs can be further divided into hardwire or battery-powered models. Both provide the same functionality; the basic difference is that one needs wiring and the other needs batteries to function.
Flushometers offer users convenience, hygiene and water saving benefits.
The Quiet-Flush Components
An optional but worthy feature of older Sloan flushometers from the 1930s to 1961 was the Quiet-Flush, a device said to quiet the flow of water. This apparatus was employed at the two vital noise-creating points in a Flushometer installation -- the throttle valve and the main seat of the Flushometer. Consisting of two units, a Quiet-Flush throttle valve that eliminates line noise, and silencing elements in the Flushometer that eliminate opening and closing noises. This apparatus was upgraded circa 1950, becoming the Quiet-Flush II, but it was discontinued in 1961.
Other Sloan Flushometer Models
Besides the Royal Flushometer, Sloan Valve also offered the Naval, a piston-type Flushometer specially designed for the hard water applications of naval ships. Another Flushometer Sloan offered of the piston type was the Gem in 1941. Two more piston type offerings were available under the model names of Crown and Star. The Crown and Star models were mechanically similar to the Naval, except these two, like the Royal diaphragm model, were designed for fresh water.
Model History
- Royal (first generation diaphragm type): 1906 to circa 1931
- Royal (second generation diaphragm type, non-adjustable): Circa 1931 to 1964
- Royal (third generation, non-adjustable): 1964 to present
- Royal II (non-adjustable diaphragm type): 1999 to present
- Naval (adjustable piston type model for hard water applications): Circa 1931 to 1964
- Naval (second generation): 1964 to present
- Gem (adjustable piston type): Circa 1941 to circa 1980
- Gem 2 (non-adjustable piston type): 1991 to present
- Optima (hardwired electronic): 1976 to present
- Optima Plus (battery-operated equiv. of Optima): 1991 to present
- Crown (adjustable piston type): Circa 1920s to circa 1980s
- Star (adjustable piston type): Circa 1920s to circa 1980s
See also
External link
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