AU2012326734A1

AU2012326734A1 - Tank connector

Info

Publication number: AU2012326734A1
Application number: AU2012326734A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Raymond Quested
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-10-18
Filing date: 2012-10-08
Publication date: 2014-06-05
Also published as: WO2013058662A3; WO2013058662A2

Abstract

A tank connector (1) connectable to a hot water storage cylinder for use in a dairy farm process. The tank connector (1) has a hollow body (13) having a first port (8) connectable to an outlet on the storage cylinder such that the interior of the body (13) is in fluid communication with the interior of the storage cylinder. A second port (9) allows fluid communication with the interior of the body (13). There can be more ports (10, 11, 12) that allow for fluid communication with the interior of the body (13). A hot water delivery pipe HP passes through the interior of the body (13). The delivery pipe HP is not in fluid communication with the interior of the body (13) only to the interior of the storage cylinder. The delivery pipe HP has: (i) an inlet (6) at one end situated adjacent of an exterior surface of the body (13) is connectable to an outlet of a hot water heater; and (ii) an outlet (7) at a distal end of the delivery pipe HP allows heated water to enter into the interior of the storage cylinder. A portion of the delivery pipe HP within the interior of the body (13) extends coaxially out through the first port (8) such that the delivery pipe outlet (7) extends into the interior of the storage cylinder. The tank connector (1) when connected to the outlet of said storage cylinder allows hot water from a hot water heater to enter the storage cylinder via the delivery pipe HP and outlet (7) through the first port (8) and for heated water in said storage tank to exit through said first port (8) into the interior of the body (13) and exit the body (13) via at least the second port (9) for use and/or for reheating.

Description

WO 2013/058662 PCT/NZ2012/000181 -1 Field of the Invention The invention relates to a TANK CONNECTOR connectable to a hot water storage cylinder for use in a dairy farm process, 5 Background of Invention At present due to the design of most dairy electric hot water cylinders they cannot be converted easily to accommodate a conversion to gas water heating or any other form of water heating. Any conversion of hot water cylinder requires many connectors and is labour intensive and time-consuming. 10 A problem with existing methods of tank connectors that they are unable to drain quickly and effectively the full contents of a hot water storage cylinder as required by a dairy farmer within the milking shed during and after milking a dairy herd. Also the tank connectors are unable to be readily connected to several storage cylinders. 15 Due to the design of most dairy electric hot water cylinder they are unable to be converted easily to accommodate reconversion to gas water heating or any other form of heating. With the advent of continuous flow water heaters (either gas or electric) it is no longer 20 efficient and not cost-effective to heat water using electric elements within hot water cylinders. It is far better to heat the water using continuous flow water heaters and storing the heated water in hot water storage cylinders and/or retrofitting old electric element type hot water cylinders to store heated water. 25 Object of the Invention It is an object of the invention to provide a tank connector connectable to a hot water storage cylinder for use in a dairy farm process, which allows heated hot water to enter a hot water storage cylinder through one port the on the dump outlet of the cylinder and cooler water return through a coaxial return inlet. 30 It is a further object of the invention to provide a tank connector that allows hot water to be dumped quickly from the hot water storage cylinder.

WO 2013/058662 PCT/NZ2012/000181 -2 It is a further object of the invention to provide a tank connector that ameliorates some of the disadvantages and limitations of the known art or at least provide the public with a useful choice. 5 Summary of Invention In a first aspect the invention resides in a tank connector connectable to a hot water storage cylinder for use in a dairy farm process, the tank connector having: a) a hollow body portion having a first port connectable to an outlet on the storage cylinder such that the interior of said body portion is in fluid communication with 10 the interior of the said storage cylinder and at least a second port that allows fluid communication with the interior of the body portion; and b) a hot water delivery means passing through the interior of the body portion, the said delivery means not in fluid communication with the interior of the body portion, the said delivery means having: 15 (i) an inlet at one end situated adjacent of an exterior surface of the body portion, the inlet is connectable to an outlet of a hot water heater; and (ii) an outlet at a distal end of the said delivery means to allow heated water to enter into the interior of the storage cylinder, a portion of said delivery means within the interior of the body portion extends coaxially out 20 through the first port such that the delivery means outlet extends into the interior of the storage cylinder; wherein the tank connector when connected to the outlet of said storage cylinder allows hot water from a hot water heater to enter the said storage cylinder via said delivery means and its outlet through the first port and for heated water in said storage cylinder to 25 exit through said first port into the interior of the body portion and exit the body portion via at least said second port for use and/or for reheating. Preferably, the outlet end of said portion of said delivery means that extends coaxially through the first port extends well into the interior of the storage cylinder. 30 Preferably, the outlet end of said portion is bent or elbow shaped relative to the longitudinal axis of the said portion such that heated water is able to be directed and circulated well into the interior of the storage cylinder.

WO 2013/058662 PCT/NZ2012/000181 -3 Preferably, the second port is connected to an inlet of the hot water heater to allow the water in the said storage cylinder to be reheated. 5 Preferably, the body portion has a third port that allows fluid communication with the interior of the body portion. Preferably, the body portion has a fourth port that allows fluid communication with the interior of the body portion. 10 Preferably, the body portion has a fifth port that allows fluid communication with the interior of the body portion. Preferably, the body portion has at least five ports that allows fluid communication with the 15 interior of the body portion. Preferably, the third, fourth, fifth or more ports are connectable to outlets of other hot water storage cylinders such as to allow greater quantity of water heated by a water heater to be stored. 20 Preferably, second, third, fourth and fifth ports allow for hot water within the storage cylinder to be used when the storage cylinder is at the desired full temperature for the dairy farm process where hot water is required. 25 Preferably, said delivery means is a pipe. Preferably, the part of pipe within the interior of the body portion is angled and bent such that the inlet of the pipe is at an angle of approximately 900 relative to the outlet of the pipe. 30 Preferably, the tank connector is made from material suitable to handle high temperatures. Preferably, the tank connector is made from metal, metal alloys, steel, plastic or combination thereof.

WO 2013/058662 PCT/NZ2012/000181 -4 Preferably, the tank connector is made from stainless steel. Preferably, the tank is made from galvanised stainless steel. 5 Preferably, the tank connector is tubular in shape. In a second aspect the invention resides in a hot water heating system for use in a dairy farm process, the hot water heating system including: 10 a) a hot water heater connected to a water supply and having a hot water outlet and return inlet; b) at least one hot water storage cylinder for storing water heated by the hot water heater, the hot water storage cylinder having a dump outlet; c) a tank connector having: 15 I. a hollow portion with a first port connectable to the dump outlet on the hot water storage cylinder such that the interior of said body portion is in fluid communication with the interior of the hot water storage cylinder and at least a second port that allows fluid communication with the interior of the body portion; and 20 II. a hot water delivery means passing through the interior of the body portion, the said delivery means not in fluid communication with the interior of the body portion, the said delivery means having: (i) an inlet at one end situated adjacent of an exterior surface of the body portion, the inlet is in fluid communication with the hot water outlet of 25 a hot water heater; and (ii) an outlet at a distal end of the said delivery means to allow heated water to enter into the interior of the hot water storage cylinder, a portion of said delivery means within the interior of the body portion extends coaxially out through the first port such that the delivery 30 means outlet extends into the interior of the hot water storage cylinder; wherein the hot water heating system utilising the tank connector allows hot water from the hot water heater to enter the hot water storage cylinder via said delivery means and its outlet through the first port and for heated water in the hot water storage cylinder to WO 2013/058662 PCT/NZ2012/000181 -5 exit through said first port into the interior of the body portion and exit the body portion via at least said second port for use and/or for reheating. Preferably, the second port is connected to the return inlet of the hot water heater to allow the 5 water in the hot water storage cylinder to be reheated. Preferably, the body portion has a three or more additional ports that allows fluid communication with the interior of the body portion. 10 Preferably, the additional ports are connectable to dump outlets of other hot water storage cylinders such as to allow greater quantity of water heated by a water heater to be stored. Preferably, the second and/or the additional ports allow for hot water within the storage cylinder to be used when the storage cylinder is at the desired full temperature for the dairy 15 farm process where hot water is required. Any other aspects herein described Brief Description 20 The invention will now be described, by way of example only, by reference to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a side view of a hot water storage cylinder having a tank connector in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. 25 Figure 2 is a perspective view of the tank connector shown in figure 1. Figure 3 is a side view of the tank connector shown in figure 2. 30 Figure 4 is a side view rotated 900 of the tank connector shown in figure 3. Figure 5 is a side view of a tubular shaped tank connector in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention.

WO 2013/058662 PCT/NZ2012/000181 -6 Figure 6 is a further side view of the tubular shaped tank connector as shown in figure 5. Figure 7 is a schematic view of a dairy hot water heating system utilising the tank connector 5 as shown in figure 2. Description of the Preferred Embodiment(s): The following description will describe the invention in relation to preferred embodiments of the invention, namely a tank connector connectable to a hot water storage cylinder for use in 10 a dairy farm process. The invention is in no way limited to these preferred embodiments as they are purely to exemplify the invention only and that possible variations and modifications would be readily apparent without departing from the scope of the invention. The tank connector of this invention allows for just one connection to the hot water cylinder 15 dump and incorporates both inlet water for heating and cooler water outlet for reheating of water. The tank connector incorporates dump outlets. The tank connector can be utilised for a single outlet or for multi-outlets if more than one hot water cylinders are to be connected. The existing elements for electric hot water heating can be retained and can still be used as a backup. The tank connector allows for a single or multi connection for the conversion of hot 20 water cylinders and allows for the heated hot water to be dumped quickly. As shown in figure I the tank connector 1 allows water heated by a hot water heater 3 to enter the hot water storage cylinder 2 through one port connected to the dump outlet of the cylinder and cooler water to return through a coaxial return inlet. Hot water in the storage 25 cylinder 3 can be dumped quickly through dump outlets on the tank connector 1. Figures 2 to 4 show further detail of the tank connector 1 in detail. The tank connecter 1 has a body 13 defining an interior space and having a plurality of ports 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12 opening into the interior space to allow water to flow there through. The tank connector 1 has a 30 hollow body 13 with a fluid coaxial pipe HP within and sealed to the body 13. The coaxial pipe HP has an inlet connection 6 and an outlet connection 7 such that heated water is able to enter via inlet connection 6 and exit through outlet connection 7. Inlet connection 6 is connected to the outlet of the hot water heater 3 and the connection outlet 7 extends into the WO 2013/058662 PCT/NZ2012/000181 -7 interior of the hot water storage cylinder 2. A portion of the pipe HP is positioned within the interior space of the body portion such that a portion thereof extends coaxially within and through port 8 such that the connection outlet 7 of pipe HP extends into the interior of the storage cylinder 2. Cooler water from the storage cylinder enters interior space of the body 5 13 through port 8 and exits through port 9 that is connected to a water inlet of the hot water heater 3 to allow the cooler water to be reheated. The coaxial pipe HP within the body portion is angled and bent such that the inlet connection 6 is angled approximately 900 relative to the outlet connection 7. The outlet end of the portion of the pipe HP that extends coaxially through the first port 8 extends well into the interior of the storage cylinder 2 and 10 the outlet end can be bent or elbow shaped (not shown) relative to the longitudinal axis of the portion of pipe HP such that heated water is able to be directed and circulated 5 (fig 1) well into the interior of the storage cylinder. The body 13 has ports 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 for the transfer of hot water and/or cooler water 15 from the storage cylinder to which the tank connector 1 is connected to. Cooler water from within the storage cylinder enters through port 8 and exits through port 9. Heated hot water can exit from the storage tank through ports 10, 11 or 12 when the correct temperature of the hot water cylinder is reached. Ports 10, 11, 12 allow for hot water within the storage cylinder 2 to be used when the storage cylinder 2 is at the desired full temperature and/or to 20 allow the tank connector I to be connected to other hot water storage cylinders. The tank connector 1 allows for just one connection to a hot water storage cylinder dump outlet to be made and incorporates a common port for heated water to enter into the storage cylinder and for useable hot water and/or for cooler water to exit the storage cylinder. The 25 dump outlets 10, 11, 12 of the tank connector 1 can be utilised for a single outlet or multi outlets if more than one cylinder is connected. The existing heating elements for electric hot water heating can be retained and can still be used to maintain the heated water at the desired temperature or can be used as a back up. The tank connector 1 allows for easy and single conversion of hot water storage cylinders and allows for the heated hot water to be dumped 30 or used quickly for the dairy farm process. Figures 5 and 6 show a tank connector having a cylindrical tubular shaped body 13 and is the preferred shape for the tank connector..

WO 2013/058662 PCT/NZ2012/000181 -8 Turning to figure 7 there is as shown a schematic drawing of a water heating system utilising the tank connector of the invention. The hot water system includes an electric hot water cylinder 2, a header tank 27 and a gas/electric water heater 3. The header tank 27 is 5 connected to the water cylinder 2 via pipe 23. The water heater 3 can be of the continuous flow type, such as a gas continuous flow water heater, however it is envisaged also that the a gas water heater could be replaced by and electric water heater of the continuous flow type or by any other type of water heating device, however the continuous flow type water heater is preferred. The water heater 3 is connected and control by electric controller 28, 34 (via 10 respective cables 31, 32, 33) that controls the operation of the water heater 3, pump 25 and tank stat 26. The heated water from the water heaters 3 is connected to the inlet connection 6 of the tank connector 1 by hot water pipe 21. The flow of hot water through pipe 21 is controlled by valve 30. Cooler water from the hot water cylinder passes through port 8 and exits through port 9 that is connected to the water heater 3 by way of valve 38, pump 25, 15 valve 29 and return pipe 22. Ports 10, 11 & 12 on the tank connector 1 allow the tank connector 1 to be connected to other hot water cylinders or allow hot water to be dumped or used when required. Return pipe 22 just immediate the port 9 is shown having a branched off portion with a valve 37 can be used to allow the hot water cylinder to be drained or for the hot water to be used. The pre existing water heating elements 36 can be retained and 20 used as a backup and/or for maintaining the temperature of the water within the cylinder. The tank connector can be made from any material suitable to handle high temperatures and pressures, such as metal, metal alloys, steel, plastic or combination thereof However stainless steel, typically galvanised stainless steel, is preferred. The tank can have any cross 25 sectional shape, such as rectangular and most preferably tubular. Advantages a) A tank connector easily retrofitable to existing hot water cylinders b) A tank connector able to dump water from a storage cylinder quickly. 30 c) A tank connector able to be fitted to multiple storage cylinders d) A tank connector able to prevent or significantly reduce the effect of cavitation in a hot water heating system. e) A tank connector with a common port for the entry of water into and out of the WO 2013/058662 PCT/NZ2012/000181 -9 storage cylinder. Variations It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative 5 example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. a hollow portion with a first port connectable to the dump outlet on the hot water storage cylinder such that the interior of said body portion is in fluid communication with the interior of the hot water storage cylinder and at least a second port that allows fluid communication with the interior of the body portion; and II. a hot water delivery means passing through the interior of the body portion, the said delivery means not in fluid communication with the interior of the body portion, the said delivery means having: (i) an inlet at one end situated adjacent of an exterior surface of the body portion, the inlet is in fluid communication with the hot water outlet of a hot water heater; and (ii) an outlet at a distal end of the said delivery means to allow heated water to enter into the interior of the hot water storage cylinder, a portion of said delivery means within the interior of the body portion WO 2013/058662 PCT/NZ2012/000181 13 extends coaxially out through the first port such that the delivery means outlet extends into the interior of the hot water storage cylinder; wherein the hot water heating system utilising the tank connector allows hot water from the hot water heater to enter the hot water storage cylinder via said delivery means and its outlet through the first port and for heated water in the hot water storage cylinder to exit through said first port into the interior of the body portion and exit the body portion via at least said second port for use and/or for reheating. Claim 18: The hot water system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the second port is connected to the return inlet of the hot water heater to allow the water in the hot water storage cylinder to be reheated. Claim 19: The hot water system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the body portion has a three or more additional ports that allows fluid communication with the interior of the body portion. Claim 20: The hot water system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the additional ports are connectable to dump outlets of other hot water storage cylinders such as to allow greater quantity of water heated by a water heater to be stored. Claim 21: The hot water system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the second and/or the additional ports allow for hot water within the storage cylinder to be used when the storage cylinder is at the desired full temperature for the dairy farm process where hot water is required. PIPERS Attorneys for the Applicant QUESTED, Raymond