GB2074697A

GB2074697A - Hot water radiator valve

Info

Publication number: GB2074697A
Application number: GB8013577A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: CONEX SANBRA Ltd
Current assignee: CONEX SANBRA Ltd
Priority date: 1980-04-24
Filing date: 1980-04-24
Publication date: 1981-11-04
Also published as: GB2074697B

Abstract

A valve fitting assembly for a hot water radiator comprises a valve housing (11) having a connection (12) to the supply, a shut-off valve (17) and a spigot (15) connected to one end of a short pipe (20) which carries at the other end a connection to the radiator, and which has an integral drain pipe (21) provided with a closure cap (22). To drain the radiator, valve (17) is closed and the cap (22) removed; the bore of drain pipe (21) is sufficiently small that no spillage occurs in those circumstances. The air vent of the radiator is then opened allowing water to drain through pipe (21). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Valve fitting This invention relates to a valve fitting for a hot water radiator, designed to control the flow of hot water through a space-heating radiator. Such a valve fitting has connections to the radiator and to the hot water supply and incorporates a shut-off valve by which the flow between the connections may be con trolley.

It has been proposed, for example in British Patent specifications Nos. 1 304242 and 1547477, to incorporate in a radiator valve fitting a drain tube to facilitate the draining of the radiator. In the prior proposals, the drain tube has included a screw valve, which is additional to the shut-off valve and which is opened and closed by a special tool to permit or prevent escape of water from the radiator.

The drain tube detracts from the appearance of the fitting and complicates the operation of draining of the radiator, particularly by the unskilled.

In the present invention, the use of a screw valve controlling the flow through the drain tube is avoided, thus facilitating draining of the radiator and improving the appearance of the fitting. Thus, according to one aspect of the present invention, a valve fitting for a hot water radiator has first and second connections for a radiator and a hot water supply respectively, a passage between those connections, a shut-off valve for controlling the flow of water through the passage, a drain tube which opens to the passage between the first connection and the valve, and a screw cap receivable on the threaded end of the drain tube and operative normaily to prevent outflow of water through the tube.

Preferably the bore of the drain tube is so dimensioned that negligible leakage of water therethrough occurs when the radiator is isolated from the supply, the air vent of the radiator is closed and the cap removed. To drain the radiator, it is then possible, after the radiator has been isolated, to remove the screw cap from the drain tube, connect the drain tube to a hose or place a receptacle in position, and then open the radiator air vent; no leakage occurs between the removal of the screw cap and the opening of the air vent.

Further, the cap gives the fitting a pleasing appearance, superior to that of a fitting having a valved drain pipe. The bore diameter of the drain tube is preferably 9.0 mm or less.

The invention will be more readily understood by way of example from the following desription of a radiator valve fitting in accordance therewith, reference being made to the accompanying drawing which shows the fitting in section.

The valve fitting shown in the drawing is intended to be used at the lower connection of a space-heating hot water radiator to control the flow of water to or from the radiator, a simple shut-off valve being used at the other connection to the radiator.

The fitting consists of a valve housing 11 provided with an externally threaded spigot 1 2 by which the fitting is connected to the supply piping by means of a screw coupling.

The discharge housing has a discharge bore 1 3 within the spigot 1 2 leading from a passage 14 within a second externally threaded spigot 1 5. A standard shut-off valve 1 6 is carried by the housing 11 and has a valve member 1 7 which can be operated from the open position shown to a closed position closing off the bore 1 3.

The second spigot 1 5 is connected by a screw coupling 1 8 to a short pipe 20 which has a threaded connection at its free end for connection to the radiator by the use of a further screw coupling. The pipe 20 incorporates an integral drain tube 21 opening to the pipe bore and terminating in a threaded end which receives an internally threaded screw cap 22. An elastomeric sealing disc 23 is received in the cap 22 so as to seal the drain tube when the cap is in position as shown. As will be observed, no screw valve is incorporated in the drain tube.

During normal operation of the radiator, cap 22 is in position on the drain tube and valve member 1 7 is in open position; hot water then passes through the radiator and to the supply through pipe 20, the passage 1 4 and the bore 13; leakage through drain tube 21 is prevented by cap 22. When it is desired to drain the radiator, it is isolated from the supply by closing the valve 1 6 and closing the shut-off valve at the other connection to the radiator. The radiator air vent is kept closed. The cap 22 is then removed, it being externally ribbed for that purpose, and either a hose is connected to the drain tube 21 or a receptacle is placed beneath it. The air vent is opened to allow discharge of water through the drain tube to drain the radiator.

Between the time the cap 22 is removed and the air vent is opened, there is no leakage of water through the drain tube, because the diameter of the bore of the tube 21 is selected to be less than the minimum value at which water can escape from the radiator when the latter is isolated both from the supply and the atmosphere. In practice, a diameter of at most 9 mm. has been found to be satisfactory for that purpose. Accordingly, water spillage pending the connection of the hose, or the placing of the receptacle, is avoided.

1. A valve fitting assembly for a hot water radiator having first and second connections for a radiator and a hot water supply respectively, a passage between those connections,

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Valve fitting This invention relates to a valve fitting for a hot water radiator, designed to control the flow of hot water through a space-heating radiator. Such a valve fitting has connections to the radiator and to the hot water supply and incorporates a shut-off valve by which the flow between the connections may be con trolley. It has been proposed, for example in British Patent specifications Nos. 1 304242 and 1547477, to incorporate in a radiator valve fitting a drain tube to facilitate the draining of the radiator. In the prior proposals, the drain tube has included a screw valve, which is additional to the shut-off valve and which is opened and closed by a special tool to permit or prevent escape of water from the radiator. The drain tube detracts from the appearance of the fitting and complicates the operation of draining of the radiator, particularly by the unskilled. In the present invention, the use of a screw valve controlling the flow through the drain tube is avoided, thus facilitating draining of the radiator and improving the appearance of the fitting. Thus, according to one aspect of the present invention, a valve fitting for a hot water radiator has first and second connections for a radiator and a hot water supply respectively, a passage between those connections, a shut-off valve for controlling the flow of water through the passage, a drain tube which opens to the passage between the first connection and the valve, and a screw cap receivable on the threaded end of the drain tube and operative normaily to prevent outflow of water through the tube. Preferably the bore of the drain tube is so dimensioned that negligible leakage of water therethrough occurs when the radiator is isolated from the supply, the air vent of the radiator is closed and the cap removed. To drain the radiator, it is then possible, after the radiator has been isolated, to remove the screw cap from the drain tube, connect the drain tube to a hose or place a receptacle in position, and then open the radiator air vent; no leakage occurs between the removal of the screw cap and the opening of the air vent. Further, the cap gives the fitting a pleasing appearance, superior to that of a fitting having a valved drain pipe. The bore diameter of the drain tube is preferably 9.0 mm or less. The invention will be more readily understood by way of example from the following desription of a radiator valve fitting in accordance therewith, reference being made to the accompanying drawing which shows the fitting in section. The valve fitting shown in the drawing is intended to be used at the lower connection of a space-heating hot water radiator to control the flow of water to or from the radiator, a simple shut-off valve being used at the other connection to the radiator. The fitting consists of a valve housing 11 provided with an externally threaded spigot 1 2 by which the fitting is connected to the supply piping by means of a screw coupling. The discharge housing has a discharge bore 1 3 within the spigot 1 2 leading from a passage 14 within a second externally threaded spigot 1 5. A standard shut-off valve 1 6 is carried by the housing 11 and has a valve member 1 7 which can be operated from the open position shown to a closed position closing off the bore 1 3. The second spigot 1 5 is connected by a screw coupling 1 8 to a short pipe 20 which has a threaded connection at its free end for connection to the radiator by the use of a further screw coupling. The pipe 20 incorporates an integral drain tube 21 opening to the pipe bore and terminating in a threaded end which receives an internally threaded screw cap 22. An elastomeric sealing disc 23 is received in the cap 22 so as to seal the drain tube when the cap is in position as shown. As will be observed, no screw valve is incorporated in the drain tube. During normal operation of the radiator, cap 22 is in position on the drain tube and valve member 1 7 is in open position; hot water then passes through the radiator and to the supply through pipe 20, the passage 1 4 and the bore 13; leakage through drain tube 21 is prevented by cap 22. When it is desired to drain the radiator, it is isolated from the supply by closing the valve 1 6 and closing the shut-off valve at the other connection to the radiator. The radiator air vent is kept closed. The cap 22 is then removed, it being externally ribbed for that purpose, and either a hose is connected to the drain tube 21 or a receptacle is placed beneath it. The air vent is opened to allow discharge of water through the drain tube to drain the radiator. Between the time the cap 22 is removed and the air vent is opened, there is no leakage of water through the drain tube, because the diameter of the bore of the tube 21 is selected to be less than the minimum value at which water can escape from the radiator when the latter is isolated both from the supply and the atmosphere. In practice, a diameter of at most 9 mm. has been found to be satisfactory for that purpose. Accordingly, water spillage pending the connection of the hose, or the placing of the receptacle, is avoided. CLAIMS

1. A valve fitting assembly for a hot water radiator having first and second connections for a radiator and a hot water supply respectively, a passage between those connections, a shut-off valve for controlling the flow of water through the passage, a drain tube which opens to the passage between the first connection and the valve, and a screw cap receivable on the threaded end of the drain tube and operative normally to prevent outflow of water through the drain tube, there being no additional valve controlling flow between the passage to the drain tube, the bore of the drain tube being so dimensioned that negligible leakage of water therethrough occurs when in use the radiator is isolated from the supply, the air vent of the radiator is closed and the cap removed.

2. A valve fitting assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the bore diameter of the drain tube is at most 9 mm.

3. A valve fitting assembly according to either one of the preceding claims, in which the drain tube is integral with a short pipe having at opposite ends the first connection, and a third connection for attaching the pipe to a valve housing enclosing the valve and carrying the second connection.

4. A valve fitting assembly for a hot water fitting, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.