GB2204380A

GB2204380A - Automatic venting device

Info

Publication number: GB2204380A
Application number: GB08708470A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin John Jolley; Kenneth Morford Mannion
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-04-09
Filing date: 1987-04-09
Publication date: 1988-11-09
Also published as: GB8708470D0

Abstract

In a device for venting one fluid from the store of another fluid, the device comprising a housing 10 containing valve means 11 movable between a first condition allowing flow of fluid therepast and a second condition preventing flow to an outlet 13, the valve means 11 automatically moves to the second condition upon entry into the housing of the other fluid. In a preferred embodiment the housing contains a screw threaded hollow spindle 12 which enables the device to be attached to the fluid source. A hole 13 is positioned suitably in the housing 10. Air can flow freely through the device thus allowing air to be vented from the fluid source. If fluid, having specific gravity greater than the specific gravity of the valve, enters the device the valve will automatically float on the rising fluid and make contact with seal 16 effectively preventing further flow through the device. If further air enters the fluid source the air will naturally rise in the device allowing the valve 11 to fall from the seal 16. The air will then be discharged to the atmosphere. <IMAGE>

Description

AN AUTOMATIC AIR VOTING DEVICE This invention relates to an automatic air venting device.

Hot water central heating systems incorporate radiator panels which radiate heat when filled with hot water.

It is well known that air can become trapped in the radiator panels causing the efficiency of the central heating system to be reduced. The usual method of removing excess air from the radiator panels is for a venting screw to be manually operated. This invention removes the necessity of manual operation and ensures the heating system is always free of excess air and capable of operating efficiently.

This invention consists of a suitably shaped hollow housing 10 manufactured from metal; ceramic or plastic material and contains a spherical ball 11 made of a non absorbent material capable of floating on water. The housing 10 also contains a hollow spindle 1 2 which is threaded at one end to enable it to be screwed into the standard air vent of a radiator panel. There is also a hole 13 in the housing 10 to connect the outer surface to the hollow centre of the housing.

According to the prcsent invention there is provided apparatus for venting one fluid from a store of another fluid, the apparatus comprising a housing hdving an inlet and an outlet therein for flow of fluid therethrough, valve means in the housing in the path of flow of fluid from the inlet to the outlet, the valve means being movable between a first condition allowing flow of fluid therepast, and a second condition preventing flow of fluid to the outlet, and the valve means being designed to automatically move to the second condition upon entry into the housing of the other fluid.

Preferably the valve means comprises a float with a specific gravity between the specific gravities of the one fluid and the other fluid whereby, upon entry into the housing of the other fluid, the float is moved by the other fluid into the second condition. The float may comprise a ball which, in the second condition, is forced by the other fluid sealingly against a seat in the housing to prevent flow of the otherfluid to the outlet. The seat may be in the form of an O-ring.

Pre:orably also the apparatus comprises means for fixing to the fluid source, and the fixing means may comprise an externally threaded part engageable in the venting outlet of a central heating radiator, with a passage being provided through the threaded part. The float may have a specific gravity such that air may pass the float so that venting takes place, but entry of water into the housing forces the float against the seat to prevent flow of water through the outlet.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective two views of the fully asser,bled invention.

Figure 2 shows a section through the invention and indicates the internal condition and position of the ball when air is contained in the heating system.

Figure 3 shows a section through the invention and indicates the internal condition and position of the ball when only water is contained in the heating system.

Figure 4 shows a section through the invention and indicates the change in construction required when a radiator panel has an air vent with a vertical axis. The basic function of the invention remains unchanged.

Referring to Figure 1 the automatic air venting device comprises a housing 10 of any convenient form which is pene traced by a hollow spindle 12 having a screw thread at one end and a square shape at the other end. A hold 13 is drilled into the housing to connect the outer surface of the housing with the hollow interior of the housing. The square shape at one end of the hollow spindle 12 is of a size suitable to accept a standard radiator key. By using a standard radiator key the hollow spindle 12 can be rotated allowing the screw thread to be screwed into the standard air vent port of a radiator panel.

Referring to Figure 2, it will be seen that the ball 11 contained in the hollow housing 10 rests at its lowest point in the hollow housing. In this position the ball 11 allows free passage of any air within the radiator panel by way of the hollow spindle 12, the hollow housing 10, through seal 16 and the hole 13. The hollow spindle 12 is fitted with seals 14 to prevent leakage between it and the hollow housing. A plug 15 is fitted into the hollow housing to seal the aperture required for the insertion of the ball 11. This is the arrangement of the device when the axis of the radiator air vent port is in the horizontal plane.

Referring to Figure 3, it will be seen that the ball 11 contained in the hollow housing is now at the highest point in the hollow housing and in contact with eal 16 thus effcctively preventing passage of liquid or air through the automatic air venting device. The ball will only be in this high position when liquid has entered the device. This is the arrangement of the device when the axis of the radiator air vent port is in the horizontal E)lane.

Referring to Figure 4, it will be seen that plug 15 (Figure 3) can be modified to incorporate a hollow screw threaded extension 17 for attaching the device to the standard manual air vent port of a radiator panel. This method removes the necessity for hollow spindle 12 (Figure 3) and allows the device to function in an idential way even though the axis of the air vent of the radiator panel is in the vertical plane.

Claims

1. An automatic venting device for venting on fluid from the store of another fluid. The apparatus comprising a housing having an inlet and an outlet therin for flow of fluid therethruogh, valve means in the housing in the path of flow of fluid from the inlet to the outlet, the valve means being movable between a first condition allowing flow of fluid therepast, and a second condition preventing flow of fluid to the outlet, and the valve means being designed to automatically move to the second condition upon entry into the housing of the other fluid.

2. An automatic venting device as claimed in claim wherein means are provided for fixing to the fluid source.