GB2432405A

GB2432405A - Valve

Info

Publication number: GB2432405A
Application number: GB0523406A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon Peter Charles Westacott
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-11-17
Filing date: 2005-11-17
Publication date: 2007-05-23
Anticipated expiration: 2025-11-17
Also published as: GB2432405B; GB0523406D0

Abstract

A clamp on pipe valve that can be permanently retrofitted in any central heating and plumbing configuration that contains copper or plastic pipe 3. The valve can be installed to either release air or water as a drain down valve prior to fixing or repairing the installation. Air or water is released through bore 9 in bleed screw 7.

Description

I

TITLE: drain down/air release valve.

BACKROUND OF THE INVENTION.

A common feature in plumbing and central heating installations is the air release and drain down valve. These are required to facilitate maintenance of the system when it is desirous to decommission prior to new parts installation. Drains down valves are generally included in the circuit at its lowest point to facilitate the removal of water and form a permanent part of the installation.

The drain down valve has a very simple working structure, and its method of installation can be found in one or two varieties either as a compression fitting or one that can be soldered. In its simplest format a valve body comprises of a screwed spindle, having a means to open by way of a key and attached to the spindle is a seal which mates with the valve seating. A by pass connector located on the body allows a hose pipe to be secured to the valve.

The air release valve is installed in the upper most part of any central heating or plumbing system. When initially filling central heating or plumbing system water rushes through the pipe work and air is displaced and vented to the atmosphere via the bleed valve. This is manually operated much in the same way as the above drain down valve.

Also it becomes necessary sometimes to release air bubbles which are formed in the pipe work as a result of heating water which liberates air from the water. It is a known fact that air in any such system impedes the flow of water air will generally collect in the highest part of the installation. Depending on the configuration of the system this can be done by an automatic air vent, but expense normally dictates use of a manually operated air bleed valve.

These valves have the same method of connecting to the system as the drain down valve and both types are very cost effective, are reliable in service and will generally last the life time of the system.

It would be advantageous if both valves could be incorporated into one unit and have the flexibility to be installed to an existing live system without the need to drain any water off especially if a remote part of the system is required to be isolated.

It is this need that the present invention seeks to address.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION.

The present invention may be described as both a drain down and air bleed valve. This duality of operation is presented as a retrofit device, the essential features of the invention comprises of a split ring and a threaded union assembly. In accordance with the invention these two halves of the clamp are placed around the pipe and a seal is inserted into the central recess, this seal is contoured to the pipes circumference. A threaded top locking nut is then screwed down onto the split ring union. Using a radiator key to turn a self drilling bleed screw which makes contact with the pipe, this motion with subsequent turning results in a hole being bored into the pipe. This method of self drilling is the same for many of the hardened steel fasteners on the market that require no pilot hole to be pre -drilled in the substrate.

Once the top locking nut has clamped the split ring assembly together, and the self drilling bleed screw is in place the whole valve assembly is secured and cannot be moved on the pipe.

Objectives of the invention is to produce a combined drain down/air release valve that can be retrofitted on to an existing live central heating or plumbing system without the need to drain down or to release any water prior to commencement of maintenance of the installation.

Also that the split ring section of the clamp can be soldered into place if so desired, thus achieving a greater degree of security if the valve is placed in a vulnerable situation.

Another objective is that the valve requires minimal tools for installation.

Moreover it is simple in operation has only four parts in the basic construction so could be manufactured cost effectively.

BRffiF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

The following account describes in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG I Illustrates a cross section of the valve with the screw closed.

FIG 2 illustrates a cross section of the valve with the screw open which Shows passage of the fluid.

FIG 3 depicts an exploded view of the valve.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFFERED EMBODIMENT:

A method of draining down or employment of air release in any plumbing configuration and central heating systems that use either copper or plastic pipe. Essentially this is carried out by means of a band clamp that comprises of a threaded split ring assembly [1] preferably made from a casting of a brass alloy which common to most fittings made for plumbing.

On the inner most side of the split ring that connects with the pipe is a serrated surface [2] this is to provide extra grip and slip resistance when the two sections are placed around the pipe, also if need be this ring can be soldered into place if using copper pipe [3] A pipe seal made from rubber or a similar synthetic material is inserted inside the threaded union [4] this so configured that it is shaped to the circumference of the pipe and has a small bore running through the centre. A top locking nut [5] is screwed down on the split ring assembly and this action clamps the two halves together, in doing so the mating surface of the nut [6] compresses the seal providing a pressure and water tight area.

Incorporated into the nut is a central core that is part way threaded to which a bleed screw [7] is fitted, because the bleed screw tip is a self drilling assembly [8] it would ideally be made from a much harder alloy than the body of the valve such as a high tensile brass but not a too dissimilar metal as this would promote electrolysis and subsequent corrosion in the presence of water between the component parts especially if used on copper pipe. The bleed screw a has a water channel [9] running from the tip longitudinal up to an o' ring. [101

As the bleed screw is turned the tip pierces the pipe but water is prevented from leaking out because of the seals, this is in its locked position. In order to release air or water within the pipe work, the bleed screw is opened sufficiently to allow the o' ring into the recess of the nut core and water or air to be discharged through the bore hole [11] to facilitate removal of water, a hose can be affixed to connection point [12]

Claims

CLAIMS: 1 A water drain down and air release valve comprising a annular

split ring assembly and providing an annular shaped water tight seal and comprising a concentric hole thereof. The seal is arranged and inserted between the threaded portion of the split ring and having means for attachment to a threaded top nut assembly comprising a self drilling bleed screw.

Said bleed screw having an 0' ring situated on the shank for sealing against internal core of said top nut assembly.

2 A water drain down and air release valve as claimed in claim 1 wherein said self drilling screw has means to communicate fluid.

3 A water drain down and air release valve as claimed in claim 1 wherein the top nut assembly has means for drainage of water via a conduit connecting between the inner core and outer wall of said top nut assembly.

4 A water drain down. and air release valve as claimed in claim I and 3 wherein top nut assembly when screwed down on split ring assembly compresses the water seal.

A water drain down and air release valve as claimed in claimed I wherein the split ring assembly when clamped has means for increasing friction on pipe by serrations on internal sides.

6 A water drain down and air release valve as claimed in claim 1 and 3 wherein top nut assembly has means for a hose connection point.

7 A water drain down and air release valve as described herein with references to figures 1 -3 Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows: CLAIMES: [1 [A water drain down and air release valve comprising an annular split ring assembly comprising two halves for engagement around pipework, and having a locking nut securing the two halves and by being screwed down over a turret like structure located on the split ring assembly and having an internal water seal located and inserted in the base of the turret like structure to seal said pipework, and a self drilling bleed screw having an 0-ring located on the shank of the bleed screw effectively sealing the inner core of said locking nut and said self drilling bleed screw being located through a concentric hole therein of the water seal.

[2 1 A water drain drown and air release valve as claimed in claim 1 wherein the locking nut has means for securing the internal water seal.

[3] A water drain down and air release valve as claimed in claim 1 wherein the split ring assembly when clamped on to pipe work has means for increasing friction on pipe work by serrations on the internal surface of the split ring assembly.