GB2544043A

GB2544043A - Plumbing component

Info

Publication number: GB2544043A
Application number: GB1519119.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Gizzi Stuart
Original assignee: INTACO Ltd
Current assignee: INTACO Ltd
Priority date: 2015-10-29
Filing date: 2015-10-29
Publication date: 2017-05-10
Also published as: GB201519119D0

Abstract

A plumbing component 10 with an elongate body 12 defining a passage 14 extending therethrough has a first connecting part 20 provided at an upstream end 16 of the component 10. A valve part 24 is provided downstream of the first connecting part 20 and is selectively movable between open and closed conditions. A shock arrester part 38 is provided downstream of the valve part 24. The shock arrester part 38 has a variable size volume chamber 44 in communication with the passage, such that upon an increase in pressure in the fluid in the passage, the volume of the chamber 44 can increase.

Description

Plumbing Component

This invention concerns a plumbing component, and particularly a plumbing component for use in sealed heating systems, and especially a component for use with combi boilers, and also a sealed heating system including such a component.

With sealed heating systems it is generally required to periodically top up the system with fresh water, and more particularly to be able to fill or refill the system following installation or maintenance. To avoid the potential of a freshwater supply being contaminated by water in a sealed heating system, it is not generally permitted for a sealed heating system to be permanently connected to a freshwater supply. Therefore connections are usually required to permit a temporary connection between a sealed heating system and a freshwater supply, just when required. A problem encountered with heating systems, and particularly systems with a water meter installed on the cold mains inlet situated downstream of the boiler, is that a certain amount of cold water will be trapped between the water meter and boiler when hot water is not being drawn off. This water will expand when its ambient temperature increases during for instance operation of the heating system. This expansion can lead to damage to the boiler or other components. This can cause damage or reduced longevity of the boiler, component failure and/or leaks.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a plumbing component, the component including a body defining a passage extending therethrough from an upstream end to a downstream end, a connection part is provided at the upstream end of the body permitting selective connection of the component to a filling member, a valve part is provided downstream of the connection part, the valve part is selectively movable between an open condition permitting flow through the passage, and a closed condition closing the passage, a shock arrester part is provided downstream of the valve part, the shock arrester part comprises a variable size volume in communication with the passage, such that upon expansion of fluid in the passage, the shock arrester part volume can increase. A first one way valve may be provided between the connection part and the valve part to substantially only permit fluid flow towards the downstream end of the passage. A second one way valve may be provided downstream of the valve part to substantially only permit fluid towards the downstream end of the passage.

The second one way valve may be located between the valve part and the shock arrester part.

The shock arrester part may include a closed chamber defining an edge of the volume in connection with the passage, with an end of the chamber defining said edge selectively movable into or out of the chamber to vary the size of the volume. Said end may be resiliently urged to a rest position. A resilient member may be located in the chamber engageable with said end to urge said end towards the rest position. A further connection part may be provided at the downstream end of the body permitting mounting of the plumbing component to pipework.

The valve part may be in the form of a ball valve.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a sealed heating system, the system including a plumbing component according to any of the preceding seven paragraphs, the plumbing component being mounted on the system to permit cold water to be selectively fed into a central heating return pipe of a boiler of the system, to permit the system to be filled with water.

The sealed heating system may include a combi boiler, and the plumbing component may be mounted on a mains water feed supply into the boiler, with the component selectively connectable to a central heating system return pipe to the boiler. The plumbing component may be located downstream of a water meter in the mains water feed supply.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view through a plumbing component according to the invention; and

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of part of a heating system according to the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a plumbing component 10 with an elongate body 12 defining a passage 14, shown extending horizontally in Fig. 1 from a right hand upstream end 16, to a left hand downstream end 18. A first connecting part 20 in the form of an external thread is provided at the upstream end 16. Immediately downstream of the first connecting part 20 is a first check valve 22 of a conventional type, which substantially only permits fluid to flow towards the downstream end 18.

Downstream of the first check valve 22 a valve part 24 is provided in the form of a ball valve. The valve part 24 has a ball 26 with a through passage 28 rotatably mounted in a housing 30, and rotatable by a handle 32. In Fig. 1 the valve part 24 is shown in an open condition with the through passage 28 aligned with the passage 14 of the body 12.

Downstream of the valve part 24 a second similar conventional check valve 34 is provided, which again substantially only permits fluid to flow in a direction towards the downstream end 18. A connection 36 is provided to the passage 14 downstream of the second check valve and extends upwardly as shown in Fig. 1. A shock arrester part 38 is mounted to the connection 36 and comprises a mounting head 40 mounted to the connection 36 by a screw thread and a cylindrical body 42 defining a chamber 44. The cylindrical body 42 is mounted to the mounting head by a further screw thread 46.

The lower end of the chamber 44 as shown in Fig. 1 is closed by a movable member 48 which is axially movable in the chamber 44. A compression spring 50 is located in the chamber 44 and engages against the movable member 48 to urge the movable member 48 against the mounting head 40. A second connecting part 52 in the form of an external thread is provided at the downstream end of the body 12.

Fig. 2 shows a sealed heating system 54 including a plumbing component 10. The system 54 includes a combi boiler 56 with a cold mains water supply 58 which includes a water meter 60. A central heating flow 62 is provided from the boiler 56 which will extend through a number of radiators and eventually leads to a central heating return 64 leading into the boiler 56. A domestic hot water supply 66 also extends from the boiler 56. A branch 68 extends from the cold mains supply 58 downstream of the water meter 60. The branch 68 may for instance be in the form of a T piece. The branch 68 mounts the plumbing component 10 by the second connecting part 52. A flexible filling pipe 70 diagrammatically shown in Fig. 2, can be mounted at one end to the first connecting part 20 of the component 10 in a conventional manner. The flexible pipe 70 includes a connection at one end provided with a ball valve which can connect to the first connecting part 20. The other end of the flexible pipe 70 can connect to a branch 78 fitted with an isolation valve 80, provided on the central heating return 64.

In use of the system 54, generally the filling pipe 70 will not be connected to the component 10, and Water Regulations dictate that other than during filling, the filling pipe 70 should not be fitted, thereby leaving no permanent connection between the cold water mains and the heating system. If though it is required to top up water in the heating system 54, or to fill it following installation, or refill it following maintenance, then the filling pipe 70 can be connected as shown in Fig. 2 between the component 10 and the central heating return 64, and the respective valve part 24 and ball valve on the pipe 70 opened to permit water to pass through the component 10 and into the system 54 via the return 64. The first and second check valves 22, 34 should prevent water from the system 54 entering into the mains. Once filling is complete the valve part 24 and filling pipe ball valve are closed, and the pipe 70 removed and stored safely.

During operation of the boiler 56, when hot water is not being drawn through the supply 66, a volume of cold water will be trapped between the water meter 60 and the part of the boiler 66 which heats the water. When the central heating part of the boiler is in operation this trapped water will tend to rise in temperature and hence expand. Without the component 10 this could potentially lead to damage of components or seals in the boiler or elsewhere.

The shock arrester part 38 of the component 10 will however permit this expansion to substantially be absorbed so as to prevent excess pressure damaging the boiler or any components thereof. As the water expands pressure will be applied against the movable member 48 which will be urged into the chamber 44 against the force of the spring 50, thereby increasing the volume the trapped water is located in.

There is thus described a plumbing component, and also a sealed heating system including such a component, which provides a number of advantages. Such a system can readily be filled or topped up with fresh water when required, and also permits expansion of trapped cold water to be absorbed without potentially damaging components. The component also helps combat the problem of pipe work noise caused by ‘water hammer1, a phenomenon caused when the non-return valves of a water meter slam shut when a cold water outlet is closed quickly.

The plumbing component of the invention is however of relatively straightforward construction and can thus be inexpensively manufactured for long term reliable operation. The plumbing component of the invention can readily be retrofitted to existing systems, or incorporated in new systems. The component can be mounted without requiring additional connections to an existing system.

It is to be realised that a number of modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance a different shock arrester configuration may be provided. Different connections and/or valves or valve configurations could be provided on the component. Such a component could be used in other applications than that described.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A plumbing component, the component including a body defining a passage extending therethrough from an upstream end to a downstream end, a connection part is provided at the upstream end of the body permitting selective connection of the component to a filling member, a valve part is provided downstream of the connection part, the valve part is selectively movable between an open condition permitting flow through the passage, and a closed condition closing the passage, a shock arrester part is provided downstream of the valve part, the shock arrester part comprises a variable size volume in communication with the passage, such that upon expansion of fluid in the passage, the shock arrester part volume can increase.

2. A plumbing component according to claim 1, in which a first one way valve is provided between the connection part and the valve part to substantially only permit fluid flow towards the downstream end of the passage.

3. A plumbing component according to claims 1 or 2, in which a second one way valve is provided downstream of the valve part to substantially only permit fluid towards the downstream end of the passage.

4. A plumbing component according to claim 3, in which the second one way valve is located between the valve part and the shock arrester part.

5. A plumbing component according to any of the preceding claims, in which the shock arrester part includes a closed chamber defining an edge of the volume in connection with the passage, with an end of the chamber defining said edge selectively movable into or out of the chamber to vary the size of the volume.

6. A plumbing component according to claim 5, in which said end of the chamber is resiliently urged to a rest position.

7. A plumbing component according to claim 6, in which a resilient member is located in the chamber engageable with said end to urge said end towards the rest position

8. A plumbing component according to any of the preceding claims, in which a further connection part is provided at the downstream end of the body permitting mounting of the plumbing component to pipework.

9. A plumbing component according to any of the preceding claims, in which the valve part is in the form of a ball valve.

10. A sealed heating system, the system including a plumbing component according to any of the preceding claims, the plumbing component being mounted on the system to permit cold water to be selectively fed into a central heating return pipe of a boiler of the system, to permit the system to be filled with water.

11. A sealed heating system according to claim 10, in which the sealed heating system includes a combi boiler.

12. A sealed heating system according to claim 11, in which the plumbing component is mounted on a mains water feed supply into the boiler, with the component selectively connectable to a central heating system return pipe to the boiler.

13. A sealed heating system according to any of claims 10 to 12, in which the plumbing component is located downstream of a water meter in the mains water feed supply.

14. A plumbing component substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15. A sealed heating system substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

16. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.