CA2054538A1 - Water-metering installation protected against frost - Google Patents
Water-metering installation protected against frostInfo
- Publication number
- CA2054538A1 CA2054538A1 CA002054538A CA2054538A CA2054538A1 CA 2054538 A1 CA2054538 A1 CA 2054538A1 CA 002054538 A CA002054538 A CA 002054538A CA 2054538 A CA2054538 A CA 2054538A CA 2054538 A1 CA2054538 A1 CA 2054538A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- casing
- meter
- insulating material
- base
- installation according
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F15/00—Details of, or accessories for, apparatus of groups G01F1/00 - G01F13/00 insofar as such details or appliances are not adapted to particular types of such apparatus
- G01F15/10—Preventing damage by freezing or excess pressure or insufficient pressure
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03B—INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER
- E03B7/00—Water main or service pipe systems
- E03B7/09—Component parts or accessories
- E03B7/10—Devices preventing bursting of pipes by freezing
- E03B7/12—Devices preventing bursting of pipes by freezing by preventing freezing
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
In a water-metering installation, a meter (1) mounted on a base (4) is connected to an inlet pipe (2) and an outlet pipe (3) which open into the base. In order to protect the pipes and the base against frost, a casing (6) of heat-insulating material surrounds the pipes (2, 3) and has an opening at the lower end. The upper end (7) of the casing has a vertical passage (8) in which the base (4) of the meter is engaged and anchored directly in the insulating material.
In a water-metering installation, a meter (1) mounted on a base (4) is connected to an inlet pipe (2) and an outlet pipe (3) which open into the base. In order to protect the pipes and the base against frost, a casing (6) of heat-insulating material surrounds the pipes (2, 3) and has an opening at the lower end. The upper end (7) of the casing has a vertical passage (8) in which the base (4) of the meter is engaged and anchored directly in the insulating material.
Description
2 ~ 3 8 A WATER-METERING INSTALLATION PROTECTED AGAINST FROST
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water-meterinq installation which is protected against frost hazards.
Description of the Prior Art In water-metering installations, the water meter is connected to a water inlet pipe and to a water outlet pipe which are buried in the ground.
The water meter is located either above ground level or within a well, the well being preferably closed at the top by a removable cover-plate which serves to gain access to the meter.
In the first case, that is to say when the meter is above ground level, it can be protected externally by a box-type housing or enclosure which also makes it possible to gain access to the meter.
In all cases, it is necessary to protect the meter and the water inlet and outlet pipes against frost hazards.
To this end, various techniques have been proposed.
In accordance with one of these techniques, it has been proposed to protect the water pipes connected to the meter by means of heat pipes buried in the ground and put in a condition of heat exchange with the water pipes.
In accordance with another known technique, it has been proposed to line the interior of the well in which the water pipes extend as well as the interior of the enclosure in which the meter is located with elements of insulating material such as expanded polystyrene or polyurethane foam.
::
-2 ~ i 3 ~
~ owever, the practical use of these frostprotection means is complicated and consequently costly.
Moreover, in these known designs, thermal bridges remain between the meter and the exterior, with the result that total frost protection is not ensured.
French patent No. 8~ 03453 in the name of the present Applicant describes a water meter pivotally mounted on a base having two waterways connected respectively to the water inlet and outlet pipes.
By virtue of this arrangement, opening and closing of the water inlet are controlled by rotating the meter with respect to the base in order to bring the waterways of the base in or out of register with those of the meter.
An installation of this type is particularly convenient to use but nevertheless gives rise to problems of protection against frost as mentioned above.
The object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of known designs by proposing a water-metering installation which is both convenient to use, easy to install in the ground and efficiently protected against frost hazards.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is thus directed to a water-metering installation protected against frost hazards,comprising a water meter connected to a water inlet pipe and to a water outlet pipe, a base on which said water meter is mounted, said water inlet and outlet pipes being adapted to open into said base and to extend within a trench dug in the ground, a casing formed essentially of heat-insulating material which surrounds the pipes and is open at the lower end thereof.
The invention is distinguished by the fact that the top portion of said casing has a vertical passage in which the base of the meter is engaged, said base being attached directly to the insulating material by means of cramps so as to prevent the formation of a thermal bridge between the base and the exterior, the water meter being located above the casing, and that the meter is covered by a cap of insulating material, the bottom edge of which is in contact with the top portion of the insulating material of said casing.
The casing is essentially formed of heat-insulating material which continuously surrounds the pipes and the base and thus protects them against frost.
The bottom opening is located in a zone which is not exposed to frost and is at a substantially constant temperature, with the result that the casing is maintained by heat exchange through said opening at a substantially constant internal temperature at which the pipes and the base are also maintained.
Moreover, attachment of the base by anchoring directly in the heat-insulating material eliminates the thermal bridges encountered in conventional installations. While maintaining the same degree of efficiency, this makes it possible to reduce the thicknesses of heat-insulating material and thus to reduce the external volume of the installation.
As a result of its small size, the installation can accordingly be placed in position without carrying out any special excavation and it is thus possible to dig a simple trench comparable in width to that required for laying pipes. This consequently leads to the achievement of cost savings in the realization of the construction project, both in regard to the volume of soil displaced and in regard to opexating times.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an installation in accordance with the invention.
- ', , . ;, ~. ~ . . :
- : :
2 ~ 3 8 FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the plane II-II of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal part-sectional view to a larger scale showing the attachment of the water-meter base to the heat-insulating material, this view being taken along the plane III-III of FIG. 4.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the plane IV-IV of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal part-sectional view lG to a larger scale showing the housing which contains the cap, this view being taken along the plane V-V of FIG. 6.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the plane VI-VI of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a buried installation in accordance with the invention.
FIGS. 8 and 9 are schematic views similar to FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF T~E INVENTION
In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4, the water-metering installation comprises a water meter 1 connected to a water inlet pipe 2 and to a water outlet pipe 3 of polyethylene, for example. The water meter 1 is mounted on a base 4 into which said water inlet and outlet pipes 2, 3 open.
Said pipes 2, 3 extend within a trench dug in the ground and penetrate into the ground at the bottom 5 of the trench.
In accordance with the invention, the installation includes a casing 6 of heat-insulating material which forms the support stool of the installation, surrounds the pipes 2, 3 and is open at the lower end. The top portion 7 of said casing 6 has a vertical passage 8 in which the base 4 of the meter is .
.
.
20~4~38 engaged. Said base 4 is attached directly to the insulating material of the casing 6 by means which will be described in detail below and are intended to prevent the formation of a thermal bridge between the base 4 and the exterior. The thickness of insulating material which surrounds the base 4 is greater than the thickness of insulating material which surrounds the pipes 2 and 3.
Moreover, the thickness of insulating material which surrounds the means for fixing the base 4 in the insulating material is at least equal to the thickness of insulating material which surrounds the pipes 2 and 3.
The casing 6 of heat-insulating material comprises a molded outer shell 9 of rigid plastic, the internal face of which is lined with heat-insulating material 10.
Said heat-insulating material 10 is preferably expanded plastic such as a polyurethane foam.
Moreover, the meter 1 is covered by a cap 11 of heat-insulating material of the same type as the casing 6. The bottom edge of said cap 11 is in contact with the top portion of the heat-insulating material of the casing 6.
The insulating cap 11 is in turn enclosed within a plastic housing 12, the bottom edge 12a of which is rigidly fixed to the top edge of the insulating casing 6. Said housing 12 is provided with a lateral door 12b.
In addition, the air space 13 which surrounds the pipes 2, 3 communicates with the air space 14 located between the insulating cap 11 and the meter 1 via air ducts 15 formed in the top wall 7 of the insulating casing 6.
It is also apparent from FIG. 1 that the mating edges of the insulating cap 11 and of the insulating casing 6 have complementary annular shoulders , . . .
.
.
~ 0 5 ~ 8 16b which fit one inside the other.
In the example illustrated, the meter 1 is rotatably mounted on the base 4 so as to be capable of displacement between a position of opening and closing of the water supply. This arrangement is already known and described in French patent No. 87 03453. In consequence, the connection between the insulating cap 11 and the top portion of the insulating casing 6 is adapted to permit rotational displacement of the meter 1 between the two above-mentioned positions as well as to permit disassembly and replacement of the meter 1.
As can be seen in FIG. 3, the attachment between the base 4 and the passage 8 formed in the top portion 7 of the insulating casing 6 is achieved by means of metal cramps 16a anchored in the insulating material 10 of said casing. The ends of said cramps 16a are located at a sufficient distance from the outer face of the casing 6 to prevent any formation of thermal bridges between the base 4 and the exterior.
The base 4 is made of molded metallic material such as brass, for example. The base is provided with a central annular tube which cooperates with a heat pipe 18 in order to carry out heat transfer. Said tube is rigidly fixed to two vertical partition-walls which are oriented along a diameter and ensure mechanical strength - -and rigidity of the base.
At right angles to said diameter, provision is made for two diametrically opposite cylindrical sleeves which permit tight engagement of the pipes 2 and 3.
It can also be seen in FIG. 1 that the bottom portion 9a of the rigid outer shell 9 is flared-out at the lower end in order to achieve enhanced anchoring of the casing 6 in the ground.
Moreover, the bottom edge of said flared-out portion 9a has two diametrically opposite openings 17a, .
. .
2 ~ 3 ~
17b through which the water inlet and outlet pipes 2, 3 are intended to pass.
In the embodiment shown, the insulating casing 6 also surrounds a heat pipe 18 which extends vertically between the base 4 and the floor 5 of the trench which has been dug in the ground. Said heat pipe 18 penetrates into the ground to a predetermined depth in order to extract heat therefrom and thus to maintain the base 4 and the meter at a temperature which minimizes the risks of frost.
In FIGS. 5 and 6, it is apparent that the cap 11 is so shaped as to be capable of pivoting about a pin 12c, which also permits opening and pivotal displacement of the door 12b.
The door 12b opens and pivots about the pin 12c through an angle of 180.
Means for retaining the cap 11 in the top position comprise a resilient metallic strip 12d.
When the cap 11 is disengaged by lifting it above the shouldered portions 16b, it can be raised to a higher position in which it will be retained by the resilient strip 12d.
When it is desired to lower the cap 11, pressure is exerted on the strip 12d so as to permit sliding and downward displacement of the cap 11 along the pin 12c.
The mode of operation is as follows :
- the operator opens the door 12b after having unlocked it, and swings it back through an angle of 180 about the pin 12c ;
- the operator lifts the cap 11 until it is held in the top position by the strip 12d ;
- the operator causes the cap to pivot through 180~
about the pin 12c and carries out a servicing operation on the meter ;
.
'- ~' ,' - ' - , 2 ~ 3 ~
- the operator performs the reverse operations in the reverse order so as to re-close and lock the door.
The door 12b is fitted with a member 12e which is adapted to cooperate with the cap 11 in order to ensure that said cap is positioned and engaged on the shouldered portions 16b when the door is closed again.
The member 12e is formed by a horizontal rib located just above the top face of the insulating cap 11 when the cap is engaged and the door is closed again.
If the cap 11 is not correctly engaged, the rib 12e is applied against the upper portion of the cap 11 and prevents the door 12b from closing.
In the embodiment of FIGS. 7 to 9, the installation is completely contained within a well 19 which is formed in the ground and is of variable depth.
~ he well 19 is closed at the top by a cover-plate 20 which serves to gain access to the meter 1. The upper portion of the well is provided with a top extension 21 in the form of a sleeve, the top edge 21a of which is adapted to receive the cover-plate 20.
The internal surface of the top extension 21 is adapted to the external surface of the casing 6 which forms a support stool in order to permit relative sliding motion between said top extension 21 and the casing 6. It is thus possible, as shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, to position the installation at variable depths without having to modify the length of the casing 6.
It is only necessary for this purpose to ensure that the axial length of the top extension corresponds at least to the difference between the maximum and minimum depths of the well 19.
The technical effects and advantages of the installation in accordance with the invention are as follows :
The continuous insulating material of the .
.:
. .
- 2~3 ~3~
casing 6 delimits with the engaged insulating cap 11 a substantially isothermal volume of air without any thermal bridge, which protects the entire internal hydraulic circuit of the installation against frost.
The opening at the bottom of the casing 6 which forms a support stool in fact permits heat exchange with the ground by convection of air within the internal space of the support stool and with the internal space of the cap via the air duct 15 provided for this purpose. The temperature of said internal space therefore becomes substantially equal to the temperature prevailing at the depth of burial in the ground, this temperature being constant and usually within the range of 4C to 12C. The heat pipe 18 connected to the base 4 enhances this effect of protection against frost'by producing a heat transfer which starts from a greater depth and therefore a higher temperature.
It has thus been made possible to protect the entire hydraulic circuit against frost as well as to reduce wear of the water meter which, in the embodiment in accordance with the invention, is protected against thermal shocks. The reliability of the installation is accordingly enhanced.
The flared-out shape of the casing 6 at the lower end ensures stability of the installation in the , ground by providing a good seating for the support stool as well as better pull-out resistance.
By virtue of its small external volume, the installation is very easy to place in position and the scope of work on the construction site is comparable to the laying of simple pipes. Moreover, the smaller quantity of materials employed in this reduced volume results in low construction costs.
Positioning of the installation in the ground : ' ' ............. ' . ': . ' ' .. , -~ ' thus involves the following steps :
- a trench is dug from the main to the consumer and has the necessary width for pipe-laying ;
- a hole of adequate size is bored so as to house a heat pipe 18 at the location chosen for the installation ;
- a bed of sand is deposited at the bottom of the trench;
- the installation is placed vertically within the trench while positioning the heat pipe 18 within the housing formed by its borehole ;
- the inlet pipe is connected to the water supply main and the outlet pipe is connected to the consumer's piping system ;
- after connection, the water circulation is established, whereupon the operation of the device and leak-tightness are tested ;- the trench is closed by re-filling to the desired level while maintaining the installation in the desired position.
The technical effects mentioned above reveal the advantages of the invention over existing devices.
Thus the installation ensures better protection against frost, is more economical to construct, easier to install as well as to transport since it is of smaller bulk and therefore of lighter weight.
As will be readily understood, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described in the foregoing and alternative forms of construction may accordingly be contemplated.
It is possible in particular to place a fine-mesh grid at the bottom of the trench in order to ensure cleanliness of the space 13 within the casing and to prevent entry of insects or small animals. This grid is preferably rigidly fixed to the installation and mounted in the factory.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water-meterinq installation which is protected against frost hazards.
Description of the Prior Art In water-metering installations, the water meter is connected to a water inlet pipe and to a water outlet pipe which are buried in the ground.
The water meter is located either above ground level or within a well, the well being preferably closed at the top by a removable cover-plate which serves to gain access to the meter.
In the first case, that is to say when the meter is above ground level, it can be protected externally by a box-type housing or enclosure which also makes it possible to gain access to the meter.
In all cases, it is necessary to protect the meter and the water inlet and outlet pipes against frost hazards.
To this end, various techniques have been proposed.
In accordance with one of these techniques, it has been proposed to protect the water pipes connected to the meter by means of heat pipes buried in the ground and put in a condition of heat exchange with the water pipes.
In accordance with another known technique, it has been proposed to line the interior of the well in which the water pipes extend as well as the interior of the enclosure in which the meter is located with elements of insulating material such as expanded polystyrene or polyurethane foam.
::
-2 ~ i 3 ~
~ owever, the practical use of these frostprotection means is complicated and consequently costly.
Moreover, in these known designs, thermal bridges remain between the meter and the exterior, with the result that total frost protection is not ensured.
French patent No. 8~ 03453 in the name of the present Applicant describes a water meter pivotally mounted on a base having two waterways connected respectively to the water inlet and outlet pipes.
By virtue of this arrangement, opening and closing of the water inlet are controlled by rotating the meter with respect to the base in order to bring the waterways of the base in or out of register with those of the meter.
An installation of this type is particularly convenient to use but nevertheless gives rise to problems of protection against frost as mentioned above.
The object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of known designs by proposing a water-metering installation which is both convenient to use, easy to install in the ground and efficiently protected against frost hazards.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is thus directed to a water-metering installation protected against frost hazards,comprising a water meter connected to a water inlet pipe and to a water outlet pipe, a base on which said water meter is mounted, said water inlet and outlet pipes being adapted to open into said base and to extend within a trench dug in the ground, a casing formed essentially of heat-insulating material which surrounds the pipes and is open at the lower end thereof.
The invention is distinguished by the fact that the top portion of said casing has a vertical passage in which the base of the meter is engaged, said base being attached directly to the insulating material by means of cramps so as to prevent the formation of a thermal bridge between the base and the exterior, the water meter being located above the casing, and that the meter is covered by a cap of insulating material, the bottom edge of which is in contact with the top portion of the insulating material of said casing.
The casing is essentially formed of heat-insulating material which continuously surrounds the pipes and the base and thus protects them against frost.
The bottom opening is located in a zone which is not exposed to frost and is at a substantially constant temperature, with the result that the casing is maintained by heat exchange through said opening at a substantially constant internal temperature at which the pipes and the base are also maintained.
Moreover, attachment of the base by anchoring directly in the heat-insulating material eliminates the thermal bridges encountered in conventional installations. While maintaining the same degree of efficiency, this makes it possible to reduce the thicknesses of heat-insulating material and thus to reduce the external volume of the installation.
As a result of its small size, the installation can accordingly be placed in position without carrying out any special excavation and it is thus possible to dig a simple trench comparable in width to that required for laying pipes. This consequently leads to the achievement of cost savings in the realization of the construction project, both in regard to the volume of soil displaced and in regard to opexating times.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an installation in accordance with the invention.
- ', , . ;, ~. ~ . . :
- : :
2 ~ 3 8 FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the plane II-II of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal part-sectional view to a larger scale showing the attachment of the water-meter base to the heat-insulating material, this view being taken along the plane III-III of FIG. 4.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the plane IV-IV of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal part-sectional view lG to a larger scale showing the housing which contains the cap, this view being taken along the plane V-V of FIG. 6.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the plane VI-VI of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a buried installation in accordance with the invention.
FIGS. 8 and 9 are schematic views similar to FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF T~E INVENTION
In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4, the water-metering installation comprises a water meter 1 connected to a water inlet pipe 2 and to a water outlet pipe 3 of polyethylene, for example. The water meter 1 is mounted on a base 4 into which said water inlet and outlet pipes 2, 3 open.
Said pipes 2, 3 extend within a trench dug in the ground and penetrate into the ground at the bottom 5 of the trench.
In accordance with the invention, the installation includes a casing 6 of heat-insulating material which forms the support stool of the installation, surrounds the pipes 2, 3 and is open at the lower end. The top portion 7 of said casing 6 has a vertical passage 8 in which the base 4 of the meter is .
.
.
20~4~38 engaged. Said base 4 is attached directly to the insulating material of the casing 6 by means which will be described in detail below and are intended to prevent the formation of a thermal bridge between the base 4 and the exterior. The thickness of insulating material which surrounds the base 4 is greater than the thickness of insulating material which surrounds the pipes 2 and 3.
Moreover, the thickness of insulating material which surrounds the means for fixing the base 4 in the insulating material is at least equal to the thickness of insulating material which surrounds the pipes 2 and 3.
The casing 6 of heat-insulating material comprises a molded outer shell 9 of rigid plastic, the internal face of which is lined with heat-insulating material 10.
Said heat-insulating material 10 is preferably expanded plastic such as a polyurethane foam.
Moreover, the meter 1 is covered by a cap 11 of heat-insulating material of the same type as the casing 6. The bottom edge of said cap 11 is in contact with the top portion of the heat-insulating material of the casing 6.
The insulating cap 11 is in turn enclosed within a plastic housing 12, the bottom edge 12a of which is rigidly fixed to the top edge of the insulating casing 6. Said housing 12 is provided with a lateral door 12b.
In addition, the air space 13 which surrounds the pipes 2, 3 communicates with the air space 14 located between the insulating cap 11 and the meter 1 via air ducts 15 formed in the top wall 7 of the insulating casing 6.
It is also apparent from FIG. 1 that the mating edges of the insulating cap 11 and of the insulating casing 6 have complementary annular shoulders , . . .
.
.
~ 0 5 ~ 8 16b which fit one inside the other.
In the example illustrated, the meter 1 is rotatably mounted on the base 4 so as to be capable of displacement between a position of opening and closing of the water supply. This arrangement is already known and described in French patent No. 87 03453. In consequence, the connection between the insulating cap 11 and the top portion of the insulating casing 6 is adapted to permit rotational displacement of the meter 1 between the two above-mentioned positions as well as to permit disassembly and replacement of the meter 1.
As can be seen in FIG. 3, the attachment between the base 4 and the passage 8 formed in the top portion 7 of the insulating casing 6 is achieved by means of metal cramps 16a anchored in the insulating material 10 of said casing. The ends of said cramps 16a are located at a sufficient distance from the outer face of the casing 6 to prevent any formation of thermal bridges between the base 4 and the exterior.
The base 4 is made of molded metallic material such as brass, for example. The base is provided with a central annular tube which cooperates with a heat pipe 18 in order to carry out heat transfer. Said tube is rigidly fixed to two vertical partition-walls which are oriented along a diameter and ensure mechanical strength - -and rigidity of the base.
At right angles to said diameter, provision is made for two diametrically opposite cylindrical sleeves which permit tight engagement of the pipes 2 and 3.
It can also be seen in FIG. 1 that the bottom portion 9a of the rigid outer shell 9 is flared-out at the lower end in order to achieve enhanced anchoring of the casing 6 in the ground.
Moreover, the bottom edge of said flared-out portion 9a has two diametrically opposite openings 17a, .
. .
2 ~ 3 ~
17b through which the water inlet and outlet pipes 2, 3 are intended to pass.
In the embodiment shown, the insulating casing 6 also surrounds a heat pipe 18 which extends vertically between the base 4 and the floor 5 of the trench which has been dug in the ground. Said heat pipe 18 penetrates into the ground to a predetermined depth in order to extract heat therefrom and thus to maintain the base 4 and the meter at a temperature which minimizes the risks of frost.
In FIGS. 5 and 6, it is apparent that the cap 11 is so shaped as to be capable of pivoting about a pin 12c, which also permits opening and pivotal displacement of the door 12b.
The door 12b opens and pivots about the pin 12c through an angle of 180.
Means for retaining the cap 11 in the top position comprise a resilient metallic strip 12d.
When the cap 11 is disengaged by lifting it above the shouldered portions 16b, it can be raised to a higher position in which it will be retained by the resilient strip 12d.
When it is desired to lower the cap 11, pressure is exerted on the strip 12d so as to permit sliding and downward displacement of the cap 11 along the pin 12c.
The mode of operation is as follows :
- the operator opens the door 12b after having unlocked it, and swings it back through an angle of 180 about the pin 12c ;
- the operator lifts the cap 11 until it is held in the top position by the strip 12d ;
- the operator causes the cap to pivot through 180~
about the pin 12c and carries out a servicing operation on the meter ;
.
'- ~' ,' - ' - , 2 ~ 3 ~
- the operator performs the reverse operations in the reverse order so as to re-close and lock the door.
The door 12b is fitted with a member 12e which is adapted to cooperate with the cap 11 in order to ensure that said cap is positioned and engaged on the shouldered portions 16b when the door is closed again.
The member 12e is formed by a horizontal rib located just above the top face of the insulating cap 11 when the cap is engaged and the door is closed again.
If the cap 11 is not correctly engaged, the rib 12e is applied against the upper portion of the cap 11 and prevents the door 12b from closing.
In the embodiment of FIGS. 7 to 9, the installation is completely contained within a well 19 which is formed in the ground and is of variable depth.
~ he well 19 is closed at the top by a cover-plate 20 which serves to gain access to the meter 1. The upper portion of the well is provided with a top extension 21 in the form of a sleeve, the top edge 21a of which is adapted to receive the cover-plate 20.
The internal surface of the top extension 21 is adapted to the external surface of the casing 6 which forms a support stool in order to permit relative sliding motion between said top extension 21 and the casing 6. It is thus possible, as shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, to position the installation at variable depths without having to modify the length of the casing 6.
It is only necessary for this purpose to ensure that the axial length of the top extension corresponds at least to the difference between the maximum and minimum depths of the well 19.
The technical effects and advantages of the installation in accordance with the invention are as follows :
The continuous insulating material of the .
.:
. .
- 2~3 ~3~
casing 6 delimits with the engaged insulating cap 11 a substantially isothermal volume of air without any thermal bridge, which protects the entire internal hydraulic circuit of the installation against frost.
The opening at the bottom of the casing 6 which forms a support stool in fact permits heat exchange with the ground by convection of air within the internal space of the support stool and with the internal space of the cap via the air duct 15 provided for this purpose. The temperature of said internal space therefore becomes substantially equal to the temperature prevailing at the depth of burial in the ground, this temperature being constant and usually within the range of 4C to 12C. The heat pipe 18 connected to the base 4 enhances this effect of protection against frost'by producing a heat transfer which starts from a greater depth and therefore a higher temperature.
It has thus been made possible to protect the entire hydraulic circuit against frost as well as to reduce wear of the water meter which, in the embodiment in accordance with the invention, is protected against thermal shocks. The reliability of the installation is accordingly enhanced.
The flared-out shape of the casing 6 at the lower end ensures stability of the installation in the , ground by providing a good seating for the support stool as well as better pull-out resistance.
By virtue of its small external volume, the installation is very easy to place in position and the scope of work on the construction site is comparable to the laying of simple pipes. Moreover, the smaller quantity of materials employed in this reduced volume results in low construction costs.
Positioning of the installation in the ground : ' ' ............. ' . ': . ' ' .. , -~ ' thus involves the following steps :
- a trench is dug from the main to the consumer and has the necessary width for pipe-laying ;
- a hole of adequate size is bored so as to house a heat pipe 18 at the location chosen for the installation ;
- a bed of sand is deposited at the bottom of the trench;
- the installation is placed vertically within the trench while positioning the heat pipe 18 within the housing formed by its borehole ;
- the inlet pipe is connected to the water supply main and the outlet pipe is connected to the consumer's piping system ;
- after connection, the water circulation is established, whereupon the operation of the device and leak-tightness are tested ;- the trench is closed by re-filling to the desired level while maintaining the installation in the desired position.
The technical effects mentioned above reveal the advantages of the invention over existing devices.
Thus the installation ensures better protection against frost, is more economical to construct, easier to install as well as to transport since it is of smaller bulk and therefore of lighter weight.
As will be readily understood, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described in the foregoing and alternative forms of construction may accordingly be contemplated.
It is possible in particular to place a fine-mesh grid at the bottom of the trench in order to ensure cleanliness of the space 13 within the casing and to prevent entry of insects or small animals. This grid is preferably rigidly fixed to the installation and mounted in the factory.
Claims (13)
1. A water-metering installation protected against frost hazards, comprising a water meter (1) connected to a water inlet pipe (2) and to a water outlet pipe (3), a base (4) on which said water meter (1) is mounted, said water inlet and outlet pipes (2, 3) being adapted to open into said base and to extend within a trench dug in the ground, a casing (6) formed essentially of heat-insulating material which surrounds the pipes (2, 3) and is open at the lower end thereof, wherein the top portion (7) of said casing has a vertical passage (8) in which the base (4) of the meter is engaged, said base being attached directly to the insulating material by means of cramps (16a) so as to prevent the formation of a thermal bridge between the base (4) and the exterior, the water meter being located above the casing, and wherein the meter (1) is covered by a cap (11) of insulating material, the bottom edge of which is in contact with the top portion of the insulating material of said casing (6).
2. An installation according to claim 1, wherein the casing (6) of heat-insulating material comprises an outer shell (9) of rigid molded plastic, practically the entire internal face of said shell being lined with heat-insulating material (10).
3. An installation according to claim 2, wherein the heat-insulating material is expanded plastic.
4. An installation according to claim 1, wherein the insulating cap (11) is placed within a plastic housing (12) which is mounted above the casing (6).
5. An installation according to claim 1, wherein the air space (13) which surrounds the pipes (2, 3) communicates with the air space (14) located between the insulating cap (11) and the meter (1) via an air duct (15) formed in the insulating material of the casing (6).
6. An installation according to claim 1, wherein the mating edges of the insulating cap (11) and of the insulating material of the casing (6) have complementary annular shoulders (16b) which fit one inside the other in order to prevent the formation of a thermal bridge.
7. An installation according to claim 1, the meter (1) being rotatably mounted on the base (4) so as to be capable of displacement between a position of opening and closing of the water supply, wherein the complementary annular shoulders (16b) in the insulating material as well as those portions of the housing (12) and of the casing (6) which are adjacent to the meter (1) are adapted to permit rotation of the meter (1) between the two positions aforementioned.
8. An installation according to claim 1, wherein the attachment between the base (4) and the passage (8) in the upper portion of the insulating casing (6) is carried out by means of cramps (16a) anchored in the insulating material of said casing.
9. An installation according to claim 2, wherein the lower portion (9a) of the rigid outer shell (9) is flared-out at the lower end.
10. An installation according to claim 9, wherein the bottom edge of said flared-out portion (9a) is provided with two transversely opposite openings (17a, 17b) through which the water inlet and outlet pipes (2, 3) are intended to pass.
11. An installation according to claim 1, wherein the casing (6) also surrounds a heat pipe (18) which extends vertically between the base (4) and the ground and carries out a heat exchange between the ground and the base.
12. An installation according to claim 1, said installation being completely contained in a well (19) formed in the ground and closed at the top by a cover-plate (20) which serves to gain access to the meter (1), wherein a top extension (21) is engaged within the upper portion of the well (19), the top edge of said top extension (21) being adapted to receive said cover-plate (20), and wherein the internal surface of said top extension (21) is adapted to the external surface of the casing (6) in order to permit relative sliding motion between these surfaces, the height of said top extension (21) being at least equal to the difference between the minimum and maximum depths of the well (19).
13. An installation according to claim 6, wherein the insulating cap (11) is retained in position by a resilient metallic strip (12d) which permits displace-ment of the cap (11) and permits a servicing operation on the meter (1), and wherein a rib (12e) is adapted to cooperate with the cap (11) in order to ensure positioning of said cap on the annular shoulders (16b) and to prevent the formation of a thermal bridge.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| FR9013542A FR2668594B1 (en) | 1990-10-31 | 1990-10-31 | WATER PROTECTION AGAINST FREEZING. |
| FR9013542 | 1990-10-31 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2054538A1 true CA2054538A1 (en) | 1992-05-01 |
Family
ID=9401756
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002054538A Abandoned CA2054538A1 (en) | 1990-10-31 | 1991-10-30 | Water-metering installation protected against frost |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0484193B1 (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE118877T1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2054538A1 (en) |
| DE (2) | DE484193T1 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2033593T3 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2668594B1 (en) |
| GR (1) | GR920300105T1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2825148B1 (en) * | 2001-05-23 | 2003-08-08 | Atherm | DEVICE FOR FREEZING WATER METERS BY HEAT PIPE |
| GB2482060B (en) * | 2010-07-13 | 2015-08-26 | John Anthony O'brien | An insulating device |
| DE102017005012A1 (en) * | 2017-05-24 | 2018-11-29 | Linde Aktiengesellschaft | Einfriersicherung |
| CN108894281B (en) * | 2017-12-19 | 2021-01-19 | 上海熊猫机械(集团)有限公司 | Intelligent integrated pump station with anti-freezing lower water inlet and outlet |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2499293A1 (en) * | 1981-02-02 | 1982-08-06 | Seperef | Buried enclosure for protection of flow counter - comprises moulded plastic box with tubular columns protruding into ground for heat extraction |
| FR2606052B1 (en) * | 1986-10-31 | 1989-12-08 | Cahors App Elec | DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING AND PROTECTING A WATER METER AGAINST FREEZING AND ITS INSTALLATION METHOD |
-
1990
- 1990-10-31 FR FR9013542A patent/FR2668594B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1991
- 1991-10-11 AT AT91402720T patent/ATE118877T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1991-10-11 DE DE199191402720T patent/DE484193T1/en active Pending
- 1991-10-11 DE DE69107573T patent/DE69107573T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-10-11 ES ES91402720T patent/ES2033593T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1991-10-11 EP EP91402720A patent/EP0484193B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1991-10-30 CA CA002054538A patent/CA2054538A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
1993
- 1993-02-17 GR GR920300105T patent/GR920300105T1/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| ES2033593T3 (en) | 1995-05-01 |
| DE69107573T2 (en) | 1995-08-03 |
| EP0484193A1 (en) | 1992-05-06 |
| DE484193T1 (en) | 1992-11-26 |
| ES2033593T1 (en) | 1993-04-01 |
| FR2668594B1 (en) | 1993-02-12 |
| ATE118877T1 (en) | 1995-03-15 |
| GR920300105T1 (en) | 1993-02-17 |
| DE69107573D1 (en) | 1995-03-30 |
| EP0484193B1 (en) | 1995-02-22 |
| FR2668594A1 (en) | 1992-04-30 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |