CN217247333U

CN217247333U - Filter for central heating and/or cooling system

Info

Publication number: CN217247333U
Application number: CN202220132022.3U
Authority: CN
Inventors: M·巴顿; A·费里; R·克拉夫
Original assignee: Adey Holdings 2008 Ltd
Current assignee: Adey Holdings 2008 Ltd
Priority date: 2021-01-22
Filing date: 2022-01-18
Publication date: 2022-08-23
Anticipated expiration: 2032-01-18
Also published as: GB2602986B; CN114870486A; GB2602986A; GB202100861D0

Abstract

A filter for a central heating and/or cooling system. The filter is a combined magnetic and non-magnetic mesh filter and has at least three ports, and any of a plurality of pairs of ports can be used as an inlet and an outlet, thereby providing a variety of mounting options to accommodate systems with different space constraints. The non-magnetic filter screen may be repositioned for placement in the flow path associated with only one port of the selected pair of ports.

Description

Filter for central heating and/or cooling system

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a filter for a central heating system, and more particularly, to a filter provided with a magnet for attracting and retaining magnetic particles, and a mesh for retaining non-magnetic particles.

Background

It is well known to install magnetic filters into a central heating system loop. In a typical magnetic filter, a chamber is provided with an inlet and an outlet, and a magnet is provided within the chamber. The system water flows into the inlet, through the chamber, and out the outlet. Any magnetic particles in the fluid will be captured by the magnet.

Some filters also include a screen or gauze. The water flows through the screen during the passage from the inlet to the outlet and any particles larger than the mesh size will be trapped in the filter.

One problem with magnetic filters is that the space for installing the filter around the boiler is often limited. In some installations, the pipes are buried in the wall and only emerge from the wall a short distance below the boiler. GB2582028 describes a compact filter having four ports, any two of which may be selected for use. This is designed to provide flexibility in installing the filter, particularly in small spaces and where there is only a small section of pipe below the boiler.

The filter sold under the trade mark Adey Magnaclean XS-90 has a similar four port configuration as shown in GB2582028 but with a fixed internal baffle rather than a movable flow diverter.

However, the devices described in GB2582028 and Adey Magnaclean XS-90 are both magnetic only filters. Neither provides filtration of non-magnetic particles. It is an object of the present invention to provide a combined magnetic and non-magnetic screen filter having similar installation flexibility.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

According to the utility model discloses, a screen filter that is used for central heating or refrigerating system's magnetism and non-magnetism nature combination is provided, this filter includes:

a magnetic separation chamber containing a magnetic field;

an inlet/outlet assembly comprising at least three ports, any of a plurality of selectable pairs of ports serving as an inlet port and an outlet port to connect the magnetic separation chamber into a central heating or cooling system, unused ones of the at least three ports being closable, and the inlet/outlet assembly having a flow path between each port and the separation chamber; and

a non-magnetic mesh filter assembly including a mesh for capturing particles,

the non-magnetic screen filter assembly is repositionable to selectively position the screen for each of a plurality of selectable pairs of ports to be disposed in the flow path of only one of the pairs of ports.

Three ports may be provided extending in different directions from the inlet/outlet assembly. For example, three ports may be provided, all at right angles to each other. In some embodiments, four ports may be provided, three of which are at right angles to each other, with the fourth port being collinear with one of the other ports, facing in the opposite direction. Five ports may also be provided, four of which are in the same plane, facing in the 0, 90, 180 and 270 directions, the fifth port extending at right angles to all the first four ports. In other embodiments, even more ports may be provided, allowing the ports to extend at angles other than multiples of 90 ° relative to each other.

The installer may select from a plurality of ports which two ports are most convenient for use as inlets and outlets in a particular installation. In some embodiments, the installer has complete flexibility in selecting among multiple ports(Any)Two, but it is envisaged that in some cases not every combination will work best. For example, in some embodiments, a particular port may only be suitable for use as an outlet and not an inlet, or may only be suitable for use in combination with some other ports.

When the installer selects a pair of ports to be used as inlet and outlet, the remaining ports will be closed. This can be achieved, for example, by a simple screw cap. The nut closes and seals the port, preventing water from passing through.

Once a pair of ports is selected, the non-magnetic screen filter assembly is positioned such that the screen is located in the flow path between one of the selected ports and the separation chamber, but not between the other of the selected ports and the separation chamber. Preferably, the screen is positioned in the flow path from the separation chamber to the outlet port. Thus, water will flow into the inlet and into the separation chamber without flowing through the screen. Water from the separation chamber will pass through the screen as it flows to the outlet. Any particles larger than the mesh size and not captured by the magnet will be retained on the screen on the separation chamber side of the screen.

The inlet/outlet assembly preferably includes a baffle, i.e., a structure that directs fluid and defines a flow path between each port and the separation chamber.

Preferably, the baffle directs the fluid such that the direction of flow into the separation chamber is substantially the same regardless of which port acts as an inlet. The flow paths from each port into the chamber may be substantially parallel to each other. Also, the direction of flow from the separation chamber out to the outlet is preferably substantially the same as the direction of any port used as an outlet. The outlet flow direction is substantially parallel to but opposite to the inlet flow direction. In many embodiments, most or all of the ports may be selected for use as inlets or outlets.

The non-magnetic mesh filter assembly may be substantially planar and may be positioned between the inlet/outlet assembly and the separation chamber. The non-magnetic screen filter assemblies may be positioned at different locations in the same plane such that the screens are positioned in different flow paths depending on the position of the assembly. Preferably, the non-magnetic screen filter assembly is repositionable by rotation (i.e., by placing the non-magnetic screen filter assembly in a new position that is a rotational transformation relative to the previous position; the actual movement required may not be merely a rotation, such as removing the assembly and placing it back in a new position).

In some embodiments, a non-magnetic screen filter assembly includes a frame carrying a screen. The non-magnetic mesh filter assembly as a whole may be positioned in all flow paths corresponding to all ports, but in this case the mesh does not extend over the entire non-magnetic mesh filter assembly. The assembly may include apertures that, when positioned in a flow path, allow substantially unrestricted flow in the flow path without the flow passing through the screen.

The non-magnetic screen filter assembly may include a baffle in the form of a sleeve. The sleeve of the non-magnetic screen filter assembly may be received within and sealed against the wall of the baffle of the inlet/outlet assembly. The sleeve may be part of a path through the non-magnetic screen filter assembly that does not pass through the screen. The sleeve may be received within any one of a plurality of baffles in the inlet/outlet assembly and sealed against such baffle. In this way, the fluid is reliably directed from the inlet into the separation chamber without passing through the screen and then through the screen during its exit from the separation chamber. The sleeve sealing against the baffle avoids any "leakage", i.e. allowing fluid to flow directly from the inlet to the outlet, without passing through the separation chamber or screen.

A sealing ring made of a compressible material may be provided on the sleeve for sealing against the baffle of the inlet/outlet assembly.

In some embodiments, a non-magnetic screen filter assembly may be interchangeable with another non-magnetic screen filter assembly having a different grade of screen. As an alternative, a single frame may be provided which may carry one of a plurality of different grades of screen.

Generally, a smaller screen size will capture more particles. However, smaller screen sizes also result in static pressure drops across the filter. Pressure drop is undesirable because the heating system pump would have to work harder and could fail prematurely if overloaded. Furthermore, the flow rate in the system may be reduced to such an extent that the performance is adversely affected, for example, when the system is turned on, it takes a long time for all radiators in the system to heat up.

Thus, one useful method of using a filter is to use a fine screen when the filter is first installed and periodically clean for a period of time. This will substantially clear the system of particles that have accumulated when the filter is not installed. The fine screen can then be replaced with a coarser screen that can be left in the system for a longer period of time between filter cleaning operations.

Furthermore, the appropriate screen size may be selected for a particular installation, taking into account the capacity of the pump, the particles present in the heating system water, and the potential problems caused by these particles. The choice of screen size may be a matter of trade-off, but interchangeable screens can do this.

In some embodiments, the non-magnetic mesh filter assembly may be completely removable for devices that only need to provide magnetic filtration. In some cases, a screen may be used when the filter is first installed and then removed for an extended period of time.

Preferably, the separation chamber is detachable from the inlet/outlet assembly. This allows access to the non-magnetic mesh filter assembly for repositioning. This also allows both the non-magnetic screen and the magnetic filter to be cleaned, although in some embodiments, by using a drain valve and flushing the filter, cleaning of the filter can be performed without disassembly.

Drawings

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wall mounted boiler;

fig. 2 is a perspective view of a filter according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows the filter of FIG. 2 installed in a heating circuit adjacent to the boiler of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows the filter of FIG. 2 installed in an alternative configuration in a heating circuit adjacent to the boiler of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows the filter of FIG. 2 installed in another alternative configuration in the heating circuit adjacent to the boiler of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the filter of FIG. 2 with portions cut away so that the interior is visible;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a non-magnetic filter assembly that is part of the filter of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an inlet/outlet assembly that is part of the filter of FIG. 2; and

fig. 9 is a perspective view of a separation chamber with a non-magnetic filter assembly installed, which is a portion of the filter of fig. 2.

Detailed Description

Referring first to FIG. 1, a boiler 100 is shown. The boiler 100 is wall mounted, as is typical for domestic or small commercial installations. Five tubes are shown extending from below the boiler. Since the pipe is buried in the wall of the building, only a short length is exposed to the outside. The piping in a typical installation includes piping for, for example, gas (or other fuel) intake, cold water intake and hot water discharge (for a combi boiler), condensate discharge (for a condensing boiler), and heating loop flow and return. The heating circuit return point is suggested as the optimal point for installing the filter, but may alternatively be installed on the flow circuit for a closed (pressurized) system.

Fig. 2 shows a filter 10 according to the invention. The filter 20 comprises a separation chamber 12, the separation chamber 12 being substantially cylindrical, and an inlet/outlet assembly 14, the inlet/outlet assembly 14 enclosing the cylinder and being provided with four ports in this embodiment. The first port 16, the second port 18, the third port 20 and the fourth port 22 are shown. The first port 16, the second port 18 and the third port 20 all extend away from the side of the cylinder in the same plane. A fourth port 22 extends from one end of the cylinder, perpendicular to all of the first, second and

third ports

16, 18, 20.

In alternative embodiments, more or fewer ports may be provided. For example, one embodiment may omit the third port 20 and have only three

ports

16, 18, 22, all of which are perpendicular to each other. Another embodiment may omit the second port 18 and have two

ports

16, 20, the two

ports

16, 20 being in line with each other and facing opposite directions, and the other port 22 extending from the end of the cylinder. Still other embodiments may have more ports, such as five ports. All

ports

16, 18, 20, 22 as shown in fig. 2 may be provided in addition to a fifth port extending in the opposite direction to port 18.

All ports are preferably provided with the same connection means, e.g. threads. A pair of two ports is selected for use as an inlet and an outlet, depending on the limitations of the particular device. In the example shown in fig. 2, the first port 16 and the second port 18 are selected for use as an inlet and an outlet. Tubing connections have been connected to these ports, one of which is provided with a valve. The third port 20 and the fourth port 22 are not used and nuts have been installed on these ports to close and seal them.

Fig. 3, 4 and 5 illustrate how different pairs of ports can be selected for use to provide flexibility in installing the filter 10 for various configurations, particularly for fitting into short ductwork beneath the boiler 100.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the internal components of the filter 10 can be seen. The magnet is fixed within the separation chamber 12 and is covered by a removable plastic sleeve 26. In use, fluid flows into the separation chamber 12 and any magnetic particles entrained in the fluid will be retained outside the plastic sleeve 26. When the filter 10 needs to be cleaned, after isolation and disassembly of the filter, the plastic sleeve 26 can be removed from the magnet and cleaned, for example by running under a faucet.

A drain valve 28 and a drain 30 are provided in the separation chamber 12.

The separation chamber 12 is in the form of a generally cylindrical housing having an open end. The open end is closed by an inlet/outlet assembly 14, the assembly 14 being mounted on the open end of the separation chamber 12. A double O-ring seal is provided as a first O-ring 32 disposed around the outside wall of the separation chamber 12 and a second O-ring 34 against the end of the wall of the separation chamber 12. The cylindrical socket portion of the inlet/outlet assembly 14 receives an end of the substantially cylindrical housing of the separation chamber 12, and the first O-ring 32 is located between the outer wall of the separation chamber 12 and the inner wall of the cylindrical socket portion of the inlet/outlet assembly 14.

A flange 36 is provided on the separation chamber 12. The rotating locking ring 38 has internal threads that correspond to external threads provided on the outer wall of the cylindrical socket portion of the inlet/outlet assembly 14. When the threads of the locking ring 38 are engaged with the threads of the inlet/outlet assembly, the locking ring 38 is rotated against the separation chamber flange 36 and serves to retain the separation chamber 12 on the inlet/outlet assembly 14.

The non-magnetic filter assembly 40 is provided in the form of a disk. The tray is removable and is mounted within the filter 10 between the separation chamber 12 and the inlet/outlet assembly 14. The non-magnetic filter assembly 40 includes a screen portion 42 and apertures 44. The non-magnetic filter assembly 40 is repositionable such that the aperture 44 is in the flow path associated with a selected one of the

ports

16, 18, 20. Note that in this embodiment, the bore 44 cannot be positioned in the flow path associated with the fourth port 22. Therefore, the fourth port 22 should only serve as an outlet. However, it may be used in combination with any of the first, second and

third ports

16, 18, 20.

In fig. 6, the non-magnetic filter assembly 40 is positioned such that the aperture 44 is located in the flow path associated with the third port 20. Thus, the third port is used as an inlet. With the non-magnetic filter assembly 40 in this position, any other port may be used as an outlet. As shown, the first port 16 is used as an outlet, and the port 22 is closed by a nut 46.

Fig. 7 shows the non-magnetic filter assembly 40 in more detail. The non-magnetic filter assembly is comprised of three parts-a carrier 48, a screen 50 and a screen holder 52. Multiple levels of screen 50 may be provided so that the appropriate selection can be made for a particular installation. The screen 50 in use is disposed on the screen portion 42 of the carrier 48 and is held in place by a retainer 52. The retainer 52 snaps onto the carrier 48 and remains attached, such as by a resilient clip. The screen portion of the carrier 42 itself has a relatively coarse mesh, for example, with holes of about 3.5mm diameter. This can be used as the coarsest option, i.e. no separate grid at all. A finer screen is provided by inserting additional screen members 50.

Fig. 8 shows the inlet/outlet assembly 14. In particular, this view shows the baffle in more detail. Each of the

ports

16, 18, 20 has a

respective baffle

16a, 18a, 20 a. The

baffles

16a, 18a, 20a form a right angle channel between the

respective ports

16, 18, 20 and the end of the inlet/outlet assembly 14 that faces the separation chamber 12 in use. The fourth port 22, which extends at right angles to all

other ports

16, 18, 20, does not have an associated baffle because the flow path between the fourth port 22 and the separation chamber 12 is simply all of the components inside the inlet/outlet assembly that are not separated by the

baffles

16a, 18a, 20 a.

Fig. 9 shows the cylindrical housing of the separation chamber 12 with the non-magnetic filter assembly 40 installed. It can be understood from fig. 8 and 9 how the non-magnetic filter assembly 40 is disposed between the separation chamber 12 and the inlet/outlet assembly. In particular, the sleeve 54 extends from the aperture 44 and into a selected one of the paths defined by the

baffles

16a, 18a, 20 a. A sealing ring 56 is provided to seal against the inlet of the respective flow path ensuring that all fluid from the inlet enters the separation chamber 12 through the aperture 44.

The filter of the present invention provides a combination magnetic and non-magnetic (mesh) filter that can be installed in a variety of different configurations depending on the requirements of a particular system. Furthermore, the interchangeable/removable screens means that the appropriate screen size can be selected to provide the desired level of particle capture while maintaining reasonable maintenance intervals and not overloading the system pump.

The above embodiments are provided by way of example only and various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A filter for a central heating and/or cooling system, the filter comprising:

a magnetic separation chamber containing a magnetic field; and

an inlet/outlet assembly comprising at least three ports, any of a plurality of selectable pairs of ports serving as inlet and outlet ports for connecting the magnetic separation chamber to a central heating or cooling system, unused ones of the at least three ports being closable and the inlet/outlet assembly having a flow path between each port and the separation chamber,

characterized in that the filter is a magnetic and non-magnetic combined screen filter, further comprising:

a non-magnetic screen filter assembly including a screen for capturing particles,

the non-magnetic screen filter assembly is repositionable to selectively position the screen for each of the plurality of selectable pairs of ports such that the screen is disposed in the flow path of only one of the pairs of ports.

2. The filter of claim 1, wherein the inlet/outlet assembly is provided with three ports facing in different directions.

3. The filter of claim 2, wherein the three ports are perpendicular to each other.

4. A filter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least four ports are provided.

5. The filter of claim 4, wherein the three ports are perpendicular to each other and the fourth port is collinear with one of the other ports, facing in the opposite direction.

6. A filter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a cap is provided for closing the unused port.

7. The filter of any of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet/outlet assembly comprises a baffle defining a flow path between each port and the separation chamber.

8. The filter of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the non-magnetic screen filter assembly is substantially flat.

9. The filter of claim 8, wherein the non-magnetic screen filter assembly is repositionable at different positions within the same plane.

10. The filter of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the non-magnetic screen filter assembly comprises an aperture selectively positionable in one of the flow paths to allow unrestricted flow in the flow path.

11. The filter of claim 10, wherein the non-magnetic screen filter assembly includes a sleeve for directing fluid from a selected flow path in the inlet/outlet assembly through an aperture in the non-magnetic screen filter assembly.

12. The filter of any preceding claim, wherein the screen is removable and replaceable with a different grade of screen.