FR2850405A1 - Connector sleeve for water meter has sleeve connection positioned in chamber of isolating valve module - Google Patents

Abstract

The connector sleeve for a water meter (2) has a sleeve connection (8,9) positioned in a chamber (10,11) of the isolating valve module (4). The chamber has a section (12,13) to receive an end connector (15,16) for connection to an associated tube. The end connector has an internal surface to receive the sleeve with a section (7) positioned in the chamber and a second section (18) fitting into the end of the tubular connector.

Description

END CONNECTION DEVICE

  FOR A WATER METERING STATION The present invention relates to an improvement in connection devices, in particular for water metering stations.

  The connection of water meters requires junction devices with possibly water cut-off means. To do this, it is known to interpose connection modules provided with valves between the meter and the pipes. The document FR 2 800 401 Ai for example relates to a connection device with removable connector and valve. According to this document, it is planned to make a connection between a meter and a connection module by a nipple screwed onto a fixed elbow, the nipple and the elbow enclosing a support element. This device is however bulky and requires many parts.

  In order to increase the flexibility of making connections to the water metering station and to offer a reduced footprint, patent application FR01 07069 in the name of the applicant proposes a connection device according to which tubular connections are received in a body forming a water inlet-outlet module and are therefore provided with male end fittings with external O-rings. According to this patent application, the body forming a water inlet-outlet module comprises valve-isolation valve means, the tubular connections being retained by a common flange 20 after assembly.

  Another embodiment concerning the connection of water metering station is as defined in patent EP 0 759 1 33 in the name of the applicant. According to this device relating to a valve isolation valve device, the tubular connections are clamped by compression rings of an O-ring.

  These devices are satisfactory, but it is desirable, in order to guarantee an increased longevity of the connections, to improve the sealing of the connection area. In addition, it is advantageous to further simplify the mounting and dismounting of the meter and the pipes on the module and to reduce the risk of leaks by long-term corrosion of the connection parts.

  To do this, the invention mainly relates to a connection device, in particular applicable to a water metering station consisting in particular of a meter and of a module carrying a valve valve isolation device, the meter and the module being connected by an inlet tubing and an outlet tubing, said device, interposed between one and / or the other of said tubings and the module, being such that it comprises a connection nipple 1 5 disposed in a module chamber, the chamber being provided with a part for receiving a connection termination of the associated tubing.

  The connection termination of the associated tubing may in particular be provided with an internal surface for receiving the connection end piece, the latter comprising a retaining section in the chamber and a connection section fitting into the termination tubing connection.

  The nozzle may advantageously comprise a first external sealing surface with an internal surface of the chamber and a second external sealing surface with an internal surface of the connection termination of the pipe.

  The internal surface of the connection termination of the tubing may be cylindrical, may comprise at least one groove for receiving a first seal, the connection section of the end piece being itself cylindrical.

  More particularly, the end-piece holding section may comprise an annular groove for receiving a second seal, the holding section may include retention means in the chamber, the retention means may consist of a thread. complementary to a tapping of the room.

  According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the connection end piece comprises an annular face for holding a valve device 5 isolation valve disposed in the chamber. The isolation valve device may comprise a shutter member, made of magnetic material, movable between a free passage position and a shutter position, the shutter member resting, in the free passage position, in a cradle hemispherical openwork.

  Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows, given by way of nonlimiting exemplary embodiment, in relation to the appended figures which represent: - Figure 1, a general view of a water metering according to the invention, FIG. 2, a view of a tube and a module fitted with a nozzle according to the invention during assembly, - FIG. 3, an exploded view of a connection termination opposite a nozzle and a valve-valve device, - Figure 4, a sectional view of a module provided with a connection device according to the invention.

  In FIG. 1 is described a water metering station 1 comprising a meter 2, a module 3 carrying a valve-isolation valve device 4 and connecting pipes between the meter 2 and the module 3. According to this system , the inlet 100 and outlet 101 water pipes are not far apart and received on a lower face of the module. The module comprises a first chamber 10, shown in FIG. 4, connected downwards to the water inlet pipe and upwards to a first tube 6 bringing the water to the meter 2. At the outlet of the meter, the water passes through a second tube 7, optionally provided with a shut-off valve 102, then passes through a second chamber 11 of the module and leaves the station through the pipe 011 to be distributed to the subscriber.

  To connect the metering station, it is first of all necessary to connect the pipes 100, 101 to the module in the traditional way.

  Then simply connect the tubes 6 and 7 to the meter and finally insert and lock them in the module to complete the connection. Such positioning is simplified by the device according to the invention since there is no part to be clamped at the connection of the pipes to the module.

  To make the connection and according to the invention, at least one connection between the module 3 and at least one of the pipes 6, 7 comprises a connection piece 8, 9.

  According to the example shown, the module 3 is advantageously provided with two end pieces 8, 9. These connection end pieces are each arranged in a chamber 1 0, 1 1 of the module. Each chamber 1 0, 1 1 has an open part 1 2, 1 3, opening onto an external face 1 4 of the module. These open parts are intended to receive the end pieces 8, 9 and the terminations 1 5 and 1 5 1 6 of the pipes of the meter to the module associated with these connection end pieces. On the water inlet side, the chamber 10 receives the end piece 8 shown in particular in FIG. 3. This end piece, of generally cylindrical shape, comprises, along its axis of revolution, a holding section 1 7 and a connection section 1 8.

  In its lower part, the most recessed part in the chamber, the end piece 8 has a first external sealing surface with an internal surface of the chamber. This sealing surface is also the surface for mounting the nozzle in the chamber and is part of the holding section 1 7 of the connection nozzle in the chamber. This holding section includes means 23 for retaining in the chamber. These means are constituted, in the example shown, by a complementary thread of a tapping of the chamber. The seal between the nozzle and the chamber is reinforced by an O-ring 22 received in an annular groove 21 disposed under the thread 23 of the nozzle.

  Opposite the holding section, the end piece includes a section 1 8 for connection with the tubing associated with it. The connection is made by inserting the termination 1 6 for connecting the tubing to the connection section 1 8 of the end piece.

  According to Figure 4, the two pipes 6, 7 are received on cylindrical connection end pieces. The terminations 1 5 and 1 6 for connecting the 5 pipes 6, 7 are each provided with an internal surface for receiving a connecting piece 8, 9. The end pieces each have an external sealing surface with an internal surface of the termination 1 5, 1 6 for connection. Advantageously and to allow rotation of the pipes if necessary, the internal surfaces of the connection endings and the external surfaces of the connection sections of the end pieces are cylindrical, the connection endings comprising at least one, two according to the example shown, groove 1 9 for receiving an O-ring 20 ensuring the seal between the end piece and the connection section.

  As described in Figures 3 and 4, at the water inlet, on the side 15 opposite to the connection section, the connection end piece 8 comprises an annular face 24 for holding a carrier element 41 of a isolation valve valve device arranged in the chamber 10. The carrier element has the shape of an openwork basket to let the water pass around a shutter valve member 40 constituted by a sphere made of a magnetic material. The shutter member 40 is movable in the basket between a position of free passage of water for which the shutter member rests in the bottom of the basket and a shutter position, in which the shutter member obturation is lifted from the basket until it abuts against the annular face forming the seat of the nozzle 8 and blocks the passage of water. The carrying element 25 41 comprises a flange 42 held against a rim 43 of the chamber by the annular face 24 of the end piece 8. To allow the valve member to return to its position of free passage of water from the means leakage as known from document EP 0 759 133 and not shown here can be provided.

  Still according to FIG. 4, a room without a stop device is produced in the module 3 on the water supply side towards the subscriber. This chamber receives an end piece 9 which, like the end piece 8, has a holding section and an external sealing surface as well as an O-ring 44. According to the example, the O-ring is placed against a flange 45 of the end piece .

  Due to the presence of the end caps, the section of the module filled with water is reduced, which limits the risk of corrosion. Furthermore, a very good seal can be achieved in the area for holding the end pieces in the chamber, which reduces the risk of leakage. In addition, by making the tips in a plastic material there is less risk of blocking or seizing of these tips which remain removable.

  The end fittings are mounted in the chamber by opening the chamber, on the reception side of the meter connection pipes.

  Once the end caps are installed, the module is ready to be installed. The tubing is assembled by sliding the tubing over the end pieces. Here, the seal is made between the external surface of the connection section of the end fittings and the internal surface of the pipes. According to the example, the pipes 15 have grooves 19a, 19b for receiving O-rings 20a, 20b.

  An embodiment for which the external surface of the endpiece and not the internal surface of the tubing would carry grooves receiving joints, is however conceivable.

  When the tubes are mounted on the end pieces, the end 48 of the pipes is received in a gutter disposed between the body of the end piece and the retaining section forming a crown 46. A space 47 remains free at the bottom of the gutter, this space being able to receive, during the disassembly of a tubing for example, debris possibly accumulated in the water.

  This space ensures that the introduction of the tubing will not be made impossible by such debris.

  In order to make the approach to the tubing easy, the end 48 of this tubing may, as shown in FIG. 5, have a generally conical end section. In addition, according to the example shown, the termination 1 5 for connecting the tubing 7 is provided, on an external surface, with a flange 25 bearing on the flange 1 4 of the inlet orifice of the chamber 1 2 or of chamber 13. The complete insertion of the tubing is achieved when the flange 25 of the tubing comes into contact with the flange 1 4 for supporting the tubing on the module surrounding the chamber. In addition to the support for the pipes, this flange closes the chamber, which protects the connection area from the entry of earth or insects such as ants.

  To retain the tubing, latching means can be provided. 5 According to the embodiment shown, the connection termination of the tubing is provided with a latching zone 26 with complementary retaining means 27, for example an element inserted in an opening of the module such as a locking clip or a spring cleat. Such means are shown schematically in FIG. 5. Clamping means as provided in patent application FR01 07069 can also be used to secure the connection.

  Thus, at the level of the tubing-endpiece interface, the invention provides an easy connection to implement, the endpiece making it possible to center the tubing while retaining a degree of freedom in rotation of the tubings allowing an easy approach. In addition, according to this configuration, the sealing surfaces are protected, that of the tubing being internal and that of the nozzle being surrounded by the body of the module. According to this device, there is a decoupling of the sealing function, inside the tubing, and the retaining function of the tubing which is achieved by external flanges 20 of the tubing. Furthermore, in the case of tips made of plastic or composite materials, there is no risk of sticking of the pipes by corrosion and the device remains easily removable.

Claims (8)

  1 - Connection device, in particular applicable to a water metering station (1) comprising a meter (2) and a module (3) carrying a valve-isolation valve device (4), the meter (2) and the module (3) being connected by an inlet pipe (6) and an outlet pipe (7), said device 5 being interposed between one and / or the other of said pipes (6, 7 ) and said module (3) and characterized in that it comprises an end piece (8, 9) for connection disposed in a chamber (10, 1 1) of the module, the chamber (10, 11) being provided with a part (1 2, 1 3) receiving a termination (1 5, 1 6) for connection of the associated tubing.   2 - Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the termination (1 5, 1 6) for connection of said tubing (6, 7) associated is provided with an internal surface for receiving the nozzle (8, 9) of connection, which comprises a section (1 7) for holding in the chamber (10, 11) and a connection section (18) fitting into the termination 15 (1 5, 1 6) for connecting the tubing.   3 - Device according to one of claims 1 or 2 characterized in that the end piece (8, 9) comprises a first external sealing surface with an internal surface of the chamber and a second external sealing surface with a surface internal of the termination (15, 16) for connecting the tubing.   4 - Device according to one of claims 2 or 3 characterized in that the internal surface of the termination (15, 16) connecting the tubing is cylindrical and comprises at least one groove (19) for receiving a first seal (20), the connecting section (1 8) of the connecting end piece (8, 9) being itself cylindrical.   - Device according to one of claims 2 to 4 characterized in that the holding section (17) of the nozzle (8, 9) comprises a groove (21) annular for receiving a second seal (22) and means (23) of retention in the room.   6 - Device according to claim 5 characterized in that the retention means (23) consist of a thread cooperating with a thread of the chamber.   7 - Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in 5 that the connecting piece (8) comprises an annular face (24) for holding the valve-isolation valve device (4) disposed in the chamber (1 0).   8 - Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the valve-isolation valve device (4) comprises a shutter member (40), of magnetic material, movable between a free passage position and a position obturation, the obturation member (40) resting, in the free passage position, in an open hemispherical cradle (41).   9 - Device according to claim 8 characterized in that the annular face (24) forms a seat against which abuts the closure member (40) 1 5 in the closed position.   1i0 - Device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the termination (1 5, 1 6) for connecting the tubing (6, 7) is provided with an external flange (25) bearing on the flange of the inlet of the chamber (12).   1 1 - Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the termination (1 5, 1 6) for connecting the tubing (6, 7) is provided with a zone (26) of latching with means of additional deductions (27).   1 2 - Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one end piece (8) comprises a crown (46) forming a retaining section (17), the crown being connected to the body of the end piece by a annular gutter, a space (47) remaining free at the bottom of the gutter.