GB2117874A

GB2117874A - Radiator bleed valve

Info

Publication number: GB2117874A
Application number: GB08308598A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Maurice Binder
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-04-02
Filing date: 1983-03-29
Publication date: 1983-10-19
Also published as: GB2117874B; GB8308598D0

Abstract

A valve body (1) which can be screwed into the top of a radiator includes a valve seat. Flow of fluid from the radiator through passageway (2) in the valve body (1) is inhibited by a ball (4) which is biased against the valve seat by a spring. The ball (4) can be moved off the seat by inserting a hollow probe (7) which is provided with an 'O' ring seal (11) which acts between the probe (7) and the valve body (1). Fluid from the radiator flows past the unseated ball (4), through the hollow probe (7) and out of tube (9). Bleeding ceases as probe (7) is withdrawn. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Bleed valve for radiators This invention relates to a bleed valve for radiators, a radiator including such a bleed valve, and an apparatus for bleeding radiators which apparatus includes said bleed valve.

Conventionally. the tops of radiators are provided with a plug containing a bleed valve. Air can be removed from the radiator by opening the bleed valve and allowing the entrapped air to escape. The bleed valve is only closed once an air free stream of water emerges from the bleed valve.

One of the problems with conventional bleed valves is that it is not always easy to contain the water leaving the radiator. This can result in wallpaper and carpets being stained particularly if the water contains rust. Another problem is that the water can be very hot, occasionally scalding the person operating the bleed valve. A further problem is that the tapered screw which permits or prevents flow from the radiator to the air can quite easily be completely withdrawn from the valve body and dropped with disastrous consequences as the water from the radiator pours on to the floor.

In order to reduce these problems the present invention provides an apparatus for bleeding a radiator, which apparatus comprises (i) a bleed valve comprising a valve body which can be mounted in a radiator, a passageway which extends through said valve body, a sealing member, means biasing said sealing member against said valve body to inhibit, in use, water and/or air leaving said radiator via said passageway; and (ii) a probe which is provided with a bore, and which can be inserted into said passageway to upset said sealing member and, in use, permit water and/or air to flow through said passageway; and means for permitting, in use, water and/or air to enter said bore; said apparatus further comprising a seal which, when said probe is upsetting said sealing member acts between said probe and said valve body to inhibit the escape of water and/or air therebetween.

Preferably, the sealing member comprises a ball. Advantageously, the means biasing the sealing member against the valve body comprises a spring. In such an embodiment the spring can advantageously be retained in the passageway by a star washer.

Normally, the valve body will include a valve seat which is made from a different material from the remainder of the valve body. This is not however absolutely essential.

The seal which, when the probe is upsetting the sealing members acts between the probe and the passageway to inhibit the escape of water and/or air therebetween preferably comprises an '0' ring carried in a groove on the probe. It could however also comprise an '0' ring carried in an internal groove on the passageway.

The means to permit, in use, water and/or air to enter the probe preferably comprises one or more holes or slots in the wall of the probe.

It will be appreciated that in practice only one probe will be needed for a house containing several radiators each provided with individual bleed valves. These bleed valves will normally be supplied by the manufacturers of the radiators pre-fitted into the radiator.

Accordingly, the present invention also provides a radiator provided with a bleed valve comprising a valve body, said valve body having a passageway which extends through said valve body, a sealing member, and means biasing said sealing member against said valve body to inhibit, in use, water and/or air leaving said radiator via said passageway, said sealing member being capable of being upset by the insertion of a probe into said passageway.

As indicated above the sealing member is preferably a ball (preferably of stainless steel), and the biasing means is preferably a spring (preferably of stainless steel) preferably retained in the passageway by a star washer. Again the valve body preferably includes a valve seat, preferably of silicon.

Apart from the new radiator market it is also envisaged that sets of bleed valves will be sold together with a single probe. However, it is also conceivable that the bleed valves and probes will be sold separately.

Accordingly, the present invention also provides a bleed valve for radiators comprising a valve body, said valve body having a passageway which extends through said valve body, a sealing member, and means biasing said sealing member against said valve body to inhibit, in use, water and/or air leaving said radiator via said passageway, said sealing member being capable of being upset by the insertion of a probe into said passageway.

The bleed valve may have all or any of the optional features mentioned above.

It should be noted that bleed valves in accordance with the invention should be readily identifiable by their shape and size, not to mention the fitting instructions which will accompany them.

For a better understanding of the invention reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a section through one embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a view taken on line Il-Il of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a view taken on line Ill-Ill of Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 1, the apparatus shown comprises a bleed valve and a probe therefor. The bleed valve comprises a valve body 1 through which extends a passageway 2. The valve body 1 includes a silicon valve seat 3. A sealing member comprising a ball 4 is biased against the silicon valve seat 3 by a spring 5 which is retained in the passageway 2 by a star washer 6.

The probe 7 is provided with a bore 8 which communicates with a tube 9 via a block 10. The probe 7 includes an external recess which houses an 'O' ring seal 11. The probe 7 is also provided with a slot 12 which open into the bore 8.

In use the valve body 1 is screwed into the top of the radiator and the system is filled with water.

In order to bleed the air from the radiator probe 7 is inserted into passageway 2. As the probe 7 enters the passageway 2 the '0' ring seal engages the side of the passageway 2 and forms a seal between the probe 7 and the valve body 1. On further insertion, the probe 7 upsets the ball 4. Air trapped inside the radiator flows past the ball 4, through the slot 12 and bore 8 and out the tube 9.

As bleeding approaches completion a mixture of water and air passes from the radiator through tube 9 and eventually water only. The free end of tube 9 is placed in a small bucket which collects the water.

When bleeding is complete probe 7 is withdrawn. As the probe 7 is withdrawn the ball 4 reseats on the silicon valve seat 3 under the influence of both the spring 5 and the water pressure inside the radiator. Probe 7 is then fully withdrawn and stored in a place remote from the radiator.

In order to bleed the radiator again probe 7 need only be inserted in passageway 2 as described above.

Claims

1. In or for use in a radiator, a bleed valve which comprises a valve body which can be mounted in a radiator, a passageway which extends through said valve body, a sealing member and means biasing said sealing member against said valve body to inhibit, in use, water and/or air leaving said radiator via said passageway, said sealing member being capable of being upset by the insertion of a probe into said passageway.

2. A bleed valve as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein said sealing member comprises a ball.

3. A bleed valve as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the means biasing the sealing member against the valve body comprises a spring.

4. A bleed valve as claimed in Claim 3, wherein said spring is retained in said passageway by a star washer.

5. A bleed valve as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said valve body includes a valve seat.

6. An apparatus comprising a bleed valve as claimed in any preceding claim and a probe which can be inserted into said passageway.

7. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said probe comprises a bore and means for permitting, in use, water and/or air to enter said bore.

8. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, including a seal which, when said probe is upsetting said sealing member acts between said probe and said valve body to inhibit the escape of water and/or air therebetween.

9. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said seal comprises an '0' ring carried by said probe.

10. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein said means for permitting water and/or air to enter said bore comprises one or more holes or slots in the wall of said probe.

1 An apparatus for bleeding a radiator substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawing.