GB2159188A - Self priming siphon device - Google Patents

Abstract

A self priming siphon device comprises an inverted U-pipe having an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe with an automatic non-return air valve. The pipe may also contain a non-return liquid valve or be associated with a foot valve. The device is useful for draining bilge from boats or for draining tanks, ponds or troughs.

Description

SPECIFICATION Self priming siphoning device The invention relates to a self priming siphoning device particularly useful to draw liquid from one location to another, especially under the natural or induced rise and fall of the level of the liquid at the second location.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a self priming siphoning device comprising a pipe of generally inverted U-shape configuration and defining an inlet arm and an outlet arm, the pipe including an automatic non-return air valve.

Preferably, the non-return air valve is disposed in the bight of the device which, in use, is at the apex. Preferably the pipe also contains a non-return liquid valve or is associated with a foot valve.

Most preferably the device is dimensioned so that the volume of pipe of the inlet arm betwen the liquid level on the inlet side and the same level on the outlet side is less than the volume of liquid between the highest and lowest levels of the liquid on the outlet side (or the end of the outlet arm). In this way, liquid will be drawn from the inlet to the outlet.

The arms of the device may be of the same or different diameters along their length or, by the use of a reducer, at an outlet. The length of each arm can be adjusted according to need.

It is a preferred feature of the invention that means be provided to evacuate all the air from the device, so as to siphon off the maximum volume of liquid. For this purpose, it is preferred that an auxillary air release be provided in the outlet arm, the release being located with a chamber.

The invention is particularly useful in draining bilge from boats, in loft tanks for household and industrial water, in agriculture for draining garden ponds, supplying animal drinking troughs and the like.

In order that the invention may be well understood it will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which Figure 1 illustrates the use of the device in draining bilge from a floating boat; Figure 2 illustrates the use of the device in relation to liquid in in-line tanks; and Figure 3 is a sectional view of part of one embodiment of the device.

The device shown in Figure 1 has an outlet arm 1 running down the gunwale G of the boat B and an inlet arm 2 which has an upright portion 2a and an end portion 2b which extends to the bilges. An automatic non-return air valve 3 is present in the apex of the device. A non-return fluid valve 4 is present in the outlet arm 1 and is has been determined that this valve must be at the location marked V. When the boat is on the water, the rolling or wave motion causes a suction effect at the outlet arm 1, and this causes a continuous siphoning effect, drawing liquid from the bilges. If the boat B is left on the beach or shore, as the tide rises the seawater enters the outlet arm 1 up to the waterline level of the boat and as the tide falls, the siphon effect starts to drain the bilges.

The device may be instead used through the hull both when the boat is afloat and when the tide falls leaving the boat high and dry.

In an alternative embodiment the non-return fluid valve is omitted, and replaced by a foot valve, not shown, located at the inlet marked F on Figure 1.

As shown in Figure 2, the liquid in tanks arranged in line is fed in succession from tank T1 to tank T2 to tank T3 and thence away. As shown, the tanks are arranged in line but they may be at different levels and may be stacked.

In the device of Figure 3, the outlet arm 1 extends through the wall of a cylinder 5. A branch pipe 6 extends from a point near the end of the outlet arm 1. The pipe 6 is of relatively narrower diameter, and is open at its end which is just below the lid 7 of the cylinder 5. The lid incorporates an air release valve 8. The bottom wall 9 of the cylinder 5 is perforated, and a ball valve 10 is present at the lower end of the outlet arm 1. In use, liquid is drawn through the outlet arm 1 and exits via the perforated wall 10. Air is aspirated from the outlet arm 1 via the valve 3 and via the branch pipe 6 through the valve 8.

1. A self priming siphoning device comprising a pipe of generally inverted U-shape configuration and defining an inlet arm and an outlet arm, the pipe including an automatic non-return air valve.

2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein the non-return air valve is disposed in the bight of the device which, in use, is at the apex.

3. A device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the pipe also contains a non-return liquid valve or is associated with a foot valve.

4. A device according to any preceding Claim, dimensioned so that the volume of pipe of the inlet arm between the liquid level on the inlet side and the same level on the outlet side is less than the volume of liquid between the highest and lowest levels of the liquid on the outlet side (or the end of the outlet arm).

5. A device according to any preceding Claim, including an auxillary air release in the outlet arm.

6. A device according to Claim 5, in which the outlet arm is located in a chamber having an air release valve in its top wall and a perforated bottom wall.

7. A self priming siphoning device, substantially as described with reference to the drawings.

8. A boat, loft tank, garden pond or animal drinking trough incorporating a device according to any preceding Claim.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Self priming siphoning device The invention relates to a self priming siphoning device particularly useful to draw liquid from one location to another, especially under the natural or induced rise and fall of the level of the liquid at the second location. According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a self priming siphoning device comprising a pipe of generally inverted U-shape configuration and defining an inlet arm and an outlet arm, the pipe including an automatic non-return air valve. Preferably, the non-return air valve is disposed in the bight of the device which, in use, is at the apex. Preferably the pipe also contains a non-return liquid valve or is associated with a foot valve. Most preferably the device is dimensioned so that the volume of pipe of the inlet arm betwen the liquid level on the inlet side and the same level on the outlet side is less than the volume of liquid between the highest and lowest levels of the liquid on the outlet side (or the end of the outlet arm). In this way, liquid will be drawn from the inlet to the outlet. The arms of the device may be of the same or different diameters along their length or, by the use of a reducer, at an outlet. The length of each arm can be adjusted according to need. It is a preferred feature of the invention that means be provided to evacuate all the air from the device, so as to siphon off the maximum volume of liquid. For this purpose, it is preferred that an auxillary air release be provided in the outlet arm, the release being located with a chamber. The invention is particularly useful in draining bilge from boats, in loft tanks for household and industrial water, in agriculture for draining garden ponds, supplying animal drinking troughs and the like. In order that the invention may be well understood it will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which Figure 1 illustrates the use of the device in draining bilge from a floating boat; Figure 2 illustrates the use of the device in relation to liquid in in-line tanks; and Figure 3 is a sectional view of part of one embodiment of the device. The device shown in Figure 1 has an outlet arm 1 running down the gunwale G of the boat B and an inlet arm 2 which has an upright portion 2a and an end portion 2b which extends to the bilges. An automatic non-return air valve 3 is present in the apex of the device. A non-return fluid valve 4 is present in the outlet arm 1 and is has been determined that this valve must be at the location marked V. When the boat is on the water, the rolling or wave motion causes a suction effect at the outlet arm 1, and this causes a continuous siphoning effect, drawing liquid from the bilges. If the boat B is left on the beach or shore, as the tide rises the seawater enters the outlet arm 1 up to the waterline level of the boat and as the tide falls, the siphon effect starts to drain the bilges. The device may be instead used through the hull both when the boat is afloat and when the tide falls leaving the boat high and dry. In an alternative embodiment the non-return fluid valve is omitted, and replaced by a foot valve, not shown, located at the inlet marked F on Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, the liquid in tanks arranged in line is fed in succession from tank T1 to tank T2 to tank T3 and thence away. As shown, the tanks are arranged in line but they may be at different levels and may be stacked. In the device of Figure 3, the outlet arm 1 extends through the wall of a cylinder 5. A branch pipe 6 extends from a point near the end of the outlet arm 1. The pipe 6 is of relatively narrower diameter, and is open at its end which is just below the lid 7 of the cylinder 5. The lid incorporates an air release valve 8. The bottom wall 9 of the cylinder 5 is perforated, and a ball valve 10 is present at the lower end of the outlet arm 1. In use, liquid is drawn through the outlet arm 1 and exits via the perforated wall 10. Air is aspirated from the outlet arm 1 via the valve 3 and via the branch pipe 6 through the valve 8. CLAIMS

1. A self priming siphoning device comprising a pipe of generally inverted U-shape configuration and defining an inlet arm and an outlet arm, the pipe including an automatic non-return air valve.

2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein the non-return air valve is disposed in the bight of the device which, in use, is at the apex.

3. A device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the pipe also contains a non-return liquid valve or is associated with a foot valve.

4. A device according to any preceding Claim, dimensioned so that the volume of pipe of the inlet arm between the liquid level on the inlet side and the same level on the outlet side is less than the volume of liquid between the highest and lowest levels of the liquid on the outlet side (or the end of the outlet arm).

5. A device according to any preceding Claim, including an auxillary air release in the outlet arm.

6. A device according to Claim 5, in which the outlet arm is located in a chamber having an air release valve in its top wall and a perforated bottom wall.

7. A self priming siphoning device, substantially as described with reference to the drawings.

8. A boat, loft tank, garden pond or animal drinking trough incorporating a device according to any preceding Claim.