GB2208422A - Venting systems - Google Patents

Abstract

A venting system for discharging, through an opening in a wall, vapour produced within a tumble dryer installed at a fixed position adjacent the wall, comprises: a first tube (3) shaped to fit the tumble dryer outlet vent; a second tube (5) shaped to fit into the opening in the wall and to receive in approximate axial alignment an outer end (12) of the first tube; and radially resiliently-deformable sealing means (9) carried by either of the tubes and shaped to provide a flexible radial seal between the overlapping portions of the tubes, tolerant of axial misalignment of the tubes and effective for a range of relative axial positions of the tubes. <IMAGE>

Description

Venting Systems This invention relates to venting systems and, in particular, to tumble dryer venting systems in which warm moist air from the dryer passes through a hole in a wall of a building. Such systems are of special importance in so-called 'built-in' kitchens in which there is limited or no access to the back of the dryer when it is fitted in position.

In some conventional systems, the warm moist air passes from a hood at the back of the dryer into a tube which may take the form of a flexible hose. The tube fits tightly into a further tube which passes through the wall, usually an outside wall. In order to accommodate different diameters of hose, an adaptor is commonly fitted onto the further tube.

Systems of this type take up space at the back of the dryer, often resulting in the dryer projecting at its front end beyond adjacent units. In endeavouring to reduce or eliminate this projection the dryer is pushed back trapping the flexible hose which can be distorted and thereby restrict the air flow through it, adversely affecting the dryer performance.

In an alternative venting system which is in common use a vent opening at the rear of the dryer or the inner end of a tube extending through an opening in a wall is surrounded by a resilient sealing ring which, when the dryer is pushed against the wall, abuts axially either the wall or the dryer as the case may be. However owing to movement of the dryer in operation or misalignment of the dryer when installed, the ring does not always seat firmly against the wall or dryer, and there is consequently a risk of some of the warm moist air escaping into the room. Furthermore such leakage can be detrimental to the performance of the dryer.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a venting system which takes up less space than conventional systems and overcomes other disadvantages associated therewith.

The invention provides a venting system for discharging, through an opening in a wall, vapour produced within an appliance installed directly adjacent the wall, comprising : a first tube shaped to fit the appliance from which to convey the vapour; a second tube shaped to fit into the opening in the wall through which to channel the vapour, and to receive in approximate axial alignment an outer end of the first tube; and radially resiliently-deformable sealing means carried by either of the tubes and shaped to provide a flexible radial seal between the overlapping portions of tubes tolerant of axial misalignment of the tubes and effective for a range of relative axial positions of the tubes.

Preferably, the sealing means comprises a resiliently deformable sealing ring carried within a rigid connecting member shaped to fit inside an inner end portion of the second tube in a sealing manner.

Conveniently, the connecting member is a push fit with the inner end of the second tube, and preferably also the sealing ring presents an inner surface of cylindrical cross section to the outer surface of the first tube for sealing engagement therewith, such that the first tube is a push fit into the sealing ring.

In order to allow some tolerance in the diameter of the first tube, the sealing ring may be formed with a plurality of radial slots cut into its inner surface.

The first tube may take the form of a flexible hose; alternatively, it is funnel-shaped, its outer end portion being cylindrical and its inner portion being conical and shaped to be fixed over a vapour outlet duct in the appliance.

The funnel-shaped tube then has a cylindrical projection of such diameter as to provide a similar air out-flow characteristic to that provided by a much longer and larger diameter flexible hose.

Advantageously this smaller diameter enables the hole in the w#all for the second tube to be more readily sited and less subject to accuracy of location, bearing in mind the difficulty of providing large diameter holes in masonry.

The connecting member may have two annular sections of differing diameters, the section of larger diameter being a close fit within said second tube. In this case, the sealing layer may also have differing outer diameters so that it fits tightly into both sections of the connecting member, and may comprise two rings of material of differing outer diameter held together by adhesive.

Preferably, however, the sealing layer has a uniform outer diameter selectively of the smaller or the larger of the two inner diameters of the connecting member. In any of these arrangements, the inner diameter of the sealing layer is preferably uniform.

Conveniently, the connecting member has a radially-extending flange at its inner end for abutment against the inner surface of the wall for axial location. The connecting member may also have a coaxial outer ring surrounding the member to enable it to fit over the second tube.

Two venting systems in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which : Figure 1 is a partial longitudinal section through the axis of a venting system; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative venting system; and Figure 3 is a perspective view from the other end of part of the venting system of Figure 2.

With reference first to Figure 1, in a venting system for a tumble dryer, warm moist air from the dryer flows from a funnel-shaped polypropylene tube 3 secured to the rear of the dryer outlet opening, into a second tube 5 which passes through a wall 1 of a building, allowing the warm moist air to escape. The funnel-shaped tube is connected to the second tube 5 by a connecting member 7.

The connecting member 7 consists of a stepped inner tube 8, terminating at its wider end in a flat outwardly projecting square flange 11, and an outer ring 13 which extends from the flange 11 coaxially around the larger diameter section of the tube 8. The member is fitted onto the second tube 5, with the tube 8 lying within the end of the tube dnd the outer ring surrounding it, the member 7 being secured in position by screws (not shown) passing through the flange 11. The flange 11 then lies flush against the wall 1 with the remainder of the connecting member fully recessed into the wall.

Such an arrangement is also suitable for use with a dryer having a flexible hose, as it provides more space behind the dryer than conventional venting systems having a connector or adaptor projecting from the wall for an appreciably greater distance.

Inside the connecting member 7 is an annular layer 9 of flame retardant polyester foam into which a cylindrical projection 12 at the narrow end of the funnel-shaped tube 3 fits.

This annular layer 9 is made up of two rings each of the same inner diameter but with differing outer diameters and held together with adhesive. The two outer diameters of the layer are such as to sealingly engage with the sections of the connecting member 7 which have differing diameters.

The tube 5 and connecting member 7 are arranged to be positioned so that they are at the same height as the cylindrical projection 12 at the end of the funnel 3, so that following their installation the dryer can be pushed backwards until the projection 12 enters the opening in the foam layer 9. The latter then bears resiliently against the external surface of the projection and provides an effective seal whilst allowing some degree of movement between the dryer and the tube 5. To facilitate the insertion of the projection 9 into the layer the latter is conveniently formed with a number, for example eight, of equally spaced radial slots extending part of the way through the thickness of the layer.

In order to provide the correct position for the tube in the wall of the building the dryer with its fitted tube 3 can be moved into position with the outer end of the tube abutting the wall thus providing a template for marking the position of the required hole in the wall, this conveniently being done from the inside of the dryer through the bore of the tube 3.

In an alternative venting system illustrated In Figures 2 and 3, in which parts corresponding to those of the system of Figure 1 are denoted by the same numerals, the ring 9 of polyester foam has a uniform outer diameter and is pre-fitted over the cylindrical end 12 of the first tube 3 before installation. The outer diameter may be selected to fit either of the inner diameters of the stepped inner tube 8 of the connecting member 7. This is found to afford an adequate seal.

The flange of the connecting member 7 is circular and extends square i.e. perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

The inner end of the funnel-shaped tube 3 also has a circular flange and a resilient gasket 15, and is secured to the dryer outlet by means of screws or resiliently deformable pins 14.

At the outside of the wall, a non-return valve 16 and a wind shield 17 are fitted.

With either venting system, a flexible hose may be used in place of the funnel-shaped tube 3; the hose preferably has a tapered cuff at its outer end, of an outer diameter such as to fit selectively either of the inner diameters of the stepped inner tube 8.

The resilient deformability of the sealing foam layer 9 in the radial or transverse plane provides some tolerance to axial misalignment of the tubes.

Although the tubes and connecting member are cylindrical in this example, the invention is not limited in this way, and alternative shapes in cross-section, such as ellipses, would be possible although less advantageous.

The invention is not only applicable to tumble dryers, but also to other appliances which tend to discharge warm moist air in use, for example, combination washing machines of the kind not fitted with a condensing system.

Claims (9)

1. A venting system for discharging, through an opening in a wall, vapour produced within an appliance installed directly adjacent the wall, comprising : a first tube shaped to fit the appliance from which to convey the vapour; a second tube shaped to fit into the opening in the wall through which to channel the vapour, and to receive in approximate axial alignment an outer end of the first tube; and radially resiliently-deformable sealing means carried by either of the tubes and shaped to provide a flexible radial seal between the overlapping portions of the tubes tolerant of axial misalignment of the tubes and effective for a range of relative axial positions of the tubes.

2. A venting system according to Claim 1, in which the sealing means comprises a resiliently deformable sealing ring carried within a rigid connecting member shaped to fit inside an inner end portion of the second tube in a sealing manner.

3. A venting system according to Claim 2, in which the connecting member is a push fit with the inner end of the second tube.

4. A venting system according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, in which the sealing ring presents an inner surface of cylindrical cross-section to the outer surface of the first tube for sealing engagement therewith, such that the first tube is a push fit into the sealing ring.

5. A venting system according to Claim 4, in which the sealing ring is formed with a plurality of radial slots cut into its inner surface.

6. A venting system according to any of Claims 2 to 5, in which the connecting member has a radially-extending flange at its inner end for abutment against the inner surface of the wall for axial location.

7. A venting system according to any preceding Claim, in which the first tube is funnel-shaped, its outer end portion being cylindrical and its inner portion being conical and shaped to be fixed over a vapcur outlet duct in the appliance.

8. A venting system substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9. A tumble dryer fitted with a venting system in accordance with any preceding Claim.