GB2245086A

GB2245086A - Flow controlling device

Info

Publication number: GB2245086A
Application number: GB9109771A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Trevor Turnbull
Original assignee: Caroline Turnbull
Current assignee: Caroline Turnbull
Priority date: 1990-05-09
Filing date: 1991-05-07
Publication date: 1991-12-18
Anticipated expiration: 2011-05-07
Also published as: IL98043A0; GB9109771D0; AU7783991A; GR910100194A; GB9010960D0; FR2661956A1; IT1248302B; BE1003406A3; IE911558A1; GB2245086B; WO1991017382A1; ITMI911252A1; FR2661956B1; ITMI911252A0

Abstract

A flow controlling device for location in a pipeline comprises an elongated body (10) having a flange (11) at one end and a tapering recess (12) which extends from the flanged end of the body (11, 14) and tapers inwardly (12) towards the other end of the body to define a flow aperture (19) the size of which can be selected by cutting the body transversely.

Description

FLOW CONTROLLING DEVICE This invention relates to a flow controlling device for location in a pipeline more particularly but not exclusively, a water supply pipe, in order to restrict the rate of flow of liquid along the pipeline.

In a water supply system the pressure at which the water is supplied is such that the rate of flow of water through for example the tap of a wash basin may be excessively high. The user of the wash basin can control the flow of water using the tap but in many cases no attempt is made to do this with the result that far more water is discharged from the tap than is required for the particular task. The wastage of water in this instance can be minimised by using a self-closing tap but these are expensive and for some people, difficult to operate.

The practical result is that there is a wastage of water and in addition, where the supply of water is metered, there is an unnecessary high cost to the consumer. In some installations the high rate of flow through one tap can result in other locations suffering reduced pressure and flow capability.

It is known to incorporate into a pipeline a flow restricting element but such elements are supplied with a flow restricting aperture of a fixed size and it may be necessary to purchase and to try a number of such elements before the correct element is found. It is also known from GB-2084297B to provide a flow restricting element which can be fitted in a tap but the flow restricting aperture whilst being illustrated as being tapered, is of short axial length and extends in the wrong direction to enable the effective size of the aperture to be varied.

The object of the invention is to provide a flow controlling device in a simple and convenient form.

According to the invention a flow controlling device for location in a pipeline comprises an elongated body adapted to be located in the pipeline and an elongated tapered recess in the body, the body being formed from a material which can be readily cut and the arrangement being such that the degree of restriction to the flow of liquid through the pipeline in which the device is installed, can be varied by cutting the body transversely to determine the size of the flow aperture defined by the narrower end of the recess.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 shows in sectional side elevation one example of a flow controlling device in accordance with the invention, and Figure 2 shows another example of the device located in position in a tap.

With reference to Figure 1 the device comprises an elongated cylindrical body 10 which is provided with a flange 11 at one end. The body is formed conveniently from a thermo setting plastics material of a nature compatible with water and capable of being readily cut.

Extending inwardly from the flanged end of the body is a tapered recess 12 which extends the full length of the body, it being understood the device is illustrated as manufactured. The diameter A is equal to the bore size of the pipe and the diameter C of the flange is equal to the pipe outside diameter so that the body 10 can be located within the pipe and the flange in effect serves as a washer between the pipe and the inlet of a tap or some other valve such as the float valve of a cistern.

The device may also be accommodated within a compression fitting and since when such a fitting is used the force applied to the olive or gland tends to reduce the diameter of the pipe, the end portion of the body of the device remote from the flange is of reduced diameter to allow for the reduced pipe diameter.

In the use of the device the flow aperture 19 defined by the narrower end of the recess serves as a restrictor to restrict the rate of flow of water and in order to adjust the size of the flow aperture the body 10 is cut transversely.

The size of the aperture is determined by the position at which the body 10 is cut and there may be supplied with the device what amounts to a calibration chart which will indicate to the user where the cut should be made in order to produce a desired rate of flow. Since the rate of flow depends upon the pressure, it is first of all necessary to carry out a test to determine the existing rate of flow. This is effected by opening the tap or valve its maximum amount for a given time, collecting the water in a suitable vessel and weighing the water. From the weight of the water collected it is possible to determine the existing rate of flow in litres per minute.Knowing this rate of flow and the desired rate of flow, it is possible using the chart to determine the required size the aperture and an indication of the aperture size can be provided on the outer surface of the body 10 or the chart may indicate at which position along the length of the body the transverse cut should be made.

With the device in position and the tap turned on no more than the desired rate of flow of water will be delivered. Hence there will be a reduction in water consumption and furthermore, there is less likelihood of other consumption units at other points in the system being affected by the high rate of flow which would otherwise occur through the tap. Although the insert is primarily intended for use on the cold water system supplied directly from the mains, it can also be used in the hot water system where the energy saved can be considerable.

It will be appreciated that the diameter of the body and also the flange is chosen in accordance with the size of the pipe into which the insert is fitted.

The device as described with reference to Figure 1 is intended to be located in the pipeline at the joint between the pipeline and the body of the tap. Figure 2 shows a modified form of the device which is located in the tap and may be inserted into the tap after removal of the actuating mechanism and tap washer. The device 13 has a flange 14 which has a larger diameter than the device shown in Figure 1 and the device is located in the tap such that the under surface of the flange lies against the seating surface 15 of the seat of the tap.

The upper surface of the flange 14 takes over the role of the seating surface 15 and is engaged by the washer of the tap. In order to retain the device in position against the pressure downstream of the device the body 16 of the device is provided with at least one projection which may be in the form of a wedge shaped lug 17 which engages beneath the seat forming structure of the tap or the body of the device may be formed with one or a plurality of longitudinal ribs 18 which provide an interference fit in the bore of the tap. As with the device shown in Figure 1 the device shown in Figure 2 may be provided in various sizes although in some cases it may be necessary to bore out the tap to a standard size.

Claims

1. A flow controlling device for location in a pipeline comprising an elongated body adapted to be located in the pipeline and an elongated tapered recess in the body, the body being formed from a material which can be readily cut so that the degree of restriction of the flow of liquid through the pipeline in which the device is installed, can be varied by cutting the body transversely to determine the size of the flow aperture defined at the narrower end of the recess.

2. A device according to Claim 1, in which the body is provided with a flange at one end, the recess tapering inwardly towards the other end of the body.

3. A device according to Claim 2, in which the flange is formed so as to define a seating surface for a tap, the surface of the underside of the flange engaging the seating surface of the tap, and the body defining a projection retain the device in position within the tap.

4. A device according to Claim 3, in which slide projection has the form of a lug which in use engages beneath the seating forming structure of the tap.

5. A device according to Claim 3, in which said projection comprises a longitudinal rib which engages in the bore of the tap to form an interference fit.

6. A method of controlling the flow of liquid in a pipeline, comprising measuring the flow of liquid in the pipeline, cutting to an appropriate length the body of a flow controlling device in which is formed a tapering open ended recess the aperture defined by the narrower end of the recess providing the desired flow through the pipeline and inserting the flow controlling device in the pipeline.