GB2285854A - Connection tubes. - Google Patents

Description

2285854 CONMMON TUBES This invention relates to pipes and other fittings

used within tub and od= vessels. This invention in par relates to pipes and fluffigs used in hot water heaters which provide boil'Mg or mr boiling water in ns, tea rooms, cafeterias, etc.

With refer to Figure 1, which is a schematic representation of a conoral hot water r, the heater and its associated disadvantages will be do. The major component of the coonal hot w beater 1 is a water healm tank 2 and " expansion tank 3. Cold water is supplied to the water heater tank 2 via water sWply pipe 4 which 1S attacbed to inlet fining 5. A bacUow preventing valve may also be incorporated with tWs fitting 5. Ile water within the beater uffk 2 is heated to boiling or nw bcging point by beating element 6.

A converitional connection tube 7 is located at the top of the heater tank 2, and passes through the expansion tank 3, The emmection tabe 7 has a threaded upper On 8 for attaching ala Outlet piPC 9 thereto. Ille connection tutr- 7 has a c bore 10 pring fluld c(mmnkatioiL between the heater tank 2 and the outlet pipe 9. A venWI hole 11 provides fluid c4xcaLtion between the central bore 1() and tllpexpamion tw& 3.

In use, the heater unk 2 is! full of water. When the tap 35 is closed, and the water within the heater tank 2 is heated, the water within the tank 2 expands. Ily, expamion tank 3 is provided to c6tain Ibr. expanded wa2r and prevent nulsance dliPPing flow the fl= outlet. IU the water he 1 shown in Figure 1, the expanding water will pass up the central bore 10 of the connection tube 7, and out the venturi bole 11 and into the expansion tank 3. As the water expands the water level in the expansion taink 3 rises to an upper level 12. ThIt wTamion tank 3 provides a large VOIUM t'D Contain the ill=ax in the Volume of water, and has a vent 36 to amosphere, 11 as When the tap 35 is o, water u pressure within the heacer tank 2 flows through the central bore 10 to the outlet pipe 9 and then to the ftee outlet. Also, water Within the exion tank 3 will flow through the ventud hole 11 to the central bore 10 and then to the outlet pipe 9, The later flow is due to the venturi effect of water flowing through the central bore 10 past the venturi hole 11. The water will flow out 1 of the expansion tank 3 Will the water level in the expansion tank 3 to the lower water level 13.

Qx cml)odimmt of a centional connection taly- is shown in Figure 2. This connection tube 7 comprises a lower portion 14 and an upper portiou 15, hothhaving a bore 10. The lower portion 14 is brazed at 26 or otherwise sealingly secured to an aperture in the upper wall 20 of the l=ter tank 2, Orifice 16 aM venturi hole 11 allow iVidemmunirationbeWeen the cc bore 10 and the insides 17,18 of the heater and expansion tanks 2,3, respectively, The upper portion 15 is also brazed 26 or otherwise sealingly secured to an c within the upper wall 19 of the expansion tank 3. TIm top of the upper portion 15 is fteaded 8 to allow the attac of an outlet pipe. Ile diainieter of the lower end 21 of the upper portion 15 is reduced to locate the upper portion 15 within the lower portion 14.

During construction of Ihe water beater 1, each of the connection tube portiow 14,15 are secured to the respective tank wall 20,19, prior to jolifing the expansion tank 10 3 to the heater tank 2.

is It 19 to The expansioD tank 3 is then formed by attacliing the expansioll tank wa the beater tank 2, ttke upper wall 20 of which serves as the lower wall of the expamion tat& 3. As de walls 19,20 are brought together the two connection tue portions 14,15 locate relative to one another by means of the lower end 21 of ft upper portion 15 locadng within die lower portion 14. The expansion tank 3 is then sealed to the beater tank 2, holding the connection tube portions 14,15 together.

Problems arise during use of water heaters 1 constructed using convendonal coninection tubes of the q-pe described above. During use, small openings may become blocked by, for example, calcium deposits. The venturi hole 11 is particularly vulnerable to blocking due to its small size and the fact that it piovides a horizontal or angled surface upon which deposits may settle. In as little as two to three years of use, mid in some areas in ordy,2 to 3 months, deposit levels can build up to an extent which prevews efficient and correct operation of the beater. Due to the nature of the construction of the water heater tanks 273, in which tl=e is limited or no access to the internal fittings, it is cbeaper to replace both tanks 2,3 and the connection Uft 7 with Z Pre-assembIcd substitute unit, rather than disassembling the tanb 2,3 to clean or replace dw cameetion, tube 7. Although cbeaper tI= cleaning or replacing ft connection tube 7, the cost of such replacement is still highL The practice of replacing the whole assembly is also wasteful of materials.

It is an object of this invention to provide a water heater, mid a cormwtion tabe therefor, which allows easy cleaning or replacement of component parts, whilst reusing s many pam as possible. M invention in one broad form provides a connection tube comprising:

a first member adapted to be attached to a first aperture in a first wall, said first member haidmg an aperture therethrough to provide fluid communication through said first wall; a second member adaptid to be amched to a second aperture in a second urall, said second member having an apeiture ffmrtthrough to provide fluid communication tbrough said second waD; and a tubular member Wing a f= and and a second end, said first and second ends being adapted for enpgment with said first and second members, respectively, said tubular nmiber bavft.z centW bore providing fluid communication between said a first and second ends, said tubular member having fluid communication meam between said c=tral bore and the fautskle of said Ube, said fluid cmnuWcati(m mans be4 located adjacent thc first end of the tubular member, wherein said tubular mqmber mid said second member are adapted to permit said tubular member to be removably attzdzd and sealed to said second member.

it is preferred that said fluid communication means con4wises; a venturi Mr. at an angle to said central bore.

It is preferred that said second member has an internal diread and that said tabular member has a mating ext=YW thread, said direads providing said means for removably attadMng and sealiqg, said tubular member to said second rumbet.

is It is preferred t1at said first end has a diamter slightly smaller thm the ftuneter of said first member aperture, fbr locating said first end within said fim member apertme.

It is preferred that said first end mmprises means for attwWng a secoDd tubular member thcreto. It is further preferred that said nzans for attaching a second tubular member comprises Uireads.

It is prefwed dW said first, second and tubuliar members consist of lbru&, metal, plastics or a similar suitable material that will not deterioraw thougb use in water.

It is preferred that said first member further comprises a tinge to prevent said first member pass!2g through said first aperture.

It is preferred IMI seal means be disposed between said tubular in ard said first member and between said tubular member and said second member. It is further prefetred that each seal means comprises an 0-ring. It is still further preferied that either or both seal means be disposed at least partially in a recess.

This invention in a ftnther broad fona provides a water Mater]Mving a cormiection tube as described anywhere above.

_y way of example only, one pref embed of a connection tube according to the invention will now be dcs withreference to theaccompanying drawings, wherein..

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional water heater; Fig. 2 is a partial side elevatioDalview and pardal sectional view of a prior art connection tube;

Fig. 3 is a sectioM view of a hot water beater incorporating a coimection affic accordin to the Present luvention., aM Fig. 4 is an enlarged partial view of pm of Fig. 3.

1 1 1 Figures 3 and 4 show a preferred embodiment of the invention. indicated genu&Uy at 22. As with Fig= 2, the connection tube 22 is sy=Wrical about the c=re line with the exception of the v hole 11. of which there is only one.

es s to those of the prior art con=flon tube of Figure 2 are iftnOed uskg M s= refere= n=crals. In the embod shown in Fig. 3, the water beater is shown mounted in an Mer case 39. The vent 36 from the ion tank 3 passes through an aperture in the outer case 39. and preferably through a grorunret 40.

Ilie water beater shown has a beating element 6, thmmostat 42, and an over temperawe cut-cat 43 to coxrol the max t=Ttc in the water heater, The fust memt= 23 comprises a squat cylinder 24 with a flange 25, and has a central bore 10. The fast member 23 pro through an aperture in the upper wall of the beater tank 2, and is brazed 26 dwreto to both fix tha first member 23 and 1 r, seal any gaps bet%= the f= member 23 and the heater tank wall 20.

A s m 27 having a hexagonal outer sfirface 28 and threaded internal =face 29 is likewise fixed scalingly 26 to the expansion tank upper wall 19.

One end of the. second member 27 has a rim 30 to which the wall 19 may he attached 26. The other end of the see member 27 has an annular recess 36 in which is disposed an 0-ring 97, to form a seal between the second er 27 and Ibe tubular member 31.

The lower end 32 of the tubular member 31 has a reduced diameter which fits within the central bm 10 of the first n 23. Mic lower end 32 also bas an annular groove 37 in which is located an 0-ring 98, prov a seal between the first mr 23 and the tubular member 31. This lower end 32 has an orif" 33 which opens onto the central bore 10 nf the tubular member 3 1. The vennifi hole 11, which may be at any angle, is disposed adjacent to the lower end 32, to be located just above the flange 25 when the connection tube 22 is assembled, The tubular menker 31 Ims an emernal thread 29 adapted to mate with the internal diread 29 of the. s member, and a hexagonal outer s 34. A lock nut 41 may be used to locate the tubular member 31 relative to the outer 39. The tubular member 31 is sealingly secured to the second inember 27 by screwing the tubular ra 31 into the second er until 0-ring 97 seals. Spanners or other tools may be- used on the hexagonal surfaces 28,34 to em= a tight seal.

A thread 8 is provided on the upper end of the tubular member 31 so that an outlet pipe may be attached tberete. The shape of the upper portion of the central bore can be shaped as required for attaching an outlet pipe.

The advantage of the present invention is that the tubular member 31 may be readily removed for clemg or replacement, should the ve hole 11 become blocked. After discomecting the outlet pipe and lock mt 41, the outer casing 37 can bee removed from the water heater. It is then simply a niatter of umcTc the tubular member 31 lkom the, sd m=ber 27, cg. using spanners on hexagond surfaces 28 and 39, gmd withdrawing it from the expansion tank 3. The reverse proe is used to reassemble the water lxmwr. There is no need to disassemble the exp=ion tank:3 or destroy and then r any welds or brazing 26.

1 1 c CWNS:

1. A coon tube complising:

a fixst m=ber ed to be attached to a &st aperture in a fixst wa& said :first =Mber having an aperture therethrough to provide fluid communication through IM- S said first wall; a second member adapted to he aftwhed to a second aperture in a second wall, said second member having an aped= therethmugh to provide fluid common throagh said second wall; and a tabiflar member having a first end and a second end, said first and second ends being adapted for engagement with said 15rst and second members, respectively, said tubular member having a central bore providing fluid communication between said f" and second ends, said tubular member having fluid communication means between said c bore and the outside of said tube. said fluid communication means beling located adjacent the first end of the tubular member, wherein said tubular m=ber and said second member are adapted to it said tubular nr to be rmovably attached and waled to said second m=bcr.

2. The connection tube of claim 1, wherein the fluid mnmutiratim means comprises a venturl hole at an angle to said central bore.

3. The cannection tube of clalm 1 or claim 2, wherein the second n=ber lias an interwl thread and, said tubular member has a mading external thread, said direads providing said means for removably attaching and scaling said tub member to said second er.

4. The connection tube of any mic of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first end has a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of said first member aperture, for locating said first end within said first member aperture.

5. The connection tibe of any one of claims 1 to 4. wherein the first end comprises m for attaching a second tubular member thereto.

6. Ille con=tion tube of claim 5, Wherein the means for attacWng a second tubular member comprises threads.

7. The coon tube of any om of clahm 1 to 6, wherein the f=,, second and tubular members consist of brass, metal, plastics or a similar suitable materW that w01 wt deteriorate though use. in water.

8. The connection tube of any one of claim 1 to 7, wherein the first membet furdw comprises a flange to prevent said first member passing, through said 35 fIrst aperture.

9. IU connection tube of any one of clahns 1 to 8, wherein seal means are disposed between said Uftlar member and said first member and between said tubular member and said second member.

10. The connection tutr- of chim 9, wherein each seal me comprises an 0-ring.

11. The coxmoction tube of eWm 9 or 10, whexcin either or both seal means are disposed 9 least ply in a recess.

12. A water beater having a connection tube as def=d in any ow of claims 1 to 11.

13. A coo=tion tube, substantWy as hercinbefore described with refer to the am=panying drawings.

14. A water bear substantially as hereinbefore described with reference 10 to the accompanying drawings....