GB2360828A

GB2360828A - A fluid pipework system including a shunt reservoir

Info

Publication number: GB2360828A
Application number: GB0005634A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Frank Goldsmith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-03-09
Filing date: 2000-03-09
Publication date: 2001-10-03
Also published as: GB0005634D0

Abstract

A pipework system (1) includes a fluid reservoir (10) containing a volume of fresh fluid (20), an outlet valve in the form of a tap (30), and connecting pipework (40) extending between the fluid reservoir (10) and the tap (30) which contains a residual volume of fluid (50). Adjacent the tap (30) a shunt reservoir (60) is connected to the connecting pipework (40) via a mouth (65). The shunt reservoir (60) has a volume at least equal to or greater than the residual volume (50) of the connecting pipework (40). When a discharge from tap (30) is required the shunt reservoir (60) is first used to remove the residual volume of fluid (50) from the pipework (40). The movement of a piston (70) draws the residual volume (50) into the shunt reservoir (60) and fresh fluid (20) is drawn into the pipework (40) to the tap (30).

Description

2360828 IMPROVED PIPEWORK SYSTEM The present invention relates generally

to a piping system and specifically to improvements to piping systems of the type comprising a fluid reservoir and a valved outlet spaced by connecting pipework.

In the above type of system if fluids are drawn intermittently from the fluid reservoir the fluid which is immediately discharged from the outlet may be unrepresentative of the bulk fluid in the reservoir. This is because fluid immediately discharged comprises only fluid initially present in the connecting pipework. Fluid initially present in the connecting pipework may have been resting for long periods of time during which any one of a number of its properties may change with respect to the desired properties as defined by the fluid in the reservoir.

One solution to this problem is simply to discharge fluid from the outlet so that fluid initially contained in the connecting pipework is run off until fluid initially in the reservoir arrives at the outlet; the fluid initially in the connecting pipework is discarded. This form of operation is characteristic, for example, of a domestic hot water system where water that has been standing in a 2 connecting pipe cools down. If hot water is required the colder water from the connecting pipe must first be run out of a tap before hot water from a hot water storage tank travels down the connecting pipe to the tap.

In other situations immediately obtaining a fluid which is the same as a fluid in a remote storage vessel may be of greater importance, for example in the chemicals industry where fluid resting in a connecting pipe may change completely for example by allowing sedimentation of a fluid which must be constantly mixed in a storage vessel. Moreover it may not be practical to run of f fluid resting in the connecting pipework via the outlet point if, for example, a closed loop system is in operation.

Where piping systems are on a large scale the issue of wasting fluid initially contained in a connecting pipe becomes more relevant, especially where the fluids concerned are very valuable.

There is a need, therefore, for an improvement to piping systems of the type discussed above, whereby fluid representative of that contained in a fluid reservoir may immediately be obtained from a remote outlet regardless of the time between discharge operations.

3 According to a first aspect of the present invention therefore there is provided a pipework system comprising pipework extending between a fluid reservoir and an outlet valve, wherein a shunt reservoir having a volume at least equal to or greater than the internal volume of the pipework between the fluid reservoir and the valved outlet is connected to the pipework, whereby, in use, to enable residual fluid contained in the pipework between the fluid reservoir and the valved outlet when the outlet valve is closed to be drawn into the shunt reservoir and replaced by fresh fluid from the fluid reservoir.

The shunt reservoir, or at least the point at which it joins the pipework, should preferably be adjacent the outlet valve.

The pipework system may further comprise means for preventing opening of the outlet valve until the residual fluid has been substantially removed from the pipework.

In a preferred embodiment the residual fluid initially contained in the pipework prior to the operation of the shunt reservoir will have originated in the fluid reservoir, being fluid that is present in the connecting pipework at the end of a discharge operation. However, 4 the present invention also embodies a piping system whereby the residual fluid does not originate from the fluid reservoir being introduced independently thereof, and moreover may have completely different physiochemical properties thereto. Such a system may find utility, for example, in beer piping systems where cleaning of the connecting pipes which transport fluid from a fluid reservoir to a discharge point must be undertaken periodically. In these circumstances the residual fluid may be a cleaning fluid which is introduced into the connecting pipe to clean it and removed prior to any discharge of fluid from the fluid reservoir.

The residual fluid may be reversibly drawn into the shunt reservoir, being replaceable in the pipework using sufficient pressure to displace fresh fluid in the pipework. In some embodiments, however, it may be preferable to discard the residual fluid from the shunt reservoir or remove it therefrom to be reprocessed or recycled.

The shunt reservoir may include a piston arrangement, in which movement of the piston in one direction draws fluid from the pipework into the shunt reservoir and in the other direction pushes fluid back into the pipework.

The effective volume of the shunt reservoir may be variable although, as discussed above, should preferably be at least equal to or greater than the internal volume of the pipework to ensure complete removal of the 5 residual fluid.

Where the residual and fresh fluids are inherently different it may be preferable for them to be immiscible.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method for equalising the fluid within a piping system of the type comprising a fluid reservoir and an outlet valve joined by pipework, in which residual fluid contained in the pipework is drawn off with the outlet valve closed whereby to replace it with fresh fluid from the fluid reservoir prior to opening the said outlet valve.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for connection to a pipework system to allow the contents of a part of the system between an outlet valve and a reservoir to be drawn off with the outlet valve closed prior to drawing off fluid therefrom, comprising a container, attachment means for attaching the said container with its interior in fluid communication with the said pipework system, the said 6 container having a cavity of variable volume by variation of which fluid can be drawn from the pipework system into the container or returned to the pipework system from the container.

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a piping system formed as an embodiment of the present invention shown prior to operation of a shunt reservoir.

Figure 2 shows the embodiment of Figure 1 following the operation of the shunt reservoir, immediately prior to a discharge of fluid; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic illustration of a specific embodiment of the present invention shown prior to operation of a shunt reservoir; and Figure 4 shows the embodiment of Figure 3 following the operation of the shunt reservoir.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2 there is shown a piping system generally indicated 1, comprising a fluid reservoir 10 containing a volume of fresh fluid 20, an outlet valve in the form of a tap 30, and connecting pipework 40 extending between the fluid reservoir 10 and the tap 30 and containing a residual volume of fluid 50.

7 Adjacent the tap 30 a shunt reservoir 60 is connected to the connecting pipework 40 via a mouth 65.

The shunt reservoir 60 defines a chamber in which a partition member in the form of a piston 70 is sealingly movably situated. The range of movement of the piston 70 is defined at an upper end shown in Figure 1 by the mouth 65 of the reservoir 60, and at a lower end (shown in Figure 2) by an adjustor plate 80 that is movable within the reservoir 60 with respect to the piston 70 whereby to vary the volume of the chamber.

A flap valve 90, the purpose of which will be described below, is associated with the mouth 65 of the vessel and is shown in Figure 1 in an open position.

When a discharge from the tap 30 is required the shunt reservoir is first used to remove the residual volume 50 from the pipework 40. The piston 70 is moved from the upper position shown in Figure 1 towards the lower position shown in Figure 2, in doing so the residual fluid 50 is drawn into the reservoir 60 and fresh fluid 20 is drawn into the connecting pipework 40. When the piston 70 is withdrawn fully the flap valve 90 is moved across the mouth 65 of the vessel to prevent escape of 8 the second volume 50. The tap 30 is then opened to allow discharge of fluid.

Following the completion of a discharge the tap 30 is closed and the flap valve 90 is opened. The piston 70 is moved towards the upper position shown in Figure 1 whereby to force the residual fluid 50 back into the pipework 40.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4 there is shown an alternative embodiment comprising a shunt reservoir 160 and a valved outlet shown here as a tap 130. The tap 130 is connected to a pipe 140; immediately downstream of this point the shunt reservoir 160 is connected to the pipe 140. At its other end the pipe 140 is connected to a fluid reservoir 110. The shunt reservoir 160 has a movable partition member in the form of a piston 170 which sealingly engages the internal wall thereof. The piston 170 is connected on one side to a plunger 200 that extends out of the shunt reservoir 160 being parallel to the tap 130, and on the other side to a piston rod in the form of a spring 175; the spring 175 is also connected to an adjuster plate 180. The plunger 200 has a stop member 205 comprising an orthogonal portion 205a and a parallel portion 205b together forming an L-shape that extends away from the plunger 200 towards the tap 130.

9 Figure 3 shows the system in a resting position, the pipe between the tap 130 and the fluid reservoir 110 contains residual fluid which is different in some way from the first fluid in the fluid reservoir for example its temperature is lower. The tap 130 is closed and cannot be operated because the parallel portion 170b is positioned so as to obstruct the turning of the tap 130 when the plunger 200 is withdrawn fully. When fluid is required from the tap 130 the plunger 200 is first depressed towards the position shown in Figure 4.

Importantly, the length and positioning of the parallel portion 170b is such that the tap 130 cannot be opened until the plunger 200 is depressed fully as shown in Figure 4. The plunger 200 is depressed against the action of the spring 175 until the orthogonal portion 170a is in abutment with the shunt reservoir 160. In doing so residual fluid is drawn from the pipe 140 and into the shunt reservoir 160 which in turn draws fresh fluid from the fluid reservoir 110 into the pipe 140.

When the plunger 200 is depressed fully the tap 130 may now pass over the top of the parallel portion 170b and is turned to the position shown in Figure 4 which allows fresh fluid, newly imported into the pipe 14 0, to flow therefrom. Additionally, when the tap 130 is turned this locks the piston 170 in position against the action of the spring 175 because the parallel portion 205b is unable to pass the tap 130. When the discharge of fluid is complete the tap 130 is turned back to the position shown in Figure 3; this releases the stop member 205 so that the spring 175 is free to push the piston 170 back towards the position shown in Figure 3 and in doing so pushes the residual fluid back into the pipe 140, forcing fresh fluid back into the fluid reservoir 110.

The compression of the spring 175, and thus the force it applies to the piston 170 is adjustable using movement of the adjuster plate 180 with respect thereto so that when the piston 170 is in the position shown in Figure 3 the spring 175 applies sufficient pressure to the piston 170 to overcome the pressure in the pipe 140 at rest, and to push residual fluid back into the pipe 140 following a discharge of fluid.

The effective volume of the shunt reservoir 160 used for each draw off of fluid can be varied for example by the size of the shunt reservoir 160 or by the length of the stop member 205 or by the positioning of the stop member on the plunger 200.

11

Claims

1. A pipework system including pipework extending between a fluid reservoir and an outlet valve, wherein a shunt reservoir having a volume at least equal to or greater than the internal volume of the pipework between the fluid reservoir and the outlet valve is connected to the pipework, whereby, in use, to enable residual fluid contained in the pipework between the fluid reservoir and the outlet valve when the outlet valve is closed to be drawn into the shunt reservoir and replaced by fresh fluid from the fluid reservoir.

2. A pipework system as claimed in Claim 1, in which the shunt reservoir is adjacent the outlet valve.

3. A pipework system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, further comprising means for preventing opening of the outlet valve until the residual fluid has been substantially removed from the pipework.

4. A pipework system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, in which the said residual fluid is reversibly drawn off into the shunt reservoir, being replaceable in the pipework using sufficient pressure to displace fresh 12 fluid in the pipework.

5. A pipework system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4, in which the shunt reservoir includes a piston arrangement, in which movement of the piston in one direction draws off fluid from the pipework into the shunt reservoir and in the other direction pushes fluid back into the pipework.

6. A pipework system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the effective volume of the said shunt reservoir is variable.

7. A pipework system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the residual fluid originates from the fluid reservoir.

8. A pipework system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the residual fluid is initially introduced into the pipework independently of the fluid reservoir.

9. A pipework system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the residual fluid is a cleaning solution for cleaning the pipework.

10. A pipework system as claimed in Claim 8 or Claim 9, 13 in which the said residual and fresh fluids are immiscible with respect to each other.

11. A method for equalising the fluid within a pipework system of the type comprising a fluid reservoir and an outlet valve joined by pipework, in which residual fluid contained in the pipework is drawn off with the outlet valve closed whereby to replace it with fresh fluid from the fluid reservoir prior to opening the said outlet valve.

12. Apparatus for connection to a pipework system to allow the contents of a part of the system between an outlet valve and a reservoir to be drawn off with the outlet valve closed prior to drawing off fluid therefrom, comprising a container, attachment means for attaching the said container with its interior in fluid communication with the said pipework system, the said container having a cavity of variable volume by variation of which fluid can be drawn from the pipework system into the container or returned to the pipework system from the container.

13. A pipework system substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as shown, in the accompanying drawings.

14. Apparatus for connection to a pipework system substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference 10 to, and as shown, in the accompanying drawings.

is

14 14. Apparatus for connection to a pipework system substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as shown, in the accompanying drawings.

,1, r i ' 5 Amended claims have been filed as follows 1. A pipework system including pipework extending between a fluid reservoir and an outlet valve, wherein a shunt reservoir having a volume at least equal to or greater than the internal volume of the pipework between the fluid reservoir and the outlet valve is connected to the pipework, and a reversible flow f luid displacement means to enable, in use, residual fluid contained in the pipework between the fluid reservoir and the outlet valve to be drawn into the shunt reservoir and replaced by fresh fluid from the fluid reservoir when the outlet valve is closed prior to discharge of fluid from the main reservoir and to return the said residual fluid to the said pipework once the outlet valve is re-closed.

3. A pipework system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, further comprising means for preventing opening of the outlet valve until the residual fluid has been substantially removed from the pipewc).rk.

4. A pipework system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, in which the said residual fluid is reversibly drawn of f into the shunt reservoir, being replaceable in the pipework using sufficient pressure to displace fresh 5 fluid in the pipework.

5. A pipework system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4, in which the flow displacement means comprises a piston, in which movement of the piston in one direction draws off fluid from the pipework into the shunt reservoir and in the other direction pushes f luid back into the pipework.

7. A pipework system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the residual f luid originates f rom. the f luid reservoir.

10. A pipework system. as claimed in Claim 8 or Claim 9, in which the said residual and fresh fluids are immiscible with respect to each other.

12. Apparatus for connection to a pipework system to allow the contents of a part of the system between an outlet valve and a reservoir to be drawn of f with the outlet valve closed prior to drawing off fluid therefrom, comprising a container, attachment means for attaching the said container with its interior in fluid communication with the said pipework system, the said container having a cavity of variable_volume by variation of which fluid can be drawn from the pipework system into -,14 i the container or returned to the pipework system from the container.