GB2377265A

GB2377265A - Valved inlet for water circulation system access

Info

Publication number: GB2377265A
Application number: GB0107144A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David William Armfield
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-03-22
Filing date: 2001-03-22
Publication date: 2003-01-08
Also published as: GB0107144D0

Abstract

A water circulation system comprising a pump 2 with isolation valves upstream at its inlet 8 and downstream at its outlet 10 and a valved inlet adaptor 12 between the isolation valves 8, 10 providing access to said flowpath where the inlet adaptor is equipped with an isolation valve, which may be in the form of a ball plug type valve, and may also be adapted for use with a probe. The system may be used for the monitoring of, or chemical addition (such as inhibitor) to a domestic central heating system (open vented or sealed). The addition of a second valved outlet adaptor 50 also allows flushing of the system. Also disclosed is a valved inlet adaptor unit having two inlets, one of which is valved, and a single outlet.

Description

WATER CIRCULATION SYSTEM The present invention relates to a water circulation system, and particularly but not exclusively to a domestic central heating system.

A particularly common type of central heating system is one in which water is heated in a boiler and the resultant hot water circulated by a pump through a network of pipes and radiators, the whole system forming a closed circuit. Such systems are prone to corrosion of the internal surfaces of the radiators and/or boiler which produces rust in the circulating water. Limescale may also occur, particularly in hard water areas. A further problem is"studge"which can be caused by microbiological growth in the system. Many of these problems can be prevented, or at least mitigated, by the addition of certain chemicals into the circulating water. Other chemical additives can be used to reduce noise in the system or to seal leaks. In severe cases, it may be necessary to drain the system water and flush the system, before refilling with fresh water.

Numerous methods are known for introducing chemicals into the system.

In open-topped supply tank systems, the chemicals can be added directly to the feed and expansion tank (usually located in the loft). However, it can be as long as several weeks before the chemicals become distributed throughout the system. Alternatively, chemicals can be introduced into a radiator through its bleed valve (see for example GB-A-2342417), or through the system's drain-cock which is normally located at the system's

lowest point. In both cases, the system must first be drained or the chemicals must be added against the pressure in the system.

In the more modern sealed and pressurised heating systems, the open feed and expansion tank is replaced by a closed reservoir adjacent the boiler.

The reservoir is divided into two parts by a flexible membrane, with one part being full of system water which is in communication with the system's pipework, and the other part being filled with compressed gas to pressurise the system. The water is initially pumped into the system through a filling loop fitted with a non-return valve. Such a system will also normally have a drain cock, and so chemicals can be added via the radiators, through the drain cock or through the filling loop.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a water circulation system, such as a central heating system which allows the introduction of chemicals and flushing to be achieved in a convenient manner.

Probes have been developed which are capable of monitoring the condition of water within a water circulation system. However, it may not be easy to introduce such a probe into the system. Thus, it is also an object of the present invention to provide a water circulation system which facilitates the introduction of a probe into the system.

According to the present invention, there is provided a water circulation system comprising :a pump having an inlet and an outlet, a first isolation valve located upstream of the pump,

a second isolation valve located downstream of the pump, pipework connecting the first and second isolation valves whereby a continuous flowpath for water is formed, and a valved inlet located between the first and second isolation valves, said valved inlet providing access to said flowpath.

Said valved inlet may be integrally formed with the inlet of the pump or (preferably) integrally formed with the first or second isolation valve.

Alternatively, the valved inlet may be a separate component from the pump and isolation valves. It will be understood that as a separate component, the valved inlet can be inserted into an existing water circulation system to convert it into a system in accordance with the present invention.

Preferably, said valved inlet is located upstream of the pump, in which case the valved inlet is preferably integrally formed with the first isolation valve.

Preferably, said water circulation system is a central heating system additionally comprising at least one radiator and water heating means and associated pipework, such that in use, the pump circulates heated water through the or each radiator and the heating means in a closed circuit.

Preferably, the valved inlet is adapted to receive a probe, such as a conductivity probe. More preferably, the system comprises a probe which is slideably mounted in a housing received in the valved inlet and which is moveable in use into and out of the water flow.

Preferably, the valved inlet comprises a connector which is more preferably threaded. Thus, it will be understood that the valved inlet provides a convenient service point through which chemicals can be introduced into the system.

Preferably, the system additionally comprises a valved outlet located upstream of the first isolation valve.

The invention also resides in a valved adaptor when used in a water circulation system, said adaptor comprising :a first inlet and an outlet, a flowpath between said first inlet and said outlet, a second inlet communicable with said flowpath, and valve means, wherein said valve means is operable between an open position in which the second inlet is in communication with said flowpath and a closed position in which said second inlet is not in communication with said flowpath.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of part of a water circulation system in accordance with the present invention, Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of a connector for use with a water circulation system in accordance with the present invention, and

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of part of another water circulation system in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1, a water circulation system in the form of a domestic central heating system comprises a pump 2 having an inlet 4 and an outlet 6, a first isolation valve 8 (shown schematically) upstream of the pump 2 and a second isolation valve 10 downstream of the pump 2. In use, the direction of flow of water in the system is indicated by arrows A. A valved inlet adaptor 12 is provided between the pump 2 and the first isolation valve 8. The valved inlet adaptor 12 (shown part cut-away) has an internally threaded end region 14 and is shown connected to a container 16 containing treatment chemicals via a connector 18 having a correspondingly externally threaded region (the connector is described in more detail with reference to Figure 2). The inlet adaptor 12 contains a ball valve manually operable by a valve lever 20. In its open position, the valve provides a flowpath between the container 16 and the circulation system. The system also comprises a number of radiators (not shown) which are connected by pipework to form a continuous water circulation system.

In the embodiment of Figure 1 an end face 22 of the valved inlet adaptor 12 abuts an end face of the pump inlet 4 and is sealingly secured thereto by an internally threaded ring connector 24 which engages with a correspondingly externally threaded region of the pump inlet 4 to from a liquid tight seal therebetween. An opposite end 26 of the valved inlet adaptor 12 is externally threaded and is secured to the first isolation valve

8 by a second internally threaded ring connector 28 associated with the first isolation valve 8 to form a liquid tight seal therebetween.

Referring to Figure 2, the connector 18 has a first end region 32 which is externally and internally threaded and a second end region 34 having spaced apart annular ribs 36 on the surface thereof. A central region 36 of the connector 18 is also externally threaded, the external diameter of the central threaded region 36 corresponding to the external diameter of the externally threaded first end region 32. Intermediate the externally threaded regions 32, 36 is a region 38 having a hexagonal surface profile.

Between the central threaded region 36 and the second end region 34 the connector 18 has a weakened wall region 40 to facilitate removal (eg. by cutting) of the second end region 34 if required. In the embodiment of Figure 1 the second end region 34 of the connector 18 has been cut away.

Referring again to Figure 1, the connector 18 is threaded onto the internally threaded end region 14 of the valved inlet adaptor 12, and a container of treatment chemicals 16 is screwed onto the free end of the connector 18 (which with the ribbed end region 34 cut away corresponds to the intermediate threaded region 36). It will be understood that the connector could equally be arranged the opposite way round, i. e. with the threaded first end region 32 engaging the container 16. The dual threading on the first end region 32 permits connection to containers having corresponding internally or externally threaded regions. Tightening of the connector 18 onto the container 16 or the valved inlet adaptor 12 can be effected using a spanner engaged with the hexagonal region 38 of the connector 18.

In its normal operating condition, the isolation valves 8, 10 will be open and the valved inlet adaptor 12 will be closed. Addition of treatment chemicals is readily achieved by first connecting the container of treatment chemicals 16 to the valved inlet adaptor 12 via the connector 18 as shown and then moving the ball valve to its open position. The container 16 can then be squeezed to release the chemicals or an applicator gun can be used as appropriate. Mixing and dilution of the chemicals is readily achieved because of the continued flow of the system water. Once addition is complete, the lever 20 can be used to return the valved inlet adaptor 12 to its closed position. It will be noted that the chemicals are added easily with minimal risk of spillage and without interrupting operation of the pump 2. Other modes of addition are also possible. For example, the first isolation valve 8 can be closed and the pump 2 deactivated. Alternatively, both isolation valves 8,10 can be closed and the volume of water therebetween drained before addition.

It will readily be appreciated that the inlet adaptor 12 can be easily retrofitted to an existing system by isolating the pump 2 and disconnecting the pump inlet 4 from the upstream isolation valve 8. The valved inlet adaptor 12 can then be inserted in position between the upstream isolation valve 8 and the pump 2 (or in alternative embodiments, between the downstream isolation valve 10 and the pump 2). In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the valved inlet adaptor 12 can be integrally formed with the inlet 4 of the pump 2. This would be preferred in a new system or a system in which the pump 2 is being replaced. As a further alternative, the valved inlet adaptor 12 can be integrally formed with the

upstream or downstream isolation valve 8,10. Again this is more suitable for new systems.

A slightly modified central heating system is shown in Figure 3. The system corresponds to that shown in Figure 1 (and corresponding features are accorded the same reference numerals) except that a valved outlet adaptor 50 is provided immediately upstream of the first isolation valve 8.

The valved outlet adaptor 50 is substantially identical to the valved inlet adaptor 12, and has an internally threaded end region and a ball valve.

The respective connectors 18 engaged with the threaded regions 14 of the inlet and outlet adaptors 12,50 are as shown in Figure 2, i. e. the ribbed end region 34 is intact. First and second hoses 52a, b are connected to the inlet and outlet adaptors 12,50 respectively via the ribbed end regions 34 of the respective connectors 18. The first hose 52a is connected at its free end to a water source (not shown) and the free end of the second hose 52b leads to a drain.

The provision of an valved outlet adaptor 50 enables the convenient flushing of the system (it will be appreciated that the addition of chemicals can be achieved exactly as described for the embodiment of Figure 1, with the outlet valve adaptor 50 remaining closed). Once the connectors 18 and hoses 52a, b have been attached to the respective valved adaptors 12,50, and the respective hoses 52a, b connected to a water supply or drain, both ball valves are opened with the pump 2 running and the upstream isolation valve 8 is closed. The system water is gradually replaced with fresh water, the system water flowing through the second

hose 52b to a drain. Conveniently, no additional external pump is required.

The valved inlet adaptor 12 of either of the above embodiments (or the valved outlet adaptor 50 of the second embodiment) can be used to house a probe. In a preferred arrangement (not shown) a conductivity probe is slideably mounted in a housing which can be engaged with the internally threaded end region 14 of the valved inlet adaptor 12. When the system water is to be monitored, the valved inlet adaptor 12 is opened and the probe pushed into the water flow. In a modified arrangement, the operation of the probe and valve are remotely controlled, so that the condition of the system water can be monitored from a remote location.

Not only does this provide an early warning of a deteriorating system, but it reduces unnecessary visits by service engineers.

As yet a further alternative of a probe arrangement (not shown), the probe can be housed remotely from the system in a bypass circuit created between a suitable probe housing and a pair of hoses connected to the valved inlet adaptor 12 and valved outlet adaptor 50 respectively. When the valved inlet and outlet adaptors 12,50 are opened and the upstream isolation valve 8 closed, system water will flow through from the valved outlet adaptor 50, through the hoses and probe housing and back into the system via the valved inlet adaptor 12.

Claims

Claims: 1. A water circulation system comprising :- a pump having an inlet and an outlet; a first isolation valve located upstream of the pump; a second isolation valve located downstream of the pump; pipework connecting the first and second isolation valves whereby a continuous flowpath for water is formed ; and a valved inlet adaptor located between the first and second isolation valves, said valved inlet adaptor providing access to said flowpath.
2. A water circulation system according to claim 1 in which the valved inlet adaptor is located upstream of the pump.
3. A water circulation system according to claim 2 in which the valved inlet adaptor is integrally formed with the first isolation valve.
4. A water circulation system according to any preceding claim in which the valved inlet adaptor is adapted to receive a probe.
5. A water circulation system according to claim 4 in which the probe is slideably mounted in a housing received in the valved inlet adaptor.

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6. A water circulation system according to claim 5 in which the probe is moveable in use into and out of the water flow.
7. A water circulation system according to any of claims 4 to 6 in which means is further provided whereby operation of the probe and valved inlet adaptor is remotely controlled.
8. A water circulation system according to any preceding claim in which the valved inlet adaptor comprises a connector which is threaded.
9. A water circulation system according to any preceding claim which additionally comprises a valved outlet adaptor upstream of the first isolation valve.
10. A water circulation system according to any preceding claim in which the valved inlet adaptor comprises a first inlet and an outlet; a flowpath between said first inlet and said outlet; a second inlet communicable with said flowpath; and valve means, wherein said valve means is operable between an open position in which the second inlet is in communication with said flowpath and a closed position in which said second inlet is not in communication with said flowpath.
11. A water circulation system according to any preceding claim which is a central heating system comprising at least one radiator, water heating means and associated pipework such that in use the pump circulates heated

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water through the or each radiator and the heating means in a closed circuit.
12. A water circulation system according to claim 11 which is a central heating system that is sealed and pressurised.
13. A water circulation system according to claim 1 and substantially as herein described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.
14. A valved inlet adaptor when used in a water circulation system comprises a first inlet and an outlet; a flowpath between said first inlet and said outlet; a second inlet communicable with said flowpath; and valve means, wherein said valve means is operable between an open position in which the second inlet is in communication with said flowpath and a closed position in which said second inlet is not in communication with said flowpath.
15. A valved inlet adaptor according to claim 14 and having the feature of any one of claims 4 to 8.