GB2388381A

GB2388381A - Ridge tile with integrated flue gas discharge and combustion air supply

Info

Publication number: GB2388381A
Application number: GB0310420A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jurgen Johannes Jacobus Egging
Original assignee: INTERACTIVE BOUWPRODUKTEN BV
Current assignee: INTERACTIVE BOUWPRODUKTEN BV
Priority date: 2002-05-08
Filing date: 2003-05-07
Publication date: 2003-11-12
Anticipated expiration: 2023-05-07
Also published as: GB0310420D0; NL1020564C2; IE20030343A1; GB2388381B

Abstract

A ridge tile 1 comprises an outer supply pipe 30 for supplying combustion air to a boiler and an inner discharge pipe 20 for discharging flue gasses from the boiler. The discharge pipe 20 extends in the interior of the supply pipe 30 at a radial spacing. An bridging part which is preferably arched 40 is connected to the supply pipe 30 for fixing the ridge tile 1 on the ridge of a roof. The outer end of the discharge pipe 24 maybe closed off by a top cover 22 with discharge openings 23, while the same end of the supply pipe 36 may be closed off by means of a middle cover 32 with supply openings 33 being arranged there. Also disclosed is a coupling member 2 to connect the ridge tile device 1 to a conventional pipe assembly which can then in turn be connected to a boiler. The coupling member 2 comprises an inner coupling pipe 50 radially enclosed by an outer coupling pipe 60.

Description

1 238838 1

( lidge-tile having an integrated flue gas discharge and combustion air supply The present invention relates to a ridge-tile designed to be mounted on the ridge of a roof. In practice a ridge-tile is often used to outlet a concentric pipe assembly connected to a central heating boiler. This is in particular the case with roof designs which do not involve a 5 ridge beam. In such designs a space is present at the ridge, which space is closed offby an uninterrupted row of ridge-tiles. The space can be used for letting through the pipe assembly, which then only requires that a ridge-tile be provided with an opening.

A disadvantage of the above-mentioned practice is that making an opening in a ridge tile is a difficult, additional operation. In addition, the outside of the pipe assembly must be 0 provided with a cover member to prevent, amongst other things, rainwater or birds from reaching the interior of the pipe assembly. The resulting structure on the ridge of the roof is unsightly. It is an object of the present invention to remove at least one of the two above mentioned disadvantages. This object is achieved by means of a new ridge-tile which comprises 5 the following parts: an outer supply pipe; an inner discharge pipe which has smaller radial dimensions than the supply pipe and which extends in the interior of the supply pipe at a radial spacing; and a bridging part connected with the supply part which serves to fix the ridge-tile to the ridge of the roof, the discharge pipe and the supply pipe extending through the bridging part. o The inner discharge pipe of the ridge-tile according to the invention is designed to be connected to an inner pipe of a concentric pipe assembly connected to the central heating boiler, while the outer supply pipe of the ridge-tile according to the invention is designed to be connected to an outer pipe of the pipe assembly. The bridging part serves to fix the ridge-tile to the ridge of a roof. When the ridge-tile has been mounted on the ridge of the roof, the 5 bridging part makes the ridge-tile rest on the adjacent roof tiles.

The radial dimensions of the supply pipe and the discharge pipe extending therein will be chosen such that the supply pipe is sufficiently narrow to be passed towards the inside through the space in the ridge of a roof having no ridge beam. The ridge-tile according to the invention can also be applied in roofs having a ridge beam. In such applications, however, the 3 o ridge beam has to be provided with an opening.

The ridge-tile according to the invention is suitable for connecting to pipe assemblies of

( various types of boilers, such as high-efficiency boilers and improvedefficiency boilers.

When using the ridge-tile according to the invention, it is not necessary to make an opening in a ridge-tile or a roof tile. The pipe assembly connected to the boiler can be connected to the discharge pipe and the supply pipe of the ridge-tile, which serve for the R discharge of flue gas through the roof and the supply of combustion air through the roof, respectively. The covering of the discharge pipe and the supply pipe can be integrated with the ridge-tile, which results in a much more attractive appearance than in the case where a separate cover member is used. When in addition the colour of the ridge-tile according to the invention is matched with the colour of the other ridge-tiles of the roof on which the ridge-tile is to be o mounted, an inconspicuous construction is achieved.

The present invention further relates to a coupling member which serves to connect the ridge-tile according to the invention with the conventional pipe assembly.

The present invention will further be illustrated with reference to the following R description of a ridge-tile and a coupling member according to the invention, with reference to

the drawings in which the same reference numerals indicate similar or comparable parts, and in which: Figure I is a schematic view in perspective of a ridge-tile and a coupling member according to the invention, as mounted on a conventional roof of which part is shown in a cut= 2 o way view; Figure 2 is a schematic front view of a ridge-tile and a coupling member according to the invention, as mounted on the conventional roof shown in figure 1; Figure 3 is a view in perspective of a ridge-tile according to the invention; and Figure 4 is a cross-section of the ridge-tile according to the invention.

Figures 1 and 2 schematically show a ridge-tile I and a coupling member 2 according to the invention, as mounted on a conventional roof 3. F;or the sake of clarity the coupling member 2 is shown disengaged, at a distance from the ridge-tile 1.

The roof 3 shown comprises two roof parts 10, 1 I which extend at an angle relative to 30 each other. The location where the roofparts 10, 1 I join will hereinafter be indicated as ridge 12. In the example shown the inside of the roof 3 is defined as the side of the roof 3 where the roof parts I O. 1 1 are at an angle smaller than 180 , while the outside of the roof 3 is defined as the side of the roof 3 where the roof parts 10,] 1 are at an angle larger than 180 relative to

( each other.

Each of the roof parts 10, 1 I comprises on its inside rafters 13, 14 which are regularly spaced. At the ridge 12 of the roof 3, each raRer 13 of the roof part 10 joins a rafter 14 of the other roofpart 11.

5 Each of the roof parts 10, 1 1 additionally comprises tile laths 15 which extend in the plane of the involved roof part 10, 1 1 in a direction which is substantially at a right angle to the rafters 13, 14. The tile laths 15 serve to support continuous rows of roof tiles 16 known per se which are arranged on the outside of the roof 3.

On the ridge 12 of the roof 3, an Dterrupted row of arched ridge-tiles 17 known per 0 se is arranged, each ridge-tile 17 connecting to a number of upper roof tiles 18 of the one roof part 10 on the one hand and a number of upper roof tiles 19 of the other roof part I I on the other hand. By means of the ridge-tiles 17 a space located between said upper roof tiles 18, 19 is closed off. The ridge-tile I according to the invention is suitable to be placed in the row of conventional ridge-tiles 17.

The ridge-tile I and the coupling member 2 will be described in more detail below, reference being made as well to figures 3 and 4 with respect to the ridge-tile 1.

The ridge-tile I comprises an inner discharge pipe 20 which serves to discharge flue gasses originating from a boiler (not shown). An upper side 21 of the discharge pipe 20 is closed off by means of a top cover 22. In the vicinity of the top cover 22, the discharge pipe 20 2 o is provided with at least one discharge opening 23. In the example shown the discharge pipe 20 comprises two opposite discharge openings 23.

Advantageously, the radial dimensions of the top cover 22 exceed those of the discharge pipe 20' such that the top cover 22 extends beyond the discharge pipe 20 on all sides. This prevents for example slanting rain from coming in through the discharge openings 23 into the discharge pipe 20.

The ridge-tile I further comprises an outer supply pipe 30 which serves to supply combustion air to the boiler, and which radially encloses the inner discharge pipe 20.

Preferably, the discharge pipe 20 and the supply pipe 30 extend concentrically relative to each other, an upper part 24 of the discharge pipe 20 comprising the at least one discharge opening 3 0 23 extending beyond an upper side 31 of the supply pipe 30. An annular space which is located between the discharge pipe 20 and the supply pipe 30 is closed offal the upper side 31 ofthe supply pipe 30 by means of a middle cover 32. The middle cover 32 is preferably arched. In the vicinity of the middle cover 32, the supply pipe 30 is provided with at least one supply opening

13. In the example shown the supply pipe 30 comprises two opposite rows of supply openings 33. Advantageously, the radial dimensions of the middle cover 32 exceed those of the supply pipe 30, such that the middle cover 32 extends beyond the supply pipe 30 on all sides.

5 This prevents for example slanting rain from coming in through the supply openings 33 into the supply pipe 30.

Preferably, the outer supply pipe 30 comprises a transition section 34 in which the radial dimensions of the outer supply pipe 30 increase in the direction Mom a lower side 35 towards the upper side 31, such that at the supply openings 33 sufficient radial spacing exists o to allow air to enter.

Advantageously, the supply openings 33 are positioned in such a way relative to the discharge openings 23 that any pressure differences between flue gas discharge and combustion air supply are avoided. To this end the discharge openings 23 and the supply openings 33 should provide access in corresponding directions to the discharge pipe 20 and the 5 supply pipe 30 respectively, which is the case in the example shown. When gusts of wind occur the discharge pipe 20 and the supply pipe 30 be loaded to the same extent The ridge-tile I is provided with an arched bridging part 40 which is connected with the supply pipe 30. The discharge pipe 20 and the supply pipe 30 extend through the bridging part 40, while an upper part 36 ofthe supply pipe 30' which comprises the supply openings 33, o extends beyond this bridging part 40. The bridging part 40 serves to fix the ridge-tile I on to the roofs, one peripheral edge 41 joining at least one upper rooftile 18 ofthe roofpart 10 and another peripheral edge 42 joining at least one upper roof tile 19 of the other roof part I I. The curvature of the bridging part 40 preferably matches the curvature of the conventional ridge-

tiles 17. In additions the dimensions of the bridging part 40 preferably match the dimensions of s the ridge-tiles 17. Advantageously, an inside of the bridging part 40 is provided with a serrated grating 43 which serves to facilitate the fastening of the ridge-tile I in cement.

The ridge-tile I is designed to be mounted in position between two rafters 13, 14. In the construction of the conventional roof 3 shown, a space is present at such a position between the upper roof tiles 18 of the one roof part I O and the upper roof tiles I 9 of the other 3 0 roof part I 1. The radial dimensions of the supply pipe 30 are advantageously matched with the dimensions of said space in such a way that the supply pipe 30 is sufficiently narrow to be passed through this space towards the inside of the roof 3. Of course the radial dimensions of the discharge pipe 20 and those of the supply pipe 30 are matched in such a way that the

supply pipe 30 is capable of radially enclosing the discharge pipe 20.

In the example shown, both the discharge pipe 20 and the supply pipe 30 are shaped as flat pipes having two substantially flat sides 25, 26, 37, 38 which extend substantially in parallel relative to each other. The flat sides 25, 26, 37, 38 extend in a direction which is substantially 5 at a right angle to the arching direction ofthe bridging part 40.

In addition to the two said flat sides 25, 26, 37, 38 the discharge pipe 20 and the supply pipe 30 may have two additional flat sides, the radial cross-section being rectangular. When the discharge pipe 20 and the supply pipe 30 have such a design, the sides preferably join via rounded corners. The sides may, however, also join via sharp corners.

10 Another possibility is for the discharge pipe 20 and the supply pipe 30 to have two curved sides in addition to the two flat sides 25, 26, 37, 38.

Notwithstanding the above discussion it is also possible to mount the ridge-tile 1 on a conventional roof comprising a ridge-beam (this type of conventional roof is not shown). In this case an opening has to be made in the ridge beam for passing the supply pipe 30 and the 5 discharge pipe 20 extending therein. The ridge-tile I may then be mounted on the ridge- beam by means of screws, in which case the grating 43 has no function and may be omitted.

The coupling member 2 according to the invention serves to connect the inner discharge pipe 20 and the outer discharge pipe 30 with a conventional pipe assembly (not shown) which also comprises an inner discharge pipe and an outer supply pipe, and which may 20 be connected to a boiler, for example. The pipes ofthe conventional pipe assembly are designed as round pipes.

The coupling member 2 comprises an inner coupling pipe 50 and an outer coupling pipe 60, the outer coupling pipe 60 radially enclosing the inner coupling pipe 50. With a view to facilitating the production and the assembly of the coupling member 2, the outer coupling pipe 2 5 60 preferably comprises two halves 61, 62 which are mutually connected.

A lower side 51 of the inner coupling pipe 50 is designed to be connected in a manner known per se to an upper side of the inner discharge pipe of the conventional pipe assembly, while a lower side 63 of the outer coupling pipe 60 is designed to be connected in a manner known per se to an upper side of the outer supply pipe of the conventional pipe assembly.

30 An upper side 52 ofthe inner coupling pipe 50 is designed to be connected in a manner known per se to a lower side 27 of the inner discharge pipe 20 of the ridge-tile I, while an upper side 64 of the outer coupling pipe 60 is designed to be connected in a manner known per se to the lower side 35 of the outer supply pipe 30 of the ridge-tile 1.

( In view of the above it will be clear that the mutual arrangement, the design and the dimensions of the lower sides 51, 63 of the inner coupling pipe 50 and the outer coupling pipe 60 are matched to the mutual arrangement, the design and the dimensions of the upper sides of the discharge pipe and the supply pipe of the conventional pipe assembly. It will further be 5 clear that the mutual arrangement, the design and the dimensions of the upper sides 52, 64 of the inner coupling pipe 50 and the outer coupling pipe 60 are matched with the mutual arrangement, the design and the dimensions of the lower sides 27, 35 of the discharge pipe 20 and the supply pipe 30 ofthe ridge-tile 1. In the example shown the lower sides 51, 63 ofthe inner coupling pipe 50 and the outer coupling pipe 60 therefore have a circular radial cross o section, while the upper sides 52, 64 of the inner coupling pipe 50 and the outer coupling pipe 60 have a slot-shaped radial cross-section having two substantially parallel peripheral lines. The coupling member 2 shown comprises an upper part 4 where the inner coupling pipe 50 and the outer coupling pipe 60 are shaped as flat pipes, a lower part 6 where the inner coupling pipe 50 and the outer coupling pipe 60 are shaped as round pipes, and a middle part 5 where the round i 5 pipe shape of the coupling pipes 50, 60 and the flat pipe shape of the coupling pipes 50, 60 merge. To prevent the gas stream through the coupling member from being influenced by variations in the dimensions of the cross-section of the inner coupling pipe 50, the dimensions of the slot-shaped cross-section of the inner coupling pipe 50 at the upper part 4 2 o advantageously matches the dimensions of the circular cross-section of the inner coupling pipe 50 at the lower part 6. In order to prevent the stream of air through the coupling member 2 from being influenced by variations in the dimensions of the cross-section of the upper coupling pipe 60, the dimensions of the oval annular crosssection of the outer coupling pipe 60 at the upper part 4 advantageously matches the dimensions of the circular cross-section of 2 5 the outer coupling pipe 60 at the lower part 6.

An important fiJnction of the coupling member 2 is connecting the discharge pipe 20 and the supply pipe 30 of the ridge-tile 1 with the discharge pipe and the supply pipe of a conventional pipe assembly. The coupling member 2 is capable of connecting pipe-ends having different diameters and different radial dimensions. The coupling member 2 can be JO telescopically displaced in the axial direction relative to the ridgetile 1, which makes it possible to connect the coupling member 2 at different axial positions to the ridge-tile 1. This enables the application of the ridge-tile I on various types of roofs, irrespective of, for example, the thickness of an insulation layer (not shown).

It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the examples discussed in the foregoing, but that several amendments and modifications thereof are possible without deviating from the scope of the present invention as defined in the attached claims.

Claims

I. Ridge-tile designed to be mounted on the ridge of a roof, comprising: an outer supply pipe; - an inner discharge pipe having smaller radial dimensions than the supply pipe and extending at a radial spacir g in the interior of the supply pipe; and 5 - a bridging part connected to the supply pipe and serving to fix the ridge-tile on the ridge of the roof, wherein the discharge pipe and the supply pipe extend through the bridging part.
2. Ridge-tile according to claim I, wherein at least a substantial part of both the discharge o pipe and the supply pipe is formed as a flat pipe having two substantially flat sides extending substantially in parallel relative to each other.
3. Ridge-tile according to claim I or 2, wherein the discharge pipe and the supply pipe extend concentrically relative to each other.
4. Ridge-tile according any of claims 1-3, wherein the bridging part is arched.
5. Ridge-tile according to claim 4 insofar as dependent on claim 2, wherein the flat sides extend in a direction substantially at a right angle to the arching direction of the bridging part.
6. Ridge-tile according to any of claims 1-5, wherein an inner side of the bridging part is provided with a serrated grating.
7. Ridge-tile according to any of claims 1-6, wherein an upper side of the discharge pipe is closed offby means of a top cover, and wherein in the vicinity of the top cover at least one discharge opening is provided in the discharge pipe.
8. Ridge-tile according to claim 7, wherein the radial dimensions of the top cover exceed those of the discharge pipe, the top cover extending beyond the discharge pipe on all sides.
9. Ridge-tile according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the discharge pipe comprises two

(I apposite discharge openings.
I 0. Ridge-tile according to any of claims 7-9, wherein an upper part of the discharge pipe, which comprises the at least one discharge opening, extends beyond an upper side of the 5 supply pipe.
I I. Ridge-tile according to claim l O. wherein an annular space located between the discharge pipe and the supply pipe is closed off at the upper side of the supply pipe by means of a middle cover, and wherein in the vicinity of the middle cover at least one supply opening is o arranged in the supply pipe.
12. Ridge-tile according to claim I I, wherein the radial dimensions of the middle cover exceed those of the supply pipe, the middle cover extending beyond the discharge pipe on all sides.
13. Ridge-tile according to claim I I or 12, wherein the middle cover is arched.
14. Ridge-tile according to any of claims I 1-13, wherein the supply pipe comprises two opposite rows of supply openings.
l S. Ridge-tile according to any of claims 1 1-14, wherein an upper part of the supply pipe, which upper part comprises the at least one supply opening, extends beyond the bridging part.
l 6. Ridge-tile according to any of claims I 1- l S. wherein the at least one discharge opening 2 5 and the at least one supply opening provide access in corresponding directions to the discharge pipe and the supply pipe, respectively.
17. Coupling member, comprising an outer coupling pipe and an inner coupling pipe having smaller radial dimensions than the outer coupling pipe and extending at a radial spacing in the 3 o interior of the outer coupling pipe, lower sides of the inner coupling pipe and the outer coupling pipe having a circular radial cross-section and upper sides of the inner coupling pipe and the outer coupling pipe having a slot-shaped radial cross-section having two substantially parallel peripheral lines.
18. Coupling member according to claim 17, comprising: - an upper part in which the inner coupling pipe and the outer coupling pipe are formed as flat pipes; 5 - a lower part in which the inner coupling pipe and the outer coupling pipe are formed as round pipes; and - a middle part in which the round pipe-shape ofthe coupling pipes and the flat pipe-shape of the coupling pipes merge.

0
I 9. Coupling member according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the outer coupling pipe comprises two halves which are mutually connected.
20. Coupling member according to any of claims 17- l 9, wherein the inner coupling pipe and the outer coupling pipe extend concentrically relative to each other.
21. Assembly of a ridge-tile according to any of claims I -16 and a coupling member according to any of claims l 7-2O, wherein the upper side of the inner coupling pipe of the coupling member is connected to a lower side of the inner discharge pipe of the roof-tile, and wherein the upper side of the outer coupling pipe of the coupling member is connected to a o lower side of the outer supply pipe of the ridge-tile.
22. Assembly according to claim 21, wherein the coupling member is telescopically movable in the axial direction relative to the ridge-tile.

2 5
23. Ridge-tile, substantially as described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
24. Coupling member, substantially as described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
25. Assembly, substantially as described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

22. Assembly according to claim 21, wherein the coupling member is telescopically movable in the axial direction relative to the ridge-tile.

It Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows I. Ridge-tile designed to be mounted on the ridge of a roof, comprising: - an outer supply pipe; - an inner discharge pipe having smaller radial dimensions than the supply pipe and extending at a radial spacing in the interior of the supply pipe; and 5 - a bridging part connected to the supply pipe and serving to fix the ridge-tile on the ridge of the roof, wherein the discharge pipe and the supply pipe extend through the bridging part.

2. Ridge-tile according to claim I, wherein at least a substantial part of both the discharge 0 pipe and the supply pipe is formed as a flat pipe having two substantially flat sides extending substantially in parallel relative to each other.

3. Ridge-tile according to claim I or 2, wherein the discharge pipe and the supply pipe extend concentrically relative to each other.

4. Ridge-tile according any of claims 1-3, wherein the bridging part is arched.

5. Ridge-tile according to claim 4 insofar as dependent on claim 2, wherein the flat sides extend in a direction substantially at a right angle to the arching direction of the bridging part.

6. Ridge-tile according to any of claims l -S. wherein an inner side of the bridging part is provided with a serrated grating.

7. Ridge-tile according to any of claims l -6, wherein an upper side of the discharge pipe is :5 closed ofby means of a top cover, and wherein in the vicinity ofthe top cover at least one discharge opening is provided in the discharge pipe.

8. Ridge-tile according to claim 7, wherein the radial dimensions of the top cover exceed those of the discharge pipe, the top cover extending beyond the discharge pipe on all sides.

9. Ridge-tile according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the discharge pipe comprises two

apposite discharge openings.

10. Ridge-tile according to any of claims 7-9, wherein an upper part of the discharge pipe, which comprises the at least one discharge opening, extends beyond an upper side of the 5 supply pipe.

1 1. Ridge-tile according to claim 10, wherein an annular space located between the discharge pipe and the supply pipe is closed offal the upper side ofthe supply pipe by means of a middle cover, and wherein in the vicinity of the middle cover at least one supply opening is 10 arranged in the supply pipe.

12. Ridge-tile according to claim I I, wherein the radial dimensions of the middle cover exceed those of the supply pipe, the middle cover extending beyond the discharge pipe on all sides. L J 13. Ridgetile according to claim 1 1 or 12, wherein the middle cover is arched.

] 4. Ridge-tile according to any of claims 1 1-13, wherein the supply pipe comprises two opposite rows of supply openings.

I 5. Ridge-tile according to any of claims I I -14, wherein an upper part of the supply pipe, which upper part comprises the at least one supply opening, extends beyond the bridging part.

16. Ridge-tile according to any of claims I I -15, wherein the at least one rlisc.harge cozening 2 5 and the at least one supply operung provide access in corresponding directions to the discharge pipe and the supply pipe' respectively.

17. Coupling member, comprising an outer coupling pipe and an inner coupling pipe having smaller radial dimensions than the outer coupling pipe and extending at a radial spacing in the interior of the outer coupling pipe, lower sides of the inner coupling pipe and the outer coupling pipe having a circular radial cross-section and upper sides of the inner coupling pipe and the outer coupling pipe having a slot-shaped radial cross-section having two substantially parallel peripheral lines.

1? 18. Coupling member according to claun 17, comprising: - an upper part in which the inner coupling pipe and the outer coupling pipe are formed as flat pipes; 5 - a lower part in which the inner coupling pipe and the outer coupling pipe are formed as round pipes; and - a middle part in which the round pipe-shape ofthe coupling pipes and the flat pipe-shape of the coupling pipes merge.

l o 19. Coupling member according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the outer coupling pipe comprises two halves which are mutually connected.

20. Coupling member according to any of claims 17-19, wherein the inner coupling pipe and the outer coupling pipe extend concentrically relative to each other.

21. Assembly of a ridge-tile according to any of claims I -16 and a coupling member according to any of claims 17-20, wherein the upper side of the inner coupling pipe of the coupling member is connected to a lower side of the inner discharge pipe of the roof-tile, and wherein the upper side ofthc outer coupling pipe ofthe coupling member is connected to a 2 o lower side of the outer supply pipe of the ridge-tile.