GB2431429A

GB2431429A - Fluid drainage apparatus for pipe work

Info

Publication number: GB2431429A
Application number: GB0521518A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Anthony Povey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-10-21
Filing date: 2005-10-21
Publication date: 2007-04-25
Anticipated expiration: 2025-10-21
Also published as: GB0521518D0; GB2431429B

Abstract

Apparatus to facilitate the collection of fluid flowing along or adjacent the outer surface of the pipe P comprises a plate 1 having a conical surface 2 with the plane thereof progressing helically with the ends forming an overlap zone through which the plate may be located over a pipe. A fluid discharge lip 4 is located at an end of the plate. A central aperture 5 in the plate engages the outer periphery of the pipe P in a fluid tight manner by means of a seal. In a preferred arrangement the fluid D collected on the plate surface is discharged over the lip 4 into a collecting tray 10 which may include an outlet 11. The tray 10 is of generally cylindrical shape with a central aperture 12 opening into a divergent segmental slot 13. The tray is of a flexible material and is such that the pipe may be entered into the slot 13 and pressed radially towards the aperture 12 thus forcing open the slot to permit the pipe to snap into the aperture.

Description

FLUID DRAINAGE APPARATUS FOR PIPE WORK

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an apparatus for facilitating fluid drainage or collection and is primarily for use with pipes such as those connecting with and supplying fluid to heating radiators.

Background to the Invention

Radiator pipes generally rise vertically to connect with the radiator through valves, glands or other couplings which may leak or seep or which may need to be uncoupled or loosened to permit access behind a radiator or removal thereof Space is often limited rendering it difficult to use fluid collecting containers and, additionally, fluid flow tends to remain in contact with the pipe surface due to the Coanda effect, such that use of a container becomes impractical.

GB 2 332 923 discloses a spiral leak collector formed from a plastics moulding which is wound tightly onto a radiator pipe. The leak collector is of channel cross-section and may be provided at its lower end with a fitting onto which a hosepipe may be connected.

Alternatively, the arrangement may be such that water drips from the spiral into a container from which it is discharged by a hosepipe. The leak collector has the disadvantage that the channel cross-section moulding is necessarily limited in its width in the radial direction of the pipe in order that the moulding is sufficiently flexible to be wound around the pipe. Consequently, the leak collector can only collect leaking water that is relatively close to the pipe, which may not be the case when a joint is opened to disconnect a radiator. Furthermore, it is important that the spiral moulding is in sealing contact with the pipe so that water cannot pass between the pipe and the moulding, thereby avoiding collection. This is difficult to achieve with a channel cross- section moulding where the radially innermost wall of the moulding must be flush with the surface of the pipe. Moreover, the construction of the spiral moulding with a channel cross-section necessary defines a relatively rigid structure that cannot accommodate easily variation in the diameter of the pipe.

US 5,365,968 discloses an apparatus for fluid drainage in the form of a flexible and generally oval flat plate formed of moulded rubber material. One end of the plate has a slit terminating in a small circular hole. The plate is attached to the bottom of a radiator by pushing the slit over a radiator pipe until the pipe is received by the hole. The two pieces of the plate on either side of the slit are then overlapped to provide a substantially water- tight seal around the pipe. Water escaping from the pipe is directed to the edge of the plate at a predetermined point. This apparatus has the disadvantage that the point at which the water crosses the edge of the plate for collection is determined by the shape into which the user forms the flexible material and this can lead to unexpected spillage if the user does not position the flexible plate correctly.

The present invention, at least in its preferred embodiments, seeks to provide an apparatus which avoids at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art.

Summary of the Invention

According to this invention there is provided an apparatus for location around a pipe to facilitate the collection of fluid flowing along or adjacent the outer surface of the pipe, the apparatus comprising a plate forming a substantially helical fluid collection surface defined between a radially inner edge and a radially outer edge and between overlapping upper and lower ends, the inner edge defining a central aperture for engaging, in use, the outer surface of a pipe in a fluid tight manner and the lower end having at its radially inner edge a fluid discharge member for directing fluid, in use, away from the outer surface of the pipe.

By simply providing a plate with a substantially helical collecting surface, the present invention overcomes the structural problems of the spiral channel moulding of the prior art. Furthermore, the fluid discharge member discharges fluid from the plate at a predictable location without the fluid running down the surface of the pipe.

The fluid discharge member is configured to direct fluid away from the outer surface of the pipe at the lower end of the collection surface. In this way, the natural tendency of the fluid to run down the outer surface of the pipe due to the Coanda effect is overcome. The fluid discharge member may be in the form of a lip at the radially inner edge of the lower end of the collection surface. In the position of use, the lip has an extent in the vertically upward direction to guide the descending fluid. Desirably, the fluid discharge member extends tangentially from the fluid collection surface to provide a smooth transition between the fluid collection surface and the fluid discharge member.

In an alternative embodiment, the fluid discharge member may be in the form of a pipe or channel, optionally for connection to an outlet.

An apparatus according to this invention may be located around a pipe by flexure of the plate by increasing the spacing at the overlap region to allow the pipe to pass through this space and thus to be "sprung-over" the pipe enabling the aperture to be fitted snugly around the pipe periphery with the plane of the plate surface extending generally laterally of the pipe. To this end, the plate may be configured of a resilient material, for example plastics, rubber or elastomer. Fluid flow down and along the pipe periphery above the plate location will then be intercepted at the juncture between the aperture in the plate and the pipe to be deflected from the outer surface of the pipe onto the upper surface of the plate and thus to flow across the plate surface to drain over the lower end from which the fluid flow may be caught in a suitable container, the plate and lip thus serving to provide an ordered flow of the fluid away from the pipe surface to be directed into a suitable container. Any fluid flow, such as drips, falling close to the pipe and within the confines of the plate area will also be caught by the plate surface.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention the plate is associated with a collecting tray which, in use, is located below the plate and serves to intercept and retain the flow of fluid from the lip of the plate.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An embodiment of apparatus in accordance with this invention is shown by way of example in the drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the upper side of a plate according to a first embodiment of the invention, Figure 2 shows the lower side of the plate of Figure 1, Figure 3 (a), (b) and (c) shows the plate of Figure 1 in side elevation views from three aspects and fitted to a pipe and valve assembly, Figure 4 shows the plate as in Figure 3 in perspective view from above, Figure 5 shows a detail, in fragmentary view, of the aperture in the plate of Figure 1 embracing the pipe, Figure 6 (a) and (b) show the plate as in Figure 3 (a) and (b) but now including a fluid collecting tray, Figure 7 shows a perspective view from below of the arrangement of Figure 6 from one aspect, Figure 8 shows a perspective view from above from another aspect, Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a plate according to a second embodiment of the invention in the position of use, Figure 10 shows a partially sectional view of the plate of Figure 9, and Figure 11 is a sectional view along the line A-A of Figure 10.

In the drawings, corresponding reference numerals are used to designate corresponding components of each embodiment.

Detailed Description of an Embodiment

Referring to Figures 1 to 5 of the drawings the apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention is adapted for location around a pipe P (Figures 3 to 5) to facilitate the collection of fluid flowing along or adjacent the outer surface of the pipe. The apparatus shown here comprises a plate 1 having a dished and preferably conical surface 2 with the plane thereof progressing helically with ends la and lb forming an overlap zone at 3. The end lb of the helical surface of the plate, being the lowermost end when in use, is in the form of a fluid discharge surface 4. A central aperture 5 in the plate serves, in use, to engage the outer periphery of the pipe P in a fluid tight manner and this is achieved by a seal 6 forming a rim and lying around the aperture 5.

The overlap zone 3 is sufficient, particularly in the zone of engagement with the pipe, to intercept fluid flow along the periphery of the pipe as well as catching any dripping adjacent the pipe and within the area of the plate.

The junction between the discharge surface 4 and lower end lb of the plate may be angled upwards towards the upper end 1 a and may further extend upwardly a short distance so that the inner side edge of the discharge surface forms a discharge lip 4a extending away from the pipe periphery to direct fluid flow clear of the pipe to fall into a suitable container.

The plate 1 is fitted around the pipe P by flexure of the plate thus increasing the spacing between the ends 1 a and lb at the overlap region 3 to allow the pipe P to pass through this space and thus to be "sprungover" the pipe enabling the aperture 5 to be fitted snugly and with frictional engagement around the pipe periphery with the plane of the plate surface extending generally laterally of the pipe. Fluid flow down and along the pipe periphery above the plate location is then intercepted at the seal 6 between the aperture in the plate and the pipe to be deflected from the outer surface of the pipe onto the upper surface of the plate. Fluid thus flows across the plate surface to drain over the discharge surface 4 from which the fluid flow may be caught in a suitable container, the plate and lip 4a thus serving to provide an ordered flow of the fluid away from the pipe surface to be directed into a suitable container. Any fluid flow, such as drips, falling close to the pipe and within the confines of the plate area will also be caught by the plate surface.

Figures 3, 4 and 5 show the plate of Figures 1 and 2 in use and located around a pipe P. In a modification (not shown here) the lip 4a may be adapted to direct fluid flow through a pipe or channel for discharge.

In a further and preferred embodiment of this invention the plate is associated with a substantially C-shaped collecting tray 10 which, in use, is located below the plate and serves to intercept and retain the flow of fluid from the lip of the plate. Figures 6, 7 and 8 illustrate the plate located on a pipe and associated with a collecting tray.

As shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8 the pipe P with valve unit V which may be leaking as illustrated by D is fitted with the plate I as already described. The fluid collected on the plate surface is discharged over the fluid discharge surface 4 and falls into a collecting tray 10 which may include an outlet 11 for connection with a discharge pipe (not shown).

This outlet may be valve controlled. The tray is of generally cylindrical shape with a central aperture 12 opening into a divergent segmental slot 13. The tray is of a flexible material and is such that the pipe may be entered into the slot 13 and pressed radially towards the aperture 12 thus forcing open the slot to permit the pipe to snap into the aperture to the position shown in the drawings. The arrangement provides a tight frictional fit around the pipe. The segmental slot part 13 of the tray will, of course, be positioned out of alignment with the lip 4a.

Referring now to Figures 9 to 11, a second embodiment of the invention is shown. The construction of the plate 1 of this embodiment corresponds generally to that of the first embodiment. Consequently, only the differences will be described in detail.

In this embodiment, the plate 1 comprises an upwardly extending outer rim 14, which acts in use to contain the fluid flowing over the conical surface 2 in the event that the fluid flow is particularly high. In addition, the fluid discharge surface 4 is downwardly curved in the position of use in order to assist orderly discharge of the fluid. This embodiment may be used in combination with a collecting tray 10 as previously described.

This invention may be used to intercept leakages from or along pipes of various diameters with appropriate changes to dimensions. In particular industrial fluids such as oils or chemicals may be collected to avoid leaks becoming a hazard.

In the embodiments shown, the plate 1 is configured to fit around a standard 15 mm diameter pipe. However, the plate may be configured for other sizes of pipe. The outer diameter of the plate I is approximately 50 mm. However, this diameter is generally determined by the typical distance between the pipe P and the wall to which the radiator is mounted (in the case of a radiator pipe).

In summary therefore this invention provides an apparatus to facilitate the collection of fluid flowing along or adjacent the outer surface of the pipe and which comprises a plate having a conical surface with the plane thereof progressing helically with the ends forming an overlap zone through which the plate may be located over a pipe. A fluid discharge lip is located at an end of the plate. A central aperture in the plate engages the outer periphery of the pipe in a fluid tight manner by means of a seal.

In a preferred arrangement the fluid collected on the plate surface is discharged over the lip into a collecting tray which may include an outlet. The tray is of generally cylindrical shape with a central aperture opening into a divergent segmental slot. The tray is of a flexible material and is such that the pipe may be entered into the slot and pressed radially towards the aperture thus forcing open the slot to permit the pipe to snap into the aperture.

Claims

Claims 1. An apparatus for location around a pipe to facilitate the

collection of fluid flowing along or adjacent the outer surface of the pipe, the apparatus comprising a plate forming a substantially helical fluid collection surface defined between a radially inner edge and a radially outer edge and between overlapping upper and lower ends, the inner edge defining a central aperture for engaging, in use, the outer surface of a pipe in a fluid tight manner and the lower end having at its radially inner edge a fluid discharge member for directing fluid, in use, away from the outer surface of the pipe.
2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the fluid discharge member is in the form of a lip at the radially inner edge of the lower end of the collection surface.
3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 or 2, wherein the central aperture includes means to form a seal against the pipe surface.
4. An apparatus in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the central aperture includes a lipped profile for engaging the pipe.
5. An apparatus in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the plate is dished, preferably defining a substantially conical surface.
6. An apparatus in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the plate comprises a rim at its radially outer edge which extend upwardly in the position of use to retain fluid on the fluid collection surface.
7. An apparatus in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the plate is composed of resilient material such that it is capable of location around a pipe by flexure of the plate.
8. An apparatus in accordance with any preceding claim, in combination with a collecting tray adapted to be fitted to a pipe below the plate and to receive fluid flow from the fluid discharge member.
9. An apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein the collecting tray is substantially C-shaped with a central aperture configured to engage the pipe, in use, whereby to retain the collecting tray in position on the pipe.
10. An apparatus constructed and arranged to function as described herein and as shown in Figures 1 to 5 of the drawings.
11. An apparatus constructed and arranged to function as described herein and as shown in Figures 6 to 8 of the drawings.
12. An apparatus constructed and arranged to function as described herein and as shown in Figures 9 to 11 of the drawings.