GB2439335A

GB2439335A - Combined pressure reducer and manifold

Info

Publication number: GB2439335A
Application number: GB0702038A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Marco Caleffi
Original assignee: Caleffi SpA
Current assignee: Caleffi SpA
Priority date: 2002-01-10
Filing date: 2007-02-02
Publication date: 2007-12-27
Anticipated expiration: 2027-02-02
Also published as: FR2834543A3; ITMI20020010V0; ITMI20020010U1; GB2439335B; FR2834543B3; GB0702038D0

Abstract

A combined pressure reducer 11 and manifold has at least four outlets to reduce the space needed for an installation. The pressure reducer 11 has a hollow body 12 which is cast in one piece with the manifold. The manifold is connected to a safety valve 19, an expansion tank (not shown) via port 17, and to a boiler via port 14 which may be in line with the inlet 13. A further outlet 16 provides water for other requirements.

Description

WATER FEEDING ASSEMBLY

FOR BOILERS IN SANITARY WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS

The present invention relates to a water feeding assembly for feeding water to boilers. For example, the feeding assembly is suitable for feeding water at a controlled and/or reduced pressure to the boiler of a sanitary water supply system and to a further separate user.

In the field of hydraulic or plumbing systems, pressure reducers are generally known and used, in order to supply water to a user, while maintaining a substantially constant outlet pressure value.

Pressure reducers of this kind are known for example from IT-U-220.283 and from EP-A-O.650.109, which comprise a hollow body having a water inlet pipe fitting connected to the water supply mains, and an outlet pipe fitting for feeding water to a user, which open towards a pressure reducing chamber and which communicate with each other through a pressure reducing valve, for example of the cartridge type, operatively connected to a setting device operatable from the outside.

Whenever it is required to make use of a pressure reducer of this kind for feeding water both to a boiler of a sanitary water supply system, and to a different user, it is necessary to connect to the outlet pipe fitting of the reducer a suitable separate manifold, which is provided with a pipe fitting for connection to the boiler, a pipe fitting for feeding water to the user, a pipe fitting for connection to an expansion tank, and a pipe fitting for connection to a safety valve.

However, the assembly composed of the pressure reducer and the added manifold is of a considerable overall lengthwise dimension, which in certain cases proves to be incompatible with the space available for its installation within the sanitary water supply system.

Moreover, undesirable leakages of water could occur in correspondence with the connection between the pressure reducer and the manifold, which

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must be remedied by the intervention of a maintenance technician, with the consequent temporary interruption of the water supply.

It is an object of the invention to reduce the problems of the prior art.

According to the present invention there is provided a water feeding assembly for feeding water to a boiler comprising: a pressure reducer having a hollow body, a water inlet pipe fitting, and a first outlet pipe fitting for coupling to a boiler, the inlet and outlet pipe fittings to being connected to a pressure reducing chamber in said hollow body, a manifold ending with said first outlet pipe fitting for the boiler, the manifold also comprising a pipe fitting for connection to an expansion tank, and a pipe fitting for connection to a safety valve, the manifold with the respective pipe fittings being obtained by casting in one piece with the hollow body of the IS pressure reducer, and a second water outlet pipe fitting for the outlet of water towards a user being directly branched off from the pressure reducing chamber.

Embodiments of a water feeding assembly of the invention are structurally simple and economical, and have considerably limited lengthwise dimensions compared to the conventional assemblies.

Embodiments of a water feeding assembly of the invention are also free from the water leakages which may occur in conventional feeding assemblies.

Embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a front view of a first embodiment of a water feeding assembly for a boiler of the invention; Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the assembly of Figure 1, taken along the line 2- 2 of Figure 3; Figure 3 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the assembly of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a water feeding assembly, according to a plane orthogonal to the water outlet pipe fitting towards a user; Figure 5 shows a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of the assembly of Figure 4, according to a plane passing through the axis of the pipe fitting for connection to a safety valve; and Figure 6 shows an enlarged detail of Figure 5.

Figures from 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of a water feeding assembly 10. The assembly 1 0 comprises a pressure reducer 11 having a hollow body 1 2 provided with a water inlet pipe fitting 1 3, connected to the water supply mains, and a first water outlet pipe fitting 14 for connection to a to boiler of a sanitary water supply system.

The inlet pipe fitting 13 and the pipe fitting 14 for connection to the boiler are preferably aligned with each other and are connected to a pressure reduction chamber 15, in which extends a pressure reduction valve 20 of the pressure reducer 11.

The chamber 15 and the pressure reduction valve 20 are in particular shaped and disposed in such a way that the inlet pipe fitting 13 communicates with the pipe fitting 14 for connection to the boiler through the valve 20 itself.

The hollow body 12 also comprises a second outlet pipe fitting 16 for the outlet of water towards a user, which is directly branched off from the pressure reduction chamber 15.

The assembly 10 also comprises a manifold extension 21 ending with the first pipe fitting 14 for connection to the boiler, the manifold extension 21 also comprising a pipe fitting 17 for connection to an expansion tank, not shown, and a pipe fitting 18 for connection to a safety valve 19, downstream to the pressure reduction valve 20.

The manifold extension 21, the first pipe fitting 14 for connection to the boiler, the pipe fitting 17 for connection to the expansion tank, and the pipe fitting 18 for connection to the safety valve 19, are obtained by casting in one piece with the hollow body 12 provided with the inlet pipe fitting 13 and the outlet pipe fitting 16 for the outlet of water to the user.

Preferably, the valve 20 and the pressure reduction chamber 15 are slantingly arranged with respect to the pipe fittings 1 3, 14 for the water inlet, respectively for connection to the boiler, while the pipe fitting 16 for the outlet of the water towards the user extends orthogonally to the pipe fittings 13, 14 themselves, on the side opposite the pressure reducer 11.

As illustrated in the Figures, the manifold extension 21 branches off directly from the pressure reduction chamber 15, while in turn the pipe fitting 17 for connection to the expansion tank and the pipe fitting 18 for connection to TO the safety valve 19, branch off laterally from the manifold 21 itself, in an intermediate position between the pressure reduction chamber 15 and the pipe fitting 14 for connection to the boiler.

Preferably, the pipe fitting 17 for connection to the expansion tank and IS the pipe fitting 18 for connection to the safety valve 19, extend from the manifold 21 in two directions at right angles with each other, also being at right angles with the axis of the manifold 21 itself, with the pipe fitting 18 for connection to the safety valve 1 9 which extends on the same side of the hollow body 12 with respect to the pressure reducer 11.

As shown, the hollow body 12 is provided with an opening 22 which enables the insertion and the housing of the pressure reduction valve 20; the valve 20, in this case of the cartridge type, comprises a valve body 23 which extends into the pressure reduction chamber 15, the body 23 having side openings 24 for the inlet of the water and an axial outlet opening provided with a watertight annular seat 25 for a plug 26.

The plug 26 is secured to the front end of a shank 27 screwed onto a piston 28 sliding within a pressure balancing chamber 29 formed between the cup-shaped rear end of the valve body 23, and a closing diaphragm or membrane 30 in a per se known way.

The pressure balancing chamber 29 is in turn in communication with a downstream portion of the pressure reduction chamber 15 by means of passages 31 made longitudinally in the walls of the valve body 23.

The piston 28, on a side opposite the shank 27, is provided with a rod 32 having a head 33 which slidingly penetrates in a dead hole 34 which opens out on the front end of a threaded rod 35.

The connection between the rod 32 and the threaded rod 35 is achieved by means of a cut metal cone 36 and a cap 37 which is screwable onto the front end of the threaded rod 35.

The threaded rod 35 is connected to a control knob 38 pivotally io supported on the rear end of a cap 39 which closes the body 12 of the pressure reducer 11, and which encloses a setting device for setting the pressure reduction valve 20.

The setting device, as well as the threaded rod 35, comprises a disk 40 having a threaded hole which engages with the threaded rod 35 itself, to slide along side guide surfaces 41 which prevent the disk 40 from rotating.

A counter spring 42 on one side rests against the disk 40 and on the opposite side rests against a washer 43 which is thrust by the spring itself 42 against a stop shoulder on the rod 32 of the piston 28.

In order to comply with the anti-pollution regulations, the assembly 10 comprises a first non-return valve 44 inside the manifold 21, between the pressure reduction chamber 15 and the pipe fittings 1 7, 18 for connection to the expansion tank and to the safety valve 19, and also comprises a second non-return valve 45 in the outlet pipe fitting 16 for the outlet of the water towards the user.

Preferably, the pipe fitting 1 8 for connection to the safety valve 19, which extends according to an axis orthogonal to the axis of the manifold 21, is shaped and disposed in such a way as to house in an angularly adjustable way the safety valve 1 9 itself according to the axis of the pipe fitting 18, by providing in this embodiment suitable means 46 for locking the safety valve 19 in position.

In particular, the safety valve 19 comprises a valve body 47 having an inlet duct 48 which is inserted into the pipe fitting 1 8, with a rotatable coupling made watertight by means of a suitable 0-ring 48' which enables the reciprocal angular orientation. The locking means consist for example of a grub screw 46 which screws into a side through hole in the pipe fitting 1 8, the screw 46 being designed to be tightened against the inlet duct 48, in an appropriate annular groove 48" in the duct 48 itself.

The safety valve 1 9 also comprises an outlet duct 49 for a water flow, io and a plug 50 for shutting off the flow and a spring 51 designed to push the plug 50 to a closed position against a watertight seat 52.

The setting of the pressure value upon the opening of the valve 19 can be adjusted in any appropriate way, for example by changing the compression IS of the spring 51 by means of a threaded bushing 53 which is guided along a rod 54 integral with the plug 50, inside a sleeve 55 screwed into a housing in the valve body 47.

Lastly, the valve 19 comprises a knob 56 operatively connected to the rod 54 for the manual opening of the valve 19.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the hollow body 12, in correspondence with the pressure reduction chamber 15, preferably comprises at least one opening 57 for connecting a pressure gauge, not shown, which, in the event of the pressure gauge not being provided, can be closed by means of a suitable cap 58.

Figures 4 to 6 illustrate a second embodiment of a water feeding assembly in which the same reference numbers as are used in Figures 1 to 3 are used to indicate the same or similar elements.

As shown in Figure 4, the water feeding assembly differs from that of the preceding embodiment in that the opening 57 for connecting the pressure gauge is no longer in correspondence with the pressure reducing chamber 15, but is provided on the manifold 21, downstream of the first non-return valve 44, preferably axially aligned with the pipe fitting 17 for the expansion tank.

In this way it is possible to measure the effective pressure of the water inside the hydraulic system of the boiler, without the non-return valve 44 being able in any way to affect the measurem nt itself.

Another variation of the water feeding assembly shown in Figures 1 to 3 is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. In this embodiment the pipe fitting 18 for connection to the safety valve 19 is shaped and disposed in such a way as to house in an angularly adjustable way the safety valve 1 9 itself according to the axis of the pipe fitting 1 8. I0

However, in this case, in place of the locking means 46, the pipe fitting 18 is provided with axial retaining means 59 for axially retaining the safety valve 1 9, shaped and disposed to allow the free angular orientation of the safety valve 19 itself.

Preferably, the axial retaining means 59 are in the form of a grub screw 59 having a body 59' which screws into a side through hole in the pipe fitting 18, the hole being provided with an internal stop surface 18' against which the body 59' of the grub screw 59 is tightened.

The stop surface 18' and the body 59' of the grub screw are shaped and disposed in such a way as to prevent the grub screw 59 from tightening itself against the inlet duct 48 of the safety valve 19.

The grub screw 59 also comprises a pin 59" which extends into an appropriate annular groove 48" in the inlet duct 48, in such a way as to exert an axial retaining action on the safety valve 19, and at the same time allowing the free angular orientation of the valve 1 9 itself without the need to unscrew the retaining grub screw 59.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that embodiments of water feeding assemblies as described have considerably limited overall lengthwise dimensions as compared to conventional assemblies composed of a pressure reducer and a separate manifold. By casting the hollow body of the assembly in one piece with the manifold and the various pipe fittings, it is possible to eliminate the means necessary for the connection between the conventional pressure reducer and manifold, with a consequent reduction in the length of the assembly.

Moreover, the hollow body of the assembly produced by casting in one piece with the various pipe fittings is structurally simple. The blank obtained by casting requires only simple machining operations, and also permits a reduction in costs, due to the smaller quantity of material required for producing the hollow body.

Since no connection between the pressure reducer and a separate manifold is provided, the assembly of embodiments of the invention is free from the water leakages to which feeding assemblies of the conventional type are subject.

It will be appreciated that modifications in, and variations to, the embodiments of the invention as described and illustrated may be made within the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. A water feeding assembly for feeding water to a boiler comprising: a pressure reducer having a hollow body, a water inlet pipe fitting, and a first outlet pipe fitting for coupling to a boiler, the inlet and ouUet pipe fittings being connected to a pressure reducing chamber in said hollow body, a manifold ending with said first outlet pipe fitting for the boiler, the manifold also comprising a pipe fitting for connection to an expansion tank, and a pipe fitting for connection to a safety valve, the manifold with the respective pipe fittings being obtained by casting in one piece with the hollow body of the pressure reducer, and a second water outlet pipe fitting for the outlet of water towards a user being directly branched off from the pressure reducing chamber.

2. A water feeding assembly as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the pressure reducer comprises a pressure reducing valve which extends into said pressure reducing chamber, and wherein the water inlet pipe fitting communicates with the pipe fitting for connection to the boiler through the pressure reducing valve, said water inlet pipe fitting being aligned with the pipe fitting for connection to the boiler.

3. A water feeding assembly as claimed in Claim I or Claim 2, wherein the pressure reducing valve and chamber are slantingly arranged with respect to the pipe fittings for the inlet of the water and for connection to the boiler.

4. A water feeding assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the manifold branches off directly from the pressure reducing chamber of the assembly.

5, A water feeding assembly as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the pipe fitting for connection to an expansion tank and the pipe fitting for connection to a safety valve, branch off laterally from the manifold, in an intermediate position between said pressure reducing chamber and the pipe fitting for connection to the boiler.

6. A water feeding assembly as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the pipe fitting -Jo -for connection to an expansion tank and the pipe fitting for connection to a safety valve extend in two directions at right angles with each other from said manifold of the assembly.

7. A water feeding assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a first non-return valve in said manifold between said pressure reducing chamber and said pipe fittings for connection to the expansion tank and to the safety valve.

iO 8. A water feeding assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pipe fitting for connection to the safety valve extends along an axis, and wherein the pipe fitting for connection to the safety valve is shaped and disposed in such a way as to house in an angularly adjustable way said safety valve according to the axis of the pipe fitting itself.

9. A water feeding assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pipe fitting for connection to the safety valve is provided with locking means for locking the safety valve in position.

10. A water feeding assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pipe fitting for connection to the safety valve is provided with axial retaining means for axially retaining the safety valve itself, shaped and disposed to allow the free angular orientation of the safety valve.

11. A water feeding assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a second non-return valve in said outlet pipe fitting for the outlet of the water towards the user.

12. A water feeding assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising at least one opening for connecting a pressure gauge.

13. A water feeding assembly as claimed in Claim 12, wherein said opening for connecting the pressure gauge is provided on said hollow body in correspondence with the pressure reducing chamber.

14. A water feeding assembly as claimed in Claim 12 or Claim 13, wherein said opening for connecting the pressure gauge is provided on said manifold downstream to the first non-return valve.

15. A water feeding assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows. 12..

CLAIMS

1. A water feeding assembly for feeding water to a boiler comprising: a pressure reducer having a hollow body, a water inlet pipe fitting, and a first outlet pipe fitting for coupling to a boiler, the inlet and outlet pipe fittings being connected to a pressure reducing chamber in said hollow body, a manifold ending with said first outlet pipe fitting for the boiler, the manifold also comprising a pipe fitting for connection to an expansion tank, and a pipe fitting for connection to a safety valve, the manifold with the respective io pipe fittings being obtained by casting in one piece with the hollow body of the pressure reducer, and a second water outlet pipe fitting for the outlet of water towards a user being directly branched off from the pressure reducing chamber, wherein the pipe fitting for connection to the safety valve extends along : ... is an axis, and wherein the pipe fitting for connection to the safety valve is S..

shaped and disposed in such a way as to houSe in an angularly adjustable way said safety valve according to the axis of the pipe fitting itself.

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2. A water feeding assembly as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the pressure * 20 reducer comprises a pressure reducing valve which extends into said pressure reducing chamber, and wherein the water inlet pipe fitting communicates with + the pipe fitting for connection to the boiler through the pressure reducing valve, said water inlet pipe fitting being aligned with the pipe fitting for connection to the boiler.

3. A water feeding assembly as claimed in Claim I or Claim 2, wherein the pressure reducing valve and chamber are slantingly arranged with respect to the pipe fittings for the inlet of the water and for connection to the boiler.

4. A water feeding assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the manifold branches off directly from the pressure reducing chamber of the assembly.

5. A water feeding assembly as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the pipe fitting for connection to an expansion tank and the pipe fitting for connection to a safety valve, branch off laterally from the manifold, in an intermediate position 4-.P between said pressure reducing chamber and the pipe fitting for connection to the boiler.

6. A water feeding assembly as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the pipe fitting for connection to an expansion tank and the pipe fitting for connection to a safety valve extend in two directions at right angles with each other from said manifold of the assembly.

7. A water feeding assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a first non-return valve in said manifold between said pressure reducing chamber and said pipe fittings for connection to the expansion tank and to the safety valve.

8. A water feeding assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein : ... 15 the pipe fitting for connection to the safety valve is provided with locking means S.., for locking the safety valve in position.

9. A water feeding assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein *: the pipe fitting for connection to the safety valve is provided with axial retaining * ,, 20 means for axially retaining the safety valve itself, shaped and disposed to allow the free angular orientation of the safety valve. S..

S

10. A water feeding assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a second non-return valve in said outlet pipe fitting for the outlet of the water towards the user.

11. A water feeding assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising at least one opening for connecting a pressure gauge.

12. A water feeding assembly as claimed in Claim 11, wherein said opening for connecting the pressure gauge is provided on said hollow body in correspondence with the pressure reducing chamber.

13. A water feeding assembly as claimed in Claim 11 or Claim 12, wherein said opening for connecting the pressure gauge is provided on said manifold downstream to the first non-return valve. 44 *

14. A water feeding assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. * S.. S... * * **. *

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S..... * S * *. * b S *55S S..

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