GB2447230A

GB2447230A - A rigid filling loop for a closed loop central heating system

Info

Publication number: GB2447230A
Application number: GB0704147A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip A Pickering
Original assignee: CQI Ltd
Current assignee: CQI Ltd
Priority date: 2007-03-03
Filing date: 2007-03-03
Publication date: 2008-09-10
Also published as: GB0704147D0

Abstract

A filling loop connection 16 suitable for a closed loop central heating system (CGH), the heating system including a unit (jig) for mounting a fluid supply port and a heating system inlet port, said filling loop connection comprising a first valve means 18, 20 for connection to the cold water inlet port, a second valve means 30 for connection to the heating system inlet port (ie., return valve), and a removable filling loop / duct 24 for selectively providing a connection between the first and second valve means. Ideally, the filling loop duct is rigid. The first valve means may comprise a double check valve 20 and a drain port, while the second valve means may comprise an isolation valve 28. The rigid filing loop may comprise an elbow and preferably turns through 180{. Plugs / caps may be inserted into the inlet/outlets when the loop / duct is removed.

Description

Connector for Heating System The present invention relates to a

connection for a heating system and more specifically, to a connection for an inlet to a closed loop heating system.

Closed loop heating systems are well known for central heating applications in domestic or commercial premises. Heating systems of this kind typically comprise a fluid heating circuit having a fluid reservoir or sump connected to a boiler, in which the fluid is heated and supplied to heat transfer components, such as radiators, throughout the premises, before returning to the reservoir or sump in a closed loop. A closed system is designed such that, once the heating system has been installed and primed, substantially no fluid enters or leaves the system during normal operation.

The benefits of such a closed-loop system have been well documented and include reduction in the degradation of system components due to fresh water and oxygen continually entering the system. Since the system is closed, the pressure within the system can be maintained at a suitable level for operation and does not require constant monitoring of the level of a hydrostatic head of water within a tank. Conventional heating systems of this type will be well known to the person skilled in the art and take the form of Combination (Combi) or Condensing boiler systems.

Whilst such systems are generally closed during normal operation, the system must initially be filled. In addition, micro leaks throughout the system often result in a drop in pressure over time, such that fluid levels within the system need to be intermittently topped up. For these reasons, a closed-loop heating system needs to be selectively connectable to a fluid supply, which is typically the mains water supply.

It is a legal requirement that the heating system is adequately isolated from the mains water supply in order to prevent backflow from the heating system to the mains.

An inlet connection of this type is referred to as a filling loop, which conventionally comprises a flexible hose, as shown in Figure 1. This conventional filling loop briefly comprises a pair of valves 10 and 12 connected by a flexible, braided hose portion 14. The valve 10 is connected to the cold water inlet, whilst the valve 12 is connected to the central heating return of the heating system. When both valves are open, the heating system is primed with water to the required pressure. The valves are then closed and at least one end of the filling loop is disconnected, so as to isolate the heating system from the cold water inlet during normal operation. This standard filling loop is used to fill the majority of conventional closed-loop boiler systems.

However, when disconnected, a significant length of unwanted hose is left redundant within the boiler or else removed for storage elsewhere. In addition, connection of the filling loop can be awkward, due to the configuration of the cold water inlet and the central heating return ports, to which the filling loop is to be attached. There is a general trend in the reduction in size of boilers, which is hampered by the need to have ports sufficiently spaced for attachment of a conventional filling loop as shown in figure 1.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved inlet connection, which obviates the above problems.

According to the present invention, there is provided connector assembly for an inlet to a closed loop heating system, which heating system includes a unit for mounting a fluid supply port and a heating system inlet port in spaced relationship, wherein said connector assembly is arranged to be fixedly located on the unit and comprises: first valve means for connection to the fluid supply port in a first orientation; second valve means for connection to the heating system inlet port in a second orientation and spaced from said first valve means; and, a duct for selective connection between said first and second valve means so as to complete a flow path from the fluid supply to the heating system via the first and second valve means, wherein at least one end of said duct is removable from either of the first or second valve means so as to provide a discontinuity therebetween, and when disconnected the first and second valve means remain in said respective first and second spaced orientations on said unit.

Preferably, the connector duct has a pre-determined rigid profile arranged to join the first and second valve means in their respective pre-determined orientations.

The connector duct may also space the valve means correctly for connection to the associated ports on the boiler.

The present invention is particularly advantageous, since the first and second valve means can be releasably connected to the rigid ducting prior to installation, such that the relative orientation and spacing of the first and second valve means is fixed by the rigid ducting. The first and second valve means, along with the rigid ducting, form a previously assembled component or module, which is correctly configured for installation. Thus, the installation of the valves is simplified with the filling loop already in place for first filling of the heating system.

In an alternative embodiment, the duct is flexible such that the duct can be manipulated into the required shape for connection or disconnection. The duct may be resiliently or elastically flexible such that upon disconnection of one end from the associated valve means, the free end is biased away from the valve port. Alternatively the duct may be deformable such that the duct tends to hold a desired profile once it has been manipulated. Flexible or deformable ducts may comprise an impervious flexible inner duct, surrounded by a metallic textile outer.

Once the heating system has been pressurised to the required level, the valves can be closed to shut off the supply of water. The rigid ducting alone can be removed to isolate the cold water inlet from the heating system, in accordance with legal requirements, and without the need to detach the associated valve means. Since the valve means remain in pre-determined orientations and also since the shape of the ducting is predefined, the reconnection of the ducting is far simplified when compared to the flexible hose design of the prior art. This is especially beneficial when attempting to fit a filling loop between tightly position inlet valves.

In addition, if one end of the rigid connector ducting is disconnected, the free end can be twisted about the fixed end so that the first and second valve means are isolated without the need for an unwieldy length of trailing flexible hose.

The first valve means typically comprises a cold water inlet valve and a double check valve. According to a preferred embodiment, the first valve means comprises a drain point. The cold water inlet valve typically comprises an isolation valve. The second valve means typically comprises an isolation valve in series with a central heating return valve and filter.

The valves are typically connected in series between the mains and the central heating return valve of the boiler system.

The connector is typically provided with one or more caps, plugs and/or stops or the like, in order to prevent flow through either the first or second valves upon removal of the connector duct. The plugs may be shaped to connect to correspondingly shaped portions of the first or second valve means, by way of a screw thread arrangement, such that either the plug or else the rigid connector duct may be attached to either the first or second valve means at any one time.

Additionally or else alternatively, the plug or cap may be attachable to a free end of the rigid duct.

The isolating valves may either be of in-line or else angled configuration, as required by the configuration of the cold water inlet and central heating return ports on the boiler. Furthermore, the rigid connector ducting may either be straight or else angled, so as to form an elbow for connection between the first and second valve means.

It would be appreciated that the present invention is further advantageous in that the cold water inlet port and the central heating return port can be positioned closer together than has been hitherto possible, without detriment to the ability to attach the filling loop for use. This facilitates more compact boiler designs.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a filling loop sub-assembly for a closed-loop heating system, the sub-assembly comprising: first valve means releasably connected to second valve means by a rigid connector duct, such that the first and second valve means are disposed in a pre-determined relative orientation and spacing for installation.

Preferably, the rigid ducting is removable from any or any combination of the first and/or second valve means.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in further detail below, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 shows a connector according to the prior art; Figure 2 shows an exploded plan view of the component parts of a connector according to the present invention; and, Figure 3 shows the filling loop of the present invention when installed for use.

Turning firstly to Figure 2, there is shown an exploded view of the component parts of a filling loop according to the present invention. The filling loop 16 generally comprises a cold water inlet valve 18, a double check valve 20, a blanking cap 22, a rigid connector duct 24, blanking plug 26, isolation valve 28 and central heating return valve 30. For ease of reference, each of the valves 18, 20,28 and 30, as well as the ducting 24, each have an inlet port or opening marked with the suffix "A" and an outlet port or opening marked with the suffix "B". Thus, the inlet for each component represents the upstream opening with regard to the flow of water from the mains into the heating system, and the outlet for each component represents the downstream opening.

Each of the component valves 18, 20, 28 and 30 and the rigid duct 24 are arranged to be connected in series. In this regard, each component has a threaded section in the vicinity of each of its inlet and outlet ports, which is arranged to be attached to a correspondingly threaded section on the adjacent component part. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that a bore on component having an inwardly facing threaded section mates with a shank of the adjacent part, having an outwardly facing threaded section, or vice versa. Thus, the component parts become axially and spatially aligned when screwed together, as shown in Figure 3.

Each of the parts 18, 20, 24, 28 and 30 have an internal bore running between the inlet and outlet, so as to define a flow passage through each part. In addition, each of the valves 18, 20, 28 and 30 have a handle or lever denoted by the suffix "C". Each of the levers 18C, 20C, 28C and 30C can be rotated through 90 degrees, so as to actuate an internal valve member (not shown) between and open and a closed position. The valve members are of a conventional type, as will be understood by the person skilled in the art, and will not be described in significant detail here, safe to say that each valve member has a rotating body with a port running there through, such that the port can be aligned with the direction of flow to allow flow through the valve and the valve body can be turned through 90 degrees, such that the port is isolated from the on-coming fluid, thus shutting off the valve.

Each valve in the open condition when the lever is substantially parallel with the direction of flow, and is closed when the lever is perpendicular to the direction of flow.

The component parts are then assembled as follows: The outlet 18B of cold water inlet valve 18 is connected to the inlet of double check valve 20. The outlet valve 20B of double check valve 20 is connected to the inlet 24A of ducting 24, and the outlet 24B of ducting 24 is connected to the inlet 28A of isolation valve 28. The outlet 28B of isolation valve 28 is connected to the inlet 30A of central heating return valve 30 and the outlet 30b of the central heating return valve is arranged to be connected to an inlet for the central heating system (not shown).

When the component parts are connected in series as described above and,all the valves are opened, a continuous duct is formed between the inlet 18A of the cold water inlet valve and the outlet 30B of the central heating return valve 30.

As shown in Figure 3, the blanking cap 22 and the blanking plug 26 are redundant in this arrangement and are loosely connected to the filling loop by cable ties or the like such that they are available for subsequent use upon disconnection of the filling loop.

Apart from the inlet and outlet ports 18A and 18B, it will be appreciated that the cold water inlet valve also has a further port 18D, which serves as a discharge or drain port. In addition, the central heating return valve 30 has a further port 30D for connection to the central heating return duct of a closed-loop heating system.

The central heating return valve body 30 also has a filter connected in the internal duct.

The interconnected structure of Figure 3 shows a filling loop sub-assembly, which is installed to a closed-loop heating system by connecting the inlet 18A of the cold water inlet valve 18 to a water mains supply (not shown). In addition, the outlet 30B of the central heating return valve is connected to a boiler inlet duct and the central heating return port 30D is connected to the central heating return duct (not shown) within the closed-loop system.

Figure 3 shows a boiler mounting plate or panel 32 on which the connector 16 according to the present invention is mounted for easy access. Numerous other ducts 34 and a pressure gauge 36 are also mounted on the mounting plate 32, so as to provide easy access thereto for a user or engineer. Therefore, space on the mounting plate is at a premium and the cold water inlet port and the central heating return port are mounted in close proximity, typically in the region of 5cm to 10cm apart.

The cold water inlet valve is oriented away from the central heating return valve.

That is to say, the water exiting the cold water inlet valve is flowing either perpendicular to or away from the central heating return valve inlet 30A. The inlet 20A of double check valve 20 is substantially perpendicular to the outlet 20B, such that water flowing through the double check valve is turned through 90 degrees. In addition, the rigid connector 24 forms an elbow, which is bent through approximately 90 degrees, such that the double check valve 20 and the connector 24 form a U-bend, through which the water is turned about 180 degrees. Thus, the water exiting the connector 24 at outlet 24B is flowing in substantiaIy the opposite direction to the water entering the double check valve at inlet 20A.

The isolation valve 28 is of an in-line design, such that water flowing from the connector outlet 24B flows in a substantially straight line or axial direction through the isolating valve 28 to the central heating return valve 30. This U-shaped arrangement of rigid connectors allows a particularly compact arrangement for installation on the boiler plate 32. However, it will be appreciated that various different arrangements of in-line and perpendicular connectors or valves are possible, in order to cater for particular configurations of ports on the boiler mounting plate.

In order to allow filling of the heating system, both the cold water inlet valve and the central heating return valve are closed off for connection of the filling loop.

Once the filling loop is connected, the cold water inlet valve is re-opened, along with both the double check valve and the isolating valve in the filling loop. This allows water to flow in one direction through the filling loop, through a series of non-return valves situated within the double check valve and isolator valve. Once the correct water level has been obtained, as indicated by the pressure gauge 36 on the boiler mounting plate 32, the cold water inlet valve is closed, along with the double check valve and the isolator valve of the filling loop. The rigid connector 24 is then disconnected from the valve 20. The outlet 20 b of valve 20 is capped off using blanking cap 22 and the inlet 24a of connector 24 is plugged with blanking plug 26 so to ensure these ports are made water tight.

The central heating return valve is then re-opened to allow normal operation of the heating system.

In the event that the water level needs to be topped up within the heating system at a later time, the blanking cap 22 and the blanking plug 26 are removed and the filling loop is reconnected, in accordance with the above steps.

The rigid connector 24 is preferably made of copper, although the filling loop may be made from any approved metallic or non-metallic materials, which conform to the relevant regulations for potable water. The filling loop according to the present invention minimises the materials used and can be designed to fit tightly positioned boiler valves using a rigid connector, thus allowing a compact and easy to install design.

In addition, the diameter of the rigid ducting 24 and also the filling loop connections can be tailored to correspond to conventional diameters of pipe-ends arid conventional connectors for isolating valves and double check valves. Thus, the present invention can make use of various combinations of standard components with a universal rigid connector design adapted to suit any conventional sizes of cold water inlet and boiler ports.

Claims

Claims: I A connector assembly for an inlet to a closed ioop heating

system, which heating system includes a unit for mounting a fluid supply port and a heating system inlet port in spaced relationship, wherein said connector assembly is arranged to be fixedly located on the unit and comprises: first valve means for connection to the fluid supply port in a first orientation; second valve means for connection to the heating system inlet port in a second orientation and spaced from said first valve means; and, a duct for selective connection between said first and second valve means so as to complete a flow path from the fluid supply to the heating system via the first and second valve means, wherein at least one end of said duct is removable from either of the first or second valve means so as to provide a discontinuity therebetween, and when disconnected the first and second valve means remain on said unit.
2 A connector assembly according to claim I, wherein the connector duct is rigid.
3 A connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein the duct is preformed to suit the predetermined relative orientation and spacing of the first and second valve means on said unit.
4 A connector assembly according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the rigid duct is attachable to the first and second valve means prior to installation in order to correctly orient the first and second valve means for connection to the respective fluid supply and closed loop heating system.
A connector assembly according to claim 4, wherein the connector duct is shaped to simultaneously orient both the first and second valve means for connection to the respective fluid supply and a heating system inlet ports.
6 A connector assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the connector duct comprises an elbow of fixed angle.
7 A connector assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the duct has first and second ends independently connectable to the respective first and second valve means, wherein upon connection of only one of said first or second ends, the freedom of movement of other end is limited.
8 A connector assembly according to claim 7, wherein the free end is limited to rotation about the connected end.
9 A connector assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein either the first or second valve means comprises an isolation valve.
A connector assembly according to claim 9, wherein the first valve means further comprises a double check valve.
11 A connector assembly according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the first valve means further comprises a drain port.
12 A connector assembly according to claim 9, wherein the second valve means comprises a central heating return valve in series with the isolation valve.
13 A connector assembly according to any preceding claim, further comprising one or more caps and/or plugs for selective connection to either the first or second valve means upon disconnection of the connector duct therefrom.
14 A connector assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein any or any combination of the first or second valve means has an inlet and an outlet in a substantially perpendicular orientation.
15 A connector assembly according to claim 14, wherein the unit comprises a planar member, the fluid supply port and the heating system inlet port being oriented substantially perpendicular thereto, wherein the first and second valve means are shaped such that the duct extends therebetween in a direction substantially parallel with the planar member.
16 A connector assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the combined first and second valve means and connector duct form a substantially perpendicular or U-shaped flow path.
17 A filling loop connection for a closed-loop heating system, comprising: first valve means for fixation to a fluid supply; second valve means for fixation to a heating system inlet; and, a rigid connector duct, selectively connectable between said first and second valve means without removal of said valve means from the respective fluid supply or heating system inlet.
18 A filling loop connection according to claim 17, wherein the first and second valve means are arranged to be respectively connected to the fluid supply and heating system inlet in a pre-determined orientation.
19 A filling loop sub-assembly for a closed-loop heating system, the sub-assembly comprising: first valve means releasably connected to second valve means by a rigid connector duct, such that the first and second valve means are disposed in a pre-determined relative orientation and spacing for installation.
20 A fluid inlet connection substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown in figures 2 and 3.