GB2451084A

GB2451084A - Fluid outlet connection device

Info

Publication number: GB2451084A
Application number: GB0713826A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew K Morley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-07-17
Filing date: 2007-07-17
Publication date: 2009-01-21
Also published as: GB0713826D0

Abstract

The device 10 is for connection to the fluid outlet 20 projecting from a surface 30 such as a wall of a building. An aperture and sealing member 22 may be used to connect the device to the outlet. A deflecting means 13 deflects fluid exiting the fluid outlet towards the surface. An abutment member 14 may also engage with the fluid outlet.

Description

Title: Device for Connection to a Fluid Outlet

Description of Invention

This invention relates to a device for connection to a fluid outlet. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a device for connection to a remote end of a fluid outlet projecting from a surface, e.g. projecting through a wall of a building, which provides an outlet from a sealed water system within the building.

Although the invention has been devised specifically in relation to a fluid outlet from a sealed water system, an example of which is a combination boiler, the invention can be utilised with many other types of fluid outlet.

A fluid outlet from a sealed water system generally takes the form of an outlet pipe which is connected to the system via an automatic pressure release valve, with the pipe extending through a wall of the building. If fluid pressure in the system exceeds a predetermined level, water and/or steam at a temperature in the region of 100°C is expelled through the fluid outlet, until the pressure in the system is reduced to the predetermined level. Often, the remote end of the fluid outlet is positioned where the water/steam exiting the outlet may come into contact with a person entering/exiting or standing near to the wall of the building. The position of the pipe is either by poor design or through vandal damage to the pipe or its original protection measures. In such a position the hot water/steam could lead to a person sustaining severe injuries. a

There have been many attempts to overcome the above problem. For example, it has been proposed to attach a rigid pipe to the remote end of the fluid outlet, with the flexible pipe extending down to a floor surface/drain.

Often the rigid pipe is made of copper which is valuable and therefore the pipes are often broken off for sale as scrap value, often leaving the relief pipe outlet dangerously positioned.

In another proposal a remote end of the outlet is covered by a wire mesh.

However, in all known proposals, there is still a risk that water/steam expelled along the fluid outlet may come into contact with a person, e.g. a small child, or a household pet. These types of wire cages are often damaged removing the protection they are intended to provide.

According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a device for connection to an end of a fluid outlet projecting from a surface, the device including means for connecting the device to the fluid outlet; and deflecting means for deflecting fluid exiting the fluid outlet towards the surface.

Further features of the invention are set out in claim 2 to 6 appended hereto.

Non-limiting embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: -Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a device in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is an end view of the device of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a view of the separate back plate of the device of Figure 1.

Referring to the figures there is shown a device 10 in accordance with the present invention. The device 10 is shown connected to an end of a fluid outlet in the form of a pipe 20 projecting from a wall 30 of a building (not shown). In the present example the fluid outlet pipe 20 is connected at its opposite end (not shown) to a sealed water system and services as an outlet for steam/water from the system if a pressure in the system exceeds a predetermined level. Of course, it must be appreciated that the device 10 could be connected to many other types of fluid outlet.

In more detail the device 10 is generally circular in end view (see figure 2) and includes a circular front waIl 11 and a separate part-circular rear wall 12; a lower part of the rear wall 12 has a scooped-out section. Extending from and connected to the front wall 11 towards the rear wall 12 is a connecting wall 13.

Opposite sides of the wall 13 taper towards each other as the wall 13 extends from the rear wall 12 to the front wall 11. Thus, the device 10 has the shape of a truncated cone.

The rear wall 12 includes an aperture 18 which is concentric with an outer periphery of the wall 12, and is configured, in use, to receive an end 20a of the fluid outlet pipe 20. A sealing member 22, e.g. an 0 ring, is positioned in the aperture 18 so as to provide a fluid- tight connection between the device 10 arid the remote end 20a of the fluid outlet pipe 20. The rear wall 12 also includes a pair of further apertures 28, one provided each side of the aperture 18. The apertures 28 permit the device 10 to be fastened to the wall 30 by suitable fasteners (not shown). Two further apertures 26 are provided in the front wall 11, which are aligned with the apertures 28, and permit the fasteners, if used, to pass therethrough and into the apertures 26.

Connected to an internal side of the front wall 11 is an abutment member 14 in the form of a rectangular projection. The abutment member 14 ensures that a user cannot push the device 10 too far over the remote end 20a of the fluid outlet pipe 20 when installing the device 10, as this could prevent water/steam exiting from the remote end 20a of the fluid outlet pipe 20.

A lowermost part of the connecting wall 13 is provided with a plurality of elongate apertures 19. Fluid exiting the remote end 20a of the fluid outlet pipe exits the device 10 through the apertures 19 and on to the wall 30.

In use, when the device 10 is positioned as shown in figure 1, fluid which flows along the fluid outlet pipe 20, exits the pipe 20 at the remote end 20a and comes into contact with the internal side of the front wall 11. The fluid then falls, under gravity, downwardly until it contacts a lowermost part of the connecting wall 13 where it is deflected towards the wall 30, due to the angle of the connecting waIl 13. The fluid then exits the device 10 through the apertures 19. If the device 10 is positioned correctly, the fluid engages the wall 30 and flows downwardly, under gravity, over the surface of the wall 30 towards a ground surface. The wall surface reduces the temperature of the fluid as it flows downward.

Although the device 10 shown in the figures is generally circular in end view, it must be appreciated that the device 10 could take any form, so long as it included means for deflecting fluid towards the wall surface.

The device shown in the drawings and described above is manufactured from a plastics material. This has the advantage of appearing less desirable to a thief/vandal. In addition, plastics materials have better thermal insulation properties then metals, e.g. copper, which provides improved safety as the device will not get as hot when in contact with hot water/steam. ) 5

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof. ) 6

Claims

1. A device for connection to a fluid outlet projecting from a surface, the device including a means for connecting the device to the fluid outlet; and deflecting means for deflecting fluid exiting the fluid outlet towards the surface.

2. A device according to Claim 1 including an abutment member engageable with an end of the fluid outlet.

3 A device according to Claim 2 wherein the abutment member is connected to an internal wall of the device.

4. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the connecting means includes an aperture in a part of the device to receive an end of the fluid outlet.

5. A device according to Claim 4 including a seal engageable with a periphery of the fluid outlet.

6 A device according to any preceding claim including front and rear walls which are connected by a connecting wall, wherein, in use, the connecting wall deflects fluid towards the surface.

7. A device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

8. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or in the accompanying drawings.