GB2492988A

GB2492988A - Gas meter adaptor

Info

Publication number: GB2492988A
Application number: GB1112379.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip Wharrier
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-07-19
Filing date: 2011-07-19
Publication date: 2013-01-23
Anticipated expiration: 2031-07-19
Also published as: GB201112379D0; GB2492988B

Abstract

An adapter 1 for allowing a water-sensitive gas meter to be fitted to the sump of a water-permeable gas meter box comprises a substantially rectangular box (2) with a substantially rectangular recessed portion (3) which is configured to allow a water sensitive gas meter to be fitted to said adapter. The adapter is shown fitted in the sump of wet box gas meter box 4. The adapter may be constructed from a resilient material. The invention also relates to a method of fitting a water-sensitive gas meter to a water-permeable gas meter box.

Description

INTELLECTUAL

*. . PROPERTY OFFICE Applicalion No. GBI 112379.1 RTM Dale:16 November 2011 The following terms are registered trademarks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: British Gas, George Wilson, Sensus, Elster, Itron, Cubix, Landis and Gyr, Nuovo Pignone, Nylon Intellectual Property Office is an operaling name of Ihe Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk

GAS METER ADAPTOR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a gas meter adaptor for allowing a water-sensitive gas meter to be fitted to the sump of a water-permeable gas meter box. The invention also relates to a method of fitting a water-sensitive gas meter to a water-permeable gas meter box.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Domestic gas meters are typically stored either internally within a domestic dwelling or mare typically they are located externally to the domestic dwelling.

In circumstances where the gas meter is located externally, they are typically either located on the wall of the dwelling or located underground. Wall mounted gas meters are shielded from the elements by a wall mounted box having a door for inspecting, replacing, repairing and/or reading the meter. Conventional underground gas meters have tended to be water-impermeable (or water-resistant) gas meters to prevent ingress of water to the meter. Such ingress of water will detrimentally effect the metering mechanism and cause damage to the meter which will either require repair or replacement.

Underground water-resistant gas meters (such as a fibre glass 5C6 gas meter) are typically fitted into a water-permeable gas meter box. Such a water-permeable gas meter box is known as a "wet box", such as a British Gas Wet Box (i.e. BC Wet Box). These wet-boxes typically comprise apertures (which may be seen as features S and 6 in Figure 4) which allow rain water and moisture to flow through the meter box. The underground water-permeable gas meter boxes (i.e. wet boxes) also have a openable hatch for inspecting, replacing, repairing and/or reading the meter.

However, in recent years water-resistant gas meters have become less prevalent and are being replaced with more modern gas meters which are sensitive to the ingress of water and moisture (i.e. water-permeable or water-sensitive gas meters). The fitting of such water-sensitive gas meters requires not only the replacement of the gas meter itself but also of the gas meter box that the gas meter is stored within to a water-impermeable gas meter box (i.e. a dry box or sealed box). In view of the underground position of the wet boxes, the replacement procedure can be extremely time consuming and also very costly as it will inevitably require destruction of the surrounding area. This is also often extremely inconvenient to the owner of the domestic dwelling.

The object of the invention is to provide a solution to the problem of replacing both the water-resistant gas meter and the water-permeable gas meter box.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a gas meter adaptor for allowing a water-sensitive gas meter to be fitted to the sump of a water-permeable gas meter box, wherein said adaptor comprises: an outer surface configured to fit within the sump of the water-permeable gas meter box; a recessed portion configured to allow the water-sensitive gas meter to be fitted to said adaptor; wherein said adaptor comprises a water-impermeable material.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of fitting a water-sensitive gas meter to a water-permeable gas meter box, wherein said method comprises the steps of: (a) fitting the gas meter adaptor as defined herein to the sump of the water-permeable gas meter box; and (b) fitting the water-sensitive gas meter to the recessed portion of the gas meter adaptor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 provides a perspective line drawing of the gas meter box adaptor of the invention.

Figure 2 provides a perspective photographic image of the gas meter box adaptor of the invention.

Figure 3 provides a photographic image of the top view of the gas meter box adaptor of the invention.

Figure 4 provides a perspective photographic image of a water-permeable gas meter box.

Figure 5 provides a perspective photographic image of a water-permeable gas meter box containing a water-impermeable gas meter.

Figure 6 provides a perspective photographic image of a water-permeable gas meter box containing the gas meter box adaptor of the invention.

Figure 7 provides a perspective photographic image of a water-permeable meter box containing the gas meter box adaptor of the invention and a water-permeable gas meter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The adaptor of the invention provides a number of advantages over the existing arrangement of replacing the water-permeable gas meter box (wet box) with a water-impermeable gas meter box (dry box). Firstly, the provision of the water- impermeable material of the adaptor of the invention allows the existing water-permeable gas meter box (wet box) to be retained and therefore reduces the time, expense and inconvenience of physically replacing the water-permeable gas meter box (wet box) with a water-impermeable gas meter box (dry box).

Thus, the adaptor provides the ability of converting the wet box to a dry box immediately upon insertion of the adaptor into the sump of the wet box.

Secondly, the provision of the recess within the adaptor provides the advantage of having a secure housing for the water-sensitive gas meter (i.e. the U6/G4 gas meter) which is of a completely different size and shape to the water-resistant gas meter (i.e. the 5C6 fibre glass gas meter). Thus, the adaptor provides the ability of stabilizing the water-sensitive gas meter within the wet box.

In one embodiment, the dimensions of the outer surface of the adaptor are substantially the same or greater than the sump of the water-permeable gas meter box. This embodiment ensures that the dimensions of the adaptor are such that a tight fit between the sump and the adaptor provides a water-tight, dry environment within the water-permeable gas meter box (wet box). It will be appreciated that references herein to the term "substantially" refer to the external dimensions (i.e. width and length) of the adaptor being within 95-l05% (particularly lOO-lO5%) of the dimensions of the sump, for example, each of the external dimensions (i.e. width and length) of the adaptor may typically be within 5-10mm of each of the internal dimensions of the sump of the water-permeable gas meter box (wet box). In one embodiment, each of the external dimensions (i.e. width and length) of the adaptor are 3-10mm (i.e. 5-8mm) more than the sump of the water-permeable gas meter box (wet box). For

example:

at the top of the adaptor the width is 245mm (compared with a corresponding width of the sump of 240mm which is +5mm (i.e. lO2%)); at the base of the adaptor the width is 240mm (compared with a corresponding width of the sump of 232mm which is +8mm (i.e. lO3%)); at the top of the adaptor the length is 285mm (compared with a corresponding length of the sump of 280mm which is +5mm (i.e. iO2%); and at the base of the adaptor the length is 275mm (compared with a corresponding length of the sump of 270mm which is +5mm (i.e. 1O2%).

It will be appreciated that the height of the adaptor is not critical to achieve a water-tight, dry seal within the sump. For example, the height of the sump is 165mm whereas the height of the adaptor is typically approximately 150mm (i.e. 152mm).

In one embodiment, the adaptor is constructed from a resilient material. The advantage of this embodiment is that the external dimensions of the adaptor may be exactly the same as (or even slightly larger than) the internal dimensions of the sump such that upon insertion into the sump the resilient material will enable the adaptor to "flex" and then form a more effective seal.

Such an arrangement will provide a more effective conversion of the wet box to a dry box.

In one embodiment, the dimensions of the outer surface of the adaptor are configured to provide irreversible fitment of the adaptor to the sump of the water-permeable gas meter box. This arrangement provides a scenario whereby such a tight and water-proof seal is provided between the sump and the adaptor that the adaptor is not conveniently able to be removed from the sump without destruction of the adaptor.

In one embodiment, the water-permeable gas meter box is an underground water-permeable gas meter box. In a further embodiment, the water-permeable gas meter box is a British Gas Wet Box.

In one embodiment, the water-sensitive gas meter is a U6/G4 gas meter. The U6/G4 gas meter is currently available from a number of manufacturers, such as George Wilson, Sensus, Elster, Itron, Cubix, Landis and Gyr and Nuovo Pignone.

In an alternative embodiment, the water-sensitive gas meter is a U6/G4 Smart Meter.

In one embodiment, the dimensions of the recess of the adaptor are substantially the same as the water-sensitive gas meter. This embodiment ensures that the water-sensitive gas meter is securely held within the recess of the adaptor to prevent any stresses upon the gas pipes and therefore minimize any chances of leaks which could be extremely hazardous. It will be appreciated that references herein to the term "substantially" refer to the dimensions (i.e. length and width) of the recess being within 1-1O°/o of the dimensions of the water-sensitive gas meter, for example, each of the internal dimensions (i.e. length and width) of the recess may typically be within 5mm of each of the external dimensions of the water-sensitive gas meter. Although the external dimensions of the adaptor require to be substantially the same or greater than the dimensions of the sump to achieve a water-tight, dry fit, the internal dimensions of the recess are required only to hold the meter in place -they are not required to provide a water-tight, dry fit. For example: the width of the recess is 195mm (compared with a corresponding width of the meter of 195mm which is +0mm (i.e. 100%)); and the length of the recess is 138mm (compared with a corresponding length of the meter of 137mm which is +1mm (i.e. 100.7%).

Tn one embodiment, the adaptor is of a solid construction.

In one embodiment, the adaptor is constructed from the water-impermeable material. In such an embodiment, the adaptor is entirely constructed throughout from a water-impermeable material.

In one embodiment, the adaptor is coated with the water-impermeable material.

In such an embodiment, the adaptor may be constructed from a water-permeable material and additionally contains a coating of a water-impermeable material.

In one embodiment, the water-impermeable material is selected from a polymeric material. Examples of such polymers include, but are not limited to, polyurethanes, polyisobutylene and its copolymers, silicones, and polyesters.

Other suitable polymers include polyolefins, polyisobutylene, ethylene-alphaolelin copolymers, acrylic polymers and copolymers, vinyl halide polymers and copolymers such as polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl ethers such as polyvinyl methyl ether, polyvinylidene halides such as polyvinylidene fluoride and polyvinylidene chloride, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl ketones, polyvinyl aromatics such as polystyrene, polyvinyl esters such as polyvinyl acetate; copolymers of vinyl monomers, copolymers of vinyl monomers and olefins such as ethylene-methyl methacrylate copolymers, acrylonitrile-styrene copolymers, ABS resins, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, polyamides such as Nylon 66 and polycaprolactone, alkyd resins, polycarbonates, polyoxyethylenes, polyimides, polyethers, epoxy resins, polyurethanes, rayon-triacetate, cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose butyrate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellophane, cellulose nitrate, cellulose propionate, cellulose ethers, carboxymethyl cellulose, collagens, chitins, polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, and polylactic acid-polyethylene oxide copolymers.

In one embodiment the polymer comprises a hydrophobic polymer. Examples of suitable hydrophobic polymers or monomers include, but are not limited to, polyolefins, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, poly(l-butene) , poly(2-butene) , poly(l-pentene) , poly(2-pentene) , poly(3-methyl-1-pentene) poly(4-methyl-l-pentene) , poly(isoprene) , poly(4-methyl-l-pentene) ethylene-propylene copolymers, ethylene-propylene-hexadiene copolymers, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolyrners, blends of two or more polyolefins and random and block copolymers prepared from two or more different unsaturated monomers; styrene polymers, such as poly(styrene) , styrene-isobutylene copolymers, poly (2-methylstyrene) , styrene-acrylonitrile copolymers having less than about 20 mole-percent acrylonitrile, and styrene-2,2,3,3,-tetrafluoropropyl methacrylate copolymers; halogenated hydrocarbon polymers, such as poly(chlorotrifluoroethylene) , chlorotrifluoroethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymers, poly(hexafluoropropylene) , poly (tetrafluoroethylene) , tetrafluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymers, poly(trifluoroethylene) , poly (vinyl fluoride) , and poly(vinylidene fluoride) ; vinyl polymers, such as poly(vinyl butyrate) , poly( vinyl decanoate) poly(vinyl dodecanoate) , poly(vinyl hexadecanoate) , poly(vinyl hexanoate) poly(vinyl propionate) , poly (vinyl octanoate) poly(heptafluoroisopropoxyethylene) , poly(heptafluoroisopropoxypropylene) and poly (methacrylonitrile) ; acrylic polymers, such as poly(n-butyl acetate) poly(ethyl acrylate) , poly(l-chlorodifluoromethyl)tetrafluoroethyl acrylate, poly di(chlorofluoromethyl)fluorornethyl acrylate, poly( 1, 1-dihydroheptafluorobutyl acrylate) , poly(1,1-dihydropentafluoroisopropyl acrylate) , poly(1, 1-dihydropentadecafluorooctyl acrylate) , poly(heptafluoroisopropyl acrylate) , poly 5-(heptafluoroiso[rho]ropoxy)pentyl acrylate, poly 11- (heptafluoroisopropoxy)undecyl acrylate, poly 2-(heptafluoropropoxy) ethyl acrylate, and poly(nonafluoroisobutyl acrylate) ; methacrylic polymers, such as poly(benzyl methacrylate) , poly(n-butyl methacrylate) , poly(isobutyl methacrylate) , poly(t-butyl methacrylate) , poly(t-butylaminoethyl methacrylate) , poly(dodecyl methacrylate) , poly (ethyl methacrylate) , poly(2-ethylhexyl methacrylate) , poly(n-hexyl methacrylate) , poly (phenyl methacrylate) , poly(n-propyl methacrylate) , poly(octadecyl methacrylate) poly (1,1-dihydropentadecafluorooctyl methacrylate) poly(he[rho]tafluoroisopropyl methacrylate) , poly(heptadecafl uorooctyl methacrylate) , poly(I-hydrotetrafluoroethyl methacrylate) , poly(1,1-dihydrotetrafluoropropyl methacrylate) , poly(l-hydrohexafluoroisopropyl methacrylate) , and poly(t-nonafluorobutyl methacrylate) ; polyesters, such as poly (ethylene terephthalate) and poly(butylene terephthalate) ; condensation type polymers such as polyurethanes and siloxane-urethane copolymers; polyorganosiloxanes, i.e. polymers characterized by repeating siloxane groups, represented by Ra SiO 4-a/2, where R is a monovalent substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon radical and the value of a is 1 or 2; and naturally occurring hydrophobic polymers such as rubber.

In an alternative embodiment, the polymer is selected from thermoplastic elastomers in general, polyolefins, polyisobutylene, ethylene-alphaolefin copolymers, acrylic polymers and copolymers, vinyl halide polymers and copolymers such as polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl ethers such as polyvinyl methyl ether, polyvinylidene halides such as polyvinylidene fluoride and polyvinylidene chloride, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl ketones, polyvinyl aromatics such as polystyrene, polyvinyl esters such as polyvinyl acetate, copolymers of vinyl monomers, copolymers of vinyl monomers and olefins such as ethylene-methyl methacrylate copolymers, acrylonitrile-styrene copolymers, ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) resins, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, polyamides such as Nylon 66 and polycaprolactone, alkyd resins, polycarbonates, polyoxymethylenes, polyimides, polyethers, polyether block amides, epoxy resins, rayon-triacetate, cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose butyrate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellophane, cellulose nitrate, cellulose propionate, cellulose ethers, carboxymethyl cellulose, collagens, chitins, polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid-polyethylene oxide copolymers, EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene) rubbers, fluoropolymers, fluorosilicones, polyethylene glycol, polysaccharides, phospholipids, and combinations thereof. In a further embodiment the polymer is selected from SIBS triblock polymers comprising styrene and isobutylene, or PVDF.

In a further embodiment, the water-impermeable material is selected from polyethylene, polystyrene or polyvinylchloride (PVC), vinyl or a plastics material.

In a further embodiment, the water-impermeable material is a polymeric material selected from poly(1-phenylethene-1,2-diyl) (Polystyrene; PS). This embodiment has the advantage of not only being water-resistant but also of being a strong and lightweight material.

In one embodiment, the adaptor is constructed from a fire retardant material. In a further embodiment, the adaptor is constructed from fire retardant extra high density polystyrene (EHDP). This embodiment has the advantage of not only being water-resistant, strong and lightweight, but also of being fire retardant.

It will be appreciated that all embodiments referred to hereinbefore relating to the adaptor will apply equally to the method of this aspect of the invention.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures.

Referring first to Figures 1-3, a gas meter adaptor shown generally as 1, comprises a solid, substantially rectangular box 2. The embodiment of the adaptor 1 shown in Figures 1-3 is constructed entirely from a polystyrene material. The adaptor 1 also has a substantially rectangular recessed portion 3 which is configured to allow a water-sensitive gas meter to be fitted to said adaptor 1.

Figure 4 shows a water-permeable gas meter box (wet box) shown generally as 4 which clearly shows apertures 5, 6 in the surnp of the wet box 4 which confer a water-permeable nature upon the wet box 4. Figure 5 shows the existing arrangement of a water-resistant gas meter 7 located within the water-permeable gas meter box (wet box) 4.

Tn use, the adaptor 1 is placed within the sump of the water-permeable gas meter box (wet box) 4 as can be clearly seen in Figure 6. Once the adaptor 1 has been securely located within the sump, the water-sensitive meter 8 (shown in Figure 7 as a U6/G4 gas meter) can be fitted to the recess 3 of the adaptor 1.

The subsequent steps will require plumbing the meter to the gas mains supply which would follow conventional steps readily apparent to those skilled in the art of gas meter fitting.

Claims

<claim-text>CLAIMS1. A gas meter adaptor for allowing a water-sensitive gas meter to be fitted to the sump of a water-permeable gas meter box, wherein said adaptor comprises: an outer surface configured to fit within the sump of the water-permeable gas meter box; a recessed portion configured to allow the water-sensitive gas meter to be fitted to said adaptor; wherein said adaptor comprises a water-impermeable material.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. The gas meter adaptor as defined in claim 1, wherein the adaptor is constructed from a resilient material.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. The gas meter adaptor as defined in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the dimensions of the outer surface of the adaptor are substantially the same or greater than the sump of the water-permeable gas meter box.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. The gas meter adaptor as defined in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the dimensions of the outer surface of the adaptor are configured to provide irreversible fitment of the adaptor to the sump of the water-permeable gas meter box.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. The gas meter adaptor as defined in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the water-permeable gas meter box is an underground water-permeable gas meter box.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. The gas meter adaptor as defined in claim 5, wherein the water-permeable gas meter box is a British Gas Wet Box.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. The gas meter adaptor as defined in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the water-sensitive gas meter is a U6/G4 gas meter.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. The gas meter adaptor as defined in any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the dimensions of the recess of the adaptor are substantially the same as the water-sensitive gas meter.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. The gas meter adaptor as defined in any of claims 1 to 8, which is of a solid construction.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. The gas meter adaptor as defined in any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the adaptor is constructed from the water-impermeable material.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. The gas meter adaptor as defined in any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the adaptor is coated with the water-impermeable material.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. The gas meter adaptor as defined in any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the water-impermeable material is selected from a polymeric material such as polyethylene, polystyrene or polyvinylchloride (PVC), vinyl or a plastics material.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. The gas meter adaptor as defined in claim 12, wherein the water- impermeable material is a polymeric material selected from poly(1-phenylethene-1,2-d iyl) (Polystyrene; PS).</claim-text> <claim-text>14. The gas meter adaptor as defined in any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the adaptor is constructed from a fire retardant material, such as fire retardant extra high density polystyrene (EHDP).</claim-text> <claim-text>15. A gas meter adaptor substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying Figures.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. A method of fitting a water-sensitive gas meter to a water-permeable gas meter box, wherein said method comprises the steps of: (a) fitting the gas meter adaptor as defined in any of claims 1 to 15 to the sump of the water-permeable gas meter box; and (b) fitting the water-sensitive gas meter to the recessed portion of the gas meter adaptor.</claim-text> <claim-text>17. A method of fitting a water-sensitive gas meter to a water-permeable gas meter box substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying Figures.</claim-text>