GB2552662A - A frost or freeze protection device and method for water pipes and other water filled devices or objects - Google Patents

Abstract

A compressible bladder, pocket or cell may be located within a closed pipe so that if water in said pipe freezes as the volume of the water increases the bladder is compressed accordingly thus preventing an increase in internal pressure. The bladder may comprise a pipe like means 4 located at the centre of the pipe 1 via series of webs as in Fig D. The device may be adhered to one side of the pipe as in Figs B and C. The device may be a compressible foam honeycomb material containing air pockets. The walls of the pipe may be coated in a compressible foam or gell like substance, (Fig 2, 4). The walls of the pipe may contain cavities (Fig 1, 2) that compress in response to an increase in pressure.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: A frost or freeze protection device and method for water pipes and other water filled devices or objects

Abstract Title: Compressible insert to prevent pipes bursting (57) A compressible bladder, pocket or cell may be located within a closed pipe so that if water in said pipe freezes as the volume of the water increases the bladder is compressed accordingly thus preventing an increase in internal pressure. The bladder may comprise a pipe like means 4 located at the centre of the pipe 1 via series of webs as in Fig D. The device may be adhered to one side of the pipe as in Figs B and C. The device may be a compressible foam honeycomb material containing air pockets. The walls of the pipe may be coated in a compressible foam or gell like substance, (Fig 2, 4). The walls of the pipe may contain cavities (Fig 1, 2) that compress in response to an increase in pressure.

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size and shape- These air pockets can be constructed in several ways; such as by using closed cell foam, an infernal coating Of flexible /'/

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This invention ‘represents a simple and low cost way to .jWdduce pipes «ft}·' ,5ft· w . , following advantages:

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Figurelt expansion spaces or pockets. These are shown iri cross section.

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Figure 3,5: A closed cell foam rod Inserted into a i wafer ¹ ‘. ’ ?/·^!. ' '^v' γ = .,- - -_s. . pipe, along the length of the pipe, and ? bonded to the pipe wall

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Figure 3.C: A closed cell foam ’’rod insertedInto?, a wafer f pipe, along the length of the pipe, and not bonded to®he pipe wall. <

Figure 3.D; A closed cell foam rod” inserted into a waiter /

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Figure 3.E: A closed cell foam rod inserted intO a water; pipe with a flexible vane to locate and/or fix it in position inside the pipe

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a built 10 closed cell foam or gas pocket to prevent damage from freezing.

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The drawings are labelled as follows 3 Water Pipe Wall j

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This invention represents a method of producing pipes or other water filled devices which won't be damaged when frozen. The water pipes or other water filled devices incorporate an expansion space inside which allows the water to expand when it freezes. When it melts, the internal expansion space returns to it's original size, ready for the next ti me the water freezes, This prevents damage due to the approximate 10% increase in size of water when it freezes. The expansion space should be 10% of the water fillpd volume, to fully allow for the expansion of freezing water. . _;

This expansion spacdcan be a single or multiple air filled pockets or voids, or a closed cell foam or a soft rubberoid or gell coating or similar. These pockets or voidCean be incorporated into pipes or other Water filled devices when they are manufactured, Or retro-fitted to existing pipes and other water filled devices.

Figure 1 shows examples of extruded plastic pipes manufactured incorporating internal expansion spaces or pdckets. These are close to the inside surface of the pipe. As the watersfreezes, it expands, and these pockets collapse with the flexible nature of the plastic pipe walls, preventing damage to the outside wall of the pipe. When the water melts and the pressure releases, the air pressure inside the pockets expands them back to their original shape.

When the pipe is cut to length and used; the. joining devices at the ends of the pipe must incorporate a method of sealing the ends of these A+f ή';·'.'/.· expansion voids,jito seal in the air. +

Alternatively, if these voids are constructed during manufacture so they are made in short sealed lengths along the pipe, say in 5 or 10 cm lengths for example, the pipe can then be cut to any length for use._ i Only the voidsot the very ends of the pips will be broken open when

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Opt. The pipe could also be marked to show the voids, so off so that no voids are broken open.

Figure 2 shows similar extruded plastic pipe, but incorporating zones of closed cell foam inside, rather than seperate air filled Voids, would compress when the water freezes,:artd expand when it The pipes can then be cut off fp any length for use. Alternatively to the zones of closed cell foam, these could be made of a coating of rubberoid material or gel. / .. N 7_:>;?F.

Figures 3 and 5 sho^ aSimilaf/elo^d'CeiLfo^freezeoroteltiOn method or device, hut rather than being extruded into the structure of a pipe, these are a separate device, made separatelyand which can be inserted inside, along the length of a $pe made of any material, or into other water filled devices. The foam inserts can be made in any shape or size, to suit the nature of the application. Two examples other than pipeSare shown in figure/5. ; *

These inserts can be installed when manufacturing new pipes or other water filled devices, or retro•N· . N .

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Figure Φshows similar inserts using air filled tube? or pockets, made of flexible material such as plastic or silicon rubber. These inserts could be made in standard sealed lengths, or the air pockets could be made in short sealedlengths (like a stringof sausages, flexible or non-flexible), say 5 or 10cmfor example, so they can be cut off to suit ahyappHeation. The closed cell foam or air pockets should have the following properties:

- Inert to water or any other chemicals or contaminents which may be in the pipes, Will not degrade over time.

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-- They should not water in the system, but they should collapse under pressure when the water freezes, this pressure should be less than that which will cause_; damage.

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Claims (6)

1. A method of protecting water pipes and other water filled devices from damage by freezing using internal expansion pockets.

2. An extruded pipe according to claim 1, in which longitudinal air or gas pockets are incorporated into the ibterhai pipe wall, to allow for the water to expand when it freezes without damaging the pipe.

3. An extruded pipe according to claim 1, in which a longitudinal closed’ cell foam structure is incorporated into the internal pipe wall, to allow for the water to expand when it freezes without damaging the pipe.

4. A pipe according to claim 1, in which the internal walls are coated with a flexible rubberoid or gel coating, to allow for the water to expand wheii it freezes without damaging the pipe /

5. A closed cell foam insert according to ciatm 1, which can be fitted inside pipes or other water filled devices to allow for the water to expand when it freezes without causing damage to the pipe or other water filled devices. u ,

6. An air or gas filled flexible pipe or air pocket made of flexible material according to claim 1, which can befitted inside pipes Or other j water filled devices to allow for the water to expand when it freezes « without causing damage to the pipe or other water fifled devices.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1613218.5 Examiner: Gareth Jones