GB2555798A

GB2555798A - Improvements in or relating to apparatus and methods for heating systems

Info

Publication number: GB2555798A
Application number: GB1618898.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Reeve Adrian; Hockly-Grace Steve (deceased)
Original assignee: ARROW VALVES Ltd
Current assignee: ARROW VALVES Ltd
Priority date: 2016-11-09
Filing date: 2016-11-09
Publication date: 2018-05-16
Anticipated expiration: 2036-11-09
Also published as: GB2555798B8; GB2555798A8; GB2555798B

Abstract

A method for pressurising and automatically dosing a pre-filled heating system with inhibitor comprises: measuring an amount of water added to the heating system and, thereby, calculating an appropriate amount of inhibitor to add; and adding the inhibitor in a so as to maintain a predetermined concentration of water and inhibitor mixture in the pre-filled heating system. The method may comprise weighing inhibitor contained in a reservoir 28, preferably with a load cell (29, Fig. 2), to determine the amount of inhibitor added to the system. The amount of inhibitor remaining may be calculated by weighing and an alert triggered if the amount if below a threshold. If no inhibitor remains, further pressurisation may be prevented, or missed or un-fulfilled doses may be memorised and the system automatically topped-up with these doses when the inhibitor reservoir has been replenished. An apparatus for performing the method is disclosed with means 101 for pressurising a heating system with water and means 102 for controlling the addition of inhibitor to the system. An outlet manifold 21 may be included for mixing water and inhibitor prior to supplying to the system.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Arrow Valves Limited

York House, Northbridge Road, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, HP4 1TA, United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):

Adrian Reeve

Steve Hockly-Grace (deceased) (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Burrows Chambers Associates Business Centre West, Avenue One,Business Park, Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire, SG6 2HB, United Kingdom (51) INT CL:

F24D 19/00 (2006.01) F24D 3/06 (2006.01) (56) Documents Cited:

WO 2015/067917 A1 JP 2004293948 A Arrow Valves Ltd., 2015, Dose and Fill (RTM) Operating and Maintenance manual, arrowvalves.co.uk, [online], Available from: http:// www. a r ro wva Ives .co.uk/medi a/wy s i wy g/pdfs/ dfo&mmanual.pdf [Accessed 25 April 2017]

Arrow Valves Ltd., 2015, Product Portfolio 2015, [online], Available from: https:// www.approvedbusiness.co.uk/files/ companypdffiles/3115/Arrow%20VaIves%20Product% 20PortfoIio.pdf [Accessed 25 April 2017]

Arrow Valves Ltd., 4 August 2016, Dose and Fill (RTM), arrowvalves.co.uk, [online], Available from: http://web.archive.Org/web/20160804010411/http:// www.arrowvalves.co.uk:80/shop/heating/df (58) Field of Search:

INT CL C02F, F24D, F24H, F25B Other: EPODOC & WPI (54) Title of the Invention: Improvements in or relating to apparatus and methods for heating systems

Abstract Title: Method and apparatus for pressurising and automatically dosing a heating system with inhibitor (57) A method for pressurising and automatically dosing a prefilled heating system with inhibitor comprises: measuring an amount of water added to the heating system and, thereby, calculating an appropriate amount of inhibitor to add; and adding the inhibitor in a so as to maintain a predetermined concentration of water and inhibitor mixture in the pre-filled heating system. The method may comprise weighing inhibitor contained in a reservoir 28, preferably with a load cell (29, Fig. 2), to determine the amount of inhibitor added to the system. The amount of inhibitor remaining may be calculated by weighing and an alert triggered if the amount if below a threshold. If no inhibitor remains, further pressurisation may be prevented, or missed or un-fulfilled doses may be memorised and the system automatically topped-up with these doses when the inhibitor reservoir has been replenished. An apparatus for performing the method is disclosed with means 101 for pressurising a heating system with water and means 102 for controlling the addition of inhibitor to the system. An outlet manifold 21 may be included for mixing water and inhibitor prior to supplying to the system.

3 4

100

Figure 1 /2

100

Figure 1

2/2

Figure 2

Improvements in or Relating to Apparatus and Methods for Heating Systems

The present invention relates to a method for pressurising and automatically dosing a pre-filled heating system; a pressurisation and automatic dosing apparatus for a pre-filled heating system; and a method for maintaining a predetermined concentration of water and inhibitor mixture in a pre-filled heating system.

The fluid contained in a heating system is, typically, a mixture of water and chemical inhibitor (hereinafter referred to as ‘inhibitor’). Traditionally, the heating system is manually dosed with inhibitor using a dosing pot after an initial fill. This can be dangerous for an operative if the system is hot. As is known, it is important to use inhibitor because heating systems which are starved of inhibitor are likely to fail. Modern systems frequently have aluminium heat exchangers, steel panel radiators and thin copper tubing, which systems require adequate levels of inhibitor so as to avoid perforations and blockages. Heating systems suffer from normal minor losses of water and inhibitor, and are sometimes partially drained for maintenance. Each time the fluid in the heating system is topped-up, it is diluted unless inhibitor is also added. For example, with an automatic pressurisation unit, dosing is, at best, guesswork.

Although with time, automated systems have evolved to replace manual dosing, for at least the reasons which will be described below, it is understood that present automated systems still require some improvement. For example, a known partially automated system uses a first tank for mains water supply and a second tank for the inhibitor. A balancing valve is placed after each tank so as to control the concentration of inhibitor in a resultant mixture. The water and inhibitor are mixed together before being boosted by a pump and added to the heating system. The balancing valves require manual adjustment and must be set to the required mixture concentration. A mixture table is provided in the manual and an operator must ascertain the correct settings for those valves based upon the desired concentration in the heating system and set up the balancing valves accordingly. Such manual adjustment of balancing valves has at least two disadvantages. First of all, balancing valves are an inferior solution and are less accurate for measuring and maintaining the concentration of the heating system fluid. Further, human error can mean that the operator misunderstands the instructions for setting up the two balancing valves or may simply not set up the two balancing valves correctly. As such, although a form of automated system has been previously provided, it still requires manually setting up and manual adjustment of balancing valves.

The present invention is therefore aimed at improving automatic pressurisation and dosing apparatus and methods.

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for pressurising and automatically dosing a pre-filled heating system, the method comprising:

measuring an amount of water added to the heating system and, thereby, calculating an appropriate amount of inhibitor; and adding the inhibitor in a predetermined manner so as to maintain a predetermined concentration of water and inhibitor mixture in the pre-filled heating system.

Preferably, the predetermined manner relates to timing and/or manner of administration of doses of inhibitor.

Preferably, the method comprises weighing the inhibitor and, thereby, calculating when the appropriate amount of inhibitor has been added to the heating system. Most preferably, weighing the inhibitor prior to dosing, during and/or after dosing the system with inhibitor.

Preferably, in calculating the amount of inhibitor remaining, the weight of any container and hose weight are deducted from the total weight.

Preferably, weighing a reservoir of inhibitor and calculating the amount of inhibitor remaining and:

if the amount is below a threshold, triggering an alert; and/or if the amount of inhibitor becomes zero, preventing further pressurisation.

Alternatively, and preferably, weighing a reservoir of inhibitor and calculating the amount of inhibitor remaining and:

if the amount is below a threshold, triggering an alert; and/or if the amount of inhibitor becomes zero, then memorising any missed or nonfulfilled doses of inhibitor during pressurisation, and automatically topping up the heating system with those doses when the reservoir has been replenished.

Preferably, triggering an alert if less than one-fifth of the inhibitor remains.

Preferably, injecting the inhibitor directly into the water added to the heating system. Most preferably, injecting the inhibitor in one or more discreet doses. Further preferably, injecting about 0.25 to about 1 litre of inhibitor in one or more discreet doses when required according to the predetermined concentration. Most preferably, injecting single about 0.5 litre doses of inhibitor when required according to the predetermined concentration.

Most preferably, the method is implemented by a pressurisation and automatic dosing apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a pressurisation and automatic dosing apparatus for a pre-filled heating system, the apparatus comprises:

means for controlling the addition of water to said heating system; and means for controlling the addition of inhibitor to said heating system;

which means are capable of mixing water and inhibitor to maintain a predetermined concentration thereof in said heating system, wherein the apparatus further comprises:

means for measuring an amount of water added to said heating system; and means for calculating an appropriate amount of inhibitor and when to administer such inhibitor to maintain the predetermined concentration.

Preferably, the apparatus comprises means for weighing a reservoir of the inhibitor, the means being capable of calculating when said appropriate amount of inhibitor has been added. Most preferably, the weight of inhibitor is measured by a load cell.

Preferably, further comprising a hose assembly, an end part of which is locatable in a/the reservoir of inhibitor, and which comprises a non-return valve.

Most preferably, the non-return valve is provide at a distal end thereof, locatable in a/the reservoir.

Most preferably, the pressurisation and automatic dosing apparatus further comprises an outlet manifold capable of receiving both fresh water and inhibitor, and mixing them prior to supply to said heating system. Most preferably, the outlet manifold comprises: a first inlet for receiving a supply of fresh water; a second inlet for receiving a supply of inhibitor, the inlets are arranged so as to cause the water and inhibitor to mix during dosing; and an outlet for supply of fresh water and/or a mixture of fresh water and inhibitor during dosing.

Preferably, the means for measuring an amount of water added to the heating system comprises a flow-limiting cartridge. Most preferably, the flow-limiting cartridge has a flowrate of about 0.05 litres/second to about 0.5 litres/second, more preferably about 0.1 litres/second to about 0.4 litres/second, or most preferably about 0.2 litres/second or about 0.28 litres/second.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for maintaining a predetermined concentration of water and inhibitor mixture in a pre-filled heating system, the method comprising:

weighing a reservoir of inhibitor and calculating the amount of inhibitor remaining: if the amount is below a threshold, triggering an alert; and/or if the amount of inhibitor becomes zero, preventing further pressurisation;

OR weighing a reservoir of inhibitor and calculating the amount of inhibitor remaining: if the amount is below a threshold, triggering an alert; and/or if the amount of inhibitor becomes zero, then memorising any missed or nonfulfilled doses of inhibitor during pressurisation, and automatically topping up the heating system with those doses when the reservoir has been replenished.

Preferably, the method is implemented by a pressurisation and automatic dosing apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention.

Preferably, the method further comprises a method for pressurising and automatically dosing a pre-filled heating system according to the first aspect.

According to a yet further aspect, the invention relates to a data carrier, disk, chip, computer, tablet or the like programmed to implement the method of the first or third aspect of the invention, or a piece of software stored on any such device coded to implement the first or third aspect of the invention.

Advantageously, the present invention ensures that the correct concentration is maintained in the heating system. Once set up, the system requires very little maintenance, if any at all, beyond the refilling of the inhibitor with time. Further advantageously, as the apparatus is, substantially, automated, including both the pressurisation and dosing functions, less physical maintenance is required and less attentiveness is required on the part of a user, who may simply let the apparatus do its intended function.

Beyond a user, perhaps, changing preferred parameters, no further action of the user is required as the apparatus automatically makes the appropriate adjustments to its operation to the newly defined preferences.

Accurate measurement of the doses of inhibitor and the remaining inhibitor in the container is provided through weighing the inhibitor reservoir.

The apparatus provides various warnings relating to the amount of inhibitor remaining and, thus, helps prevent shut-down - which might otherwise occur if the inhibitor ran out.

Advantageously, the apparatus may be set up so as to allow it to continue to top-up the heating system when the chemical inhibitor container is empty. In that situation, the dosing controller memorises any doses that it is unable to perform, up to, for example a maximum of six, and when the fault has been rectified by refilling the container, the unit automatically performs the required number of doses so as to maintain the concentration in the heating system.

The invention will now be disclosed, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a pressurisation and dosing apparatus; and

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus of Figure 1.

Figures 1 and 2 show a pressurisation and dosing apparatus, identified generally by reference 100. The apparatus includes an upper-portion 101, relating to, essentially, the function of water pressurisation and a lower-portion 102, relating to, essentially, the function of dosing, although some components of each function may appear in the other portion for compactness and ease of arrangement.

The water pressurisation portion 102 includes: a strainer and isolating valve 1; an inlet hose 2; a coupling 3; a float valve 4; a cistern with a AB airgap 5; a low-level float switch 6; a back nut 7; an oyster coupling 8; a push-fit street elbow 9; a pump inlet tube 10; a push-fit street elbow 11; a push-fit equal elbow 12; a spigot adaptor 13; and a pressurisation filling pump 14. As can be seen from Figure 1, in particular, components 1 to 13 provide an upstream arrangement prior to the filling pump 14, in which a supply of fresh water can be controlled and temporarily stored in the cistern 5 and, from there, drawn by the filling pump 14 for pressurising a pre-filled heating system (not shown). After the filling pump 14, the water pressurisation portion 101 includes: a non-return valve housing 15; a non-return valve cartridge 16; a running nipple 17; a pump outlet hose 18; a flow-limiting cartridge 19; a non-return valve cartridge 20; an outlet manifold 21; a pressure transducer 22; a swivel elbow 23; a running nipple 25; a female to female elbow 26; and an outlet connector 27. The outlet manifold includes: a first inlet for receiving a supply of fresh water; a second inlet for receiving a supply of inhibitor, the inlets are arranged so as to cause the water and inhibitor to mix during dosing; and an outlet for supply of fresh water and/or a mixture of fresh water and inhibitor during dosing. As can be seen from Figure 1, in particular, components 15 to 27 provide a downstream arrangement following the filling pump 14, which supplies pressurised fresh water to the heating system (not shown) through the outlet connector 27, which, in use, is connected to the heating system.

The dosing portion 102 includes: a chemical inhibitor container 28; a load cell bracket 29; a pan bracket 30; a scale pan 31; a strainer 32; a non-return valve 33; a hose weight 34, which helps keep an inlet of the hose/tube at the bottom of the container 28; a strain gauge load cell 35, for weighing the container 28 and inhibitor; a pair of inline dosing pumps 36; a control box 37; and a nylon tube 38, which tube 38 connects the hose weight 34 and non-return valve 33, etc. at one end of the tube 38 - located in the container 28 - to the dosing pumps 36 at the other end. The pair of dosing pumps 36 draw inhibitor from the bottom of the container 28 for supply to the heating system (not shown). A further portion of nylon tubing 38a extends from the second dosing pump 36 to the inhibitor inlet of the outlet manifold 21, where inhibitor and fresh water can be mixed. Non-return valve 33 is arranged to prevent fluid from the tube 38 running back into the container 28 if the tube is removed from the container 28 - this has the effect of preventing the dosing pumps 36 from running dry.

In essence, the apparatus 100 described above provides a fluid category 5 pressurisation unit for use with commercial heating systems. Together with keeping the system pressurised, the apparatus 100 also automatically doses the system with inhibitor according to a concentration set by a user. Chemical inhibitor is supplied in the container 28, which is, typically, a 20-litre container, and the inhibitor has a specific gravity of, typically 1.1 to 1.2 grams per centimetre cubed (g/cm³⁾. The apparatus 100 is set up with a default of 1.1 g/cm³, but this can be altered by a user through the controller.

The apparatus 100 includes two microprocessor controllers (not shown) with backlit LCD displays, housed within the control box 37. Both Controllers are loaded with bespoke programmes - a pressurisation controller controls the pressurisation function, in particular the filling pump 14, and a dosing controller controls the dosing function. Whilst the controllers are generally independent, there is communication between them. The filling pump 14 is controlled by the pressurisation controller, through a relay (not shown).

The pressurisation controller incorporates a built-in electronic water meter, which can record the volume of water added to the heating system (not shown).

This is achieved through timing the flow of fresh water through the flow limiting cartridge 19 - which limitation may be 0.2 litres/second (l/s) for a 15 mm version of the apparatus or 0.28 l/s for a 22 mm version of the apparatus. The water meter records the length of time for which water is added to the system in seconds, then applies the relevant flow rate to record the volume of water in litres. This value may be displayed on the LCD display of the pressurisation controller. A second reading from the water meter illustrates the volume of water added to the system since the 1^st of the month. If the filling volume exceeds a user defined trigger value (for example 50 litres), the unit will stop filling to prevent it feeding a major leak.

Overall heating system pressure can be monitored by the pressure transducer 22, which has an operating range of 0 to 10 bar. If the pressure of the heating system drops below a switch-on pressure (typically 1.2 bar), the filling pump 14 can be started after a 50 second delay - this delay allows for water pressure in the system to stabilise, which prevents the pump 14 from repeatedly switching on and off. If heating system pressure reaches a switch-off pressure (typically 1.4 bar), the filling pump 14 can be stopped.

The low-level float switch 6 can send a signal to the pressurisation controller to cut power to the pump 14 if the cistern 5 is almost empty, so to prevent the pump 14 from running dry. The pressurisation controller can also perform a daily anti-seize pump pulse and a weekly pump pressure test.

The dosing controller can control the pair of electromagnetic dosing pumps 36. Two dosing pumps 36 in series are required to lift the required amount of inhibitor at sufficient pressure. A 20 litre container 28 is supplied with the apparatus 100, which sits on the scale pan 31 inside a cabinet (not shown) of the apparatus 100. The container 28 is initially filled with a suitable inhibitor by the user and refilled as necessary. The dosing pumps 36 typically inject 0.5 litres of inhibitor after an appropriate quantity of water has been added. For example, for a 1 % concentration, every 49.5 litres of water. The volume of inhibitor injected and remaining in the container 28 is calculated based upon weight. Although the load cell is initially calibrated for water, and inhibitors normally have a specific gravity of 1.1 to 1.2 g/cm³, the controller will cope with this through a user entering the correct specific gravity for that specific inhibitor. A default of 1.1 g/cm³ may be used. To provide an accurate indication of remaining inhibitor in the container 28, the hose weight 34 and container weight, etc. are deducted so as to provide a zeroed reading. The weight I volume of inhibitor in the container 28 is measured by a strain gauge load cell 35.

Once the apparatus 100 has been installed and the heating system filled, the apparatus can be set up. The user can set a cold fill value and high cut-out value using the keypad of the pressurisation controller, so as to suit system requirements. The amount of inhibitor to be added to the system is set on the keyboard of the dosing controller by the user according to the manufacturer’s specification (for example a 1% concentration). This concentration will normally be the same as that of the fluid in the pre-filled heating system.

In use, fresh water is supplied to the apparatus 100 through the strainer and isolating valve 1, and the inlet hose 2, and an amount thereof is stored in the cistern 5 for use as top-up water for the heating system (not shown). When pressurisation is required, the filling pump 14 is activated, which draws water from the cistern 5, along the pump inlet tube 10, and such water is passed through the filling pump 14 and, thereby, pressurised, and further passed through a non-return valve 15; 16 and along the pump outlet hose 18 in the direction of the outlet connector 27. Prior to being received at the outlet connector 27, the water reaches the outlet manifold 21, where the water may be mixed with inhibitor. The inhibitor is stored in the container 28, from where it can be drawn by the pair of pumps 36, through the strainer 32, the non-return valve 34 and tube 38 to the first pump 36, pressurised by both pumps and pushed from the second pump 36 along tube 38a to the outlet manifold 21, where the inhibitor may be mixed with the fresh water. Fresh water and/or inhibitor is/are then boosted by the pump, through the outlet connector 27, and into the heating system according to the required switch-on and switch-off pressures.

Additionally, in a further embodiment, fresh water may be supplied to the 5 heating system without inhibitor immediately. For example, if a heating system is pre-filled with a 1 % concentration of inhibitor to water, 49 litres of water may be added to the system before a 0.5 litre dose of inhibitor and the remaining 0.5 litre of water so as to maintain the 1% concentration in the heating system.

Alternatively, fresh water may be supplied to the heating system together with inhibitor, i.e. both at the same time. For example, if a heating system is pre-filled with a 1 % concentration of inhibitor to water, each time fresh water is added to the heating system, an appropriate amount of inhibitor could be trickled or injected into the flow of fresh water, again, so as to maintain the 1% concentration in the heating system.

Once the load cell 35 detects a volume of less than 4 litres in the 20 litre container, a “Low Level” warning message is displayed on the LCD display of the dosing controller. If the container is not refilled and the volume of inhibitor drops below 2 litres, a “Low Level” fault is displayed on the LCD display. This may lead to disabling the pressurisation filling pump 14, which would prevent the system being filled without any inhibitor and, therefore, the concentration being diluted.

Alternatively, if doses of inhibitor are missed, then the controller can note such omissions, which can be rectified once the container 28 has been replenished with inhibitor.

Claims

Claims:

1. ) A method for pressurising and automatically dosing a pre-filled heating system, the method comprising:

2. ) A method as claimed in claim 1 comprising weighing the inhibitor and, thereby, calculating when the appropriate amount of inhibitor has been added to the heating system.

3. ) A method as claimed in claim 2 comprising weighing the inhibitor prior to dosing, during and/or after dosing the system with inhibitor.

4. ) A method as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein, in calculating the amount of inhibitor remaining, the weight of any container and hose weight are deducted from the total weight of inhibitor.

5. ) A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 comprising weighing a reservoir of inhibitor and calculating the amount of inhibitor remaining and:

6. ) A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 comprising weighing a reservoir of inhibitor and calculating the amount of inhibitor remaining and:

if the amount is below a threshold, triggering an alert; and/or if the amount of inhibitor becomes zero, then memorising any missed or non-fulfilled doses of inhibitor during pressurisation, and automatically topping up the heating system with those doses when the reservoir has been replenished.

7. ) A method as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein triggering an alert if less than one-fifth of the inhibitor remains.

8. ) A method as claimed in any preceding claim comprising injecting the inhibitor directly into the water being added to the heating system.

9. ) A method as claimed in claim 8 comprising injecting the inhibitor in one or more discreet doses.

10. ) A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the method is implemented by a pressurisation and automatic dosing apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 19.

11. ) A method for pressurising and automatically dosing a pre-filled heating system, substantially as herein disclosed, with reference to the accompanying description and/or any example described herein.

12. ) A pressurisation and automatic dosing apparatus for a pre-filled heating system, the apparatus comprises:

13. ) A pressurisation and automatic dosing apparatus as claimed in claim 12 comprising means for weighing a reservoir of the inhibitor, the means being capable of calculating when said appropriate amount of inhibitor has been added.

14. ) A pressurisation and automatic dosing apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein, the weight of inhibitor is measured by a load cell.

15. ) A pressurisation and automatic dosing apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein, in calculating the amount of inhibitor remaining, the weight of any container and hose weight are deducted from the total weight.

16. ) A pressurisation and automatic dosing apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein, a hose assembly, an end part of which is locatable in a/the reservoir of inhibitor, comprises a non-return valve.

17. ) A pressurisation and automatic dosing apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 16, further comprising an outlet manifold capable of receiving both fresh water and inhibitor, and mixing them prior to supply to said heating system.

18. ) A pressurisation and automatic dosing apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein the means for measuring an amount of water added to the heating system comprises a flow-limiting cartridge.

19. ) A pressurisation and automatic dosing apparatus for a pre-filled heating system, substantially as herein disclosed, with reference to Figure 1 or Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings and/or any example described herein.

20. ) A method for maintaining a predetermined concentration of water and inhibitor mixture in a pre-filled heating system, the method comprising:

OR weighing a reservoir of inhibitor and calculating the amount of inhibitor remaining: if the amount is below a threshold, triggering an alert; and/or if the amount of inhibitor becomes zero, then memorising any missed or non-fuIfilled doses of inhibitor during pressurisation, and automatically topping up the heating system with those doses when the reservoir has been replenished.

21.) A method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the method is implemented by a pressurisation and automatic dosing apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 19.

5

22.) A method as claimed in claim 20 or claim 21, wherein the method further comprises a method for pressurising and automatically dosing a pre-filled heating system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11.

23. ) A method for maintaining a predetermined concentration of water and inhibitor

10 mixture in a pre-filled heating system, substantially as herein disclosed, with reference to the accompanying description and/or any example described herein.

24. ) A data carrier, disk, chip, computer, tablet or the like programmed to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 11 or claims 20 to 23, or a piece of

15 software stored on any such device coded to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 11 or claims 20 to 23.

Amendment to Claims have been filed as follows

Claims:

1.) A method for pressurising and automatically dosing a pre-filled heating system, the method comprising:

measuring an amount of water added to the heating system and, thereby, calculating an appropriate amount of inhibitor; and adding the inhibitor in a predetermined manner so as to maintain a predetermined concentration of water and inhibitor mixture in the pre-filled heating system, wherein the method comprises mixing both fresh water and inhibitor in an outlet 10 manifold prior to supply of the mixture to said heating system.

2.) A method as claimed in claim 1 comprising weighing the inhibitor and, thereby, calculating when the appropriate amount of inhibitor has been added to the heating system.

12 10 17

4. ) A method as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein, in calculating the amount

20 of inhibitor remaining, the weight of any container and hose weight are deducted from the total weight of inhibitor.

25 if the amount is below a threshold, triggering an alert; and/or if the amount of inhibitor becomes zero, preventing further pressurisation.

30 if the amount is below a threshold, triggering an alert; and/or if the amount of inhibitor becomes zero, then memorising any missed or non-fulfilled doses of inhibitor during pressurisation, and automatically topping up the heating system with those doses when the reservoir has been replenished.

12 10 17

7.) A method as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein triggering an alert if less than one-fifth of the inhibitor remains.

5 8.) A method as claimed in any preceding claim comprising injecting the inhibitor directly into the water being added to the heating system.

10. ) A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the method is implemented by a pressurisation and automatic dosing apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 16.

15 11.) A pressurisation and automatic dosing apparatus for a pre-filled heating system, the apparatus comprises:

means for controlling the addition of water to said heating system; means for controlling the addition of inhibitor to said heating system; which means are capable of mixing water and inhibitor to maintain a

20.) A data carrier, disk, chip, computer, tablet or the like programmed to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 10 or claims 17 to 19, or a piece of software stored on any such device coded to implement the method of any one of

5 claims 1 to 10 or claims 17 to 19.

12 10 17

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1618898.9 Examiner: James Hindle

20 predetermined concentration thereof in said heating system, means for measuring an amount of water added to said heating system; and means for calculating an appropriate amount of inhibitor and when to administer such inhibitor to maintain the predetermined concentration wherein the apparatus further comprises:

25 an outlet manifold capable of receiving both fresh water and inhibitor, and mixing them prior to supply to said heating system.

12. ) A pressurisation and automatic dosing apparatus as claimed in claim 11 comprising means for weighing a reservoir of the inhibitor, the means being capable

30 of calculating when said appropriate amount of inhibitor has been added.

13. ) A pressurisation and automatic dosing apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein, the weight of inhibitor is measured by a load cell.

14.) A pressurisation and automatic dosing apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein, in calculating the amount of inhibitor remaining, the weight of any container and hose weight are deducted from the total weight.

5 15.) A pressurisation and automatic dosing apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein, a hose assembly, an end part of which is locatable in a/the reservoir of inhibitor, comprises a non-return valve.

16.) A pressurisation and automatic dosing apparatus as claimed in any one of

10 claims 11 to 15, wherein the means for measuring an amount of water added to the heating system comprises a flow-limiting cartridge.

CM

17.) A method for maintaining a predetermined concentration of water and inhibitor mixture in a pre-filled heating system, the method comprising:

OR weighing a reservoir of inhibitor and calculating the amount of inhibitor remaining: if the amount is below a threshold, triggering an alert; and/or if the amount of inhibitor becomes zero, then memorising any missed or non-fulfilled doses of inhibitor during pressurisation, and automatically topping up the heating system with those doses when the reservoir has been replenished;

wherein the method comprises mixing both fresh water and inhibitor in an outlet manifold prior to supply of the mixture to said heating system.

18.) A method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the method is implemented by a pressurisation and automatic dosing apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to

30 16.

19.) A method as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the method further comprises a method for pressurising and automatically dosing a pre-filled heating system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10.