GB2568357A - Siphon device - Google Patents

Abstract

A siphon device comprising a housing 9 defining a flow passage extending between an inlet 1 and an outlet 2, a valve seat 17 being located within the housing. A reciprocable valve member 19 is contained, engageable to control liquid flow through the housing between the inlet and the outlet. The valve member includes or is attached to a guide member including guide arms 6 cooperable with guide formations 10 provided in the housing to guide the valve member for reciprocating movement. Preferably the guide arrangement does not provide any significant restriction to flow through the housing. The valve member may have two diametrically opposed guide arms which may ride within guide grooves. The inlet may extend from an end wall of the housing into a peripheral wall, which preferably has castellated form. A turbine blade may be included to impart a helical component to the flow of fluid.

Description

SIPHON DEVICE

This invention relates to a siphon device, and in particular to a siphon device intended for use in assisting a user in drawing a siphon in a tube or pipe for use in removing fluid from a tank, cylinder or other liquid store.

Where undertaking servicing, repair or maintenance operations in relation to, for example, a wet central heating system, it is often required to drain liquids from tanks, cylinders or the like thereof. Although in some circumstances, the tanks used may be of plastics materials, in a number of applications the tanks, cylinders or the like are of metallic construction and over time corrosion thereof tends to take place with the result that the liquids contained therein may include quantities of contaminants in the form of oxides or the like of the tank or cylinder material. In order to resist such corrosion, the liquid may have corrosion inhibiting chemicals added thereto.

Conventionally, in order to draw a siphon, a hose, tube or the like is located with one end in the tank, cylinder or the like, and with the opposite end of the hose, tube or the like located outside of the tank, cylinder or the like and held at a level beneath the liquid level within the tank, cylinder or the like. The user may then suck on the end of the hose, tube or the like to draw some of the liquid into and through the hose, tube or the like. Once the level of the liquid within the hose, tube or the like is lower than the liquid level within the tank, cylinder or the like, then gravitational siphoning will result in the liquid continuing to flow through the pipe, hose or the like, draining the liquid from the tank, cylinder or the like.

There is a risk, where siphoning is undertaken in this manner, that some of the liquid may enter the user's mouth. As mentioned above, the liquid may contain contaminants or inhibitor chemicals, and these may be toxic or at least be unpleasant for the user if they enter his mouth. Depending upon the content of the liquid or the manner in which the hose, tube or the like is stored, there is also a risk of infection to the user.

Furthermore, the presence of corrosion contaminants within the liquid can result in at least some of the liquid being of relatively high viscosity, and it has been found that sustaining a reliable gravitational siphon effect in the presence of such high viscosity liquids is difficult. As a result, there is a tendency for users to leave a quantity of liquid within a 'drained' tank or cylinder, hampering removal or relocation thereof due to the weight of the liquid remaining within the 'drained' tank or cylinder.

Although the description hereinbefore relates to parts of a wet central heating system, it will be appreciated that similar problems may be faced in other similar applications. By way of example, similar problems may be faced in draining water from toilet cisterns or other forms or tank, cylinder or the like. The invention may be used in any such application.

Devices are known to assist a user in drawing a gravitational siphoning effect. By way of example, US4414997 describes a device to be fitted to an end of a hose, tube or the like. The device includes a non-return valve orientated such that, with the device located within the tank or the like to be drained, repeated axial reciprocating movement of the device urges liquid to enter the device and pass through the non-return valve, return movement of liquid during the return reciprocating movement of the device being resisted by the valve. After a fairly short period of time, sufficient liquid will enter the hose or tube to result in the formation of a gravitational siphon effect. Whilst the use of such a device avoids the need for the user to suck upon an end of the hose, tube or the like, the device is of small dimensions and the flow passage through the device is of small crosssectional area. As a consequence, liquid flow through the device is only at a restricted rate. This not only results in draining of the liquid from the tank being slow, but also contaminants within the liquid further serve to restrict the effective flow area, making sustaining the gravitational siphon effect difficult to achieve. Whilst certain of these disadvantages could potentially be overcome by increasing the dimensions of the device, this would make the device too large to be able to be used in a number of applications.

Certain devices used to assist in the drawing of a siphon make use of spherical valve members, but these valve members are relatively heavy, and so there may be a tendency for the valve to close under low siphon flow rates, which is undesirable. The use of other shapes of valve member typically requires the valve member to be guided for movement which may result in the valve member being less free to move than is desired, and may result in the formation of an undesirable restriction to fluid flow.

It is an object of the invention to provide a siphon device in which at least some of the disadvantages associated with known arrangements are overcome or are of reduced effect. By way of example, it is desirable to provide a siphon device in which the limitations of existing devices in siphoning contaminated liquids, for example arising from the presence of materials of different densities, consistencies, solidities and/or sizes therein, which can partially or fully impede or prevent the discharge of liquids by gravitational siphoning are avoided.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a siphon device comprising a housing defining a flow passage extending between an inlet and an outlet, a valve seat being located within the housing with which a reciprocable valve member is engageable to control liquid flow through the housing between the inlet and the outlet, permitting flow from the inlet to the outlet, but resisting flow from the outlet to the inlet, wherein the valve member includes or is attached to a guide member including guide arms cooperable with guide formations provided in the housing to guide the valve member for reciprocating movement.

In such an arrangement, the valve member may be of relatively light weight form, and so may be less likely to close under low flow rates. The guide arrangement may be of a form which does not provide a significant restriction to fluid flow through the housing. The valve member, or a surface thereof that, in use, engages the valve seat, may be of generally frustoconical form.

Preferably, the valve member has two diametrically opposed guide arms associated therewith. The guide arms may ride within guide grooves formed in the housing.

The inlet conveniently extends from an end wall of the housing into a peripheral wall thereof. By way of example, the peripheral wall may be of castellated form. Accordingly, if the inlet end of the housing abuts a flat surface of a tank or the like to be drained, the inlet will not be completely closed.

The housing is preferably of a diameter such that, once the siphon has been drawn, fluid may flow through the housing at a high rate, thereby allowing draining of significant fluid volumes in a short space of time, and allowing contaminant materials to be carried with the fluid from the tank or the like.

Downstream of the valve seat, at least one turbine blade operable to impart a generally helical component to the flow of liquid between the inlet and the outlet is preferably provided. However, designs are also envisaged in which no such blades are provided.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a siphon device comprising a housing defining a flow passage extending between an inlet and an outlet, a valve seat being located within the housing with which a reciprocable valve member is engageable to control liquid flow through the housing between the inlet and the outlet, permitting flow from the inlet to the outlet, but resisting flow from the outlet to the inlet, wherein the inlet extends from an end wall of the housing into a peripheral wall thereof. By way of example, the peripheral wall may be of castellated form.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a siphon device comprising a housing defining a flow passage extending between an inlet and an outlet, a valve seat being located within the housing with which a reciprocable valve member is engageable to control liquid flow through the housing between the inlet and the outlet, permitting flow from the inlet to the outlet, but resisting flow from the outlet to the inlet, wherein the valve member includes, downstream of the valve seat, at least one turbine blade operable to impart a generally helical component to the flow of liquid between the inlet and the outlet.

The turbine blade is preferably mounted upon a support member rotatably mounted upon the valve member. Conveniently, a plurality of turbine blades are provided.

It will be appreciated that the presence of the turbine blade imparting the generally helical, swirling component to the liquid flow urges particulate contaminants within the liquid flow radially outward. As a consequence, a significant liquid flow area may be maintained through the housing, in use, and so the risk of the presence of such contaminants impairing the ability to sustain a gravitational siphon effect is reduced. The presence of the non-return valve aids the drawing of the siphon without the need for the user to suck upon the end of a hose or the like, and so the use of the device may improve user safety and unpleasantness of use. The device does not require the presence of a power source or the like, and is simple and convenient to use. The device may be of relatively small dimensions, and so is convenient to use even where used in tanks, cylinders or the like in which dimensions or access is restricted.

Furthermore, by imparting a generally helical, swirling component in the liquid, the liquid flow velocity within the housing may be increased.

Preferably, a hose, tube or the like is connected to the outlet.

The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a cross sectional side view of a siphon device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention in an open position;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 illustrating the device in a closed position;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of part of the device of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an exploded view of a part of the device;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the device in a fully assembled condition;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the part of the device shown in Figure 4; and

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a modification to the arrangement of Figures 1 to 6.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings, a siphon device is illustrated, the device being intended for use in assisting a user in drawing a gravitational siphon effect to aid draining liquid from a water tank, cylinder or other receptacle to be drained. The device comprises a housing 9 of generally cylindrical form. The housing 9 is of hollow, tubular form defining, at one end, an inlet 1 and at the opposite end thereof, an outlet 2. The outlet 2 is shaped to define a nipple over which an end part of a hose, tube or the like (not shown) can be fitted. A central part of the housing 9 is of larger diameter than the inlet 1 and outlet 2. A pair of guide recesses 10 are formed in the inner wall of the housing 9 within the larger diameter part thereof, the guide recesses 10 extending parallel to the axis of the device.

At the intersection between the inlet 1 and the central part of the housing 9, within the housing 9, is formed a generally conically formed valve seat 17.

Located within the central part of the housing 9 is a valve member of multipart form. The valve member comprises a part 3 having an outer surface of generally conical or frusto conical form which, in use, can engage the seat 17 to resist liquid flow through the housing 9. The part 3 is secured by a screw 5 or bolt, or other suitable fixing, to a support member 6. The support member 6 is shaped to define a pair of arms which extend from a central annular part, the screw 5, bolt or the like being fitted to the annular part, and the arms being received, in part, within the guide recesses 10 to guide the valve member for axial reciprocating movement within the housing 9. The support member 6 holds the part 3 so as to be arranged coaxially within the seat 17 through the reciprocating movement of the valve member.

A turbine member 4 is held captive between the support member 6 and the part 3. The turbine member comprises a central annular part which encircles part of the support member 6, and a series of outwardly extending turbine blades. The turbine blades are angled to the axis of the device. The fit of the annular part on the support member 6 is such that the turbine member 4 is free to rotate relative to the support member 6.

In use, with a hose, tube or the like fitted to the outlet 2, the device is located within a tank, cylinder or the like from which liquid is to be drained. With the device held beneath the surface of the liquid, and the free end of the tube located outside of the tank, cylinder or the like at a level below the liquid level, the device is shaken or moved in the axial direction so as to undergo reciprocating axial movement. As the device is moved in the forward direction, liquid is able to enter the inlet 1, the liquid pressure and the inertia of the valve member resulting in the valve member lifting from the seat 17, allowing a quantity of the liquid to flow along a flow path 7 between the part 3 and the seat 17. Upon subsequent reverse movement of the device, the inertia of the valve member causes the part 3 to move into engagement with the seat 17, restricting liquid flow back through the inlet 1 from within the housing 9. It will be appreciated that by repeatedly moving the device back and forth within the liquid, the liquid is pumped into and through the device and into the hose, tube, pipe or the like. After a short while, sufficient liquid will have been pumped through the device in this manner to cause the generation of a gravitational siphon effect whereafter liquid will continued to flow into and through the device under the gravitational siphon effect without requiring further movement of the device.

It will be appreciated that the use of the device is advantageous in that there is no need for a user to suck upon the tube, hose or the like to draw a siphon. The disadvantages associated with needing to undertake such an action, in use, are thus avoided.

Once the gravitational siphon effect has commenced, the flow of liquid through the housing 9 and bearing against the turbine blades will cause a helical, swirling component to be imparted in the liquid flow through the housing 9, and may also cause rotation of the turbine member. The imparting of the helical component to the liquid flow serves to increase the liquid flow velocity through the device, and tends to cause separation of particulate contaminants from the liquid flow. As a result, a gravitational siphon effect can be maintained reliably, even where the liquid with which the device is being used is relatively viscous, for example as a result of the presence of particulate contaminants therein.

The design of the valve member, and in particular the design of the support member 6 which leaves a significant flow area available within the housing 9 for the passage of liquid, ensures that the restriction to liquid flow, in use, once a siphon has been drawn is relatively small, and so the siphon effect can readily be maintained, even where the flow rate is relatively low. Furthermore, this is achieved with a device of only relatively small dimensions which, as a result, can be used in confined spaced and where access is limited. The design of the support member 6 not only serves to guide the valve member for movement, but also limits the distance through which it can move away from the seat. The fluid flow rate through the device may be large. Consequently, draining of significant volumes of fluid in a small space of time may be achieved. Also, as the flow fluid rate may be relatively high, the fluid flow may readily carry with it contaminant materials thereby aiding in removal of such materials from the tank or the like being drained.

It will be appreciated, as described hereinbefore, that the siphon device is advantageous in that it is of small size and so may be readily used in confined spaces and where access is restricted. Despite being of small dimensions, the internal flow area is relatively large, and restrictions to fluid flow are relatively small. The imparting of a generally helical component or swirl in the liquid flowing through the device serves to separate particulate contaminants from the liquid flow, and so aids in sustaining a siphon, in use. The device is beneficial in that a siphon can be drawn without the user needing to suck upon an end of a tube, hose or the like and the attendant risks associated therewith are avoided. In accordance with the invention a siphon device is provided in which the limitations of existing devices in siphoning contaminated liquids, for example arising from the presence of materials of different densities, consistencies, solidities and/or sizes therein, which can partially or fully impede or prevent the discharge of liquids by gravitational siphoning are avoided.

Although the arrangement described hereinbefore includes turbine blades adapted to generate a swirling motion in the fluid, embodiments of the invention in which such blades are not provided are also possible.

As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the inlet end of the housing 9 may be shaped to be of castellated form. Consequently, the inlet 1 is not of planar form but extends into parts of the peripheral wall of the housing 9 as well as in the end wall thereof. Such shaping is advantageous in that if, in use, the housing 9 is positioned such that the inlet end thereof buts up against a wall of the tank or the like being drained, fluid can continue to enter the housing 9 through the castellated parts of the inlet 1. Fluid can thus continue to be drained from the tank or the like in these circumstances. The sizes of the castellations are preferably chosen to ensure that a relatively high fluid flow rate can be maintained in such circumstances.

The castellations may be formed directly in the material of the housing 9 or could potentially be formed in a fitting to be attached to the inlet end thereof, if desired.

Other than as described above, the arrangement of Figures 7 and 8 is substantially the same as described hereinbefore with reference to Figures 1 to 6, and operates in the same manner.

Whilst specific embodiments of the invention is described herein, it will be appreciated that a wide range of modifications and alterations may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The device is suitable for use in a wide range of applications.

Claims (13)

CLAIMS:

1. A siphon device comprising a housing defining a flow passage extending between an inlet and an outlet, a valve seat being located within the housing with which a reciprocable valve member is engageable to control liquid flow through the housing between the inlet and the outlet, permitting flow from the inlet to the outlet, but resisting flow from the outlet to the inlet, wherein the valve member includes or is attached to a guide member including guide arms cooperable with guide formations provided in the housing to guide the valve member for reciprocating movement.

2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein the guide arrangement is of a form which does not provide a significant restriction to fluid flow through the housing.

3. A device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the valve member has two diametrically opposed guide arms associated therewith.

4. A device according to Claim 3, wherein the guide arms ride within guide grooves formed in the housing.

5. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet extends from an end wall of the housing into a peripheral wall thereof.

6. A device according to Claim 5, wherein the peripheral wall is of castellated form.

7. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein downstream of the valve seat, at least one turbine blade operable to impart a generally helical component to the flow of liquid between the inlet and the outlet is provided.

8. A siphon device comprising a housing defining a flow passage extending between an inlet and an outlet, a valve seat being located within the housing with which a reciprocable valve member is engageable to control liquid flow through the housing between the inlet and the outlet, permitting flow from the inlet to the outlet, but resisting flow from the outlet to the inlet, wherein the inlet extends from an end wall of the housing into a peripheral wall thereof.

9. A device according to Claim 8, wherein the peripheral wall is of castellated form.

10. A siphon device comprising a housing defining a flow passage extending between an inlet and an outlet, a valve seat being located within the housing with which a reciprocable valve

5 member is engageable to control liquid flow through the housing between the inlet and the outlet, permitting flow from the inlet to the outlet, but resisting flow from the outlet to the inlet, wherein the valve member includes, downstream of the valve seat, at least one turbine blade operable to impart a generally helical component to the flow of liquid between the inlet and the outlet.

10

11. A device according to Claim 10, wherein the turbine blade is mounted upon a support member rotatably mounted upon the valve member.

12. A device according to Claim 10 or Claim 11, wherein a plurality of turbine blades are provided.

13. A device according to any of Claims 10 to 12, wherein a hose, tube or the like is connected to the outlet.