GB2582028A

GB2582028A - Magnetic filter for a central heating system

Info

Publication number: GB2582028A
Application number: GB1903184.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Downie Simon; Leung Kelvin
Original assignee: Adey Holdings 2008 Ltd
Current assignee: Adey Holdings 2008 Ltd
Priority date: 2019-03-08
Filing date: 2019-03-08
Publication date: 2020-09-09
Anticipated expiration: 2039-03-08
Also published as: GB2582028B; GB201903184D0

Abstract

A magnetic filter 10 includes a separation chamber, a magnetic field within the separation chamber, and at least first and second ports suitable for connection of the magnetic filter to pipework. Suitably, there may be four ports 16, (18, Fig. 6), 20, 22. A first flow path is provided from a first region in the separation chamber to at least one of the ports, and a second flow path is provided from a second region in the separation chamber to at least one of the ports. A movable flow diverter 32 is provided, wherein at least one of the flow paths is provided through a channel in the flow diverter. The flow diverter is movable for selecting which of the ports is in fluid communication with the channel, e.g. to select a port for use as an inlet and to select a port for use as an outlet. A magnet 36 may be disposed within the separation chamber. The first and second ports can extend from the filter at right angles to each other or may extend from the filter in-line with each other. The magnetic filter may be installed in a range of orientations to fit available pipework.

Description

MAGNETIC FILTER FOR A CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a magnetic filter for a central heating or cooling system, in particular a magnetic filter which may be installed in a range of orientations to fit available pipework.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

It is now common to fit magnetic filters to central heating or cooling system installations. Magnetic filters comprise a chamber with an inlet and outlet, and a magnetic field within the chamber for attracting and retaining magnetic particles. The purpose of fitting a magnetic filter is to protect the heat exchanger and pump in the boiler from damage caused by fine particles in the flow. To achieve this, the magnetic filter is typically fitted on the return pipe of the central heating circuit, after the last radiator / appliance and just before the boiler.

Installing a magnetic filter in this optimal position is sometimes difficult or impossible, due to the limited space available around a boiler. Keeping a neat and tidy appearance around the boiler is often also a consideration, for example if the boiler is on the wall in a kitchen. For this reason, filters are not always installed in the best position to protect the boiler.

This problem of limited installation space is particularly prevalent where boilers have been fitted to pre-build wall frames, where pipework is embedded into the wall, with ports for connecting a wall-hung boiler. In other words, pipes may exit the surface of the wall at a point extremely close to the boiler. This leaves very limited space for fitting a magnetic filter.

It is an object of the invention to obviate or substantially reduce this problem.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a magnetic filter for a central heating or cooling system, the magnetic filter including: a separation chamber, and a magnetic field within the separation chamber; at least a first port and a second port, the ports being suitable for connection of the magnetic filter to pipework; a first flow path from a first region in the separation chamber to at least one of the ports a second flow path from a second region in the separation chamber to at least one other of the ports and a movable flow diverter, at least one of the flow paths being provided through a channel in the flow diverter, and the flow diverter being movable at least for selecting which of the ports is in fluid communication with the channel.

By moving the movable flow diverter, a selection can be made as to which of the ports is connected to the channel, and therefore which of the ports is connected via the flow path to a particular one of the first and second regions in the separation chamber.

The first and second regions in the separation chamber are chosen in order to ensure that fluid flowing into the chamber via one flow path and out of the chamber via the other flow path substantially flows through the magnetic field, for optimal separation of particles and cleaning of the heating / cooling fluid.

In many embodiments, it does not matter whether the fluid flows into the separation chamber in the first region and out through the second region, or whether it flows into the separation chamber in the second region and out in the first region. However, ensuring that the fluid flows in through one region and out through the other region ensures that magnetic separation is achieved, by forcing the fluid to flow in an area influenced by the magnetic field.

In some embodiments, there may be a preferable direction of flow, e.g. into the separation chamber via the first region and out of the separation chamber via the second region.

The magnetic field may be provided by a magnet, preferably a permanent magnet. The magnet may be disposed somewhat centrally within the separation chamber.

It will be understood that a magnet "within the separation chamber' means a magnet disposed in that position, so that fluid flows within the separation chamber around the magnet. The magnet may be inside the pressure envelope (for example as in the Applicant's MagnaClean Pro 2 (RTM) product) or outside the pressure envelope (for example as in the Applicant's MagnaClean TwinTech (RTM) product). Where the magnet is inside the pressure envelope, in most embodiments it is likely to be enclosed by a sheath for easy cleaning, which is well known.

The first region may be an outer region of the separation chamber, and the second region may be an inner region of the separation chamber, wherein the outer region substantially surrounds the inner region.

At an interface to the separation chamber, the entrance to the first flow path may be concentric with the entrance to the second flow path, with the entrance to the first flow path substantially surrounding the entrance to the second flow path. For example, the entrance to the first flow path may be in the shape of an annulus, with the entrance to the second flow path in the shape of a circle.

Preferably, the first and second ports may be at right angles to each other.

Alternatively, the first and second ports may be in line with each other and extending away from each other.

A third port may be provided which extends from the filter at right angles to both the first port and the second port.

A fourth port may be provided which extends from the filter at a right angle to all three of the first, second and third ports.

Where more than two ports are provided, sealing caps may be provided. Only two ports will typically be used for connecting into the central heating / cooling system circuit. The purpose of providing multiple ports is to provide a wide range of installation options. The unused ports may be capped and sealed. Alternatively, in some embodiments drain valves, bleed valves and/or dosing points may be attached to the ports which are not used for connection to the heating / cooling system circuit.

Because unused ports are capped off or used for bleeding / dosing only, in some embodiments multiple ports may be simultaneously connected to one of the flow paths. As long as the two ports in use are connected to different flow paths, i.e. one of the in-use ports is connected to the first region of the separation chamber and one of the in-use ports is connected to the second region of the separation chamber, the filter will work correctly, ensuring that fluid flows

through the magnetic field to allow separation.

Preferably, the channel in the flow diverter may be substantially a right angle channel, i.e. a pipe "elbovV'. The channel may form the second flow path from the central second region of the separation chamber, to any one selected port extending away from the filter. The channel may preferably connect to any one of at least three ports, the ports for example extending away from the filter at respective 00, 90° and 1800 angles.

Note that where a fourth port is provided at right angles to all of the first, second and third ports, the fourth port may not be selectable as connecting to the right angle channel in the flow diverter. The fourth port in such embodiments is always in fluid communication with the first region of the separation chamber, whereas any one of the first, second and third ports may be selected to be in fluid communication with the second region. This does not have an impact on the options in terms of flexibility of installation, as long as it does not matter whether the fluid flows into the separation chamber in the first region and out via the second region, or the other way around.

The flow diverter may be substantially in the form of a ring, for fitting inside the filter in any selected one of a number of positions. The ring may be substantially in the form of a cylindrical shell, having apertures in the shell corresponding to positions of ports on the filter. The pipe channel (right angle elbow) may be supported from a wall of the cylindrical shell, extending along a radius of the cylindrical shell substantially to a centrepoint, and then at right angles along an axis of the cylindrical shell.

Preferably, the flow diverter includes tabs, detents, or another structure, for interfacing with a corresponding structure in the filter. In this way, a number of discrete valid orientations of the flow diverter may be defined. In some embodiments, releasable engagement means, for example resilient clips, may be provided for holding the flow diverter in the selected position and preventing inadvertent release, for example caused by external bumps and knocks or by fluid pressure within the filter.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, preferred embodiments will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a wall-mounted boiler of known configuration; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a magnetic filter according to the invention, configured in a first configuration; Figure 3 is a perspective cut-away view of the magnetic filter of Figure 2, configured in a second configuration; Figure 4 is a perspective cut-away view of the magnetic filter of Figure 2, configured in a third 25 configuration; Figure 5 is a perspective cut-away view of the magnetic filter of Figure 2, configured in a fourth configuration; Figure 6 is a perspective exploded view of the magnetic filter of Figure 2 (in the second configuration); Figure 7a is a perspective view of the filter of Figure 2 in the first configuration installed below a boiler; Figure 7b is a perspective view of the filter of Figure 2 in the second configuration installed below a boiler; Figure 7c is a perspective view of the filter of Figure 2 in the third configuration installed below a boiler in a first orientation; and Figure 7d is a perspective view of the filter of Figure 2 in the third configuration installed below a boiler in a second orientation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring firstly to Figure 1, a boiler is indicated at 100. The illustration is typical of a wall-mounted combination boiler and it will be noted that pipe connections 102 extend from the underside of the boiler. Depending on the type of boiler and associated heating / cooling system there may be different numbers of connections, but five connections for heating circuit flow and return, cold water in, direct hot water out, and gas, is typical. To protect the boiler, it is preferable to fit a magnetic filter on the return pipe of the heating / cooling circuit. Depending on the particular boiler, that return pipe could be any one of the five pipes illustrated.

Figure 1 shows a system, typical of new-build housing in certain areas, where the pipework has been embedded into the wall, and emerges from the wall just a short distance below the boiler. Short sections of pipe, bent at 90 degrees or provided with pre-formed elbows, provide a connection between the in-wall pipework and the boiler. It is apparent that there is limited space to install a magnetic filter.

Figure 2 shows a magnetic filter according to the invention, indicated generally at 10. The magnetic filter is in the form of a canister 12 and a connection assembly 14. The connection assembly 14 incorporates a first port 16, a second port 18, a third port 20 and a fourth port 22. The connection assembly 14 has a substantially cylindrical body, and the first, second and third ports 16, 18, 20 extend radially away from the connection assembly at 90 degree intervals, i.e. at 0 degrees, 90 degrees and 180 degrees referenced to the first port 16. The fourth port 22 extends axially away from the cylinder, at right angles to all three of the first, second and third ports 16, 18, 20.

In Figure 2, the filter 10 is configured with the first port 16 and the second port 18 in use providing the inlet and outlet through the filter. The third port 20 and the fourth port 22 have been capped-off with fluid-fight caps, since they are not required. The filter of the invention may be reconfigured in many different ways, to select the most convenient combination of two ports out of the first, second, third and fourth ports 16, 18, 20, 22 for a particular installation environment.

The ports which are in use are connected to the heating system (not shown in Figures 2 -6) via straight connectors 24, 26. In Figure 2 one of the connectors 26 includes a valve and the other is a "swivel nut" connector. Many types of connectors may be provided in embodiments, for example including screw thread connections, compression connections, push-fit connections etc. Providing at least one valve can assist with cleaning the filter, which is well known.

A drain port 28 and bleed valve 30 are provided in the canister 12. However, in other embodiments, accessories could be screwed onto unused ports (20 and 22 in Figure 2) to provide bleed! drain facilities in some configurations. Alternatively bleed and drain points may not always be required on the filter itself, especially if they are provided on other system components close by.

Figure 3 shows a cut-away view of the same filter, but in a different configuration. In Figure 3, it is the first and fourth ports 16, 22 which are in use. The second and third ports (18), 20 have been capped-off as they are unused.

Preferably, the filter 10 is provided with two sealing caps, as indicated in the Figures, so that unused ports may be sealed. The connectors 24, 26 may be supplied as well, although the valved connector 26, for example, is commonly already provided with a boiler.

The cut-away view in Figure 3 shows how fluid flows through the filter. In this illustration, the fourth port 22 is being used as the inlet, and fluid flows in as indicated by arrow A. A flow diverter 32 is disposed within the connection assembly 14, in the fluid path between the ports 16, 18, 20, 22 and the inside of the canister 12. The flow diverter 32 is substantially in the form of a cylindrical shell and so fluid passes through the shell, from the fourth port 22 into the inside of the canister 12. The flow diverter 32 includes a central feature 34, and the fluid from the fourth port 22 must flow around the central feature, so that it passes into an outer region of the substantially cylindrical space inside the canister 12.

The fluid circulates within the canister and then exits through the central feature 34 of the flow guide, so that fluid leaves the canister in an inner region of the space inside the canister. The central feature 34 forms a pipe channel which carries the fluid axially and then radially to the first port 16, which is used as the outlet in this embodiment.

The magnetic field in this embodiment is provided by a permanent magnet, or rather, a stack of magnetic billets 36, which is substantially in the form of a column and is disposed centrally within the canister 12. Therefore, by flowing into the separation chamber (which is defined by the space inside the canister) in an outer region and then out of the separation chamber through an inner region, good circulation of the fluid around the magnet 36 is ensured, leading to effective separation.

In Figure 4, the flow diverter 32 has been rotated by 180 degrees so that the pipe channel 34 connects the third port 20 through to the inner region of the separation chamber, instead of the first port 16 (Figure 3). In this illustrated configuration, arrow A again indicates the port being used as the inlet, in this case the third port 20. In this case therefore it is the inlet flow which enters the separation chamber in an inner region via the pipe channel 34 in the flow guide, and outlet flow which leaves the separation chamber in the outer region, passes through the flow guide 32, past the pipe channel 34, and to the fourth port 22.

The magnet (36) is omitted from the illustration in Figure 4 and Figure 5, but it will be appreciated that the magnet (36) is disposed as shown in Figure 3, and flow which enters the separation chamber either by the inner region or the outer region, and then exits the separation chamber by the other of the inner region or the outer region, will substantially flow within the influence of the magnetic field, ensuring that magnetic particles are removed.

Figure 5 shows a further configuration in which the first port 16 and third port 20 are in use, with the second and fourth ports (18), 22 capped off. This allows the filter to be fitted to in-line pipework. The flow path into and out of the separation chamber still meets the requirement of entering via one of the inner and outer regions, and exiting via the other of the inner and outer regions.

In any one of Figure 3, Figure 4, and Figure 5, the flow direction could be reversed and the filter will still work correctly.

Figure 6 is an exploded view of the filter 10 which in particular shows the flow guide 32 more clearly. The flow guide 32 is substantially in the form of a cylindrical shell. The cylindrical shell has apertures 38 in its wall, the apertures being spaced by 90 degrees from each other around the curved wall. In this embodiment there are three apertures 38 at 90 degree, 180 degree and 270 degree positions referenced to the uppermost point as shown in Figure 6.

At the 0 degree position, a further aperture 40 is provided in the wall of the cylindrical shell. From this aperture, a pipe channel 34 extends towards the centre of the inside of the shell, and then turns by 90 degrees and extends axially and substantially centrally along the inside of the shell.

It is apparent that the flow director 32 may be placed in position within the connector block 14 so that the aperture 40 connecting to the pipe channel 34 corresponds with the position of either one of the first, second, or third ports 16, 18, 20. It is not possible to align the pipe channel 34 with the fourth port, but this does not matter since all that is necessary for correct operation is that one of the in-use ports is aligned with the pipe channel so that that port is fluidly connected to the inner region of the separation chamber, and the other in-use port is not aligned with the pipe channel so that the other port is fluidly connected to the outer region of the separation chamber. It does not matter which is used as the inlet and which is used as the outlet.

It will also be noted that the canister 12 may be installed on the connection assembly 14 in any of a variety of rotational positions. This further increases the flexibility of installation options, since in any particular configuration of the ports, the connection block can be rotated to different angles. The canister may then be installed so that the bleed valve 30 is substantially at an uppermost point, irrespective of the rotational orientation of the connector block.

The connection between the canister and the connection assembly is described in the Applicant's co-pending application published as GB2565321, which is incorporated by reference.

Although not shown in the figures, the flow director 32 preferably includes formations, for example detents, slots, or protrusions, of some sort, which correspond with similar formations on the inside of the connection block 14. This provides a "key" so that the flow diverter 32 may be inserted only in one of the correct positions, i.e. only in a position in which the pipe channel 34 lines up exactly with one of the first, second and third ports 16, 18, 20. In addition, a releasable engagement means, for example resilient plastic clips, may be provided to ensure that the flow diverter 32 stays in place, and is resistant at least to normal bumps and knocks as may be experienced, for example, above a kitchen worktop. The releasable engagement means will also prevent the flow diverter from becoming dislodged due to flow within the filter 10.

Figures 7a to 7d illustrate the filter installed in a variety of positions below a typical boiler. Note that in this illustration, only the boiler return pipe (on which the filter is normally fitted) is shown as emerging from the wall close to the boiler. It would be more usual for all of the pipes to be positioned in this way, as shown in Figure 1. However, Figures 7a to 7d do illustrate that the flexibility of installation options allows not only the overall small space, but also obstructions caused by adjacent pipes, to be effectively overcome.

In Figures 7c and 7d the bleed valve 30 will not be effective since it is at the bottom of the filter. However, this may be overcome by bleeding at alternative points, for example via valves within the boiler itself, or on connectors (24, 26).

The particular embodiments described and combinations of features therein are not limiting, and other variations and modifications will be apparent. The invention is defined by the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A magnetic filter for a central heating or cooling system, the magnetic filter including a separation chamber, and a magnetic field within the separation chamber; at least a first port and a second port, the ports being suitable for connection of the magnetic filter to pipework; a first flow path from a first region in the separation chamber to at least one of the ports; a second flow path from a second region in the separation chamber to at least one of the ports; and a movable flow diverter, at least one of the flow paths being provided through a channel in the flow diverter, and the flow diverter being movable at least for selecting which of the ports is in fluid communication with the channel.
2. A magnetic filter as claimed in claim 1, in which at least a third port is provided. 20
3 A magnetic filter as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the flow diverter may be moved to select any one of the ports for use as an inlet, and to select any one of the ports for use as an outlet, the inlet port being associated with the one of the first and second flow paths and the outlet port being associated with the other of the first and second flow paths.
4. A magnetic filter as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, in which the magnetic field is provided by a magnet disposed within the separation chamber.
5 A magnetic filter as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the first region is an outer region of the separation chamber, and the second region is an inner region of the separation chamber.
6. A magnetic filter as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the first and second ports extend from the filter at right angles to each other.
7. A magnetic filter as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, in which the first and second ports extend from the filter in-line with each other, extending away from each other.
8. A magnetic filter as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, in which a third port extends from the filter at right angles to both of the first port and the second port.
9. A magnetic filter as claimed in claim 8, in which a fourth port extends from the filter at right angles to all three of the first, second and third ports.
10. A magnetic filter as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the channel in the flow diverter is substantially in the form of a right angle channel.
11. A magnetic filter as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the flow diverter is in the form of a hollow cylindrical shell having a curved wall, the wall having apertures corresponding to positions of ports on the filter.
12. A magnetic filter as claimed in claim 11 when dependent on claim 10, in which the pipe channel is supported from a wall of the cylindrical shell.
13. A magnetic filter as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which corresponding formations are provided in the flow diverter and in the filter, for allowing insertion of the flow diverter into the filter only in one of a number of discrete positions.
14. A magnetic filter as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which releasable attachment means are provided for releasably retaining the flow diverter within the filter.