NL2020370B1

NL2020370B1 - Chimney pipe joint for sustainable chimney systems

Info

Publication number: NL2020370B1
Application number: NL2020370A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Stephan De Vries Edwin
Original assignee: M & G Group Europe B V
Priority date: 2018-02-02
Filing date: 2018-02-02
Publication date: 2019-08-12

Abstract

A chimney pipe joint (1) for a chimney system comprising a tubular body (2) provided with two opposing open ends (4, 6) and a side opening (8) arranged there between in a circumferential wall portion (10) ofthe tubular body (2). A panel member (12) is removably or releasably attached to the tubular body (2) and configured to cover the side opening (8), wherein the panel member (12) comprises an open branch end (14) projecting from the panel member (12).

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a pipe joint for use in sustainable chimney and flue gas systems, such as sustainable collective chimney systems.

Background art

European patent application EP2385302 A1 discloses a chimney pipe system comprising a chimney pipe for the discharge of combustion gases, a combustion air pipe for supplying combustion air, and an exhaust channel for the discharge of compartment air. The chimney pipe is arranged inside the combustion air pipe, and the combustion air pipe is arranged inside the exhaust channel. Connection of a boiler to the chimney pipe system is achieved through a connection member having a chimney pipe T-piece and a combustion air pipe T-piece, wherein the combustion air pipe T-piece surrounds the chimney pipe T-piece which is secured therein. The chimney pipe T-piece is connected to two parts of the chimney pipe and ensures that combustion gases can be introduced into the chimney pipe.

Summary of the invention

The present invention aims to provide a chimney pipe joint for improved accessibility for installing, maintaining and replacing a network of pipes for e.g. flue gas applications. The chimney pipe joint also allows for upgradability of flue gas networks when improved or alternative flue gas solutions are to be used in the future.

According to the present invention, a chimney pipe joint is provided of the type defined in the preamble for use in a sustainable chimney system, comprising a tubular body having two opposing open ends and a side opening arranged there between in a circumferential wall portion of the tubular body. A panel member is removably attached or releasably mounted to the tubular body and covers the side opening, wherein the panel member comprises an open branch end projecting from the panel member. The chimney pipe joint thus encloses a passageway for gas flow through the two opposing open ends and the open branch end.

The chimney pipe joint of the present invention is particularly advantageous when used in a double walled pipe network, such as a collective chimney system in an apartment or office building, wherein the double walled pipe network comprises an outer pipe network that encloses an inner pipe network and where the inner pipe network must remain accessible and maintainable but also replaceable and upgradable when a new or alternative heating system is to be used.

In particular, the chimney pipe joint may be advantageously utilized as part of an outer pipe network of collective chimney systems of apartment and office buildings and the like, wherein the removability of the panel member allows access to an inner pipe joint enclosed by the chimney pipe joint which acts as a jacket. Removing the inner pipe joint through the side opening of the tubular body allows further access to pipe sections of the inner pipe network such that complete removal and replacement of these further pipe sections is facilitated, leaving the outer pipe network intact and reusable. Therefore, convenient installation, maintenance and upgradability of the inner pipe network is now possible whilst keeping the outer pipe network in place. Chimney systems utilizing the chimney pipe joint of the present invention are therefore future proof, adaptable and as a result exhibit durability and sustainability.

Removal of the panel member is facilitated by releasably placing the panel member onto an outer surface portion of the tubular body that encircles the side opening such that the side opening is completely covered by the panel member. For example, in an embodiment the panel member comprises a rim portion in overlapping engagement with an edge portion of the side opening. This embodiment allows the panel member to be removed by simply pulling it away from the tubular body to provide full access to the side opening.

In an advantageous embodiment, the open branch end projects in a direction from the panel member at an angle of 90° degrees with respect to an outer surface of the panel member. This embodiment yields a straight angled T-joint, which is advantageous for e.g. chimney systems utilizing vertical and horizontal pipe sections. In alternative embodiments the open branch end may project in a direction from the panel member at an angle smaller than 90° degrees, e.g. 45° degrees, where any angle between 45° and 90° degrees is also possible, thereby providing additional freedom in choosing the topology of the chimney system.

Brief description of the drawings

The present invention will be discussed in more detail below, with reference to the attached drawings, in which

Figure 1 shows a three dimensional cross section of a chimney pipe joint according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a side view of a chimney pipe joint and a released panel member according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 3 shows a front view of a chimney pipe joint according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments

Known chimney systems, such as collective chimney systems used for apartment and office buildings, are often difficult to maintain, repair or upgrade. However, due to evolving building codes and various environmental requirements there is a need for chimney systems that can be easily maintained and upgraded in order to keep up with those evolving requirements and to be ready for new heating technologies. For example, existing collective chimney systems in an apartment building often comprise a large number of branches each being connected to a central heating system. Such collective chimney systems typically comprise an outer pipe network and an inner pipe network, wherein the inner pipe network is configured for transporting flue gases and wherein the outer pipe network is configured for air intake. Modifying the inner pipe network of such collective chimney systems for use with heat pumps instead of central heating systems is by no means a trivial matter, because in many cases there is insufficient access to the inner pipe network to allow various pipe joints and pipe sections to be replaced.

The chimney pipe joint of the present invention aims to fulfil the above mentioned needs as it allows for modular chimney systems that are much easier to maintain and upgrade when required. In particular, Figures 1 and 2 show a three dimensional cross section of a chimney pipe joint 1 and a side view of the chimney pipe joint 1, respectively, according to embodiments of the present invention.

In the embodiment of Figure 1, the chimney pipe joint 1 for use in a sustainable chimney system comprises a tubular body 2 provided with two opposing open ends 4, 6. Each open end 4, 6 may be arranged to be connected to further tubular sections 5, 7 of the flue gas system. In an exemplary embodiment the tubular body 2 may be seen as a round pipe, but in alternative embodiments a square or rectangular tubular body 2 would be possible.

The tubular body 2 is further provided with a side opening 8 which is arranged between the two open ends 4, 6 in a circumferential wall portion 10 of the tubular body 2. Here, the circumferential wall portion 10 may be seen as a side wall portion of the tubular body 2.

The chimney pipe joint 1 further comprises a panel member 12 removably attached or releasably mounted to the tubular body 2, e.g. on an outer surface portion of the tubular body 2, and wherein the panel member 12 covers the side opening 8, which is clearly depicted in Figure 2. So when the panel member 12 is mounted to the tubular body 2, the panel member 12 overlaps/covers the side opening 8 completely.

The panel member 12 further comprises an open branch end 14 that projects from the panel member 12 in an outward direction. The open branch end 14 may be seen as a relatively short pipe section projecting away from the panel member 12, wherein the open branch end 14 is arranged to provide a passageway through the side opening 8. Forthat purpose the open branch end 14 encloses an opening/aperture/duct for gas flow, wherein the opening defined by the open branch end 14 overlaps at least in part the side opening 8 when the panel member 12 is releasably mounted on the tubular body 2.

The open branch end 14 is further arranged such that other tubular sections of a chimney system can be connected to the chimney pipe joint 1. Typically, the open branch end 14 may be connected to some heat source of an apartment. For example, given a collective chimney system comprising a plurality of chimney pipe joints 1 of the present invention, then each chimney pipe joint 1 may be associated as a branch point toward an apartment and where the open branch end 14 connects to a heating system used forthat apartment.

The panel member 12 is releasably mounted on the tubular body 2 and as such allows quick and convenient access to an inner space of the chimney pipe joint 1. As depicted in Figure 1, the panel member 12 may be releasably affixed to the tubular body 2 using various types of fasteners, e.g. manual fasteners, such as releasable pipe clamps 13 that can be tightly wrapped around the tubular body 2 and the panel member 12. In an advantageous embodiment, the releasable pipe clamps 13 are tool-less pipe clamps configured for manual tightening and release.

As will be discussed later, an inner pipe joint 20 for e.g. flue gas applications may be arranged within the chimney pipe joint 1 and as such the chimney pipe joint 1 of the present invention is ideally suited for double walled chimney systems that require good access to an inner pipe network thereof by removing the panel member 12.

In an embodiment, the panel member 12 comprises a rim portion 16 in overlapping engagement with an edge portion 18 of the side opening 8. This embodiment ensures that the panel member 12 can be easily pulled back from the tubular body 2, where Figure 2 shows an example of how the panel member 12 may be released (see arrow) from the tubular body 2 such that the side opening 8 is exposed.

Referring to Figure 2, the overlapping engagement between the rim portion 16 and edge portion 18 is clearly visible, wherein the panel member 12 is pulled away from the tubular body 2 revealing the edge portion 18 of the side opening 8. The rim portion 16 completely extends around a circumference of the panel member 12 and the edge portion 18 completely extends around a circumference of the side opening 8, so that the panel member 12 is able to fully cover the side opening 8 as the rim portion 16 is configured to engage the edge portion 18 along its entire circumference.

In an embodiment, a gasket 19 may be provided along the edge portion 18 of the side opening 8, or the rim portion 16 of the panel member 12. Such a gasket 19 facilitates snug engagement between the rim portion 16 and edge portion 18 and greatly improves gas tightness of the chimney pipe joint 1.

Figure 3 shows a front view of the chimney pipe joint 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment shown, a length L of the panel member 12 in a longitudinal direction of the tubular body 2 is larger than a width W of the panel member 12. This allows the side opening 8 to be larger for a particular limited width of the tubular body 2 and as such access to the inner space of the chimney pipe joint 1 is improved.

As shown in Figure 3, in an embodiment the open branch end 14 that projects from the panel member 12 may be positioned at a lengthwise midpoint of the panel member 12, e.g. at a lengthwise distance S as measured from the rim portion 16, wherein S = L/2 as depicted. This allows “symmetrical” lengthwise access into the chimney pipe joint 1 near both open ends 4, 6.

In an alternative embodiment it is also possible that the open branch end 14 is positioned offset from a lengthwise midpoint of the panel member 12. That is, the indicated lengthwise distance S need not be L/2 but could be less, e.g. S < L/2, thereby allowing for a lengthwise asymmetrical positioning of the open branch end 14 to further improve accessibly into the chimney pipe joint 1 near one of the two open ends 4, 6.

Another advantage of the panel member 12 of the present invention is that it can also be easily exchanged by another panel member 12 having an open branch end 14 at a different location, e.g. centred or offset. That is, the panel member 12 can be removed and replaced by a different panel member 12 having a different geometry. This allows for even further sustainability and upgradability of (collective) chimney systems when new/other heating technologies are to be used.

In an embodiment, see Figure 2, the chimney pipe joint 1 is a T-joint, thus wherein the open branch end 14 projects in a direction from the panel member 12 at an angle a of substantially 90° degrees with respect to an outer surface of the panel member 12. This embodiment allows the chimney pipe joint 1 to be used without imposing a particular orientation on placement of the two open ends 4, 6. In an alternative embodiment, the open branch end 14 may project in a direction from the panel member 12 at an angle a smaller than 90° degrees, e.g. 45° degrees, but any other suitable angle a may be chosen if required, e.g. angles a between 45° and 90° degrees, to allow for great freedom in chimney configurations, pipe branch orientations etc.

As depicted in Figures 1 and 2, the panel member 12 is configured to cover the side opening 8 and wherein the rim portion 16 is configured to snugly engage the edge portion 18 of the side opening 8. To achieve such a snug engagement and to maintain the overall geometry of the chimney pipe joint 1, an embodiment is provided wherein the panel member 12 comprises a (transverse) curvature substantially equal to a circumferential curvature of the tubular body 2. That is, in this embodiment the panel member 12 is shaped and adapted to follow and continue the circumferential shape of the tubular body 2 along the width W of the panel member 12. So in case the tubular body 2 is a round pipe with a particular radius, then the panel member 12 has a similar round shape with substantially the same radius. As a result, the curvature in a width direction of the panel member 12 equals the circumferential curvature of the tubular body 2.

As mentioned earlier, and as shown in Figure 1 and 2, the chimney pipe joint 1 is ideally suited for double walled pipe networks, particularly collective chimney systems of apartment and office buildings and the like. In such collective systems an inner pipe network is configured to exhaust flue gases from a plurality of floor levels of a building whilst an outer pipe network encloses the inner pipe network. The outer pipe network is then used for air intake and configured to transport air through (annular) passageways between the inner pipe network and the outer pipe network toward each floor.

In view of these collective chimney systems, the chimney pipe joint 1 of the present invention is very effective when used for an outer pipe network for e.g. air intake, wherein the panel member 12 provides good access to the inner pipe network which is used for e.g. exhausting flue gases. Temporarily removing the panel member 12 then allows the inner flue gas pipe network to be easily serviced, replaced or upgraded when required.

Referring to the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2, the chimney pipe joint 1 of the present invention may comprise an inner pipe joint 20 releasably mounted on an inner wall portion of the chimney pipe joint 1, wherein the inner pipe joint 20 comprises an inlet end 22 extending into the open branch end 14 and an outlet end 24 extending toward or into one of the two open ends 4, 6. The outlet end 24 is typically configured to connect to a further inner pipe section 25 of an inner pipe network for e.g. exhausting flue gases. By virtue of the releasable panel member 12, the inner pipe joint 20 can be accessed, serviced, repaired or replaced when required. This embodiment thus provides a double walled chimney pipe joint 1 of which the inner pipe joint 20 is accessed conveniently through the side opening 8 once the panel member 12 has been removed.

Although not depicted, in an embodiment the inner wall portion of the chimney pipe joint 1 is provided with a mounting bracket for releasably mounting the inner pipe joint 20 thereon. Such a mounting bracket allows precise placement of the inner pipe joint 20 within the chimney pipe joint 1, for example, for proper alignment of the inlet end 22 within the open branch end 14 but also proper alignment of the outlet end 24 with respect to the further inner pipe section 25. In an advantageous embodiment, the mounting bracket is a tool-less mounting bracket configured for manual operation, e.g. manual connect and release of the inner pipe joint 20.

In a further embodiment the mounting bracket may be a hook-like bracket onto which the inner pipe joint 20 can be mounted into position, thereby allowing tool-less placement and removal of the inner pipe joint 20 without the use of screws, bolts and the like.

In an embodiment, the inner pipe joint 20 may be an “elbow” joint or L-joint comprising the inlet end 22 and the outlet end 24 and providing a 90° degree turn. Such an “elbow” joint may be advantageously used as a last pipe joint in a collective chimney system, for example. Of course, the “elbow” joint may also provide a turn/bend which is larger or smaller than 90° degrees depending on requirements.

In an alternative embodiment as depicted in Figure 1, the inner pipe joint 20 may be a Tjoint, comprising the inlet end 22, the outlet end 24, and a further inlet/outlet end 26. The outlet end 24 and further inlet/outlet end 26 are typically configured to connect to further inner pipe sections 25, 27. As shown, the inlet end 22 extends substantially coaxially through the open branch end 14, so that a (annular) passageway is provided between the inlet end 22 and open branch end 14 for e.g. air intake.

Since the chimney pipe joint 1 may be used in a wide variety of chimney systems, in an embodiment the inner pipe joint 20 is made of plastic, e.g. polypropylene (PP), or stainless steel, or a combination thereof. Both plastic (e.g. PP) and stainless steel materials are chemically resistant thus ensuring that the inner pipe joint 20 is durable for many applications.

Durability is also of great importance to the chimney pipe joint 1 itself, so in an embodiment the chimney pipe joint 1, i.e. the tubular body 2 and panel member 12, may be made of stainless steel, aluminium, galvanized steel, ceramics, glass or any combination thereof. These materials are mechanically robust and chemically resistant and as a result ideally suited for the chimney pipe joint 1. Of course, it is also conceivable that the inner pipe joint 20 may be made of aluminium, galvanized steel, ceramics, glass or any combination thereof should the need arise for new heating technologies and/or other types of applications.

It should be noted that the chimney pipe joint 1 of the present invention has been described in terms of chimney systems primarily used for heating purposes, flue gas exhaust and air intake etc. However, the chimney pipe joint 1 is likewise suitable for ventilation, HVAC and various other systems for which a sustainable and upgradable pipe network is to be used through which a great variety of gases may need to be transported and/or exchanged.

In view of the above, the present invention can now be summarized by the following embodiments:

Embodiment 1. A chimney pipe joint (1) for a chimney system, comprising a tubular body (2) provided with two opposing open ends (4, 6) and a side opening (8) arranged there between in a circumferential wall portion (10) of the tubular body (2), and a panel member (12) removably attached to the tubular body (2) and covering the side opening (8), wherein the panel member (12) comprises an open branch end (14) projecting from the panel member (12).

Embodiment 2. The chimney pipe joint (1) according to embodiment 1, wherein the panel member (12) comprises a rim portion (16) in overlapping engagement with an edge portion (18) of the side opening (8).

Embodiment 3. The chimney pipe joint (1) according to embodiment 2, wherein a gasket (19) is provided along the edge portion (18) of the side opening (8) or the rim portion (16) of the panel member (12).

Embodiment 4. The chimney pipe joint (1) according to embodiment 1, 2 or 3, wherein a length (L) of the panel member (12) in a longitudinal direction of the tubular body (2) is larger than a width (W) of the panel member (12).

Embodiment 5. The chimney pipe joint (1) according to any one of embodiments 1-4, wherein the projecting open branch end (14) is positioned offset from a lengthwise midpoint of the panel member (12).

Embodiment 6. The chimney pipe joint (1) according to any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein the open branch end (14) projects in a direction from the panel member (12) at an angle (a) of 45° to 90° degrees with respect to an outer surface of the panel member (12).

Embodiment 7. The chimney pipe joint (1) according to any one of embodiments 1-6, wherein the panel member (12) comprises a curvature substantially equal to a circumferential curvature of the tubular body (2).

Embodiments. The chimney pipe joint (1) according to any one of embodiments 1-7, further comprising an inner pipe joint (20) removably mounted on an inner wall portion of the chimney pipe joint (1) and comprising an inlet end (22) extending into the open branch end (14) and an outlet end (24) extending toward one of the two open ends (4, 6).

Embodiment 9. The chimney pipe joint (1) according to embodiment 8, wherein the inner wall portion of the chimney pipe joint (1) is provided with a mounting bracket for releasably mounting the inner pipe joint (20) thereon.

Embodiment 10. The chimney pipe joint (1) according to embodiment 8 or 9, wherein the inner pipe joint (20) is made of plastic or stainless steel.

Embodiment 11. The chimney pipe joint (1) according to any one of embodiments 1-10, wherein the chimney pipe joint (1) is made of stainless steel, aluminium, galvanized steel, ceramics, glass or any combination thereof.

The present invention embodiments have been described above with reference to a number of exemplary embodiments as shown in and described with reference to the drawings. Modifications and alternative implementations of some parts or elements are possible, and are included in the scope of protection as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CONCLUSIONS

A chimney pipe connection (1) for a chimney system, comprising a tubular body (2) provided with two opposite open ends (4, 6) and a side opening (8) arranged therebetween in a circumferential wall portion (10) of the tubular body (2), and a panel member (12) removably attached to the tubular body (2) and covering the side opening (8), the panel member (12) including an open branch end (14) extending from the panel member (12) ).

The chimney pipe connection (1) according to claim 1, wherein the panel part (12) comprises an edge portion (16) that is in overlapping engagement with an edge portion (18) of the side opening (8).

The chimney pipe connection (1) according to claim 2, wherein a gasket (19) is provided along the edge portion (18) of the side opening (8) or the edge portion (16) of the panel portion (12).

The chimney pipe connection (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein a length (L) of the panel part (12) in a longitudinal direction of the tubular body (2) is greater than a width (W) of the panel part (12) ).

The chimney pipe connection (1) according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the protruding open branch end (14) is positioned offset with respect to a longitudinal center of the panel part (12).

The chimney pipe connection (1) according to any of claims 1-5, wherein the open branch end (14) protrudes in a direction from the panel part (12) at an angle (a) of 45 ° to 90 ° degrees with respect to from an outer surface of the panel member (12).

The chimney pipe connection (1) according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the panel part (12) comprises a curvature that is substantially equal to a circumferential curvature of the tubular body (2).

The chimney pipe connection (1) according to any of claims 1-7, further comprising an inner pipe connection (20) releasably mounted on an inner wall portion of the chimney pipe connection (1) and further comprising an inlet end (22) extending into the open branch end (14) and an outlet end (24) extending in the direction of one of the two open ends (4, 6).

The chimney pipe connection (1) according to claim 8, wherein the inner wall portion of the chimney pipe connection (1) is provided with a mounting bracket for releasably mounting the inner pipe connection (20) thereon.

5

The chimney pipe connection (1) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the inner pipe connection (20) is made of plastic or stainless steel.

11. The chimney pipe connection (1) according to any of claims 1-10, wherein the chimney pipe connection (1) is made of stainless steel, aluminum, galvanized steel, ceramic, glass or any combination thereof.